He never touches light

Snakes - They're Not As Slithery As Some People I Know

2008-07-05T20:11:09Z

Snakes - They're Not As Slithery As Some People I Know
by: Robert Benjamin
When I was a youngster growing up in the 1960's and early 70's, I was lucky that we lived on a farm out in the country. One of the favorite pastimes I had, was going hunting for snakes on a nice warm sunny day. Living on the farm, was like living in 'snake heaven'. We had copperheads, milk snakes, grass snakes, black snakes, and garter snakes. We heard of rattlers living up in the hills or nearby places, but I never saw one while growing up.
I would find myself an old burlap bag or feed sack out in the barn, and head up the road a short distance. Along the sidehill near our farm were numerous rocks. I would locate a nice rather large flat rock that was not pressed into the ground, or one that was held above the ground by other rocks under it. Carefully I would grasp the rock, trying not to let my fingers reach under it, you never knew what might be hiding beneath it, ready to attack. One of the easiest ways to get bitten by a snake is to pick up a rock and have your fingers reaching underneath it, the snake can see your fingers, but you cannot see the snake, and in one fast strike you could find yourself heading to the Hospital.
Once I safely grasped the rock I would slowly turn it over and look under it, if there was a snake there it would do one of two things. Either it would rapidly try to flee and slither away and become lost in the nearby rocks and weeds, or it would coil up and try to defend it's self. Once I identified the snake as a non-poisonous type, I would spring into action, you see I thought of myself as the master snake handler at the time. The truth is, I was and still am a wacky person, I mean who in there right mind, loved playing with snakes and toads, and I still do today as a middle aged man. I will still go out of my way to not harm a snake or toad if I see one while mowing the grass or driving a vehicle.
Anyway, let's get back to catching the snakes. As I lifted the rock, if I identified the snake as being poisonous, like a copperhead, I would just slowly lower the rock back down on the snake, and leave it be. If I saw that it was a non-poisonous variety, I would try to step on it, not enough to hurt it, but just enough to prevent it from escaping. Then I would slowly maneuver my sneaker or foot until the snakes head was visible. Then I would reach down and carefully grasp the back of the head or neck area, holding the snake there, it could not strike me and was powerless. It would often wrap it's body around my wrist or arm if it was a large snake, but it was still powerless, and the snakes that lived where I did, were not very strong when it came to constricting. Once I caught the snake I would put him into the bag I had with me, then I would hunt for a couple more, you see one snake is good, two or three to play with is, great!
Once I had a nice bunch of snakes I would head back home, and shake them all into a large box I had. There I would sit and admire my prized collection. I would have my dad or brother come and see them, often I would show them to my friends that lived in the area. When I was a young kid, my best friend was a neighbor boy named 'Johnny Brennan, he loved snakes as much as I did, at the time anyway, and sometimes we would go on snake hunts together. My Dad seemed to like the things, he would sometimes ask to see one, and he would sit and hold it, or look into the box of snakes, laugh, shake his head and walk away. Mom on the other hand, hated and feared the things. She was always afraid of getting bit and killed by a snake, and she always made me keep them outside of the house.
So as you can probably tell, I loved snakes, they were one of the joys of growing up as a young boy. Now I will tell you some of the great benefits that all of us humans get from having snakes around. In all of North America, did you know that out of all the species of snakes that live here, only 4 are poisonous and can cause death to humans, these are the
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Is Catnip Dangerous for Your Cat?

2008-07-01T19:11:08Z

Is Catnip Dangerous for Your Cat?
by: Larry Chamberlain
Your cat, your loving and lovable family pet is not usually what you would call a bundle of energy. In fact she spends a good deal of the day taking a siesta. When she moves she does so at her own pace and in her own time.
But should your sedate kitty have a whiff of catnip . . . well, wop bop a lula blim bam boom! The party is on baby. Suddenly your cat is rollicking and rolling around, frisky, excited and running about as if the clock had been turned back and she is a kitten once again.
Then as little as two, but up to fifteen minutes later your cat is back to her slothful, normal self, the catnip effect completely worn off.
What causes the catnip effect, why do cats react in to it in that way?
First, not all cats do react to catnip. It is estimated that one third to half of the domestic cat population is unaffected by the herb. The reaction to catnip is inherited. Kittens that have only one parent that reacts have a one in two chance of reacting themselves, and kittens that have parents that both react have a three in four chance. Kittens under three to four months old do not react to catnip and with older cats the effect is considerably lessened.
Also, if a cat that would normally have a reaction to catnip is in a threatening situation, or is outside of its usual surroundings, it may not respond to the catnip.
Anyway, as to what causes the catnip effect, the experts do know that nepetalactone, an oil found in catnip causes cats that are sensitive to it to go ga-ga. What they don't know is why certain cats react that way.
It's not just the domestic cat that can experience the catnip effect. Big cats too can react to it; lions, leopards, cheetahs and pumas can get catnip high but interestingly not tigers.
When a cat finds catnip it will usually sniff at it, rub up against it, lick it and nibble at it. It is the sniffing at it that gets the reaction, it is thought that cats nibble and rub against the catnip to bruise it and thereby cause more of the nepetalactone oil to be released. Strangely, if a cat actually eats the catnip it will likely act as a sedative as opposed to giving the kitty a high.
So, is catnip dangerous for your kitty? After all, the response that some felines have to catnip is not unlike the response that some humans have to stuff that they shouldn't smoke.
Although it said that catnip is bio-chemically related to cannabis cats will come to no harm by enjoying it and will not become dependent. The catnip effect very seldom lasts longer than 15 minutes maximum until the cat loses interest. After this a cat will not react again for a minimum of one hour.
Not all cats react to the herb in exactly the same way though. The typical response is an uninhibited friskiness and silliness, but a few cats, usually male, become aggressive rather than frisky.
Catnip has long been thought safe for humans. It has been prescribed by herbalists to treat nervousness, stomach complaints, flatulence, and even smallpox! Its leaves have been chewed to relieve toothache and it has been drunk as a tea as a cough remedy.
Catnip is not dangerous for cats rather it is a very effective kitty treat for some cats, those that are susceptible to it, to enjoy.
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HI :)

2007-10-07T17:03:03Z

I am Nikin.
I live in West Virginia.
I just found this community..
Awh I am so excited..
No one around here knows of her..
I first heard pepper
through a friend..
He sent me a mixed CD
of songs he thought would make me feel good.
Music is my healer.
3 years ago I lost that CD he mailed me..
Ive felt sick ever since.
With the new events in my life,
i.e. baby, relationship, ending frienships..
I feel the absence even more..
I was wondering if anyone here,
would make me some
Pepper Mcgowan CDs..
and mail them to me?
In return maybe I can make a CD for you,
or maybe do some graphic design stuff for you.
I studied graphic design.
I can make Icons. cool pictures. or edit pictures you have.

This would make my day...
You have no idea..

anybody know what happened to pepper?

2007-10-03T07:09:26Z

The last post in this journal was a year ago, almost. I was wondering if anybody still looks at this journal community and if so, i've been wondering what pepper is doing now. Is she all right? She has kind of disappeared from the internet, it seems. Maybe that was intentional? Anyway, if you know anything..and old friend of hers and I are concerned.

Thanks.

CLICKABLE

2006-12-01T12:01:11Z

more Rose

peppermcgowan @ 2005-07-04T04:07:00

2005-07-04T09:06:59Z

According to IMDB.com, under trivia for A Christmas Story:

-Singer/Songwriter Pepper Mcgowan was an extra during the mall scene.

I did not know that!

I Thought Maybe You Guys Would Understand

2004-06-27T06:07:09Z

I woke up this morning to someone banging at the piano. I thought what the fuck, and promptly fell back asleep. Again, the piano. The notes were all rubbery. Oh, it's the tuner.

Then TWANG!

Oh, shit. I was still half asleep, so I did nothing.

A third time, a creepy old man saying, "Well, I don't think I can do anything else."

And Dad, "Well, if you can't do any more...."

"I think I'm just going to have to give up on it. I mean, I've already broken three strings."

My eyes were open.

"I've done all I can do. I'm really sorry, but if you took it to anyone, they'd wouldn't put new strings on it. It should be taken out for junk. You've got a nice bench, though. If you buy a new piano, you'd have to pay extry for a bench."

Extry, I'm not fucking joking. Why do we trust this man?

He broke three strings, which put two notes out of whack, and made worse the keys he was trying to make better. I am so fucking angry. How dare he come to my house and molest my piano and say she's junk? How dare you?

I went into TD's room and cried. He thought it was all his fault and Mom was saying "He did the best he could." The bast that man could have done was say "No, I won't try tuning it." He told Mom and TD that a few strings might break, and they told him to go ahead. Where the hell was I? They said go a-fucking-head. He should have said NO I WON'T.

If no one else would replace the strings, why is it less dangerous to tune them and WHY THE HELL WON'T YOU REPLACE THE STRINGS YOU BROKE?

I'm getting a second opinion.

Mildred is not junk. She is gorgeous. They just don't make uprights out of mahogany, not carved the way she is, anymore. I don't care if she is a hundred years old, you can't not replace the strings. There's nothing wrong with the harp, it's made out of fucking metal.

You'll rue the day.

looking for Touch lyrics

2004-03-24T23:57:06Z

Hi, I'm looking for the I wish i was...but I'm not CD

also looking for lyrics to the song Touch.

and is it just my comp or is pepper's website down?

thanks much :)

The Cross Poster

2003-11-11T01:25:08Z

Hi. I'm the new moderator of the xlostgirlsx community.

I'm also a big Toriphile. I realize some of these people are crossover So if you feel fit, please join.

Blessed be.

PS yes this is a new LJ for me. I'm starting. Trying to start. A new chapter of, well, me.

The Cross Poster

2003-11-11T01:25:08Z

oooops post overkill..........

didn't mean it guys.l sorry

peppermcgowan @ 2003-10-30T11:53:00

2003-10-30T16:54:46Z

I spent the weekend in Cleveland. I went to see my friend Pepper McGowan perform there. It was the first time ever I got to hear her with a guitar accompliment. Needless to say it made an amazing thing, better. She did a great version of Anything But Apples and a great Bad Moon Rising cover. The guitarist was Derek Deprator. He really meshed well with Pepper. He sounded good on his own also when I heard him perform solo the next day.

Two other bands performed there as well. The Necro-Tonz and Voodoo Organist. Both great bands. I found out that the lone member of Voodoo Organst grew up on the same street I did.... at the same time.... less than a block away... and I didn;t even remember him. Nor did he remember me thank goodnes. I would have felt really stupid otherwise. He was a great guy.

The Necro-Tonz were a great... you know, I want to categorize them in a genre without making a reference to another band... but I am not good at that. So I will say they are like bands like Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Closer yet, Squirrel Nut Zippers. I make no comparison however either way to talent levels. They are all great if you ask me.

Its a long drive to Cleveland, 5 hours, but it always gives me a chance to calm myself... to reset myself.

I would have really liked to have brought someone along with me, but alas, it doesn't always work out that way. Maybe next time.

For further reference....

http://www.peppermcgowan.com/
http://voodooorganist.com/
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Birdland/4275/ <-- necro-tonz
http://www.handsomeproductions.com/atomiccrash/ <--- Derek DePrator

Good evening.

2003-09-24T20:36:25Z

I am new. Let me know what you're all about.

*outstretches hand*

:)

peppermcgowan @ 2003-09-09T12:56:00

2003-09-09T16:47:21Z

I fixed the stuff that was biographically off on my Pepper page.

Thank you MARY for the picture!!

peppermcgowan @ 2003-07-10T23:16:00

2003-07-11T03:18:55Z

I don't know how to post pictures, but it would OBVIOUSLY be Thora Birch!

She's "versatile"-- she could play Pepper's many traits well.

She looks great in any color of hair, just like our hero!

And she's not a skinny little girl. She's all round and voluptuous, duh!

Suppose they made a Pepper McGowan Movie

2003-07-10T20:14:35Z

Those of you in the Tori communities will know I just posted this same question regarding Tori Amos. I would pick Naomi Watts but with red dye job to play Tori. Anyway....

If for some reason they made a Pepper McGowan movie, who would you pick to play her, and why?

KATE WINSLET

JANEANE GARAFALO

ROSE McGOWAN

SHANNEN DOHERTY

FAIRUZA BALK

ANGELINA JOLIE

OTHER
post pic and reason here.

Pepper and RAINN

2003-06-08T17:18:59Z

http://www.livejournal.com/users/inkymidnight/6145.html

Pepper put a lot into this thing about RAINN on her site and she also mentions it in her LJ.

Pimp

2003-04-02T19:33:50Z

I was in the chatroom at http://www.toriamos.com last night, which was really nice because they weren't elitist assholes like a lot of EWF I have met. But anyway, I tried to pimp Pepper' music along with Terami Hirsch and Sarah Slean. I hope it worked. Some people will ONLY listen to Tori. I am not one of them, but Im not above using her to get people's mind's open.

How are you all today?

:)

2003-03-28T17:25:25Z

has everyone seen the updated website? i think it looks really great! alot of work on pep and jerry's part.

Not Totally Pepper Related

2003-03-12T20:01:21Z

but I went to the Toledo Tori show. And I swear Pepper was there, wearing a red wig and total Tori costume. I asked and she said it was tongue in cheek. It was funny actually. Very Little Earthquakes. I asked about the new album and she said money is making it hard to finish. *frown*

However, she also said she's taking some time off from live shows and that her health isn't so good. Neither was her coloring so I can respect that.

How are things with you guys this lovely afternoon?

hi..

2003-03-10T06:16:00Z

I'm new to this community. Been listening to Pepper for about two years..

I have Bad Stars and I'm gonna get Marrow as soon as I have cash.. but I was wondering where I can find more mp3s besides adoptaband.com and mp3.com.. like live and non album tracks..?

thank you.. yes.

Pretty Good Food

2003-03-10T05:55:57Z

Does anybody have an mp3 of Pretty Good Food? I've switched computers and don't have it anymore. Sadness.

jerrrrry

2003-03-06T21:23:20Z

happy birthday. :)

Hey Heads Up

2003-02-28T01:45:48Z

I'm calling in sick. Pepper has a show tomorrow night at the Harmony bar on Fulton and I'm going to try and call in sick and make it. You should come too if you're in the general Cleveland area.

question for Pepper

2002-12-14T10:34:32Z

Hey...awhile back you asked us what Suzanne Vega song you should cover...did you ever choose one???

peppermcgowan @ 2002-12-03T15:26:00

2002-12-03T21:27:56Z

Was just wondering how everyone discovered Pepper's music?

I have trouble remembering this story. SOME other indie artist recommended her to me or I found it on my own at MP3.com I seriously can not remember but the first song I heard was "MOLLY" and it blew me away. Then I started emailing with her and discovered what a fucking great/twisted person (my favorite kind of people) she is. YAY!