National Raspberry Cake Day, Laura's Birthday, In the News, and Enjoy

National Raspberry Cake Day - Today is National Raspberry Cake Day!

National Raspberry Cake Day is jubilantly celebrated each year on July 31. Raspberry cake is a cool and refreshing dessert that is a summertime favorite around the United States.

Raspberries are the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus of the rose family. The name also applies to the plants themselves.

Raspberries are a rich source of vitamin C, manganese and dietary fiber. Raspberries contain vitamin B1, vitamin B3, folic acid, magnesium, copper and iron.

Laura's Birthday - Today is Laura's birthday!

This is the scene that greeted Laura this morning when she arrived at her area at Sierra Nevada! She is obviously much loved there!

In the News - They walk among us!

Man Dies After Crashing Car into Bee-Infested Abandoned Home

Woman Pulls Gun on Comcast Worker over Cable Fees

Woman Spotted Walking Naked Man on Dog Leash Along Road

Mysterious "Woman in Black" Roams Rural U.S., Goes Viral on Social Media

Drone Carrying Contraband Crashes at SC Prison

Enjoy - Relax and enjoy these images and videos!

International Assistance Dog Week, Laura's Birthday Week, and Enjoy!

International Assistance Dog Week - International Assistance Dog Week (IADW) was created to recognize of all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs helping individuals mitigate their disability-related limitations.

Assistance dogs transform the lives of their human partners with debilitating physical and mental disabilities by serving as their companion, helper, aide, best friend, and close member of their family.

During International Assistance Dog Week, we recognize and honor the hardworking assistance dogs; raise awareness and educate the public about how these specially trained animals are aiding so many people in our communities; honor the puppy raisers and trainers of assistance dogs; and recognize heroic deeds performed by assistance dogs in our communities. The celebration takes place each year, starting on the first Sunday of August. In 2013, International Assistance Dog Week will be August 4 – 10.

International Assistance Dog Week was established due to the efforts of Marcie Davis, a paraplegic for over 35 years and CEO of Davis Innovations, a consulting firm based in Santa Fe, NM.

Davis is the author of Working Like Dogs: The Service Dog Guidebook, a resource book that captures personal stories, checklists and practical tips to provide the reader with an A-Z guide about service dogs and she is the host of the Internet radio program, Working Like Dogs, at Pet Life Radio. As a member of a service dog team, she founded Working Like Dogs to honor assistance dogs around the world and is sponsoring International Assistance Dog Week.

Laura's Birthday Week - Although Laura's birthday was Wednesday, we waited until the weekend to celebrate it. We enjoyed a very festive sushi dinner—followed in the morning with home-made Potatoes O'Brien and scrambled eggs with sausage.


The Potatoes O'Brien featured several hot peppers—including a plump habanero. It was a very spicy dish!


Now, I am watching for the Big Brown Truck. It will bring Laura's Nexus 7 2013—her birthday present from me!

Enjoy! - Relax and enjoy these images and videos.

Microsoft Office Mobile for Android, Laura's Birthday, and Enjoy!

Microsoft Office Mobile for Android - Microsoft just launched Office Mobile for Android.

That sounds great as a headline. Once one reads the conditions, however, one quickly determines the app works only on smartphones—not on tablets! Additionally, the app works only if the user is a subscriber of Microsoft Office 365! Microsoft is not offering a free version of the app. Also, it is not opening things up internationally: The app is for U.S. Office 365 subscribers only!

Does Microsoft have its corporate head in the sand, or is Microsoft simply greedy? There are several Android-based alternatives to Microsoft Office. All open and edit Microsoft Office documents. Many are free. Although I have used Microsoft apps since migrating from Wordstar for DOS to Word for Windows in 1989.


On my three Android devices, I prefer (and use) Google Docs. Google Drive makes my Google Docs available to me (and to anyone to whom I grant access) from anywhere and on any platform. Google Drive and Google Docs are free!


While I am certainly not by nature averse to paying for tools that I use, but I would undoubtedly consider myself an utter imbecile were I to choose to pay $9.95 per month for something when an alternative is available at no cost—particularly when that alternative is better!

Laura's Birthday - Today is Laura's birthday! Her BFF festooned her work space with festive party decorations and strung Mardi Gras beads about her!


Happy Birthday, Laura! I love you and pray your day is very, very blessed and filled with joy!

Enjoy! - Relax and enjoy these videos!