Debi Boucher-Realtor Showcase Slideshows

Our Nation's Symbol Was Almost The Turkey

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:06:17 -0600

Our Nation's Symbol Was Almost The Turkey...

After the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a committee was formed to come up with an idea for the new country's seal. The committee members were Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. The idea they selected was of a woman representing liberty, and holding a shield that would represent the states. Congress didn't like it, and hired an artist that came up with a design that included an eagle.

Franklin didn't like the eagle idea, claiming the bird was of "bad moral character" because they had a tendency to 'steal' from other birds who had worked hard for their catch. Franklin argued that the turkey, being an American native as well, and much more respectable, would make a better symbol for the new United States.

Congress did not agree, and the bald eagle was decided upon.

Thank goodness.

Imagine eating bald eagles instead of turkeys on Thanksgiving.

He doesn't look crazy about the idea either.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Symptom	Cold	H1N1 Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold .	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu .
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough) .
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold .	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu .
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week .	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu .
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold .	60% of people who have the flu experience chills .
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold .	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu .
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold .	Sneezing is not common with the flu .
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days .	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains .
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold .	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases .
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold .	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu .
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold .	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu .

Debi Boucher-Realtor Showcase Slideshows

Our Nation's Symbol Was Almost The Turkey

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep - Georgetown, Colorado

They have a good sense of humor in Georgetown :)

They were very close, and not bothered by us at all. I was within 20 feet of this bad boy.

WhooHoo! I LOVE Colorado!

Horses Hamming for the Camera - Tarryall Valley, Colorado

Some Jobs Are Just Better Than Others...

Some Jobs Are Just Better Than Others...

Before continuing - Make sure you've had your morning coffee!

The first cow in America arrived in the Jamestown colony in 1611. Until the 1850's, nearly every family had it's own cow :)

The Cliffs at Point Loma, San Diego, California

The Cliffs at Point Loma, San Diego, California

There is a section of cliff there, below the old lighthouse, that intrigues me - I love how erosion and wind has created such intricate and interesting patterns in the cliffs.

The old lighthouse sits above the cliffs in this shot, 422 feet above the sea

This is a soft focus, black and white conversion of a shot with some brave, wind battered trees at the top of the cliff

Lost Creek Wilderness Area - Colorado

Tarryall Historic Home Tour - I need Your Advice!

So. What do you think? Should I take the plunge? LOL

This area is one of 11 National Natural Landmarks in the State of Colorado

The ranch house in the foreground is an old homestead. Amazingly built and preserved, it is two stories. Look how small it is in comparison to it's surroundings. These are SERIOUS mountains!

Active Rain PhotoBlogger - Light, Shadow, and Texture - Rampart Range, Colorado

Light, Shadow, and Texture - Rampart Range, Colorado

Active Rain PhotoBlogger - Bokeh, What is it?

Bokeh, What is it?

Cold vs. H1N1 - Know the Difference!

Cold vs. H1N1 - Know the Difference!

This information is from the CDC:

Synopsis:

If you know someone who lives alone, keep an eye on them! They may not be able to get the care they need if they are too sick to seek it out....

Active Rain PhotoBlogging - How to Build a Photo Story

How to build a Photo Story

Every Photo has a story.

Use the answers to any or all of these questions to help you

build on the stories your photographs tell.

The Power of Active Rain and SEO

The Power of Active Rain and SEO

Now, I don't know about you - but I'm liking this!

If you ever have any doubt about your commitment to Active Rain, or the benefit of your time spent here, think again!

Active Rain PhotoBlogger Group- Create a Great Photobook with My Publisher

"My Publisher"

While most of us don't commit hundreds of photographs to print anymore, many of us have gazillions of bytes worth of photos sitting in our hard drives. Wouldn't it be nice if someone else could see them? How about the photos of your most recent vacation? Or your daughters' wedding?

Better yet, wouldn't this be a great marketing tool? "Homes SOLD in 2009", or "Homes Staged in 2009", maybe?

The interface is easy to use, and I can attest to the quality. I had one made last year for my husband for Valentine's Day, and I was very pleased with the results. They shipped it fast - I like FAST! I plan to have another made this year to share as Christmas gifts.

Here's a screen shot of the interface:

You can choose the color of your background as well:

Just make darn sure it's perfect before you hit that 'Purchase' button!

Here's the link to "My Publisher"

WhooHoo! 1st Place Macro! - Arlington Camera Photo Contest

WhooHoo! 1st Place Macro! - Arlington Camera Photo Contest

Daylight Savings Time - Someone Forgot To Tell The Dogs!

Active Rain PhotoBlogger - Sharpen Your Photos for Your Blog

Sharpening Photos Makes a Difference!

Digital cameras, whether it is a point and shoot, or a DSLR produce inherently 'soft' photos. Sharpening your photos can make a big difference.

When we use a resizing program to make our photos smaller for our blogs, the problem of 'softness' increases.

Here are a couple examples - notice how much more detail is visible:

Unsharpened Photoshop High Pass Filter at 2.0

Unsharpened

The photo below was sharpened using FocusFixer V2 at 1.7, threshold at 60%. Look at the difference in this wolf's eyes.

If you have a favorite sharpening method or software, would you share it with us?

For a tutorial on using the high pass filter in Photoshop- click here

Then, make an action for it so it can be done in seconds anytime you need it!

'Soft', dreamy shots can be fun too. Just depends on the effect you want :)

AR PhotoBlogger Group is NOT a Wordless Photo Group - Group Rules

ActiveRain has a requirement for it's posts that receive points toward a members standing, that it contain no less than 50 words along with any photo, video or slide show.

Respecting that requirement, the ActiveRain Photo Blogger Group will also require at least the minimum number of words (50) in the description or story.

Photos, videos, or slide show presentations with no minimum word description will regretfully be deleted from the group.

LET'S ROCK!

Active Rain PhotoBlogger - SEO for Your Photo Blogs - PhotoBlogging 101

Want SEO for your photos?

Here's a tip - Use the tools Active Rain gave you!

PhotoBlogging 101

Get the Most out of Your PhotoBlogging Efforts

AR has given us the ability to use "alt attributes", which allow you to add a description of the photograph, (and will allow a sight impaired person searching the web the ability to know what the photo is of).

Having a description of the photo allows the search engines to know what it is too, it gives them something to 'latch' onto, so to speak. Search Engines do not 'see' - they will pass right by a photograph without a description embedded.

In AR, the alt attribute is "Image Description" in your insert/edit image box. This description should be as short as possible. (The "Title" line is where you can add more information about your photograph).

Another thing to consider - Use the title of your blog in the description (alt attribute). The search engines are looking for relevance. How does the photo relate to the text in the blog post?

You can also link your image to a different URL - Your website perhaps? Clicking on the photo will take the viewer there.

You cannot use these tools for a slideshow or video - So make sure you offer a complete description or story about your show in the post. And if you're posting it to the AR PhotoBloggers Group, we'd love to know what program you used to create your show! We're all about sharing information :)

And lastly, while we have all enjoyed our 'wordless' posts, keep in mind, that photos without relevant text in the body of the blog post will never bring us SEO. If we're posting in that way, we should do so understanding that it will not benefit us with the search engines.