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July 12, 2008

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... 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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. 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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.

July 11, 2008

July 10, 2008

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.

July 09, 2008

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.

July 08, 2008

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.

July 07, 2008

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.

July 06, 2008

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.

July 04, 2008

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

July 03, 2008

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

July 02, 2008

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.

July 01, 2008

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.