Monkey Musings Daily Open Discussion #7 9/30 - 10/24/2007

[Anna]

http://members.fortunecity.com/herpeton/g2fams.htm

Muffy, scroll down for two native to Texas.  Even named for the State.  I think they are also called skinks if that helps t find your little monster.

[MuffyBee]

Off to work but Muffy, I will try tonight to help you find the monster lizard with the blue tongue.  Don't want any Yorkies in trouble.

Thank you Anna.  I have my camera ready in case I see him again.  I might get lucky and get a photo.  In the meantime, the yorkies  will go out with their  harness and leashes on and hopefully I can keep them out of trouble until I can find out what I'm dealing with.  Problem is, that lizard could have been around a long time and I just stumbled on him. I had some trees trimmed in the front yard the same day I saw the lizard.  There were chainsaws and etc.  I wonder if the noise and commotion stirred him up and/or caused him to have to relocate.  I'm just glad it wasn't a s-n-a-k-e

[2NJSons_Mom]

COMEDIAN JOEY BISHOP, LAST OF FRANK SINATRA'S RAT PACK, DIES AT 89

**Watch FOX News Channel or go to http://foxnews.com for more


'FROM HERE TO ETERNITY,' 'THE KING AND I' ACTRESS DEBORAH KERR DIES AT 86

**Watch FOX News Channel or go to http://foxnews.com for more               

Thanks, San...I've been reading archives and hadn't caught up in Musings until now.

Theresa Brewer, singer from the '50s also died...read that early this morning.  (older folks like myself remember hearing her music)

Thanks to Anna for clearing up the stalking issue with NYC.  I, too, hope that NYC enjoys her trip to Dubai, whenever that will be.

I, too, must get some work done.  Half the day has been spent in archives for me, today.

[NYC_lover]

NYC,

Someone told me the cows have more butterfat in the milk in Holland is what makes the butter wonderful.  I never eat margarine, always real butter as natural products are better.

The Dutch also make the best paint in the world!  That is why the colors in Aruba are so pretty I bet because it is paint from the Netherlands.  Tylergal told me about some you can buy here but it costs like over $100 per gallon but looks sooooo beautiful.  I believe she used it in some of her house, can't remember but the colors were so deep and wonderful.

Maybe goes back to the Grand Master painters but some do pay the high price for that paint.  And I know two other people who said the same for the butter.

Maybe you can get my email from Klaas and email to me and I will tell you the town I want to go to in Holland.  You will have a nice trip to Dubai because it is so spectacular just to see.

Anna - yes natural products are better. Well milk is one of the importants raw materials what produced in the Netherlands.
Raw material for bread, chocholade milk, butter, chocholade, coffee milk and ect.
Cheese been very important export products from the Netherlands.
I am sorry, I have no idea about paint things. But when u mean about painting for paintings to make, I want help u with what u want.
You will have a nice trip to Dubai because it is so spectacular just to see. Thank you!
This is ok, no problem.
Maybe you can get my email from Klaas and email to me and I will tell you the town I want to go to in Holland. 
I want help, when u want to come to the Netherlands. For stay safe in the Netherlands.
I want send u per mail things, what u can do, where u can stay, and ect.

[MuffyBee]

http://members.fortunecity.com/herpeton/g2fams.htm

Muffy, scroll down for two native to Texas.  Even named for the State.  I think they are also called skinks if that helps t find your little monster.

Thank your for the link Anna.  Alas, the creature I saw out on my deck do not look like nor fit the description of the two that would be native to Texas.  I did some searching yesterday and all I came up are the blue tongue lizards from Australia so far.  I've decided to call him Gene, after Gene Simmons from the rock group "Kiss".  Remember, he was the one that was always sticking out his tongue?  Maybe I should call him Blue Gene, because the lizards tongue is blue 

[klaasend]

SEVERE WEATHER WARNING - ALABAMA, FLORIDA, OKLAHOMA - TORNADO WATCH

Northern Alabama, West Florida

Alabama radar:

[MuffyBee]

Violent Storms Tear Through 3 States, Killing 2

Thursday, October 18, 2007
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303199,00.html

[MuffyBee]

Deborah Kerr, British actress, is dead at 86

[MuffyBee]

Tornadoes Tear Through Florida, Missouri
Strong Winds Wreak Havoc Across Panhandle; 2 Killed In Missouri, 30 Injured In Oklahoma
PENSACOLA, Fla., Oct. 18, 2007
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/18/national/main3380159.shtml
(CBS/AP) Tornadoes and strong winds tore up buildings in two states Thursday, damaging a shopping mall, a day-care center and a church in Florida and killing two people in rural Missouri.

Another 30 people were injured in Oklahoma late Wednesday when two tents collapsed at an Oktoberfest festival.

A tornado touched down in Pensacola, damaging the city's major shopping mall, as a line of violent thunderstorms made their way across the western Panhandle on Thursday.
(snipped)
More strong thunderstorms are forecast to develop to the west of the state and may once again impact the Florida panhandle during the overnight hours tonight.

There were more than 7,000 people at the Tulsa, Okla., Oktoberfest when the tents collapsed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Five of those hurt remained hospitalized Thursday, and three were in serious condition with head injuries, concussions and lacerations, said Tina Wells, spokeswoman for the Emergency Medical Services Authority.

"It's easily one of the largest medical emergencies we've had in Tulsa in nearly a decade," Wells said.

The storm packed hurricane-force gusts ranging from 65 mph to near 90 mph, said Steve Piltz, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tulsa. He said Tulsa County was under a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning when the storm hit the tents, but Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor said that less than an hour earlier the skies had been clear.

"The wind came up incredibly quick and I don't think anyone can prepare for those kinds of winds," said Michael Sanders, the promotions chairman for the Oktoberfest event. Officials said the festival would resume Thursday afternoon with a smaller, more open-air tent.

North of Tulsa, five people were injured and 25 mobile homes and travel trailers were damaged when the storm hit a mobile home park between Oologah and the Washington County line, the Oologah-Talala Emergency Medical Services District reported.

Four of the injured were in a mobile home that was destroyed, and the fifth was a woman who was hit by debris, officials said. None of the injuries was believed to be life-threatening, officials said.

In northeastern Missouri, a possible tornado early Thursday in Monroe County killed two people in a mobile home, authorities said. High winds in the area downed trees, power lines and utility poles.

National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Truett said there were reports of a possible tornado, but they had not been confirmed. Several twisters hit southwestern Missouri without causing major damage.

The bodies of Kent Ensor, 44, and Kristy Secrease, 25, were discovered about 400 feet from where the mobile home was found, though troopers said they had been in the home when the storm hit. Secrease managed a hog farm owned by Ensor; the couple had been dating for about a year, friends said. "They were good people," said neighbor Joey Crigler, whose home was spared from damage.
(snipped)

[Observer]

 

[MuffyBee]

 

[MuffyBee]

 

[Observer]

I was hoping you would like that Muffy  Gene even sticks out his tongue 

[MuffyBee]

I was hoping you would like that Muffy  Gene even sticks out his tongue 

I liked that a lot OB    I was on the phone talking to my sister when I saw "Gene" and she heard me scream when I pushed at him with the broom and he was holding onto it.  She said I screamed like a girl...   I've just never seen the likes of an agressive blue tongued lizard.  I've seen my share of lounge lizards in my time, but none with blue tongues (that I know of anyway)

[Observer]

I was hoping you would like that Muffy  Gene even sticks out his tongue 

I liked that a lot OB    I was on the phone talking to my sister when I saw "Gene" and she heard me scream when I pushed at him with the broom and he was holding onto it.  She said I screamed like a girl...   I've just never seen the likes of an agressive blue tongued lizard.  I've seen my share of lounge lizards in my time, but none with blue tongues (that I know of anyway)

Very cool Muffy..I have never seen a blue tongue lizard before  The last time I heard someone scream when looking out the window was my sister..Theres a giant rat outside!!..It turned out to be a possum so I went outside to grab him but he hissed at me and scared me..So I left him alone 

[Anna]

Klaas,
I certainly hope no tornadoes but look at that rain coming my way!

Hurray!  Unless it just dissipates, no way can it miss me, right?

[2NJSons_Mom]

Torre turns down offer to return as Yanks' skipper
ESPN.com news services

Updated: October 18, 2007, 5:05 PM ET
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 NEW YORK -- Joe Torre is out as manager of the New York Yankees, rejecting a substantial pay cut after the team failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.


Tough Act to Follow
 
Whoever succeeds Joe Torre, when the likely Hall of Fame manager leaves the Yankees, will have some big shoes to fill. Among his accomplishments in New York:

• 1,173-767 record
• Four World Series titles
• 10 AL East titles (9 straight from 1998-2006)
• Two-time AL Manager of the Year (1996 and 1998)
• Reached postseason all 12 seasons

All-time managerial wins leaders Manager Wins
Connie Mack 3,776
John McGraw 2,840
Tony La Russa 2,375
Bobby Cox 2,255
Sparky Anderson 2,194
Bucky Harris 2,159
Joe McCarthy 2,126
Joe Torre 2,067

Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract Thursday that still would have made him the highest-paid manager in baseball.

Bench coach Don Mattingly is the leading contender to replace Torre, who led the Yanks to 12 straight playoff appearances and won four World Series championships. Yankees broadcaster Joe Girardi, the NL manager of the year with Florida in 2006, is another top contender.

"It's a difficult day," general manager Brian Cashman said.

But it was a day Yankees fans could see coming.

After losing the first two playoff games to Cleveland, owner George Steinbrenner said he didn't think Torre would be back if the Yankees didn't advance.

Torre, who took over the team to start the 1996 season, made his decision after traveling fom New York to the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla. He was accompanied by Cashman and chief operating officer Lonn Trost.

"It is now time for the New York Yankees to move forward," Levine said.

Torre made $7.5 million this year, the final season of a $19.2 million, three-year contract. The Yankees offered Torre a one-year deal with a base salary of $5 million and incentives that would have increased his salary to $8 million based on postseason performance. Under that offer, if Torre reached the World Series in 2008, an option for 2009 would have vested.

"We felt we needed to go to a performance-based mode," Levine said. "We thought it was very fair. It clearly was at the top of the market, but we respect Joe's decision."

Torre led the Yankees to the postseason every year he managed them, winning the AL East 10 times. But the Yankees have gone without a Series championship in the last seven and haven't even reached it since 2003, a stretch of futility that finally prompted Steinbrenner to make a change.

With 2,067 regular-season wins, Torre is eighth on the career list and was third among active managers behind Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals (2,375) and Bobby Cox (2,255) of the Atlanta Braves. Torre's four World Series titles are likely to earn him a place in the Hall of Fame -- every manager with three or more has been inducted.

As for salary, he led all managers -- Lou Piniella of the Chicago Cubs was second at $3.5 million a year.

Torre's was the longest uninterrupted term for a Yankees manager since Casey Stengel held the job from 12 years from 1949-60. Stengel was pushed out, too, let go after his team lost a seven-game World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Under Torre, the Yankees went 1,173-767. He trails only Joe McCarthy (1,460) for wins among Yankees managers.

"This has been a great 12 years. Whatever the hell happens from here on out, I'll look back on these 12 years with great, great pleasure," Torre said after his final game, his voice quavering as he tried to avoid choking up. "The 12 years just felt like they were 10 minutes long, to be honest with you."

He wouldn't address his future.

"If I have some options, I'll look at it because I'm certainly not ready to move somewhere and not do anything," the 67-year-old New Yorker said.

When Torre succeeded Buck Showalter, the Yankees had not won the World Series since 1978, the longest drought since the team's first title in 1923. It was the 20th change in manager following Steinbrenner's purchase of the franchise in 1973.

Torre never had much success as a manager before landing in New York, and many predicted he would be gone in no time. But he turned out to be a rock and a buffer to the blustery Steinbrenner. He was calm, stoic and brought an unprecedented period of stability to a team accustomed to constant turmoil.

The Brooklyn native was a former NL MVP and a nine-time All-Star. Before joining the Yankees, he had unsuccessful managing stints with the Braves, Cardinals and New York Mets -- the three clubs he played for. When the Yankees hired him, one New York paper dubbed him "Clueless Joe."

But New York won the World Series in 1996, led by a group that included Bernie Williams, rookie Derek Jeter, setup man Mariano Rivera, Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez. With catcher Jorge Posada added in, they won the Series from 1998-2000, the first team to win three straight since the Swingin' Oakland A's of 1972-74, and advanced to Game 7 of the Series in 2001, when they failed to hold a ninth-inning lead at Arizona.

Since then, despite baseball's largest payroll, there has been only frustration: A first-round loss to the Anaheim Angels in 2002, a World Series defeat to the Florida Marlins in 2003 and a painful exit the following year, when they allowed the Boston Red Sox to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the AL Championship Series.

They lost to the Angels in five games in the first round in 2005, were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers last year and were knocked out by the Cleveland Indians this year.

Communication between Torre and Steinbrenner deteriorated in 2005, and it wasn't clear that Torre would return for 2006 until after the pair met in Tampa. Steinbrenner meddled less with the team the past two seasons -- even during a 21-29 start this year -- giving almost unprecedented authority to Torre and Cashman.

Mattingly became the Yankees' bench coach this year following three seasons as hitting coach. A six-time All-Star and a former AL MVP, he starred for the team from 1982-95 and is a fan favorite whose No. 23 was retired by the Yankees in 1997.

"Don is reserving comment, at this time, out of respect to Joe Torre," Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, told 1050 ESPN New York.

Girardi is a Torre protege who kept a young Florida team in contention until late in the 2006 season with a no-nonsense approach.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3069115

[2NJSons_Mom]

My cousin shared this cute video with me today...

http://www.pne.ca/videoclip.htm

[MuffyBee]

My cousin shared this cute video with me today...

http://www.pne.ca/videoclip.htm

Woooo!   

[sleddogs]

Thanks,

I'll be right back.

After I change my underware!!!