Welcome to ...

The place where the world comes together in honesty and mirth.
Windmills Tilted, Scared Cows Butchered, Lies Skewered on the Lance of Reality ... or something to that effect.


Friday, December 25, 2009

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch

Another holiday classic.

A popular stop along the cyberway

We've had several new readers today and more than a few regular readers drop by.
More than we thought we would have on xmas day, which was a pleasant surprise.
So thanks to our readers for making Carolina Naturally one of the most popular stops on the internet superhighway.
Even on the holidays.

Currently we are exit number 16684!

A message for the repugicans

Actions lie louder than words.

~ Carolyn Wells

And I Quote

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

~ Confucius

Why ...

Why don't you ever see lawyers at the beach?

The cats keep covering them up with sand!

Cop News

In Cop News

European Soil Becoming More Resistant to Antibiotics

From Treehugger:

pig in mud photo
Image credit: plindberg/Flickr

Outbreaks of MRSA, swine flu, and other diseases point directly to a need to improve the conditions under which we produce food, and an increased scrutiny of what we add back to the environment.

In Europe, a continent-wide campaign to reduce the number of antibiotics released into the environment is underway with the goal of reducing the chances for a MRSA-like "superbug" to emerge. Despite these efforts, recent research indicates that background levels of antibiotics in the soil are actually increasing.

Christmas Bird Count: Is that Two Turtle Doves or One?

From Treehugger:

Barred Owl photo
Barred owl photo by Glenn Tepke for Audubon Society

It's time for the 110th Christmas Bird Count, the annual holiday tradition when tens of thousands of volunteers, from Alaska to Antarctica, look and listen for birds, counting populations for researchers. The National Audubon Society organizes the CBC, tracking species from mid-December to January 5 for the season's yearly bird census. You can even do it from a feeder. So where are the six geese a-flyin'?

Sweden's bizarre tradition of watching Donald Duck cartoons on Christmas Eve

Every year on Dec. 24 at 3 p.m., half of Sweden sits down in front of the television for a family viewing of the 1958 Walt Disney Presents Christmas special, "From All of Us to All of You." Or as it is known in Sverige, Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul: "Donald Duck and his friends wish you a Merry Christmas."
Kalle Anka and the Aracuan Bird
Kalle Anka, for short, has been airing without commercial interruption at the same time on Sweden's main public-television channel, TV1, on Christmas Eve (when Swedes traditionally celebrate the holiday) since 1959.

Full Story

Calls over China death row Briton

The family of a Briton condemned to death in China has written to the Chinese Ambassador urging Beijing to show compassion.

Full Story

Sisters Miss Trip To Turkey Because Of Their Names

Jennifer Yatiri Moravec-Flores and her sister Elizabeth Kori Moravec-Flores were stuck at O'Hare for nearly three days and missed a trip to Turkey because their last names apparently were too long for airline computers responsible for their tickets.

Sisters Miss Trip To Turkey Because Of Their Names

On Xmas Eve, Salvation Army Worker Killed In Front Of His Children

'Tis the season for the Salvation Army to try to get as many donations as possible, in those old familiar red kettles. Sadly, on Xmas Eve, no less, a Salvation Army worker was shot and killed in front of his three young children by a man who was attempting to rob him. The incident took place outside the charity's community center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, a Salvation Army official said Friday.

Stealth health foods you should be eating

Some foods just aren't taken seriously.
Consider celery, for example a ' forever the garnish, never the main meal.

6 stealth health foods you should be eating

Step-by-step guide to returning gifts

Step-by-step guide to returning gifts

If you check the return policy and have the receipt, taking back an unwanted gift should be a piece of cake.

Be nice
Also:

Surprising cause of 'Xmas' controversy

Surprising cause of 'Xmas' controversy

The conflict around "Xmas" is actually a misunderstanding about "X."

Renovations that pay and those that don't

Renovations that pay and those that don't

Remodeling won't increase your home's value the way it used to, but some fixes have to be made to sell.

Weapons smugglers left worldwide trail

Weapons smugglers left worldwide trail

When Thai authorities seized 35 tons of North Korean weapons, they uncovered a complex smuggling web.

Story
Also:

Making the most of your HDTV

Making the most of your HDTV

Use these tips to get the best picture possible and to mount your HDTV the way you want it.

Peppermint's refreshing appeal

Peppermint's refreshing appeal

The distinctive flavor has been used since ancient times, but the candy cane is an American treat.

Friendliest countries in the world

Friendliest countries in the world

Canada no longer tops the list of the friendliest nations, a new survey says.

The best mac and cheese from a box

The best mac and cheese from a box

These three macaroni and cheese mixes proved creamy and buttery, not mushy or watery.

Baby squirrel's giant leap

Baby squirrel's giant leap

This tiny guy can't follow his agile pal up a wall until kind strangers lend a hand.

Passenger tried to blow up plane

Officials: Passenger tried to blow up plane

The White House calls the failed attack "an attempted act of terrorism."

Americans may face terror charges

Pakistani police are pursuing terrorism charges against five detained American men, police said Friday, a move that could complicate efforts to bring the men back to the United States where they could also land in the courts.

Full Story

Crew of North Korean weapons plane jailed 12 more days

A Thai court has ordered the crew of a cargo plane seized in Bangkok earlier this month to remain in a Thai prison 12 more days pending investigations.

The five crew members - four from Kazakhstan and one from Belarus.

Crew of North Korean weapons plane jailed 12 more days

Have you forgotten your octopus?

A live cat, a dead octopus and part of a shotgun are among the items passengers have left on trains in Scotland this year, it has been revealed.

Rail chiefs reveal bizarre lost property at Scots stations

Pennsylvania State Capitol building has a rodent problem

And we are not talking about the rats in congress either ...

Why is the cafeteria at the Pennsylvania Capitol infested with mice?

Probably because health inspectors didn't visit it for four years.

Full Story

Why do yankees insist on sharing domiciles with rodents?

Albanian opposition leader to sue prime minister over slander

The leader of the opposition Socialist Party of Albania, Edi Rama, is set to sue Prime Minister Sali Berisha over slander and insult, the Macedonian Radio Television /MRT/ reports.

Not long ago, Sali Berisha accused Rama of being the head of the mafia in the country, of torturing his former wife, not recognizing his son for 19 years, as well as of being popular with the nickname of “the naked politician” because of his nudist photos spread in the public area.

More here.

Angel Falls

angel falls photo

Hidden deep within the Venezuelan jungle stands the tallest waterfall in the world. It's so tall, rising to a height of 3,212 ft, that the roaring torrent of falling water is reduced to a mere mist before meeting the rocks below.

And despite what Hugo Chavez says it will always be known as Angel Falls.

Ancient Mayans Likely Had Fountains and Toilets

Mayan technology may be ancient, but it might have been enough to build toilets.

Ancient Mayans Likely Had Fountains and Toilets

Beat your family and pals on game night

Beat your family and pals on game night

Spend quality time with loved ones by defeating them in an intense game of cards.

New Human Reproductive Hormone Could Lead To Novel Contraceptives

Nearly 10 years after the discovery that birds make a hormone that suppresses reproduction, University of California, Berkeley, neuroscientists have established that humans make it too, opening the door to development of a new class of contraceptive and possible treatments for cancer or other diseases.

New Human Reproductive Hormone Could Lead To Novel Contraceptives

Phew ... Turtle farts raise a stink

whatwhatturtlebutt.jpg

Fact: The Great Yarmouth Sea Life Centre in Norfolk, England, gives its Green turtles Brussels sprouts as a Christmas treat.

Fact: Brussels sprouts sort of make you gassy.

Fact: In 2008, the bubbles produced by sprout-induced turtle farts triggered overflow alarms in the middle of the night.

Now the Yarmouth turtle tank—12 feet in depth and width holding 250,000 liters of water along with George the 3-ft-long green turtle—has been partially emptied for the festive season. Thousands of liters have been removed to lower the water by a six inches and keep the sensitive alarms clear.

Phew.

Aquarium lowers water levels after feeding turtles brussel sprouts

1000 Awesome Things to Celebrate

From Treehugger

things awesome.photo
Image from 1000 Awesome Things

In the midst of the holiday celebrations it's nice to remind yourself of the pleasures to be had from small things. 1000 Awesome Things to Celebrate is just a pause for a moment , a time to smile when you recognize some of life's little joys again.

Things like sleeping in your own bed after a long trip, being able to carry all the groceries from the car in one swoop, the feeling of brushing your teeth with a new toothbrush. These funny and slightly ironic awesome things are part of a charming website, 1000 Awesome Things to Celebrate. They're counting backwards from 1,000 and every day a new one is listed. Yesterday's was the Kids Table (always the best place to sit and fool around) and today's is # 605: Christmas Hugs with lovely photos of people hugging each other (and the dog) on this very special day.


Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

None today.

Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur!

Daily Almanac

Today is Friday, Dec. 25, the 359th day of 2009.

There are six days left in the year.

This is Xmas Day.

Today In History December 25

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Cork, Cork, Ireland
Pescara, Abruzzi, Italy

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

It might finally be time to let go of something that has been bothering you for a while -- and what better day than Christmas?
Reliving the past could be keeping you from thoroughly enjoying yourself in the present.
Try to forget about the things that were never meant to be permanent.
Look to the people who care about you for guidance.
Family members are especially supportive right now.

Cool beans!