Yellow WInged Bat

The Yellow Winged bat spans wing to wing 58 to 80 mm and normally weighs around 28 to 36 grams. Female yellow bats are often slightly larger than males. The male yellow bat has more of a greenish yellow fur on its hind parts. The bats wings are reddish yellow as well as other membranes of the bat near the noseleaf and ears. 

The yellow winged bat has an extensive range throughout the middle of Africa. The yellow  winged bat primarily roosts in small trees such as the acacia and in small thorn bushes near bodies of water. The yellow bat is in the family of false vampire bats. They feed on insects such as termites, scarab, and beetles. The bat is a sit and wait predator as they often perch and listen for prey and if it happens to fly by the bat launches their attack. 

The yellow winged bat is monogamous. Males and females will form pairs in breeding season and establish their own territory. One member of the pare is vigilant during the day and is able to turn head 225 degrees and move its ears. They will forage in the morning and evening. May and early June is the time when most social interaction occurs. During this period of time rain and insects are more numerous and the young hone their hunting skills. Females are pregnant for around 3 months with only one young being born. The first weeks after the young is born the young will hang on to the mother. Soon the young stay at the roost for around a week and develop self sustained flight. The young are weaned when they are around 55 days old. 

Start of National Immunization Week

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)and Toddler Immunization Month (TIM) are annual observances that highlight the importance of routine immunizations for children younger than 2. I am sharing a list of age as well as what immunization is needed. as well as an easy to read chart. The great part is that it goes from the earliest immunization all the way to leaving to college. 

Taking our babies to get their vaccinations is never easy for us or the child. The important thing is to try to stay up to date so that they will be spanned out and not so many will be needed at any one time. When you are ready to take your child to the doctor, health department or clinic for their vaccination here are some great ideas to do before you leave. 

Provide comfort. Keep your baby cuddled in your lap and sing to her. Here are ways to hold your baby or young child while she receives her shot.

• Bring her favorite toy, book or blanket.
• Make eye contact with her and tell her everything will be okay.
• Be honest with your child; tell her the she may feel a pinch, but the shot will keep her healthy.
• After the shot, hug and praise your child. For your baby, swaddling, breastfeeding or a bottle may offer relief.
• Before leaving the office, ask your provider to advise you about a non-aspirin pain reliever in case your child is uncomfortable after the shot.

Vaccination Schedule for Babies 
At One 1/2 Months:

• B.C.G (injection) If not given at birth for the baby. 
• D.P.T. - One (injection) 
• O.P.V. - One (dose) 

At Two 1/2 Months:

• D.P.T. - Two (injection) 
• O.P.V. - Two (dose) 
• At 31/2 months:
• D.P.T. - Three (injection) 
• O.P.V. - Three (dose) 

AT 4 months: 

• DTaP 
• Hib 
• IPV 
• PCV 
• Rota 

At 6 months: 

• DTaP 
• Hib 
• PCV 
• Rota 

At 6 months and annually: 
Seasonal influenza. The vaccine is advised each year for young children 6 months and older. Newborn babies Immunization Schedule chart for young children under 9 who get a flu vaccine to your very first time will receive it in 2 separate doses a month apart.

Babies 6 months to Five  years old are even now regarded as the group of young children who most require the flu vaccine

It is specifically essential for high-risk babies being vaccinated. High-risk groups include, but are not limited to, babies with asthma, heart problems, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

It can take in as much as Two weeks right after the shot is given to your human body to make up immunity against the flu. 

At 6-18 months: 

• Hep B 
• IPV 

At 9 Months:

• Measles (injection) 

At 16 to 24 Months:

• D.P.T. Booster (injection) 
• O.P.V. Booster (dose) 
• 4-6 years 
• DTaP 
• MMR 
• IPV 
• Varicella 

At 11 to 12 years: 
MCV: Meningitis vaccine; using a booster dose at age 16

Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster

HPV: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, given as three shots more than six months. It is advised for each girls and boys to prevent genital warts and specific cancer.

College entrants: 
MCV: Meningitis vaccine; advised for previously unvaccinated college entrants who will live in dormitories. A single dose will suffice for healthy college students whose only risk thing is dormitory living. 

It is essential to follow the immunization schedule accurately. In case you miss an immunization date, you have to consult your doctor right away to fix a new date. If the baby is really ill after immunization is due, you have to consult the doctor and reschedule immunization. But if your baby includes a slight cold or cough, then you are able to go ahead with vaccination. In situation your baby has had an acute reaction to a dose of immunization, consult your doctor previous to you give him the booster dose. 

Day of Silence

Today there may have been a funny type of silence where much noise is often heard. Why?? Well, today was a day that many students take a vow of silence. Sometimes words are not needed, silence can be a very powerful tool. The Day of silence is a student led action that helps raise awareness about the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and discrimination. 

Thousands of schools will take place in this event Students from middle school to college will take a vow of silence. The goal is to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of harassing behavior that goes unmentioned. 

A recent Harris Interactive study on bullying showed that students said two of the top three reasons students are harassed in school are actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender expression. Nearly 9 out of 10 students associated with LGBT experience harassment at school. 

Hundreds of thousands of students of all beliefs, backgrounds and sexual orientations can and will participate in the Day of Silence. They are fighting back for those students who are called names every day at school. This activity is sponsored by GLSEN a leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. The group was established in 1990 and envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or how they express their self. You can find more on GLSEN at www.glsen.org

My connection to this movement is not as close as being part of it but watching as the world changes. It was not always acceptable to let others know that your sexual orientation is not what was expected. Todays society has helped to change that. Now more are coming out and living a life that is common to ours but a bit different within their own acceptable guidelines. I can proudly say that I have a child-hood friend who is now a proud man very useful in his community and has a husband who is also well established and does great work. 

Would you not stand up for a friend who needed help?? Are you not the same individual that takes care of the stranger that others yell at?? This is what they are doing to those that choose an alternative lifestyle. What do you think?? What will you do

Animal Crackers Day

April 18 is national Animal Crackers Day , you know the ones, the ones that you loved when you was a child. If you remember those days then you will want to have a few animal crackers today. But first some quick facts

Did you know that the first animal crackers were originated in England. These were called animal biscuits and through the 1800s were imported to the United States. The demand for animal crackers grew and bakers at home started to make and sale them. In 1871 animal crackers started being produced in the USA. York Pennsylvania was the site for the Stauffers who made the first animal crackers. The National Biscuit Company to produce their own animal crackers. Later these crackers would become known as Barnum's Animals when the first box was sold in 1902. 

Corn & Black Bean Fajita Grilled Cheese

For all of you who are tired of eating what you have to and want to eat something you want to then try out this delicious sandwich

 fajita filling:
1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 cup sliced yellow pepper
1/2 cup sliced red pepper
1 cup sliced green pepper
1 cup sliced red onion
1 cup sweet corn
1 cup canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
for the sandwiches:
8 slices sandwich bread
8 ounces sliced pepper jack cheese
Butter, for spreading

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over high heat and add the onions and peppers. Cook the vegetables for about two minutes until slightly tender and very fragrant. Add the garlic, the corn, black beans, lime juice and seasonings and cook for another 4 minutes or so until fragrant and tender, but still slightly crisp.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices, butter side down in the pan. Top with a slice of cheese, a generous helping of the filling, top with more cheese, and another slice of bread, butter side up. Cook for about 3 minutes on the first side until the bread has browned and the cheese begins to melt. Flip and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and the outside of the bread is toasted. Remove from the pan. Repeat with the remaining bread and filling and serve hot.

Savory Cheese Ball

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 green onions, chopped (whites & greens)
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. seasoned salt
1 cup pecans, chopped

Mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onions, cilantro, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper together until well-combined (I use my stand mixer.) Turn the mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap, cover, shape into a ball and refrigerate for 30 minutes to one hour.
Place the chopped pecans on a small plate, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and gently roll in the pecans, helping them to stick to the outside of the cheese ball.
Serve with crackers.

Feel free to play with the herbs and spices in this recipe to make it fit your tastes.
The cheese ball will keep for a couple of days stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge.

Dyngus Day

Dyngus Day is a Polish and Polish American tradition that celebrates the end of the season of lent. The holiday has grown to show Polish American culture, heritage and traditions. Many polish holidays date back to pre-Christian practices of the Slavic ancestors. One old custom was to pour water in an ancient spring rite of cleansing, purification, and fertility. The tradition of Dyngus Day started around 966 A.D. which was around the same time as Prince Mieszko I baptism.

The custom of pouring water in an ancient spring signifies cleansing, purification and fertility. Tradition dictates that Prince Mieszko I along with his court was baptized on Easter Monday. Dyngus day and the rite of sprinkling with water has become a folk celebration as time of thanksgiving. It celebrates the first king of Poland being baptized into Christianity as well as bringing Catholicism to Poland.

Farm boys in Poland who wanted to attract notice from the girls that they wanted to get to know used Dyngus day. It was a day to throw water and hit the girls on their legs with twigs or pussy willows. The more gallant lads would use cologne. The ladies in return would throw dishes and crockery as a manner of revenge.

Dyngus day was brought to America by Polish neighborhoods who celebrated the holiday. Buffalo New York is the unofficial Dyngus Capital of America. The largest concentration of festival locations and live polka music is just part of the celebrations. Smaller festivals can be found in communities with large Polish America population. South Bend in Indiana, Chicago Illinois, Elizabeth New Jersey, Bristol Connecticut and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania are all places you will find a dyngus festival.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday is a Christian holiday that celebrates the death and resurrection of Christ. On Good Friday Jesus was crucified and laid to rest in a tomb. On Easter Sunday they found that he had risen. The bible does not mention Easter Monday so it holds many meanings. For some it observes the day after Easter others use it to honor the memory of Christ's death and resurrection and yet there are some that use it for Easter egg hunts and polka festivals.

Easter Monday is always held the day after Easter Sunday, which the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon. Easter Monday thus always falls between March 23 and April 26.  It is not a federal Holiday here in the United States but it is observed by many around the world. The state of North Dakota, Texas and Maryland as well as cities in in New York, Michigan, Indiana

One of the worlds largest observation of Easter Monday occurs with the celebration of Dyngus Day in Buffalo, New York. The suburbs as well as the historic polonia district celebrates with a high level of enthusiasm. The celebration of Dyngus day in Polish neighborhoods of Buffalo date back to 1870. In 2006 a parade to celebrate this day traveled down the streets of the Polonia district from Broadway Market to Buffalo Central Terminal. The parade continues to grow each year. 

South Bend Indiana celebrates Easter Monday to signify the official beginning to launch the year's political primary campaign season. Local clubs, pubs and fraternal halls all celebrate. Famous individuals who have celebrated Dyngus day in South Bend include Robert F. Kennedy, former governor Joe Kernan, and President Bill Clinton. 

Bat Appreciation Day

Bat Appreciation day occurs on the 17th of April every year. With over 1000 living species they should have their own day. There are over 40 species right here in the United States. The second largest groups of mammals with the first being rodents. They make up 20% of all known mammal species. Bats range in size from the less than one ounce bumblebee bat

to the 2.6 lb. golden crowned flying fox bat.

They have diets as diverse as their size feeding on anything from insects to nectar to blood. Over 70% are insectivores. Bats are usually not at the top of most people's "favorite animal" list. Perhaps, they should be. The evolution of bats is unknown. The earliest bats come from the Green River Formation in Wyoming. The oldest bat fossil is 51 million years old.

There are possibly more bat fossils out there the problem being that the bones are so thin. Preserving the bones make the fossils rare find. Bats live for many years. Many small animals do not live as long as bigger ones. Bats are thought to be disease carriers but they are actually rarely sick their selves. Bats are rather hearty and can live up to 40 years.

Bats are the only mammal that are capable of true and sustained flight. They also groom their selves almost constantly. The largest urban bat colony is found on the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin Texas. There are an estimated 1,500,000 Mexican free tailed bats.

There are an estimated 100,000 tourists that visit the bridge annually to watch the insect eating bats leave the roost at twilight.

One colony of 150 big brown bats can protect farmers from up to 33 million or more rootworms each summer.

Bats too are disappearing. With almost 40% of American bat Species in severe decline, with some listed on endangered or threatened list

News of the Boston Marathon

History was made many times during the years the Boston Marathon has been ran. From the first woman running the Marathon thought to be a mans only race to the man with a prosthesis leg 
carrying the lady over the finish line so they both finish the race. Both of them making history letting the world know that it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.

One tradition that stood for years but is no longer carried through is the custom of enjoying beef stew after crossing the finish line.

New England Beef Stew (circa 1980)
Serves 4

1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound stew beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup prepared tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 sprigs parsley
2 sprigs rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic
2 creamer potatoes, cut into approximately 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup 1-inch celery slices
4 ounces frozen peas
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon sugar
2 small onions, cut in half
2 carrots, cut into 1-inch slices

1. Place the flour and salt in a paper bag. Add the beef and shake the bag until the beef is coated. (You can instead put the flour in a shallow bowl and toss the beef in it, but using the bag is a lot more fun.)
2. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven. Add the beef and brown on all sides.
3. Add the tomato sauce and boiling water, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spoon to stir up the browned bits. Simmer, covered, over low heat until the meat is tender, about 2 hours.
4. Add the parsley, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, garlic, potatoes, and celery. Cover and return to a simmer.
5. Melt the butter with sugar in a skillet. Add the onions and carrots. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until well glazed. Add to the meat mixture.
6. Add the peas and cook until the vegetables are tender. Check every 30 minutes, though it may take an hour or longer. Refrigerate overnight and reheat before serving.

Introducing the Ford Mustang

April 17, 1964 was a date that will never be forgot in the auto world. It was the day that the Ford Mustang debuted. The two seat, mid engine sports car was one that Henry Ford II was very proud of to share at the New York World's Fair. Before that date the car had not even been seen in Ford showrooms. That date in 1964 saw 22,000 Mustangs were immediately snapped up by buyers. 

The mustang was named after a World War II fighter plane. It was the first vehicle like this and became known as the "pony car". 

The Mustang was designed with a long hood and short rear deck. The car was priced around $2,300. This is why many looked at the Mustang as the "working man's Thunderbird". The car was featured on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines as well as in commercials that ran on all three major T.V. networks at the same time. 

The year of 1964 was also the year that the mustang appeared in James Bond movie "Goldfinger" In 1968 the 390 GT Mustang was featured in Steve McQueen movie "Bullitt" That was the first movies of the hundreds that have featured the Mustang since. 

There are hundreds of Mustang fan clubs. It was in March 1966 that the 1 millionth Mustang rolled off the assembly line. In 1999 the mustang turned 35 and was issued its own U.S. Postal Service stamp. In 2004 the 300 millionth car the 2004 Mustang GT convertible was built and celebrated as the 40th anniversary model. This model would be the last built at the famous Dearborn production facility.

Happy Easter