Where Were You on September 11, 2001
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: (FILE PHOTO) A fiery blasts rocks the south tower of the World Trade Center as the hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the building September 11, 2001 in New York City. Almost two years after the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center, the New York Port Authority is releasing transcripts on August 28, 2003 of emergency calls made from inside the twin towers. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
That’s a day that is burned in my memory for all time. I was no where closed to ground zero in New York. In fact I was 1, 775 miles away in Colorado. But the sights and sounds broadcast on the television of the planes crashing into the twin towers, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field, were still life changing. Launching America into a new consciousness, the threat of global terrorism was front and center.
I had just started a new job, I was getting ready for work when I stopped to check my email before shutting the computer down at approximately 8:00 a.m. , MDT. A friend’s email popped up with urgent on it then an IM. The message said “Turn on your television before you head to work. It’s awful, we’ve been attacked.”
I tagged him back “What? I gotta go.” But upon his insistence, I headed down stairs flipped on the television. To my horror I saw the video of the fiery blasts that rocked the World Trade Center after being hit by two planes. I’m not sure how long I stood there watching the events as they unfolded that morning. That particular scene was burned into my memory. For the first time in history, the FAA grounded all flights over or bound for United States air space. It was an eerie sound… or no sound I guess. Where I live air traffic from local airports and the numerous air force bases jets are an everyday occurrence. But the dead silence was unnerving.
Anyway, I finally tore myself from the television, got in my SUV and drove to work. There I found my boss and a few co-workers glued to the computer screens and MSNBC where World Trade Center’s North Tower collapse 102 minutes after being struck by Flight 11 was being aired. Continuous news coverage and updates at ground zero. Not much work got done that morning. I think we were all shell shocked. How could this happen? Within a couple of hours, the business owner called and told us all to go home.
Coverage continued all day and at 8:30 p.m., President Bush addressed the nation, calling the attacks “evil, despicable acts of terror” and declaring that American, it’s friends and allies would “stand together to win the war against terrorism.”
From that day forward, there was a new normal. It couldn’t happen to the United States, but it had. We’d been attacked on our on soil… so many American lives lost on that one day, through the actions of a few. A day millions will never forget.
So where were you the morning of 9/11/2001?
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Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged 2001, New York, New York City, September 11, Twin Towers by Tena Stetler with 6 comments.
Hot Weather Safety Tips for Pets
Good Morning All! With all the swelting temperatures across the United States and around the world, I wanted to bring attention to your furred companions. Here are a few Hot Weather Safety Tips for Pets: Don’t leave your dog or cat in a hot car for even a few minutes. Temperatures can climb to well over 100 degrees in that time. Unlike humans, dogs and cats can’t sweat to relieve their bodies of heat. Instead, they pant. When trapped inside a car, the recycled air inside the vehicle makes little to no difference as they attempt to cool themselves off causing them to face heat exhaustion at a much faster rate than humans.
Pets that are exposed to high temperatures can suffer fever, organ failure, brain damage, or even death.
Signs that your pet is experiencing overheating can be rapid breathing, weakness, the appearance of a bright red tongue or vomiting. If you suspect your pet is overheating, move them out of the sun and heat. Use cool, not cold water to assist in bringing the animal’s temperature down. Then contact your veterinarian immediately!
Additionally, don’t take your animals out for a walk if the air temperature is 77 degrees or higher. The asphalt can be up to 129 degrees. If you must take your animal out to relieve themselves, stick to grassy areas, dirt trails or shaded sidewalks. If you can’t hold your hand on the asphalt for at least 7 seconds, it too hot for the pads on your dog’s feet.
Keep these Hot Weather Safety Tips for Pets in mind for a safe summer for you and your pets.
Speaking of pets, lets take a look at my new release, Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic, which features an adorable rescue dog named Cocoa.
Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy, security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?
A sneak peek between the pages of RAVEN’S HOLLOW SPRING MAGIC:
LoraLee waved from the front porch of her rescue. “Mandy said you’d be stopping in. What can I do for you?”
“Not sure. My house is too quiet. No one to greet me at the door last night. Uh—”
“Where’s Blaze? That man is always working.” LoraLee shook her head.
“It’s not that, he’s away on business, but—”
“I understand. Come on in, look around, see if one of my residents calls to you.” The woman motioned around back. “It’s so nice everyone is out in their runs today.” LoraLee let Wynter wander down the path between dog runs. “Rabbits, birds, reptiles are housed on the left at the end of the runs. Cat’s are in the enclosure with covered exercise areas on the right beyond the lilac bushes.”
“Thanks.” Wynter inhaled the sweet scent of Lilac as she ambled between the runs. Several dogs rushed to the gate, barking, and wagging their tails. Wynter talked to each one, hoping for a connection, then moved on. Almost at the end, she saw a chocolate colored, furry dog, with the saddest brown eyes she’d ever seen. The canine stretched out in a patch of sunlight a few feet from the animal’s gate. Peering at the sign on the gate, she knelt down. “What’s your story Cocoa? Why so sad? It’s a beautiful day.”
The dog raised its head, swiveled its ears forward and back, then stared into her eyes, and wagged its tail once almost hopefully, then got up stretched and wandered over to the gate.
Wynter turned to LoraLee as the woman came up to stand by her. “May I pet Cocoa?”
“Oh sure. I wondered if you two might connect. Cocoa lost her owner to a heart attack a few weeks ago. Hasn’t had much of an appetite or interest in life since. She’s five years old, and spent all of those years the center of the old woman’s life. So sad.” LoraLee brightened. “This is the most interest she’s shown in anything since she’s been here.”
Reaching her hand through the fence, Wynter rubbed under the dog’s muzzle, side of the head, and ear. Cocoa closed her eyes then licked Wynter’s hand with a dark purple tongue. The dog’s tail curled over her back for a beat, then drooped down again.. “Can I take her for a walk around the compound?”
“Of course. I’ll get her leash and harness.” LoraLee rushed to the administration building and returned quickly.
“How about going for a walk, girl?” She stood, opened the gate hesitatingly, and knelt in front of the dog blocking the exit.
Smiling, LoraLee opened the gate wider, sidestepped Wynter, and slid the harness over Cocoa’s head and snapped the leash on the harness. “Off you two go.”
The dog’s tail curled over her back again and the Cocoa trotted beside Wynter. Cocoa turned her head occasionally to gaze at her possible rescuer. At least Wynter got that vibe.
Leading the canine over to a big shade tree, Wynter stopped, eased down on the grass and rubbed the dog under the chin. “Well, what do you think, girl? Would you like to come home with me?” She rubbed Cocoa’s ears. “I have a dragon shifter for a fiancé, but you’ll get along fine, I’m sure. He’s a good guy. A little opinionated and pushy, but…” She shrugged feeling the dog’s sadness, now overshadowed with hope, Wynter made her decision.
****
Looking for a great weekend, beach, or camping read? Look no farther, Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic is the key to a relaxing time.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog and tagged fantasy, hot weater safety for pets, Mystery, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Raven's Hollow Spring Magic, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Pet Safety Tips for the Fourth Of July
Did you know? More dogs go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. With all the noisy fireworks, loud parties, and distractions, it’s no wonder so many pooches bolt and get lost on Independence Day.Always keep you dogs and cats inside when fireworks are going off to avoid their nature to find a safe haven. Make certain your pets are walked prior to fireworks going off, close all windows and doors. Draw the curtains. Ensure your pets are wearing ID tags, even if in the house, as many animals are expert escape artists. Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle during the celebrations. You can also prepare a den for your pets inside the house with blankets and pillows in a location they will feel safe. There are thunder shirts you can buy for your dog that relieve the stress of thunderstorms and I’m told fireworks too. 
As far as our pet box turtle, Sammie, she 51 years old, but the fireworks don’t seem to bother her. Since a lot of what she feels come from vibrations though out her world, we make sure she has a den in her house with overhead logs to feel safe. She has lots of experience with this holiday, so she handles it just fine. From time to time we escape the city and take everyone with us for a nice quite mountain Fourth of July. Still we see all the fireworks from afar. But they can’t be heard or felt. a win win for all. Pet Safety Tips – Now let’s talk a bit about companion parrots who have to endure this noisy holiday too. Let me give you an example. Taco and I sit outside in the sunroom every evening after I’ve finished writing for the day during spring, summer, and fall. Over the past week (end of June first of July) the boom of fireworks are prevalent from early revelers. Taco is normally a fearless Eclectus. She’s learned the outside hawks can’t get to her through the glass of the sunroom. Thunder and lightning doesn’t bother her either, she’s been conditioned from an early age to understand there is nothing to fear. Now softball size hail falling is another story and a tale for another time. But, the sudden, unexplained noise from the fireworks has her flying off her perch and cowering on my shoulder. So we have to go inside during this time. Boo Hiss.
Alternatively, cover any windows with blankets, to block out those sudden burst of light. Covering the bird’s cage with a thick blanket can help muffle any loud noises, plus it helps make the bird feel more secure. The use of white noise machines or having the TV or radio on a little louder than normal can help drown out the sudden noise of fireworks.
After the celebrations are over, make sure to check your yard any pick up any debris from the spent fireworks or maybe those that didn’t go off. These are harmful to your pet should they chew or ingest these items! Most importantly in keeping pets safe: NEVER TAKE YOUR PET TO A FIREWORKS DISPLAY! The American Veterinary Medical Association and AKC have more safety tips. Check them out. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog, Uncategorized and tagged fourth of July, Halloween Pet Safety Tips, Keep Your Pets Safe This Fourth of July by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
M-Bot or BBot – Today’s Technology Snippet
Who remembers when Robocop premiered? I’d completely forgotten about the movie until I read the an article in The Gazette about BBot penned by Katie Rice of Orlando Sentinel this morning. Headline read Robocop BBot (Bringing Bravery Out Together) will ‘walk’ the beat at Florida convention center.
Now this security robot doesn’t look a thing like Robocop. In fact, it’s reminiscent of something out of Star Wars. R2 D2 maybe?
The five-foot-two-inch egg-shaped K5 machine from robotics security company Knightscope arrived at the convention center and will soon clock in for its first shift in early May. The Convention Center is Orlando’s first major tourism business to deploy an autonomous security machine among the public.
BBot is on a one-year trial run that costs about $55,000. The Florida Convention Center could consider expanding its robot fleet, if the pilot program works well.
Isiah White, Security Manager for the venue, emphasized using BBot to assist its human security staff, not replace it. Humans will still patrol the facility along with the robot. They will monitor BBot from the command center and use the robot’s two-way intercom to talk to visitors.
This is the wave of the future.
Robot servers and bussers rolled into Florida’s restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic to entertain customers and cover staff shortages.
Six Flags began piloting security robots from the Robotic Assistance Devices company at two theme parks in Texas and California early last year. Will Orlando theme parks be next? In these examples, research suggests employers recognize automation’s limitations and are using them to assist human workers, not replace them.
Oh, and a robot, MBot is a hit with guests, staff at M Resort in Henderson, NV. M-Bot is a 5-foot, 450-pound robot equipped with 50 cameras and sensors that patrols the property’s exterior.
Colorado, time to catch up. I’ve not seen any type of robotic assistance in the state. How about your state?
Ok, I stand corrected. At the Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs around the 20th of April, Spot a for-legged Boston Dynamic robot, available for commercial purchase, was prancing around an exhibit hall booth. But to my knowledge there are no robots in commerical use in Colorado.
So you can relax. robots are not set to take over the world—yet.
By the way, RoboCop premiered July 17, 1987.
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Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Henderson, l M-Bot BBot, Orlando, Robotic Assistance Devices, Robots, Technology Snippet, Theme parks by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
