Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Book Review For "Trockle"

Book Review for "Trockle"
By: Holly Jahangiri
Illustrated by: Jordan Vinyard
ISBN: 978-0-9797513-2-5
4RV Publishing, LLC
24 Pages
5 Stars

"Trockle" is an engaging children's story that answers the age-old question, "Who's that lurking under the bed?" Jahangiri paints as vivid a picture with her words as Vinyard paints with her colors. Children of all ages will enjoy "Trockle."

Stephen is an everyday little boy who has one last snack and a glass of milk before bed. He brushes his teeth and savors his parent's hugs, but not even his mom's can of monster repellent will convince him that the monster under his bed is gone. His dad tries to tell Stephen the monster is only 'socks and books,' but Stephen knows better. When his parents ask for the monster's name, Stephen has an answer - "Trockle." His parents give him a hug, reassure him he'll be okay, and leave.

Under the bed, shoes and pens start to rustle about. Trockle can't get to sleep. There was a monster over his bed! Trockle's mother tries to tell him there are no monsters over the bed, but Trockle knew better. The monster over the bed made the ceiling squeak and creak. He tried to describe the monster to his mother. Trockle's mother finally admitted to Trockle there wasn't a monster over the bed, but a little boy. In their sleep, both Trockle and Stephen wish each other good night.

Trockle was inspired by the bedtime stories the author would share with her son. The book is richly illustrated by Jordan Vinyard. Her wonderful drawings bring life and heart to Stephen and Trockle. Each character is unique, each page captures the reader's imagination.

The story is well paced and keenly plotted. The opening is one that young readers can identify with - the nerve racking nighttime ritual. Stephen's anxiety is one all children share with him. Haven't we thought there was a monster under the bed? What sparkles about "Trockle" is that now the monster under the bed has a face with real feelings, emotions, and anxieties, just like the rest of us. Jahangiri and Vinyard connect with readers not just on the surface, but in their hearts.

The descriptions in the book are right on the mark. Trockle, while sweet, looks like a monster. He's got one big eye and pimples all over. He loves to eat chocolate from Chaco-Taco wrappers.

Young readers will enjoy reading Trockle on their own. It's the type of book children can share with a giggle and a smile with their friends. For an extra touch, the back cover of the book mirrors the front. Trockle is a sure-fire hit.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Camping Sleeping Bags - How to Choose the Right One

There are many more sleeping bags available on the market today than there are purposes for which they are used. The qualities and properties of a sleeping bag that is used for a children's sleepover are vastly different from those required of a bag that is to be used for sleeping during a trek in a freezing mountainous region, and there are many options available for the multitude of purposes which lie somewhere between these two extremes.

Sleeping bags which are for indoor use are obviously not required to be weatherproof, and are often referred to as slumber bags. They are more likely to be manufactured from natural fabrics than from synthetic from which the majority of outdoor bags are made. These are mainly designed to make sleeping on the floor more comfortable, and to provide extra warmth, as would a blanket.

Undoubtedly the technology of sleeping bag manufacture has improved greatly over the years, but sleeping bags date back to 1861 when Francis Fox Tuckett produced his prototype. Initially camel fur and kapok were used for insulation until duck and goose down were introduced. Sleeping bags were not produced commercially until the 1890s when a Norwegian company commenced their manufacture, but consumers had to wait another hundred years for manufacturing standards to be introduced in the United States and Europe.

The two main shaped sleeping bags are the rectangular bags and the mummy bags. The rectangular bags are shaped as their name suggests, and provide more room to move about inside, but on the other hand that extra room means that there is more space inside in which warmth needs to be retained. On the other hand, the mummy bags are tapered in shape so that there is less room at the level of the feet which requires the maintenance of warmth. The mummy bags have a hood which protects your neck and head from the cold, and when fully closed only your mouth and nose are exposed.

Insulation materials for sleeping bags can be classified into two main groups; down and synthetic. Goose down is an excellent insulator and is also excellent in terms of weight and bulk. On the other hand, its insulation qualities are compromised when the bag gets wet, and it is difficult to wash and dry. It is also more expensive than its synthetic counterparts. There is a variety of synthetic fibres which are used for insulation, some of which are Microloft, Hollowfibre, and Polarguard. Synthetic fibres tend to be heavier and bulkier than down, but they are more water-resistant and still provide warmth if wet. The synthetic bags also tend to cost less than the down bags.

When purchasing a sleeping bag, check the rating of the bag and make sure that it meets your requirements. If you are going to be sleeping in alpine conditions you won't want to be stuck with a bag with a temperature rating down to only 40 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, if you are sleeping out in mild conditions you won't need a bag which is rated down to zero degrees. This is obviously simply a matter of common sense. If you match your requirements with the appropriate sleeping bag, your camping experience will be enhanced, rather than spoiled.

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Monday, September 6, 2010

Tips For Buying a Rifle Scope

When you are considering buying a rifle scope, you'll soon come up against more choices than you know what to do with! If you last bought a scope several years ago, or you have never owned one at all, the variety of scopes can leave you a little bit concerned about which one is the best choice for you. When you are thinking about getting a scope, you'll find that your choice can be much simpler if you only keep a few things in mind. Remember that the best scope is not necessarily the most expensive one; it will be the one that suits you the best.

The first thing to think about is what conditions you will be hunting in. Some people only hunt in fair to good conditions, while others take a real pride in going out regardless of the weather. Take some time to read the fine print, and figure out what conditions your rifle scope can deal with. For instance, you'll find that Bushnell rifle scopes are known for their water-repellent lens coating, making them a natural choice in rain, sleet or even snow.

Also, you'll find that you will want a rifle scope where the size of the forward lens, also known as the objective lens is one that is comfortable for you. The larger this lens is, the brighter the view will be. If you often hunt in low-light conditions, like daybreak or dusk, you'll find that the more clearly it will show you your target. Make sure that you test out these lenses if at all possible. Keep in mind that there is a drawback in that the larger the forward lens is, the further forward it will need to be mounted on the gun and the less natural your sighting process will be. Make sure that you are comfortable with the amount of adjustment that you need to do.

You'll also find that some lenses are known for their all-purpose durability. For instance, the Nikon rifle scopes are known for their endurance no matter what the condition, and many have praised it's crystal clear edge-to-edge view. You'll find that these lenses have also be coated with several layers of anti-reflective compounds, thus improving your vision will preventing you from spooking your prey with a tell-tale glint.

As always, whenever you are thinking about purchasing something that carries an impressive price tag, remember that you will want to get a warranty with it. No matter how reliable the company, and Bushnell rifescopes and Nikon riflescopes are known for their reliability, it is still possible that there is a problem with the product. If you have a warranty, you can make sure that you recoup your money and get a replacement if there is some sort of factory defect. Similarly, make sure that the rifle scope has a great deal of adjustment available to you; some hunters will refuse to buy rifle scopes that don't have at least 60 inches of adjustment available.

Take some time to figure out what you really need from your rifle scope, and then look around and make sure that you get it it!

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Sunday, September 5, 2010

Things You Should Never Forget on Safari Holidays

Bored of going on vacations to cosmopolitan cities and common tourist sports? This time, plan safari holidays! Get ready for an extraordinary vacation experience, something that you'd love to tell your friends and colleagues about, on returning home.

African Safari holidays comprise thrills and chills. The sunset is hard to forget. The exhilarating wildlife is enough to give you goose bumps and, at the same time, render a memorable experience. Plus, there is wide open space and the stark blue sky that reminds you of the vastness of the universe.

However, you cannot simply pack your bags and zoom off on safari holidays. This is a safari! It's a vacation during which you would be the closest to nature. So, you should be ready to say a little "hello" to the big cats, tigers and lions. Besides, there are the usual adventures that every safari comes packed with, including the creepy insects, the crawling creatures, and the hair-rising dark nights in Africa!

You also get to see huge landscape filled with all sorts of grasses, trees, and exotic species of flora. Take a safari and you'll be greeted with amazing varieties of species from the plant and animal kingdom. It's an entirely different world - something away from the usual hustle bustle of tourist spots and the glitz of cities that lure tourists from all around the world.

Four Must-Haves For Safari Holidays

* Your Travel Documents: Travel insurance is also a good idea, as it provides coverage to your belongings lest a mishap should happen.
* Anti-Malaria Pills For African Safari Holidays: Malaria is rampant in certain game reserves. Hence, your doctor may advise you to take these pills before commencing on your journey. Make sure you have all the required medicines in a first aid kit with you.
* A Sun-Hat: Choose one that covers the back part of your neck and provides shade to your eyes.
* Sunglasses: These are needed to protect your eyes from the scorching sun, especially if you are visiting the Savannah plains.

Right Clothes for Safari Holidays

* Bright clothes can attract the attention of wild animals. Avoid white clothing as well, as you will end up with all sorts of spots and stains at the end of the day. You're on a safari, not in a casino! The ideal colors to wear are brown, beige, olive, and other earthy tones. Dark clothes will heat you up faster. Lighter shades will keep your cool.
* Lightweight clothes in cotton and linen. Synthetics are a strict "no". You don't want to get baked!
* Clothes with long sleeves help to avoid sunburn. They also prevent mosquito bites and other insect bites. Besides, you won't feel those creepy spiders crawling on you!
* Warm clothes are needed for night time in Africa.
* Clothes with huge pockets are required to carry camera, binoculars, water kit, insect repellent, sunglasses, sunscreen, travel guide, and other essentials.

Safari holidays require a little preparation. Before you embark on your adventure trip, you must know how to handle insects, how to administer first aid, and where to call for help in case of emergency. You must also know what to do in case you find yourself face to face with a tiger!

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Saturday, September 4, 2010

Friday, September 3, 2010

Geese Problems..

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

What Are Earwigs?

Maybe you've noticed these little insects as they've crawled up out of the drain in your bathtub, right before you step in the shower. Maybe you've seen them crawling on the inside of your front door frame, wandering in from the outside. Possibly you've seen them all scatter as you lift a log or wooden board out of the grass, or maybe you've seen them meandering along the foundation of your home, doing damage to your flower beds or vegetable gardens. No matter where you've seen them, the sight of their little pincers and long and narrow brown bodies has probably given you goose bumps, and you've been anxious to get rid of them.

These little insects are called earwigs, and if you didn't know the name, you have probably at least seen them before, as they are common in the Ohio valley region, as well as in Michigan and Western Pennsylvania. They are reddish-brown in color, and when fully grown, are about three-quarters of an inch to one inch long. They have little pincers attached to their tail called 'cerci' which are used for defense and at times used to catch other insects on which they will prey. Earwigs were named for the myth that they crawl into sleeping people's ears and into their brains to lay their eggs.

A very unnerving name fitting for a creepy looking creature, rarely do earwigs ever bite or pinch people, and they have no venom to inject if they do. However, they are considered a nuisance pest because they will damage the leaves and blossoms of your flowers and vegetables in your garden, and because they will take up residence in your home in unexpected places. Earwigs are especially damaging to corn in your garden as well as soft fruits like strawberries or apricots, and you may find multitudes of them in your compost pile. If they find their way into your home, they will be in dark and damp places, including in or around your bathroom sink or shower, or even under pictures hanging on your wall.

Earwigs are attracted to several things around your home and property, and knowing what attracts them can help you identify and destroy them. Earwigs are attracted to dense undergrowth, ground cover and weeds surrounding your flower and vegetable gardens. They can be found in piles of leaves, under wooden boards, and in trash and garden debris. Flower pots and other garden decorations will harbor earwigs, and removing them from your gardening area can help limit an earwig population. If earwigs have nothing to feed on and nowhere to hide, their numbers will decrease.

When temperatures or conditions outside are too hot or cold, or too dry, earwigs will make their way into your home. They will find cracks in your house to enter through and then will find dark and damp places to make their home. They will also hitch rides on anything brought into the house, including laundry left on the line overnight, or children's toys left in the yard for a day or two. Making sure that cracks in your home are sealed and shaking out laundry or toys before bringing them back into the house can help make sure earwigs aren't allowed admittance into your home.

Once you find you do have an earwig problem, it's a good idea to target the infestation in your yard or garden first. If you don't have an earwig problem outside your house, you won't have a problem inside your house. A rolled-up and moistened newspaper placed in your yard overnight can make a good earwig trap. In the morning, shake the rolled-up newspaper out into a bucket of hot soapy water to eliminate the annoying insect. Several of these traps placed near your garden, foundation or other places that you have seen earwigs can destroy a significant number of these pests, but won't totally eliminate the population. Contacting a local pest control company that specializes in residential pest control is a great way to fully eliminate an earwig infestation on your property.

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