Momathon Blog

Midwest Living

Going home to Minnesota in the summer is a delicious treat for all the senses. What could be a better alarm clock than waking up to the sweet scent of cinnamon coffee cake made by my mom? Fitting in your daily workout never feels like work when it's a brisk walk or jog around one of the many lakes in Minneapolis or an afternoon swim. Getting in touch with your creative spirit is simple when you visit one of the outdoor craft fairs or drop by a favorite odds 'n' ends shop for supplies to make your DIY masterpiece. Best of all, a vacation in Minnesota means plenty of good conversation with midwest folks. It's just one more example of "midwest nice."

The Moose Is Loose

The driving in Colorado is never boring. The amazing mountain vistas. So much wildlife to see roaming in the foothills. And even a few elk or moose carted around town in pickup trucks.

Doubt Apple Thought About This Benefit

I like to hike with my dog. This time of year I just might end up hiking with a few animals I don't enjoy sharing the trail with. Bears.

 

I often attach a big jingle bell to my dog's collar to warn the bears that we are hiking nearby. Fellow hikers have told me tales of meeting a bear on the path, but fortunately I haven't met one except in my own backyard--climbing the swing set and also going through trash cans. Bears in general aren't looking for you for dinner unless you have a picnic basket. But the idea that an ambling bear can also charge at 30 m.p.h. does put their power in perspective.

Now when I hike I also play some music sans earbuds on my iPhone or iPod Touch to warn the bears of our approach. Let me say I am not a wildlife expert, but in my highly unscientific study the bears in my neighborhood don't like Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Sara Bareilles. 

Happy hiking. (BTW, the photo above doesn't feature a bear, at least that I know of.)

Pets: Janie the Dachshund Mix Needs a Forever Home

Janie, a Dachshund/Chihuahua Mix, is available for adoption at an animal shelter in Arizona. Young Janie is looking for a forever home. You can read more about Janie and see more pictures at the AdoptaPet.com link.

Sweet Janie was found as a stray and needs work to help her overcome her shyness. She is good with kids and other dogs. She is about a year, weighs about 25 lbs., and is a lovely tan/yellow/fawn color.

Because she was abandoned, she is still learning what it's like to be cuddled. She loves it!

If you know someone who might want to adopt Janie, please send them the link to this blog post or have them check out Janie's link on AdoptaPet.com.

Thanks. 

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." -John Billings

A Hardy & Fragrant Groundcover

I live in a high desert region. Last year I decided to go green and add groundcover plants that do not need to be watered as often. Thyme plants thrive in sunny locations. I love the fact they rarely need water or fertilizing. They aren't picky about soil either--dry, gritty soil is fine. Thyme is hardy and some varieties can tolerate the snow and freezing temps we have in Colorado. The thyme plants vary in height. The one pictured here only grows to approximately 3-5 inches high and slowly spreads to 24 inches. This is the perfect height because I can walk through the garden without accidentally stepping near a rattlesnake or two! Best of all, the fragrant green carpet smells wonderful.

 

B&N "Meet the Author" Podcast with Carl Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen writes about the connection kids have with animals and wildlife in his books for young adults: Hoot, Flush, and now his newest novel, Scat.

In a Barnes & Noble Meet the Writers interview, Hiaasen talks about writing Scat, a book about a fearsome biology teacher who never returned from a field trip to Black Vine Swamp and the endangered elusive panther in the Florida Everglades. (384 pp, Hardcover, $16.99)

Buy Scat on SALE

Barnes & Noble is currently running a special 40% discounted price on this book in their Great Kids' Book discount coupon. If you are a B&N member you can get the book at 50% with the coupon.

Podcast link

Want to listen to the Hiaasen interview podcast? Just click on this B&N link and then click on the "Meet the Writer" audio player.

Social Petworking Saves the Life of Homeless Pet

Twitter a critter. Blog a dog. Chat a cat. You can help a homeless pet find a home through Social PETworking.

To see how you can help a shelter pet by posting their info onto your Facebook, MySpace or Twitter page watch the video below.