Dawn Manning beat off a cougar with a water bottle to save her 5-year-old son

August 17, 1901, Mrs. Joseph Bosck was trapped in the upper floor of her burning home with her baby in St. Louis, Missouri. The plan was that her husband would jump out of the window to the ground far below and catch their child

However, her husband ended up on the ground, helpless, with two broken legs from the fall.

Believing she would die, she stepped backwards from the window, her body wrapped around her child with the intention of crushing her own body to cushion the fall for her child.

It worked, when police arrived they found the baby safe and cooing. Her mother’s breast had protected her. The mother survived with a wrenched back, internal injuries, and uncertain future health.

When interviewed at the hospital she said, “I supposed I may be injured for life, but my little one is safe, and I am happy. I am in pain, but she is not, so it’s all right. I just held her close to my breast and let myself fall backward, and all I was afraid of was that I would turn in the air and fall on her.”

The maternal instinct. These stories are as numerous as the stars. Most of us moms know there is no question what would happen should our babies come into harm’s way. I’ve jumped into pools fully clothed when I thought there was a problem and been prepared to pull or push him to safety at my own expense. Fortunately, I’ve never had to perform an act of heroism that has been newsworthy.

Last week a mom had to do just that. Dawn Manning and her family from British Columbia were hiking the Abercrombie Trail in Washington state. She and her 5-year old son Simon Impey were about 50 meters (about half a football field) behind her husband and daughter.

They were about about two hours into the hike, and eating huckleberries. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her son stumble. To her horror she soon saw that her son’s head was in the mouth of a cougar. The big cat attempted to drag Simon into the bush.

The cougar may have figured the little 5-year-old would be easy pickings but hadn’t counted on the mother.

Dawn attacked the cougar with her metal water bottle with all her might. She hit it about 15 times, quickly and hard, and the cougar let the boy go.

The boy suffered head, chest, and arm wounds and was released the next day with many stitches but otherwise in good condition.

It’s not Mother’s Day, but I take this moment to applaud all the mother’s around the world who care for and love their children so selflessly.

Even if your mom never jumped from a window or fought off a cougar to save your life, she probably was always ready to do just that.

She probably has stayed up through the night caring for you, so tired she was on the verge of hallucinations.

She probably has done without so that you can be happy, fed, and thriving.

She probably has taken years off her life worrying about you and whether she is doing a good enough job.

Take a moment to do something special for your mom today for no good reason other than you love her.

Buzz Lightyear at home in Florida before his Space Shuttle Discovery ride to the International Space Station. (photo courtesy of pdphoto.org)

In this day and age where having celebrity can get you some perks and once-in-a-life time opportunities, Buzz Lightyear, star of the Toy Story movie and television franchise, may have used his influence to snag a ride on the Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station for a six-month stay.

It has been publicly announced this is part of an educational campaign for children to excite them about science.  While in orbit, they performed zero gravity experiments with Mr. Lightyear.

However, it is well-known Mr. Lightyear has had an almost obsessive preoccupation with proving he is a “real” space ranger and more than just a mere toy to a doubting public.  His qualifications to perform scientific experiments have been questioned.  He underwent nontraditional mission training, and many question whether he passed the tests in this training video.

In the first Toy Story movie, co-star Woody says to Buzz, “You are a toy!  You aren’t the real Buzz Lightyear! You’re – you’re an action figure!”  A source, who wishes to remain anonymous, says Mr. Lightyear resented these scenes and had been overheard on multiple occasions saying it was ironic that the real Buzz Lightyear was playing someone pretending to be Buzz Lightyear.

It is also rumored he fought to have his name in the closing credits listed as “The Real Buzz Lightyear.”

In spite of his claims of being a real astronaut and space ranger, Mr. Lightyear has yet to produce evidence to support this. Our calls to Star Command and the Intergalactic Alliance in the Gamma Quadrant of sector 4 have yet to be returned.

In November 2008, Mr. Lightyear was asked to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.  When asked why he didn’t fly on his own since he was supposedly a real space man, he replied, “I’m trying to set an example by reducing my carbon footprint.”  This coming from someone who insists on new, non-rechargeable, battery replacements weekly for his non-necessity laser and lights and whose residences can be described more as full-fledged theme parks than homes.

Mr. Lightyear has also caused controversy with his classic phrase, “To infinity and beyond.” Mathematical theorists are up in arms because going beyond infinity is not possible, and although this is just “showbiz” if he were a real space ranger he should have (out of principle) fought to have the phrase reduced to “To infinity.”

One of Mr. Lightyear’s residences (Disney World in Florida) neighbors NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and their relationship has been said to be close.

It should be noted at the time of blast-off a new Toy Story Mania ride had just opened in Disney World.  Ads announcing the mission were more “Hollywood” than educational.  The Space Shuttle Discovery will depart from the space station Tuesday and Mr. Lightyear will return home in the midst of a publicity blitz for the release of Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3D.  Toy Story 3 is scheduled to be released next year.

Remarkable timing.  Coincidence?  Just how much influence has Mr. Lightyear had on the mission?

Despite his suspected lack of qualifications previous to the mission, Mr. Lightyear can now rightfully claim that he is, in fact, a space man.

Click here to see Mr. Lightyear floating around the space station.   

This video shows Mr.Lightyear and Astronaut Greg Chamitoff announcing the opening of the Toy Story Mania ride from the space station.

Click here for more information on Mr. Lightyear’s relationship with NASA.

Would you like spit with that?

A few years ago, a friend and her family invited us to dinner.  We sat around the table with the hum of conversation and laughter filling the air.  Clattering forks and knives complimented the noisy chorus as we shared a meal prepared by our friend.

We talked of the  naughty escapades of our youth 25-plus years ago, laughing until our stomachs hurt and tears filled our eyes.  The tweens at the table let out occasional gasps of disbelief and embarrassment as they learned about the stupid adventures of their elders.

“Wait…wait until I tell you this,” my giggling friend continued, “When I worked at the burger joint, we used to spit in the food of people we didn’t like!”

Silence.

(Cue the crickets)

I quickly scanned my plate.

More silence.

Finally her son blurted out, “What?  What!?!”

You see, at one time or other each of us had been on her bad side.  I had certainly gone to said burger joint in the midst of a quarrel. I wouldn’t be lying if I said we hated each other at that time.

My brow wrinkled as I rummaged through the files of my memory, trying to remember if anything had the subtle flavor and texture of spit.  There is a good chance I got the secret ingredient at least once.

The Internet reveals stomach-turning anecdotal stories.

You may not realize, but police officers are common victims.

In 2008 two New York city McDonald’s employees got into hot water after the cook was told the order was “for a cop” and to “make it special.”  He did.  There have been incidents that involve not only the occasional loogie, but cockroaches and broken glass placed into their food as well.

Take a look at news stories returned in this Google news search for incidents just between cops and McDonald’s employees alone.

Recently two Domino’s employees were fired for making a video that showed them spitting on food (and other disgusting acts) and posting it on YouTube.  Yeah, they were that kind of special idiot.  They claim the food was never delivered, however the video shows them using a pizza cutter and other items likely used again.

In January 2009, a former Portage, Indiana official tried to unsuccessfully bribe a drive-thru worker at McDonald’s with $50 to spit into the beverage of the police officer behind him in line.

In 2008 a man working at a fast food restaurant in Seattle was arrested for spitting in someone’s burger because they were wearing Pittsburgh Steeler’s clothing.

These are just the tip of the iceberg my dear citizen friends.

Some common reasons given for spitting in food?

• The patron was white
• The patron was black
• The patron was ______
• Rudeness
• Not tipping enough
• Returning food to the cook
• Occupying the table for too long with a small bill
• Making the servers hustle
• They just didn’t like you

Last week at a local fast-food drive-thru, I remarked about the unusually high price.  I asked for a receipt and the employee said it was in the bag.  Nope.  I asked again.  She left and came back with a barely legible receipt.

Closer inspection revealed a charge for a burger I didn’t order or receive.

After talking to the manager, I caught sight of the drive-thru worker who gave me a look.  The kind of glowing red eye look that spawned a raging inferno around her and music from the Omen blasting in my ears.

Leaving the restaurant, I told my son, “Yikes I’ll have to watch out later for spit in my food.”

A couple days later I encountered the same employee at the drive-thru window.  “I knew it was you.  I recognized your voice,” she said as she handed me my food.  In a syrupy voice with  exaggerated fake smile she bid me adios with, “You have a nice day ma’am.”

It wasn’t lost on my son who screamed from the back seat, “You better check your food mama!”

When we got home, I inspected my salad.  While I didn’t see anything gooey, there was a lot more liquid than there should have been.  It could have been condensation.  It could have been rinse water?  I wasn’t sure.  It promptly ended up in the trash.

Have you ever spit in anyone’s food or know someone who has?

What do you think the punishment for this should be?