Found On The Net: Disabled Rabbit As A Role Model

There has been a moving story reported on People Magazine's pet section, here is an abbreviated version:

"Born paralyzed from the waist down, Alyna had very few choices for future care. But a therapist at Israel's ALYN children's hospital took interest in her case, and offered to help her out with a state-of-the-art brace. The interesting thing is, Alyna is a rabbit — but her situation has inspired children all around the hospital's rehabilitation facilities.

"They can put the brace on the rabbit, and see the difference in movement when she's in or out of it," she explains. "In turn, it takes away the children's fear, and makes it a lot of fun. Instead of the discomfort, they feel the mobility."

The contraption Alyna wears — and paralyzed children at ALYN wear — is an RGO brace, which wraps around the waist and legs. "By a system of arm movements and balance, it almost makes the wearer feel like they're walking," Lanyard says. "It's not comfortable, though, and most kids are afraid of it." Technically designed for humans, the custom brace has had the same effect on Alyna when she wears it, allowing her to move forward (though not hop) by using her front paws."

Found On The Net: An Old Chinese House In Museum

Betty says,

"After the postings of Locke appeared, I received quite a few comments and questions both in the comments section of this blog and by e-mail.

Chris O. of MA sent me information about an old Chinese house that was moved from China to the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA that may be of interest. Here is a picture and some of facts about this project taken from the museum website:

'Yin Yu Tang was formerly located in the small rural village of Huang Cun, in the hills of Xiuning County in the Huizhou region of Anhui Province. Huang Cun is approximately 250 miles southwest of Shanghai.

Though the exact date of its construction has not yet been determined, it appears that the house was built by the 28th or 29th generation of the family at the turn of the 18th century. Since the present living family members are of the 34th through the 36th generation, the house was probably built 175 to 200 years ago.

On a trip to China in 1996, Nancy Berliner, an independent scholar of Chinese art and now Curator of Chinese Art and Culture at the Peabody Essex Museum, was visiting the village when she first saw Yin Yu Tang, which was unoccupied at the time. On an ensuing trip to China in the same year, she revisited the house. Coincidentally, family members were present, and on that day they had decided to put the house up for sale.

In May of 1997 an agreement was established: Yin Yu Tang would be transferred to the Peabody Essex Museum as part of a cultural exchange that would help protect and promote Huizhou architecture. Additional projects would be established in China to protect and conserve historic architecture in Huizhou.'

Details of Pictures and descriptions of the project are available on:

http://www.pem.org/sites/yinyutang/faqs.html

Set aside some time when you visit, it's very interesting.

By the way, on a personal note, I was born in Shanghai, 250 miles from the original location of this house."

Locke, An Old Chinese Town, Part II

Locke is now officially a state park.

There is still a little bit of tourist thing for visitors.

This is the Locke Chinese cultural shop that opens from Wednesday through Sunday.

The back street in Locke.

A poorly maintained house but it gives out the vibe of welcome. The orange cat is very friendly. There are a lot of well-fed cats in Locke.

Another less than maintained house.

Betty says,

"Alice and I took a walk around Locke; since it's small, it did not take long to walk through the entire town. It definitely needs a lot of TLC but since it is a historical site, it's possible that nothing can really be changed. According to the information on the net:

Locke was added to the registry of national historical places on August 2, 1970 due to its unique status as the only town in the United States built exclusively by the Chinese for the Chinese.

Locke is no tourist trap, nor is it a ghost town. There are between 80 to 90 people live in Locke. Chinese population is down to about 10."

Locke, An Old Chinese Town, Part I

A little old town named Locke.

A very narrow main street.

Alice stands in front of the little country school.

The only new addition since 1920, a memorial park.

Between two very old houses, this little spot is the new park.

Education is important to Chinese, here is another little school in the old days.

A little Chinese medicine shop.

Betty says,

"Alice and I stopped at Locke on our way to Sacramento. According to the information from the Internet, Locke was founded in 1915 after a fire broke out in the Chinese section of nearby Walnut Grove. The Chinese who lived in that area decided that it was time to establish a town of their own. The town was laid out by Chinese architects and industrious building ensued. The founding of Lockeport, later 'Locke', was a reality. By 1920 Locke stood essentially as you see it now. From the pronunciation of "Locke", translating into Chinese as "Happy Residence".

It is definitely a town of the past, not much has changed from the old days except one little memorial park that was built in 2006. The town is now designated as a historical site but definitely not a tourist spot. However it is interesting to see how Chinese lived about 100 years ago."

Rabbit Tunnel Contest at Chico

Where is my rabbit?

We are all waiting, where are the rabbits?

Here is the winner!

Rock-A-Bye Bunny

Rock-a-bye bunny, in the tree top;
When the wind blows the cradle will rock;
When the bough breaks the cradle will fall;
Down will come bunny, cradle and all.

Bunny is drowsing, cosy and fair;
Daddy sits near in his rocking chair;
Forward and back, the cradle he swings;
Though bunny sleeps, it hears what he sings.

Rock-a-bye bunny, do not you fear;
Never mind, bunny, daddy is near;
Wee little fingers, eyes are shut tight;
Now sound asleep - until morning light.

An "International" Family

The Jackson family is an "international" family. Left to right are grandpa Art, mom Annette, baby Ashlyn, brothers Derek and Austin and sister JJ.

The children are all adopted from other countries: The oldest is Austin from Russia, 7 years old, who has been in the family for 5 years; brother Derek is also from Russia, 6 years old, in the family for 4 years. Then came JJ is a Maya Indian who came from Guatemala, 3-1/2 years old, in the family for 3 years; and the youngest is Ashlyn from Ethiopia, at 2 years old, she has been with the family for 1 year.

The family resides in a farm in Modesto and raises Flemish Giant. It is a remarkable family, unique and sweet.