Monday 26 August 2013

Jan C: Affirmation

Photo credits: Jan C

Sunrise at sea

Somewhat inclined to be pessimistic about the future for wildlife I recently had a shift in that perspective - for the positive. My husband and our 2 adult children sailed from France to the Balearic Islands 2 weeks ago and even with all the sailing experience we have we've never had so many close encounters with dolphins and whales as on this trip.

The 36 hr. crossing to Menorca was very calm and we had to motor most of the way. We left Port Camargue in the evening and sightings of dolphins started that night - with a clear night we saw 2 single dolphins their fins distinctly breaking the surface.

The next morning we were all on deck when dolphins were sighted in all directions - a large pod of about 15 individuals. We slowed the boat and slowly headed toward them, they in turn came to the boat and swam next to our bow. 2 of them turning their heads to look up at us. I was completely awe struck at these beautiful creatures.

As suddenly as they arrived they turned and still swimming and jumping on the surface offered us a fare thee well that we will never forget.

For our return crossing we had light winds but for a few hours we could turn the motor off and sail. Luckily it was during this time that we came across an astounding sight: a whale going from slowly moving and spouting on the surface to a rolling thrashing erratic movement (which we quickly tried to avoid by turning the boat as upwind as we could). The whale rounded up and crossed in front of us swimming right along the length of our boat. Surprised and dismayed by what looked like blood in the water I didn't take any photos at that point. The blood seemed to be from the underside and I was afraid the whale had been hit by a passing freighter.

A pilot whale giving birth

But several long seconds later we saw the movement calm and suddenly a second shape, much smaller appeared and the 2 whales spouted at the same time shortly afterwards. A baby had been born!

A lone dolphin

Anonymous: and why did the Food Survey fail?

    FOOD SURVEY    (This came from Germany)

    Last month a world-wide telephone survey was conducted by the UN.

    The only question asked was:

    "Could you please give your honest opinion about solutions to the

     food shortage in the rest of the world?"

    Unfortunately the survey was an almost total failure because:

    1. In Eastern Europe they didn't know what "honest" meant.

    2. In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant.

    3. In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.

    4. In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant.

    5. In the Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant.

    6. In South America they didn't know what "please" meant.

    7. In the USA they didn't know what "the rest of the world" meant.

    8. In the UK they hung up as soon as they heard the Indian accent.

Friday 23 August 2013

Katharine: The 19th Amendment - Women's Equality Day, 2013

Post image for President Obama Proclaims Today Is Women’s Equality Day

Message from President Obama

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

August 23, 2013

Presidential Proclamation -- Women's Equality Day, 2013

WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, 2013

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On August 26, 1920, after decades of organizing, agitating, and demonstrating, our country achieved a major victory for women's rights and American democracy. The 19th Amendment was certified, extending the vote to women and advancing our Nation's long journey toward full equality for all Americans. The ratification of the 19th Amendment paved the way for more women to participate in American politics -- as leaders, candidates, voters, and volunteers. Today, women make up the majority of the electorate, and last year a record number of women were elected to the United States Congress. On Women's Equality Day, we celebrate the progress that has been made, and renew our commitment to securing equal rights, freedoms, and opportunities for women everywhere.

From the beginning, my Administration has been committed to advancing the historic march toward gender equality. We have fought for equal pay, prohibited gender discrimination in America's healthcare system, and established the White House Council on Women and Girls, which works to ensure fair treatment in all matters of public policy. In March, I signed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which provides better tools to law enforcement to reduce domestic and sexual violence, strengthens support systems, and extends protections to even more women. And earlier this year, the Department of Defense announced plans to remove roadblocks that prevent women from serving the country they love at the highest levels their extraordinary valor and talent will take them.

Yet we have more work to do. A fair deal for women is essential to a thriving middle class, but while women graduate college at higher rates than men, they still make less money after graduation and often have fewer opportunities to enter well-paid occupations or receive promotions. On average, women are paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to men. That is why the first bill I signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It is also why I established the National Equal Pay Task Force, which is cracking down on equal pay violations at a record rate. And it is why I issued a Presidential Memorandum calling for a Government-wide strategy to close any gender pay gap within the Federal workforce. To build on this work, I will continue to urge the Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act and give women more tools to challenge unequal wages. My Administration will also continue our campaign to engage women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers, and we will broaden our efforts to empower women and girls around the world.

As we reflect with pride on decades of progress toward gender equality, we must also resolve to make progress in our time. Today, we honor the pioneers of women's equality by doing our part to realize that great American dream -- the dream of a Nation where all things are possible for all people.


US Representative (for New York's 20th District). Bella Abzug, 1971 "Battling Bella". She declared, "This woman's place is in the House - the House of Representatives"

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2013, as Women's Equality Day. I call upon the people of the United States to celebrate the achievements of women and promote gender equality in our country.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

BARACK OBAMA

Thursday 15 August 2013

Katharine: August fun in the sun

Photo credits: Katharine C.

A group of us had lunch, in mid-August, of barbecued lamb, red pepper pasta salad, taboule, and a vegetable terrine, followed by summer desserts (recipes on Caro's Cook&Eat blog); and enjoyed one of our spectacular summer afternoons keeping cool.