Check out these photo editors images:
WINDOWS
Image by PHOTOPHONES
lucborell est un photophone artist mobilhome.tumblr.com/ www.facebook.com/photophonespage twitgoo.com/u/lucborell
MOTIFS
Image by PHOTOPHONES
lucborell est un photophone artist mobilhome.tumblr.com/ www.facebook.com/photophonespage twitgoo.com/u/lucborell
CHEVAL
Image by PHOTOPHONES
lucborell est un photophone artist mobilhome.tumblr.com/ www.facebook.com/photophonespage twitgoo.com/u/lucborell
Some cool photo effects images:
1951 US Highway Sunset
Image by fs999
Pentax K-5 • 200 ISO • Soligor C/D Wide-Auto 20mm f:2.8
Fx: TopazLabs B&W Fx
A tribute to FREDBOUAINE a fantastic photographer.
Colmar-Berg • Luxembourg
Old Door
Image by fs999
Pentax K-5 • 80 ISO • Pentax DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM
Fx: TopazLabs B&W Fx
Bettembourg • Luxembourg
Image by wwiwsky
I used photo booth and paintbrush for mac. No camera required.
Check out these family photo images:
Great-Grandparents... PAD #1143
Image by BenSpark
Eva and her Great-Grandparents, my Dad's parents. They came over for a visit today. And we had a very nice time. They both love her so much. More at The BenSpark
Audio, and more at www.utterz.com/~u-NTA4MjY1Mg/utt.php
My Grand-daughters
Image by cobalt123
Anavey and Summer, ages 4 and 6. Not long from now there were be more photos of all three grand-daughters to share. Getting all of them together at one time is quite a challenge. This photo here is courtesy my friend jcvigi who got this photo at our Arizona Wonders photo stroll/meetup/model shoot on April 5, the Gallery of the Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix.
La Creación
Image by Ignacio Conejo
... y entonces creó la mujer, el hombre, el bebé y la palabra.--
A few nice photo processing images I found:
The Old Carpet Factory
Image by Joel Bedford
Large old carpet factory in Liberty Village, Toronto.
Unidentified Bride
Image by George Eastman House
Accession Number: 1974:0193:0137
Maker: Southworth & Hawes
Title: Unidentified Bride
Date: ca. 1850
Medium: daguerreotype
Dimensions: whole plate; 21.5 x 16.5 cm.
George Eastman House Collection
General information about the George Eastman House Photography Collection is available at http://www.eastmanhouse.org/inc/collections/photography.php.
For information on obtaining reproductions go to: www.eastmanhouse.org/flickr/index.php?pid=1974:0193:0137.
A few nice dragon image images I found:
Chinese Dragon Good Luck Amulet (Talisman)
Image by aimforawesome
I may be able to get this for you at the temple if you want it. . email: ThaiPulse@gmail if you would like me to look for you.
IMG_0294.jpg
Image by carcaptures.com
Dragon Con leading banner
All Images avail for Prints and merchandise at www.carcaptures.com
Wolf Tribal
Image by Aylen Eskelinen
scanned image
Check out these photo sharing images:
Garden Decor
Image by ArtByChrysti
You have permission to use these textures freely when you incorporate them into your non-profit artwork, please be sure to follow the terms below:
- Image must be altered/incorporated into your artwork in some way.
- Please credit/link to me when using my textures.
Copy & paste this code for an easy credit:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<b>FREE Textures </b>provided by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrysti/">Chrysti </a>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- If you wish to sell your images using these, please contact me for written permission first: note I will ask to see the finished work, and your use (print, article, etc) before granting permission.
Under NO circumstances may these textures be used for:
- CD collections that you sell, website stock that you offer, collage sheets or any other collection whether for profit, or not.
- Website backgrounds, sold, offered or used as an individual image. Link to my set if you wish to share these with others :-)
One last important note:
Only the images in my photostream with the terms of use clearly stated, and a CC license applied to them, are offered for your use. All other photos and artwork are off-limits for any downloading. I retain all copyrights to my work. Thanks!
If you use these, I'd love to see how! Feel free to leave a SMALL sized photo with it in my comments so I can visit easily!
Hope they inspire you & happy creating!
Thank You. Have a question? Just ask!
Polka Dot
Image by ArtByChrysti
You have permission to use these textures freely when you incorporate them into your non-profit artwork, please be sure to follow the terms below:
- Image must be altered/incorporated into your artwork in some way.
- Please credit/link to me when using my textures.
Copy & paste this code for an easy credit:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<b>FREE Textures </b>provided by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrysti/">Chrysti </a>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- If you wish to sell your images using these, please contact me for written permission first: note I will ask to see the finished work, and your use (print, article, etc) before granting permission.
Under NO circumstances may these textures be used for:
- CD collections that you sell, website stock that you offer, collage sheets or any other collection whether for profit, or not.
- Website backgrounds, sold, offered or used as an individual image. Link to my set if you wish to share these with others :-)
One last important note:
Only the images in my photostream with the terms of use clearly stated, and a CC license applied to them, are offered for your use. All other photos and artwork are off-limits for any downloading. I retain all copyrights to my work. Thanks!
If you use these, I'd love to see how! Feel free to leave a SMALL sized photo with it in my comments so I can visit easily!
Hope they inspire you & happy creating!
Thank You. Have a question? Just ask!
Check out these photo magazine images:
"No good unless the wind's blowing in his nose" photo by Borg Mesch
Image by Nesster
So Johan Turi (Thuri), Lapp author, describes his fellow tribesmen from the Jukkasjärvi District. In his Book of Lappland he extols the merits of these nomad reindeer herdsmen as the doggedly follow their animals over the high fells of the Arctic, through the fierce winds and driving snows of winter blizzards. 1939.
A Trim - 25/365
Image by joshjanssen
AUGUST 10 2010 | Photo 25/365:
Its about time I had a haircut! As Mum would say, I now look 'human'.
Behind me in tonights photo, is Sarah, my hairdresser/gossip queen.
Now that the Melbourne International Film Festival is over, I have my nights back. Which means slowly chipping away at all the things i need to do.
Adorama mail order list - March 1984
Image by Nesster
Some cool photo magazine images:
PREF Magazine No. 37: March/April 2010 Issue: pp 92-93 / 20100328.7D.05293 / SML
Image by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML
SML Pro Blog: PREF Magazine publishes Kiss series from SML Photography / SML Thank You
PREF Magazine, a french, bimonthly gay oriented magazine publishes photos from the Kiss series in their March/April 2010 issue (No. 37).
Special thanks to Ryan Gilbert + Michael Correntte + Matthew Ossenfort + Jeffrey Denke who were so kind to kiss in front of my camera! Also much thanks to the editor in chief at PREF for this wonderful opportunity.
Go Creative Commons! SML Thank You! ^_<
PREF Magazine No. 37: March/April 2010 Issue: pp 94-95 / 20100328.7D.05301 / SML
Image by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML
SML Pro Blog: PREF Magazine publishes Kiss series from SML Photography / SML Thank You
PREF Magazine, a french, bimonthly gay oriented magazine publishes photos from the Kiss series in their March/April 2010 issue (No. 37).
Special thanks to Ryan Gilbert + Michael Correntte + Matthew Ossenfort + Jeffrey Denke who were so kind to kiss in front of my camera! Also much thanks to the editor in chief at PREF for this wonderful opportunity.
Go Creative Commons! SML Thank You! ^_<
goodbye, kodachrome
Image by Kerem Tapani
A few nice my photos images I found:
My Mashup of Mike's Mashup of My Mashup
Image by cambodia4kidsorg
Here's my original mashup
www.flickr.com/photos/cambodia4kidsorg/300492293/?edited=1
Here's Mike's mashup of mashup w/all the attributions and question about the issues surrounding cc license and mashups
www.flickr.com/photos/mikeblogs/305539006/
The blog conversation so far:
1. Mike makes some points about YouTube, CC, and Remix Culture
mikese.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!A056EA628FAE2BFE!4257.entry
2. Stephen Downes replies
www.downes.ca/cgi-bin/page.cgi?post=36632
3. Mike's response
Here's Mike's post
mseyfang.edublogs.org/2006/11/24/creativecommonsdrm-steph...
Frisbe Photo
www.flickr.com/photos/naufragio/145296429/
Photo of Stephen Downes
www.flickr.com/photos/stuartyeates/159180278/
Answer to the question: Mike is waiting for his t-shirt to be delivered to Austraila and in the meantime he needed to create some photoshop swag.
My last wide angle shot for a while
Image by Austinitecowboy
My Tamron 10-24mm broke just before that shot. I got the infamous Err01. Fortunately it's only a few months old, I still have warranty, it seems to be a common error and I don't have a need for wide angle shots within the next few weeks, so I will bring it back to the shop today to see what they say.
If you wonder why I took this photo even though the lense broke before the shot: I was able to loosen then lense from the body, so it was not screwed tight to the body.
About the photo: It's a real HDR generated from 6 RAW captures. I had tried to capture rapeseed photos for the last few years, but I always drove by the fields and ended up forgetting to take a photo. Last week, I went to explore the fields next to where I live and I found this field.
This photo has been marked as an almost perfect photo by the "Score 1 to 20 on 20" group with an average score of 15.6 and passed the 85 points markwith 88.5 points in the "Score me in Detail" group! Thank you!
Please leave a comment and let me know what you associate with this photo!
Bitte hinterlasse einen Kommentar und lass mich wissen, welche Gedanken du zu diesem Bild hast!
My First Wedding Book!
Image by Suus Wansink
I got my first wedding book in the mail last week!! Secretly I'm a little proud of it! ;) The photos and the book turned out so good!
better!
More photos of the book.
More photos of the wedding.
Tweet Me!
Like Me!
Wansink Photography © All Rights Reserved. 2011. Do not use, copy or edit any of my photographs without written permission.
Some cool photo contest images:
downhillcup Wisła/Poland
Image by czoper
Diverse Downhill Contest 2011, Wisła, Stożek
downhillcup Wisła/Poland
Image by czoper
Diverse Downhill Contest 2011, Wisła, Stożek
downhillcup Wisła/Poland
Image by czoper
Diverse Downhill Contest 2011, Wisła, Stożek
Check out these picture collages images:
picture pile- flowers
Image by M Glasgow
Check out these photo effects online images:
Forums at annual AUSA exposition focused on the strength behind the Soldier— Army Families 091009
Image by familymwr
PHOTO CAPTION: Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, along with Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff George W. Casey, Jr., signs the Army Family Covenant while friends and Family members look on. (Photo by Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC Public Affairs)
www.armymwr.com
Forums at annual AUSA exposition focused on the strength behind the Soldier— Army Families 091009
By Rob McIlvaine
FMWRC Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC - While the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) highlighted the business of the Army in DC’s cavernous exhibition hall at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, tucked away in many of the upstairs meeting rooms were Family and Army leaders discussing the resilience and quality of life of those who give their all for the sake of freedom.
The 2009 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition is the largest defense-related exposition in the nation, according to Gordon R. Sullivan, president.
Sullivan, Army Chief of Staff from 1991 to 1995, presided over fundamental transformation following the liberation of Kuwait and led the Army into the information age. He assumed his current position with AUSA, headquartered in Arlington, Va., in 1998.
“The exposition is designed to deliver the Army’s message, highlight the capabilities of Army organization and present a wide range of commercial industry products and services,” Sullivan said.
According to Sylvia Kidd, director of AUSA Family Programs, Soldiers from many other countries came for more than just the exhibition, which included everything from armored fighting vehicles, artillery, body armor, explosives and helicopters to small arms, machine guns, medical supplies and rockets.
“Many militaries from around the world don’t have the programs needed to take care of their Soldiers and Families so they come here to learn best practices. In fact, we’re working with organizations in England this week helping them to develop a convention along the lines of AUSA,” Kidd said.
Lt. Col. Augusto Martinez-Segura and two of his friends with the Spanish Army spent the three days at the conference.
“We’re interested in just seeing how the United States Army does business,” Martinez-Segura said.
Throughout the smaller venues above the great exposition hall, the true measure of Army might was being measured, discussed and analyzed: the people who wear those uniforms and the Families who support them.
On each of the three days, an audience of more than 600 comprised of Soldiers, Family members and Army leaders including more than 500 Family Readiness Group (FRG) leaders from installations around the country came to listen, question and voice their opinions about the programs and services designed to support them during this era of persistent conflict.
During Monday’s forum, “Army Families: the strength behind the Soldier,” Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army chief of staff, along with the 21st Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, re-signed the Army Family Covenant.
“For this nation to continue, we have to take care of the Soldiers and their Families,” McHugh said. “By re-signing this Army Family Covenant, I’m reaffirming that we will not fail to uphold our commitment to you who have made great sacrifices to take care of the Families at home while your Soldiers are overseas.”
Sheila Casey, wife of Gen. Casey, reminded the audience that America has officially entered its ninth year of persistent conflict, which has seen multiple deployments, many back-to-back, put a strain on Soldiers and Families.
“The whole force is stretched, our Families have a difficult time finding balance and the effects are cumulative. Twelve months at home isn’t long enough to recuperate. You need to take yourself from the bottom and put yourself back on top,” Sheila said to resounding applause. “This isn’t being selfish. The fact is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else.”
In the past two years of traveling with her husband from post to post, the issues that were brought to her attention the most were: access to quality medical and behavioral health care, access to quality schools for Army children and improving the resources and opportunities for employment.
Before he invited feedback from the audience on the effectiveness of the Army’s Family programs, Gen. Casey cited changes the Army has made to support its Soldiers and Families.
With BRAC about halfway completed, he told the audience that billion has gone into installations in a five-year period, making a huge improvement in the quality of life across the Army.
He also said the Army was tasked to bring in 74,000 new Soldiers by 2012, but was able to meet that goal last summer.
“In 2004 we had 33 brigade combat teams. Today we have 44 active brigade combat teams and next year we’ll have one more,” Casey said.
In July, the Army requested another 22,000 Soldiers needed to replace injured or already deployed Soldiers. He said that amounted to nearly 100,000 new troops over the last two or three years.
This increase in the number of personnel has allowed the Army to move closer to its objective of lengthening the time at home between deployments for its active duty, Reserve and Guard troops.
“We’re off 15-month deployments. In fact, our last group is coming home this month,” Casey told the cheering audience. “By 2011, our active duty troops will be one year out and two years back; our Guard and Reserve will one year out and four years back – and we will continue to provide our country the forces we need to succeed.”
Referring to the possibility that more troops might be called for in the near future to serve in Afghanistan, Casey said the Army is better postured now than two years ago to accept an additional commitment of active forces.
Then Casey turned to Family services, part of the Army Family Covenant.
Two years ago, the Army doubled the amount of money to fund Family programs. According to Casey, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates directed that money for Family programs be moved into the base budget. This means when this era of persistent conflict ends, the money supporting these programs won’t go away.
Finally, he asked the audience to vote with a show of hands on its satisfaction with the Army’s effectiveness in five areas: standardizing Family programs and services across installations, increasing accessibility to quality health care, improving Soldier and Family housing, providing excellent schools, childcare and youth services, and expanding educational and employment opportunities for Family members.
Each category got lackluster reviews with the final one receiving the most positive reaction, but not by much.
Within this category, though, rousing cheers rose up for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill and its ability to transfer benefits to Family members.
“Well, our efforts appear to be a jagged line, but we’re moving up,” Casey said.
When asked for questions, the FRGs were not at a loss in their search for answers. Many wanted to know why each unit’s commanding officer isn’t required to take training when FRG leaders are required to attend training sessions.
“We go through two to three days of training but command comes in not really understanding the structure or knowing what to do,” Dusti Cummins, FRG leader at Ft. Lewis, Wash., said. Cummins, active for four years in her unit’s FRG, recently became its leader. She was accompanied by two other leaders from Ft. Lewis, Kerri Moye and Ellie Hite who agreed with her assessment.
Amanda Maxwell, active in her FRG unit at Ft. Hood, Texas, for four years, also recently became an FRG leader. The four women’s comments were echoed across the room by FRG leaders from Ft. Drum, N.Y., Ft. Bragg, N.C. and Ft. Worth, Texas.
“It is the commander’s job to build the FRG team. We need to get the training for officers you’re asking for,” Gen. Casey said.
Lynn S. Heirakuji, deputy assistant for personnel oversight, reported on the preliminary results of a large-scale survey that examined how well the Army provides programs and services to geographically dispersed personnel.
“The volume of people who traveled to this conference sends an important statement about your concerns. We’ve been challenged to reach out to Families who are not part of an installation,” Heirakuji said.
More than 5,000 survey respondents indicated that they did not find large gaps in the services offered by the Army for military Families, but that greater awareness of and access to programs is needed.
As the distance from installations increases, the difficulty of obtaining information also climbs for military Families, especially Guard and Reserve Families, who are often unsure of their eligibility for Army programs. The most dispersed, she said, are Army parents.
“This is all part of building resilience,” she said, “but our FRGs are making the effort.”
Although the Internet, through the Virtual Installation Project, brings the installation to the Family, important sites for military Families such as TRICARE and Army One Source were reported to be confusing and difficult to use.
“One-on-one contact is strongly desired so we can get detailed information about specific questions,” Heirakuji said.
Kathleen Y. Marin, director of installation services, recently conducted town hall meetings at six sites to ascertain what programs are making a difference for Army Families and where improvements in services need to be made.
“While the number one issue is communication, the second biggest issue is training. But the toughest nut to crack is how do we deliver services to you,” Marin said.
She found highly valued programs include deployed respite child care, Military Family Life Consultants and Warrior Adventure Quest (WAQ).
“This is a wonderful partnership between FMWRC, the Medical Command and recreators. One installation is even including Families with Soldiers going through WAQ,” Marin said.
Echoing Heirakuji’s findings, town hall participants said they prefer one-to-one, confidential and personally targeted services. They particularly wanted to see improvements in the online registration process for children and youth services, which FMWRC is working on, she said.
“There’s a lot of amazing programs out there but you need a PhD to understand how to access them,” she told the audience.
Marin, along with Brig. Gen. Allison T. Aycock, IMCOM deputy commanding general, and Brig. Gen. Reuben D. Jones, FMWRC commanding general, conducted a mini town hall meeting at the conclusion of the day’s Military Family Forum.
Again, the FRG leaders asked for more information on CYSS online registration, noting there are too many hoops to jump through in order to get respite care. They also noted that the FRGs have a wealth of information to give out, but how can Soldiers and Family members be enticed to attend the meetings?
“FRG meetings are a commander’s program. When I was in charge, it was mandatory for husbands to attend,” Aycock said to loud applause.
“You have best practices out there,” Brig. Gen. Jones emphasized to the FRG leaders, implying the answers to their questions were all around them.
With an introduction from Jones, a small group of survivors rose up. The Survivors Outreach Services (SOS) is holding their second summit following the AUSA conference.
“I’m a survivor,” Dana Lambertson said. “I consider myself an Army spouse. I was an FRG leader at the birth of my husband’s brigade at Ft. Campbell, Ky., and now all of us have been working on SOS. Soon, this program will be implemented, globally.”
“Life goes on after the fallen Soldier,” Kristy Stanley, Ft. Campbell, Ky., said.
Brig. Gen. Jones, who also has been working with SOS, rose up to speak.
“Our purpose is to deliver on the Army’s commitment to Families of the Fallen. We will stay with Family members for as long as they want. After a Soldier, whether Active, Reserve or Army National Guard, has fallen, the Family will be provided access to services and support at garrisons and communities closest to where they live, for as long as they want.
“We will never leave a fallen comrade or Family member behind,” Jones said.
Connect with us:
www.Facebook.com/FamilyMWR
www.Twitter.com/FamilyMWR
www.YouTube.com/FamilyMWR
ks 101206
Forums at annual AUSA exposition focused on the strength behind the Soldier— Army Families 091009
Image by familymwr
PHOTO CAPTION: Surrounded by friends and Families, (from left) Secretary of the Army John McHugh, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston reaffirm the Army’s commitment to Soldiers and Families by signing the Army Family Covenant at the AUSA 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC Public Affairs)
www.armymwr.com
Forums at annual AUSA exposition focused on the strength behind the Soldier— Army Families 091009
By Rob McIlvaine
FMWRC Public Affairs
WASHINGTON, DC - While the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) highlighted the business of the Army in DC’s cavernous exhibition hall at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, tucked away in many of the upstairs meeting rooms were Family and Army leaders discussing the resilience and quality of life of those who give their all for the sake of freedom.
The 2009 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition is the largest defense-related exposition in the nation, according to Gordon R. Sullivan, president.
Sullivan, Army Chief of Staff from 1991 to 1995, presided over fundamental transformation following the liberation of Kuwait and led the Army into the information age. He assumed his current position with AUSA, headquartered in Arlington, Va., in 1998.
“The exposition is designed to deliver the Army’s message, highlight the capabilities of Army organization and present a wide range of commercial industry products and services,” Sullivan said.
According to Sylvia Kidd, director of AUSA Family Programs, Soldiers from many other countries came for more than just the exhibition, which included everything from armored fighting vehicles, artillery, body armor, explosives and helicopters to small arms, machine guns, medical supplies and rockets.
“Many militaries from around the world don’t have the programs needed to take care of their Soldiers and Families so they come here to learn best practices. In fact, we’re working with organizations in England this week helping them to develop a convention along the lines of AUSA,” Kidd said.
Lt. Col. Augusto Martinez-Segura and two of his friends with the Spanish Army spent the three days at the conference.
“We’re interested in just seeing how the United States Army does business,” Martinez-Segura said.
Throughout the smaller venues above the great exposition hall, the true measure of Army might was being measured, discussed and analyzed: the people who wear those uniforms and the Families who support them.
On each of the three days, an audience of more than 600 comprised of Soldiers, Family members and Army leaders including more than 500 Family Readiness Group (FRG) leaders from installations around the country came to listen, question and voice their opinions about the programs and services designed to support them during this era of persistent conflict.
During Monday’s forum, “Army Families: the strength behind the Soldier,” Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army chief of staff, along with the 21st Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, re-signed the Army Family Covenant.
“For this nation to continue, we have to take care of the Soldiers and their Families,” McHugh said. “By re-signing this Army Family Covenant, I’m reaffirming that we will not fail to uphold our commitment to you who have made great sacrifices to take care of the Families at home while your Soldiers are overseas.”
Sheila Casey, wife of Gen. Casey, reminded the audience that America has officially entered its ninth year of persistent conflict, which has seen multiple deployments, many back-to-back, put a strain on Soldiers and Families.
“The whole force is stretched, our Families have a difficult time finding balance and the effects are cumulative. Twelve months at home isn’t long enough to recuperate. You need to take yourself from the bottom and put yourself back on top,” Sheila said to resounding applause. “This isn’t being selfish. The fact is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to care for anyone else.”
In the past two years of traveling with her husband from post to post, the issues that were brought to her attention the most were: access to quality medical and behavioral health care, access to quality schools for Army children and improving the resources and opportunities for employment.
Before he invited feedback from the audience on the effectiveness of the Army’s Family programs, Gen. Casey cited changes the Army has made to support its Soldiers and Families.
With BRAC about halfway completed, he told the audience that billion has gone into installations in a five-year period, making a huge improvement in the quality of life across the Army.
He also said the Army was tasked to bring in 74,000 new Soldiers by 2012, but was able to meet that goal last summer.
“In 2004 we had 33 brigade combat teams. Today we have 44 active brigade combat teams and next year we’ll have one more,” Casey said.
In July, the Army requested another 22,000 Soldiers needed to replace injured or already deployed Soldiers. He said that amounted to nearly 100,000 new troops over the last two or three years.
This increase in the number of personnel has allowed the Army to move closer to its objective of lengthening the time at home between deployments for its active duty, Reserve and Guard troops.
“We’re off 15-month deployments. In fact, our last group is coming home this month,” Casey told the cheering audience. “By 2011, our active duty troops will be one year out and two years back; our Guard and Reserve will one year out and four years back – and we will continue to provide our country the forces we need to succeed.”
Referring to the possibility that more troops might be called for in the near future to serve in Afghanistan, Casey said the Army is better postured now than two years ago to accept an additional commitment of active forces.
Then Casey turned to Family services, part of the Army Family Covenant.
Two years ago, the Army doubled the amount of money to fund Family programs. According to Casey, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates directed that money for Family programs be moved into the base budget. This means when this era of persistent conflict ends, the money supporting these programs won’t go away.
Finally, he asked the audience to vote with a show of hands on its satisfaction with the Army’s effectiveness in five areas: standardizing Family programs and services across installations, increasing accessibility to quality health care, improving Soldier and Family housing, providing excellent schools, childcare and youth services, and expanding educational and employment opportunities for Family members.
Each category got lackluster reviews with the final one receiving the most positive reaction, but not by much.
Within this category, though, rousing cheers rose up for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill and its ability to transfer benefits to Family members.
“Well, our efforts appear to be a jagged line, but we’re moving up,” Casey said.
When asked for questions, the FRGs were not at a loss in their search for answers. Many wanted to know why each unit’s commanding officer isn’t required to take training when FRG leaders are required to attend training sessions.
“We go through two to three days of training but command comes in not really understanding the structure or knowing what to do,” Dusti Cummins, FRG leader at Ft. Lewis, Wash., said. Cummins, active for four years in her unit’s FRG, recently became its leader. She was accompanied by two other leaders from Ft. Lewis, Kerri Moye and Ellie Hite who agreed with her assessment.
Amanda Maxwell, active in her FRG unit at Ft. Hood, Texas, for four years, also recently became an FRG leader. The four women’s comments were echoed across the room by FRG leaders from Ft. Drum, N.Y., Ft. Bragg, N.C. and Ft. Worth, Texas.
“It is the commander’s job to build the FRG team. We need to get the training for officers you’re asking for,” Gen. Casey said.
Lynn S. Heirakuji, deputy assistant for personnel oversight, reported on the preliminary results of a large-scale survey that examined how well the Army provides programs and services to geographically dispersed personnel.
“The volume of people who traveled to this conference sends an important statement about your concerns. We’ve been challenged to reach out to Families who are not part of an installation,” Heirakuji said.
More than 5,000 survey respondents indicated that they did not find large gaps in the services offered by the Army for military Families, but that greater awareness of and access to programs is needed.
As the distance from installations increases, the difficulty of obtaining information also climbs for military Families, especially Guard and Reserve Families, who are often unsure of their eligibility for Army programs. The most dispersed, she said, are Army parents.
“This is all part of building resilience,” she said, “but our FRGs are making the effort.”
Although the Internet, through the Virtual Installation Project, brings the installation to the Family, important sites for military Families such as TRICARE and Army One Source were reported to be confusing and difficult to use.
“One-on-one contact is strongly desired so we can get detailed information about specific questions,” Heirakuji said.
Kathleen Y. Marin, director of installation services, recently conducted town hall meetings at six sites to ascertain what programs are making a difference for Army Families and where improvements in services need to be made.
“While the number one issue is communication, the second biggest issue is training. But the toughest nut to crack is how do we deliver services to you,” Marin said.
She found highly valued programs include deployed respite child care, Military Family Life Consultants and Warrior Adventure Quest (WAQ).
“This is a wonderful partnership between FMWRC, the Medical Command and recreators. One installation is even including Families with Soldiers going through WAQ,” Marin said.
Echoing Heirakuji’s findings, town hall participants said they prefer one-to-one, confidential and personally targeted services. They particularly wanted to see improvements in the online registration process for children and youth services, which FMWRC is working on, she said.
“There’s a lot of amazing programs out there but you need a PhD to understand how to access them,” she told the audience.
Marin, along with Brig. Gen. Allison T. Aycock, IMCOM deputy commanding general, and Brig. Gen. Reuben D. Jones, FMWRC commanding general, conducted a mini town hall meeting at the conclusion of the day’s Military Family Forum.
Again, the FRG leaders asked for more information on CYSS online registration, noting there are too many hoops to jump through in order to get respite care. They also noted that the FRGs have a wealth of information to give out, but how can Soldiers and Family members be enticed to attend the meetings?
“FRG meetings are a commander’s program. When I was in charge, it was mandatory for husbands to attend,” Aycock said to loud applause.
“You have best practices out there,” Brig. Gen. Jones emphasized to the FRG leaders, implying the answers to their questions were all around them.
With an introduction from Jones, a small group of survivors rose up. The Survivors Outreach Services (SOS) is holding their second summit following the AUSA conference.
“I’m a survivor,” Dana Lambertson said. “I consider myself an Army spouse. I was an FRG leader at the birth of my husband’s brigade at Ft. Campbell, Ky., and now all of us have been working on SOS. Soon, this program will be implemented, globally.”
“Life goes on after the fallen Soldier,” Kristy Stanley, Ft. Campbell, Ky., said.
Brig. Gen. Jones, who also has been working with SOS, rose up to speak.
“Our purpose is to deliver on the Army’s commitment to Families of the Fallen. We will stay with Family members for as long as they want. After a Soldier, whether Active, Reserve or Army National Guard, has fallen, the Family will be provided access to services and support at garrisons and communities closest to where they live, for as long as they want.
“We will never leave a fallen comrade or Family member behind,” Jones said.
Connect with us:
www.Facebook.com/FamilyMWR
www.Twitter.com/FamilyMWR
www.YouTube.com/FamilyMWR
ks 101206
Check out these photo editors images:
SKINS
Image by PHOTOPHONES
lucborell est un photophone artist mobilhome.tumblr.com/ www.facebook.com/photophonespage twitgoo.com/u/lucborell
WOMAN & BIKE
Image by chubstock
On black background
Image by Julie70
Variation from Photoshop Element traitment and filter Pinceau
Check out these love image images:
Thank You everyone in Santa Cruz yesterday for a wonderful time and an awesome photo shoot!! I loved meeting all of you! ;)
Image by DeeAshley
One Angel Watching...
Image by shallowend
Not my images. My thanks to Ben Grader & xAngelx_stock for the cathedral and angel.
Check out these photo magazine images:
Uppercase Magazine
Image by splorp
Look what arrived in the post today … “The First One” … yes, the inaugural issue of Uppercase Magazine, published right here in Calgary by Janine Vangool and the good folks at Uppercase Gallery. So pretty. So solid.
Cover illustration by Blanca Gómez, by the by.
294/365/659 (April 1, 2010) - Cover of Michigan History Magazine
Image by cseeman
This is my photo on the cover of Michigan History Magazine's March/April 2010 issue. Yeah!
MHS Magazine Nov. 2005
Image by Gamma-Ray Productions
Originally I thought I'd lost this long ago, then while cleaning an old magazine bin my mother found it.
November 2005 issue of my former high school's magazine. The first issue I'd gotten in grade nine.
I was hoping to find a photo of me in book blast (the original one) but it's actually in the June 2006 issue...one I think I have long lost (still haven't found it, it's somewhere).
Times were different back then...three principals (and co-presidents, though why need three, to keep it consistent with the number of principals?), cake apparently traditionally offered to the "new students" (grade nines who probably never knew there was such a cake, at least I didn't) and changing dynamics. Woodsworth had closed that year...their principal, Mikhael, had been sworn on in.
Most people in there I don't recognize as I didn't really know or socialize with the older grades (people of which are prominently featured here). It's kind of funny because I did socialize with the lower grades as I advanced, and they socialized with everyone...anyway.
I believe the people in there are, left to right, Melissa Norton, Brett Ruskin, Gail Lyon (she was very nice, a tonne better than McCarthy!) and Dong Jong Lee (not sure if any of those names are his first or middle names).
I have absolutely no connections with any of these people today...another interesting fact seeing as the last co-president of the school when I was in 12h grade calls me a friend on Facebook (and my cousin Jamie is one himself at SRB).
I wonder how the cake was?
A few nice passport photo images I found:
Passport photos
Image by boagworld
Passport Photo
Image by kafkasamerika
Yes, I am busy lately..
Some cool photo lights images:
Rays of light
Image by laurenz
The sun breaks through the clouds in the Troodos mountains (cyprus) after a short spell of rain.
in the background you can see a golden area on the sea.
Bright Stars of Milky Way on the Dark blue Sky of Astronomy
Image by epSos.de
Free picture about the dark night sky that is covered in warm lights of the stars and the frozen cold of the winter. This beautiful tree and sky of the winter season was created for you by the pro-active epSos.de and it can be used for free, if you link epSos.de as the original author of the image.
A star is a self-luminous gas ball rich in mass in the astronomy. It is held together by her own gravitation and is hot in the surface from 3,000 to 20,000 degrees. The fact that almost everybody to the bare eye appears point-shaped heavenly body far away stars are, is one of the most important knowledge of the modern astronomy.
Most stars aren't single, but predominantly part of a double star system or multiple system. Some form bigger star clusters or have a planet system. Stars seem in the most different dimensions, brightness and colours and, hence, are classed after certain qualities. You are extremely active gas giants who are hot inside millions degrees and very tumultuous. From her glowing surface they send beside intensive radiation also loaded plasma particles far back in the space and form an astrosphere. Stars and her qualities are also with the question of great importance whether a planet circling them can carry life or not.
Most stars exist of hot plasma. Your radiation energy is generated in the star inside by the set ares core coalescence and reaches by intensive radiation and convection to the surface. But also the compact final stages of the star development like white dwarfs and neutron stars are counted to the stars, although they deliver radiation only on account of her rest warmth.
The best known star next to us is the sun.
Stars have played an important role in all cultures and have inspired the human image. You were interpreted religiously and used to the calendar regulation, later also than navigation stars. In the antiquity the natural philosophers imagined that the fixed stars could exist of glowing rock because normal coal fire didn't seem to be sufficient for the heat working on so big distance. The fact that stars exist, however, only of gas, it was recognised only about 300 years ago – among the rest, by different ones
Interpretations of the solar spots – and by the spectral analysis arising in the 19th century confirms. The first ones physically to sound hypotheses to the education of stars come from Kant and Laplace. Both went out from a clock fog, however, her postulated educational processes differed. Nevertheless, often both theories are summarised as a Kant's Laplace theory.
Thank you for sharing this night sky picture with your friends !
Check out these stock photo images:
San Francisco building
Image by *phototristan
one after the other
Image by rlaxman
It's fun to work in the rain as it gives me ample opportunity to get some great shots
A few nice change background image images I found:
Pioneer Club
Image by wbeem
In 1947 Las Vegas chamber of Commerce hired a West-Marquis firm which invented the Fremont Street Cowboy Vegas Vic and his friendly "Howdy Podner" greeting.
The Young Electric Sign Company was commissioned to build the neon version of the sign by the owners of the Pioneer Club. They then commissioned Pat Denner who modeled it after the image used by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce in 1947 consisting of a cowboy in blue jeans with a yellow-checked shirt and red bandanna. Vegas Vic was then erected on the exterior of the building in 1951 changing the exterior of The Pioneer club forever.
A few nice photo effects online images I found:
Poison Ivy, Toxicodendron radicans....Ivy có độc....#14
Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants
Taken on June 8, 2012 in Waco city, Texas state, Southern of America.
Nếu nhìn trên bản đồ của Bộ Nông Nghiêp Hoa Kỳ ( USDA ) bạn sẽ thấy sự hiện diện của loài cây này trên phân nửa nước Mỹ .
Khi bạn chạm phải hay đến rất gần loài cây này, bạn cũng có khả năng bị nổi lên những mụn đỏ trên da gây ngứa dữ dội, ngứa đến nổi bạn có thể gãi đến chảy màu, nếu không đi đến bác sĩ kịp thời . Tốt nhất là sau khi đã đi vào rừng hay đến những vùng có nhiều cây cỏ thiên nhiên, bạn nên tắm gội toàn thân để trút sạch những độc tính mà bạn có thể vướng vào da thịt, quần áo . Lần đầu tiên khi chụp hình loài cây và hoa này, tôi chưa đọc kỷ thông tin cho nên chưa biết, sau khi trở về nhà, tôi đã làm nhiều việc nhà , cho đến 10 giờ tối tôi mới đi tắm ,và tôi đã bị nổi mụn đỏ khắp mình. mụn nổi đến đâu thì cơn ngứa hoành hành đến đó tôi rất kềm chế nếu không có thể gãi đến chảy máu , nhưng may là không nổi trên hai tay và mặt, có lẽ vì khi trở về nhà tôi đã rửa mặt và tay liền . Hậu quả là tôi đã phải uống thuốc chống dị ứng một tuần lễ , và các mụn đỏ để lại dấu vết trên cơ thể rất ghê. Con trai nóng ruột quá đi mua cho tôi Johnson Baby Lotion loại có : Vanilla Oatmeal để sau khi tắm xong ,thoa lên những chỗ có vết mụn để lại thì những vết đỏ sẽ mau phai cách nhanh chóng . Nếu trong vườn bạn có mọc loài cây này, hãy đốn bỏ đi tận gốc rể để đề phòng bênh tật nhất là nếu bạn có trẻ nhỏ, tôi không biết nếu trẻ nhỏ chạm phải cây này thì sẽ như thế nào.
I was itched and had many acne redness ( look like Chicken-pox )on skin from the hip to the feet, after I touched the leaves, flowers for taking some images of these plants. I used allergy tablet for stop itchy in 7 days. After that I read some information of this plant, and I tried to come back to take some more photos for , but I had a shower right after I came back home, not wait until evening as before, and I didn't be itch again.
That's my experience .....Read the information below carefully, please.
The foliage of Poison Ivy can irritate the skin of most people, causing redness and blisters. This is caused by a reaction of the immune system to urushiol. People who are immune to Poison Ivy when they are young, can become sensitive to its irritating effects when they become older ( www.illinoiswildflowers.info ).
Vietnamese named : Thường Xuân độc, Sơn đôc, Ivy độc.
Common names : Poison Ivy, Eastern Poison Ivy.
Scientist name : Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze
Synonyms :
Familly : Anacardiaceae - Sumac family.
Group : Dicot
Duration : Perennial
Growth Habit : Shrub - Forb/herb - Subshrub - Vine
Kingdom : Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom : Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision : Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division : Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass : Rosidae
Order : Sapindales
Genus : Toxicodendron Mill. – poison oak
Species : Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze – eastern poison ivy
**** vst.vista.gov.vn/home/database/an_pham_dien_tu/MagazineNa...
Khí nhà kính sinh ra những cây leo độc
Cây thường xuân có độc (toxicodendron radicans) mọc như một loại cây bụi hoặc leo lên thân các cây khác là hiểm họa đối với những người làm vườn và những người dân quê ở Bắc Mỹ vì chúng có thể gây ra chứng phát ban rất đau trên da. Loại cây này tạo ra một loại chất độc gọi là urushiol nằm trong lá cây.
Trong nghiên cứu này, Mohan và các cộng sự của bà đã bơm thêm khí CO2 vào 3 khu đất lớn bao quanh ở rừng thông phía Bắc California. Trong sáu năm, cây cối trong rừng nhận một lượng CO2 là 580 phần triệu so với lượng CO2 trong bầu khí quyển hiện vào khoảng 380 phần triệu. Con số 580 phần triệu là là con số chúng ta dự đoán mức độ ô nhiễm vào giữa thế kỷ 21.
Nghiên cứu khác đã cho rằng các cây leo có xu hướng lớn nhanh đặc biệt khi lượng CO2 tăng cao hơn, và những cây leo đang tăng nhanh về số lượng trên khắp trái đất. Không giống như các loại cây thông thường hấp thụ lượng khí cacbonic tăng thêm để sản sinh thêm gỗ, những cây leo này hấp thụ lượng lượng khí cacbonic tăng thêm để sản sinh thêm lá. Lượng lá cây tăng thêm lại giúp cây leo hập thụ thêm khí CO2, vòng tuần hoàn này lặp đi lặp lại và những cây leo này ngày càng phát triển hơn.
Thí nghiệm của Mohan nhằm mục đích kiểm tra xem liệu kết quả trên cây leo có lớn vọt lên trong thiên nhiên như chúng đã thể hiện ở thí nghiệm trong nhà kính hay không. Và câu trả lời là “Có, chúng lớn rất nhanh”. Những cây thường xuân có độc lớn nhanh gấp hai lần so với những cây cùng loại được phát triển ở dưới mức CO2 bình thường, trong khi tỷ lệ này ở các loài cây thân gỗ là khoảng 31%. Nhóm nghiên cứu cho biết khí CO2 tăng lên cũng tạo ra một loại chất độc urushiol nguy hiểm hơn.
Chất béo gây đau rát
Urushiol được tạo ra từ nhiều loại chất béo khác nhau. Loại chất béo ít độc hơn là chất béo “bão hòa,” có nghĩa là các nguyên tử cacbon trong phân tử chỉ có liên kết đơn với các nguyên tử cacbon khác, và phần còn lại của các liên kết này bão hòa với hyđrô. Tuy nhiên hầu hết các chất béo trong urushiol đều không bão hòa. Chúng có hơn 1 liên kết hóa học giữa nguyên tử cacbon và có ít hyđrô hơn. Những chất béo không bão hoà này được cho là những chất làm da tấy rát nhất.
Bằng cách chiết xuất chất urushiol từ lá cây, các nhà nghiên cứu đã phát hiện ra rằng cây thường xuân có độc phát triển trong môi trường có hàm lượng khí CO2 cao sinh ra một dạng chất độc không bão hoà urushiol nhiều hơn 150% và chất urushiol bão hòa ít hơn 60%.
Các nhà nghiên cứu không chắc chắn tại sao sự biến đổi hóa học này lại xảy ra, nhưng có ý kiến cho rằng hàm lượng cacbon tăng lên bằng cách nào đó sẽ tạo điều kiện thuận lợi cho các phản ứng hóa học sản sinh ra dạng không bão hòa của chất urushiol.
Ước tính ở Mỹ mỗi năm cây thường xuân độc gây ra 350.000 trường hợp phát ban trên da. Khoảng 80% người dân có phản ứng với chất độc này và càng tiếp xúc nhiều hơn với chất độc, phản ứng của họ càng tệ hơn. Mohan nói rằng: “Tôi có những đồng nghiệp bị dị ứng mạnh đến nỗi các bác sĩ chuyên khoa da liễu của họ nói rằng họ phải chuyển nghề.”
Mohan cho rằng sự tăng lên của CO2 cũng làm tăng trưởng các cây leo độc khác trong họ Toxicodendron trên khắp thế giới. “Những loài cây phổ biến của rừng trong tương lai sẽ khác với những loài cây phổ biến trong rừng hiện nay.”
N.M.N (theo Nature online, 30/5/2006)
________________________________________________________________
**** plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=tora2
**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxicodendron_radicans
**** www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/tora.html
**** www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TORA2
**** www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/poison_ivy.htm
**** www.kingdomplantae.net/poisonIvy.php
A highly variable perennial woody vine or shrub, native to North America and Asia and introduced in Great Britain, Europe, and Australia.
There is considerable disagreement over whether poison ivy is one species with variations, or many separate species. It is also sometimes said that the poison oaks (Toxicodendron diversilobum and Toxicodendron quercifolium) are merely variations of the same species.
The photos on this page depict the common form in my locale (a trailing vine), but the text is more general.
Poison ivy prefers rich soil with good drainage and plenty of water. It is particularly common around lakes, swamps, and rivers. It will grow perfectly well, however, in a wide variety of other habitats. It's common along roadsides and trails, in areas of waste ground, in thickets, in open woods, and in old fields. It seems to do best in my area (Minnesota) in places that are just slightly shaded.
New poison ivy shoots sprout from existing roots, from rhizomes (underground stems), from climbing vines, and of course, from seed.
The stems are woody, brown, and smooth (though older stems of climbing plants develop a very hairy appearance). They may trail along (or just under) the ground, sending frequent branches both out and up. They may grow upright, in a shrub form, which can reach 7 feet in height under good conditions. Or they may grow as a vine, up to 5 inches in diameter, climbing trees and fences by means of dense, dark, fibrous, aerial roots (giving the vines that hairy look).
The alternate leaves have rather long stalks and are palmately compound (the leaflets radiate outward from a center point, like the fingers on your hand). The three leaflets, around 2" to 4" in length, may be shiny or not, are generally (but not always) wavy-edged or slightly toothed, and are sometimes slightly lobed. The young leaves are green, often with a reddish cast that they lose as they mature. In late spring to early summer, the flowers appear, in loose clusters from the leaf axils. The flowers have five petals, are about 1/8" diameter, are off-white with a yellowish or greenish tinge, and develop into small (about 1/4" diameter), round, dry, off-white fruits with a yellowish or greenish tinge. The fruit ripens in late summer through late fall, and at about the same time the leaves turn bright red, providing a cue to the many birds that feed on the fruits. The leaves fall once temperatures drop below freezing, while the fruits remain on the plants through the winter.
The thing that makes poison ivy so famous is the presence of a pale yellow oil called urushiol. This oil is present within all parts of the plant, but is not found on the surface unless the plant is damaged or bruised. The plant is somewhat fragile, however, and the majority of specimens are damaged in some way. Furthermore, urushiol can take many years to break down, particularly in cool and dry conditions, so it is also present in dead plants.
Urushiol is sticky, and is easily transferred to anything that touches it. And, as it is a stable compound, once it's on something (like your clothes, tools, or pets), at least some of it will stay there for quite a while unless it's washed off. When poison ivy is burned, the urushiol is carried on particles of soot and dust in the smoke.
Urushiol itself is not poisonous. However, urushiol which remains on your skin for more than five minutes or so will begin to be absorbed and metabolized.
The metabolites bind with skin proteins, forming new structures. In about 85% of the human population, the immune system sees these structures as foreign and attacks them. It is this immune response, or allergic reaction, which causes the itching, inflammation, and blistering of the skin. These symptoms generally appear after half a day to two days. After a few more days, when all of the alien structures have been destroyed (along with much of the surrounding tissue), the rash begins to heal...
The average person doesn't have a reaction the first time they're exposed, and if they do, it's usually delayed by seven to ten days. It takes some time for your body to produce the appropriate T-cells. Sensitivity also varies among individuals, and usually decreases with age. The palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, where the skin is thicker, are generally immune.
Severe cases, especially those involving mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, etc.) require medical attention. Hydrocortisone preparations or, in really severe cases, steroids, are generally given to reduce the immune response. As with many allergens, a severe reaction can be fatal if left untreated.
The best way to avoid getting "poison ivy" is to not get urushiol on your skin. Know what the plant looks like and avoid it. If you can't avoid it, wear protective clothing. Wash anything that may have come in contact with the plant before it touches your skin, including your dog. Never ever ever burn poison ivy. Stay away from forest fires (unless you're a firefighter, then wear protective gear). There are also barrier creams that are commercially available.
If you think you've been exposed, wash the area as soon as possible, preferably within an hour after exposure, with lots of cool running water. A lake or a river works well. Don't use soap unless it contains no oils (oil will cause the urushiol to spread). In the woods, look for bouncing bet (Saponaria officinales). With its high saponin content, it makes a workable oil-free soap. You may also wash the area with alcohol or another solvent, rinsing with plenty of water, but keep in mind that this strips your skin of its protective oils, making it more vulnerable to urushiol.
The most well known herbal treatment for poison ivy is the juice of jewelweed (Impatiens spp.) There may be a compound in jewelweed which binds to the same sites as the urushiol metabolites, thereby blocking their access. If this is true, applying jewelweed to the skin just before or just after exposure should prevent the rash. There is quite a lot of anecdotal evidence that this works. Jewelweed also has anti-inflammatory properties and should be a soothing treatment for an already developed rash.
Plantain (Plantago spp.), applied as a poultice, may also prevent the rash and will also soothe an already developed rash. Other plants with astringent and/or soothing properties may also help.
There is anecdotal evidence of people desensitizing themselves to poison ivy by eating poison ivy leaves, first starting with a tiny amount and then gradually increasing the dosage until a maintenance level is reached. The most common side effect of this treatment, however, is getting the rash where the urushiol passes out of your body. It is also possible to have symptoms internally. Similar treatments in pill form can be obtained from a doctor or dermatologist, but have the same unpleasant side effects. No other immunization appears to be available at this time.
Medicinally, poison ivy has been used to treat paralysis, arthritis, and certain persistent skin disorders, and also as a sedative. It is still used in homeopathic medicine for arthritis and skin disorders.
Poison ivy fruits are an important food source for a wide variety of birds (who also spread the seeds), and also for other wildlife, including deer. Goats quite like poison ivy and can be an effective means of controlling it. I've heard that drinking the milk from such a goat might desensitize a person, though I haven't seen any evidence to back that up. Studies have been done showing that urushiol is not transferred to the milk, but whether its metabolites are present seems to be unknown.
Poison ivy has occasionally been planted in gardens for color. This is how it arrived in England and Australia.
The sap turns black, and dries hard (like lacquer), when exposed to air, and has been used as a permanent ink, as a dye, and as an ingredient in varnishes.
To control poison ivy, either pull or dig it out by hand, cover it with mulch so that no light reaches it, mow it close to the ground, spray it with herbicides, or use any combination of methods. If you pull it out by hand, the best time is probably late fall or very early spring, and protective clothing must be worn. Be sure to get every part of the plant or it will regenerate. Throw it all in the trash (double bag it for the trash collector). Do not attempt to compost it and never ever try to burn it. When you're finished, wash everything, including yourself, thoroughly (wash your clothes separately from your other laundry or have them dry-cleaned if necessary). Using mulch is simple, but the ivy may pop through again, so cover it well. Mowing will kill a portion of it, anyway, as will the exposure to full sun, but remember that you're getting the oil all over the place, so wear protective gear and clean your equipment afterward. If herbicides are used, use them carefully, following the directions, and no more than necessary. Probably the most effective and least harmful method is to cut it and then use a disposable foam brush to paint the stump with the herbicide. You'll probably also want to wash everything when you're done. Herbicides are poisons, after all.
One last way to control poison ivy is to make the site inhospitable for it. Pay attention to the local conditions that it likes to grow in, and those it doesn't grow in, and then add or remove other plants to make the poison ivy feel less at home. Planting aggressive plants or plants that inhibit the growth of other plants, like black walnut or mugwort might be worth a try.
A last thought - don't create a problem where none exists. Behind the building where I work, there's a granite outcropping covered in wild blackberries, wild roses, staghorn sumac, moss with tiny little flowers and poison ivy. Small animals and birds loved the place, as did I, often picking blackberries there (carefully) on my lunch break. The poison ivy never spread off the rock because the area around it was kept mowed. But some safety official from the big city decided it was dangerous and had to be eliminated, so our maintenance crew has been spraying Round-up all over it for months and months. They haven't killed the poison ivy - and probably won't, even if they try to dig it out, since the roots run through the rock, but they've killed almost everything else there - there are no more blackberries, no roses, no birds or rabbits or tiny little flowers - and as far as I know noone ever actually got poison ivy there because only a few of us ever went back there and we were all nature types who knew enough to avoid it. It's just a waste of time, energy, and much needed habitat to start a war against something that isn't hurting anyone.
A few nice photo printing images I found:
lotus box
Image by ballookey
Nobuflickr's beautiful photo of a lotus bud inspired this project.
Print this design on a piece of paper (I made it large enough to print up to 11" square and trim it to the image edge. Then follow the folding directions here:
flickr.com/photos/ballookey/188931963/
This is a pretty traditional paper box, so if my directions confound you, there should be better versions on the web somewhere... ;) Oh yeah, here's a clear set of instructions:
www.origami-instructions.com/origami-box.html
Starboard / Port
Image by Nick Sherman
Just received another manicule print from Alan to match the other one he sent a while back.
Interrobang's Shakespeare Sonnet 116
Image by luxuryluke
There's a letterpress shop in Massachusetts that printed up 50 copies of our favorite sonnet from Bill Shakespeare. It was recounted from memory by dad on the beach at our wedding.
You may still be able to get a copy of it but chances are it's already sold out.
My photos don't do it justice.
Check here.
