Rose Cottage Ltd

Cars and 4WD vehicles do not belong on North Carolina beaches…

Someone driving a vehicle hit this horse so hard it nearly severed his leg in half. Then, they left him there bleeding and injured, and did not report what they had done. The horse dragged itself nearly a mile, trying to get back to its herd. Once found, it had to be put down. Seven horses have also been shot – by some very sick people…I’d love to find them myself…

If anyone has any information, contact the Corolla Wild Horse Organization

“… another Exxon Valdez nearly every four days.”

And Exxon is still in court fighting to not pay some of the fines from that “spill”, 21 years later…..

I think a lot of people are getting a bit numb as to what these oil disaster numbers really mean. It is hard to contemplate a release of over (today), 14 million gallons of anything.

Here are comments from the Purdue mechanical engineering professor who was brought to DC to speak before Congress regarding BP’s estimates – which seem to state that BP has lied about volume spilled since Day One:

“Wereley’s latest estimate, based on better videos and data and more scientists, is now 35,000 to 60,000 barrels a day. A barrel of oil has 42 gallons. This puts Wereley’s top estimate at 2.52 million gallons of oil per day, or another Exxon Valdez nearly every four days.

If BP can stop the gusher with the relief wells it plans to complete by August, it will have spilled roughly 7.8 million barrels, Wereley estimates, or nearly 30 Exxon Valdez-sized spills.”

Read the full article here.

Under the Clean Water Act, BP is supposed to pay a $4300 per barrel fine for each one spilled. This is plenty of motivation for BP to underestimate these figures.

The Greenpeace widget is based on BP’s earliest estimates – now known to be completely false.

Regarding the total amount spilled…Contemplate…

A 1500 square foot house is filled floor to ceiling with oil, two and one half times per day, based on BP’s initial estimate.

Based on Wereley’s later scientific estimate, the same house would now be filled floor to ceiling 28 times per day.

In relation to fines, BP’s original numbers would yield $1.5 billion in fines for the spill to date. According to the scientific estimates, that fine total increases to $17.5 billion. Sixteen billion dollars is plenty of incentive for BP to lie – to US citizens, and to Congress.

So, based on the most reliable estimates currently available, change the number on the widget from 14 million + gallons, to 171 million gallons – a 12-fold increase.

29 gallons per second – a number anyone can understand….

I may have to buy a Raptor and give this a try at Rose Cottage!

Stand by fish!

Okay – so not really orange weather, but orange alerts:

“The North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources in Raleigh NC has issued a code Orange air quality action day for ground level ozone… in effect until 9 PM EDT this evening.

An air quality action day means that ground level ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.”

The only thing orange I want to see is my first successful Echincea blooms…

All is well in my world…

Many rural homeowners, including myself, get 100% of their household water from a well on their property. Water is like electricity… as long as you have it, you don’t pay much attention to it otherwise. This is not always a good thing when it comes to wells and well water.

If your well is not near any known source of contamination, there is little cause for immediate concern. But if you notice any change in your well’s water quality or if there are any signs of illness, an immediate check with local authorities is suggested. For example, talk with a geologist at a local college or someone from a nearby public water system or your local health department. They’ll know about conditions in your area.

Clean drinking water
Great Photo: Snap

Have your well water tested…

Test your water every year for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect other contaminants, test for these also. Often county health departments do tests for bacteria and nitrates. For other substances, health departments, environmental offices, or county governments should have a list of state certified laboratories.

Follow the instructions given for taking and sending or storing your water sample – they are there for a reason. Inaccurate readings due to poor sampling don’t help you one bit. Remember to test your water after replacing or repairing any part of the well system (piping, pump, or the well itself.) Also test if you notice a change in your water’s look, taste, or smell.

Contaminants

As far as contamination goes there are unfortunately many possible reasons your water may become less than healthy. Testing can get expensive very quickly so paying attention to your local surroundings and any resulting water “symptoms” can save you time and money.

– Corrosion of pipes and plumbing can require a test for corrosion, pH, and lead.
– Nearby areas of intensive agriculture? Test for nitrate, pesticides, and coliform bacteria
– Coal or other mining operations nearby? Start tests on metals, pH, and corrosion
– Scaly residues, soaps don’t lather? Test for water hardness
– Water appears cloudy or frothy? Suspect detergent infiltration

Risks

The amount of risk from a drinking water contaminant depends on the specific substance and the amount in the water. The health of the person also matters. Some contaminants cause immediate and severe effects. It may take only one bacterium or virus to make a weak person sick. Another person may not be affected. For very young children, taking in high levels of nitrate over a relatively short period of time can be very dangerous.

But where does your well water come from?

Even if you own your own well on your own property, it is still good to find out what local aquifers and groundwater may impact your well. This was the #1 concern of local residents in my area when a mining company wanted to buy (and ruin) 1,000 acres of land within 3 miles of my house.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) replaced the old U.S. Soil Conservation Service. It is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The NRCS and the U.S. Geological Survey have information about local soils and ground water. They can tell you where a local water supply is located and how it is recharged or replenished. They would know of any pollution threats and if radon is a problem in the area.

To find out more about your watershed and its ground water visit “Surf Your Watershed.” Also look at the “Index of Watershed Indicators.” These websites can also tell you possible sources of problems.

Be safe…

I hope you have a great day!

Still time to enjoy your outdoor room this season!

Functional and pleasing to the eye… The Shorea wood (preferred for its outdoor, weather-resistant durability) is sealed with a protective oil finish that resists weather and gently grays with time.

The set includes a 40 1/2″-wide octagonal table with four folding chairs. The table has two base crosspieces for stability and a slatted surface that sheds precipitation, plus a hole that accommodates an umbrella (not included). Each slatted chair is reinforced with a pair of spindles and has a curved back for comfort. Chairs stack underneath the table and out of the way when not in use. Great for small-area dining…

Table: 28″ H x 40 1/2″ Diameter.

Order info:

The Trestle Patio Table and Stow Away Chairs.

Good time to stop and think about lightning – and what it can do…

The National Weather Service has declared the week of June 21nd through June 25th lightning safety week.

During the past 30 years… lightning has killed an average
of 73 people per year in the United States based on documented
cases. This is more than tornadoes and hurricanes.
However… because lightning usually claims only one or two victims
at a time… and because lightning does not cause the mass
destruction left in the wake of tornadoes or hurricanes… lightning
generally receives much less attention than the more destructive
storm related killers. Documented lightning injuries in the United
States average about 300 per year… however… undocumented injuries
caused by lightning are likely much higher.

While many individuals think they are aware of the dangers of
lightning… the vast majority underestimate its deadly potential.
This lack of understanding with regard to the dangers of lightning
continues to be a significant problem in North Carolina. Many
people do not act to protect their lives… their property… and the
lives of others in a timely manner simply because they do not
understand all the dangers associated with thunderstorms and
lightning. This lack of knowledge can lead to very tragic
consequences.

While virtually all people take some protective actions during the
most dangerous part of thunderstorms… many leave themselves
vulnerable to being struck by lightning as thunderstorms approach…
depart… or are nearby. Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles or
more away from the rain area of a thunderstorm. If you hear the
thunder, chances are that you are within striking distance of that
storm.

Inside homes… it is important to activities which put you at risk
from a possible lightning strike. In particular… stay away from
windows and doors and avoid contact with anything that conducts
electricity. You will also want to take certain actions well before
the storm threatens… in order to protect property within your
home… such as electronic equipment.

Finally… in the unfortunate event that a person is struck by
lightning… medical care may be needed immediately to save the
person’s life. Cardiac arrest… Burns… and nerve damage are common
in cases where individuals are struck by lightning. However… with
proper treatment… including c. P. R. If necessary… most victims
survive a lightning strike… .although the long term effects on
their lives and the lives of family members can be devastating.

Day 60 I believe – of the oil disaster…kind of beyond “spill” stage don’t you think?

Don’t try these at home – someone already did!