Author: Granville Francoeur

Gate Repair and Maintenance – Important Considerations When Choosing a Gate System

repairs and maintenanceThe gate specialists at 4suregates.com give advice that if there are more parts to maintain and protect against ordinary wear and tear, it denotes greater investment costs for the long term, The main reason why the swing gate is a more popular choice than the sliding gate. is its low gate repair maintenance requirements: having fewer parts than a sliding gate. Such consideration is important if contemplating on installing an automatic gate that requires additional mechanisms..The rule when installing any fixture or equipment is to apply appropriate and regular maintenance as doing so ensures optimal performance and longevity.

Two Basic Components of Electric Gates

Unlike ordinary or non-automated gates, there are two basic components to consider for basic maintenance:
Automatic gates consist of two basic components: the gate panels and the gate operator.

The Gate Panels

The gate panels are the physical barriers moved with a swinging or sliding motion to block the driveway opening.

Gate panels are attached to a framework that is mounted between posts using hinges. Gate panels have a latch component that locks automatically when the panels are triggered to shut close by the automation mechanism.

The Gate Operator

e;ectrician repairing electrical systemsGate operators are the electrically-powered mechanisms that allow homeowners or gatekeepers to open and close the gate panels without requiring the application of manual actions. The gate operator system may be hydraulic, gear-driven or chain-driven;

Hydraulic gate systems make use of hydraulic fluids such as water or mineral oil. High pressure tubing containing the fluids will generate power that is more than enough to open and shut the panel gates. A gate controller that works on a hydraulic system is deemed advantageous in terms of maintenance and repair because it involves fewer moving parts that undergo normal wear and tear over time.

Gear-Driven Gate Operators –

Gate operators that run on a gear-driven motor usually require the attachment of a metal or nylon rack at the bottom of the gate positioned a few inches above the ground. The size of the gears or cogs attached to a spindle at the bottom of the gate panels must correspond to the size of the teeth of the above ground rack attachment.

That way, once the gate motor activates, the spindle, the turning motions of the gears running on the teeth of the rack will drive the pushing or pulling actions to close or open the gate panels. Gear-driven gate operators are used across different parts of the world but usually for heavy duty commercial gates guarding large facilities. Obviously, this type of operator requires meticulous inspections to ensure that gears of the spindle and the teeth of the rack remain constantly matched and properly aligned.

Chain-Driven Gate Operators

Chain-driven gate openers utilize a roller chain much like the bicycle chain but larger as it is used to propel a gate along a track. The chain-driven operator is well-liked because of its proven durability and versatility as the operator system works well even on uneven terrains.

However the cons or considerations when choosing this type of gate operator is that it generates more noise, while requiring more frequent lubrication maintenance especially if for heavy duty use. In most cases, chain-driven gate operators can leave an unsightly grease line on the driveway entrance.

Research-Supported Recommendations for the Best Brands of GSD Puppy Treats

Dog experts who’ve had great experience in caring for and researching on canines give pet parents advice about the best treats for german shepherd puppies. They share pieces of info that are important to households in the US and across the world that have adopted a German Shepherd from its infancy stage. While studies on German Sherperd Dogs (GSDs) have proven that this breed has higher levels of intelligence and ability to retain training lessons, its well-balanced character and penchant for obedience make it ideal as a family pet choice.

Yet, experts do not recommend GSD puppies to households that have very little time to devote, and space available in raising this breed of canine. That is mainly because a German Shelperd’s behavior and disposition are largely linked to its relationship with its human companions.

Researchers of German Shepherd dogs contend that having the right information and keeping a risk-free environment are factors considered in maintaining a good relationshlp with maturing GSD puppies. That line of thinking includes choosing dog food brands specifically formulated as basic GSD supplements with nutrients that help puppies develop their learning and obedience skills.

Two Examples of GSD-Specific Brands Best for German Shepherd Puppies

The two examples of GSD-specific brands mentioned below were chosen mainly because they are products made from natural ingredients that offer complete health support for German Shepherd dogs starting from infancy stage. This denotes the absence of artificial components or formulations that could adversely impact a German Sheperd puppy’s heart health and digestive system.

Blue Buffalo Bits are dog training treats that come in soft, moist morsels made ftom chicken whilst free from additives like wheat, corn and soy. This product is an ideal treat for all GSD life stages because its formulation includes Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is essential in the development of nerve and eye tissues.

Pupford Freeze Dried Dog Training Treats – This freeze-dried training treat is vet-approved because it’s a low calorie, easy-to-chew dog food made from all natural ingredients approved by vets. Many pet parents recognize it as a high value reward during rounds of tricks and obedience exercises for their GSD puppies. Each bag of Pupford contains about 475 pieces of nutritious and filler-free treats, which means a bag can last long enough to provide a puppy with a truly rewarding experience.

After all, German Shepherd Dogs thrive on the attention and care provided by their human companions. Otherwise, they could become anxious or bored, which are likely to result in annoying and destructive behaviors.

Japanese Anime: Taking Note of the Censorship Issues US Parents Pay Heed

Generally, Japanese animations are considered kid-friendly and suitable for all ages, young and old alike, yet not all anime are not as suitable as many think. Most Japanese anime productions do not shy away from depicting death even as results of violence or from using images showing nudity.
Although presented as animation of images that are no different from the Western cartoons that depict violence in comical ways. In both cases, the presentation of violence in cartoonish ways is said to be more dangerous. They mislead children into believing that such actions are funny and do not have harmful consequences.
That being the case, parents should still painstakingly curate the anime series or movie that their children will stream or download. This is of particular importance because there’s an influx of all kinds of anime accessible internationally, especially in the US.

Anime Censorship in Some Countries

Take note that there are cases in which an episode or character have been revised in order to make the image or the storyline more appropriate or appealing to American parents. One such example is a young boy frequently appearing totally naked in the original Japanese version. In offering the animation in the American market, the image of the nude boy was modified by making the young boy wear a pair of shorts.
Some narratives could end in death as in the original Sailor Moon episode where two scouts died. To make the story more appealing to anime curators, US publishers revised the conclusion of the story by making it appear that the scouts were rescued and therefore still alive.
The point being driven at here, is for parents not to be complacent by letting their children stream or download anime films or series without first viewing the shows themselves.
In Indonesia, Anime Indo TV channels have to observe stricter censorship rules, since certain aspects such as nudity, gambling, alcoholism, permissiveness and other actions do not conform with conservative Islamic laws. Anyway, adult, non-Muslim Indonesian fans of anime, need only to visit website of an Anime Indo platform. That way, they can search and curate other Japanese animations that their children can watch via streaming platforms.

Examples of the Most Watched Anime Films and Series in 2022

Avatar: The Last Air Bender – Available as TV series and movies, this particular Avatar episode revolves around an 11-year-old boy found frozen in the ocean. Representing the last of his tribe, his survival after more than 100 years strengthened beliefs that he is the fabled leader who can liberate the Air Bender race from the clutches of the Fire Nation.
Card Captor Sakura – Available as TV series and movies, this G-rated anime features an elementary school girl named Sakura. She accidentally discovers she has magical powers that she can use to set free, different sets of magical cards.
Naruto – This television series is one of the longest all-time anime favorites but is rated PG. Presumably because of the use of the word “damn” and some occasional mention of activities related to gambling drinking and smoking. Naruto’s adventure as a young ninja boy by the way, is in relation to his aspirations of becoming a village leader known as Hokage. .
Actually, there is a long list of the most watched anime favorites, which includes classics like Dragon Ball Z, Hamtaro, Full Metal Alchemist, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Macross, My Neighbor Totoro, Pokemon, Sailor Moon and Yu-Gi-Oh, just to mention a few.

King Ludwig II : The Mystery Shrouding His Mental Illness and His Death

Citizens of Bavaria have questioned for more than 150 years whether their King Ludwig II, who ruled from 1845 to 1886 was truly mentally ill at that time. While there are theories that suggest that his behavior was typical of a young man who was eccentric and quite gifted at the same time.

After, King Ludwig II, was like his namesake and grandfather King Ludwig I, who was also fond of the arts. However, King Ludwig II had led a life of isolation due to the lack of peers he can relate with in his lifetime and in Germany’s social circle.

Many Bavarians believe that his psychiatrist had merely acted on the government’s side, by declaring King Ludwig II as insane and not mentally fit to act as ruler of Bavaria. en became responsible for his early death. There was no consideration over the fact that Ludwig was crowned as a king in 1864 at a young age of 18, whilst totally unprepared to take on the throne.

While at first many held high hopes that he would finally come to terms with his responsibilities as King of Bavaria, he disappointed such expectations as Ludwig became more and more reluctant to act accordingly. He avoided fulfilling his social and political obligations, which also led to his depression. He began to realize that his true potential is in the arts, by being a patron of the opera and by becoming a building contractor.

A More Detailed Background on Why King Ludwig II was Branded a Mad King

During the year 1886, Bernhard von Gudden and three other psychiatrists diagnosed King Ludwig II as suffering from paranoia, which was good enough reason for the German government to remove him from the throne. Yet the evaluations weren’t thorough, but merely backed by eyewitnesses whose claims were used as evidences for the diagnosis.

The king was a huge enthusiast of musician Richard Wagner as they both shared ideas of an idealistic society. He started to relate with Wagner’s opera characters, and later on became the musician’s admirer for life. His first governmental order was to find Richard Wagner and summon him to Munich. All these were in large part considerations for the diagnosis of his mental illness.

At the same time, his interest in an absolutist state grew as he imagined himself as a monarch similar to Louis XIV. He built multiple projects, particularly the Königsschloss Neuschwanstein the magnificent yet extravagant medieval-style castle that caused his kingdom to fall into a financial crisis.

Psychiatrists believed that with his behavior becoming more and more abnormal along with his imaginations that were termed as hallucinations, they were certain of the diagnosis. The psychiatrists refrained from mentioning that King Ludwig II was also homophilic. At that time, it was a scandal to be more interested in persons of the same sex. Since the Bavarian King II was not interested in women, he was unmarried when he died at age 44.

The questions regarding King Ludwig II’s sanity remain unanswered, because when the Bavarian King died by drowning in Starnberg lake on the same day he was officially declared as insane, the psychiatrist who made the declaration died along with the king in the same lake and on the same day.

What Makes Living in Sweden so Pleasantly Different

Sweden has always beeb cited for its excellent and comprehensive social, health, and education programs that cover all to prevent the creation of an underclass. That is why Sweden is also famed for having the lowest rates of poverty and social exclusion, on a global scale. In fact most expatriates in the country are appreciative and full of praises for the government’s support to families.

Sweden provides medical care for free or as well as free education from elementary to university level. All of which are are covered and paid for by government in return for the taxes paid under a progressive system of taxation. Progressive tax i based on a taxpayer’s ability to pay, making low-income earners’ tax lower compared to those who have higher income.

Family day-care and preschool facilities, which although requires payment of fees, are affordable for low income families but can be costly for high earners as fees are based on parents’ income. Still the government has instituted a price ceiling known as Maxtaxa to limit the amount of total charges collected from every parent.

Relationships Swedish Style

The Swedes are encouraged to choose who they want to marry or live with, regardless of their romantic or gender preferences. To most Swedes, character and physical appearance matter most even if without family approval. It is actually rare for a Swedish individual to marry someone for reasons of financial security as the general society encourages to marriages or unions borne on affection.

Sweden is leading in terms of gender equality and this is also what makes them different from other countries. “Sambo” which means “living with” or nonmarital cohabitation in Sweden is accepted by the society and always has been since 1988 where legal rights and responsibilities as marriage were required. During that time, illegitimacy for those required rules aren’t stigmatized by the society.

Families in the country are mostly nuclear instead of extended, and that single-parent households have a high rate even though two-parent households are relatively normal. Not only that, family structures that follow patriarchal beliefs have also diminished alongside traditional patterns of female economic dependency and male authority.

Parenting the Way Swedes Do

In Sweden, when a child comes along in the family, the couple gets fifteen months of paid leave divided between the two of them, with a month for each parent. There is also a policy that if a Swedish dad opts out of his parenting role, he forfeits the parental benefit payment for every month that he does so.

It is because of that policy why many Swedish fathers became interested in playing an active role in parenting. .

The country acknowledges a family’s need of support even prior to the child being born. Women with child in this country receive free or subsidised prenatal care. This includes group support and training sessions for practicing child-delivery breathing techniques.

After the child is born or in some cases adopted, parents have 480 days of paid parental leave that is unfurled evenly between the parents which means they have 240 days each. Statistics show that Swedish papas are more keen in taking on more parental leaves in order to participate in raising their children when compared to fathers in other countries. They also have no issues in playing their part in promoting gender equality in their family and in the society.

Classic examples domesticities of a Swedish daddy include mundane moments of washing a baby in the kitchen sink, or enticing a toddler to eat solid food; or even struggle patiently to put a toddler into a stroller.

Instead of dominating their kids as a means to instill discipline, Swedish parents negotiate or make compromises with their children because corporal punishment is considered a crime in this country.

More often than not, baby prams or strollers are outfitted with high tech baby monitors, but parents makes sure to use a  babymonitor bäst i test or those that have passed rigid baby monitor testing. After all these devices allow them to watch their baby even from afar or as a way to acquire some free time without feeling anxious about their kid’s safety.

Once their kids are older, Swedish parents can choose to entrust them in preschool daycares known as förskola, facilities that provide daycare services, early education and leisure centers for various types of children.

Florida has Evolved from Being a Sunshine State to Becoming a Hurricane State

In 1970, Florida’s legislature officially gave Florida the nickname “Sunshine State” to help boost the region’s image of having an all-year round sunny weather. Yet that was more than 50 years ago, when the effects of global warming was not yet as noticeable. Over the years, Florida’s weather and climate conditions have taken a turn for the worse. Statistics show that of all hurricanes that hit the U.S. roughly about 40% made landfall in Florida.

Although global warming and its climate change issues remain a topic of debate in the “Sunshine State,” Floridians nevertheless, now acknowledge that June to November is hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) gives advice to people in hurricane-prone areas like Florida to always be prepared and have an emergency plan. That way, they can minimize, if not prevent the damages wrought by hurricanes on their person and on their properties.

As a matter of fact, even Florida Building Codes have been revised after Hurricane Andrew made a historically devastating landfall in 1992. In 2002, additional building regulations and guidelines were enacted to put in place hurricane resistance and protection standards for building structures.

What Does Hurricane Preparedness in Florida Mean

Hurricane preparedness in Florida is not just about having all the necessary emergency supplies and equipment that a family might need to be self-sufficient for at least 14 days in the event of worst case hurricane scenario. Especially now that Florida’s health care systems and emergency response units are being overrun by the unending increase in COVID-19 cases in the state.

Preparedness includes taking action to make one’s home safe even before hurricane season arrives. Many have even built safe rooms to serve as reinforced in-home shelter that comes with complete a power generator, running water and toilet facilities. That way, their family can stay safe inside their home even as the violent winds and heavy downpour rages on.

Things to Consider to Make One’s Florida Home Hurricane Safe

Houses that do not have impact resistant windows should have at least be outfitted with shutters as protection against flying debris. In the absence of both, boarding up one’s windows with plywood can still serve as minimum protection.
1.  Reinforcing garage doors from the inside by attaching metal braces or wooden studs.
2.  Observing proper and regular roof maintenance to ensure that all cracks and missing shingles or tiles have been replaced. Always inspect the hurricane straps holding the roof frames and take note of any signs of loosening or rusting of the metal components.

3.  If during the hurricane the sidings and gutters have been ripped or torn, once the calamity has passed, immediately have  them repaired by a contractor with expertise in roofing repair jobs.

Keep in mind that in Florida, roofing contractors are no longer allowed to initiate roof inspections or to help an insured homeowner with their insurance claims. A reputable roofing company gives advice that roof leaks are signs that water infiltration has occurred in the roofing interior. If the source is not immediately detected and repaired, it will cause further damage that can impair the integrity of the roof as a hurricane resistant protection of the home.