Killing Us Softly

I saw this BlogAd, and immediately clicked it because I'm interested in the connection between food, mood, marketing, and (gasp!) politics. TechnoBabe and I have been losing weight steadily since the first of the year, and being physically closer - as in less of us between us - has been a delicious surprise, besides the personal validation of permanently changing our beliefs about food. I've also eliminated the high blood pressure, high cholesterol/triglycerides, and pre-diabetic conditions for which my exasperated doctor was prepared to medicate me. Nyah nyah... Obesity caused all of that, and when I dropped 30 lbs since November, all of that stopped happening. Who knew?

Anyway, I clicked on the ad and went here, where I was encouraged to support healthy, fresh. local food.

Cool.

But, cynic that I am, I decided to keep clicking. At the bottom of the site I found "Farm and Food Policy Project."

Okay, but tell me more.

I clicked that and noticed "Food And Society Home" in the sidebar.

So then I clicked "Who We Are", and was not surprised to find out who wanted us to demand more healthy fresh local food.

Kellogg.

You know, the people who bring us...Apple Jacks®, Cocoa Krispies™, Eggo®, Froot Loops®, Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Rice Krispies®, Special K®?




















So, if I understand this process correctly, the people who make the food that creates obesity which causes the 100 billion dollar tab every year... are exhorting us to write letters to Congress to make them support fresh local food.

Killing us softly, indeed. Like cigarette manufacturers creating dummy foundations telling us to plant trees. Domination through diversion.

During our journey out of food addiction, we killed all the myths we carried about food. You know, what a "meal" is, what a "diet" is, what "full" is, what "exercise" is, etc. The surprise was learning that our bodies slyly anticipate a rapid, but predictable, drop in calories, and by adopting a random pattern of eating, with random selections, but ever-smaller portions, the body's starvation-response mechanism can be fooled. We do not count calories or fat grams or carbs. We eat no refined sweeteners or refined grains. We cook together, and I'm talkin' in and out of the kitchen ;-)

Oh, and the television? We don't have one. We have no idea what the next swell new processed food product is, or the next cereal to be made from some candy bar.

We're off that teat.

Thanks for letting me share...

On Acceptance

"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation -- some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.

Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my (insert life challenge), I could not stay (insert spiritual result); unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes."

Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening.

JamesEagle here, joining the Technobabe's blogging adventure, with some thoughts about Acceptance. The opening words are part of every Recovery program. Not a bad concept to consider regardless of how your spiritual journey's going.

For instance, I wanted to change the order of profiles in the sidebar, because this is TechnoBabe's place, and when I joined the blogging team, Blogger put my name first. When I worked the HTML to generate our pictures as links to our profiles,

all the
type
on the blog
crashed over
to
the left side
like this.

So I accepted, for the moment, that this is the way it is, and will get back to it later. (Now updated :-)

I've been thinking lately about the convergence of depression and acceptance, or any other major emotional condition and acceptance. We will posit as a general stipulation that biochemistry plays a part in emotional balance, and nobody knows that more than I, a professional M.D. (Manic Depressive)

Furthermore, which comes first, the biochemistry or the attitude of grateful acceptance? We know that the physical act of smiling generates the endorphins of positive feeling no matter what condition our condition's in, even profound depression. So can acceptance play a part in regulating our emotional balance?

Is happiness a cause or a result? Dependent on external validation or generated within and expressed externally? Can happy be a verb, instead of an adjective?

Is acceptance snarling, resentful rejecting of (insert whatever) but outwardly acknowledging we cannot control it?

Or is acceptance simply letting something be as it is, without a single feeling about it beyond detached observation?

Thanks for letting me share...

Working On My Rough Spots

Medium grade sandpaper following the contours and removing some of the rough spots.

Sometimes there is so much that needs to be removed that it takes longer to do the job.

Sometimes it takes so much energy and focus that the job has to be put aside until there is energy and enthusiasm to begin again using different tools.

After much time and diligent labor, it is finally at the point that a fine sandpaper can be used, and it takes less effort to remove the unwanted component. There is definition as well as signs of accomplishment. But this is not complete. Much work still to be done. Much has been achieved.

I have been working on things within myself and for myself, clearing away the things that are not healthy and learning to stay in the moment. I have been attending meetings and listening and absorbing and reading and in my own way praying and learning to believe. I have come to believe that I am worth it.

Is Life Like A Box Of Chocolates?

Life isn't like a box of chocolates .

It's more like a jar of jalapenos.

What you do today,
might burn your ass tomorrow.

Office Etiquette Part I

Now that I work in an office with about fifty other people, I am reminded occasionally of some of the reasons I wanted to work from my home. I was self employed for a few years and returned to the open workplace about seven months ago.

The atmosphere at my new place of employment is fairly casual and for the most part is accommodating to each one of us employed there.

One of the things I like about the place is that there are all ages and all nationalities. There are about six men at the office, so they are doted upon by all the women and we all get along very well.

I am allergic to a few things and I don't use any cosmetics that have a fragrance.I keep a box of tissues close by wherever I am; office, home, car.

There is a woman who was hired about three months ago. I don't interact with her at the job except passing in the halls. This woman wears a very strong perfume. Two times when she stood in a close proximity to where I was working I started sneezing, and itchy watery eyes were the next symptom. Since that day, I have heard a few people say something about the strong perfume smell throughout the office but I haven't heard of anyone else who may have the same allergy problem.

This young woman is in the process of getting a divorce, losing weight, and is now a single working mom. She is very attractive and is aware she is good looking but she gets along with everyone and is good at her job. I have to give her kudos for starting over and for her positive attitude.

I don't know if I should be the one to talk to her about my problem with her perfume.
This is apparently my problem and no one else's that I know of, and I really don't want to start a war or endure ongoing antagonism. But clearly I will be doing something soon.

Found at Environmental Health Perspectives: "While many people enjoy wearing perfumes and using scented products, there is a growing outcry from some people who claim that exposure to certain fragrances, including perfumes and scented products, adversely impacts their health. They report symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty with concentration, and allergy-like symptoms. It has been shown that many asthmatic patients have adverse reactions to perfumes and other fragrances, and some researchers hypothesize that exposure to fragrance may actually cause asthma."
...and...
"As information continues to surface on the issue of indoor air pollution, it appears that fragrances may represent part of the problem. Some researchers believe that exposure to the types of chemicals found in many scented products may contribute to the development and exacerbation of sick building syndrome, a health condition allegedly caused by indoor air pollution. The chemicals in perfumes, colognes, and deodorants worn by employees add to the chemical mixtures in indoor air, as do fragrances in cleaning products."
...and...
"Unfortunately, a lot of people don't realize that this is a serious issue, because it sounds so trivial. There's a huge population who do get sick from these products. In order to help solve the problem, people should use less-toxic, unscented products and be considerate of those who are affected by fragrance sensitivity."

My thoughts exactly. People who have been working in an office environment for many years are aware of things like this and are aware of their part in good office etiquette.

Efficient, Energy Saving Technology

This is a great post on The Alternative Consumer:

"History Channel and Invent Now have announced the winner of their 2007 Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge: Michael Sykes and his Enertia Building System.

The Enertia Building System technology turns a piece of wood into a thermal battery. Wood is no longer just a structural component, or just a decorative trim or paneling- it becomes a solar energy storing device, and when the house is properly configured and sited it can heat and cool itself. With this technology the more wood the better, so the invention is especially applicable to solid wood homes. Enertia Building Systems has developed a line of solid Gluelam wall homes to maximize the energy-storing potential of the wood, and to offer the mainstream appearance necessary to attract traditional housing buyers. Because Enertia® homes ‘sequester carbon’ in their massive wood walls, as well reduce carbon pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, they caught the attention of the Modern Marvels’ judges - who were looking for breakthrough inventions with global potential.

In the Enertia Building System, solid Energy-Engineered wood walls replace siding, framing, insulation, and paneling. An air flow and access channel, or Envelope, runs around the building, just inside the walls - creating a miniature biosphere. Here solar heated air circulates, pumping and boosting geothermal energy from beneath the house, storing it in the massive wood walls. Thermal inertia causes the house to “float” between the cycles of night and day, and even between the seasons. "

KEY COMPONENTS:

* solid wood walls - store energy during the day and release energy at night
* thermal inertia - geo-thermal principles create heat/or cooling from the earth and employs lag-in time principles to heat and cool the home
* heat pump house - solar energy gathered during the day is used for night-time heat making the house itself a “heat pump”
* envelope - a heat path just beneath the structure’s wood skin channels heat in winter and also creates a cooling system in the summer. It can also create oxygenated air via plants and give access for upgrading systems, wiring etc.
* floating - energy stored from sunny days can be stored in the structure’s mass for long periods of time to either heat or cool the home.
* radiant heating and cooling - radiant walls and floors hold heat or cool
This sort of energy saving house is the kind of thing I am so interested in. Why aren's houses being built like this throughout the world now? Maybe it is already too late to start saving the planet???

Cheers to Dr Seuss

Click to enlarge.

The Ripple Effect

Darling Tisha! over at Serenity Quest featured a great blogger today; in fact, she asked him to be a guest blogger. Tisha! finds such interesting people out there in the blogosphere. She has a big heart and is witty and generous and well spoken. Her blog is one I want to read every day for the variety and humor and sometimes she poses poignant questions for the rest of us. Hmmmm. Sometimes even heart wrenching.

Her guest blogger is Steve who writes his own blog called Ripple Central. Great name for a really cool blog. Can you guess what the ripple refers to? Yep, one little kindness can cause another and another and on and on. A good deed can start a warming trend!!!

The description on the Ripple Central blog says:

"The Ripple Effect is a shift in perspective that leads to greater connections, better business and stronger community.

Just like stones thrown into a pond, simple actions create ripples in the lives of all the people you touch and sometimes people you have never even met.

Now is the time to make a real difference in your life, workplace or world. Begin to maximize the power of your connections and relationships today, and start to Ripple!"

Start with Tisha!'s blog at Serenity Quest and read the great post by Steve and then visit his blog too!

Let's start a great ripple!

Anticipation Without Expectation

Looking forward to something is a good thing; however, living in the present moment is the best place to be.

Energy is powerful. Not just physical energy. The energy we put out to the universe when we send good wishes to someone. There are probably numerous names for the type of force I describe as energy. I believe that when I am in synch the energy flows and thus I am right where I need to be doing the right things with the right people.

Having expectations sets me up for disappointment. Usually in myself. Being in acceptance and enjoying the moment keeps me in reality.

I am learning some really great things at this time of my life. And they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks! I say HAH!!!

Hello

Feeling loved and encouraged. How about you?

Shades Of Gray Successes

"Think in shades of gray; act in black and white; dream in color

Don't take your successes too seriously; every achievement owes something to luck.

Work quietly and alone to improve yourself. No one ever confessed a shortcoming to another without lying at least a little.

Every one has complaints, but the world is still full of large wonders and small pleasures.

Encourage other people's dreams.

Don't talk to children in a way intended to amuse the adults nearby; you will be communicating with neither.

Remember that any pleasure can be ruined by overindulgence, including hearing the sound of your own voice.

Your success is not dependent on someone else's failure; share what you've learned.

Learn to listen. It will gain you a reputation as a brilliant conversationalist.

Good manners are like good grooming: once you've formed the habit, you won't notice - but everyone else will.

The faults we resent most are the faults we recognize most readily. Think how much there is to be learned from someone you can't stand.

Don't ask what name a man gives to his god; ask what tolerance he offers his fellow men.

Make your own rules, but live by your heart."

Someone sent this to me in in an email, which I whittled down to this list of encouraging words.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I am. We had a wonderful family day today. I am blessed.

Belief In A Higher Power

"Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Powerless looks up."

Anger

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."

– Buddha

Experts Open Dolphin 'Chat Line' in Fla.

Found at SF Gate.com:
"A marine mammal rehabilitation facility opened a dolphin "chat line" of sorts Saturday, hoping to teach a deaf dolphin's unborn calf to communicate.

Castaway, as the stranded Atlantic bottlenose dolphin is named, has been recovering at the Marine Mammal Conservancy since Jan. 30. A battery of tests has confirmed she is deaf.

Dolphins need to hear echoes of sounds they produce to find food, socialize and defend themselves against predators.

"We asked ourselves `How do we get the calf to speak when we have a deaf mother?'" said Robert Lingenfelser, the conservancy's president.

They decided to electronically connect Castaway's habitat with a lagoon at Dolphins Plus, a research and interactive educational facility a few miles down the Keys Overseas Highway. Underwater speakers and microphones were installed at both locations and connected via phone lines.

Castaway should deliver her calf in about a month.

"Even before it is born, we want the calf to have an idea of what normal dolphin vocalization is," Lingenfelser said."

Very Sad Loss

Shelly at Abstract Thoughts had a post on Easter, please go visit her blog. This is the post on Easter:

"My Easter did not turn out as planned. In fact today will be a day my family will never forget. At about four in the afternoon, my mom called my house wanting my sister to return home asap. My mom just lives down the road from me and that is where my sister and her daughter have been staying while her husband has been in Iraq. My husband went with her because my mom sounded very upset and I stayed home with her daughter and my kids. Two men were waiting in their military vehicle and I am sure you know where I am going with this. Her husband had been killed in Iraq today. It still feels so unreal to even write about this. I just don't know what else to do. I had my neighbor come over and sit will all the kids so I could be there. It felt like a movie. The two men in uniform, the paper work. My husband said my sister just lost it and he just held her tight. I feel so bad for her. He was due to come home for a two week visit at the end of this month. He was looking so forward to coming home to see his 6 month old daughter. She was just 2 weeks old when he had to return to Iraq for the second time. What sticks in my mind the most was that he was so scared to go back for a second time. My sister said he had nightmares about it and was afraid he was going to die. I can't stop thinking about it. They have not released any of the details yet. I just pray he died quickly and he was in no pain. The thought of him dying alone or wounded just does not settle with me. What a tragedy he would have been 25 in June. He will never know his daughter and his daughter will never know him. I think of how this will affect her life. My sister is in shock. She was surrounded by friends and family all night. We all cried, my heart just aches for her. I feel sad, mad and most of all I just don't know what to do. I can't believe he is really gone. My kids don't really understand. He loved my kids he always played with them, teased them. When my oldest daughter was born he was one of the first people up at the hospital to hold her. He got to spend more time with my kids than he got with his own daughter. My niece looks just like him. I kept starring at her all night. Smiling and happy to young to understand that she will never know her father. What a terrible day. I have to be strong for my sister, which I did, I made calls for her which was so difficult for me. But when I got back home to my house I just lost it. It feels like a bad dream. I don't know how any of us are going to sleep. One of the hardest things is that we have to wait 7 to 10 days before his body can return home. I can't believe he is really gone. Every day families are going through this. Every day those men in informs are telling families that there loved one was killed at war. We hear about it every day but until it happens to your family you can never understand."

Our deepest sympathy to your sister and to your family, Shelly.

Appearances

First impressions.
Concern with what others think.
How do I look.
Ruled by opinions of others.
That which seems to be real.
Image rules.
Facade; illusion.
Appear publicly.
Engage attention.

From About Entrepreneurs:

"Within the first three seconds of a new encounter, you are evaluated… even if it is just a glance.

People appraise your visual and behavioral appearance from head to toe. They observe your demeanor, mannerisms, and body language and even assess your grooming and accessories – watch, handbag, briefcase. Within only three seconds, you make an indelible impression. You may intrigue some and disenchant others.

This first impression process occurs in every new situation. Within the first few seconds, people pass judgment on you – looking for common surface clues. Once the first impression is made, it is virtually irreversible."

How important IS it? IS IT?

Poetry From Guantanamo

"Just as the heart beats
in the darkness of the body,
so I, despite this cage,
continue to beat with life.
Those who have no courage or
honor consider themselves free,
but they are slaves.
I am flying on the wings of thought,
and so,
even in this cage,
I know a greater freedom."

This was scratched onto a styrofoam cup using his fingernails, by Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost. Mr. Dost is an Afghani national who was released from Guantánamo in April 2006, after three years of illegal imprisonment.

"Poems from Guantánamo: The Detainees Speak" will be published this fall by the University of Iowa Press.

This was found at Never in Our Names.

Beauty In White

Holding Hands In The Pool

What A Life!!!

Personal Trainer/Strainer

This was an email being passed around today:

For my fiftieth birthday this year, my husband (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since playing on my high school softball team, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservations with a
personal trainer I'll call Bruce, who identified himself as a 31 year old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started. The club encouraged me to keep a diary of my progress.

Monday:
Started my day at 6:00 am. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Bruce waiting for me. He is something of a Greek God - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Bruce gave me a tour and showed me the machines. He took my pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. He was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attribute it to standing next to him in his Lycra aerobic outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring. Bruce was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

Tuesday:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Was little late from having to stop twice to pee. Bruce made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Bruce's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.

Wednesday:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying on the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both
pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Bruce was impatient with me, insisting that my
screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Bruce put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Bruce told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other shit too.

Thursday:
Bruce was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. Bruce took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the ladies' room. He sent Gretchen to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

Friday:
I hate that bastard Bruce. Skinny, anemic little cheerleader wannabe. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it. Bruce wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

Saturday:
Bruce left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing him made me want to smash the
machine with my heating pad. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up watching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

Sunday:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband (the CREEP) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy.

Beautiful, Frisky, And A Great Dancer

Watch the entire video, it is well worth it. Have the volume on while you watch.

Real Life

I have been surfing blogs for a year and a half now and have enjoyed writing and playing with this blog for six months.

The real pleasure derived from this blog is in the playfulness and creative outlet this blog provides.

There have been several bloggers who have decided to take a hiatus, some for a few days and many for a few months. It is good to hear them write about the need to achieve more balance between their real life and the blogosphere.

The reason I think this is significant is that I too have a real life. I am blessed to be in a solid, stable relationship. I choose to participate in this relationship while I continue to work on my defects.

I am so grateful to read special blogs regularly and be enlightened and entertained and stimulated by their contents. I choose not to blog every day or on a regular basis. Part of the pleasure for me is the spontaneity when I get the creative juices flowing, which happens occasionally but not often.

When I visit the poetry blogs, I wish I could write poetry from the heart, and I love reading the poetry. When I visit the photography blogs, I wish I could use a camera as well as those bloggers do. When I visit the informative blogs, I wish I were a more dedicated writer.

It is enough that I enjoy finding those special blogs and that I receive something from visiting them. It is enough that I am blogging and finding time to write what I am feeling and searching for a graphic or a quote to include in a post. This is a good experience to be enjoyed without pressure or expectations.

It is certainly enough.

Cherish Each Moment; Know What is Important To You

One day someone special will be gone.

And on that clear, cold morning,
in the warmth of your bedroom,
you might be struck with
the pain of learning
that sometimes
there isn't any more.

No more hugs,
no more lucky moments to celebrate together,
no more phone calls just to chat,
No more 'just one minute.'


Sometimes, what we care about the most goes away.
never to return before we can say good-bye,
Say 'I Love You.'
¸...¸ __/ /\____
,·´º o`·,/__/ _/\_ //____/\
```)¨(´´´ | | [] | | []| | |[] || |
¸,.-·°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°·-. :º°
So while we have it . it's best we love it . .
And care for it and fix it when it's broken .
and take good care of it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage .. and friendships .

And children with bad report cards;
And dogs with bad hips;
And aging parents and grandparents.
We keep them because they are worth it,
Because we cherish them!
¸....¸ __/ /\____
,·´º o`· ,/__/ _/\_ //____/\
```)¨(´´´ | | [] | | []| | |[] || |
¸,-·°´ ¸,.-·~· ~·-.,¸ `°·-. :º°

Some things we keep --
like a best friend who moved away
or a classmate we grew up with.
There are just some things that
make us happy, No matter what.

¸..¸ __/ /\____
,·´º o`·,/__/ _/\_ //____/\
```)¨(´´´ | | [] | | []| | |[] || |
¸,.-·°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°·-. :º°

Life is important,
and so are the people we know .

This is an email that I received on the day we attended a memorial for my dear friend's father.

Recovery

Today is the first day
of one day at a time.




There are new things to learn now.
New words, new vocabulary, new methods.
New lessons to be learned.
Healing to be initiated and received.
Every day is important.
Every day is valuable.
The universe is smiling.


The plan is to fill the joy box.
And deal with the sorrows.

Lists

I use lists for groceries,
chores I need to do,
things I want to remember.


While sitting around one evening,
I started this list,
and it turned out to be fun.





Checking out
Fading out
Wigging out
Asking out
Barfing out
Chewing out
Drowning out
Freaking out
Passing out
Wiping out
Calling out
Pigging out
Dining out
Going out
Pulling out
Coming out
Tripping out
Breaking out
Grossing out
Walking out
Running out
Stalling out
Chickening out
Balancing out
Ordering out
Eating out
Rounding out
Bumming out
Throwing out
Bellowing out
Dumping out
Squeezing out
Farming out
Phasing out
Reaching out
Spreading out
Cashing out
Doling out
Maxing out
Timing out
Weaseling out
Bowing out
Panning out
Bottoming out
Bailing out
Crying out

These words don't have the same meaning when the words stand alone.
But add the word "out" and the phrase is different from the word.
Just thought it was interesting.

Can Opener

We have a new toaster. Now we are looking for a new can opener.

The Most Worthless Emotion

Someone said the worst emotion is self pity.

I think the worst emotion is fear. When I allow fear to dominate my emotions, I am frozen, cannot move. Operating from fear is worse than not moving forward, it is stepping backward. And guess what I am stepping in when I step backward?

Fear is "real" whether it is fact or imagined. Either way, it is very unpleasant, time consuming, and the things I need working for me have been shut down.

I used to accept the general consensus that there is such a thing as healthy fear. Fear of fire so don't put your hand in the fire. Caution is good; fear is debilitating. If I am not moving forward in harmony with the universe, then I am on auto-pilot to self destruct.

I am a fan of Louisa May Alcott:

"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship."

It is time for me to learn to sail.

Remember When You Were A Kid..........

Life is an adventure. We have to take chances to find out how it feels.

Protein May Stop Asthma Attacks

An interesting article in BBC News caught my eye regarding asthma. Someone very close to me has asthma and I confess to minimal knowledge of asthma except to see that it causes distress and discomfort and anxiety. I cannot imagine personally dealing with difficulty to get the air we need; for people like me, simply breathing in and out is taken for granted. For someone with asthma, their sleep is interrupted and they carry inhalers and hope they don't catch a cold.

Some of the article in BBC News:

UK researchers found there were low levels of proteins which should act as lung cells' first line of defense.

Writing in Nature Medicine, they say boosting levels of these proteins could protect people with asthma from having an attack because of a cold.

The researchers, from Imperial College and the Medical Research Council Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, tested lung cells from people with and without asthma.

It was found that when the people with asthma were infected with a common cold virus, a rhinovirus, their lung cells produced half the usual levels of a type of interferon - a protein with antiviral properties generated by the immune system. The lower the level of the antiviral protein, the more severe the asthma attack.

Uncovering this mechanism could lead to a new way of treating or preventing asthma attacks.

Inhalers could be used to get extra interferon directly to the lungs to help the immune system fight viral infection. It could be given either when the first symptoms of a cold appear, or even throughout winter as a preventative treatment.

Also in BBC News:

Researchers say they have found a way to predict asthma attacks using a mathematic model.

The findings may help asthmatics control their symptoms more effectively and improve the testing of new drugs.

The Nature paper authors were able to predict the likelihood of an asthma attack occurring over the next month by looking at peak flow readings.

These readings give doctors an idea of how well a person's lungs are working - low readings mean poorer function.

The model the international team used is based on processes known as "chaos" which are applied to complex systems, such as the weather, that despite appearing random, actually are not and are dependent on the interaction of many individual components.
It may be possible to determine the risk of a severe attack of asthma in individual subjects, and to use the information to modify their treatment.

The airways become hypersensitive to even apparently minor environmental factors such as small amounts of pollutants or allergens.

An inhaler which is commonly used by asthmatics for relief can increase the instability of lung function, and increase the likelihood of an acute attack if it is used regularly. Regular use of short-acting bronchodilators, or beta agonists, (four times daily with a long night time drug-free interval) increases the risk of asthma episodes.

According to Dr. Paul Enright at Web MD:

"About half of adults with asthma have allergic triggers, but the vast majority have exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) when they exercise vigorously in cold or dry air."

I'm sure I Have Talked To This Tech

For People Who Still Write With A Pencil

Designers Daniil Rassadin and Alexander Malinovsky have created a palm size eraser, which is fashioned like the well-known Delete Key on a computer keyboard.

Tersumus will be available for sale on July 10. Before June 10 price will be 8.8 US$, after June 10—10.5 US$. The designers claim the eraser will last for years. Maybe if it doesn't get much use it will last a long time.

Personally, I seldom have a need for an eraser, but why not use one that is fun as well as serviceable.

Bloggers Of Distinction

What To Do When The Toaster Dies

We didn't want to hurt the toaster's feelings, but we had already purchased the replacement and started using it sometimes. Perhaps that was what sped the demise of the old toaster. It gradually toasted less and finally only one side would get toasted. The new toaster would toast a dark beautiful brown in less time than the old toaster would partially toast one side.

We will invite friends and neighbors. One of us will speak about the good job the toaster did for a couple years. And we will go around the group allowing some of the friends who had personal experiences to relate regarding the toaster to share their stories. Then we will partake of an appropriate meal as we all sit and reminisce about the toaster in days gone by. After the visitors have all gone we will bury the toaster in the back yard.

The electric toothbrush is taking a couple days off and the blender and the coffeemaker are huddling on the counter.

It was a hard decision, but we had to pull the plug.

Thanks for a job well done, old toaster.

Adrift in the World of Loneliness

Found at African Refugees, this post is one so many of us can relate to. When we are in the midst of these feelings, it is good to remember the last part of this poem. Thanks, Fancy, for writing this caring and insightful poem.

Adrift in the World of Loneliness

"Staring blankly into
The distance, the neophyte finds
Himself adrift; withdrawing
From the society into a world
Of private thoughts and beauty

He stood
In absolute silence, like
A solitary flower
In a shrinking pond; waiting
For the golden dawn

After years of solitude
And melancholy, the spirit
Liberates his memory
Giving him a new life in
The suburb of dreams"

© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo

Part Of The Family

This little dog is part of our family. She is two years old and that is how long she has been with us.

She is a Papillon. And she is smarter than I am. I have to go to work; she gets to stay home.

There is evidence that a dog lives here in every room in the house except where we sleep. She sleeps in her large soft crate at night. She has a few toys, but I have seen dogs with a basket full of toys. Some small dogs bark incessantly, but she only barks occasionally when she hears a strange noise.

This good natured dog brings joy and fun into our home and we are so happy to share our life with her. Her name is Bree.

Good Morning, Darlin'

As we start our 18th month together, it's so nice to feel this close, and know your love.

We started one day at a time, moved in together almost a year ago, and just like I wrote in the original message you replied to... they add up.

Here's to a great day, with peace and music and long smoldering glances across the room... or even closer.

Remembered And Still Not Repaired

She walked with her head down, inspecting the patches of dried grass and brown cracked earth, avoiding the stickers and broken glass. Since the only shoes she owned were school shoes, she was bare feet and stubbed toes.

She had been sent on the usual errand to the country store for a loaf of bread. She had been told to bring back the change but she had not been told how much change to expect. Rural living meant great distances to walk and the store was a small farmers market frequented by the local residents in the low income area.

Her mind was not on the errand. Tomorrow would be her ninth birthday and a friend from school was coming home from school with her and spending the night. This would be the first time someone spent the night.

She was hoping her father would not drink too much and fight with her mother in front of her friend. What actually happened was more devastating than another family brawl.
The accident scarred the little friend for life, her face so damaged it could not be repaired. There were many things that could not be repaired and there were no more childhood friends.

To Be Continued in a Future Post.

Happy Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day grew out of a German superstition
that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow February 2
winter will last another six weeks.
If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will be early.

From Our World:

"Top 10* Reasons to Celebrate Groundhog Day

11. It's on nearly every calendar.
10. Helps relieve cabin fever.
9. Spring or not, it's six weeks till St Urho's Day.
8. Forecast is no less reliable than the National Weather Service.
7. At least one of them critters is bound to see things your way.
6. Valentine's Day is too depressing for romantically challenged people like me.
5. Unlike the Easter bunny, he keeps his dirty paws outside.
4. As they used to say on radio: "The Shadow knows".
3. It's fun to say "Punxsutawney".
2. If a rodent can bring us an early spring, more power to him.
1. In Minnesota, either way we come out ahead.

* I had some math training at a Big Ten conference school, which explains why there are eleven reasons in the list."

Two Medical Tests At The Same Time

STARE INTO THE CAT'S EYES

FOR 10 SECONDS.....then scroll down.....




now stare at the puppies...











NOW SCROLL DOWN









THANK YOU.....

YOUR CAT SCAN

and Lab Tests

are now

COMPLETE

My sweet boyfriend makes all our bread. I found this poem about bread and want to post this as a tribute to him and thank him for his tireless devotion to making several loaves of bread each week with so much love.

We have two bread machines and sometimes they are making two different types of bread. Our little funky house is filled with the aroma of bread and peace and love.

Found at Rumionfire:

"What does the wheat know of the bread
For the bread is far ahead.
It once was wheat and then flour,
The rising dough but for an hour,
Baked by the heat of the fire
Purged its dross, ascended higher;
Now the bread knows its fate
To be consumed not too late.

If the bread, wheat inspire
The wheat will stay in its quagmire.
For the bread is far ahead
What does the wheat know of the bread?"

� Shahriar Shahriari
Vancouver, Canada
June 11, 1997

Kindness

Dave at Energy Healing had a great post and photo the other day:

"Kindness knows not

Age

Kindness knows not

Race

Kindness knows not

Gender

Kindness Just

Knows"

I have been thinking about kindness lately and his post says it so well.
The photo says so much, the gentle gesture.

Kindness is so much more than just being amiable or pleasant. Kindness is
reaching out freely with no reluctance, thinking of the other person and not
expecting anything in return.

There have been times in my life that someone reached out to me in kindness and had no idea how low I was at the time. I think that I have done the same thing for other people once in awhile.

"That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love."

~ William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850)

Ya Gotta Do What Ya Gotta Do

We did our part, with the pet anyway.

Dancing Around The World

Attitude

There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
Looked in the mirror,
And noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did
And
She
Had
A
Wonderful
Day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror
And saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

"H-M-M," she said,
"I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did
And
She
Had
A
Grand
Day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

"Well," she said,
"today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did
And
She
Had
A
Fun,
Fun
Day.

The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.

"YEA!" she exclaimed,
"I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything.

Be kinder than necessary,
For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply,

Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly.......

Flip Flops Updated

One of my blog friends, Pass Green Gas, also writes in the blog The Alternative Consumer, and has a post about flip flops made from tires, hemp, and bicycle parts:

"Flip flop in eco-style with Splaff Flopps. The founding fathers are 2 surfer boys who are committed to the Earth, ocean and their customers.

Cliff Drill and Craig Wallace are hands-on…they collect, sort, cut and clean the recycled raw materials themselves. With a layer of hemp fabric to provide extra comfort; these babies are hand-crafted in California, and built to last. The black, recycled rubber foot-bed is waterproof, slip resistant, and odorless.
3 styles in black and natural; for men & women $38-$42
Perfect with all your casual wear.
Link to Splaff to order, allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. And be a big hit in your Flopps. "

New Bra

When I saw this photo the first thing I thought was that I would love a bra like this. I have never had a really sexy bra, but this would do it.

Good Ideas For Losing Weight

Good information from Prevention.com:

"Weigh yourself 1 time per day
Why It Works
Weekly weigh-ins are a staple of many popular diet programs, but studies now show that daily weighing is the key to lasting loss. When researchers at the University of Minnesota monitored the scale habits of 1,800 dieting adults, they found that those who stepped on every day lost an average of 12 pounds over 2 years (weekly scale watchers lost only 6) and were less likely to regain lost weight. The reason: “The more often you monitor your results, the quicker you can catch the behavioral slip that causes weight gain.”

Watch no more than 2 hours of TV a day
Why It Works
TV junkies miss out on calorie-burning activities like backyard tag with the kids; instead, they become sitting ducks for junk-food ads. One recent study found that adults who watch more than 2 hours of TV per day take in 7% more calories and consume more sugary snacks than those who watch less than an hour a day.
Contact a friend 3 times per week
Why It Works
“Long-term weight loss requires support,” says Marion Franz, RD, a nutrition consultant in Minneapolis. Her study review found that people who met regularly with a dietitian or attended groups like Weight Watchers were more likely to maintain their losses than those who didn’t."

There are no New Year resolutions, but there is more burning of calories on the Tony Little Gazelle thingy and a conscious effort to eat less. One of the added benefits of living with someone is I have a built-in exercise and walking partner. Well, besides the dog, who wants to go wherever we go.

It's Time To Take Down The Tree

It is with mixed emotions that we remove the decorations and lights and pack things carefully so they can be used next year.

I have really enjoyed the tree this year.

Our holiday was better than last year. It was peaceful. We had some time off work and some time together. The only presents that were under the tree were a couple presents for sweet boyfriend's daughter and grandson and granddaughter who joined us for Christmas dinner.

Life is good. All our needs are met. So the simple joy of decorating the tree together and now dismantling the tree is another tradition forming more memories.

Oh No, Mama Makes A Mistake

This
Is
So
SAD

Doggie Diet Pills

My sweet boyfriend forwarded an interesting article to me about the government approving diet pills for overweight dogs and I started writing about this when I found a great post on Doggie musing and animalosities about the same thing that Carina found at BBC News. Good post, Carina, thanks for letting me use it.

And from Give Us A Home:

"An overweight dog is nearly always the fault of the owner, except in certain circumstances, when the dog has a medical condition. One such condition is called hypothyroidism, which is caused by an under active thyroid and is usually more common in an older dog. Some of the symptom to look for are:
- Poor coat and skin conditions
- Increase in appetite
- Thirst
- Muscle pain
- Stiff joints and limbs
- Becoming slightly lame
If you notice any of these symptoms take him to the vet as this problem can be easily treated

· Arthritis, heart problems and respiratory problems are a major concern in overweight dogs, they sleep more and are less resistant to infection and their life expectancy will be shorter

· To check that your dog is not overweight:
- Check that his ribs are not visually noticeable but are easily felt
- Feel the dog's hips, more than a light fleshiness indicates that your dog is overweight
- Check that your dog has a trim abdomen"

We have a two year old Papillon. A few months ago she was eating so little that she was losing weight. Being so small, a few ounces made a difference. There had been no changes in her diet, just the amount she would eat. My sweet boyfriend crunched the dry food and mixed with a little wet food and the dog immediately ate it, so that is the way we feed her twice a day. We have reached the place now to cut back a little on the amount and keep her at the desired weight.

Worthy: Another Blog Gem

I found this great post at InMyOwnWords and she found it at The Fast Lane. Go check out these blogs, you will find something that is informative and uplifting.

"Belief. Belief in yourself, believing that you’re worthy, believing that you have what it will take, knowing, believing, that you will do or be whatever it might take. When you have that level of belief, of conviction, you will open yourself and your world to the power of the universe. What you want will become. Belief will connect you.

Without belief, without conviction, you will observe life as if from the outside of a glass wall, looking in. Life will pass you by; the things you want to be, have, and do will float on the other side of the glass, out of reach, just ethereal fantasies to taunt you.

Until you believe. Then you know that there is no glass wall. The glass wall was within you, holding you back from having, being, doing.

Believe! It is magic, and with it, anything is possible."

I really like the way this was written; it spoke to me as soon as I read it. I observed life from the outside most of my life even as I blundered through mistakes and downpours of squandered energy. This is one of the blog gems I will save.

It has taken many years, but I finally know I deserve love and respect and peace and I am so blessed to have exactly that in my life at last. Every day is so important, every encounter is for a reason, every thought goes out into the universe and adds to the glorious mix. I finally feel part of the mix. No more holding back. Big sigh.

SeaBiscuit

The book "Seabiscuit, An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand is so well written I felt like a participant, a spectator of the events of that time, instead of someone picking up a book every evening to continue the read. If someone had told me that a book could be so well written that I would feel like I was inside the "mind" of a horse, even a spectacular racing horse like the Biscuit, I would have shrugged it off. But that is what is felt like as I flipped the pages, devouring every word and emotion. I have never been to a horse race. I did not read the comments on Amazon.com until I finished reading the book. It took me longer to read this book because it is so dense. It isn't just about a few races; it is a powerful all encompassing true description of the events and challenges of many people involved in the racing world in the 1930's and 1940's, including the famous race horse with the knobby knees.

Have To 'Fess UP

Sweet boyfriend and I bought each other a set of pots and pans. Might not sound romantic but it was the one thing we both wanted. We share the chores and the cooking so the pans are important to both of us.

I stacked the pans on top of the stove for a couple days, to remind me to make room in the cupboard for them, and it was fun to just walk by and admire them and smile at how nice it will be to use them.

So last night we used the griddle for the grilled tuna/cheese sandwiches and we used the small pot for soup. I volunteered to open the can of soup and pour into the pan and heat. Every once in awhile I walked by and gave the soup a stir. Then I tasted it and it was still cold.

Sweet boyfriend suggested that it might get warm by the time the sandwiches were done if I would turn on the burner under the soup. Good idea. Makes sense to me now. I was so tired from a week of overtime at work that I forgot to turn on the stove.

A true story. A blond story.

New Year Resolutions

As a younger woman, I would make New Year's resolutions and then attempt to keep them. Each year my list would dwindle and get simpler but no matter how I tried, the enthusiasm and resolve would disappear in a few months.

Now I am older, and supposedly wiser, I do not make a list of resolutions. I don't set myself up for another uncomfortable failure. If I truly am concerned about losing weight or getting more exercise, I will do it. If I want to stay in closer contact with my friends, I will do it. If I want to start writing, I will find the time to do it. My life is satisfying, genuine, reputable and uncomplicated.

Like the Fonz looking in the mirror and seeing perfection, I look at my life and decide to leave it as it is.

"Hope smiles on the threshold of the year to come, whispering that it will be happier." ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson