The Big Bang Link Cloud Part Two

Here's the second half of the World Record Big Bang Link Cloud!


501-Cherry’s Comfort Zone 502-Thinking Out Loud 503-Wishing and Hoping 504-Jobs for Davao 505-Jobs for Abroad 506-PRC Exam Results 507-Wish Washy 508-Captains bridge 509 Colourrain 510 Modus Vivendi 511-Our Hep Chat 512-I forgot where I was going with this... 513-MRS FANCYPANTS LIVE 514-Real Estate News and Tips 515-MY.........STORIES 516-Garaphernalia 5.0 517-Everything Everywhere Travel Blog 518-lane of memories 519-Avee's Adeventures 520-Celebrating Life 521-Me and the World 522-Paul, Toni and Lance ----- Bridging The Distance 523-Paul and Toni 524-This is My New Chapter of Life 525-Online Competitions 526-posh lifestyle 527-Creative In Me 528-Life's Lessons 529-KERSLYN'S COMFORT ZONE 530-Piece of Mine 531-One World One Dream 532-HUMBLE HOME OF OURS 533-Life Is Beautiful; Life Is Love 534-Journey of Two 535-Tutiger's Blog 536-JORDAN CREEK 537-NEURO PATCH 538-Tour and Travel 539-Musings of a Daydreamer 540-DELICIOUS YOUNG BOI 541-SugarMagnolias 542-Heart and Style Woman 543-SURREAL-GEORGIA 544-Girls Do It All 545-OgenDicht/EyesClosed 546-Christy DeKoning; Travels in Watercolor 547-living life to the fullest 548-Holy Cuteness 549-FILIPINOLIFEABROA 550-Filipina Love stories 551-Interracial Marriages 552-SWEETHEART ALLEN 553-Living laughing and loving 554-A Day to Savor and Relish 555-Catsy's Pet Blog 556-SimplyCatsy's BLogs 557-Catsy's Out of the Blue 558-Mohanitguy 559-ItBuddy 560-alanzain 561-3 Sides of Crazy 562-Life abroad wifey 563-My Life's Rollercoaster Ride 564-ONLINE ENTREPRENEUR 565-Verb 566-Laptop Tip 567-US GIRLS 568-Our Journey as a Family 569-Let's talk....everything... in one space 570-http://oscar-vg.blogspot.com/ 571-BENOLSATUEM 572-blockbuster movie trailers 573-Bodybuilding & Fitness 574-Lemon Iced Tea and Me 575-GloboGeek 576-butterfly chewables 577-The SuperStar John Blog 578-CultCase 579-Allen's-collections 580-lyrics 581-fil-amstories 582-allen-library 583-Ad Hoc Doctor 584-In The Life Of...Mne 585-The Social Network Blog 586-T-CRIB 587-The iSurfer 588-Review dan informasi bisnis internet 589-A Place of Being 590-Medicinet 591-Make Money Blogging 592-LONG TERM STOCK PICKS 593-Pet Monologues 594-fingers dot crossed 595-Simple Life 596-Small Business Guru 597-Life's a journey, not a destination 598-Blog Portfolio 599-Nurse's Dose 600-ONE STOP GAMES 601-DianeCA's Metamorphoses 602-Sultana's Blog 603-Joze's Crap 604-landscaping 605-Geng's Journal - Wonderful Thoughts On line 606-ananda 607-Moneyonlinemasterz 608-Pamp's Blog Corner 609-Photography & Morphology of SheenaEdillie 610-Almanac Queen 611-G0c3nG Dot Com 612-World News Dotcom 613-Berbagi Tips Hidup dan Kehidupan 614-Windows App Warez 615-Most Keyword 616-Music Download 617-eBooks & Tutorials 618-Web Developments 619-Non-Windows Warez 620-Hackers Lounge 621-Movie Download 622-Day Tippers 623-Alamak Oi Oi 624-PEACE GLOBE GALLERY 625-Dona Nobis Pacem: The Peace Globe Posts 626-Fertility Challenged 627-A new kid in town...Japanese fastfood 628-The Cafe at the End of the Universe 629-The Manic Bookworm's Ballroom 630-All World Insurance 631-WTIT Tape Radio: The Blog 632-Mama Pajama 633-bobbarama dot com 634-Polliwog's Pond 635-Six4Paula 636-Beth & Cory's Mom 637-Luz de Luma, yes party! 638-The Rising Blogger 639-Saturday 9 640-haekal-bloger 641-The World Through My Eyes 642-Blog Income Project 643-Nelle - EmpressReviews 644-home for business 645-Kaleidoscope 646-Intrepid Ideas 647-Life in the United States 648-Napaboaniya APAD 649-Solo-Flight 650-BlackNickel 651-Anything Under The Sun 652-Buy Blog Review 653-Are You Grateful? 654-ezvancouver.com 655-Vancouver Sky 656-Bodybuilding, Health, and Human Growth Hormone 657-5 minute foods for you 658-LUNA.LUNA.LUNATIC 659-Hit-Or-Miss 660-Cebu Lands and Homes 661-Skylle's D' Limit 662-iqbal blog 663-Tech 5.0 664-Saje Jek 665-Sehening Kalbu 666-Di Sini Berhenti 667-LADYJAVA LIFE'S PAGES 668-Shopping Fashion Style 669-Nonsense 670-Pinaywifespeaks 671-Pinaywifeatbp 672-Daily Tipper 673-I said what You Thought 674-Adventure Journey World 675-Candid Yammering 676-Prove Me Wrong 677-Torra Mirror 678-Memoirs on a Rainy Day 679-Affiliate Crunch 680-Feel Free To Express Yourself 681-Hugoscafe 682-Sri Kebakat 683-justmeNus 684-Gregorio Art Studio 685-REFERENSI BISNIS INTERNET FREE JOIN 686-Heaven's Garden 687-Bangkingaroo 688-Life and Me 689-Comunique by Ivanhoe 690-Reviews 691-The Mind, The Heart, The Lines 692-anna's cofeenchocolate 693-Submit Feed 694-Genelle 695-Scholarship For You 696-Take Care Baby 697-The Popular Gadget Info & Review 698-Indonesian Automotive Information 699-The Road to Semarang Jawa Tengah Indonesia 700-Wanita dan Dunianya 701-Earn Cash From Reviews 702-World Football On The Net 703-Tech 100 704-Caboodle 705-mikefolan.com 706-REFERENSI BISNIS INTERNET FREE JOIN 707-Greatest Reviews 708-Mad Blog 709-One Stop Shopping 710-Tacky Me 711-Down Home Kitchen 712-Rajesh Rana Dot Net 713-Self Discovery 714-Jasmin's Heart 715- Veerublog 716-Sacred Matrix 717-COllective Hacks 718-Do Bato 719-Complete Guide for SSB 720-Ultimate way of surfing 721-http://aimk.blogspot.com/ 722-The Chosen One 723-Here I am, 724-Ibeati 725-REALITI KEHIDUPAN 726-Best Friend Blogs 727-Photography on the Move 728-Mirage as usual 729-Message In Bottle 730-the course of the black hacker 731-Bonsai Art 732-Kitchen Maus 733-AJN 734-Our Life & Our World 735-Carver's Sight or is it That Site 736-Attached at the Hip 737-Snapshots 738-Penang & Malaysia 739-Photoshoot 740-A Yard Full 741-Family Matters 742-In My Kitchen 743-Vienna Daily Photography 744-Grateful Heart 745-maremagnum 746-Stagelife 747-MAX PWNAGE 748-Free Blogging Tips 749-The Last Whale 750-Voice Of The Spirit 751-Best Cuisine Recipes 752-World of Tennis 753-Men’s Health and Tips 754-Luxurious Retreats 755-Philippine Job Search 756-Views from the corner 757-BUZZY ME 758-eltentwelve 759-pinay mommy's love blog 760-Pinay Mommy's Digi Scrap 761-Lourdes' Mia 762-Scappynhappy 763-BaReFooTeD Me 764-DeCaFFeiNaTeD 765-You Been Blinded 766-Most Searches 767-All World Insurance 768-BALITANG KALYE 769-Extraordinary Things 770-You me and the World 771-Personal Development Home Business 772-trcoach.com 773-Keyword Discovery 774-Wakela's World 775-Sprit of Bonoriau 776-Sketches 777-Miss MoneypennyCPU 778-Shop's Base Not For Rent 779-The Journey SEO 780-Wilstop 781-The Solitary Bird 782-Dare to Blog 783-Life Realities 784-PlotDog Press 785-Perpustakaan 786-EarthWorld 787-Box of Chocolates 788-Neo Horizons 789-Buster Machine 790-Pamps' How To Guide 791-Online Marketing 792-Popular Wealth 793-Shannon's Introspections 794-BlogTips.Com 795-Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes 796-Everything Has A Reason 797-Hello World 798-Let's Travel Philippines 799-Blogosphere 800-Real Money Making Blog 801-My Drift 802-WebGeek Journal 803-Poetikat's Parlour of Poetry 804-Catholic Me (I am blessed) 805-The Other Side of Emila 806-I'm Addicted to You..... 807-Everything Kimchi 808-All Keyword on The Net 809-NIZHAMA2 810-clajoira(E-NEWS) 811-easysolar.blogspot.com 812-Pappeluna 813-Tsimis 814-Sports Haven Racing 815-SEO CONSULTANT INDIA 816-Hello... My Name is Lisa 817-Beauty Banquet 818-My Wanderings 819-Picture Clusters 820-Maiylah’s Snippets 821-peterjanet 822-expressions and thoughts 823-My Sweet Escape 824-MOMEMO 825-Vision, Adventure, Dream, Life 826-Asian Mutt International 827-The Journey 828-Sigh 829-Say Cheese 830-See it. Draw it. Share it. 831-paid-ad-clicks 832-rueManueelbis 833-Filipino in Canada 834-Softwares - The M&M Online 835-Of Colors and Styles 836-Artsy Creatures 837-Gandalf the Green 838-Devils View~ ~Study 839-Simply Tagged 840-A Nice Thought 841-DouDy Sketche 842-Lyric Popular Today 843-Game WareZ 844-DOT BLOGGER 845-Lilyruths "This and that friendly cottage" 846-Life Quest 847-Blogging Resources 848-Being Woman 849-Make Money Online ~ with LadyJava 850-Bulgaria Property 851-Advancing Health, Redefining Freedom 852-My Inspiration Sharing Land 853-aNgRiAniWoRLd Dot Com 854-Nita's Random Thoughts 855-Nita's Corner 856-My Wandering Thoughts 857-Nita's Ramblings 858-Filipino Online Community 859-Island Paradise Of Bohol 860-Famous Lyrics Collections 861-Thomas Digital Services 862-Make Money Online 863-Thomas Recipe Collections 864-Erlinda's Wandering Thoughts 865-Great Finds and Deals 866-Thomas Web Links 867-Thomas Travel Tales 868-PRC Board Exam Results 869-Click Here To Forward 870-Daily Motivation 871-Artscapes 872-Melissa Khalinsky 873-La Scatola Dei Colori 874-seconds thoughT 875-Travel Puerto Princesa City and Palawan 876-KEITH'S REVIEW 877-CJ NICHOLS PHOTOGRAPHY 878-dibujandoarte 879-Felinesophy 880-Save Time Online 881-Techyplus 882-Day Break 883-Day to Day 884-Making sense...(somehow) 885-sherry rambling 886-Paintingart's Weblog 887-BIG-TIME 888-the course of the black hacker 889-My Life as a NOMAD 890-Optimizing for Search Engines 891-Make Money Online 892-Filipino love stories 893-A mom's note 894-Tasteful voyage 895-WitchBoop's Keeper 896-The good things in life 897-Pinay Heart Wanderings and Musings 898-Me, the islands and the world 899-Life Expressions 900-Asawa's Love Book 901-A Mother's Journal 902-Jackie's Everyday Life, Jackie Simply Pinay 903-Pinay In States 904-Stick It To The Man 905-Movie Reviews!! 906-MAKE MONEY ONLINE 907-Gadgets World 908-Crazy Blog 909-Ultimate Star AJITH Gallery 910-Blogger Design Tips 911-A Mother's Simple Thought's 912-Stupid Wise 913-Watchamacallit! 914-NELLYPIE'S CHATTERBOX 915-ENTRANCE TO MY WORLD 916-This Is What's Cool 917-SHARZ-Pangit's Journey in the States 918-The Lion's Den 919-kapamilya corner 920-BudgetCents.net 921-Blame The Vain 922-ButtonWood Project 923-HayWire Farm 924-John Boy Multimedia 925-Mosquitos In Paradise 926-RJ Paulsen 927-Snookies 928-SpykerMan 929-Test Land 930-VT Griffin 931-Smith $ amp ; Co. Weblog 932-Honigimmo - Travel & Real Estate Blog 933-Mommy May 934-Sandy Alderson 935-[Vegetarians Without Borders] 936-Wolfgang Puck 937-BB Pro* 938-Hello World! How have you been?... 939-PM WATSON 940-Richdale Newburyport 941-Vadis E-Zine 942-Maguire Clan Blog 943-CIE-SL 944-Green Bytes 945-Lisa Santana 946-Austinites 947-Ekekek 948-the grey lady 949-The Green Fairy Godmothers 950-Swiss Pilates 951-Pilates Fitness Club 952-Peripheral Vision 953-My Big World Of Crap 954-Little Secret 955-Photography by KML 956-Lets Jump Together 957-Jasa 958-Sports Freakzz.. 959-Straight from the heart 960-Robin Neudorfer 961-Breakfast at Tiffany's 962-Read and Release 963-How To Have a Baby 964-*Seeking*Serenity* 965-ArtyAllsorts 966-Rants and Ramblings 967-Jcelyn's Journal 968 -Everyday Life 969-In The Lance's Mind 970-Letters To Heaven 971-See. Draw. Share 972-Show Me Your Interest 973-Proud Mommy 974-Thata's Daily Blog 975-Life Is Wonderful To Know Everyday 976-Big Boys Have Toys Too 977-madelainejordan.com 978-Pinay dot US 979-My Life... My Journey! 980-Energy Efficient Home Tips 981-What About Brazil 982-Aeirin's Collections 983-Dezz Spices In Life 984-Deranged Insanity 985-Green Mallows 986-ReachTogether 987-a little of entrep and more 988-Daily Free Software 989-Day To Day Miracles 990-Lalaine's World 991-From Asia and Beyond 992-Dexie-All About and Around Me 993-Crash Test Dummy 994-Can of Thoughts 995-Designs by Vhiel 996-Anything and Everything in Between 997-Vhiel's Corner 998-BlogScope 999-Info Techo 1,000-Precious Moments 1,001-Blessings and Beyond 1,002-infra 1,003-blueteeth 1,004-Chic Things Galleria 1,005-Confessions of A Supermodel Wannabe 1,006-Dogcents 1,007-Melinda Zook 1,008-Zook Lite 1,009-All Kinds of Me Stuff 1,010-iAM MAi 1,011-Blog Maguire Nation 1,012-Electronically Brighter 1,013- Minatea 1,014-Bibe 1,015-Brazos Cowgirl 1,016-Big Money List 1,017-The Daisy Experiment 1,018-SnapShot 1.019-The Traveler's Domain 1,020-Love Defies All 1,021-expressions and thoughts2 1,022-Blog Fixes 1.023- Creaky Easel 1,024-The Beauty of Simplicity 1,025-Daily Information 1,026-Emo Life (HU) 1,027-Emo Life (ENG) 1,028-Shopping Blog 1,029-I LUV Contrasts 1,030-Prime Writings 1,031-Jewel Garden 1,032-As the World Turns 1,033-Rambling round the water cooler 1,034- TechnoBabe's Adventures

Message Machine

Found at Mother's Got a Dot Com:

"Hi, welcome to Mental Health Hotline…

Do you have a compulsory disorder? Please press 1 again and again and again…

If you have multiple personalities, please press 4, 5 and 6

If you’re paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Don’t hang up. We’re tracing your call.

Psychotic? Please press 7, and your call will be forwarded to the mothership.

If you’re schizofrenic, please listen carefully, and a little voice will tell you what number to press.

If you’re depressed, press any key. No one will answer anyway.

Dyslectic or dysnumeric? Please press 96745289925380177226634291

If you’ve lost your memory, press 8 and give your name, adress, phone number, date of birth, social security number and your mothers maiden name.

Post- traumatic stress syndrome? Please press 000 s-l-o-w-l-y-a-n-d-c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y…

If you’re bipolar, leave a message before the beep or after the beep or before the beep. Please wait for the beep.

If your short-term memory is bad, please press 9.
If your short-term memory is bad, please press 9.
If your short-term memory is bad, please press 9.
If your short-term memory is bad, please press 9.
If your short-term memory is bad, please press 9.

If your self-esteem is low, please hang up. All our therapists are far too busy to help you.

If you’re a blond, do not touch any keys. You’re bound to screw up.

(For the record - this is not meant to poke fun at mental issues, but at government and other “phone services”. They may not be as bad as this, but “press this, say that, please blow your nose after the beep” has become a d*** nuisance in this country - and I’m guessing it’s a global thing. And don’t get me started on the “music”!!)"

There isn't a problem with this kind of humor at our house since there is plenty of mental health issues to go around. See the hubby's blog here regarding his ongoing issues with Bipolar Disorder. And, I am blond dealing with my own codependent and depression issues. Duh. So A little humor is welcome, huh.

Tummy Ache

The Mouse Trap

A mouse looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. What food might this contain? the mouse wondered - - - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning:

There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him:

There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!

The pig sympathized, but said "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it."

The mouse turned to the cow and said,

There is a mousetrap in the house!
There is a mousetrap in the house!'

The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse.
I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected,
to face the farmer's mousetrap . . . alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound
of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer
took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit
with her around the clock.

To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died.

So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to
provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't
concern you, remember ----

when one of us is threatened,
we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this
journey called life.

This story was collected on the internet in one of many emails sent to group emails.

An Eye For Art

Here is a great photographer. Check out his blog.

Photography is an art. Good photography takes creative skill.

I appreciate the works produced by this photographer. I look through many blogs specializing in photography. Every day. I am attracted to the deliciously different versions of art, and in photography there are many ways for a photographer to display a keenly different viewpoint. A photographer like this one leaves much to our individual imaginations while we are each viewing the same image. Thank you, Marco Pastori, for your amazing works of art.

Good Food That Is Good For You

Found in The New York Times:
The 11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating per Dr. Jony Bowden, nutritionist and author of “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth".

"1. Beets: Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.
How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power.
2. Cabbage: Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes.
How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.
3. Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes.
How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.
4. Cinnamon: May help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.
5. Pomegranate juice: Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants.
How to eat: Just drink it.
6. Dried plums: Okay, so they are really prunes, but packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants.
How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.
7. Pumpkin seeds: The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death.
How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.
8. Sardines: Dr. Bowden calls them “health food in a can.'’ They are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins.
How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.
9. Turmeric: The “superstar of spices,'’ it has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.
10. Frozen blueberries: Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies.
How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds.
11. Canned pumpkin: A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories. How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg."

I personally like every item on this list. Fresh beets are sweet and delicious either roasted or steamed. But in a pinch, canned beets are terrific on salad or as a side dish.
There are so many varieties of cabbage, and I like them all, some in soups and some as side dish with soy sauce.
Swiss chard chopped and added to cooked cubed potatoes with onions is a one skillet meal.
Cinnamon is added to our homemade bread as well as a sprinkle in our coffee periodically. And of course a sprinkle on top of French toast is so....French!
Pomegranate juice has a flavor all its own, so sweet and natural, and you have to love the juice just for the fact it saves you from having to squeeze your own juice!
Prunes aren't just for elderly people anymore. They can be added to meat dishes with rice and onions and taste great as well as cut up on cold cereal.
Pumpkin seeds are a real treat all by themselves, tastier than sunflower seeds, and an amazing addition to salad or soup.
One of my favorite snacks happens to be smoked sardines with cheese and crackers.
Turmeric can be added to any dish, meat or vegetable to enhance flavor and add a little different taste.
Blueberries as a side dish are not only eye appealing, they are so healthy and taste incredible.
Canned pumpkin is something I have only used to make pumpkin bread, but I am going to eat it just like the article describes, maybe put some in a smoothie too.

New Insight Into SIDS

There is a hopeful article at Nature News:

"SIDS is the label for unexplained deaths in babies less than one year old, and is the leading cause of death in infants aged 1–12 months in the developed world.
In a new study published in Science1, researchers changed the control of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, in the mice. Serotonin is important in the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious functions such as heart beat and digestion. The engineered mice showed symptoms that mirror human SIDS: sudden drops in heart rate and frequent deaths in early life. The majority of them died before reaching three months of age.
Cornelius Gross and colleagues at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, in Monterotondo, Italy, created mice with excess levels of the serotonin 1A receptor (Htr1a). Htr1a is like a thermostat for serotonin levels — when the receptor binds serotonin, it dampens serotonin production, keeping levels from getting too high.
The mice sporadically went into crisis, heart rates dropped and body temperatures plunged."Approximately half were fatal. These are stunning data, in the sense that there are data obtained from infants who subsequently died of SIDS who showed changes in heart rate like this.
The Htr1a mice come closer than other models but are still an imperfect match. They continue to die after reaching sexual maturity, whereas the human condition is limited to infants. In addition, male mice are not more likely to succumb, as male infants are."

I am interested in serotinin levels for reasons of my own as an adult. Reading this article reminds me that we are all members of the human existence in this galaxy. Some of us are entering the world with an expectation of a long life of continual change, and some of us are closer to the separation from this life. However long we are here has to be sufficient because that is how long we have been given. Some sweet babies bring about change and influence human destiny more than someone who lives in this world a very long time.

Good Hand Hygiene

There are gargantuan signs in restrooms of all restaurants instructing the current occupant to WASH YOUR HANDS, usually in more than one language.

Is the sign just intended for the patrons? Are restaurant employees exempt?

The first line of defense against spreading heinous germs isn't high on the priority list of some restaurant employees.

Good Morning World

It's 3:30 in the morning. I felt compelled to get up and write what I was thinking that kept me from going back to sleep. Actually, I had gotten enough sleep but I am used to getting a couple more hours sleep.

I was lying there thinking that if I wanted to, I could get up and turn on the electronic dart board and play darts. When the dart board is plugged in, it makes a big loud happy sound, announcing it is ready to begin a game. Until we moved here, we had to think about things like that because we wanted to make as little noise as possible in consideration of neighbors. The previous place was a duplex of which we lived on top. The place prior to that was a house, but very close neighbors on each side. The place before that was another up/down duplex.

So this morning I was smiling and thinking how the current dwelling place has enabled me to relax just because of location and surroundings of this house. I feel free to get up at any time and read or blog without feeling anxious about disturbing someone else.

And the best part is that I know I can take a nap during the day if I decide to because it is so quiet here ALL DAY. In all the previous residences there were many noises to intrude on rest or sleep or relaxation. Day and night. After being interrupted often enough, I was not relaxing and I was not aware how much that was affecting me until we moved here.

We have been here over two months now. I hope this is permanent, but I am thankful for each day in this house in this county in this state in this country.

Democracy-Not Democrat or Republican

Imagine

Imagine a world where people looked out for each other. Where there weren't any people who were worth more than others. Where there weren't a few people leading and having power over the majority of people. Where doctors studied without having to pay for the education and became doctors because they just wanted to help people be healthy. Where there wasn't any currency or money because people just shared what there was. There wasn't a need to hoard or envy what others had because everyone had enough. Where people spent time interacting and conversing and learning together because there weren't any TV or video games, but all the technology was only for the betterment of the planet and the inhabitants on it. Where parents didn't have to go to work and leave their children because the entire family participated in education together. Where fear was something to read about in a mystery book. Where love wasn't a romanticized fantasy, but something sacred and precious taught to children by example and given freely to all. Where talent was something to share not to boast but to encourage others to explore like talents. Where people of all ages are shown respect and admired for whatever their contribution or ability.

Imagine.

Fireworks Over Our House

To be clear, this was a minute of video taken from our front porch. It's only legal to buy or use fireworks in the county our little city is in for about 10 days. So apparently everyone buys and uses them. We've been listening to them almost non-stop for a week. Imagine what you're seeing going on all around your house, on every block in town, all the time. Then throw in a few HUGE explosions once in a while, and after that, check yer drawers.

Our street is blocked with cars and families all out enjoying the show. Kinda nice, y'know?

Happy Independence Day

Hispanic, Asian, Caucasian, Latino, Black, Indian, Men, Women, Children, Born in America, Migrated to America, Jews, Catholics, Hindus, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Buddhists, Atheists, Muslims, Methodists, Baptists, Tall People, Short People, Fat People, Thin People, Blind People, Deaf People, Working People, Non Working People, Healthy People, Sick People, Old People, Young People. All Americans.

Independence For All means just that: FOR ALL

Star Spangled Up-Town Singers

Enchanted Garden Setting

You were breathless
As you took my hand
And led me to the front porch

Your arm encircled me
You included me in the surprise
So we could take delight together

Our front yard was a place of wonder
No longer just informal lawn
Now an enchanted garden

Evenings will not be the same
We look forward to our sojourn
Our bewitching evening delight

Fireflies dancing
Spinning in abandonment
Providing splendor

Boric Acid

Found this article in American Scientific regarding ants, specifically, carpenter ants.

"Perhaps the most economical and effective way to get rid of carpenter ants is by applying boric acid (also known as borax) to their nest sites and surroundings. This natural non-toxic element, mined from below the Mojave Desert in southern California, has a long history of use in exterminating brazen populations of cockroaches, palmetto bugs, waterbugs, silverfish, termites, and, you guessed it, carpenter ants."
..."This simple, inexpensive, household chemical is deadly to all insects,”...“It has been shown to attack their nervous systems, as well as being a drying agent to their bodies.”

When I was young, the neighbors who lived behind us had a borax mine out in the desert and I remember visiting it. I grew up in southern California. This article reminded me of that visit and the adventure of climbing down into the mine.

I am going to get some borax and experiment on the ants around the house. We are surrounded by red ants and large black ants too. Looks like they go under the house. They come into the kitchen and scout around, but we are being careful to sweep crumbs and keep dishes clean on counters and they aren't finding anything to get into. It will be interesting to see how the borax discourages the ants from coming into the house.

Is It Too Late For A Preventive Measure?

Prophylactic: A preventive measure. The word comes from the Greek for "an advance guard," an apt term for a measure taken to fend off a disease or another unwanted consequence.

Driven (Not Like Miss Daisy)

It's
good
to
be
driven
as
long
as
you
don't
drive
yourself
over
the
edge.

Learning How To Garden

“After awhile you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security, and you learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child, and you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans. So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure, that you really are strong, and you really do have worth."
(via snickerdoodle)

Dirty Reading Glasses

Two years ago I joined the millions of people getting older, and one of the first changes I dealt with was the inevitable change in eyesight.

A visit to the eye doctor was a learning experience. I tried bifocals. Did not care for that as the job I had at the time entailed up and down motion from my chair to other rooms throughout the day and I found myself having difficulty with motion. I didn't get used to removing the bifocals each time I got up from the chair and then I couldn't see clearly when I walked. I then opted for two pair of glasses, one for up close/computer work and one for distance. That seems to be the best solution for me.

Since I have retired I have been re-evaluating different situations and the eyeglass thing is one of them. I probably have the bifocals around somewhere so I just need to look for them. Now that I am not working at a job I am not jumping up and down. In either case, I have a pair of up-close glasses on the desk by my computer and those stay there. I also have a pair of reading glasses that stay with whatever book I am currently reading.

I don't think I put my fingers on my glasses as I am careful when removing or picking up, so I wonder how my glasses get so dirty. Am I just a fanatic about seeing a clear image through the glasses? Or is clarity more than just looking through the glasses?

Ready For Battle

A favorite quote of mine is found in Jeffery Deaver's
The Twelfth Card:
"Sometimes the hardest battle is within your own soul".

You don't have to be a warrior to be fighting a battle. We struggle to remain constant in making wise choices. Many years ago a comedian was known for the one-liner "The devil made me do it". In real life, no one makes us do things. We make choices. We can gauge our growth by how soon we recognize an unwise choice and then how quickly we make amends. An amends can be as simple as speaking up and voicing an honest, sincere apology or it can be as difficult as changing a serious, significant situation.

Sometimes the struggle is over the minute we speak or write about the battle taking place within. Other times the battle rages on and on until we deal with it properly and honorably.

I'm not talking about power struggles; I am referring to struggles between the outside person and the inside person. When those struggles are quieted and resolved, there is true peace within.

I have been battling growing up my whole life. I didn't know what to do or how to do it. The child inside me has been struggling and fighting the same immature way until I was able to understand that was stopping me from moving forward into a mature and healthy adult.

Remembered And Still Not Repaired Part III

Today was her ninth birthday. Her mother picked her up at school and her school friend rode home with them. There wasn't a school bus from that school that went that far out of town. The friend was overly excited and the birthday girl caught some of that excitement.

The family from next door walked through the fence opening while it was still daylight to join the birthday celebration. There weren't many presents but that was the way of life for the low-income families living in the country setting. A ninth birthday was something to celebrate regardless of the financial situation. The friend from school brought a present and the mother and father gave the birthday girl a new (used) coat. There is still a picture in the scrapbook of the birthday girl modeling the navy blue coat with the red hood and holding up nine fingers and trying to smile for the camera.

After the homemade cake was cut and consumed, the young people wanted to go next door to watch Walt Disney on the neighbors TV. There was much excitement and laughing and running as the back door slammed behind them and they headed in the direction of the neighbors house. It was dark and there were no lights. It was at least 100 yards to the neighbors front door and there was only one way to get there:
On the worn walkway through the break in the fence.

Everyone knew about the one opening except the visiting friend from school. Amid the screams and laughter of the running children, the birthday girl kept calling in the dark to the friend for her not to run, yelling to her to come with her. In her excitement, the friend did not take heed. There were three rows of barbed wire on the fence between the properties.

There were no more birthdays in her heart after that and birthdays are not something to celebrate to this day. And there were no more friends for a very very long time.

Previous posts found at Part I and Part II.

Gas Prices Continue to Climb

We are in contact with friends in various parts of the country who are all concerned about the cost of gas. Never in my wildest dreams would I have forecast prices like they are today. When will it end? How will it end?

One writer in the Los Angeles Times has this to say:

"...there's been no shortage of oil buyers even at current high prices -- a sign that supply and demand are playing their expected market roles."

...""The most likely reason for high oil prices is the simplest and, unfortunately, also the most intractable: too much demand chasing too little supply."

..."Oil prices won't be heading south, at least not until demand eases. Maybe that's accomplished through alternative energy sources, maybe through increased fuel efficiency."

I'm just a ditzy blond, but I have a nasty feeling that the entire oil/gas fiasco has been ongoing and deliberate. So many people packed together on the planet and so few people in power. What or who is overseeing the people in power?

Affordable/Recyclable Wedding Dresses

When the stuff hits the fan after the honeymoon, the bride doesn't have to run ads to sell the wedding dress. Good article at gigglesugar:

These "winners in the fourth annual design-a-wedding-dress-with-toilet-paper contest. They could only use TP, tape, paper, and glue".

Yeah, Smell That Coffee

An article about coffee in Scientific American is believable.

"That morning coffee is just the thing to get the brain in gear and the body moving. But it turns out that just the aroma of coffee also gets some of our genes up and at ‘em. That’s according to research in the June 25th issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The authors report that a sniff of coffee turns on several genes in the brain in ways that help diminish the impact of sleep deprivation. In rats, at least. "

..."Rats that were stressed by lack of sleep were exposed to the smell of coffee. Seventeen different genes got activated in their brains. And thirteen of them produced proteins known to protect nerve cells from the damaging effects of stress. While there have been numerous studies analyzing the health impact of the ingredients ingested when drinking coffee, the researchers say that this is the first study to examine the effects of coffee’s aroma."

I really like the smell of coffee. The coffee beans. The coffee brewing. The coffee in the cup. So, hey, if it is good for the rats it's got to be good for me too. Getting my brain in gear is good too, but the scents and senses are happy campers in our house.

Ouch

I prefer two ply.

Zooming In

This is an interesting story found in The New York Times:

"Ms. Kalin-Casey, who manages an apartment building here with her husband, John Casey, was a bit shaken when she tried a new feature in Google’s map service called Street View. She typed in her address and the screen showed a street-level view of her building. As she zoomed in, she could see Monty, her cat, sitting on a perch in the living room window of her second-floor apartment."

"The issue that I have ultimately is about where you draw the line between taking public photos and zooming in on people’s lives,” Ms. Kalin-Casey said in an interview Thursday on the front steps of the building. “The next step might be seeing books on my shelf. If the government was doing this, people would be outraged.”"

"Google said in a statement that it takes privacy seriously and considered the privacy implications of its service before it was introduced on Tuesday. “Street View only features imagery taken on public property,” the company said. “This imagery is no different from what any person can readily capture or see walking down the street.”"

"Back at her apartment, Ms. Kalin-Casey acknowledged that plenty of information about her — that she manages an apartment complex, that she was an editor at the film site Reel.com — is already easily accessible through Google and other search engines."

"People’s jobs are pretty public,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean they want a shot of their sofa on Google.” She has asked Google to remove the image of her building, which was still online as of Thursday evening."

Grooming Day

We started a fun tradition a couple years ago. At the time, we had a small dog whom we groomed at home. Then we extended it to all of us:
Me, Him, and the Dog.

I would cut his hair and give the dog a bath and cut her nails, and he would put polish on my toenails. We no longer have the dog but grooming day is still part of our life with some additions. I still cut his hair, and sometimes I give him a manicure. He cuts my hair and puts the hair color on for me and still puts the polish on my toenails.

Taking care of each other brings us to a close place. We are comfortable with each other and we talk companionably during the grooming processes. The final product isn't the goal. The benefit is the affection we show each other while we provide our need for maintenance and good health. We feel safe and provided for in a healthy environment.

Balance

Watching the birds in the yard is a pleasure. Seeing them fight against the strong winds, then a slight tilt of a wing, soaring into the sky. It is beautiful.

Nature is a teacher. Watching the birds helps me to focus on keeping the balance in my life and in my relationship. Tilting my head to show I am really listening. Using my strength to move through the rough winds of disagreements while skillfully maneuvering a turn toward smooth sailing and resolving conflict.

In any relationship, staying balanced requires both parties to participate, just like birds need two wings.

Detox from Aspartame

A couple years ago I deleted all refined sugar and refined flour from my diet. Since that time I have also become more interested in the chemical sweetener products and have come to realize how dangerous some of them are. Specifically Aspartame.

Since Aspartame is accumulative, it did lots of damage. I didn't even realize that the damage or the symptoms were due to Aspartame.

I have not had a soft drink or fruit drink with sugar or sugar substitute for over two years but I have had symptoms that had become uncomfortable.

After more investigation, we found that the Metamucil-type product I had been using for my diverticulitis contains Aspartame. So, through ignorance, I have been accumulating Aspartame into my system for ten years. We had been reading all labels and been so diligent in keeping all the sugars out of our home, and it amazes me that the one product I have been using for so many years for medical reasons was the culprit. I have thought of the Metamucil-type product as "medicine" in order for me to be regular and have taken it almost every day for over ten years.

The main ingredient in a Metamucil-type product that I need to stay regular is psyllium. We purchased psyllium husks and I tried it. It was not ground fine enough for me to drink comfortably, so we ground it to a finer powder in our coffee grinder. The ground psyllium does not have an odor, is tasteless and can be added to any beverage, so I tried nonfat milk (we only drink nonfat Lactaid milk), which was okay. Then I tried just water with a little honey and I like that best. I have been using this mixture for over two months, and after a few days of adjusting the amount of ground psyllium, my system has maintained the regularity I need.

The main symptoms from Aspartame poisoning were dizziness and headache, which are drastically reduced, and others. In addition, the psyllium husks cost less and because there are no additives it is like using a concentrated product and it takes much less to do the job.

I have been using the term Metamucil-type product because I stopped buying the more expensive Metamucil brand about five years ago, opting for a generic brand which costs about a third of Metamucil. I bought the sugar-free orange flavored product. The labels clearly say Aspartame in the list of ingredients on the generic brand and the name brand products.

My symptoms: Headaches, Dizziness, Confusion, Moodswings, Hair Loss, High Blood Pressure,
Muscle Aches, particularly in arms and legs, and numbness in toes.

Changes in symptoms after discontinuing Aspartame:

Within 3 days, headaches rarely
Within 1 week slight dizziness; at end of 3 weeks dizziness very slight and not all the time
Within 2 weeks new growth in hair; at end of 3 weeks cannot see pink scalp through hair and hair thicker
Within 2 weeks, blood pressure normal and remains within normal range at end of 3 weeks
Within 1 week muscle tingle increase and by end of 3 weeks tingle/pain in arms and hands and upper and lower legs increased as if nerve endings in pain. I attribute that to the healing and reaction to withdrawal from daily Aspartame.

Now after two months the headaches are practically non-existent. I have a full head of hair, no longer do I have scalp showing anywhere. My blood pressure medicine is at half the dose. There is slight dizziness about two times a week instead of every day most of the day. The toes in my right foot are are about half as numb and the left foot remains about the same. Things are changing every day and improvements are profound.

Seeing Life Clearly

I have been working on many things within myself the past year. The result has been the clarity and calm that has been showing up in my life. Breaking through the barriers takes work.

When I began the journey of recovery, I had no expectations regarding results or timing. I just knew I wanted better health both emotionally and mentally. Most people who would meet me throughout my life thought I had things pretty well under control, maybe just some bad luck with relationships. Not so. I have been running scared my whole life. With fear in the drivers seat, I was unable to think clearly or see what I needed in order to live a productive, happy life. Consequently, I have been unhappy and unfulfilled and spending precious energy keeping it under wraps because I sure wouldn't trust anyone to know the real me. From an early age I discovered that if I showed a tiny glimpse of a weakness it would be used to hurt me.

For the first time I am living every day in a real world with someone who wants what is best for me and works with me to discover my desires and my potential while at the same time is working on taking care of himself. For people like me, this is astonishing. And such a blessing.

Shirley's Mom Laura

I met Shirley in the summer right before 8th grade when we moved a couple blocks from her. She was the first person I met in the new neighborhood and we were the same age. Our backgrounds were different but we found that we liked each other and began a dear friendship that has continued into each of our retirements and my living in various states and Shirley continuing her education, eventually earning a masters degree. Shirley has maintained a loving, strong marriage to the same man and has shown herself to be a caring and tireless woman to the people who know her.

Her role model was her mother, Laura. I would stay overnight at Shirley's house every chance they would let me. I learned from watching the way Laura would tell each of her children to do something and then expect them to do it. She was a busy mother who was showing by example how to be a wife and mother. One of my earliest memories of staying at their house was joining the family at the table and eating Shepherds Pie. I had never heard of it before and I loved it. I have made it thousands of times over the years and it is one of our favorites now as well as a dish my daughters make for their families. Also I found out about apple butter from Laura, which I would still be eating if I could learn to make it with honey and no sugar. I stopped using sugar and artificial sweeteners over two years ago. But some day I will figure out how to make apple butter using honey as the sweetener, and then I will have to ship some out to Shirley to give to Laura.

But the most important things I remember about my time around Laura was seeing the strength and openness of a good woman. I never thanked her for showing me the goodness and compassion that she bestowed on me. Not only was she teaching her own children qualities that would serve them well as adults, she was showing the rest of us hangers-on some things we would use the rest of our lives. For me it was a blessing to meet Shirley and to have her in my life for most of my life, even if we have not lived near each other most of that time. It has been a privilege to know Laura and hear how she is doing over the years and remember her acceptance of me and how she lovingly taught me so many things.

Laura will be 88 this year and Shirley and her siblings are going to celebrate with Laura on her birthday with an awesome party. For those of us who are unable to attend the celebration, we send loads of love and appreciation to Laura along with our best wishes for a wonderful birthday. I hope you enjoy your birthday party and many more birthdays to come.

Second Chance...Falling In The Mud

Eroding away at my emotional reserve is more wearing than being drained physically.
Or bruised or scraped.

I fell off my bike again today. This was only the second time and both times I fell away from the sidewalk bike path and today I fell out of the way of a fast biker coming around the turn behind me. It made me nervous, I guess, and I took the turn wide and was going to be in the way of the fast biker and I applied my brakes and didn't slow down enough and went skidding off the trail, across the wet grass. Thank goodness for the storm last night and the medium high grass on both sides of the bike trails. Of course, my bike dug into the mud and so did I. Kerplunk, shwish, slide, splash, then stop.

It happened in early morning. My wrist feels a little ouchy and neck a tad tight but it could have been so much worse. The fast biker stopped his fancy bike and asked if I was okay, which gave me a better feeling for the "bikey people" as I call them. The bikey people ride the expensive bikes and wear the fancy bike clothes and helmets and bike cleats and don't break a sweat as they ride 50 miles an hour all day. Maybe a little exaggeration, but not much. I, on the other hand, ride my $60 bike, wear my old tennies, old shorts, baggy shirt, and a sun visor. And I think I am stylin'!

For a moment as I was pulling myself up out of the mud, I remembered that I don't have health insurance. I don't know why that popped into my mind at that time because I haven't had health insurance for years except for a few months at the last job. Since I rarely go to a doctor, the monthly fee for the health insurance cost more than me just paying my own way if and when I see a doctor, so I canceled that insurance and I also knew I wouldn't be working much longer. But I don't live my life worrying about an accident or living so cautiously that I don't really live. It was just interesting to me that I felt relieved to know I wasn't hurt and wouldn't need to find a clinic or a doctor.

Getting back on the bike to finish the ride was what took the emotional energy and chewed it up and seeped it out as I rode back to where the car was parked. This was going to be an adventure today to investigate a different bike trail and the long sharp winding downward curve was not very much fun. I'm going back to the scenic straight shot bike trail for awhile longer before I get adventurous again.

Inspiration

Wouldn't it be great if there were a key on the keyboard to touch softly for a smidgen of inspiration, or crank down hard for a symphony of ideas?!!!

Our thoughts and experiences are where we get most of our inspiration.

And then begins the work to seek something, to accomplish something, to learn something, to share something.

When I am feeling relaxed, inspiration is right around the corner on the same side of the street.

Now I Know How Guys Feel

Since my retirement, I have found a new freedom besides not having to work.

I don't wear makeup and very little clothes, and I have my hair cut very very short. Better than punk. Just spunk.

So when I get out of the shower I now know why guys can get ready so quickly. Run a comb through the hair (in my case I don't even do that), throw on a T-shirt and shorts and done. What freedom!

Trees Aren't Safe? Yikes!

My Every Other Day Energy

I am starting to notice a trend. My energy level fluctuates. Most of the time it is normal energy one day and not as high the next day. I don't use any energy drinks because they contain either sugar or alternative sweeteners.

For example, yesterday we rode the bikes for the 8 1/2 miles, came home and I worked in the garage hand-sanding a chair I found at a thrift store. The seat has been removed and I am going to re-stain a different color, and use black shadowing in the cutout back design. It is a really cool chair and I plan to use it at my desk in the living room where I use the sewing machine and write.

After the hand sanding, I used the electric sander on some of the larger areas, then cleaned the entire chair and put the first coat of stain on the main areas.

I did a few other things around the house as well; wash kitchen floor etc.

The thing I am noticing is that I don't feel as energetic today. We did the bike ride this morning and I have washed 3 loads of clothes, but I am not eager to go to the garage and continue the work on the chair. And working on furniture like this is my all time absolute favorite thing to do after of course time with the hubby.

Just noticing any trends since the retirement is new for me. So I am going to read my book today and may be do some yoga exercises this afternoon. And give my sore wrist a rest today and go back to sanding tomorrow.

Comfunraderie

Comeraderie and Fun
are high on my list of what I want
in a relationship.

Hence, Comfunraderie.

It is important to me that there is fun in life, and I want it to be more fun than the not so fun stuff. I am realizing how much fun means to me. I don't think that is shallow or self serving. I deal with the not so fun stuff so much better if I have enough of the fun stuff in my life. Yes, I care about other people and have empathy for someone who is having problems of their own. And I wish they could have fun in their life too. Plenty of fun to go around. Fun doesn't have to cost anything, not time or money.

Let's Get Rid Of The Toes

How many times have you heard someone say this or something like this? I have heard this many times and I have said it myself.

When I was growing up I walked barefoot. So I would stub a toe, usually a big toe, and by the time one toe was healing, I would stub another toe.

As an adult, I run into the side of the coffee table, or a chair leg and yelp with pain and hop around on one foot, because I am still walking barefoot.

I have had many broken toes. But I still won't wear shoes. Flip flops maybe.

The only good thing I can see for me to have toes is to put pretty colors on them and maybe a cool toe ring! But for guys, I cannot think of one reason they need toes.

Happy Couples 101

What do happy couples do to stay close and happy? Is it a secret or is there a basic training course somewhere?

I found this list called "Ten Things Happy Couples Do" by Mark Goulston, MD.

1. Go to bed at the same time. Remember the beginning of your relationship, when you couldn't wait to go to bed with each other to make love? Happy couples resist the temptation to go to bed at different times. They go to bed at the same time, even if one partner wakes up later to do things while their partner sleeps.

2. Cultivate common interests. After the passion settles down, sometimes you realize that you have few interests in common. But don't minimize the importance of activities you can do together that you both enjoy. If common interests are not present, happy couples develop them. At the same time, be sure to cultivate interests of your own; this will make you more interesting to your mate and prevent you from appearing too dependent.

3. Walk hand in hand or side by side. Rather than one partner lagging or dragging behind the other, happy couples walk comfortably hand in hand or side by side. They know it's more important to be with their partner than to see the sights along the way.

4. Make trust and forgiveness your default mode. If and when they have a disagreement or argument, and if they can't resolve it, happy couples default to trusting and forgiving rather than distrusting and begrudging.

5. Focus more on what your partner does right than what he or she does wrong. If you look for things your partner does wrong, you can always find something. If you look for what he or she does right, you can always find something, too. It all depends on what you want to look for. Happy couples accentuate the positive.

6. Hug each other as soon as you see each other after work. Our skin has a memory of "good touch" (loved), "bad touch" (abused) and "no touch" (neglected). Couples who say hello with a hug keep their skin bathed in the "good touch," which can inoculate your spirit against anonymity in the world.

7. Say "I love you" and "Have a good day" every morning. This is a great way to buy some patience and tolerance as each partner sets out each day to battle traffic jams, long lines and other annoyances.

8. Say "Good night" every night, regardless of how you feel. This tells your partner that, regardless of how upset you are with him or her, you still want to be in the relationship. It says that what you and your partner have is bigger than any single upsetting incident.

9. Do a "weather" check during the day. Call your partner at home or at work to see how his or her day is going. This is a great way to adjust expectations so that you're more in sync when you connect after work. For instance, if your partner is having an awful day, it might be unreasonable to expect him or her to be enthusiastic about something good that happened to you.

10. Be proud to be seen with your partner. Happy couples are pleased to be seen together and are often in some kind of affectionate contact -- hand on hand or hand on shoulder or knee or back of neck. They are not showing off but rather just saying that they belong with each other.1. Go to bed at the same time. Remember the beginning of your relationship, when you couldn't wait to go to bed with each other to make love? Happy couples resist the temptation to go to bed at different times. They go to bed at the same time, even if one partner wakes up later to do things while their partner sleeps.

Tributes To Deserving Fathers

Sometimes the reward for surfing the blogs is finding a post like this one at Cookie's Oven. This is a heavy subject for me personally. I would never attempt to describe my father to anyone but a shrink or my husband. My brother and I have been able to talk about our childhood twice as adults, trying to skim over the most painful episodes and keep the conversations on the surface.

Throughout my life I have been exceptionally interested in other peoples families, enjoying seeing them interact and tell their family stories. I have been feeding on their histories and taking some of the emotions into my being and relishing those feelings in place of my own.

When I was three and four years old, my father would supervise my early learning. He barely finished eighth grade and he only had two percent vision, so he could barely see the scratchy numbers and letters I would write on the small chalkboard while sitting on the kitchen floor. These peaceful moments were few and far between but that at least is a good memory.

The past two years I have been determined to release the negative emotions and enjoy the freedom that peace brings. Becoming part of the family I am now married into has filled the void; I am now part of a family. I am getting to "know" the man who was their father and I now understand what it is to honor a dad who takes care of his family and teaches by example how to be a husband and a productive part of the community while making time to have personal time for each of his children. So for me, I don't have a substitute dad, but by being part of this family I benefit because there is love enough for all of us. So Happy Fathers Day and for the first time I mean it and speak it joyously.

The Desk Next To Mine

Sometimes the activities at the desk next to mine in our
home office/studio are SMOKIN'!!!!
I have never known someone
who is interested in writing
and composing
and investigating
and commenting
and learning online
as much as James.

Keep those fingers flying on the keyboards and guitars!