The history behind Halloween is one that began long before the commercialization that we know today. All Hollow’s Eve has a blend of pagan tradition and Christian beliefs meshed into a holiday that was originally created to celebrate the dead. During the 8^th Century the Catholic Church created the All Souls Day to recognize the Christian Martyrs who died in Rome and then later extended the celebration to honor the Saints who died for the faith. As the Catholic Church spread to far lands and pagan lands, the holiday took on a new form to incorporate the beliefs of the native lands to find a common ground. The All-hollow’s Eve was celebrated on November 1^st and the night before was dubbed All-hollows Eve which is the day as we know it, Halloween. So as you go and put your costume on and ask the time old question, “Trick-or-Treat” remember this holiday was one to celebrate the dead not the living.

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Bolivia has just added to a Bill created in November 2010 stating the “Law of Mother Earth.” This law gives the right to our planet so that we as human beings can live in harmony with mother nature. The law has seven fundamental acts in which gives Mother Earth a right to be a free form living in harmony with its human companions. Although this is a huge step for Bolivia, this is not recognized among the world and it should be. The planet earth is the only home we have and we should treat our home with the respect, peace and love in which it deserves.

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Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is something Hollywood has been creating since the dawn of CGI. However, 60 Minutes with Charlie Rose sat down and performed an interview with the real-life version of AI. Sophia is the given name and although her programming is of an elite nature, the robot still was very much artificial. The responses although witty, were not quite equal to that of regular human interaction. The graphics on Sophia however were state of the art, with even the makeup artist being taken aback by how Sophia felt to the touch when applying lipstick. This might just be the first step in what computer programming is capable of and what the future holds for AI. Curious as to how this interaction occurred, watch the video and see for yourself.

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Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a large impact on our lives. This pet owner adopted his four-legged dog and within a month the dog adopted an injured Hummingbird. CBS LA interviewed the pet owner on how all of this could have happened. The injured Hummingbird was nursed back to health and refused to leave after making itself at home with Rex the dog. The two have become fast friends and has taught the family a quite valuable lesson.

The celebration of the Navy was created October 27, 1922. Mrs. William H. Hamilton was the founder of this day after her heroic efforts in creating The Navy Club in New York City, allowing sailors far and wide to sit and enjoy the company of fellow sea farriers. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt wrote a letter stating Mrs. Hamilton the founder of Navy Day and the gratitude that was felt by all those who benefited from her hard work. Navy Day itself has not been celebrated since 1949, however today taking a moment to appreciate the Navy and all they do to protect near and far. Serving the United States with Honor, Courage and Strength. “Non Sibi Sed Patriae”

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REGISTER TO VOTE!  There’s still time, the deadline for California is October 24.  And just in case you’ve wondered what makes people turnout to vote; check out this amazing graph at Fairvote.org.  Evidently we Americans need things to get really, really bad before we get out and vote.

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Nothing says evaluate like an epitaph.  The funny ones usually make it across our radar, but there are some pretty incredible “serious” epitaphs.  “Cast a cold Eye On Life, on Death, Horseman pass by.” W. B. Yeats… “Like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out, and stripped of its lettering and gilding, lies here, food for worms.  But the work shall not be wholly lost, for it will, as he believed, appear once more, in a new and more perfect edition, corrected and amended by the Author.” Benjamin Franklin.  My personal favorite, because it seems I’ve heard the words repeated by a relative when asked for a holiday recipe, “Over my dead body” is someone’s Aunt Kay – that recipe for her fudge.

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By now it’s pretty common knowledge we love pets, especially dogs at the Walker house.  Here’s some friends of ours, “Animal Place” in Grass Valley, CA that have an amazing animal rescue program.  They rescue …. Cows, pigs, turkeys, goats, chickens, sheep and rabbits and adopt them out.

Kim Sturla and Ned Buyukmihci sold their homes, emptied their savings accounts to purchase a 60 acre block of undeveloped land in 1988 in Vacaville, CA to rescue farmed animals.  Theirs is a one-of-a-kind place with a completely different perspective on a animals usually raised to eat.

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It isn’t just hiking.  The next time you put off taking that walk outside or turn down going with friends on a hike, think of Paul’s Boots and just GO!

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Rotary Clubs all over the country and especially here in Modesto take this day seriously by distributing special, comprehensive dictionaries to every 3^rd grade student in the area-wide school system.  This tradition with Rotary began about 15 years ago nationwide and 11 years ago here in the Modesto school system.  Beginning with 1 club, Modesto Sunrise Rotary and since branching out to include all 4 clubs and all the schools in the area.