This week we are looking at the Artic Fox, which is also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small species of fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Arctic tundra biome.
The Arctic tundra biome is a vast, dry, and rocky region that stretches from the Arctic Circle to the polar ice cap, and includes parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, and northern Europe.
It is well adapted to living in cold environments, and is best known for its thick, warm fur that is also used as camouflage. It has a large and very fluffy tail. Its body length ranges from 46 to 68 cm (18 to 27 in), with a generally rounded body shape to minimize the escape of body heat.
In the wild some do not live past their first year, but others live for 3 or 4 years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity.
They prey on many small creatures such as lemmings, voles, ringed seal pups, fish, waterfowl, and seabirds. It also eats carrion, berries, seaweed, and insects and such.
They form monogamous pairs usually mate for life and during the breeding season and they stay together to raise their young in complex underground dens. Occasionally, other family members may assist in raising their young.
Their natural predators are golden eagles, artic wolves, polar bears, wolverines, red foxes and grizzly bears.
They must endure great temperature differences between the external environment and their internal core temperature. To prevent heat loss, they curl up tightly tucking its legs and head under its body and behind its furry tail. This position gives the fox the smallest surface area to volume ratio and protects the least insulated areas. Arctic foxes also stay warm by getting out of the wind and residing in their dens. Although the Arctic foxes are active year-round and do not hibernate, they attempt to preserve fat by reducing their locomotor activity. They build up their fat reserves in the autumn, sometimes increasing their body weight by more than 50%. This provides greater insulation during the winter and a source of energy when food is scarce.
The Arctic is home to more than 630,000 Arctic foxes and they are not currently at risk from extinction, but populations are declining. Arctic foxes are well adapted to winter temperatures of -34C. They are born with thick fur and their snout, ears and legs are short to conserve heat.
Well, it is time to return to my normal run of the mill posts, kicking off with the first country of the year and it is Angola.
The country is officially the Republic of Angola it is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa.
The country has a varied terrain which encompasses tropical Atlantic beaches, a labyrinthine system of rivers and Sub-Saharan desert that extends across the border into Namibia. The country’s colonial history is reflected in its Portuguese-influenced cuisine and its landmarks including Fortaleza de São Miguel, a fortress built by the Portuguese in 1576 to defend Luanda.
It is the second-largest Portuguese speaking country in both size and population, it has a population of 38.5 million, 10 million of which live in the capital of Luanda.
Which is a port city on the west coast of Southern Africa. A seafront promenade known as the Marginal runs alongside Luanda Bay. Nearby is the well-preserved 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel, which now contains the Museum of the Armed Forces. The fort has views of the harbor and the Ilha do Cabo, a long, thin peninsula in the bay that’s home to beaches, bars and restaurants.
It is the seventh largest country in Africa and is divided into 18 provinces.
Their flag came into use when the nation gained independence from Portugal on 11 November 1975. It is split horizontally into an upper red half and a lower black half with an emblem resting at the centre. It features a yellow half gear wheel crossed by a machete and crowned with a star.
As outlined in their constitution, the red half of the flag signifies bloodshed – during Angola’s colonial period, independence struggle, and in defence of the country. The black half symbolizes Africa. In the central emblem, the gear represents industrial workers and production, the machete represents peasantry, agricultural production and the armed struggle, and the red star, symbolizes international solidarity and progress. The yellow colour of the emblem symbolizes the country’s wealth.
The currency used is the kwanza there have been four different currencies using the name kwanza since 1977. The currency derives its name from the Kwanza River.
The prevalent religion is Christianity, followed by traditional faiths. Roman Catholics make up the largest portion of the population. There are other Christian denominations such as Protestants, such as the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the World, Seventh-day Adventists, Methodists, Baptists.
Indigenous beliefs are still very important in Angolan culture and are often practiced in addition to Christianity.
Muslims, Jews, Baha’is, and other religious groups make up about 9% of the population.
The government has become more tolerant of religious organizations since the formal abandonment of Marxism. However, the government still uses administrative control, co-optation, and restrictions to manage religious organizations. For example, in 2019, the police conducted a campaign against illicit traders and non-recognized churches, which some say called into question religious freedom in Angola.
Angola’s National Institute for Religious Affairs (INAR) is responsible for the registration of religious groups and the oversight of religious activities. The law requires religious groups to submit documents defining their organizational structure, location, and other information. Religious doctrine must also conform to the principles and rights outlined in the constitution.
The current political regime in Angola is presidentialism, in which the President of the Republic is also head of state and government; it is advised by a Council of Ministers, which together with the President form the national executive power.
Like other African nations it is not a safe place to visit.
I had a so-so good night, woke at 11.30pm to pee, couldn’t settle so got up and used the powerfit at 12.30am then went back to bed and settled straight away.
It is a cool morning with the temp being 20 degrees, my BGL is 5.0.
Tim and I went to Aldi and to the Plaza this morning.
This arvo we attempted to set up the new sound system and after trying and trying I got fed up. We will try again tomorrow.
Tim taking in Jess’s black work pants they are to lose around the waist.
Steps: 9,652
I had another good night, sleeping straight through the night, it is a nice 19 degrees this morning my BGL was 5.1.
By 10am it was 27 degrees, and I turned the air con on.
Tried again to get the sound bar to work, tomorrow I will check out instructions on YouTube.
I went to bed at around 9pm but wasn’t able go to sleep so I got up at 9.30pm and stayed up for an hour. At 10.20pm Blain walked in looking for butter and shredded cheese, I gave him the cheese and a tub of margarine as the only butter I had was in the fridge rock hard.
10,108
After I went back to bed at 10.30pm I went straight off to sleep, getting up once at 3.40am to pee then straight back to sleep till my alarm went off.
As I have breakie it is a lovely 20 degrees, my BGL was 5.2 and I have the front and back sliding doors open.
Tim is at work; he will be home around 9am.
I turned the air con on at midday, around 1pm I got a headache and started to feel tired.
I went to bed at 8.50 but I was unable to settle so I got up at 9.30 and used the powerfit and update the diary entry
Steps: 9,408
After I went back to bed at 10.30pm I went straight off to sleep, getting up when the alarm went off.
When I took my tablets this morning it felt like one got stuck somewhere in my chest causing discomfort, but I can still eat and drink and hopefully the feeling I have will go away.
It is 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.8
I had a hot flush come over me, so I wet and applied the cooling towel it makes a big difference.
I turned the air con on at 9am just as Tim was getting home, the way he said are you hot annoyed me, yeah, I’m hot, why because it is 27 degrees.
New Year’s Day
I had a good night, and this morning I am doing ok, had my shower and I am now dressed and fed and ready for my day.
It is 17 degrees and my BGL was 5.1
It has been a stinking hot day. The temp reached 35 degrees.
Tim hung the framed photos gave us for Christmas, I need to buy a few more photo frames.
At 7pm because A Current Affair wasn’t on Tim put a movie on without asking me if it was ok, when I asked why he did that he got really pissed. I explained we normally watch something we are both interested in between 7 & 8pm. He started going that he is always watching my shows, which is wrong he may tell me to pick but I always pick something I know he is interested in, when I said that he naturally got even more pissed. Tim is a sulker and won’t talk to me when in a mood, so that’s fine I will not talk to him either. By the time I went to bed at 8.15pm he was over it.
Steps:4,908
Another good night I don’t remember waking at all. It is a much cooler morning temp is 22 degrees, but the wind makes it feel colder. It is only expected to get to 23 degrees today. My BGL was 5.3
I am warm then cold and then warm again and now cold again, it is 3.45pm and I am feeling so tired and drained.
Tim said he could take me to my appointment tomorrow, but I told him I would rather Sue take me as she doesn’t make me feel like I am putting her out when I ask to go somewhere else while out. Tim said he doesn’t mean to make me feel like that which I know but still he does.
So, 7.30pm rolls around and I go to tell Tim thinking he was either out the back or in his office but couldn’t find him. So, I started watching some dashcam clips on YouTube and he walks in at 8.20, he was at the neighbour’s place. I knew he was going to check on Kevin, but I was sure I had seen him come back.
Steps:7,311
I had a reasonable night; I woke up two or three times but each time I went straight back to sleep.
It is a lovely morning the temp is 20 degrees, and I have both sliding doors opened. My BGL was 5.0
Sue came and took me to the podiatrist, and we also posted off all the mail I had ready to be sent and we also went Miller’s to get a couple of tarts, caramel for me and a custard for Sue, only to find them closed.
This afternoon Tim replaced the light bulbs in both the front and back outside lights these lights haven’t worked in around 20yrs and now they do.
Didn’t count my steps today
I had another good night, sleeping straight through. It is a pleasant 19 degrees here although we are in for another pretty hot day.
I walked up and checked the mail yesterday arvo and a neighbour was there who told me there was no mail. I thought just because you have no mail doesn’t mean I won’t. Anyway, I open my mailbox and there were 10 letters in it, 8 for me and 2 for Jess.
I am sitting here at the computer, and I am starting to feel cold, I look at the temp and it has dropped to 16 degrees, time to get up and shut the front door.
Around 2pm my nephew Dawson arrived, he left around 5pm, while he was here, he managed to get the sound bar working.
It has been another hot day with the temp reaching 29 degrees.
This week we are looking at the national anthem of France, which is “La Marseillaise”
It was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by the First French Republic against Austria and was originally titled “Chant de guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin”, (“War Song for the Rhine Army”)
It was formally recognized as the French National Anthem in 1879, and it hasn’t been changed since.
The song has been a subject of debate since the start and has in fact been banned a number of times.
It was banned by Napoleon in 1804 till 1815
It was also banned in 1815 by King Louis XVIII, it was reinstated in 1830.
Only to be banned again during the rule of Napoleon III between 1852-1870 and reinstated again in 1879.
In 1887, an “official version” was adopted by France’s Ministry of War.
After WWII, the Ministry of Education encouraged school children to sing the anthem to “celebrate our liberation and our martyrs.”
It was declared the official national anthem in Article 2 of the 1946 and 1958 constitutions.
It is taught and sung in French schools. However, the song’s lyrics have been controversial, with some questioning whether it is appropriate to teach children the violent imagery in the song.
Verse 1: Allons enfants de la patrie, Le jour de gloire est arrivé ! Contre nous de la tyrannie L’étendard sanglant est levé ! (bis) Entendez-vous dans les campagnes, Mugir ces féroces soldats ? Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes!
Verse 1: Let’s go children of the fatherland, The day of glory has arrived! Against us tyranny’s Bloody flag is raised! (repeat) In the countryside, do you hear The roaring of these fierce soldiers? They come right to our arms To slit the throats of our sons, our friends!
Refrain:Aux armes, citoyens ! Formez vos bataillons ! Marchons ! Marchons ! Qu’un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons !
Refrain: Grab your weapons, citizens! Form your battalions! Let us march! Let us march! May impure blood Water our fields!
Verse 2: Que veut cette horde d’esclaves, De traîtres, de rois conjurés ? Pour qui ces ignobles entraves, Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis) Français ! pour nous, ah ! quel outrage ! Quels transports il doit exciter ! C’est nous qu’on ose méditer De rendre à l’antique esclavage !
Verse 2: This horde of slaves, traitors, plotting kings, What do they want? For whom these vile shackles, These long-prepared irons? (repeat) Frenchmen, for us, oh! what an insult! What emotions that must excite! It is us that they dare to consider Returning to ancient slavery!
Verse 3: Quoi ! ces cohortes étrangères Feraient la loi dans nos foyers ! Quoi ! ces phalanges mercenaires Terrasseraient nos fiers guerriers ! (bis) Grand Dieu ! par des mains enchaînées Nos fronts sous le joug se ploiraient ! De vils despotes deviendraient Les maîtres de nos destinées !
Verse 3: What! These foreign troops Would make laws in our home! What! These mercenary phalanxes Would bring down our proud warriors! (repeat) Good Lord! By chained hands Our brows would bend beneath the yoke! Vile despots would become The masters of our fate!
Verse 4: Tremblez, tyrans ! et vous, perfides, L’opprobre de tous les partis, Tremblez ! vos projets parricides Vont enfin recevoir leur prix ! (bis) Tout est soldat pour vous combattre, S’ils tombent, nos jeunes héros, La France en produit de nouveaux, Contre vous tout prêts à se battre !
Verse 4: Tremble, tyrants! and you, traitors, The disgrace of all groups, Tremble! Your parricidal plans Will finally pay the price! (repeat) Everyone is a soldier to fight you, If they fall, our young heros, France will make more, Ready to battle you!
Verse 5: Français, en guerriers magnanimes, Portez ou retenez vos coups ! Épargnez ces tristes victimes, A regret s’armant contre nous. (bis) Mais ces despotes sanguinaires, Mais ces complices de Bouillé, Tous ces tigres qui, sans pitié, Déchirent le sein de leur mère !
Verse 5: Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors, Bear or hold back your blows! Spare these sad victims, Regretfully arming against us. (repeat) But not these bloodthirsty despots, But not these accomplices of Bouillé, All of these animals who, without pity, Tear their mother’s breast to pieces!
Verse 6: Amour sacré de la patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs ! Liberté, Liberté chérie, Combats avec tes défenseurs ! (bis) Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire Accoure à tes mâles accents ! Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire !
Verse 6: Sacred love of France, Lead, support our avenging arms! Liberty, beloved Liberty, Fight with your defenders! (repeat) Under our flags, let victory Hasten to your manly tones! May your dying enemies See your triumph and our glory!
Verse 7: Nous entrerons dans la carrière Quand nos aînés n’y seront plus ; Nous y trouverons leur poussière Et la trace de leurs vertus. (bis) Bien moins jaloux de leur survivre Que de partager leur cercueil, Nous aurons le sublime orgueil De les venger ou de les suivre !
Verse 7: We will enter the pit When our elders are no longer there; There, we will find their dust And the traces of their virtues. (repeat) Much less eager to outlive them Than to share their casket, We will have the sublime pride Of avenging them or following them!
Good morning, all this week we are having a brief look at bipolar disorder, a condition I expect most have heard of but how many know anything about it, I know bugga all.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. It is also known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression. It usually requires lifelong treatment and does not go away on its own.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but a combination of factors may contribute to its onset and how it progresses.
These include genetics as it often runs in families, the way a person’s brain functions as well as its structure as people with the disorder may have a different structure to those without it. The chemicals in our brains are involved in psychiatric disorders as an abnormal functioning of brain circuits that involve serotonin may contribute to bipolar disorder.
Of course, drinking alcohol or using some recreational drugs are believed to increase your risk of developing bipolar disorder.
Then there are environmental factors meaning things that are considered an adverse or life-altering event, such as bereavement, violence, or the breakdown of a relationship, can trigger or exacerbate symptoms.
The condition has many symptoms that include the following
Overwhelming sadness
Low energy and fatigue
Lack of motivation
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Uncontrollable crying
Thoughts of death or suicide
Treatment includes medication such as mood stabilising drugs, antipsychotic and antidepressant medications, psychological therapy and some lifestyle changes may be called for.
This is a condition that requires lifelong treatment and is complicated and often will involve many assessments sometimes with different doctors in order to be diagnosed. There are no blood tests that will diagnose it, nor is there any medical or brain scans that will make a diagnosis easy.
Hello 2025, I hope you are a good year and one that we create some good memories in as we travel through this journey called life.
Yes, it is a journey with many twists and turns, potholes and uneven roads often narrow with a long drop off one side and no guard rail to stop us falling off the edge.
The older we get the faster the years speed by and we need to concentrate on what lays ahead of us, only checking our review from time to time because only looking behind us means we are not seeing the wonderful things in front of us. So, as we enter 2025, lets notice the beauty in front of us because it’s there if only we choose to see it.
Happy New Year, may it be filled with love, understand, compassion and acceptance.
Hi everyone, how many of you have heard of the fennec fox?
I had noy heard of it till I was researching foxes for these posts.
The fennec fox is a small fox native to the deserts of North Africa, ranging from Western Sahara and Mauritania to the Sinai Peninsula. Its most distinctive feature is its unusually large ears, which serve to dissipate heat and listen for underground prey.
The fennec is the smallest fox species, standing about 20cms or 8 inches tall and weighing up to 1.3kgs or 3 pounds.
In the wild, fennec foxes eat insects—particularly grasshoppers and locusts—as well as small rodents, lizards, birds and their eggs. They will also consume roots, fruits and leaves, which help them to hydrate.
In captivity should consist of a mix of meat and vegetables, and include supplements to ensure they get enough taurine, they should be eating 90% meat and insects, such as waxworms, morioworms, locusts and such. The meat should be low in retinol (vitamin A) and contain enough calcium and taurine.
The other 10% should be vegetables and fruit, such as diced melons, berries, and leafy greens. Avoid fruits and vegetables that are high in carbohydrates or belong to the nightshade family, such as tomatoes and aubergines.
They can live up to 14 years in captivity and about 10 years in the wild.
They typically give birth to one litter of pups per year, with between two and five young in a litter.
The female does not allow the male to interact with the kits until they are 5 to 6 weeks old. Parent-raised offspring are weaned by 8 to 10 weeks of age. Carrying, grooming, and nursing of the young continue until this time. Wild fennec foxes stay with their family until they are at least 1 year old.
In general, male fennec foxes tend to be slightly larger and heavier than females.
The primary threat to fennec foxes is human interference. They are commonly trapped for exhibition or sale to tourists, and there have been limited instances of human settlements encroaching on fennec populations. Native populations in the Sahara region also hunt fennec foxes. They are preyed upon by the Pharaoh eagle-owl; both adults and pups may possibly fall prey to jackals and striped hyenas.
They are currently listed as a species of least concern, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. While there are no major threats to the desert-dwelling wild populations, habitat loss still occurs in their native range.
Hi everyone before starting this year’s countries to learn about I thought we would star with some basic information most people may know but many will not.
Like there are seven continents on this planet, a continent is one of Earth’s seven main divisions of land. The continents are, from largest to smallest: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
According to the United Nations, there are 195 countries in the world, with 193 being part of the United Nations and two not being members, those two are the Holy See (Vatican City) and the State of Palestine.
However, other organizations may list a different number of countries. For example, the CIA lists 237 countries. Many other nations also consider themselves to be fully-fledged nations.
There are 54 countries in Africa, 44 in Europe, 48 in Asia, 23 in North America, 12 in South America, 14 in Oceania including Australia which is also considered a continent on its own and then there is Antarctica which of course has no countries.
Now you may be like me and think Oceania what the hell I wasn’t taught about this continent, I thought Australia was the sixth continent.
Well for some reason, those wise folks in geography academia decided we needed another way to identify them. And now we have Oceania. Oceania covers the whole area: All of Australia, all of New Zealand, PLUS the myriad of islands in the region that were orphaned without a continent home.
Also, Oceania is not considered a continent if you are using a geographical definition of continent. However, when dividing the world into 7 regions the islands of the Pacific are usually grouped with Australia and called Oceania, and sometimes these regions are called continents even though this is not technically correct.
When you think about it that makes sense since generally most people would say there is only one country in the continent of Australia. However, some say differently listing the following countries as part of the continent, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua and New Guinea, Samoa, Solomons, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. Australia is one country. There are no other sovereign nations in the Australian mainland.
I find all that confusing and now have a headache.
I had a good night, up dressed and looking forward to the day. It is a nice 20 degrees and my BGL was 6.1
I haven’t felt like doing much today and do not feel like dealing with people.
Tim cooked a nice meal for our lunch.
Steps: 5,138
JONATHON’S BIRTHDAY
I had a good night, although when I got up at 5am I was having trouble keeping my eyes open so went back to bed for only 25 minutes after which I felt fine.
It is a nice morning at 18 degrees we are expecting a top of 29 degrees, my BGL was 5.0 so that’s good.
The temp got up to 30 degrees, Tim had training this morning and said when he got home that he is now off till Friday.
Steps: 4,278
I had a good night, slept straight through the night, woke to a much cooler morning, in fact it is supposed to be a much cooler day.
The temp is 14 degrees and my BGL is 5.1
Received my grocery shopping and a lot was missing so rang straight away and the woman I spoke to rang the store who rang the driver who came back with the extra 3 bags of stuff.
This afternoon while he was using his grinder it slipped and cut his thumb, he said maybe he should go to hospital and have it stitched but he couldn’t be bothered, so he cleaned it and applied band aids.
CHRISTMAS DAY
I had a good night, woke only once, it is currently 15 degrees, my BGL was 5.0. it is supposed to be a stinking hot day
Sue came and picked me up to go see mum & dad, I left a Christmas card for them on their headstone.
Tim is cooking a baked lunch for us as well as Tasha, Blain and his girlfriend. Although they took their sweet time coming down, but it was good when they arrived.
I was starting to feel unwell so had to turn the air con in the bedrooms on to try and reduce the heat in the house which helped how I was feeling.
I have been feeling sad this afternoon but not sure why.
So, at 4.50pm I was walking to the toilet and fell over my left elbow hit the linen press door putting a small hole in the door. I managed to get myself off the floor and it gave me a headache.
My left elbow and knee are very sore but not even bruised.
Steps are low today didn’t do much only 2,105
BOXING DAY
I had a good night, woke only once, it is currently 15 degrees, my BGL was 5.0. it is supposed to be a stinking hot day. At the moment it is 16 degrees and my BGL was 5.0.
While watching telly we heard a strange sound like the dishwasher running, Tim went to find out what the issue was, it was a blocked toilet. He has rang and reported it and someone should be out within 2hrs.
After that we went to Kathy’s for lunch Michael made his awesome burgers which I really like. It was 34 degrees outside Kathy’s house inside it was ok as she had the air con going.
We arrived home at 2.20pm and here it is 28 degrees thankfully Tim turned the air con on before we left to go out.
I had a good night, didn’t wake at all till the alarm went off at 5am. I feel good and happy this morning.
For a while this morning it didn’t look like it was going to warm up much but by 1pm I had turn the air con on.
Sam came over and is in her room this is the second time this week after no coming over for a few months.
The plumber arrived at 5.30pm, checked the drains and toilet and said it looks like the blockage cleared itself, both Tim and I knew that but stilled wanted it checked out.
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Jo-AnneRamplings 