Wednesday, October 9, 2024
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Who Is Shaving Cats Without Permission In Virginia? 

Sam Jones
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Who Is Shaving Cats Without Permission In Virginia? 

Something weird is going down in Waynesboro, Virginia. A rogue cat-shaver is on the loose.

Cat owners are distressed by a recent spate of shavings: Their furry friends are being shaved without their consent. The perpetrator abducts the cats, shaves their bellies and legs, and then lets them go unharmed.

It’s a small-town mystery that’s made national headlines. According to Fox News:

Police Capt. Kelly Walker said Friday that all of the cats were well-groomed, had collars and clearly had owners. He said police are not sure what crime has been committed, but the pet owners “would just like it to stop.” Police initially believed proactive citizens may have been taking the cats to be spayed or neutered, according to WVIR, but later dismissed those suspicions when the same felines were victims of multiple instances of unwanted grooming.

So far, at least seven cats have been shaved and set free. Residents have posted flyers around their town, calling for any information on who is using clippers on their kitties.

NBC 29 spoke with one of the cat owners, who said of her beloved, freshly-shaven Tigerlily:

“It hurts, because she can’t tell me. I know it probably hurt her, probably not physically, but mentally that has to be really hard on her. She doesn’t want to be picked up anymore. She used to be really nice and you could pick her up and hold her and everything, and now she just doesn’t want to be picked up anymore.”

Feel better soon, Tigerlily.

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Eggcellent: 7 Need-To-Know Hacks For Making Perfect Eggs Every Time

Amy Hansen
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Eggcellent: 7 Need-To-Know Hacks For Making Perfect Eggs Every Time

There are a million ways to ruin an egg. They are delicate creatures that can be damaged easily by overcooking a few seconds, mishandling, adding too much liquid, adding too little liquid, or stored too long in the fridge. But when they’re cooked just right, they’re simple perfection.

1. Boil Before Poaching

A classic Julia Child trick: to help keep the egg’s shape during poaching, boil it for 10 seconds. Remove the egg from the hot water and lower the heat to “simmer” to poach the egg.

2. Bake In A Muffin Tin

You’ll have an entire week’s worth of heat-and-eat omelettes. Throw in two eggs per “muffin” cup if you want to use up a full carton. Bon Appetit has a great recipe.

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3. Bake In An Onion Ring

Or bell pepper slice to help eggs retain their shape when cooking on a stove top. Sort of like a “toad in the hole” but instead of a slice of bread, you use a veggie.

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4. Skip The Liquid

If making an omelet, don’t add water, milk or cream. The addition of liquid will just make the eggs tough.

5. Test For Freshness

Place egg in a bowl of cold water. If it sinks and lays on its side, it’s super fresh. If it stands on one end, it’s still good. But if it floats, throw it out!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTkKwhej8aT

6. Steam Your Fried Eggs 

Want to achieve the perfect fried egg? Cook one side of the egg, then add 1/3 cup of water and cover. The steam will cook the top of the egg without having to flip it. Watch a demo .

7. Make Fried Eggs In A Microwave

Or, just nuke the suckers.

 

8. Peel And Blow

Don’t want to mess around with a messy peeling situation when it comes to hard boiled eggs? Do what Tim Ferris does. Crack each end, peel a bit and blow. Hard. Your egg will fall out of its shell, like you put some sort of spell on it. Check it out.

 

9. Sous-Vide

Most people don’t have a sous-vide machine, but here’s the work-around: coat some plastic wrap with vegetable oil. Placing it over a small ramekin. Crack an egg into the center. Lift the bag and tie it off to make a little sack. Meanwhile, heat some water on the stove. When it boils, reduce to medium. Place the sack into the water and simmer for about three minutes. Ta-dah! You have a faux sous-vide egg.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRlOI7shQbY

Kids Will Love It: 7 Trendy Unicorn Foods You Can Make At Home

TFT Editors
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Kids Will Love It: 7 Trendy Unicorn Foods You Can Make At Home

Not to be confused with swirly rainbow cotton candy foods (okay, a little confusion is allowed), unicorn foods have a whimsical, colorful charm that make them super appealing to all ages. Pink, blue, purple, sprinkles, marshmallows…it’s the stuff childhood dreams are made of come to life.

The Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino brought the mythical creature to light last month when they introduced their limited edition drink, but just about any food can be made into a unicorn with a little food coloring. Here are 7 fantastical treats straight from your imagination.

1. Frappuccino

Let’s start with the obvious. The Starbucks Frapp is no longer on the menu (that’s the sound of every barista in the universe applauding), but you can still make your own with some plant-based grocery store food coloring. All the flavor, half the toxicity.

 

2. Popcorn

Melted candy and tiny specs of color tossed with a neutral backdrop (popcorn) is really what this is all about. Adding sprinkles to your recipe is the secret ingredient!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRTmHoIFSmM

3. Smoothie

This unicorn smoothie is a super healthy take on the sugar-laden Frapp. It’s filled with frozen fruit, blueberry powder, coconut water and whipped coconut cream.

Photo by Ryan Ross

4. Cookie Dip

If you’re not lactose intolerant, this magical dip is for you! Loaded with cream, cream cheese and marshmallow fluff, this stuff will make you feel like you’re floating on a cloud of sugar.

 

5. Cupcakes

These Lisa Frank inspired cupcakes take a little bit more skill, but they’re baked right in a jar, so clean-up is a snap. Skip making the fondant horns, which just delays the cake eating process.

 

6. Ice Cream

This sounds more time consuming than it is. Really, it’s about combining cream and condensed milk, decorating with food coloring and sprinkles and then freezing. Super fun party trick for both kids and adults.

 

7. Cheesecake Bars

Like something out of a Disney movie, these no-bake unicorn bars combine everything you’re cavities love: wafer cookies, marshmallows, bright blue frosting and sprinkles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRPezIngoJM

Gossip: Steve Harvey Is Coming After Ellen; Ryan Seacrest Asks Staff To Sign NDAs

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Steve Harvey Is Coming After Ellen; Ryan Seacrest Asks Staff To Sign NDAs

Steve Harvey is moving to LA from Chicago to start his new daytime talk show and Ellen needs to watch out.

“Steve’s new show is going to be much more celebrity-driven than informative. He wants to compete with Ellen and book big stars to come on and talk with him,” sources tell Straight Shuter. “He just won two Emmy awards and is super-excited about the move, but the real reason he is leaving Chicago is not because LA has better weather, but because they have more celebrity residents. If Steve is going to compete with Ellen then he needs the show to be in LA.”

Insiders add that Ellen isn’t worried much – yet!

Ryan Seacrest Has Asked Staff To Sign Confidentiality Forms

The staff at ‘Live with Kelly’ better get their pens ready because new host Ryan Seacrest is known to ask his team to sign confidentiality forms.

“We had been working with Ryan for a while before legal documents turned up which we are asked to sign,” one former employee tells Straight Shuter. “He is a very private man and knows that he is a public figure. He isn’t that different off camera. He doesn’t smile as much and might not remember your name, but he is obsessed with keeping up his on-camera image. We all had to sign the documents and cannot say anything bad about him.”

No word yet, if Kelly has been presented with the forms! Can you imagine!

Love the fresh dirt we bring over daily from Naughty Gossip? Let us know in the comments!

10 Types Of Marijuana Great To Consume Before Doing Yard Work

Maria Loreto
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10 Types Of Marijuana Great To Consume Before Doing Yard Work

As the 2017 calendar year rapidly makes its way through May, the earth ever spins upon its tilted axis, while revolving around the sun. It’s precisely this tilt of the earth that puts the northern hemisphere in a slightly closer position to the sun this time of year—near enough to boost the temperatures in the United States into balmy bliss.

The plant kingdom heeds the call of the sun and earth’s celestial movements, awakening from the winter slumber with the blooms of spring. As individuals gaze upon all these cycles of life being bountifully displayed in their backyards through blossom and branch, they often neglect the fact that spring blooms come hand-in-hand with laborious chores of yardwork. However, it’s not necessary to dread doing yard work on a beautiful spring day. In fact, for those of us bound-up indoors for the work-week, some physical outdoors chores can prove quite therapeutic. Even better, complimenting your spring moods and tasks with some choice cannabis strains can lead to a blissed-out weekend experience.

Know that there are multiple ways to consume marijuana, you can eat or drink it, rub it into your skin, vape, smoke and much more. Ask the budtenders at your local dispensary which products have the strains listed and then pick how you want to put it into your body.

Need help finding a dispensary? We got you. Just visit our directory.

So, for those of you choosing to spend your weekend making your lawn, hedges, shrubs, and trees into pieces of living-art, here’s 10 types of marijuana that are good to take while doing yardwork:

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Green Crack

Not only is the hybrid strain good to smoke in the morning-time alongside a cup of coffee, its energetic yet stress-free high meshes well in the backyard during an afternoon of chores.

Raspberry Cough

As a sativa-dominant cross, this pungent strain is renowned for its energizing effects—a sure bet for some additional motivation with hard labor.

Green Snowflake

This sativa strain provides a relaxed, yet energetic buzz that will provide some extra inspiration for mowing the lawn.

Cherry Pie

This Grandaddy Purple x Durban Poison cross will have you up on a ladder chopping down dead tree limbs in no time.

Purple Trainwreck

As a potent-hybrid strain, Purple Trainwreck has a blissful and energetic buzz sure to help one appreciate the beauty of the outdoors while slaving away in the backyard.

XJ-13

Lisa Simpson Gardening GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

This original west coast hybrid strain is great for creativity and productivity—an excellent smoke if one is looking to prune up their bushes with creative zeal.

Haze

This famous sativa strain is now cross-bred in a number of other genetics. Also, it’s cerebrally stimulating effects are excellent for finding motivation on a sunny weekend day.

Cinex

This powerful sativa is said to help individuals focus on the task-at-hand, a sure bet if one is looking to finish a long weekend to-do list in the yard.

True OG

As an OG sub-strain, this indica-dominant varietal is said to relieve anxiety and stress—which can help those high-strung yard workers feel relaxed while laboring in the spring sun.

Headband

Working Homer Simpson GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

This energizing, fuel-smelling hybrid is a great smoke for an afternoon in the outdoors. Many Northern California day-laborers swear by its fantastic effects.

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A Bill Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Just Passed In Vermont

Mike Adams
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A Bill Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Just Passed In Vermont

Vermont has officially become the first state in the nation to pass a recreational marijuana legalization bill by way of legislative forces. But the question remains: Will Governor Phil Scott, a man who does not believe legal weed is a “priority” for the state, sign it into law?

On Wednesday, lawmakers in the Green Mountain State made history by pushing a bill that would legalize the cultivation and possession of small amounts of marijuana. The proposal also opens up the possibility for the creation of a taxed and regulated pot market, similar to what is currently underway in Colorado, further down the line.

The measure, which had already been given a stamp of approval by the Senate, swung through the House of Representatives with a vote of 79-to-66. It is now on its way to the desk of Governor Scott.

Although the governor believes marijuana legalization is “inevitable,” he recently told Vermont Public Radio that he does not feel a move of this magnitude is “a priority for Vermont.”

“I believe that what we should be doing is trying to find ways to protect those on our highways, to deliver a level of impairment that is consistent throughout the northeast, as well as to address the edibles for our kids before we move forward with legalization,” Scott told the news source.

Nevertheless, Scott has not discounted the possibility of moving ahead with the concept of ending marijuana prohibition. He says the plan is to “review” the bill before making a decision whether to grace it with his signature or stamp it with a veto – sending the issue back to square one.

If the measure becomes law, a state cannabis commission would be created to hash out the regulations for a fully legal market. That proposal would then go before the state legislature for consideration.

Marijuana advocates praised the Democratic-controlled state legislature for taking such a bold leap on this common sense policy.

“Vermont lawmakers made history today,” Matt Simon, the New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, said in a statement. “The legislature has taken a crucial step toward ending the failed policy of marijuana prohibition.”

If all goes according to plan, Vermont could become the third state on the east coast (ninth in the nation) to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes.

The language of the law would initially give people the freedom to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to two plants at home for personal use.

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Your Next Jamaican Vacation Might Involve Lots Of Legal Marijuana

TFT Editors
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Your Next Jamaican Vacation Might Involve Lots Of Legal Marijuana

For most of us, a Jamaican vacation involves sandy beaches, reggae music, rum and ganja. The first three, of course, are legal for tourists to enjoy. But cannabis, although tolerated, has never been allowed legally. But that may soon change.

A special task force has been established to examine the viability of allowing and promoting cannabis tourism on the island nation in the middle of the Caribbean.

Jamaica has been known for years as a cannabis-friendly travel destination. Despite the popularity of the herb among tourists — and the nation’s large Rastafarian community — the government has long fought the global reputation as a hub for ganja. After years of futility enforcing draconian laws and spending money on education campaigns, the government is now evaluating a new direction.

Ed Bartlett, the nation’s former minister of tourism, said the government will take a serious look at officially opening the island up to cannabis enthusiasts.

According to Bartlett, an area of the southwestern coast of Jamaica would be the home of tourism area dedicated to cannabis lovers.

“We are going to designate an area and, while I am not creating the policy, I am indicating that within that framework there is going to be discussions,” Bartlett said.

 

The policy change makes perfect sense. Jamaica traditionally has had one of the lowest economic growth rates in the developing world, so national leaders are looking at new ways to boost the economy.

Instead of fighting the image and its legacy, Jamaica has decided to embrace it. “Jamaica for so long has been associated with this plant,” Jamaican businessman Doug Gordon told the New York Times. “Now, it’s a business, an opportunity, one that can change the future of this country through jobs and income.”

As the New York Times reported last year:

Having watched states like Colorado and California generate billions of dollars from marijuana, Jamaica has decided to embrace its herbaceous brand.

Rather than arresting and shunning the country’s Rasta population, the Jamaican authorities will leverage it. Beyond decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana last year, Jamaica has legalized the use of medical marijuana, with its ultimate sights set on “wellness tourism” and the font of money it could bring.

Will the struggling economy see a boost from cannabis?

“Where the real market is, and where the real money is, remains to be seen,” said Mark Golding, the former minister of justice who developed the legislation to permit medical marijuana production in Jamaica. “We are all just preparing for it.”

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Confessions Of A Mom On Marijuana: A New Column

Marijuana Mom
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Confessions Of A Mom On Marijuana: A New Column

I’m sitting on my bed, completely at peace. My 4-year-old soundly sleeps in the room next to ours and all is well with the world.

I’m totes high.

Not terribly so, just enough to get me though the evening of coming home after a long day at work, loving, feeding and cleaning up after two humans and three animals. And doing it all with a smile.

I didn’t start out mothering this way — getting high to perform daily tasks that every mother should do in complete sobriety, laughing and smiling and comforting everyone but herself. I have always been a bit of a selfish person by nature. I’ve never been someone who shares easily — I won’t let you have a shrimp from my shrimp parm. Just no.

It was also the same when I became a stepmother practically overnight. Hubby and I had a very short courtship and got married rather quickly. Partly because I was old (40ish) and I wasn’t wasting any time, partly because…well, life is too damn short. And I wanted a baby before it was too late.

Fast-forward to a few years later and my life as a mom in Brooklyn is as typical as it comes. I have a great husband (no, not perfect), a good career (not steady) and my littlest love: my gorgeous, perfect baby boy. Parenting is never easy, not for anyone, and I don’t care who the hell you think you are or what perfect baby you claim to have birthed. No one is perfect and we all have our bad days.

In the days of online mom-shaming, I’m not immune to judgement. But being an older mom has had many advantages, in the sense that as a woman in my 40s, I don’t give a rat’s ass what anyone thinks of me or the way I raise my kid. Yea, I gave my kid formula and frankly, it’s none of your damn business why I did. You think I’m too permissive in my parenting? Whatever. You think I shouldn’t feed him non-organic hot dogs? Seriously. Don’t care, never did.

I am a mom who drinks. It’s so very popular and dare I say, fashionable to be a mom that does. But it’s difficult to maintain a full parenting schedule, with or without a job, when you drink like a fish at Timmy’s soccer game. How many drunk moms videos can one watch in a day? Gotta love their spirit though, and their ability to not run to the nearest bar and order 50 wings on Wing Night after drinking all that chardonnay! I can’t day drink, so that only leaves night drinking and my nights are short these days.

I’m mostly a mom who smokes pot. In many ways, it’s easier than drinking. In many ways, smoking is a better way to cope than drinking. There are countless studies that say marijuana does significantly less damage than drinking. In my own home, I notice the difference. My mind immediately calms when I smoke. When I smoke, it’s one bong hit and I’m ready for the evening. I can cook with flair (ok, maybe there’s a touch too much salt) and my conversation with both adult and kid are lively and entertaining. I actually enjoy everyone much more!

I’m not avoiding my feelings or life issues (do bills ever go away?) but I’m looking at it from another vantage point. I’m on the ‘other side of the room,’ I like to think. I can get a lighter sense of the situation: why get angry over stupid shit? You came home wearing two different shoes? Oh well, you must have been popular today, kiddo! You didn’t take the garbage out, honey? Like I asked you to three times before I left for work? Awwww, I still love you anyway, ya big lug. Now, get that shit out of my house.

When I drink, it’s more of a mission. I’m drinking to get as much of a buzz as I can, one that must be maintained continually and one that I can accidentally over-imbibe if I’m not careful. I’m talking slight hangover in the morning, not barfing-in-corner-garbage-cans-walking-my-kid-to-school type stuff. Those chicks need help.

So, Hi. I’m Marijuana Mom. I’m here for your questions, your comments, and your answers (Hey, I got questions too, like, how do you not eat everything in the fridge once the munchies kick off and the kiddos are in bed?)

As Contemporaries in Weed, I’d like you to know that every column I write will be done under the cloud of the green leaf. I won’t write about pot sober, because, duh, who wants to hear from me sober?

9-Foot-Gator Shocks Family After Breaking Into Home

Taylor Berman
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9-Foot-Gator Shocks Family After Breaking Into Home

Easter Sunday is a time for family and, if you’re into this kind of thing, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Generally speaking, it is not a time for a nine-foot-long alligator to climb 15 steps to your second floor porch, where it breaks through a screen door and smashes several pieces of furniture.

Susie Polston of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina told WCIV that her family was awakened by a sort of rumbling noise outside her bedroom at about 1:30 am. She thought it was one of two things: her daughter rearranging furniture for some reason in the middle of the night or a burglar.

“It sounded like aluminum rubbing up against aluminum,” she said.

But when she and her husband, Steve Polston, looked out onto their second floor porch they saw the big-ass gator just sitting there. “We thought it was a joke maybe and we knocked on the window and it moved. So we were like, ‘No, this is a serious prank if somebody did this,’” Steve said.

Prank or not, the gator really worked hard to get there: It climbed over a dozen steps and clawed its way through a screen door. It also broke a table and several other “porch items.”

“We were in disbelief that he actually made his way up the stairs, because we didn’t know alligators would climb stairs,” Susie said, adding that she’s going to install a more “gator proof” door now. “I feel like I’ll never be able to open these doors again without coming through here and looking out. here and scanning the whole porch.”

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7 Hacks For Frozen Tater Tots That Will Change Your Life

Jillian Peterson
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7 Hacks For Frozen Tater Tots That Will Change Your Life

They’re not potatoes and many believe they’re better than fries. They are, of course, tater tots, a delightful starch hybrid combining the best of both worlds: sturdy like a tuber and just as dippable as a frite. Not surprisingly, the ingenuity of this perfect food makes it an attractive base for other dishes. Here are 7 meals to make using frozen tots. Rip open a bag and get to it. The sauces are up to you.

1. Waffles

Your next life changing meal is just a waffle iron away. Throw some taters into the iron and press down. But make sure to grease the waffle iron first or you could end up with a crunchy disaster.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ_OaCWDv9k

2. Totchos

Load up your tots just like you would tortilla chips. Limp chips aren’t part of this equation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTkYXIngnz2

3. Breakfast Burrito

Need a quick to-go breakfast? Throw some eggs, cheese, tots, and whatever else you like into a tortilla and you’re off.

Photo by Flickr user stu_spivack

4. Chicken Pot Pie

Cover this classic casserole with tater tots and bake until golden brown. Dip in ketchup!

5. Breakfast Poutine

It’s a thing. Eggs, bacon…anything you want…laid on a bed of tater tots and covered in gravy (optional) and imminent runny egg yolk.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSHZKgsjmeq

6. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

You master that tater tot waffle yet? Once you do, this is the logical next step. Here’s a loaded grilled cheese that, when done correctly, only takes about 5 minutes.

7. Pizza/Casserole

Here’s a casserole with a tater tot crust, which you can top with pretty much anything you’d like, making this almost more of a pizza than a casserole. Either way, you win.

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