George L. Verge – Soldier on the Wall (Fortress Louisbourg) – Copyrighted 2012
George L. Verge – Lost in Time – Copyrighted 2012
George L. Verge – The Big Meow – Copyrighted 2012
George L. Verge – Fortress of Louisbourg Maidens – Copyrighted 2012
George L. Verge – Journey to Sautri Ridge – Artwork – Copyrighted 2013
(Cyber) Bullying: Enough is Enough
We consider ourselves to be a compassionate and protective species but yet we continue to allow the bullying of those who are weak and innocent while excusing those who perpetrated the deeds that destroyed said innocence and displayed the dark animal side of our conflicted nature.
At what point do we collectively say that enough is enough? When is the body count at an amount where our leaders are willing to recognize that something is wrong and our ethics are being degraded to vague rules of stupidity?
At what point do we agree that the hurt and betrayal has gone on long enough? How many young people’s lives need to be stolen from them by the cruel actions of others before our legal system and our social collective says enough is enough?
Related articles
- Bullying Is One of The Factors Behind Why A Teen Took Her Own Life (nbc15.com)
- Bullying (mormonliving.wordpress.com)
- Stamp Out bullying (stopthebulling.wordpress.com)
- Cyber Bullying (tombedwellblog.wordpress.com)
- What is Bullying? (letspreventbullying.wordpress.com)
- 10 Ways to Stop a Bully (beautifulmindsaustralia.wordpress.com)
- Cyber Bullying (nd20121743.wordpress.com)
- Cyber Bullying (ashleigh20122417.wordpress.com)
- Cyber Bullying (thomaskreiger.wordpress.com)
- Reflection 1: Cyber bullying (jessicawheelahan.wordpress.com)
A Canadian Political Dynasty, A National Reboot and a Possible Hope
I just finished watching Justin Trudeau being interviewed on The West Block. Canada watch out – this young man may reboot and re-initiate our political dynasty, started by his father 2 generations back, in two years take my word. He has the political awareness and charismatic essence of his father and the realism needed for the younger populace of this fine country. He has the understanding to counteract the damage the past three Canadian Prime Ministers have caused while keeping a proper perspective on what this country wants and more importantly needs, due to his personal and historical connections to the roots of what it means to be Canadian.
His father put us on the global map and helped defined the Canadian idealism and image. Justin has the opportunity to both continue that momentum as well as introduce a newer definition regarding what being Canadian is about. If he remains focused on keeping our natural resources protected and in check, minimizing unemployment and increasing skills, respecting our historical roots while being open to the future of this great nation, then this young man can become the political, ecological, and economical icon that we very much need in two years time.
Related articles
- Like father, like son?: A look at how closely Justin Trudeau treads in his father’s footsteps (news.nationalpost.com)
- Justin Trudeau and the politics of hope (macleans.ca)
- Trudeau would be prime minister if election was held today, poll finds (news.nationalpost.com)
- Passion – still relevant in Canadian Politics (theliberalcorset.com)
- Justin Trudeau is best bet to renew federal Liberals: Editorial (thestar.com)
- Justin Trudeau could be prime minister if election held today, exclusive poll finds (o.canada.com)
My Heritage – French Surname But English Genetic Ancestry
While I wait for the results of the mt-dna (maternal) tests from ftDNA, I have been contemplating the results of my Y-dna (paternal) 37 markers tests. The Verge name is linguistically French / Norman – French but so far the tests are showing that my genetic haplogroup roots are predominantly connected to Britain / Ireland / Germany. All the research, prior to the dna testing, was suggesting some form of connection to the Channel Islands and Normandy although I had no direct proof of this connection. It seems that genetic and linguistic data may not necessarily go hand in hand as commonly assumed.
Now Germany I can sort of see as it has a more intimate geographical relationship to France & Normandy. I do understand that the English and French have had such a long and odd historical relationship with each other that language and surnames can sometimes get blurred between which side of the fence they may belong on.
So either my research regarding the trail leading towards the Channel Islands is incorrect, or that it is a more recent stop over for the family while the long term roots are tied to the British Isles / central Western Europe. Either way, with the results being presently what they are, I am very much “British” in regard to my father’s bloodline. I should state that the results may shift when / if I get the 67 markers test done which can expand the field a bit. I also plan to eventually add the autosomal test to get a feel for the wider genetic data that may apply to my heritage.
Sooooo, … I guess I am a British Canadian ………… or am I?
Related articles
- The Blood, The Mystery, & The Confusion. (georgelverge.com)
- DNA Ancestry with Pinpoint Accuracy (eogn.com)
- We are all “related” to Romans, Vikings, Egyptians & Attila the Hun (sott.net)
- DNA ancestry tests branded ‘meaningless’ (telegraph.co.uk)
- To claim someone has ‘Viking ancestors’ is no better than astrology | Mark Thomas (guardian.co.uk)
RIP Stompin’ Tom Connors – A Good Ole Canadian Boy Has Left Behind A Musical Legacy
Yesterday, Canada lost another timeless icon of what it means to be from the Great White North. Stompin’ Tom Connors was Canadian to the core, no denying that. He loved his country, the people that make this country so unique, and the cultural flavourings of the Provinces and Territories that he had travelled across in his reasonably lengthy life. He wrote from the heart about what he knew and what he loved. You will be missed my Canadian brother.
Related articles
- Remembering Stompin’ Tom… (goodoldworld.wordpress.com)
- RIP Stompin’ Tom Connors, 77 years Young (trialstribs.wordpress.com)
- Stompin’ Tom remembered by fans, friends (cbc.ca)
- Stompin’ Tom: Our national poet (macleans.ca)
- Before leaving, Stompin’ Tom Connors says goodbye to fans in letter (calgaryherald.com)
- Stompin’ Tom Connors says goodbye to fans in final letter (vancouversun.com)
- Stompin’ Tom Connors’ final letter to his fans (macleans.ca)
- Stompin’ Tom Connors dies at 77 (ctvnews.ca)
- Canadian icon Stompin’ Tom Connors dies aged 77 (with video) (theprovince.com)
- Canadian singer Stompin’ Tom Connors dead at 77 (cbc.ca)
Bronze Mantella Frogs Habitat – Update
It has been about 1 1/2 months since the Bronze Mantella Frogs came into my collection. Their habitat is coming along nicely. Two of the croton plants died out within a month but the third one seems to be doing quite well. Not certain as to why they died. The schefflera plants are doing very well. They seem to prefer this kind of setup. The moss is holding out nicely and there is grass starting to appear. The frogs have gotten used to using the two small pools. It is interesting to watch them soak in the water and sometimes bend over and swallow it as well. The larder beetles seem to be doing a decent job at keeping the fungus that periodically occurs from spreading. Attempting to cultivate the grubs inside the habitat rather then externally. I noticed that the habitat is taking on a nice autumn earthy smell.
Related articles
- Frantic fight to save frogs from killer fungus (independent.co.uk)
- Frog & Toad Species: Bronze / Brown Mantella Frogs (Mantella Ebenaui) (georgelverge.com)
- An American Green Tree Frog (georgelverge.com)
- #Natureology Species of the Day – Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) (natureology101.wordpress.com)
- The Legacy of Kermit (My frog/toad collection) (georgelverge.com)
- Rare NZ native frog breeds at Auckland Zoo (stuff.co.nz)
- Frogs Find Safe Haven in West Africa (news.discovery.com)
- 1-16-13 Green Mantella from Ron’s Amphibian Series (homeschoolbyfrog.wordpress.com)
- 1-15-13 Golden Mantella from Ron’s Amphibian Series (homeschoolbyfrog.wordpress.com)
Accepted into the Nature Blog Network!
Excellent news – Nature Blog Network has accepted my website!
“Welcome to the Nature Blog Network, a nexus for the very best nature blogs on the net. If you’re looking for outstanding blogging about birds, bugs, plants,herps, hiking, oceans, ecosystems, or any other natural topic – or if you blog on those topics yourself – this is the place for you!”
Nano Reef – 2 Camel Shrimp (Pierre & Jean-Paul)
My two salt water camel shrimp who I have called Pierre and Jean-Paul (until one of them proves to be of the opposite sex). They are a hoot to watch. Got a few ideas for their habitat that I will be introducing slowly. Right now slowly building up the live rock and sand.
Related articles
- New Nano Reef Occupant – Camel Shrimp (and a hitchhiker) (georgelverge.com)
New Nano Reef Occupant – Camel Shrimp (and a hitchhiker)
I woke up this morning and decided that I was going to get this nano reef project off to a start. I headed out to the local petshop and got myself a Camel Shrimp this morning for the nano reef. I wanted to get something to help kick start the life cycle of the tank but not necessarily over tax it in the beginning. So far everything appears to be going well. I may get one more shrimp to keep it company if tomorrow he appears to still be in a normal state of health. He is fairly shy but does periodically take a brief walk around in the tank. For the present he has a preference to hang out on / next to a particular piece of live rock for whatever his reason.
I also discovered a wee light snail crawling along the tank side that apparently hitch-hiked on the seeded live sand that I got as well. Uncertain at present as to the species.
Probably going to need about 3 more lbs of live rock and maybe 2 lbs of live sand and I should be good for awhile. The small submersible power filter that I attached to some suction cups and converted to a powerjet is doing well too. It gives some direction flow without being extremely strong.
I am also intending to add small live rock pieces to the external power filter that at present is primarily there to assist with water agitation.
Related articles
- Exotic fish survives in dry tank after glass smashed by robber (wcvb.com)
- Marine Fish Provide Basics – What to Think about For a Reef Tank at Property (fishingsupplies33.wordpress.com)
Dr Who – Daleks Creator Passes On
Today, the sci-fi world lost another important creator of content – Ray Cusick, the man behind the Daleks. For anyone who may not know, the Daleks have been the longest running nemesis of Dr Who over the 50 years that sci-fi franchise has been in existence. Time and time again (no pun intended … ahem) they have returned to either hunt down the Doctor or to foil the natural order of things.
Thanks Ray for giving us one of the best sci-fi characters of all time.
Related articles
- R.I.P. Ray Cusick, the designer who helped make the Daleks terrifying (io9.com)
- Dalek designer dies after illness (bbc.co.uk)
- VIDEO: Dalek creator Ray Cusick dies aged 84 (bbc.co.uk)
- AUDIO: Dalek voice actor pays tribute (bbc.co.uk)
Our Chihuahua – Willow
Pets: A Commitment, Not a Convenience!
Pets… A Commitment, Not a Convenience!
By Deanna, on February 6th, 2013
http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/animal-advocacy/pets-a-commitment-not-a-convenience
They said they loved me… I thought we were going to the park to play… but when we got here they took off my pretty collar… and drove away… how will anyone know who I am… how will I get home… when will they come back…. I’ll just wait here… they said they loved me…
~DR~
FTLTD Original Design © 2012
Breaking the Stigma for Black Dogs & Cats
Have you ever thought about why some people are not keen to adopt a black dog or cat? This is a problem that we come across every day and that we find heartbreaking.
In the USA for example, they have chosen February as Black Dog and Cat Syndrome Awareness Month in an effort to draw attention to the stigma as to why people always overlook black dogs and cats at shelters.
Let go of superstition and foster compassion for cats and dogs, no matter the colour of their fur.
Related articles
- Who made superstitions???? (tvaraj.com)
- Breaking the Stigma for Black Dogs & Cats (aanifeira.wordpress.com)
A New Owl Species in Indonesia
A unique whistling call has led scientists to discover a new species of owl - Rinjani scops owl (Otus jolandae) - on the Indonesian island of Lombok. Two scientific expeditions, occurring separately but within a few days of each other, both noticed something different about the calls coming from owls on Lombok. Strangely, no-one had noticed anything special about these owls in the previous 100 years.
Tips to Testing for Food Aggression
Animal shelters are over-run with dogs in need of homes, and testing for food aggression is part of the way dedicated shelter workers and volunteers prepare animal shelter dogs to find good Forever Homes. If you’re involved with food aggression testing, here are some tips to make it easier.
Tip: See a Vet First
Sick or hurt dogs are often aggressive dogs.
Gareth Morgan promoting animal cruelty?
As of today, millionaire Gareth Morgan has announced that he's switching his $5 bounty for the SPCA to euthanise cats (F.Y.I. Gareth, we tend to use British English in New Zealand, which means euthanise has an S not a Z) to instead fund a programme for the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary to rent traps to the people of Karori to catch cats in their backyards.
Participating in a catch, neuter, release program requires constant due diligence by those who are willing to place cages on their land or a long and painful demise may take place for any creature who should happen to wander into the neglected cage. Feral cats, here in Cape Breton, are a problem as well as a challenge for not just the animal welfare community but also for the community at large and the local government. CNR programs will work as far as people are willing to take responsibility and participate.
