Greyhound Tragedy in Florida

Some of you may have read about the terrible, senseless, death of greyhounds at the Ebro race track in Florida. The man responsible has been arrested, as it happens on a drunk driving charge, and the whole thing is being investigated.

My personal position and the position of many of the other members of the rescue group I am involved with is this:

This is only to a degree a problem of greyhound racing. Certainly there ought to be better checks and balances in place. But, there was help all around him if he had only asked. There are many adoption organizations ready to take in hounds at the end of the season. So, it is much more a problem of a very sick man, possibly a hoarder, who is taking out some personal issue on this terrible way. There are people in all societies who mistreat animals. This man just did it on a very much grander scale. Greyhound lovers  around my area are hoping he is punished to the fullest extent of the law. Not only because of what he did personally, but to be an example to anyone else who might be thinking animals don't deserve respect. Often the punishment for animal cruelty is relativley mild.

It struck me that when he is in jail, he will be treated much more humanely in his "crate" than he treated the animals under his care. And, animal loving tax payers will have to support him for as long as he is behind bars. Doesn't seem right, does it.

Southeastern Greyhound Club 5K race fundraiser.

Last Saturday we spent a few hours in Kennesaw, GA to support the runners in the third annual SEGC 5K fundraiser. The race brings in much needed dollars to fund the effort to rescue retired racing greyhounds. This time of year is particularly important, since the tracks close for the winter and retire more dogs than usual. We want to be able to help as many as possible find their forever homes.

We registered our Donna as a "Running Mate" - runners were assigned to a hound so that those unfamiliar with greyhounds could learn more about the breed as pets. Donna was lucky enough to have two of her human runners win their category, so got to have her picture taken with them.

Our daughter participated as a runner and earned a second place medal in her age category. We are so proud of her for being willing to help the cause and for doing so well.

Here is the overall winner with Donna, and our daughter posing with Donna too. Two pretty girls together!

The quilt top is D O N E !

I set a new record for myself by completing the top in one month. I love how it turned out, especially since I wasn't sure I wanted to do this design at all. When I showed MDH, he said "I'll have that one." That's a first too.  Here it is: 

 

I have to find a better place to take a pic, but you get the idea.                                                      

New quilting tools :)

Bulloch Hall Quilt Guild recently hosted Bonnie Hunter as speaker and teacher. We learned how to use a couple of nifty rulers - the Tri  & Recs rulers. They make the "Peaky and Spike" blocks  popularized by the late Doreen Speckman a cinch. Here is one block from the quilt I started in her class:

I've completed the 9 alternate blocks and am working on the 16 of this layout. Look for the completed top soon.

Great quote from Mark Twain

"The man who doesn't read books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."

New quilt blocks

My friend is involved in a project to make quilt blocks for each of the countries participating in the London Olympics in 2010. She invited members of our guild to participate and I signed up for Egypt and Seychelles.

The Egypt block is based on a quilt block called "Moon over the mountains" which just happens to translate really well as a pyramid.

The Seychelles one is a stylized sailfish in the colors of their flag. The sailfish is on their coat of arms. The red triangle design is called "flying geese" so it is a kind of joke about the flying fish. I don't now if anyone will get it, but it amuses me :)

Banoffee Pie

Delicious, easy pie from South Africa (probably from the U.K. originally). We used to have to cook condensed milk to the caramel stage, but now you can buy the canned Dulce de Leche.


















1 graham cracker crust
3 to 4 ready to eat bananas
1 can Dulce de Leche
1 container Cool Whip or some fresh cream


Slice the bananas into 3/4 inch thick chunks. Place close together flat side down in crust. Scoop caramel into a microwave safe bowl and warm slightly to facilitate spreading. Cover bananas with caramel, filling all the spaces between. Spread Cool Whip or whipped cream over the top and chill.