Came across this really good article on American versus British media today [ie: regarding Iraq war] on Common Dreams website. It is so true, one has to go elsewhere for good detailed news coverage, cause its just not happening here in the USA. Check it out ... if you wish:

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0509-01.htm

Yesterday afternoon I was up in Yonkers doing my beloved volunteer work at ferret shelter. Aliza and Briana met me at the train station and we drove to shelter. Its great seeing them again and chatting. When we arrived Joanne was outside working on flowers in front and Harley was sitting in his doggie house. We talked for awhile about several things, one of which was the new 4-level cage Aliza purchased for her two furkids. Then Aliza and her daughter took off and I went indoors with Joanne. In the kitchen we caught up on "news" before going into shelter. Dear Bouncy Bear has been adopted, several new ferrets are in-house and one of the oldsters had to be put to sleep a week ago. In the shelter the first group of furkids were out ... the regulars whom I know well and love dearly [ie: Oliver, Sweet Pea, Emily, Big Willy & Spats]. While brushing their fur and cleaning their ears I put a large, empty Q-tip box on the floor. OMG! They went nuts over it. They dragged it all over the floor or tried to squeeze into it. Very amusing to observe their antics. Then it was time to put them back in their cages and go around filling up all the waterbottles. That done ... Joanne and I took out next group [10] of ferrets for play time. This included several newbies and one oldster. They too played with the Q-tip box. I brushed their fur and cleaned ears. Then it was time for a tea break with Joanne and a liberal discussion on politics. During this whole time her cat Mushy sat on my lap purring away. Back in the shelter we put away the furkids. I cleaned up poopy papers, mopped the floors and put down fresh papers, plus straightened up all the toys.

The last furkid to come out for his playtime has quite a "story" ... which I'll briefly relate. Hearing Joanne tell it damn near brought tears to my eyes. She said that two weeks ago a woman called her and said she'd found a ferret, in a park out in Forest Hills [Queens]. She was walking her dog when the pooch went to sniff a towel on the ground near a tree. She thought it might have a dead animal, but then a little ferret slowly poked its head out. The poor darling was thin, dirty, couldn't walk and very shaky. Joanne said the woman made several phone calls before being referred to her. The little three year old fella is doing better these days, tho not 100% and is slowly able to get around. Whomever the original cruel owners were, Joanne says they must of keep the wee one cooped up in a small cage on a 24/7 basis. Bastards! The little ferret is very friendly, doesn't bite, gives kisses, inquisitive and likes being held. He's such a darling. Soon Joanne plans on taking him to the vet for a thorough checkup. While there I brushed his fur and cleaned his ears. It was apparent that the previous owner didn't perform these duties. Makes me so mad to hear of people who are cruel to animals and innocent pets. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Spent the rest of my Barnes & Noble gift card yesterday evening and picked up several cool books.

"I'm a Stranger here Myself" by Bill Bryson
"The Master & Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov

[Plus a pretty, blank journal to utilize as a record-keeper of my volunteer work at ferret shelter.]

*********************************************************************

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark......

One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.