Hoppy Toads out Tonight!

Harland usually turns the television channel over to RFD TV in the morning to catch the agricultural news.  This morning after he left the house I over heard the newscast talking about crime on the increase due to the economic downturn. It seems cattle rustling is on the increase!  Just as thieves stake out certain homes to learn your comings and goings, they too stake out farms and pastures to see when you are in and out checking on, feeding and caring for your cattle.  Well apparently we are still living in the wild, wild west!

Who is that guy in the red jacket rustling my cattle?








I stumbled upon some information on the internet this morning.  Apparently there are currently RFID chips embedded in car tires.  RFID is radio frequency identification.  The devices were initially placed in tires to let the owner's car report the tire pressure as part of the on-board operating system.  But, if you drive through a toll booth, cross the border, or anyone with a RFID tracking device can gleam information from your tires.  Let's say for instance that you are a luxury vehicle owner, maybe a Hummer.  Since the tires now contain your vehicles vin number, and your vin number is linked to you the owner, the thief/hacker now knows who the car belongs to and where you live.  From here is a cinch to gather much more information, and the thief knows much more about you to aid them in hacking not only your possessions, but also your identity.  Not sure exactly how that would work since the VIN number is already exposed.  But according to the articles, hackers can somehow disable the security system on your vehicle, then gain access.

Some retailers are using this information for inventorying their stores.  The problem is if the chips are not removed, a thief using a tracking device can just drive by your home and identify the product your bought, like a new TV, computer, or even a pair of $100.00 jeans.  And don't think it would be impossible to use the tracking device from the highway to inside your home, it is possible.  Also consider the implications, if a store employee has the tracking device, not only can they track product, but they can also determine who is shopping in their store....  because of the chips in your driver's licence, credit cards and could know who you are before you even make a purchase.  Interesting food for thought.  

Okay I can already hear your scepticisum, so here are some links.  Read it for yourself.

http://www.sleeandtopher.com/how-rfid-chips-are-making-your-identity-harder-to-protect/

http://www.technicamix.com/2011/10/04/do-rfid-chips-in-car-tires-really-present-a-privacy-threat/

http://gotowti.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/07/car-tire-rfid-tags.html

I went to to the barn after dark last night to pick up the eggs and close up the access door for the chickens.  I saw a hoppy toad at the gate.  It just seemed strange to see him in February!  As I was walking back to the house I noticed how beautiful the starry sky was last night.  So bright and crisp the stars looked shining back down at me.  When I was a girl I can remember laying on our picnic table at night and staring back at all the stars in the night sky. Does anyone do that anymore?  Making a note to do this with Charlie and Bella when they get a little older!

Thought you might enjoy some barn art.  I took these in Ashe County, North Carolina.  Hope you enjoy them!