Here is my favorite dog. The Rat Terrier.

My favorite dog is the Rat Terrier. My Next dog will be a Rat Terrier. I had a Rat Terrier for thirteen years, her name was Lucky. She made me laugh all the time. I have two pictures of Lucky. One she killed a rat at the park by our place in Californian and one in Texas. My ratter had the tri-spotted color. I didn’t know ratters came in some many different types. My friends and family would call Lucky a spaze all the time.
rat terrier kills a rat

Here are some description of Rat Terriers.

The Rat Terrier is a well-muscled dog with a deep chest, strong shoulders, solid neck and powerful legs. Its body is compact but meaty. The ears can be upright or tipped and are carried erect when the dog is alert. It can be born with a short or full-length tail, each being left in its natural state or docked at two days of age. The coat colors include pearls, sables, chocolates, red and white, tri-spotted, solid red, black and tan, blue and white and red brindle. Breeders concerned with working dogs are not as fussy about the specifics of the looks.

Temperament

The Rat Terrier is an intelligent, alert and loving dog. It is very inquisitive and lively. This affectionate dog makes an excellent companion for those who will enjoy an energetic dog. They are good with children, especially if they are raised with them from puppy hood. They are, for the most part, friendly with strangers. Rat Terriers make good watchdogs. These dogs are quick, very playful and are not yappers. The temperament of these dogs is pure terrier. The lively, feisty, fearless nature can be found in the best of terriers. They are eager to please and respond and pick training up faster than most dogs. The Rat Terrier is a very well-mannered, well-rounded dog. It is easy to train, very eager to learn and to please its owner. They love to go with you and to do what you do. They are also very good swimmers, not bashful or afraid and have no problem with the water. They make good farm dogs as well as excellent family dogs for pets and companionship. This hardy dog is used for hunting expeditions as well as terrier work. Adult dogs can adjust easily into families with or without children. Make sure you are this dog’s firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems that can include territorial issues. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals.

I thought there was one type of Rat Terrier. Now I know there are more than one type.

Lucky, my old rat terrier
Lucky, my rat terrier, sleeping

Origin

Named by the perceptive Teddy Roosevelt, the Rat Terrier was developed in Great Britain originally from the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Manchester Terrier in 1820. It was brought to the USA in the 1890s. At that time they were all their original color of black and tan. Life Magazine showed President Roosevelt with three black and tan Rat Terriers. American breeders crossed them again with the Smooth Fox Terrier as well as the Beagle and Whippet. The Beagle increased bulk, trailing and hunting ability, along with the red color. The Whippet contributed the speed and agility and probably the blue and brindle colors. The smallest variety was derived from the Smooth Fox Terrier and Chihuahua. The Rat Terrier proved to be one of the best in the rat-baiting pits. One Rat Terrier is reported to have killed over 2,501 rats in a span of only seven hours in a rat infested barn. The Rat Terrier is a hard-working farm hand, able to rid an infested barn of vermin with no problem.


Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

Puerto Plata Vacation

I loved my time in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. I would recommend a trip to Puerto Plata. You must dress in clothes that can keep you cool. Bring a lot sun screen. I had more than enough sun screen. But not enough clothes that would keep me cool. The food was different but good. If you are into tying new food. I would recommend the Sancocho stew and classic Dominican dish: Tostones (fried plantains). I like it a lot. I love to try new food just in small amounts so I won’t waste food.

I flew into the Capitol of Dominican Republic. My hotel was a four hour drive by taxi. So I learn from someone that there was a closer airport. Next time I go to Puerto Plata I will go to the closer airport. I did do the tourist stuff that are Resort had to offer. But there so much to do. I have to come back another day to do it all. I need about a month to do it all.

Here is some information that would help for your Puerto Plata Vacation

Puerto Plata is a port city situated at the base of Mount Isabel de Torres on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. The Old City features narrow streets lined with Victorian houses. It is becoming one of the more popular tourist cities in the Dominican Republic with Playa Dorada Resort Complex nearby. The North Coast is sometimes referred to as the Amber Coast because of the large amounts of amber found here.

puerto plata vacation

Things to See

See the two-story Victorian gazebo in Parque Central in the heart of Puerto Plata.
From Parque Central stroll past the Church of San Felipe to Duarte Street to visit the Amber Museum, located in a two-story Victorian known as Villa Bentz, constructed in 1919 by Spanish architect Martin Gallart y Canti for the Augusto Bentz family. The museum houses the amber mosquito featured in the Hollywood film Jurassic Park, along with an extensive collection of Dominican amber–said to be the most transparent amber in the world. Guided tours are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Next, see the fort that Columbus built. In 1496 at Puerto Plata, Christopher Columbus and his brother Bartholomew began to construct a fort that was more than 21,000 square feet to defend the harbor against pirate attacks. San Felipe Fortress was completed six years later in 1502. It is the oldest architectural structure in Puerto Plata.

Just past the fort, there’s the General Gregorio Luperon Monument, erected as a tribute to one of the Dominican Republic’s famed leaders.

On the west side of the city, take a cable car ride to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres, which rises 2,665 feet above sea level to get a view of Puerto Plata and the surrounding landscape. Here you can also see the statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Christ the Redeemer, Puerto Plata Vacation

Beaches and Water Activities

Hang out at the beach at Playa Dorada east of the city of Puerto Plata. If you are not a guest at one of the resorts, you will have to pay for a day-use pass.
West of Puerto Plata, Playa Cofresi is one of Dominican Republic’s most beautiful beaches. This is a good spot for sunbathing, body-surfing and boogie-boarding.
If you want to swim with dolphins, feed stingrays or explore an artificial reef, check out Ocean World at Playa Cofresi. There is also a marina there.

shark in Ocean World, Puerto Plata

Another beach west of Puerto Plata near Monte Cristi is Playa Punta Rucia. This is a popular beach with white sand beaches and mountain views. Offshore, a large circular coral reef known as Cayo Arena is an ideal snorkeling location. The protected lagoon at Playa Punta Rucia is a good place for birdwatching.

Nightlife

With a population of more than 200,000, Puerto Plata has a variety of nightclubs, including meringue and salsa clubs, as well as numerous casinos. Neighboring resorts also feature evening shows with dancing and singing such as the Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada. The Amhsa Marina Grand Paradise all-inclusive resort has a discotheque. In fact, there are 15 resorts at Playa Dorada to choose from for nightly entertainment.


Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

Summer Vacation

You’ve still got time to squeeze in a summer escape, and you want to make it really special – so where to go? Well, I am going to on Summer Vacation in July. I will get to use my passport for the first time. I have not even been to Canada but  I will be in the Dominican Republic for over seven days.

summer vacation life-insights.com Kate's summer vacation

I like to travel but not the packing. Some time I packed too much stuff, it comes very heavy at the airport. And this time I can have only two carry on bags, or pay $25 per bag.

So I am having trouble of what to pack or  take and how much underwear to take. I know that is funny for some people, but you can never have too much clean underwear. It is when you don’t have it, that it becomes a problem.

Now I have braces I need to bring stuff to keep my braces in good shape. It sucks so much. I need to have two toothbrushes with me all the time. I go through a lot of floss and toothpaste. I just want to a big thing of toothpaste and be done with it. But the airport won’t let you because it is over 3 oz. It makes it so hard for me. I have to brush my teeth every time I eat. I know that some people don’t understand but I won’t go around with food stuck in my teeth.

Now let’s  talk about sunscreen I am very light skin, I just look at the sun and get burnt. I am trying to think how to get a big thing of sunscreen on the airplane. I have allergies to a lot of stuff so I need a special type of sunscreen. I am a redheaded girl that burns just looking at the sun. But I do love sunlight.Well I am just going to take my big hat and sun umbrella with me. I let you guys know how it goes.


Kate from learnandgrowbooks.com

Kate is the founder of Learn and Grow Books, which is a website for parents and teachers of pre-K children.

Image public domain by Treeman from Wikipedia

The Lego Movie Review

The Lego Movie poster for my Lego Movie review

Over the weekend, we watched The Lego Movie so I need to review it for you. First off, if you don’t like kids talking through the movie, probably wouldn’t be a good idea to see it for a weekend matinee. But nonetheless, they weren’t too bad except for one scene (won’t give a spoiler) that caused a small child to cry.

After seeing it, I had to ask, “was this movie really for kids?” It seemed more like adult social commentary. We’re being force fed a stupid media plus a stupid culture that makes us, well, stupid. The main song was the highly Orwellian “Everything is Awesome,” which trains the non-thinking highly-conforming workers to work in a rhythm with the brainless song. The main TV show is “Honey, where’s my pants?” which seemed like it got its cue from Mike Judge’s dystopian flick Idiocracy.

So it appears the people are halfway to Judge’s Idiocracy and of course as you guessed, are in need of a leader to take them off that path.

Well, as you also guessed, your hero is Emmet Brickowski, a clueless and forgettable average Joe who suddenly is forced to rise to the occasion.

The villain is one President Business who plans on Krazy Gluing everyone in the Lego universe. His real intentions are unknown until the end of the movie.

Sound stupid? Actually, it’s not. It’s quite good. Throw in a bunch of other figures like the heroine Wyldstyle (who really should have been the protagonist, as you will see later), a wizard Vitruvius, Wyldstyle’s boyfriend Batman (yes, that Batman), Superman and Green Latern who have a weird relationship, Shaquille O’Neal, several of the dudes from Star Wars, etc.

One criticism I had was probably more age related than a problem with the movie, but I had a hard time following the action scenes. They’re plastic pieces fighting each other and going faster than a guy in his forties with bad eyesight can follow. If you’re young with decent vision, it probably won’t be a problem.

I never read a review so I didn’t know what was coming. I won’t give it away, but it did have a pretty good twist to it. And the movie throughout was quite watchable. It had plenty of adult humor so I’m thinking the dialog was written for adults and the action and looks were written for kids.

There is some plastic death though, but the character who dies comes back as a ghost so maybe it won’t be too disturbing for kids although one of the kids in the movie theater did start crying at the scene. So I probably wouldn’t take a kid under five to it.

The Lego Movie Review rating
******* (7 out of 10)

-Danny


Danny still works in the corporate world but not for too much longer. In the meantime, he values spending quality time with his family.

Interview with Katia Decker

I got a chance to interview Katia Decker, the lead singer of the Symphonic Metal band Astral Eyes.  She inspires me to jump out of my comfort zone and explore new things.  She’s strong and gutsy, and the “classy sexy” like the old movie stars.

Something in her voice reminds me of Marian Anderson.  She has that strong, soulful feeling in her voice.

Katia Decker singer Astral Eyes

Interview with Katia Decker

Why did you get into music?

I’ve always been involved in music. As long as I can remember, I’ve been singing to myself, in school, in church, to people, whatever. Whenever I’m bored, I’m singing. It makes life more interesting.

What do you like best about being in a band?

That there’s a group of talented people to bounce ideas off of. It’s not so many that nobody gets hurt, but I’m not on my own. We’d do much better than any of would do by ourselves.

Who’s your favorite singer?

I’m not sure. There’s a bunch of different styles I enjoy, so picking one singer would be about as hard as picking one movie.

When did you start singing?

I guess not quite at birth, but about one and a half or so. (Laughs). I don’t know. I don’t remember a time that I wasn’t singing.


Did you ever take vocal lessons?

Yes. I took them from a relative who also was a Professor at a college in Iowa. Plus, the lessons that you get when you’re in choir. But the private lessons, I got a lot more out of them as far as learning how to do things with my voice.

So you did sing in a choir?

Yes. I sang in choir all through school and I also was in choir at college.

Who is your mentor?

In life… Well, there are different people who influenced me. But someone who stands out is my seventh grade math teacher. She taught me how to harness my annoyingness and make it work for me instead of against me.

Who made your dress?

It was custom made. I love costumes and I love performing. I love being on stage and just being charged by the energy from the crowd watching me. The energy of the crowd gives me energy. So this dress was actually made for a theater performance.

Thanks for your time, Katia.

Thanks. Was nice talking to you.


kate writer interviewer adventurer
Interview of Katia Decker by Kate. Kate is an adventurous woman who is tired of working other people and is ready to plunge headfirst into self-employment. She loves traveling, reading, music, food, life, and exploring new ideas.