The Old Folks Home

[microchick]

It was in the high 30s here today. It felt wonderful and the chickens actually ventured outside to dig around in the mud.

We have a dear friend back in IL who was exposed to agent orange when he was in Nam. He was a dental tech and the planes loaded with the stuff flew over their buildings and dripped it all over the place. He now has end stage Parkinson's disease with dementia and is considered to be totally disabled. My brother was there also and possibly exposed. He is having all sorts of health problems including weird tumors. I cannot begin to imagine how many veteran's lives have been ruined by exposure.

@chickisoup, I am so sorry. Like the veterans, I wonder how many farmers and agriculture people are going to wind up with all sorts of health problems down the line from exposure not only to Roundup, but all the weedkillers and insecticides that they are exposed to every time they plant a field in the spring. We had a neighbor back in IL who farms and as he is semi retired, helps out other older neighbors with their fields. I was talking to his daughter one day who voiced concerns about his health as he had started having troubles with skin cancers and his heart.

As I said in an earlier post. When the Roundups came out, they touted them as being completely safe. Just like the chemicals they touted before Roundup and like they will with the next generation of agricultural chemicals they tout as being completely safe....until...I'm afraid that until we find a way to feed a world full of people without chemicals, this is going to be a self perpetuating problem.

 

[bruceha2000]

this one is in Nashua NH

That is the major center for here. Everything that goes out is sent to the Nashua sorting center and if destined for VT comes back. Happens even if it is just going one town over. Must be more efficient somehow, that is how FedEx works too. Everything goes to TN first.

My favorite was the package that was supposed to go to dsqard when she was in Utah and it went to Puerto Rico instead. Easy mistake.

That is pretty bizarre given the PR zip codes all start with 009 and UT with 840 or 841. Pretty hard to claim the numbers weren't quite clear and were misread by the machines.
My favorite is the letter that came from outside the USA to the Isle LaMotte, Vermont PO. It was addressed to the Isle of Man, UK. DW sent it on its way across the pond.

Hahaha that's great! That is one thing our post office won't lose is live chicks or ducks! They freak out when they hear them crying and called me to come get them even before 6am!

You, of course, let them know the day before to be expecting the chicks, right? Can't speak for all PO clerks but DW calls the recipient as soon as she gets in the office because everyone wants the chicks picked up and unpacked ASAP for their health. It has nothing to do with freaking out because of the "crying".

 

[getaclue]

I think I'd put in one of those "Clappers" advertised on tv. Next time they lose a package, tell them to clap, and it will answer.

 

[drumstick diva]

I'm worried plenty about the years I used Roundup For poison ivy and tough brush killer. It was the only thing that worked. BTW didn't have a flower or vegetable garden. Just used mostly on a large backyard that I hardly ever entered. I didn't have haz mat
elements - just long sleeved top, denim jeans, eye protection only used the same set, socks, shoes etc. And washed everything that could be washed separately.

Since I didn't fall down dead, I assumed it was harmless. I suppose the clock is ticking regardless.

 

[chickadoodles]

Bruce I did call the post office the day before and they did call as soon as they got there.

 

[getaclue]

The duck was not here this morning. Dh tracked it down. It's in our neighbor's pond, and has a friend. It is feral.

 

[Alaskan]

The duck was not here this morning. Dh tracked it down. It's in our neighbor's pond, and has a friend. It is feral.

I am sure that you are glad that it us off if your property AND still safe.

 

[bruceha2000]

Has nothing to do with anything, but a humorous TV Blooper at 23:23

For those that don't want to chase it down, quick synopsis:
Deputy is tied to a chair, gets over to the hot wood cooking stove gets the door open and burns through the rope with the hot door. A bit later a fight ensues (because this is a Western after all and Deputy Craig gets to fight in EVERY episode) and while we will ignore the multiple "no burns" contacts with the "hot" stove it is hard to not notice that when the stove pipe is knocked off the stove, the wall where it would exit is very solid

 

[getaclue]

Al, mixed feeling about it. I just didn't want some sick duck contaminating my flock. Other than that, it could have stayed.

 

[Bunnylady]

Just to make sure we have the story straight, one of the active ingredients in Agent Orange (2,4-D) is still available to the consumer in dozens if not hundreds of products sold at garden centers and department stores. The other active ingredient, 2,4,5-T, was taken off the market because of toxicity concerns. The real problem with Agent Orange wasn't either of the herbicides themselves, it was a contaminant - dioxin. Dioxins are extremely toxic chemicals, and they turn up in a lot of other places, too.

No manufacturer dares to make the claim that its products are "completely safe." The label always has instructions about protecting yourself, and the environment, from accidental exposure and contamination. In order to put a chemical on the market, the manufacturer has a whole bunch of hoops they have to jump through, which includes testing the potential toxicity of the material.

Interesting that this article just came out:
http://www.newsweek.com/monsanto-weed-killer-roundup-does-not-cause-cancer-new-study-shows-707260