Dusty's Den

I recently came across this article. "Zoo Wants Chimpanzee to Stop Smoking'' and it made me wonder, do the general smoking populous have no regard for anyone or anything? I am not talking about the courteous smokers who are just having a problem or had resigned to their own addictions. I'm talking about the ones who are insensitive, thoughtless, and in many cases rude.

Sadly, it's the latter that is making it harder for responsible smokers. Because of these thoughtless people, it is rare to find the words "Smoker" and "Responsible" in the same sentence. (Unless it's, "The smokers are responsible for second hand smoke".) Just because someone chooses an unhealthy path or had become addicted, doesn't give the right or the privilege of being a "Butt"-head.

I will offer some solutions to some common problems about the Clash of The Smokers/Non-Smokers. These SIMPLE things can help everyone in the long run in one way or another:

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~Tossing Cigarette Butts Onto The Ground~

This is thoughtless and messy. In fact, if you have ever traveled abroad, in many countries you would be considered a rude slob. There is an easy thing you can do. Buy a "Tin" of candies. I like Altoids® myself. Use the empty container secured by a rubber band to dispose of your butts until you can properly dispose of them.

~Tossing Butts From A Moving Vehicle~

This is DANGEROUS! Don't Do It! You may THINK that the cigarette butt would extinguish itself, but overall these butts are extremely light and are blown by breezes and the jet streams of vehicles until they find a non-smooth place in the road. This is usually on the median where there is dry brush or weeds. If you have done this in the past, you might have been responsible for a roadside fire or two. Don't think that because you are on a freeway or highway that is mostly asphalt or cement that your cigarette can't travel that far. If small pieces of paper can, so can your butts!

What's even more dangerous is that these butts can fly back into vehicles and start a fire (even your own). It could take moments or hours for the fire to start. If you don't want to use your ashtray, use the Candy Tin. It's safer.

~Smoking In The "Boys Room" (Restroom)~

Unless you live in a household of smokers or it's your own private restroom, this is not a good place for a "nicotine fix". The tell-tale signs of residual smoke will linger and the second-hand smoke is not a welcome breath of fresh air for those that don't smoke or have health problems. It is better to find or create a designated area to smoke away from the general crowd. If you don't know if such an area will be available, you can always buy yourself some "special" gum. (Just make sure you don't stick the chewed gum under a table. Be courteous. Toss it in the trash.)

~Non-Smokers Being Good Hosts ~

If you are having a general get together, it is nice to designate an area for smokers. Remember, smoking (for the most part) is an addiction. Being a good host is making things comfortable for your guests. Even if you provide a small place outdoors with an ashtray or tin can is better received than no place at all.

Smokers- If you have non-smoking friends, and you are uncertain if there will be a smoking area, plan ahead. You can pace yourself, bring gum, or find another form of "coping" that works for you. Remember, even though you have that "craving", your friends and family are important to you.

~Extinguishing Cigarettes In Beverage Containers~

This may not be dangerous for smokers as it is more dangerous for the unaware. I have seen too many children and adults drink from bottles and cans that they thought were okay to drink from only to ingest a form a cigarette ash and nicotine tea. YUCK! It's not attractive to see a cigarette butt being spat out by the unaware, so I would suggest that the smoker would find more suitable places to place their butts. Also with the current trend of recycling, these soggy butts are not a welcome addition to the process.

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I am sure that there are many more examples, but my point is this. Just because someone is a smoker or not, doesn't mean we can't be civil or courteous. Sometimes we need a gentle reminder of the problems regarding "Smoking Etiquette". It should apply to EVERYONE and not just the addicted. If you are a smoker who is tired of spending a wad of money to buy cigarettes and want to beat the habit, check with your local health provider. There are many Free or Low-Cost programs that help to obtain a healthier you. If you don't know where to go, may I suggest the following links:

Smokefree America

Quit Smoking Online.Com

Smokefree Families (Pregnant Mothers)

We Americans like to claim we are Number 1.  Number 1 what?  It's not in education since there are 61 other countries that have a better literacy rate than the US does (ref).   Nor are we the Top Employer with 12% of the US population at poverty level and below.  Okay, I do admit that the US is very rich and is #1 in Military Spending. (We spend over 6 times the amount compared to China which is #2 in spending.)  What I would like to address is The American Attitude.

We have an arrogance that is unnecessary and unbecoming.  We litter our streets with discarded food wrappers, containers, cigarette butts, and other trash.  We disrespect the environment, property, and other people.  We dismiss the young, are rude our elders, and ignore the elderly.  (Many of these things are Unheard of in other countries.)  The poor are scorned, the middle class is dissolving, and the rich contend with only themselves.  What a pretty picture we have become.

We have attitude, want instant gratitude, and give no latitude. We are the first to complain and the last to take blame.  I believe that we all want to believe that we are not bullies, but we are.  Just like criminals, we break the boundaries of what is proper and we justify these actions in our own selfish minds to be acceptable.

No, I am not knocking the US.  I am questioning each and every one of us as individuals.  No person need blood relatives to have a family.  No person needs religion to be spiritual.  Our family is the world and our true American Spirit is disappearing like the Spirit of Christmas.  It is changing into something cold, ugly, and makes us look unappealing as a rotting corpse.

Is this what we want?  Do we prefer to be apathetic because we may feel insignificant in our own country?  Do you choose to be continually ineffective?  We would do well to be good to ourselves by not pissing on others.  It is time to recognize that we are a problem child and are still growing.  It's okay to grow wiser and happier compared to wallowing in the mud assigning blame.  Let us look first to ourselves before we place the onus of blame onto another.

Maybe we are unhappy with our leaders?  It is said "When the people lead, the leaders will follow."  When we put ourselves in the position of not caring, you are relinquishing your power to produce change.  And what of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address regarding "...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. "  Who has control here, the people?  You may THINK the government, but that is untrue.  It is OUR responsibility to choose our leaders and give THEM direction.  But sadly, we have given the horse (government) that pulls the cart (USA) the reigns.  It's time to take those reigns back!

I love the USA, but I feel that it is not totally healthy.  I believe we can learn from other countries and not be so cocky.  Currently, I don't like the position we are in and how many GOOD countries view the USA.  I think it's time to reclaim our True American Spirit and get rid of the ugliness.  This can only be achieved when we, as individuals, stop waffling and assigning blame and get our American Butts in gear.

The Following Symbol here Is not displayed here out of disrespect, but of concern.  When the American Flag is flown upside-down, it is a symbol of DISTRESS.  I believe that we ARE in distress, and I respectfully bring it to every caring patriot’s attention.

Happy Easter Everyone!

It is raining in my part of the world, and it doesn’t look as if the kids in the neighborhood are going to have an Easter Egg Hunt this year.  We usually do things a little differently; we usually have a barbeque for everyone and a raffle for the kids too.  Sadly, as I said, we are rained out.  (Hopefully we can do something for everyone later.)

Regardless, I wish all of you the best that springtime has to offer.  Live Well, Be Well, And Be Good To Yourselves.

- Dusty

I have just finished my first book.  It took me about 6 months.  Now I am reading my second....  (Just Kidding)

I have enjoyed many books, just to name a couple authors for people who want to get started:

Piers Anthony

Robert Asprin

C.S. Lewis

Just to name a few.

Hobbies Eh?

Well, as you have guessed, I like gardening.  As a surprise, I am NOT going to talk about gardening.  I like other stuff ya’ know!

I also like ORIGAMI.  Hey, it may not seem like much, but it’s fun!  If you would like to learn about Origami, Visit These Sites:

origami.com

paperfolding.com

Spring Break

Is At Hand!

Make sure that you have fun (and some “ridiculous” fun) without doing REALLY Stupid Stuff.  When you do “Really Stupid” stuff, it always comes back at you and bites you in the backside.  You will be reminded of it over and over and you will look like a(n) ______ (well…You Know). 

You don’t even have to do outlandish things.  The best things are like hanging with your good friends, doing something new, or just unwinding.  If you are doing something special, take a few pictures with your digital camera (or disposable one will do) and remember these times.  Hey, you are only the age you are ONCE in this lifetime.

Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Cool, Have Fun, Take Care of Yourself! -Dusty

The morning light hit Jason's eyes and he groaned as got out of bed. He was about to get ready for school when it finally dawned on him it was Saturday.

(Add two Sentences in Comments to continue the story...Please be reasonable.)

Many people do not know that certain flowers bloom at certain times.

The Crocus is usually the front runner and is known as the "Heralder of Springtime" since it usually breaks through the snow first (if you have snow). There also crocus' that do bloom LATER in the season,  It is a nice plant to grow.

Shortly thereafter the Daffodils come up with a grand show of yellows. They are easy to grow and always an eye catcher.

Then the Tulips have their say.  There are MANY varieties and colors for this plant.  You can always choose a favorite.

As the weather progresses, OTHER plants and flowers bloom too.  I have given you the general first three that I see here in Oregon.  What About YOU?

Have you ever noticed that there are

NO Female Leprechauns?

(You can get the below image on a card <HERE>)

I've Always Heard Of Purple Cows

And I Have Never Seen One

But Judging By The Price Of Milk

There Certainly Must BE One!

Have you ever stopped to wonder why a 1 Liter bottle of plain Name-Brand drinking water COSTS MORE than a 2 Liter bottle of Name-Brand Soda?  There is NO Strict Regulations for drinking water, but there are for Sodas.  And Soda have MORE Ingredients and cost more to make.

So Why Does Water Cost So Much?

Am I the only one asking this question?

There are Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E.  Is there a Vitamin F?

(Answer YES or NO in the COMMENTS section.) 

The State of Oregon would like to apologize to many parts of the USA.  This last winter, we have neglected to pay our winter weather percipitation bill to the Local Druids Union.  In an outright strike, the druids diverted the weather away from Oregon and the percipitation had caused flooding and extreme snow drifts in many part of the U.S.

Since this has caused problems in other parts of the country, we apologize.  Sadly, lawsuits and insurance claims against Oregon for their negligence can not be made since such matters fall under the jurisdiction of "Acts Of God".

Kitten Jumps To Shelf

Watches Fish Swimming In Bowl

It's Kitty T.V.

Cookies

We Love 'Em!  But we all have our favorites.  Place a VOTE for your favorite Cookie(s) in the COMMENTS section! 

You can only improve items that are NOT New.  If the item is NEW, then there is no basis for IMPROVEMENT.

It seems that MSN has joined the blogging craze.  Since they are not charging me to share whatever I think, I will do my best to give you information of the same value.

Throughout my life, I had always noticed things...just ODD things that we take for granted.  I had gotten many different responses and fewer new friends when I kept mentioning them.  I considered shutting up, but I found sharing the truth about the absolutely obvious to be refreshing.  I really didn't give a %#&! about them leaving my company, since they were not the kind of people I needed to be hanging around with in the first place.  Luckily, I had found good friends that see the world through similar eyes.  Now we laugh at all the Mundane Sheep that are too dumb to see the humor of it all!