To persevere means to hang on, to stick with it, to press forward! The call of the Christian is to keep on looking to Jesus and moving in His direction.  

When financial worries threaten our peace, this reflection encourages us to trust God as our ultimate provider and to keep our hearts anchored in His unchanging love.

Some summers heat up and never let go. The sun beats down for days, and the ground holds onto every bit of it. You feel it, but your animals feel it more. Most of them can’t shed heat the way we do. Livestock heat stress builds quickly once the air climbs past 95°F. Unlike humans, animals can’t sweat enough to cool themselves. Rabbits, goats, and chickens are especially vulnerable when temperatures stay high for days in a row. The good news? With the right setup and simple daily habits, you can help your animals stay cool, safe, and steady even during the worst heatwaves. Let’s go over what works—shade, water, and water. Plus, try these few smart adjustments. Give Them Shade That Works Shade is your first layer of defense. If you have trees in your pasture, that’s great. If not, just go build your own. You can stretch a tarp between posts, hang shade cloth over a pen, or set up a lean-to near the barn. Keep in mind: shade only helps if it sticks around. Place it where the animals rest during peak sun, and make sure there’s airflow underneath. A shaded area without some breeze can trap heat. Tip: Open the shaded wall of a coop or shed in the late afternoon to help let heat escape. Keep Water Clean, Cool, and Constant Animals drink more during hot weather, but they’ll avoid warm or dirty water. Refill troughs twice a day. Set bowls and crocks in the shade. Use ceramic or metal containers where possible—they stay cooler than plastic. For large waterers, freeze a jug of water and float it in the trough. It helps keep the temperature down without diluting the water. Adding electrolytes can also support hydration. Cooling Treats and Feed Timing Feeding early in the day or after sunset helps prevent added heat from digestion. Animals generate body heat while eating, so lighter meals during cooler hours work best. Offer treats that support hydration. Goats and chickens can nibble on cucumber slices, frozen fruit, or chilled vegetable scraps. Rabbits do well with frozen parsley or dandelion greens pressed into ice cubes. Tip: Avoid high-protein snacks when the weather spikes. They produce more internal heat and can increase stress. Airflow Beats Still Heat Moving air helps animals stay cool. Stagnant air traps heat and moisture close to their skin or fur. If you have a fan, run it on low to push air through the coop or shed. If you don’t, prop open mesh doors or create open sides to catch natural breezes. For rabbits, airflow is especially important. Keep at least two sides of their hutch open. Never aim a strong fan directly at a cage—gentle cross-breezes work better. Tip: Even basic structures like shaded lean-tos with open sides can help drop temperatures inside by several degrees. Watch for Livestock Heat Stress Early Once heat stress sets in, animals often lose their appetite or become unsteady on their feet. It’s much easier to prevent than to treat. When you know the early signs, you can step in before the situation turns serious. Animal Signs of Heat Stress What to Do Immediately Goats Panting, drooling, shaky steps Move to shade, sponge legs with cool water Chickens Holding wings out, rapid breathing Wet the coop floor, cool their feet Rabbits Lethargy, hot ears, shallow breaths Place frozen bottles nearby or bring indoors Print this chart and post it in your feed room or barn. Catching problems early prevents emergencies. For additional examples and photos of heat-stressed animals, the Penn State Extension offers a helpful reference. Tips from the Barnyard The best tips often come from folks who’ve dealt with livestock heat stress firsthand. These are small habits that help animals stay comfortable through the worst heatwaves: Rotate frozen 2-liter bottles between pens Hang wet towels or burlap sacks over cages for evaporative cooling Use frozen jugs suspended above troughs to drip water slowly throughout the day Hose down bare dirt in goat or chicken runs to cool the ground surface You don’t need fancy systems. Just consistency, awareness, and a bit of shade can make all the difference. Why Livestock Heat Stress Should Never Be Ignored Hot weather doesn’t just lower comfort. It puts your animals at risk. Feed intake drops. Energy fades. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can come fast, and oftentimes with no warning. But prevention is simple. Give your livestock clean water. Set up real shade and let the breeze move through. Finally, watch for the early signs. The University of Missouri Extension emphasizes planning ahead with ventilation, shade planning, and watering systems for all species. It’s a good reminder that the right steps, when taken early can keep your whole barn safe. Got a homemade trick that’s helped your animals during extreme heat? Share it below. You never know who else could benefit. FAQs Q: How do I cool a coop without power? A: Open up shaded walls, use wet towels, and place ice blocks in safe containers. Passive airflow matters. Q: Which animals are most sensitive to heat? A: Rabbits and poultry are usually most affected. Goats are resilient but still need shade and water. Q: Can I freeze veggies into cubes for treats? A: Yes. Cucumber, spinach, herbs, or small fruit chunks work well when frozen into ice blocks. Q: How much water does each animal need in summer? A: Chickens may drink 1–2 cups daily. Goats may need 2–3 gallons. Keep it fresh and shaded. Q: Should I feed in the morning or evening? A: Either is fine—as long as it’s not during the hottest part of the day. Q: Is apple cider vinegar a good electrolyte? A: Yes, in small amounts. A teaspoon per gallon of water is often used. Q: Can I wet down goats directly? A: Yes. Use a spray or sponge on their legs, bellies, or ears. Don’t shock them with cold water. Q: Is it safe to run fans overnight? A: Yes, as long as they’re kept clear of bedding and cords are secure. Q: How can I track heat stress risks ahead of time? A: Watch the forecast. High humidity plus high temps is the biggest warning sign. Q: Do I need different shelters for summer? A: If you rely on enclosed barns in winter, you may need breezier options in summer.

One of the panels in the riot of marble inlay from many periods that make up the glorious floor of Sienna’s Duomo will be uncovered for the first time in honor of the 2025 Jubilee Year. Hope is the central motif of this Jubilee — “Pilgrims of Hope” is its official motto and the name of its theme hymn — and the inlay “Speranza” is an allegory of hope. The inlay depicts the figure of Hope as a woman with her hands together at her chest, gazing up at the heavens. An anchor beside her symbolized salvation and spiritual stability. To preserve its 500 years of artistic history, the floor of the cathedral is kept covered except for a few weeks of the year. Hope, designed by Alessandro Franchi in 1870, has been kept under cover even when the rest of the floor is exposed to give visitors access to the Chapel of the Votive where the faithful, including the city itself, offer prayers and devotions to an icon of the Virgin. The image has been the main Marian devotional icon of Siena since the 13th century, so access to the chapel has always taken priority over the comparatively new floor. This year is special, though, and the Cathedral of Siena has created an itinerary for visitors to explore the 56 polychrome marble inlays of the floor. The spiritual and symbolic journey takes its inspiration from the prophecy of the Persian Sibyl, depicted in the last inlay in the right aisle, a work attributed to Benvenuto di Giovanni (1482). The prophecy, engraved above the lectern, is derived from the Sibylline Oracles mentioned by Lactantius in the Divinae Institutiones and refers to a miracle of Christ: “With only five loaves and two fish he will satiate on the grass five thousand men. Gathering the leftovers, he will fill twelve baskets FOR THE HOPE OF MANY.” The itinerary begins at the entrance door to the right of the central portal, on the lintel of which is engraved an inscription commemorating the first Jubilee of Christendom, called by Pope Boniface VIII on February 22, 1300. These are Leonine verses in Latin, composed by Silvester of Adria, which were once intoned by pilgrims on their way to Rome. Inside, visitors can admire the marble inlays made with the technique of commesso, combining local polychrome marbles, and sgraffio, engraving that follows the outlines of the preparatory cartoon drawn by artists (mostly Sienese) such as Sassetta, Domenico di Bartolo, Matteo di Giovanni, and Domenico Beccafumi, with the ’exception of the Umbrian Pinturicchio, author of the famous scene of the Mount of Wisdom-Felicity, an allegory of the path to Virtue through knowledge and philosophy. The floor will be uncovered from June 27 to July 31, and again August 18 to October 15th.

[View Article at Source]The State Department wants “civilizational allies” in Europe. There’s a risk to that. The post The Logic of the State Department’s Civilizational Turn appeared first on…

[View Article at Source]American troops stationed in the country serve no vital interest. The post Assad and Iran Are Out of Syria. The U.S. Should Be Too. appeared first on The American Conservative.…

[View Article at Source]The legendary rock star has a bad case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. The post The Hypocrisy of Bruce Springsteen appeared first on The American Conservative.

Truly astounding!

Follow NewsClips channel at Brighteon.com for more updatesSubscribe to Brighteon newsletter to get the latest news and more featured videos: https://support.brighteon.com/Subscribe.html

Follow NewsClips channel at Brighteon.com for more updatesSubscribe to Brighteon newsletter to get the latest news and more featured videos: https://support.brighteon.com/Subscribe.html