The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

PRIVATE ENTRY
14:59 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 530


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

PRIVATE ENTRY
14:24 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 531


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

100 Benefits of Journaling
05:23 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 534

Stress reduction:

Reduces the scatter in your life

Increases focus

Brings stability

Offers a deeper level of learning, order, action and release

Holds thoughts still so they can be changed and integrated

Processes your stuff in a natural and appropriate way

Releases pent-up thoughts and emotions

Empowers

Disentangles thoughts and ideas

Bridges inner thinking with outer events

Detaches and lets go of the past

Allows you to re-experience the past with today's adult mind

Healing:



Heals relationships

Heals the past

Dignifies all events

Is honest, trusting, non-judgmental

Strengthens your sense of yourself

Balances and harmonizes

Recalls and reconstructs past events

Acts as your own counselor

Integrates peaks and valleys in life

Soothes troubled memories

Sees yourself as a larger, important, whole and connected being

Leverages therapy sessions for better and faster results

Reveals and tracks patterns and cycles

Know yourself and

your truth better:



Builds self confidence and self knowledge

Records the past

Brings out natural beauty and wisdom

Helps you feel better about yourself

Helps you identify your values

Reads your own mind

Aids in connecting causes to effects

Reveals the depths of who you are

Reveals outward expression of yet unformed inner impulses

Creates mystery

Clarifies thoughts, feelings and behavior

Reveals your greater potential

Shifts you to the observer, recorder, counselor level

Reveals your processes - how you think, learn, create and use intuition

Creates awareness of beliefs and options so you can change them

Self-discovery

Reveals different aspects of self

Helps you see yourself as an individual

Connects you to the bigger picture

Is a close, intimate, accepting, trusting, caring, honest, non-judgmental, perfect friend

Accesses the unconscious, subconscious and super consciousness

Finds the missing pieces and the unsaid

Helps rid you of the masks you wear

Helps solve the mysteries of life

Finds more meaning in life





Personal growth:

Enables you to live life to the fullest

Is fun, playful and sometimes humorous

Expresses and creates

Plants seeds

Starts the sorting and grouping process

Integrates life experiences and learnings

Moves you towards wholeness and growth, to who you really are

Creates more results in life

Explores your spirituality

Focuses and clarifies your desires and needs

Enhances self expression

Enhances career and community

Allows freedom of expression

Offers progressive inner momentum to static unrelated events

Exercises your mental muscles

Improves congruency and integrity

Enhances breakthroughs

Unfolds the writer in you

Maximizes time and business efficiency

Explores night dreams, day dreams and fantasies

Measures and tracks what is important

Easier problem solving:



Eases decision making

Offers new perspectives

Brings things together

Shows relationships and wholeness instead of separation

It’s flexible and easy:



Can be applied to clarify any issue in your life

Takes so little time to stop, pay attention and listen to yourself

Meets your needs, style, processing methods

Caters to left and right brained people

Has no rules - messiness, typos, poor writing are all OK

Is often self-starting and motivating and supplies its own energy

Enhances intuition and

creativity:



Improves self trust

Awakens the inner voice

Directs intention and discernment

Provides insights

Improves sensitivity

Interprets your symbols and dreams

Increases memory of events

Captures your life story:



Teaches you how to write stories

Soothes troubled memories

Captures family and personal story

Stimulates personal growth

Improves family unity

Theodore Roosevelt’s Life-Saving Speech
05:10 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 535

On October 14, 1912, just after eight o’clock in the evening, Theodore Roosevelt stepped out of the Hotel Gilpatrick in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and into an open car waiting to take him to an auditorium where he would deliver a campaign speech. Although he was worn out and his voice nearly gone, he was still pushing hard to win an unprecedented third term in the White House. He had left politics in 1909, when his presidency ended. But his disappointment in the performance of William Howard Taft, his chosen successor, was so great that in 1912 he formed the National Progressive Party (better known as the Bull Moose Party). He was running against Taft and the Republicans, the Democrats’ Woodrow Wilson and the Socialist ticket headed by Eugene Debs.



The Bull Moose himself campaigned in more states (38) than any of his opponents. On October 14, he began his day in Chicago, and headed to Racine, Wisconsin, before pressing on to Milwaukee.



When Roosevelt departed the Gilpatrick, he was wearing his Army overcoat and carrying a 50-page speech—folded double to fit into the breast pocket where he had also tucked his metal spectacles case. A stretch of sidewalk had been cleared to speed his walk to the car. As Roosevelt was settling into the back seat, a roar went up from the crowd when they saw him. At the moment he stood to wave his hat in thanks, a man four or five feet away fired a Colt .38 revolver at Roosevelt’s chest.



The assailant, John Schrank, an unemployed saloonkeeper, was tackled and quickly taken away. TR asked the driver to head for the auditorium. His companions protested, but Roosevelt held firm. “I am going to drive to the hall and deliver my speech,” he said.



Having handled guns as a hunter, a cowboy and an officer during the Spanish-American War, Roosevelt knew enough to put a finger to his lips to see if he was bleeding from the mouth. When he saw that he was not, he concluded that the bullet had not entered his lung.



An examination by three doctors backstage at the auditorium revealed that the bullet had been slowed by the thick manuscript and the spectacles case. But there was a dime-size hole in his chest, below his right nipple, and a fist-size stain on his shirt. He requested a clean handkerchief to cover the wound and headed for the stage, where one of his bodyguards attempted to explain the situation to the audience. When someone shouted, “Fake!” Roosevelt stepped forward to show the crowd his shirt and the bullet holes in the manuscript. “Friends,” he said, “I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible. I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot—but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose.”



Pale and not entirely steady on his feet, Roosevelt spoke slowly but with conviction. Roosevelt warned that if government neglected the well-being of all its citizens, violence of the sort that had just befallen him would become commonplace. “The poor man as such will be swayed by his sense of injury against the men who try to hold what they have improperly won” and “the most awful passions will be let loose.”



As he continued, TR followed his practice of dropping each page when he finished reading it. Journalists often took a leaf or two as souvenirs; on this occasion, Samuel Marrs, a Chicago photographer, scooped up the bullet-pierced page seen here. (The Smithsonian National Museum of American History acquired it in 1974 from his nephew.)



Half an hour into the speech, Roosevelt’s campaign manager walked to his side and put a hand on his arm. Roosevelt looked at him sternly and told the crowd, “My friends are a little more nervous than I am.” He went on for another 50 minutes. Once offstage, Roosevelt agreed to go to the hospital, where X-rays determined that the bullet had lodged in a rib. It would remain there for the rest of his life.



Roosevelt was well enough to resume his campaign one week before Election Day, but on November 5, voters handed the victory to Wilson.



Schrank believed that he was acting on orders from the ghost of President William McKinley, whose assassination in 1901 had made Roosevelt president. After examination by five court-appointed psychiatrists, Schrank was committed to an insane asylum in Wisconsin, where he died in 1943.



When asked how he could give a speech with a fresh bullet wound in his chest, Roosevelt later explained that after years of expecting an assassin, he hadn’t been surprised. Like the frontiersmen and soldiers he admired, he was determined not to wilt under attack. As he put it to his English friend Sir Edward Grey, “In the very unlikely event of the wound being mortal I wished to die with my boots on.”

Unpack a Meal of Astronaut Space Food Space-age spaghetti and meatballs, along with other tastes of home, gave Apollo astronaut crews a boost
05:03 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 536

Surely I’m not the only one whose primary memory of childhood trips to Washington, D.C. focuses less on my exposure to the splendid pageant of democracy, or soaking in the accumulated treasure of America’s cultural history but, rather, on a 3- by 3-inch foil-wrapped block of something called astronaut ice cream. This was before freeze-dried ice cream had become standard museum gift-shop fare—obviously way before the advent of www.astronauticecreamshop.com. The highlight of a weekend in the nation’s capital was unwrapping that weirdly light packet, revealing the tricolored brick within. It had the consistency of Styrofoam and left a strange, slick film on the back of your teeth; even at that age, if pressed, I would have had to admit that regular, frozen Earth ice cream was in every way superior. But astronaut ice cream came with the ultimate value-added, better than hot fudge or peanuts: I was eating what astronauts ate!



As it turns out, I wasn’t. Or, rather, I was eating what only very few astronauts ever ate (unless, of course, they too grew up visiting the museum gift shop). Freeze-dried ice cream did make an appearance on the Apollo 7 mission, in 1968, but was scratched from the space program soon after. The astronauts, it seems, didn’t like the stuff. The good news is that, as the Smithsonian’s collection amply demonstrates, the history of feeding men and women in space is plenty fascinating without it.



The first thing you have to realize about space, says Jennifer Levasseur, who curates the some-485 items of space food at the National Air and Space Museum, is that it changes everything about what you can and cannot eat. Knives, for instance, pose a hazard; an accidental puncture of equipment could be catastrophic. In the highly flammable, oxygen-rich environment of a space ship, no packaging or utensils can run the risk of creating a spark. Famously, a corned-beef sandwich was smuggled aboard Gemini 3 by pilot John W. Young. This may have been seen as a triumph for devotees of delicatessen, but it was seriously frowned upon by the NASA powers that be.



Like a kid’s lunchbox at the end of the school day, the collection Levasseur administers is in some ways a barometer of failed foods. That is, leftovers—freeze-dried packets returned to Earth, unopened and summarily rejected. (Three signature NASM examples are on offer here : beef-barbecue cubes, fruitcake and coffee with cream—unused from Neil Armstrong’s meal allotments, avoided during the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon he commanded in 1969.) “We have a lot of instant breakfasts,” she says. “I get the feeling these were the kinds of guys who just woke up and drank coffee.” Foods transformed into totally unrecognizable forms also fared poorly—which may explain the failure of astronaut ice cream. “There was a ‘bacon bar’ that looks something like a granola bar,” adds Levasseur. “We have quite a lot of those.”



Conversely, there tend to be fewer of those items that did prove popular: hot dogs, spaghetti and meatballs, shrimp cocktail. Here, too, the extreme conditions of space become the arbiters of taste. In a weightless environment, all the fluids that usually drain out of one’s nasal passages have a tendency to stay put, leaving astronauts as stuffed up—and hobbled when it comes to a sense of taste—as any cold sufferer. It’s not surprising that the most popular foods have been those loaded with spice and salt.



That may not have been a big deal in the old days, when missions lasted a couple of weeks at most, but now astronauts depart on multi-month stints. It’s become imperative, says Vickie Kloeris, NASA’s manager of food systems for the International Space Station, to lower sodium for long-term space travelers, as well as to provide more variety. There is also the delicate matter of international relations. On the space station Mir, for instance, the Russian space program initially controlled all ration systems. It quickly became apparent that our post-Soviet partners had stayed closer to the bare-bones “tubes and cubes” food philosophy of space travel’s earliest days. “Culturally it’s...different,” Kloeris puts it, with great diplomacy. Now, it’s nice to imagine mealtime at the International Space Station—staffed at various times by astronauts from Japan, Russia, the United States, Canada and elsewhere around the globe—as the coolest school cafeteria in the universe, with its students trading wildly different foodstuffs back and forth.



The American menu alone reflects how far we’ve come in our diets here on the terrestrial plane. There are ethnic dishes (teriyaki beef, cashew curry chicken, “Mexican” scrambled eggs) alongside enduring classics like spaghetti and meat sauce. There are more vegetable dishes: cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus. And if space hasn’t quite gone local and seasonal or “farm to table,” there is a complement of fresh fruits and vegetables, packed at the last minute instead of weeks in advance of a mission.



Incredibly, one thing that the astronauts still don’t have is proper ice cream. This is because while we can manage to send humans 200,000 miles into the vast unknown and bring them home safely, it is apparently beyond our capacity (except for a brief time on the Skylab space station) to provide them with a functioning refrigerator while there. It simply takes too much power, Kloeris explains.



Something else remains the same: For the astronauts, eating, the most elemental ritual of daily life, is a vital psychological tether to the world they’ve left far behind. “We try to make the food emulate Earth food as much as possible,” Kloeris says. “It keeps them connected.” And, by the same token, it keeps us earthbound folks connected, too, to the men and women floating far above the Earth. Because, in fact, it turns out to be true: We eat what astronauts eat!

Why Was Benjamin Franklin’s Basement Filled With Skeletons?
04:58 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 537

Benjamin Franklin in London, c 1767.

For nearly two decades leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence Benjamin Franklin lived in London in a house at 36 Craven Street. In 1776, Franklin left his English home to come back to America. More than 200 years later, 15 bodies were found in the basement, buried in a secret, windowless room beneath the garden.



In 1998, conservationists were doing repairs on 36 Craven, looking to turn Franklin’s old haunt into a museum. “From a one metre wide, one metre deep pit, over 1200 pieces of bone were retrieved”—remnants of more than a dozen bodies, says Benjamin Franklin House. Six were children. Forensic investigations showed that the bones dated to Franklin’s day.



Franklin was a noted revolutionary and powerful freemason—the Grand Master of Masons of Pennsylvania—so it’s easy to wonder what dark secrets Franklin may have hidden in his basement chamber. But the truth, it turns out, isn’t quite so dark.



“The most plausible explanation is not mass murder, but an anatomy school run by Benjamin Franklin’s young friend and protege, William Hewson,” said the Guardian in 2003.



Still, in Franklin’s time, anatomy lessons were a dark, ethically ambiguous business. Mental Floss:



Anatomy was still in its infancy, but the day’s social and ethical mores frowned upon it… A steady supply of human bodies was hard to come by legally, so Hewson, Hunter, and the field’s other pioneers had to turn to grave robbing — either paying professional “resurrection men” to procure cadavers or digging them up themselves — to get their hands on specimens.



Researchers think that 36 Craven was an irresistible spot for Hewson to establish his own anatomy lab. The tenant was a trusted friend, the landlady was his mother-in-law, and he was flanked by convenient sources for corpses. Bodies could be smuggled from graveyards and delivered to the wharf at one end of the street, or snatched from the gallows at the other end. When he was done with them, Hewson simply buried whatever was left of the bodies in the basement, rather than sneak them out for disposal elsewhere and risk getting caught and prosecuted for dissection and grave robbing.



Franklin was probably aware of the illegal studies going on in his building, says the Benjamin Franklin House, but it’s doubtful the he was involved himself. Still, we can’t imagine that, curious man that he was, he didn’t sneak down and check out the proceedings at least once or twice.



Read more: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/10/why-was-benjamin-franklins-basement-filled-with-skeletons/#ixzz2m6MNCiqL

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Archeologists Discovered a Stash of 3,700-Year-Old Psychotropic Wine...
04:49 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 541

Ancient Canaanites knew how to have a good time. They were fond of wine bursting with the flavors of mint, honey and psychotropic resins, new archaeological evidence reveals. They stored up to 2,000 liters of that good stuff at a time in a massive wine cellar recently unearthed in northern Israel, researchers reported today at the annual meeting of the American Schools of Oriental Research.



Archeologists working on the site say it is the largest and oldest wine cellar ever discovered in the Near East. The remnants of 40 massive wine jars still remain in the cellar, which was built around 1,700 BC. Researchers used those fragments to clue them in to the make-up of the booze the Canaanites once brewed. By analyzed organic residues still left on the jars, they identified molecules of wine components such as tartaric and syringic acid, along with a number of additional flavor enhancers, including honey, mint, cinnamon, juniper berries and resins. The recipe, the researchers say, must have been standardized because all of the jars reveal a strikingly similar mixture.



Based on the cellar’s location near an ancient banquet hall, the team suspects that hosts broke out the wine to entertain important members of society and perhaps to throw parties with foreign visitors. And based on prior knowledge of the Canaanites’ culinary habits, they probably paired the wine with ample helpings of goat meat at those ancient feasts.



Read more: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/11/archeologists-discovered-a-stash-of-3700-year-old-psychotropic-wine/#ixzz2m6KFbAje

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Microbes May Be Responsible For Wine Regions’ Distinctive Flavors
04:43 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 542




We’ve known for years—since forming the germ theory of disease—that little critters like bacteria and viruses and fungi can affect us negatively. More recently, research into the microbiome, the host of microbes that live on and inside us, has shown how their behavior can affect us in more fundamental ways, from our weight to our mood, and help make us who we are. Alongside these discoveries, it makes sense to look at how microbes work on other parts of the world that humans interact with.



The latest discovery, says the New York Times, reporting on new research, comes from the world of viniculture. It turns out that the microbes that live on grapes vary from place-to-place, and it may be these microbes that give different regional wines their distinctive flavors.



Microbes are deposited on the grape surface by wind, insects and people, and may fail or flourish because of specific local conditions such as the way the grape vines are trained. And there may be genetic affinities between particular microbial species and each variety of grape, the researchers say.



…These microbes certainly affect the health of grapes as they grow — several of them adversely — and they are also incorporated into the must, the mashed grapes that are the starting material of winemaking. Several of the natural fungi that live on grapes have yeastlike properties, and they and other microbes could affect the metabolism of the ensuing fermentation. (Several species of microbes are available commercially for inoculation along with yeast into wine fermentations.)



The researchers showed that different regions’ microbes do vary in a reliable way, but they can’t say for sure if this is the reason different wine-making regions have different flavors. If so, though, says io9, your next wine tour may seem a little more like a trip to a lab:



If the results hold true, the research has strong implications for improving grape and wine quality. Winemakers, for example, could possibly tailor their vineyard treatments, farming practices and wine-fermentation management to promote or discourage the growth of different fungal and bacterial communities. The work could also extend to other agricultural products, such as fresh fruits and produce, in which different microbial communities are associated with spoilage and shelf life.



Read more: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/11/microbes-may-be-responsible-for-wine-regions-distinctive-flavors/#ixzz2m6JGy0O3

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HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY Meet the Real-Life Vampires of New England and Abroad
04:28 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 545

The legend of the blood suckers, and the violence heaped upon their corpses, came out of ignorance of contagious disease



By Abigail Tucker

Smithsonian magazine, September 2012



Vampires

At home and abroad, vampire scares usually began when a person died and others in the vicinity began dying, too, usually of the same sickness. (Dod Miller / Getty Images)



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Where to Find Vampires in America

More from Smithsonian.com

The Great New England Vampire Panic



A little more than a century ago, vampires stalked Rhode Island. Or rather, New England farm families were digging up dead relatives suspected of being vampires and desecrating the bodies in a misguided effort to protect the living. Often these latter-day vampire hunters removed and burned their loved ones’ hearts.



Though the corpses were typically re-buried, modern scholars continue to unearth the stories of real-life “vampires,” whose historic tragedies underlie classics like Dracula as well as Hollywood’s latest guilty pleasures.



The practice of disinterring accused vampires likely began in Eastern Europe, spreading to western countries including France and England in the 1700s, and then to rural New England, where vampire panics were common up through the late 1800s – particularly in Rhode Island.



At home and abroad, vampire scares usually began when a person died – often of a contagious disease, and in New England almost always of tuberculosis – and others in the vicinity began dying, too, usually of the same sickness. Ignorant of germs, people surmised that the dead person had come back to drain family members’ blood, and the exhumation and staking, burning, beheading and whatever else followed (practices varied with geography) were an effort to insulate the community against further harm. Often the vampire-hunters were not disappointed when they pried open the graves: many natural signs of decay, like bloating and bleeding from various orifices, looked like evidence of midnight feasts.



Here are a few “vampires” from America and elsewhere, the real lives behind our modern legends.



Peter Plogojowitz: This Serbian villager and accused bloodsucker was exhumed and staked through the heart a few weeks after his death in 1725. In his book, “Vampires, Burial, and Death,” folklorist Paul Barber treats Plogojowitz as the quintessential European vampire, because his exhumation closely follows the broader pattern of the superstition. Plogojowitz was the first in his village to die of a sickness, and subsequent local deaths were blamed on his late-night predations. A rather gruesome-sounding autopsy revealed what were considered the tell-tale signs of vampirism:



“I did not detect the slightest odor that is otherwise characteristic of the dead, and the body…was completely fresh,” one witness wrote. “The hair and beard… had grown on him; the old skin, which was somewhat whitish, had peeled away, and a new fresh one had emerged under it … Not without astonishment, I saw some fresh blood in his mouth.”



Arnold Paole: In the early 18th century, this rural Serbian broke his neck after a fall from a hay wagon. Like many others before him, he was accused of posthumous vampirism and exhumed after a series of deaths in his village; many of his supposed victims were dug up as well. Austrian military authorities in control of the region investigated the deaths, and their published account was widely circulated. Paole’s case is thus credited with spreading the vampire superstition to Western Europe, where it took hold before reaching the New World.



Nellie Vaughn: Just 19 years old, she was buried in 1889 in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Today this so-called vampire is almost as famous as Mercy Brown, whose exhumation was covered by international newspapers. Vaughn’s cemetery has frequently been visited, vandalized and her headstone broken. But in his book, “Food for the Dead,” folklorist and vampire scholar Michael Bell presents evidence suggesting that Vaughn’s is a case of mistaken identity, and that her contemporaries never accused or exhumed her. The superstition probably arose in the last half century or so, and may be a result of confusion with Mercy (who died nearby at a similar date and age) and the admittedly creepy epitaph on Vaughn’s tombstone: “I Am Waiting and Watching For You.”



Frederick Ransom: A Dartmouth College student from a well-respected family in South Woodstock, Vermont, he died of tuberculosis in 1817 and is an example of an educated person ensnared in a vampire panic usually associated with misinformed farmers. Ransom’s father had his body exhumed in the hopes of saving the rest of his family: his heart was burned in a blacksmith’s forge. “However, it did not prove a remedy, for mother, sister, and two brothers died afterward,” Ransom’s surviving brother Daniel later wrote. “It has been related to me that there was a tendency in our family to consumption, and that I…would die with it before I was thirty.” Happily, when Daniel Ransom wrote these words he was more than 80 years old.



Bristoe Congdon’s child: A “black” man named Bristoe Congdon and several of his children died of tuberculosis in Rhode Island in the 1800s. “The body of one of the children was exhumed,” one source wrote, “and the vital parts were burned in obedience to the dicta of this shallow and disgusting superstition.” Though it’s not entirely clear whether Congdon was African-American or American Indian, the case was the first that folklorist Michael Bell has found suggesting that the vampire tradition crossed racial lines.



Annie Dennett: She died of consumption at the age of 21 in rural New Hampshire. In September of 1810, a traveling Freewill Baptist Minister from Vermont named Enoch Hayes Place attended her exhumation, which her family undertook in an effort to save Annie’s father, also sick from tuberculosis. Place’s diary entry is a curious example of the participation of a respected New England minister in a vampire hunt. “They opened the grave and it was a Solemn Sight indeed,” Place wrote. “A young Brother by the name of Adams examined the mouldy Specticle, but found nothing as they Supposed they Should…. There was but a little left except bones.”



Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Meet-the-Real-Life-Vampires-of-New-England-and-Abroad-170342886.html#ixzz2m6FYNUEM

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The First Vampire In History-Countess Elizabeth Bathory... One Theory... Who is Elizabeth Bathory?
04:19 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 546

ELIZABETH BATHORY,



WE ALWAYS HEAR AND READ ABOUT RELENTLESS, MERCILESS AND FEARLESS MALE MURDERERS, RAPISTS, BURGLARS AND SADISTIC MEN ETC, AND THE KEYWORD HERE IS MALES. BUT, WE NEVER HEAR OR READ SUCH RARE CASES ABOUT RUTHLESS OR CRIMINAL FEMALES! WELL, THIS STORY IS NOT ONLY ABOUT AN ORDINARY FEMALE KILLER, IT’S ABOUT THE MOST RUTHLESS WOMEN IN HISTORY WHO KILLED, TORTURED AND DRANK THE BLOOD OF HER VICTIMS! IT’S ABOUT THE FIRST VAMPIRE IN HISTORY!



COUNTESS AND VAMPIRE OF TRANSYLVANIA 1560-1614: THE MOST PROLIFIC FEMALE SERIAL KILLER IN HISTORY. IT’S BELIEVED THAT THE FIRST VERSION OF DRACULA WAS BASED ON HER LIFE STORY WHERE SHE COMMITTED THE MOST HORRIBLE CRIMES OF ALL TIMES. SHE IS A DESCENDANT OF A HIGH RANK FAMILY IN HUNGARY, AND HER FATHER WAS A PROMINENT MAN. BECAUSE OF THIS PROMINENCE, THE BATHORY FAMILY ADOPTED INTERMARRIAGE SCHEME AMONGST THE FAMILY MEMBERS TO PRESERVE THE FINE BLOOD AND KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY. SO, DUE TO THIS ROUTINE, UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS OCCURRED, SOMETIMES ON A HIGHER LEVEL OF HIDEOUS PSYCHOSIS WHICH PRODUCED FINALLY OUR PRETTY LADY, THE SADISTIC VAMPIRE ELIZABETH.



Elizabeth Bathory: Beauty and Cruelty!



SHE WAS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WITH PRETTY FACE AND SOON WAS ENGAGED WHEN SHE WAS 15 TO FERENC NÁDASDY APPARENTLY FOR A POLITICAL GAIN. HE WAS AN ARMY LEADER WHO COMMANDED WARS AGAINST THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. HER HUSBAND WAS ALWAYS AWAY A THING THAT GAVE HER TIME AND FULL CONTROL OF THEIR PROPERTIES. SHE BECAME THE SOLE LADY OF THE CASTLE THAT WAS SITUATED IN A REMOTE AREA IN THE CENTRAL OF WHAT IS KNOWN THESE DAYS AS ROMANIA.



AFTER THE DEMISE OF HER HUSBAND, HER CENTRAL ATTENTION WAS TO MAINTAIN HER YOUTH AND VITALITY ESPECIALLY SHE WAS AGING QUICKLY. HER SEXUAL DESIRES DIDN’T FADE BESIDES HER AMBITION TO SEIZE THE THRONE; SHE CONSULTED HER OBEDIENT ALCHEMIST TO FIND OUT A SOLUTION TO PRESERVE HER BEAUTY AND YOUTH. HER ALCHEMIST RECALLED A FAR-FETCHED SIMILAR STORY ABOUT A LEGEND WHERE BLOOD OF YOUNG AND VIRGIN GIRLS WAS USED AS A NATURAL REJUVENATOR REMEDY TO KEEP THE PERSON YOUNG AND FRESH. HOWEVER, SHE VICIOUSLY LIKED THE IDEA AND STARTED TO SLAUGHTER GIRLS FROM THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES. AND THE GOOD THING ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE SUPERVISED AND ORDERED PROPER CHRISTIAN BURIAL RITUALS. BUT SOON THE PASTOR IN CHARGE OF THE CEREMONIES REFUSED BECAUSE THE DEAD GIRLS REACHED A SUSPICIOUS NUMBER WHO “HAD DIED DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS”. HOWEVER, SHE THREATENED HIM IN ORDER KEEP THE SECRET AND SHE CONTINUED TO BURY THE BODIES UNTIL ONE OF HER VICTIMS ESCAPED AND REPORTED THE CRIMES TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES. KING MATYAS OF HUNGARY THEN ORDER ELIZABETH’S COUSIN, GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE TO RAID THE CASTLE WHICH BROUGHT THE GENOCIDE TO AN END EVENTUALLY.



The End



STORY OF HER MURDERS BEGAN BY ABDUCTING YOUNG PEASANT GIRLS WHERE SHE USED TO TORTURE THEM AND KILL THEM WITH THE COLLABORATION OF HER FOUR SERVANTS. SHE DIDN’T ONLY MURDER POOR PEASANTS, BUT SHE STARTED SLAUGHTERING LESSER NOBILITY GIRLS BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED THAT THE ROYAL BLOOD IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE NORMAL ONE. IT’S ALWAYS BEEN SAID THAT SHE USED TO BATHE IN HER VICTIMS’ BLOOD BELIEVING THAT THIS WILL RETAIN HER YOUTH AND BEAUTY! FINALLY, INVESTIGATORS FOUND CLUES LEADING TO HER AND LATER WAS ARRESTED ALONG WITH HER ACCOMPLICES. HER SERVANTS WERE EXECUTED IMMEDIATELY IN A QUICK TRIAL BUT AS FOR HER, DAUGHTER OF A POWERFUL FAMILY, SHE HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER HOUSE ARREST FOR LIFE TILL SHE DIED FOUR YEARS LATER IN HER CONFINEMENT. THIS WAY, HER FAMILY NAME WILL NOT BE TARNISHED! LASTLY, REPORTS AND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT SHE MURDERED AROUND 650 VIRGINS. THE BODIES WERE FOUND BURIED EVERYWHERE LIKE IN THE NEARBY FIELDS, IN THE SILOS AROUND THE CASTLE AND IN THE DUNGEONS OF THE CASTLE ITSELF, NOT TO MENTION THE CORPSES THROWN IN THE RIVER.

Vampire Names and Meanings
04:05 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 547

Vampire names haven't changed much over the years, at least not in a way that differs from the way human names change year to year.



Modern day vampires have all sorts of names, just like humans. Since vampires do not breed, vampires don't get a chance to name their children. Thus, those who become vampires typically keep their human name.



There is a movement, though, among certain vampire clans for clan members to change their "human" names to more traditional vampire names. These are typically Italian or Greek names (in honor of the "birthplace" of vampires, according to legend), but they also include ancestral clan names and any well known ancient vampire name.



Among vampires that choose a new name for their vampire life, the classics seem to remain the favorites. In fact, the more ancient the better it would seem, which is why the most ancient vampire name of all, Ambrogio, is still a popular choice among male vampires to this day.



"Ambrogio", which in Italian means "immortal", is the name of the famed Italian hunter who became the first vampire of legend. Some vampires, out of reverence for their maker, take the name "Ambrogio", though others refuse to take the name, opting instead for the name "Ambrogino", which translates to "little immortal one".



Similarly, for females the ancient vampire name "Selene" is very popular. Though Selene the moon goddess was never technically a vampire, she is considered by legend to be the mother of all modern vampires, which is why this is considered an ancient vampire name of stature.



Other popular vampire names come from famous historical vampires. It is worth noting that traditional names for males were almost always Italian while traditional names for females were almost always Greek. This, of course, is in honor of Ambrogio and Selene, who were of Italian and Greek birth, respectively. The following list contains the name and meaning of each ancient vampire name for males:



ALESSANDRO: meaning "defender of mankind."

AMBROGINO: meaning "little immortal one."

AMBROGIO: meaning "immortal."

ARNOLDO: meaning "eagle power."

BALDOVINO: meaning "brave friend."

BALDASSARE: meaning "Protect the king."

BERTOLDO: meaning "bright ruler."

BONAVENTURA: meaning "good fortune."

BONIFACIO: meaning "good destiny."

CIRINO / CIRO: meaning "like the sun."

CLEMENTE: meaning "gentle and merciful."

DARIO: meaning "possesses a lot."

DOMENICO: meaning "belongs to the lord."

EDMONDO: meaning "protector of prosperity."

EDOARDO: meaning "guardian of prosperity."

EGIDIO: meaning "shield of goatskin."

ELIGIO: meaning "to choose."

ELIODORO: meaning "gift of the sun."

EMILIO: meaning "rival."

ERMANNO: meaning "army man."

ETTORE: meaning "defender."

FARAMUNDO: meaning "journey protection."

FINO: (Serafino) meaning "burning one" or "serpent."

GASPARE: meaning "treasure bearer."

GREGARIO: meaning "watchful."

GUALTIERO: meaning "ruler of the army."

LEANDRO: meaning "lion-man."

MARCO: meaning "defender of the sea."

MASSIMO: meaning "the greatest."

NERIO: meaning "wet one."

NUNZIO: meaning "announces."

ORAZIO: meaning "has good eyesight."

ORFEO: meaning "darkness."

PELLEGRINO: meaning "wanderer."

PONZIO: meaning "of the sea."

RAUL: meaning "wise wolf."

RODOLFO: meaning "famous wolf."

SANSONE: meaning "like the sun."

SILVANO: meaning "from the forest."

TACITO: meaning "mute, silent."

UMFREDO: meaning "giant peace."

















The following list contains the name and meaning of each ancient vampire name for females:



ADRASTEIA: meaning "inescapable."

AKANTHA: meaning "thorn."

AKELDAMA: meaning "field of blood."

AMBROSIA: meaning "immortal."

CALLIDORA: meaning "gift of beauty."

DESPOINA: meaning "mistress."

EVA: meaning "life."

IEZABEL: meaning "chaste."

KHARIS: meaning "charm / grace."

KORA: meaning "maiden."

MAIA: meaning "nursing mother."

NARKISSA: meaning "numbness / sleep."

NATÁSA / NATASSA: meaning "resurrection."

NERINE: meaning "sea sprite."

POLONA: meaning "of Apollo."

SELENE: meaning "moon."

SEMELE: meaning "of the underworld."

THANA: meaning "death."

THYIA: meaning "Bacchic frenzy."

THYONE: meaning "inspired frenzy."

PRIVATE ENTRY
03:56 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 549


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

PRIVATE ENTRY
03:40 Nov 30 2013
Times Read: 550


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

Welcome to Doomsday Castle: Survivalist family's Carolina fort built for when nuclear war drags society back to the Dark Ages
02:00 Nov 25 2013
Times Read: 555

Carolina family's fortress to defend themselves from future Armagaddon

Father fears electromagnetic pulse will destroy all power supplies

He trained his children in medieval weaponry to fight invading hordes

By STUART WOLEDGE

PUBLISHED: 08:24 EST, 16 August 2013 | UPDATED: 03:16 EST, 17 August 2013

690 shares 276 View

comments

An Englishman's home may be his castle but this American's home genuinely is a fortress.

Brent Snr began constructing his own castle deep in the Appalachian Mountains of Carolina back in 1999 to protect his family from marauding hordes.

The father-of-ten believes that one day there will be a massive electromagnetic pulse, caused by either a solar flare or nuclear explosion, which will be so devastating it will shut down power across the world and throw society back hundreds of years to the Dark Ages.



Domesday: Brent Snr with five of his children who appear in the show about his quest to build a castle



Building a castle to survive Armageddon



Work in progress: The show follows the development of the castle

Protection: Brent Snr believes the castle will protect them if civilisation is on the brink of collapse

Protection: Brent Snr believes the castle will protect them if civilisation is on the brink of collapse

Called Doomsday Castle, he and five of his children are now the subject of a new real life documentary series from the National Geographic Channel.

The show follows Brent Snr and five of his children as he puts the finishing touches to his fortress, which comes complete with a drawbridge, portcullis, battlements a giant catapult and a battering ram, in case they ever come under siege.



None of the family divulge their surnames and the castle's precise location is being kept a closely guarded secret.

Brent Snr told the show, which first aired on Tuesday, that in 1859 a solar flare wiped out the world's telegraph system.

He said: 'If that solar flare were to happen today it would destroy not only the US, but the world, and would put us back to the Dark Ages.

'That's a natural disaster that we've got no control over.'

In an interview with LiveScience he further elaborated on his theory which he says came to him amid the Y2K furore.

Building: All six family members lend a hand

Family affair: Brent Sr and five of his children - three daughters including Dawn Marie, left, and Ashley, right, take part in the project

right, take part in the project

Family affair: Brent Sr and five of his children - three daughters including Dawn Marie, left, and Ashley, right, take part in the project

Fortress: The series follows the family as they fulfill their dad's dream to build a doomsday castle

Bonding: The shows reveal how the family come together in their common purpose

'I was worried the computers that control everything, from natural gas to electricity, would go down. When they didn't, I cooled off for a couple years because I didn't want people to think I was crazy, but then got back into it,' he said.

'A man with 10 kids has a godly obligation to take care of his children, and I've set up a 100-year trust so the castle can't be sold. Each kid will get the castle for five weeks every year.'

As the castle's imposing architect, the former army infantry training officer cuts a scary sight in full combat gear, however, he insists his project is about caring rather than anything violent.

Responding to skepticism around his theory, the father-of-10 adds: 'It's a real possibility. Nuclear explosions can create EMPs — if one was detonated in the high atmosphere, it could knock out power to one-fourth of the United States by destroying computers that run everything. Solar flares are also a risk for EMPs.

'Most people have enough food for about 10 days. If there are no trucks to replenish the food supply, though, that's a major problem. If the government isn't there to help them out, fighting and looting will eventually start — like you saw during Hurricane Katrina — and could eventually reach the countryside.

'The calmest person in the world will turn into a savage if he sees his baby crying and his children go hungry. I built the castle to defend against marauders and to have a place that could function without electricity.'

His son Michael adds: 'We believe in the bible. [Armageddon] may not be in my father's time or our time but it may be in my kids time.'

Hunter/gathering: Michael and the other children have been brought up to survive in the wilderness

Survival skills: The family are acquiring skills to survive

Disaster: Brent Snr first began building his castle back in 1999 to protect his children from marauding hordes

His castle: Brent Snr works tirelessly to build his doomsday castle

Doing it for dad: Brent Sr's five children are helping him with the 'legacy' project including son, Michael

Building: The series follows the family as they push to get the castle completed

Family affaiir: Brent Jr says he is taking part for the sake of his father

His twin Dawn-Marie adds: 'Ever since I was little I have heard my dad talk about the castle - 'when's it going to get finished, how's it going to get finished'. He wants things to be done his way and he wants it done in a timely manner.'

'I know there's people who look at us and at my father and say 'this man's crazy' but it's the one thing he wants done before he dies and I am determined to play my part.'

'Ever since we were little my dad has put a crossbow in our hand, put a gun. I think the first time I held a gun I was probably six years old. He has taught me pretty every tool in the toolbox.'

Among his feats of strength Brent can be seen felling trees the old fashioned way with nothing more than an axe.

His five children have been trained in how to use bow and arrows effectively, and in one scene the five adults are filmed running through the woods armed with various lethal weapons, including a hatchet.

Armed: The family are trained to hunt and protect themselves

End in sight? Brent Snr has made the castle his life's work

In another scene, called The Army of Armageddon, Brent Snr plans a surprise attack on the castle, carried out by 20 of his friends, to demonstrate to how vulnerable it is.

The marauders, who are armed with paintball guns, arrive in trucks and start letting off explosions and smoke bombs to disorientate his offspring.

The family panic and can be seen running through the castle like scared 'mice'.

One by one they are brought down by their assailants, who also have German Shepherds with them.

Two of the girls jump out of the windows, but one is quickly apprehended. Another makes it into the woods, but is later caught by a man on a quad bike.

'None of them escaped,' said Brent Snr ruefully.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2395643/Father-builds-hilltop-castle-complete-drawbridge-portcullis-underground-bunker--Carolina.html#ixzz2lcOHX0Ce

Are you interested in being the real Monarch of the Glen? Highland estate made famous in the TV series goes on the market for the first time in 200 years for £7million Balavil House, featured as Kilwillie Castle, in popular BBC series
01:47 Nov 25 2013
Times Read: 556




7,000 estate owned by Allan Macpherson-Fletcher's family since 1790

Designed by renowned Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam,

But its origins are thought to date all the way back to Pictish times



The Highland estate made famous by the popular TV series Monarch of the Glen has gone on the market for the first time in 200 years for £7million.

Balavil House was known as Kilwillie Castle and its 7,000 acres near Kinguissie, Inverness, as the fictional estate of Glenbogle by fans of the BBC programme, starring the late Richard Briers.

The estate, which allows visitors to stalk red deer, shoot grouse and pheasant and even catch salmon, has been owned by Allan Macpherson-Fletcher's family since 1790.

Balavil House, the Highland estate which featured in the popular TV series Monarch of the Glen has gone on the market for a primetime price of £7million

Balavil House, the Highland estate which featured in the popular TV series Monarch of the Glen has gone on the market for a primetime price of £7million

Balavil House and its 7,000 acres near Kinguissie, Inverness - known as Kilwillie Castle by fans of the BBC programme has been owned by Allan Macpherson-Fletcher's family since 1790

Balavil House and its 7,000 acres near Kinguissie, Inverness - known as Kilwillie Castle by fans of the BBC programme has been owned by Allan Macpherson-Fletcher's family since 1790

Monarch of the Glen, first aired in 2000 and followed Archie MacDonald, a young restaurateur is called back to his childhood home of Glenbogle where he is told he is the new Laird of Glenbogle

Monarch of the Glen, first aired in 2000 and followed Archie MacDonald, a young restaurateur is called back to his childhood home of Glenbogle where he is told he is the new Laird of Glenbogle

But now he wants to retire and pass the land onto a younger shooting enthusiast.

He said: 'Balavil has provided great fun for family, friends and clients over the years but, after running the estate for 40 years, the time has come to retire.

'We hope that someone with vision will take the estate forward into the next chapter of its rich history.'



More...

Farmhouse with 'tremendous potential' is sold for just £250,000... but particulars didn't mention it was the scene of brutal torture killing by drugs gang

When The King was a sergeant: Army uniform worn by Elvis during his 1950s service up for auction at £13,000

Andrew Rettie, of selling agents Strutt and Parker, said: 'A jewel in the crown of Scottish sporting estates, Balavil encompasses the very best the Highlands can offer, from spectacular sport to a house made for entertaining.

'In addition, the welcome and hospitality offered by the Macpherson-Fletchers in running the house as a business is second to none and known throughout the UK and further afield.

The kitchen at Balavil House. The estate has not available for sale in 223 years

The kitchen at Balavil House. The estate has not available for sale in 223 years

One of the stairways at the Highland estate, decorated with traditional stag's heads. Balavil House was designed by renowned Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam, but its origins are thought to date all the way back to Pictish times

One of the stairways at the Highland estate, decorated with traditional stag's heads. Balavil House was designed by renowned Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam, but its origins are thought to date all the way back to Pictish times

'They have made Balavil House a centrepiece of the estate. Buyers will not necessarily choose to continue with the business but they have the potential to do so if they so wish.

'Visiting Balavil is a unique experience and, of course, it offers the opportunity to achieve a Macnab, a hallowed challenge sought after by many a sportsman.'

The 6,846-acre estate is made up of 600 acres of forestry, flowing landscaped parkland, eight houses and cottages, a hill farm with a cow herd and a flock of sheep.

Balavil House was designed by renowned Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam, but its origins are thought to date all the way back to Pictish times.

During the 16th century, the estate - then known as Raitts - was a stronghold of the MacIntosh clan and it was the site of the Comyn massacre

Pictured is the dining room. During the 16th century, the estate - then known as Raitts - was a stronghold of the MacIntosh clan and it was the site of the Comyn massacre

It featured as Kilwillie Castle in the Monarch of the Glen and it was also the location for an episode of the Kill it, Cook it, Eat with presenter Julia Bradbury

The drawing room of the house, which not only featured as Kilwillie Castle in the Monarch of the Glen but was also the location for an episode of the Kill it, Cook it, Eat with presenter Julia Bradbury

During the 16th century, the estate - then known as Raitts - was a stronghold of the MacIntosh clan and it was the site of the Comyn massacre

In 1790, it was bought by Allan's great, great, great, great uncle, James 'Ossian' Macpherson - who was known for translating ancient Gaelic manuscripts from the third century bard, Ossian.

Ossian was considered the most important literary figure in Europe and Napoleon never travelled without his copy of The Poems of Ossian.

James commissioned Robert Adam to build Balavil House, incorporating the walls of the original castle.

In 1790, the estate was bought by James 'Ossian' Macpherson - who was known for translating ancient Gaelic manuscripts from the third century bard, Ossian. He commissioned Robert Adam to build Balavil House, incorporating the walls of the original castle

In 1790, the estate was bought by James 'Ossian' Macpherson - who was known for translating ancient Gaelic manuscripts from the third century bard, Ossian. He commissioned Robert Adam to build Balavil House, incorporating the walls of the original castle

The 6,846-acre estate is made up of 600 acres of forestry, flowing landscaped parkland, eight houses and cottages, a hill farm with a cow herd and a flock of sheep

The 6,846-acre estate is made up of 600 acres of forestry, flowing landscaped parkland, eight houses and cottages, a hill farm with a cow herd and a flock of sheep

The name Balavil derives from the French belle ville, beautiful town, which Macpherson adopted as the name of the estate in 1790.

But in recent years, the house has become a regular appearance on television programmes.

It featured as Kilwillie Castle in the Monarch of the Glen and it was also the location for an episode of the Kill it, Cook it, Eat with presenter Julia Bradbury.

It also once played host to chefs Sophie Grigson and the Two Hairy Bikers.

Monarch of the Glen, first aired in 2000 and followed Archie MacDonald, a young restaurateur is called back to his childhood home of Glenbogle where he is told he is the new Laird of Glenbogle.

The series followed the eccentric family and residents of the sprawling and rundown estate as the new Laird tried to get it back on its feet.







Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2390235/Highland-estate-famous-Monarch-Glen-goes-market-7m.html#ixzz2lcLagjX2

Perfect Iced Coffee Prep Time: 8 Hours Cook Time: Difficulty: Easy Servings: 24
16:01 Nov 18 2013
Times Read: 563

Ingredients

1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)

8 quarts Cold Water

Half-and-half (healthy Splash Per Serving)

Sweetened Condensed Milk (2-3 Tablespoons Per Serving)

Note: Can Use Skim Milk, 2% Milk, Whole Milk, Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Syrups...adapt To Your Liking!

Preparation Instructions

(Adapted from Imbibe Magazine)

In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight.

Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.

Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.

To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (can use plain sugar instead) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sweetened condensed milk as needed.

The Effects of Quinine on the Body: Think twice before drinking too much Tonic Water with Quinine...
02:10 Nov 18 2013
Times Read: 566

Quinine Origins

Quinine is a potent drug originally made from powdered bark of the cinchona tree, found primarily in South America. The drug was popularized in the 1800s as a cure for malaria, started primarily in Britain but eventually adopted throughout the world as one of the few effective treatments for curing the mosquito-born illness. Today there are much more effective treatments for malaria, but synthetic derivations of quinine are stilled used in extreme cases, with some small applications elsewhere in the field of medicine. Because quinine can easily have a toxic effect on the human body, the use of it and similar compounds is carefully regulated by the FDA.



Quinine Process

Malaria itself is a serious disease caused by a protozoa that is carried by certain species of mosquitoes. Once inside the human body, the protozoa multiple and spread throughout the organs, where they can cause serious damage. Malaria is usually fatal without treatment, and even today many emerging countries depend on quinine to treat malaria epidemics. Currently, the prescribed dosage is 600 mg, taken three times a day, for no more than a week. Dosages are usually taken in the form of pills.



While quinine has provable effects on the human body, scientists are still unsure how it kills the organisms that cause malaria. The most popular theory is that the compound interferes with the protozoa's ability to manufacture food or perform other necessary functions, killing them off before they can cause too much damage.



Quinine Effects

For humans, quinine is inherently toxic, and like other alkaloid-based compounds can cause severe problems if taken in the incorrect dose or taken for too long. There are several common side effects, such as swelling, nausea and headaches, but these are to be expected with even regular quinine doses. Severe effects include liver, kidney and heart damage, which can easily become fatal, especially if quinine doses are too high. If the patient is on other medications, it is also possible that quinine will cause a fatal complication.



In order to decrease the danger of quinine-related poisonings, synthetic drugs such as mepacrine and chloroquine were developed to treat malaria, allowing doctors to have greater control over the effect of the medication on the human body. Quinine, while reserved only for certain malaria cases or places where synthetic drugs are not cost efficient, can also be used as a home remedy for leg cramps, although this is greatly discouraged by the FDA because of the dangers involved in taking the drug.



Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5486148_effects-quinine-body.html#ixzz2kxWC8RiM

PRIVATE ENTRY
00:22 Nov 18 2013
Times Read: 569


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

Obama Administration & FDA: Grant McKenzie Lowe, a 12 year old girl with a DIPG brain tumor, a compassionate use exemption to be treated by Dr. Burzynski with his ANP drug (Antineoplastons). Petition for her to receive treatments...
22:58 Nov 17 2013
Times Read: 571

I know this young girl, and she deserves every right to try this medication to save her life. Doesn't every child deserve a chance? She has a brain tumor that has been in remission and is now growing back....

Please share this with everyone you know and sign the petition. President Obama needs these signatures to make it happen.

The link is as follows:



http://www.change.org/petitions/obama-administration-fda-grant-mckenzie-lowe-a-12-year-old-girl-with-a-dipg-brain-tumor-a-compassionate-use-exemption-to-be-treated-by-dr-burzynski-with-his-anp-drug-antineoplastons-2





Petition by

Friends of McKenzie Lowe

The median overall survival of children diagnosed with DIPG is approximately 9 months. The 1 and 2 year survival rates are approximately 30% and less than 10%, respectively. These statistics make it one of the most devastating pediatric malignancies.



McKenzie is fast approaching the one year mark and her latest MRI revealed that the tumor has started to grow again. We are running out of time and Antineoplastons is the first and only cancer therapy in world medical history to cure a DIPG. Please help us to save this amazing little girl by signing our petition. No family should be denied the chance to at least try.



To:

The Governor of NH

Gov. Margaret Hassan, New Hampshire

FDA

Mr. President Barack Obama

We are requesting that you grant McKenzie Lowe, a 12 year old girl with a DIPG brain tumor, a compassionate use exemption to be treated by Dr. Burzynski with his ANP drug (Antineoplastons).



The median overall survival of children diagnosed with DIPG is approximately 9 months. The 1 and 2 year survival rates are approximately 30% and less than 10%, respectively. These statistics make it one of the most devastating pediatric malignancies.



McKenzie is fast approaching the one year mark and her latest MRI revealed that the tumor has started to grow again. We are running out of time and Antineoplastons is the first and only cancer therapy in world medical history to cure a DIPG. Please help us to save this amazing little girl by allowing her the freedom to get the treatment she needs. No family should be denied the chance to at least try.



Sincerely,

Friends of McKenzie Lowe

Sincerely,

[Your name]

PRIVATE ENTRY
04:53 Nov 16 2013
Times Read: 580


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

Etiquette Amongst the Damned; or, Vampire Ethics
04:05 Nov 16 2013
Times Read: 582

By Corvis Nocturnum



Almost parallel to "normal everyday life" there is another. At night we find Vampires do exist in dark nightclubs across the country, and we occasionally find Satanists performing rituals who aren't Devil worshipers at all. There are people dressed as Dominatrices, complete in bondage gear, in this world rich in its mix of diverse and wondrous people, each one having their own story. In dealing with our fellow travelers in the dark, it is a razor's edge we walk. Strangers stare in childlike awe or whisper, of course, but to become accepted among any of them, treat them as you wish to be treated. Above all be respectful. This goes for anyone, at any stage of acceptance, which is sometimes forgotten. Ironically, respect and proper behavior, which may be inconstant in everyday life of a vast amount of most "regular" people, is demanded among the majority of people in so-called "alternative" religions and lifestyles.



No matter your own title or that of those in your presence, bear in mind the old adage of attracting more flies with honey. In nearly every subcultural community, no matter how diverse the type, elders have laid out detailed documents of proper behavior. As much as it may shock the lay person, Satanists follow much more than one might think; The Eleven Rules of the Earth, The Nine Satanic Statements. The Vampire Community has The Black Veil. BDSM lifestylers have protocol. Many of these written guidelines have their origins in Renaissance times, were courtly behavior was expected. The medieval courtiers of literature were gentlemen, a compilation of traits ranging from classical scholar, well-dressed in their choice in attire, a cut above the common in public speaking. All of this influencing and codifying the precise qualities from chivalric codes and nobility, and is the source of the flawless dress, impeccable speech and manners of an English gentleman of old. Just because Satanists, Vampires (or Vampyres, depending on your preference) and Goths may look freakish does not preclude them from having societal manners. In fact, possessing the commonly shared intellect and individuality that made them outcasts is a hallmark of our predecessors. From classics writers such as Byron, Poe, Shelly, and Stoker, and their literary works that are such an influence on Vampires' and Goths' Edwardian style of jewelry and dress, to works of art by people such as Joseph Vargo, Brom, and myself, have a far reaching effect in many ways. Etiquette in dark subcultures today came from a bygone era where it was a given to act as a polished and refined as one could -- exemplary specimens of human dignity, a living example of an ideal society.



It is important to understand the attitude of the past in comparison of today, especially in dealing with issues among alternative people.



There are areas of debate in ethics and safety among Vampires. It is touchy, in giving and taking of blood. Some cling to its necessity, whether it is symbolic and magical or not. The debate rages. The feeding type debate here is used for many reasons. Two examples are for the purpose of psychology, the other safety.



Safety and common sense should need no guidelines, but an alarming amount of people take no heed to it. If for no other reason than following proper protocol, newbies hopefully will save themselves from AIDS, and any other STDs. Rules can be useful as a psychological tool here. If new members want to social-climb, they need follow guidelines to save face. If it also saves their lives, so much the better -- a lot of leaders make it mandatory that their members get checked for diseases. Seeing as BDSM aspects of bloodplay and the erotic nature of vampires in general merge, safe sex is encouraged. The overlap in these subcultures is severe at times, due to shared interests, and mentalities.



Dangers do exist, especially online, where anyone can claim to be whatever they wish, egos rise to ridiculous levels. This sad fact rears its ugly head as witnessed in the news of true deviants who use the net as a stalking tool to find victims, as these serial killers pretending to be a good Master or Dominant seeking a Slave or Submissive. Alarming rates of people think they have to ignore common sense to be a subject under or with BDSM lifestylers. The law automatically assumes practitioners are deviants en masse, and sweeps in -- hence the secrecy generally found among many of these subcultures. Safe houses and guidelines have luckily been appearing more and more.



On shows such as CSI the demeanor presented of most vampires is more than slightly skewed. A negative portrayal for entertainment, depicting vampires as deranged sociopaths instead of rational people who have a differing sense of style, needs, and beliefs. Televisions or movies portray the two extremes of good and bad in these kinds of groups. Yes, the images in fiction most of us see or read about are vile or are anti-heroes like Lestat of the Anne Rice novels, or Laurel K. Hamilton's Jean-Claude. Yes, they personify the 14th century dress, elegance and meticulously delivered speech. One in particular, such as "The Vampire" Don Henrie, has this allure. Some may feel these traits are pretentious or arrogant. However, instead of having little or no regard to his fellow clubber, he has an almost regal quality. Don allows no politics on his official website, and disdains gossip in person. If others followed his example perhaps there would be less strife in the community.



Underneath this thin veneer of poise lay predators, at times. Some have no ethics and prey upon the unwary; deeming it their right to use anyone as a living battery, to throw away when its usefulness is used up. To these people, it is as Deacon Frost said in the first Blade movie, "These people are cattle, our food." Fortunately, others however feed from ambient energy in clubs, concerts, harming no one. They follow The Black Veil, clinging to manners to disprove the stereotype of malice that folklore and modern fiction paint them. Clubs of a BDSM nature or large raves have been shut down by authorities, under the pretense of prostitution or drug raids because society fears what it does not understand. Some Pagans buy into the same hype and fear, treating Satanists and Vampires in a similar fashion as some of the Christians throughout history reacted to them, short of killing them! An ironic double standard. There are Vampire churches. The Church of Satan is as equally protected as Wicca is in the U.S. Army guidebook, but it does not seem to matter. To protect our image, dark pagans, Goths, etc., either behave perfectly to prove false their unwarranted harassment, or lash out without any code of proper conduct.



Michelle Belanger's Psychic Vampire Codex explains clearly the types of Vampires that walk among us and ethically details both feeding techniques and conduct. My own book, Embracing the Darkness; Understanding Dark Subcultures explained away misconceptions many groups face in their own words, the feelings and reasons for being misunderstood from a plethora of individuals in hopes the mainstream would fear us less. But more importantly, we both strive to provide a voice for our peers, and offer guidance we didn't have.



True predators exist in all classes of people, from doctors and lawyers in our everyday life to punks in the street. Just because the modern vampire happens to feel comfortable in an archetypical presentation publicly does not a monster make. It is unfortunate that the shadow side of life is full of many egomaniacs who believe their path condones rudeness, and malicious or unethical behavior. But it is the individuals' choice, not the type of lifestyle that dictates such things. The "asshole effect", as Dark Pagan John J. Coughlin calls it, of many in the left hand path who selfishly disregard the responsibility that power and leadership demand. One must strive to serve while leading, becoming an example. That is the role of an Elder, High Priest, or Dominant.



The best defense against attacks is to leave no chinks in your own armor. Keeping a good reputation is vital, guard your reputation carefully, one seldom gets the chance to earn respect twice in life. By acting noble, you inspire confidence. The words we use are weapons in the war of wills. People judge you by it as much as they do your choice of dress. There is power in a good vocabulary; it speaks of good breeding, manners, and intelligence.



If you wish to be treated like a king, then act like a king. It has been said "For to princes and other great men, it is a rule to rule themselves that rule others." Ambition is a fine thing, and craving the finer things or power is not evil, but how it is gained, and how it is wielded is important. I am an elitist who wants to have the best in life. But I remember how hard the climb was and who helped me get there.



Tread lightly in the dark; you never know who you step on!



----------



About the author



Occult researcher and Gothic fantasy artist Warlock Corvis Nocturnum has maintained office as the Vice President of the Fort Wayne Pagan Alliance, a faith tolerance organization and acted as Vendor Director/Coordinator for Pagan Pride Day in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has done lectures at various events all over Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois on the subjects in Embracing the Darkness; Understanding Dark Subcultures, work detailing the truth and crossover of alternative lifestyles, gaining the attention of readers all over the world. The grand and great-grandson of a Mason belongs to the Church of Satan, where he holds the second degree title of Warlock. He remains involved in bringing about public awareness to Satanism's true nature at conventions and universities, by being an invited speaker at Indiana Purdue University's World Religions seminar. Various writings of his have appeared in newsletters and online groups, and he has spoken out on Dr. Ed Craft's online radio show, Magick Mind Radio. Corvis is currently the co-publisher of Dark Moon Press and of The Ninth Gate Magazine, a publication featuring fashion and interviews with bands in the Pagan, Satanic, Goth and Vampire communities. As well he is the manager of the psychical store of The Ninth Gate located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Corvis enjoys painting and movies while not writing.

Healing Our Pets Without Overusing Antibiotics 11/14/2013 3:14:00 PM By Aaron Miller Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/healing-pets-zbcz1311.aspx#ixzz2kmFsaPyR
03:55 Nov 16 2013
Times Read: 584

It’s funny how differently we handle health issues and basic daily needs one way for humans and another way for our dear non-human friends, our pets. They eat the same food every day for years on end, and some for their entire life. I’m sure that’s not how nature designed it but it’s the way we do things now. Another thing we do is take them into the vet clinic anytime they have something wrong without a second thought (I notice this more in urban areas than rural ones though). We’ll go weeks with a cold but if poor little scruffy has the sniffles, call Dr. Grey cause I need the OR prepped, stat! But nothing bothers me more than paying hundreds of dollars just to have the vet tell me they don’t know and maybe try this or that, and to “keep an eye on it”. I could do that online for free. Though be careful, home diagnosis can be dangerous. In some mild cases, however, it can work out for the benefit of your wallet, your peace of mind and for the well-being of your best friend.



I have a goofy four year old Bulldog/Pitt-bull buddy named Winslow. If drooling all over the floor after drinking some water were a competition, he would be champion of the world. I recently left him in a kennel for a few days while I got married in August, more for my sanity than out of real necessity. Sure enough when he got back home he started in with the deep, throaty cough and hacking up of phlegm that accompanies the infamous “Kennel Cough” (he had the vaccine by the way). My wife’s parents were still staying with us and had their three dogs with them as well as our other dog Chester. Panic set in quickly for the household when they realized that kennel cough is what he had, being that it is very contagious. I had two choices; go to the vet or research some natural remedies. Being a responsible father I called our vet clinic first and asked some questions but received the answers I knew I would. There was nothing they could do but prescribe antibiotics. Sounds pretty serious right? If something needs antibiotics you don’t want to take chances right? Well that’s not necessarily the best outlook to have.



Antibiotic resistance is a real yet generally misunderstood problem, and part of the reason is overuse and lack of bacterial education. A little history lesson for you, in 1945 Penicillin was first used commercially. One year later 14% of Staphylococcus Aureus (the SA in MRSA) was resistant. By 1950, 59% was resistant and by 1995 the figure rose to 95%. Before the end of the millennium, the first Staph strain resistant to all known antibiotics infected its first three people, just forty-four years after being introduced. Today, the drug companies are making less and less new antibiotics so think about forty-four years from now. Three traits of bacteria help make antibiotic overuse a big issue. 1. Bacteria create new generations every 20 minutes which helps resistant mutations spread fast. 2. When they create a resistance to a particular antibiotic, they can create multiple additional resistances. Even to antibiotics we haven’t invented yet. 3. When they develop a resistance they can, especially during times of stress, pass that genetic code into the environment to other bacteria they come in contact with, even if it is a different bacterium.



Why am I lecturing so hard on antibiotics and kennel cough? Antibiotics work on bacterial infections only, not viral ones, which most kennel cough is a mixture of both so this won’t ‘cure’ kennel cough. Most vets will offer to run expensive tests to verify what exact strands they have but that still ends with a ‘keep an eye on it’ and an antibiotic to just sort of ‘cover the bases’. And given the very real problem we have with resistance, we have to leave them for emergencies only. It is not so far-fetched that within our children or grandchildren’s lifetime, they will be as vulnerable to infection as we were just 100 years ago. We all need to do our part to slow this end of the antibiotic golden age and nature is here to help. Pay attention to keywords such as “anti-bacterial” and “anti-viral”, this is why they work.



kennel cough



Treatment



The first thing to do is keep them from over exerting themselves. Every time they cough and hack or throw-up, you get irritation in the airways and more inflammation. Keep them relaxed, keep them calm. It’s good not to have company over so they don’t run around like a crazy person (or dog). Oatmeal is good for calming and be sure to limit exercise.



Just like a chest cold, warm humid air helps open up the airways all clogged with mucus. I took a shower with Winslow and turned up the heat but kept the exhaust fan off to fill the space with steam. This helps though in our case I only did it once. If the problem would have persisted, I would have done it more but he started improving so fast that I just ‘kept an eye on it’.



Honey. Oh boy do dogs love honey, which is good because it coats the throat and helps with the irritation that causes them to cough and irritate the airways and throat. It also has fantastic disinfecting properties as well as anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Though the strength of these properties will vary depending on what plants the pollen was taken from, all honey has these traits. Make sure it is raw honey too. We know a lady not 5 miles away that does her own beekeeping and we buy our honey from her and her husband. Supporting local business and fresh raw honey; win-win. Winslow is 80 pounds so a tablespoon three times a day is fine but if you have an 8 pound dog like our Chester, you may want to give smaller doses.



Fresh Garlic. Garlic has fantastic anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties to it. It can however be tough to get your dog to eat garlic so I recommend a mixture that includes some other ingredients that I will mention towards the end.



Cinnamon. This is another good tasting natural product that has great anti-viral properties. Sprinkle some on the dog’s food and let them go to town.



Coconut Oil. This also contains strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Additionally it helps coat the throat and ease discomfort. The aroma makes it easy for dogs to enjoy without much persuasion. Too much coconut oil can lead to diarrhea so use less if this occurs.



What I did besides giving Winslow honey a few times a day was create a mixture that I gave once a day. The mixture had a few tablespoons of coconut oil, one tablespoon honey, a couple cloves of garlic and sprinkled cinnamon. Some dogs are more sensitive to certain foods and some could have allergies to the ingredients so it’s best to always watch your pets anytime you try natural remedies. If the cough worsens, take your dog to the vet immediately.



Sources: foodsafety.ksu.edu/articles/280/molecular_mechanisms_antimic_resist.pdf



www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_10/features/Kennel-Cough-Remedies_16067-1.html



www.kennelcoughhelp.com/kennel-cough-remedies.php



Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/healing-pets-zbcz1311.aspx#ixzz2kmG4vy5Q

Why Having Pets Makes Us More Human 11/13/2013 10:12:00 AM By Lindsay McNamara
03:48 Nov 16 2013
Times Read: 585

When I was in grade school, I wanted nothing more than to have a cat. I begged and begged my parents. I watched all kinds of cat shows on Animal Planet to learn as much as I could about being a pet owner. Finally, my dad took me to get a cat. I was so happy I wore my ‘Cool Cat’ shirt and gladly hopped in the car as my dad drove us to his friend’s house.



After what seemed like forever, we arrived. There were several black and white kittens running around this man’s home and I couldn’t believe one of them was going to be mine! All of the kittens were very playful and friendly, but there was one that stayed with my dad and I even when all of her brothers and sisters went in the other room to play. That kitten was the one for me. I loved her immediately and we took her home to meet the rest of my family.



My parents named her ‘Trixy,’ after one of the characters in The Honeymooners. Over the course of time, she got used to her new home and found lots of ways to make all of us smile. She sat on the ledge of the bathtub whenever my sister took a bath and drank water from a yellow smiley face bucket. My sister got into a lot of sticky situations when she was a toddler and Trixy was her partner in crime. cat with fish



Trixy loved Christmas time and enjoyed sleeping underneath the tree and playing with ornaments until they fell down. She would always come down to the kitchen when my mom was making turkey or roasted chicken…or when we shook the bag of her treats and asked if she wanted a ‘yummy.’



After a new arrival to our family, Luke the dog, moved in, Trixy was not too thrilled, but she still cuddled with us every night and purred when you rubbed her whiskers or pet under her chin. She was a happy cat who enjoyed making all of our nice furniture furry.



When I moved out on my own to my apartment, I was a little lonely at first. My parents suggested Trixy move in with me. Trixy became a beach kitty almost a year ago, in late December of 2012, at the age of 14.



Over the course of the last several months, Trixy and I became closer than we had ever been. We grew up together. She was one of my first hellos when I came home from college. I judged all of my boyfriends based on whether she liked them or not. That’s what happens when you have a pet since you were eight years old. I can’t imagine how different my life would’ve been growing up without her.



A lot of folks have strong opinions about cats, like them or dislike them, but I will always think of Trixy as one of my best friends. She was there for me when I was upset and would put her paw on my hand to show me that she knew I was sad. She would greet me at the door when I would come home from work. Trixy loved to cuddle and would often bite my laptop if it was on my lap instead of her. She begged for food like a dog and was particularly fond of my Sunday morning omelets. She was a constant source of support, always listening and never judging. She was someone to come home to and someone to take care of, which is important for a single girl living alone, especially when she helped me try to kill bugs.



I grew accustomed to having her around. I didn’t shut my bathroom door all the way at night so she could use her litter box if she needed, and I pulled my bed sheets down in the morning before work so she couldn’t sleep under them and get everything (even more) furry.



My friend passed away last week at the age of 15. I have thought a lot about our friendship since then, and through all of the tears and the heartbreak, I have found that having a pet makes us more human.



They challenge us to be as selfless and loyal as they are. They teach us responsibility when we are younger and the importance of trust. Our animals rely on us to feed them and take care of them and in return, they ask for a simple belly rub or to cuddle up on the couch. I think our connection to animals is strengthened by the fact that we don’t speak the same language. It makes us to get know one another on a deeper level and really understand their feelings. They do become part of your family, but in most cases, they are better than family because they tend to be more likeable. Our animals are a constant source of love and joy and make us laugh at any chance they get. I think if everyone acted a little bit more like their pets; the world would be a better place.



At night, I still don’t close my bathroom door all the way and I still pull my bed sheets down before work in the morning. I don’t think I will ever stop. It reminds me that although Trixy is not here, she will always be with me and she will always be a part of my life. I will always think of her as I strive to be a good person and to make a positive impact on the world. I hope anyone who has lost an animal – a cat, dog, horse, hamster, rabbit, fish or lizard – cherishes the time that was spent in their presence and tries to be a little more human every day.



Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/why-pets-zbcz1311.aspx#ixzz2kmDxoU1L

Beating the Winter and Holiday Blues!!!....
15:02 Nov 14 2013
Times Read: 591

http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/aromatherapywinterblues.asp





Other Ways to Help Combat The Symptoms of Depression





Eating and Nutrition

Depression can cause overeating for some individuals and loss of appetite for others. Eating a healthy diet full of nutritionally-rich foods can nourish your body so that it can naturally help balance your emotions and naturally overcome depression. If you are overeating by way of fast foods, pizza, desserts, sweets and other fattening or sugary comfort foods, you may still be starving your body of the nutrients that will help you naturally ward off depression and sadness. Strive to modify your diet to include nutritionally rich foods. Making a radical and sudden change, especially when depressed, can be overwhelming and cause you to quickly give up, so make the changes gradually. Set modest goals, and take pride in yourself when you have reached the goal. Learn more about nutrition and eating naturally by talking to your medical practitioner, consulting with a qualified nutritionist who can tailor suggestions based on your particular health situation and by reading up on the subject. Ask your doctor for advice on adding a vitamin/mineral supplement to your diet.





Exercise

Exercise is a natural way to help ease stress. Exercise helps to flex and strengthen the muscles and helps to eliminate the tension that builds up within them. Exercise also helps to speed up circulation and increases your intake of oxygen. When depressed, it can be especially hard at first to achieve the motivation needed to exercise, but regular physical activity can be a powerful way to help combat the feelings of depression, and improve your overall energy level. Exercising is also a great way to take your mind off of any situations that may be the source of your depression. Discuss a fitness plan with your medical doctor first. If the idea of exercising seems overwhelming, start off slowly with modest goals. Often, once you start a simple routine and start noticing how your physical and emotional outlook improves, it is easy to move forward.



Helping Others

I have had the opportunity to learn a great deal about depression by reading, talking with experts, and soliciting ideas from friends who suffer from depression. Several life changing events in my past also gave me a first-hand glimpse at the feelings and symptoms of depression. One suggestion in particular has constantly surfaced and I have personally found it to be effective: volunteering and helping others. The idea is that if you focus on the needs of others, it can help you feel rewarded and forget, at least temporarily, your own personal struggles. Consider volunteering at a local non-profit organization, shelter, your church or other establishment. If that isn't possible, there are still other ways that you can help others. If you like to knit, for instance, make a blanket for someone who could use one. If you like to cook, see if there is a shelter or nursing home in your area that would welcome a batch of cookies. If you have expertise on a subject, find message boards and communities online where you can share your advice with others that need it.





Music, Television and Movies

When depressed, it's easy to lean towards watching sad or violent shows/movies or listening to depressing music or sad love songs that remind you of your lost love.



Music can illicit powerful emotions. Focus on listening to musical styles that are upbeat, energizing or soothing. Avoid music and lyrics that may emphasize a negative emotional state, and steer clear of songs that trigger sad memories. Just like with the suggestions for music, focus on watching television shows and movies that are more positive and upbeat.

30 Common Dream Symbols and Their Meanings By Rebecca Turner Lucid Dreaming Forum Lucid Dream Forum Common Dream Symbols and Their Meanings
13:17 Nov 14 2013
Times Read: 597

Dreams are like personal letters from the subconscious mind. If only they were written in the same language we use in waking reality!



Fortunately, we have the ability to study our dreams and interpret the common dream symbols they contain. Although there is no hard and fast rule book of universal definitions, the following dream meanings offer a sound starting point for most people.



It's worth stating that dreams are not psychic premonitions of the future. They are subtle, subconscious thought patterns expressing information and emotions we aren't aware of while awake. All dream symbols are programmed by your own subconscious self (even in lucid dreams, where the conscious mind is allowed to play a role).



Recognizing common dream symbols is a good way to start lucid dreaming. For instance, if you repeatedly dream of cars, running away, or flying, you can attach each of these triggers to a reality check. Anytime you experience or think of the stimulus during the waking day, do a reality check. You'll soon repeat the check during your dreams when you encounter these symbols and become lucid.



How to Identify Dream Symbols

To identify common dream symbols in your own dreams, keep a dream journal. Write in the present tense as if you're actually re-experiencing the dream, and underline any unusual or poignant aspects (eg, "the frog is sad because he knows a drought is coming").



Next, refer any emotional or recurring dream symbols to a dream dictionary or the list below. Remember - don't take these definitions as read, because they do depend on the context of your dream, your personal psychological attachments to the symbols, and your current life circumstances. Just let this be a starting point for fuller personal analysis...











30 Common Dream Symbols

Animals often represent the part of your psyche that feels connected to nature and survival. Being chased by a predator suggests you're holding back repressed emotions like fear or aggression.



Babies can symbolize a literal desire to produce offspring, or your own vulnerability or need to feel loved. They can also signify a new start.



Being chased is one of the most common dream symbols in all cultures. It means you are feeling threatened, so reflect on who is chasing you (they may also be symbolic) and why they are a possible threat in real life.



Clothes make a statement about how we want other people to perceive us. If you dream symbol is shabby clothing, you may feel unattractive or worn out. Changing what you wear may reflect a lifestyle change.



Crosses are interpreted subjectively depending on your religious beliefs. Some see it as symbolizing balance, death, or an end to a particular phase of life. The specific circumstances will help define these dream symbols.



Exams can signify self-evaluation, with the content of the exam reflecting the part of your personality or life under inspection.



Death of a friend or loved one represents change (endings and new beginnings) and is not a paranormal prediction of any kind. If you are recently bereaved, it may be an attempt to come to terms with the event.



Falling is a common dream symbol that relates to our anxieties about letting go, losing control over a situation, or somehow failing after a success.



Faulty machinery in dreams is often caused by your language centers being shut down while asleep, making it difficult to dial a phone, read the time, or search the internet. It can also represent performance anxiety in life.



Food is said to symbolize knowledge, because it nourishes the body just as information nourishes the brain. Food for thought?



Demons are sneaky evil entities which signify repressed emotions. You may secretly feel the need to change your own behaviors for the better.



Hair has significant ties with sexuality, according to Freud. Abundant hair may symbolize virility, while cutting hair off in a dream shows a loss of libido. Hair loss may also express a literal fear of going bald or becoming unattractive.



Hands are always present in dreams but when they are tied up it may represent feelings of futility. Washing your hands may express guilt. Looking closely at your hands in a dream is a good way to become lucid.



Houses can host many common dream symbols, but the building as a whole represents your inner psyche. Each room or floor can symbolize different emotions, memories and interpretations of meaningful events.



Killing in your dreams does not make you a closet murderer; it represents your desire to "kill" part of your own personality. It can also symbolize hostility towards a particular person and the desire to see them suffer.



Marriage may be a literal desire to wed or a merging of the feminine and masculine parts of your psyche.



Missing a flight or any other kind of transport is another popular dream, showing your frustration over possibly missing out on important opportunities in life. It's most common when you're struggling to make a big decision.



Money can symbolize self worth. If you dream of exchanging money, it may show that you're anticipating some changes in your life.



Mountains are obstacles, so to dream of successfully climbing a mountain can reveal a true feeling of achievement. Viewing a landscape from atop a mountain can symbolize a life under review without conscious prejudice.



Nudity is one of the most common dream symbols, revealing your true self to others. You may feel vulnerable and exposed to others. Showing off your nudity may suggest sexual urges or a desire for recognition.



People (other dream characters) are reflections of your own psyche, and may demonstrate specific aspects of your own personality.



Radios and TVs can symbolize communication channels between the conscious and subconscious minds. When lucid, ask them a question...



Roads, aside from being literal manifestations, convey your direction in life. This may be time to question your current "life path".



Schools are common dream symbols in children and teenagers but what about dreaming of school in adulthood? It may display a need to know and understand yourself, fueled by life's own lessons.



Sex dreams can symbolize intimacy and a literal desire for sex. Or they may demonstrate the unification of unconscious emotions with conscious recognition, showing a new awareness and personal growth.



Teachers, aside from being literal manifestations of people, can represent authority figures with the power to enlighten you.



Teeth are common dream symbols. Dreaming of losing your teeth may show a hidden fear of getting old and being unattractive to the opposite sex.



Being trapped (physically) is a common nightmare theme, reflecting your real life inability to escape or make the right choice.



Vehicles may reflect how much control you feel you have over your life - for instance is the car out of control, or is someone else driving you?



Water comes in many forms and can symbolize the subconscious mind. Calm pools of water reflect inner peace while a choppy ocean can suggest unease.

Cooking on an open fire... Hints from the troops...
04:12 Nov 12 2013
Times Read: 610

Cooking Hints from BSA Troop 886 14 Feb 1992

Soap the bottom and side of your pots and pans before putting on the fire. This will reduce the amount of scouring you will need to do when cleaning up. Liquid soap is easier to use than bar soap. If cooking on a wood fire, wait for the flames to burn down. The coals are where the heat comes from. Also the flames will blacken the bottom and sides of the pot making clean up more difficult. When using a propane or gas stove you have a variety of heat settings, wide open is not the best way to cook. Just because what you are cooking is black on the outside it does not mean that it is cooked all the way through. Check the insides before serving. If you continually have burnt on the out side and raw on the inside food. Lower the cooking temperature so the food will cook more evenly. Get copies of your favorite recipes at home and suggest them for camping trips. Follow the recipe and box directions to prepare food. Many camping books have recipes. Check them out from the library and copy the ones that sound good. Do as much preparation as possible at home. Dice your onions, green peppers, etc. at home and store them in plastic bags. Place in the cooler before leaving. To cut down on grease in camp food, fry meats in a fine dusting of salt in the skillet instead of fat or shortening. Vegetables such as celery carrots, radishes, cabbage, and lettuce will keep fresh longer if wrapped in foil and several layers of brown paper bag. A little vinegar will remove onion and fish odor from a skillet. Scrambled eggs go further if bread crumbs and a little milk are added. A little dab of butter in oatmeal while its cooking will make pot easier to clean. Pancakes are less likely to stick if you add a tablespoon of melted fat to each 1.5 cups of batter. To remove fishy odor from your hands, rub a little vinegar on them and rinse with cold water. Bullion cubes can be substituted for meat stocks when making camp soup, stews, and gravies. Drop a small pat of butter or one tablespoon of oil in your spaghetti water to prevent it from boiling over. Stir pancake batter instead of beating it, don't worry about the lumps. they will disappear. On a cold day. butter may be too hard to spread easily. Invert a heated bowl or pan over the butter dish for a few minutes. This will soften the butter but not melt it. Save TV dinner tray to use in camp. Sprinkle a few drops of water on sliced bacon to keep it from shriveling in the pan. To keep cheese from molding, wrap it in cheese cloth dipped in vinegar. A piece of apple or orange inside a covered container of brown sugar will keep it soft. To keep salt shaker from spilling while traveling, Screw a piece of plastic wrap under the lid. Place bread in a shoe box to keep it from being smashed. Rice in the salt shaker will absorb moisture and keep salt from lumping. By using lids whenever possible, you will greatly reduce the cooking time required for many foods,

Cooking Hints -- 2 --

Lightly grease a cast-iron fiddle before making first pancakes. Then rub a raw peeled potato between batches. This will produce golden brown flapjacks that will not stick. To tenderize tough cuts of meat, as for stew, add a little vinegar to the water in which the meat is being boiled. Cheese cut in small strips or narrow slices will keep well in a covered glass jar. A little lemon juice added to the boiling water will make rice whiter and keep the grains from sticking. At or near sea level foods cook quickly, care must be taken to prevent burning. A can or bottle can be used as a rolling pin. Eggs can be removed from the shell, whole, and stored in an oil jar with lid. They won't break and can still be poured out on at a time. Form hamburgers, biscuits or cookies with a clean tin can, glass or cup. Use fingernail polish to mark foil dinners. It won't burn off in the coals. Do not spray non-stick coatings for pans on a hot skillet / pan or near coals or flames. The spray can ignite causing the can to explode. Vegetables can be warmed directly in their own can, but you must first open the lid part way to vent off steam. Otherwise, the can might explode. A small soft drink bottle can be used as a potato masher. Adding a pinch or two of salt to water when boiling a cracked egg will prevent the whites from running out, or wrap the eggs tightly in aluminum foil. Mix instant drinks in a screw top plastic bottle. A pinch of flour sprinkled on fat while frying will stop the spattering. Removing a single strip of bacon from a package is difficult. Roll the packaged tightly. The slices will come off easily. Don't salt meats while (or before) they are broiled. Salt starts the juices running and you'll loose flavor. Slab bacon will keep without molding for long periods if first washed in water and a small amount of soda, then dried over a smoky fire. Biscuits, breads and corn cakes which are dried out can be freshened by placing in a brown paper bag after sprinkling lightly with water. Place the bag near the heat or in a reflector oven for a few minutes. If vegetables or cereal scorch, plunge the pan and all into cold water for a few minutes. Much of the burned taste will be dissipated. Test spaghetti for doneness by throwing one noodle up against a tree. If it sticks it is done. (Remove from tree after test!) If your stew or gravy is too salty, cut pieces of raw potato and add to the mix. Remove after a few minutes. The potato will absorb the salt. Eggs dipped in boiling water for 10 seconds will last for weeks in a camp ice chest. To check if an egg is fresh place it in water, if it sinks it is fresh if it floats it is bad. Store eggs with large end up, they will stay fresh longer. Lining your cooking equipment with foil will save cleanup. Wipe dishes and pans with a paper towel, to get the grease off before cleaning. A pop top liquid soap container can be used to store vegetable oil. (Be sure to mark the contents of the container on the outside.) A whisk broom or a 4 inch paint brush can be used to sweep out your tent before striking. When traveling you can heat frozen T. V. dinners on the manifold of your car.

Cooking Hints -- 3 --

A substitute for maple syrup can be made by heating brown sugar in a little water. Deepen a shallow pan with heavy duty aluminum foil. Use plastic bags for mixing foods. Use a clean stick as a stirring spoon. A maple syrup substitute can be made by heating brown sugar and a little water while stirring constantly. Enjoy scrambled eggs but don't get stuck with a hard-to-clean pan. Rinse it out with cold water first and leave a very thin layer of water at the bottom before adding egg. To separate egg yolk s from the whites, crack egg into a saucer. Turn an egg cup upside-down over the yolk. Tip off white into a basin. Take the backache out of washing messy pans by always filling used pans with cold water straight away. When popping corn, you'll get better results if you place corn in the freezer for a day, or as long as you care, beforehand. Save your used eggshells in a jug of water. In a few days it will be ready to use on your indoor plans, the resultant liquid makes a good plant food. Keep water boiled over a wood fire free of that smoky taste by throwing a clean sliver of wood into the water while your boiling it. You say that some of the eggs you carried along acquired a cracks en route? You can still boil them successfully if you first wrap them in tissue, Use string to tie the tissue closed like a purse around the egg. If you carry along eggs, avoid cracks (and worse) by packing them in your flour or sugar. To test the griddle temperature before cooking, let a drop of water fall onto the surface. If the water simply lies there and bubbles, the griddle is too cool. If the drop pops and jumps, it's time to cook. If it splatters and disappears, the griddle is too hot and should be raised a bit from the heat source. The Hand Thermometer enables you to try on your campfire, recipes which specify a cooking temperature. Of course, the secret of any campfire cooking is to try and maintain steadily glowing coals, but once you have your fire in this state, you can gauge its approximate temperature by using your hand.

Hold your bare hand over the coals and count off second ("1 and 2 and 3..."). Your temperature guide id the number of second you can hold your hand over the fire.

-If you have to remove your hand between four and five seconds, you have a low heat (about 300 degrees F) -If you have to remove your hand between three and four seconds, you have a low heat (about 350 degrees F) -If you have to remove your hand before you can count to three seconds, you have a low heat (about 400 degrees F)

To find the temperature you want, raise or lower your hand and you will know where to set your cooking utensils. No matter what you are cooking, the results will be more consistent if you maintain an even or near-even heat. And, by using your hand thermometer, you will assure that your meal cooks at the rate which will produce the tastiest results every time.

Cooking Hints -- 4 --

You need even heat for griddle cooking, so use the griddle only over coals or on a stove. It won't work successfully over a campfire. The day is hot and breezy and you want to keep your drinking water cold. Wrap the water container in a wet cloth and hang it in the open from a branch of a tree. It's good as putting it in a regular refrigerator On that same day you can keep your dinner meat cold by wrapping it in foil and burying it in the ground. When you've finished cooking, set your cook pot off to one side. Perhaps if you give them their own plate, the bees, wasps, flies and other pests will stay away from yours. Avoid "burnt offerings from a Dutch oven by placing the baking pan 4 to 5 cm above the bottom of the oven. If you're having a problem cleaning a pan, rub the area with salt. To refreshen a pack of marshmallows place them in a brown paper bag and place in a warm oven for a few minutes. If you burn the inside of a cook pot, shake cream of tarter into the pot, fill with water and bring to a boil. Boil for a few minutes, pour out water, and wipe clean. Cover the ice in a picnic cooler with foil to help it last longer. Keep the water in your canteen cooler by wrapping the canteen in foil. Use foil ring dividers for frying eggs. Put rings in the greased pan and drop eggs into each ring. Toast sandwiches by wrapping them in a foil envelope and placing them on the embers or a hot plate for a few seconds. Because foil-wrapped foods tend to scorch where they are in direct contact with the coals, use a double wrapping of heavy duty foil and turn food frequently during cooking. To make a sprinkler top for vinegar or oil bottle, shape a piece of foil over the bottle opening, secure with a rubber band, and punch small holes in the foil. Save clean-up time by lining casserole, baking and frying pan with heavy duty foil before cooking in them. When it is time for washing up, a crumpled ball of foil makes an excellent scouring pad for pots and pans. To keep marshmallows from burning dip them in water before holding them over the flame.

Thanks to Harry Simmons for providing this file.

A Mother Shares her story about Homesteading and their love for it... video link below: 08:41:44 - Nov 10 2013
13:45 Nov 10 2013
Times Read: 615

https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtisanAcre?feature=watch



Beautiful little cabin.... a must see...

Living off the grid, or close to it, can be a wonderful and fulfilling life. Check it out.

PRIVATE ENTRY
01:32 Nov 10 2013
Times Read: 624


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

A Double-Duty Solar Solution: How to Build a Solar Water Heater You can build your own space and solar water heater for just a fraction of what you would pay for a commercial solar water heating system. Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/sola
14:20 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 626

This simple solar water heater provides both domestic hot water and space heating. You can adjust the size and design to meet the needs of your home. You’ll find nearly all the materials at your local hardware or lumber store, and to build it, you need only basic carpentry skills and a little plumbing know-how. Amazingly, the cost of this DIY system is only about one-eighth of what you would pay for an equivalent commercial system!



How It Works



The system takes water from near the bottom of a solar heat storage tank and pumps it through a collector — where it’s heated by the sun — and then back to the tank. This continues as long as there’s sun on the collector. An off-the-shelf controller monitors the temperatures of the collector and the tank, and it turns the pump on only if the collector is hotter than the tank. When the pump is off, water drains from the collector back to the tank. This type of “drainback” system is especially useful in cold climates because it keeps the water from freezing inside the collectors.



Water is preheated in a single pass through a large coil of PEX pipe immersed in the solar storage tank. The preheated water then goes to your regular hot water tank. This simple one-pass system works well because the PEX pipe coil is large enough to hold quite a bit of preheated water right in the coil, and it has so much surface area that it acts as a good heat exchanger after the initial hot water from the coil has been exhausted. The water in the tank is used strictly to store heat — it is not part of the potable water system.



The floor heating system pumps water from near the top of the tank through the radiant floor loops, and then back to the bottom of the tank. The control system monitors the room temperature and the tank temperature, and it turns the pump on only if the room is cold and the tank is hot. The control system is made from two standard thermostats.



A key feature of this design is that the storage tank is non-pressurized. This gives you a lot of storage volume at a low cost and also eliminates the need for a separate drainback tank and heat exchanger.



My aim with this solar water and space heater was to create a design that would be simple, low-cost, long-lived, reliable, low-maintenance, and as easy to build as possible. Over the past five years, the design has progressed through several versions with a lot of feedback from early builders, and I think that together, we’ve made good progress toward these goals. I hope you’ll find it a fun and rewarding project.



Building the Collector



The absorber starts with a set of vertical copper riser tubes spaced about 6 inches apart. I clipped black-painted aluminum fins onto the riser tubes to absorb solar radiation and transfer the solar heat into the riser tubes. The fins are grooved to fit tightly around the riser pipes for a good thermal connection. The absorber fins can be made from locally obtained aluminum sheet, or you can purchase them already grooved and ready to snap onto the risers. One source for these fins is Aluminum-Solar-Absorbers.

The riser tubes connect to copper manifolds along the top and bottom of the collector. The lower manifold takes water from the tank and distributes it evenly to the risers, and the upper manifold collects heated water from the risers for return to the tank.



The half-inch riser tubes are connected to the three-fourths-inch manifolds using copper T fittings. If you feel a bit intimidated by the soldering, don’t — with good cleaning and fluxing, the soldering is a piece of cake.



The collector frame is made from ordinary 2-by-6 lumber attached to the house wall with screws. The frame for the entire collector is built as a single unit right on the wall, which avoids the job of connecting multiple collectors. A layer of polyisocyanurate insulation placed against the wall separates the absorber from the house siding. Be sure to use polyiso rigid insulation board. If you use the blue, pink or white polystyrene insulation board, it will melt — trust me on this. The polyiso is a little harder to find, but most lumber yards have it.



One nice feature of building your own collector is that you can make it exactly the right size for the space you have available. In my case, this gave me about 50 percent more area than standard-sized commercial solar collectors would have allowed.



The collector glazing is twin-wall polycarbonate, which is the same material used for glazing most greenhouses. This is an attractive material that’s easy to work with and easy to find. In addition, the double glazing reduces heat loss from the absorber and results in better collector efficiency — especially in cold climates. The glazing trim and cap strips are made from PVC “wood” for low maintenance and a nice look.



Because this is a drainback system, all the plumbing from the storage tank to the collector must be sloped toward the tank so it drains when the pump shuts down.



The Water Storage Tank



A single large, non-pressurized tank stores solar-heated water for both water and space heating. The tank is a well-insulated plywood box lined with a waterproof EPDM rubber liner (usually used for lining roofing or ponds).



The tank I built for this solar water heater system holds 164 gallons of water. The plywood is framed with a carefully designed 2-by-4 frame that resists the water loads. This type of tank was developed back in the 1980s, and it has established a track record for long life and low maintenance. The EPDM liner is likely to last 15 years (some may last as long as 30 years), after which the liner can be replaced relatively easily without replacing the entire tank.



After the tank box has been built, the inside is lined with 2-inch polyisocyanurate rigid foam board insulation, and then the single piece of EPDM rubber lining is installed. This is topped off by an insulated lid also lined with EPDM. All the plumbing connections to the tank are at the top of the tank, so no lining penetrations below the waterline are required. I added a second layer of insulation to the outside of the tank to further reduce heat loss.

Domestic water is heated in a single pass through an immersed 300-foot coil of 1-inch-diameter PEX. The PEX pipe coil holds nearly 10 gallons of water that’s always fully heated to the tank temperature. After the initial 10 gallons have been exhausted, the PEX coil acts as a heat exchanger to heat the cold water passing through it. While PEX isn’t highly conductive and wouldn’t usually be the first choice for a heat exchanger, the large coil has so much surface area (90 square feet) that it actually works quite well for this purpose. The domestic water connections to the PEX coil are made outside the tank so the potable water passes through the tank in one continuous path with no fittings inside the tank, which reduces the likelihood of leaks.



Radiant Floor Heating



The radiant floor heating system consists of loops of half-inch PEX pipe that are stapled up to the bottom of the floor. A pump circulates hot water from the top of the solar tank through the floor loops and back to the bottom of the tank. There are no heat exchangers, expansion tanks or antifreeze — just pipes and a pump. I used heat spreader plates to transfer the heat from the PEX into the floor more efficiently, and I placed them under the heated floor to encourage an upward heat path. If hydronic floor heating is not possible in your house, you can also use hydronic baseboard radiators.



The radiant floor heating controls consist of two thermostats hooked together in series to switch on the circulation pump power. The first thermostat measures room temperature, and it switches on if the room is below the desired temperature. The second thermostat measures tank temperature, and it kicks on whenever the tank is above the set temperature. When both thermostats are on, it activates the pump, which will send hot water from the tank through the floor loops.



Performance and Cost



I project that for most families in most locations, this system would provide nearly 100 percent of their domestic water heating needs (although that efficiency may drop if you choose to optimize the system for space heating). Calculating how much of your heat it can produce is much more difficult, because there are so many variables. On my website, Build It Solar, I break down how to calculate this figure for individual homes. The 100-square-foot collector on my system is near the minimum size I would recommend for combined space and water heating, and while it will provide some useful space heating and good domestic water heating, it will not realistically reduce your heating bill by a large fraction. For more impact on space heating, build the collector larger and increase the tank size accordingly. In most cases, this would be a practical, cost-effective option. The only reason the collector isn’t larger on my system is that I didn’t have enough wall space.

The solar water heater as shown in the photos costs a bit more than $2,000 with the 100-square-foot solar collector. Doubling the collector size — which would greatly improve its space heating performance — would bring the cost up to about $3,000.



The payback period for the solar water heating part is about three years in most cases (see our chart for a breakdown of the costs). The payback period for the space heating is harder to estimate, but is probably a bit longer. Also, that list doesn’t include any rebates, which may further reduce the cost of your system.



You can simplify the system to do just solar water heating by downsizing the collector and tank, and taking out the radiant floor heating components. In fact, this system was derived from an earlier design intended just for water heating. It would also be good to introduce some tilt into the collector to improve its year-round performance. These changes can make a simple solar water heating system that costs about $1,000 and typically pays for itself in less than three years. Similarly, you could modify the system to provide only solar heating and not domestic hot water.



The homemade collectors can be replaced with commercial collectors. This increases the system cost, but also allows it to qualify for a federal tax credit, which offsets some of the cost increase.



You can find much more information about how to build this system at Build It Solar. If you run into difficulties or have suggestions for how to further improve it, contact the author at gary@builditsolar.com.



Read more: See how much Gary’s Montana project cost, and determine how much it could cost for you in DIY Solar Water Heating System Cost Analysis.



Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/solar-water-heater-zm0z12fmzphe.aspx#ixzz2k9ro08Et

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How to Make Soft Cheese: Three Great Recipes: VERY Delicious and Healthy! Just in time for Holiday Cooking!
13:57 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 627




You can easily learn how to make soft cheese at home with just a few pieces of equipment and a little bit of time. Best-selling author Ricki Carroll shows you how to make mascarpone, queso blanco and ricotta!



Ricki Carroll’s Home Cheese Making (Storey Publishing, 2002) has become a classic reference for thousands of people who make their own artisanal-style cheese at home. For those who want to make delicious cheese but don’t want to invest in a lot of equipment or spend a lot of time in the kitchen, Carroll suggests learning how to make soft cheese. In this excerpt from Chapter 4, Carroll shows how to make your own mascarpone, queso blanco and ricotta.



You can purchase this book from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: Home Cheese Making.



Soft cheeses require little equipment and are excellent choices for beginning cheese makers. Usually high-moisture cheeses that are eaten fresh, soft cheeses are quick, delicious, and easy to make. They are perfect for experimentation because once you have learned how to make soft cheese, you can vary the cheese simply by adding herbs, spices, honey, or other flavorings.



Most of these cheeses have a creamy, spreadable consistency. Many are called “bag cheeses,” because the curds are drained in a bag of butter muslin. They are made by coagulating milk or cream with cheese starter or with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Some recipes call for a little rennet to help firm the curds.



It’s important to drain the soft cheese in a place where the temperature stays close to 72°F (usually the kitchen). If the temperature and humidity are too high, you will have problems with yeast, which may produce a gassy, off-flavored cheese. If the temperature is too low, the cheese will not drain properly. The yield from 1 gallon of milk is usually 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of soft cheese, depending on the type of milk you use and the desired consistency of the cheese. The greater the butterfat content, the higher the cheese yield.



Soft cheeses will keep for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Although it is not my first choice, they may also be frozen. If you want to salt your cheese, it’s best to wait until after thawing to add the salt; salt will increase the freezing temperature of the cheese and therefore it will not keep as well. The cheese making techniques used in this section are very straightforward.



Note: When a recipe calls for warming the milk, do not use direct heat (on the stove), unless specified. Heat the milk indirectly, with the cheese pot resting in a bowl or sink full of hot water.



Mascarpone With Culture Recipe



Very similar to cream cheese, mascarpone is an Italian soft coagulated cream used in cooking and desserts such as Italian pastries. This mascarpone recipe produces a rich, velvety texture and sweet flavor. Mix mascarpone with herbs and spices or serve it plain with dried figs and apricots. One of my favorite ways to serve it is to mix it with blue cheese for a delicious dip. If you are going to a party on Saturday and start this cheese Thursday night, you will have a fantastic treat to bring with you.

Ricki Carroll’s Home Cheese Making (Storey Publishing, 2002) has become a classic reference for thousands of people who make their own artisanal-style cheese at home. For those who want to make delicious cheese but don’t want to invest in a lot of equipment or spend a lot of time in the kitchen, Carroll suggests learning how to make soft cheese. In this excerpt from Chapter 4, Carroll shows how to make your own mascarpone, queso blanco and ricotta.



You can purchase this book from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store: Home Cheese Making.



Soft cheeses require little equipment and are excellent choices for beginning cheese makers. Usually high-moisture cheeses that are eaten fresh, soft cheeses are quick, delicious, and easy to make. They are perfect for experimentation because once you have learned how to make soft cheese, you can vary the cheese simply by adding herbs, spices, honey, or other flavorings.



Most of these cheeses have a creamy, spreadable consistency. Many are called “bag cheeses,” because the curds are drained in a bag of butter muslin. They are made by coagulating milk or cream with cheese starter or with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Some recipes call for a little rennet to help firm the curds.



It’s important to drain the soft cheese in a place where the temperature stays close to 72°F (usually the kitchen). If the temperature and humidity are too high, you will have problems with yeast, which may produce a gassy, off-flavored cheese. If the temperature is too low, the cheese will not drain properly. The yield from 1 gallon of milk is usually 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of soft cheese, depending on the type of milk you use and the desired consistency of the cheese. The greater the butterfat content, the higher the cheese yield.



Soft cheeses will keep for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Although it is not my first choice, they may also be frozen. If you want to salt your cheese, it’s best to wait until after thawing to add the salt; salt will increase the freezing temperature of the cheese and therefore it will not keep as well. The cheese making techniques used in this section are very straightforward.



Note: When a recipe calls for warming the milk, do not use direct heat (on the stove), unless specified. Heat the milk indirectly, with the cheese pot resting in a bowl or sink full of hot water.



Mascarpone With Culture Recipe



Very similar to cream cheese, mascarpone is an Italian soft coagulated cream used in cooking and desserts such as Italian pastries. This mascarpone recipe produces a rich, velvety texture and sweet flavor. Mix mascarpone with herbs and spices or serve it plain with dried figs and apricots. One of my favorite ways to serve it is to mix it with blue cheese for a delicious dip. If you are going to a party on Saturday and start this cheese Thursday night, you will have a fantastic treat to bring with you.



Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/how-to-make-soft-cheese-zebz1305zstp.aspx#ixzz2k9gpBujk



Recipe Book available also\: “Home Cheese Making” by Ricki Carroll is the third edition of the classic reference for making small batches of wonderful, artisanal-style cheeses.

Soft cheeses require little equipment and are excellent choices for beginning cheese makers. Usually high-moisture cheeses that are eaten fresh, soft cheeses are quick, delicious, and easy to make. They are perfect for experimentation because once you have learned how to make soft cheese, you can vary the cheese simply by adding herbs, spices, honey, or other flavorings.



Most of these cheeses have a creamy, spreadable consistency. Many are called “bag cheeses,” because the curds are drained in a bag of butter muslin. They are made by coagulating milk or cream with cheese starter or with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Some recipes call for a little rennet to help firm the curds.



It’s important to drain the soft cheese in a place where the temperature stays close to 72°F (usually the kitchen). If the temperature and humidity are too high, you will have problems with yeast, which may produce a gassy, off-flavored cheese. If the temperature is too low, the cheese will not drain properly. The yield from 1 gallon of milk is usually 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of soft cheese, depending on the type of milk you use and the desired consistency of the cheese. The greater the butterfat content, the higher the cheese yield.



Soft cheeses will keep for 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Although it is not my first choice, they may also be frozen. If you want to salt your cheese, it’s best to wait until after thawing to add the salt; salt will increase the freezing temperature of the cheese and therefore it will not keep as well. The cheese making techniques used in this section are very straightforward.



Note: When a recipe calls for warming the milk, do not use direct heat (on the stove), unless specified. Heat the milk indirectly, with the cheese pot resting in a bowl or sink full of hot water.



Mascarpone With Culture Recipe



Very similar to cream cheese, mascarpone is an Italian soft coagulated cream used in cooking and desserts such as Italian pastries. This mascarpone recipe produces a rich, velvety texture and sweet flavor. Mix mascarpone with herbs and spices or serve it plain with dried figs and apricots. One of my favorite ways to serve it is to mix it with blue cheese for a delicious dip. If you are going to a party on Saturday and start this cheese Thursday night, you will have a fantastic treat to bring with you.

Ingredients:



1 quart pasteurized light cream or half-and-half

1 packet direct-set crème fraîche starter



1. Heat the cream to 86°F. Add the starter and mix thoroughly.



2. Cover and let set, undisturbed, at room temperature for 12 hours, or until coagulated.



3. If a thicker curd is desired, ladle the curd into a colander lined with butter muslin and drain in the refrigerator for 1–4 hours or longer, depending on the desired consistency.



4. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.



YIELD: About 1 pound

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/how-to-make-soft-cheese-zebz1305zstp.aspx#ixzz2k9is4gp3



Ingredients:



1 quart pasteurized light cream or half-and-half

1 packet direct-set crème fraîche starter



1. Heat the cream to 86°F. Add the starter and mix thoroughly.



2. Cover and let set, undisturbed, at room temperature for 12 hours, or until coagulated.



3. If a thicker curd is desired, ladle the curd into a colander lined with butter muslin and drain in the refrigerator for 1–4 hours or longer, depending on the desired consistency.



4. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.



YIELD: About 1 pound



Whole-Milk Ricotta Recipe



Traditionally, ricotta is made by reheating the whey after making cheese from ewe’s milk. This simple variation shows how to make soft cheese ricotta using whole milk instead of whey; the resulting ricotta has a good flavor and a high yield.



Ingredients:



1 gallon whole milk

1 teaspoon citric acid dissolved in 1/4 cup cool water

1 teaspoon cheese salt (optional)

1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)



1. Combine the milk, citric acid, and salt and mix thoroughly.



2. In a large pot, directly heat the milk to 185 to 195°F (do not boil). Stir often to prevent scorching.



3. As soon as the curds and whey separate (make sure there is no milky whey), turn off the heat. Allow to set, undisturbed, for 10 minutes.



4. Line a colander with butter muslin. Carefully ladle the curds into the colander. Tie the corners of the muslin into a knot and hang the bag to drain for 20–30 minutes, or until the cheese has reached the desired consistency. The cheese is ready to eat immediately. For a creamier consistency, add the cream at the end and mix thoroughly.



5. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 1–2 weeks.



YIELD: 1 1/2–2 pounds



Queso Blanco Recipe



Queso blanco, which is Spanish for “white cheese,” is a Latin American specialty with many variations. It is a firm cheese, with a bland, mildly sweet flavor. It is easy to make and an excellent choice if you are in a hurry or if the weather is very hot, a condition that causes problems in the production of many cheeses.



This cheese is excellent for cooking, because it has the unique property of not melting, even when deep-fried. It is often diced into 1/2-inch cubes and added to stir-fries, soups, or sauces (such as spaghetti) or used in Chinese cooking as a substitute for bean curd. It browns nicely and takes on the flavor of the food and spices in a recipe.



Ingredients:



1 gallon whole milk

1/4 cup vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar)



1. In a large pot, directly heat the milk to between 185° and 190°F, stirring often to prevent scorching.



2. Slowly add the vinegar, a little at a time, until the curds separate from the whey. Usually 1/4 cup of vinegar will precipitate 1 gallon of milk. You may increase the temperature to 200°F in order to use less vinegar and avoid an acidic or sour taste in your cheese. (Do not boil, as boiling will impart a “cooked” flavor.)

3. Pour the curds and whey into a colander lined with butter muslin. Tie the corners of the muslin into a knot and hang the bag to drain for several hours, or until the cheese has reached the desired consistency.



4. Remove the cheese from the muslin. Store in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.



YIELD: 1 1/2–2 pounds







Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/how-to-make-soft-cheese-zebz1305zstp.aspx#ixzz2k9jOVLaA



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Homemade Cough Syrup 11/6/2013 12:49:00 PM By Erik Thiel
13:34 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 628

Natural Health

Healthy living, herbal remedies and DIY natural beauty.



An elderberry tree has been growing on the side of our house, and when it was found it clusters of ripe fruit sagged on the branches against the neighbor’s garage.



I was on my way out as the neighbors were cutting down the juniper trees long overgrown in front of their garage door. I made a mental note to take them when they ended up on the curbside the next garbage day.



“Hello, Erik,” said our kindest neighbor sincerely.Ripe Elderberry Fruit On Tree



“Hi?” I replied, questionably.



“Do you want the elderberries growing between your house and our garage before we cut down the tree?” she asked.



“No thanks,” I said with a half glance in the general direction.



“Oh. Because it’s full of elderberries right now and a lot of people like to make jelly or pies with them. I thought maybe your girlfriend would want them,” she continued in a persuasive manner.



A lot of what kind of people are you talking about? I know nothing of this nature.



“No thanks,” I said again. “But thanks.”



She looked at me weird. Real weird.



“Wait. What?” I nearly stuttered, this time with a curious passion. “What are they?”



Further insight into this generation’s disconnect from natural forces. My generation. To my own disconnect.



I may have gone into a mild form of shock. Many times this mind has run off onto thoughts of how to get what source of fruit and where on-site. The sudden discovery of the elderberry tree confirmed once again that I am not the one in charge. I love that gust of wisdom which sometimes sweeps through the garden.



The elderberry tree is native to central and eastern North America. They line the roadsides of northeast Pennsylvania, and my only experience with them is throwing them at the guys I landscape with and getting hit by them in return. I had no idea what they were.



That surprises me. Packed with iron, calcium, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and anthocyanin, the Native Americans used them to treat the common cold, sore throats, fevers and even rheumatism.



Although Native Americans never had the tools to scientifically test the elderberry’s nutritional value, today universities do. Purdue University studied elderberries in order to test their market potential. In comparison to other small fruits, elderberries have a lot to offer nutritionally.



Over 100 different types of products contain elderberries, from shampoo and body lotions to herbal teas and supplements. One study suggested that juice from the elderberry may be healthier than the fruit itself.



Last year about this time I recall enjoying a craft beer brewed with elderberries. Because I do not see them in the grocery store I must have assumed they grew somewhere distant. Maybe that’s why I slipped into a state of shock when the neighbor asked me about elderberries growing on-site.



I took a look at the cluster of purplish-black berries and went inside to research them. Not only can elderberries be turned into pies and jelly, they can also be canned, frozen, made into wine, or elderberry dumplings, according to Faith B. Lasher, in a Mother Earth News article published in July/August 1973, which is packed with all sorts of recipes. But it gets better.



Elderberries can also be turned into a cough syrup used to treat the common cold. That sold me instantly. One quick glance over the ingredients of over-the-counter cold medicine is all it takes for me to put it back on the shelf. From high-fructose corn syrup, to caffeine, to gelatin, I choose to believe those products inflict harm rather than good.



Instead, I choose to believe in other forces to heal my body. Forces such as water, fasting, silver, plants, and in extreme cases of cough and cold a honey-based cough syrup.



Local honey



And that’s exactly what elderberry cough syrup is – honey-based. A quick trip to the farmers market, a short conversation with the Beekeeper’s Daughter, and off I was to the kitchen with a 5-pound glass jar of raw and unfiltered buckwheat honey. According to the woman bundled up in her winter coat, beanie and gloves behind the foldable sales table, buckwheat honey has the highest amount of antioxidants, making it the most popular choice for use in cough syrups. Off I was.



Once picked and washed, I had 2 cups of elderberries to work with. A good percentage was left on the tree for the birds to eat. That seemed most important.



Raw elderberries are not appealing to the taste buds. Besides their tartness, tiny seeds are in the middle. They made me spit it out when I tasted one. According to Lasher, the berries must be cooked in order to appreciate their flavor. I placed the 2 cups of elderberries in 6 cups of water, brought them to a boil and simmered them for 45 minutes. After smashing the elderberries with a potato masher, I strained them with cheesecloth and added 2 cups of buckwheat honey.



Full mason jars



I then stored the finished elderberry cough syrup in quart-size mason jars, where they will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. I plan on taking up to one tablespoon a day as a preventative measure. The taste is incredibly enjoyable and I may just start pouring sip-size cups every day. I have been recently experiencing a nasty tickle scratching in my throat. What great timing!



I have asked the neighbors to keep the elderberry tree right where it is. All I need to do is stake it against the west-facing wall of the house to keep it from leaning against their garage and the tree can stay.



As for the cut-down junipers, they never did make it to the curbside for me to take. But who cares about anything else once you can make homemade cough syrup from berries off a tree in your garden.



Hello forces of nature. I am re-connecting.



Wait. Did I say elderberry beer?







Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/homemade-cough-syrup-zbcz1311.aspx#ixzz2k9fRqJRL

Fight the Winter Blues with Heat Holders with Heat Holders
13:28 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 629

Heat Holders



The fierce cold weather is here, and the race is on to ensure we are fully prepared for the coming months. Allow Heat Holders to take care of your feet, and ease you comfortably through the cold weather.



Heat Holders are diverse, fashionable socks that keep your feet seven times warmer than normal cotton socks. Long term exposure to cold conditions can not only have detrimental effects to your feet, but to your overall health.



With a tog rating of 2.34, Heat Holders provide a practical and economical alternative to layering socks. The unique patent pending extra long looped thermal pile which is unique to Heat Holders has been newly developed. This innovative knitting technology locks in warm air, holding this closer to the skin, keeping feet warmer for longer.



The soft brushed inner adds comfort and softness where feet need it the most. Their gentle grip prevents rubbing or discomfort that may be experienced from a sock with a lower tog rating. Furthermore the advanced insulating yarn created for Heat Holders provides high performance insulation and superior moisture wicking abilities.



Heat Holders provide a perfect solution to the snow day blues. No longer will family snowball fights in the garden be plagued by cold feet.



Available in a variety of different colours Heat Holders provide a fashionable and functional choice of warm winter wear for both men and women. Children’s sizes are now available, allowing you to relax in the knowledge that your little one’s feet are protected from Jack Frost. Longer styles are available for the whole family, meaning you too can splash around in your rain boots with the kids.



Studies have found that cold feet affect our sleep patterns. Scientists at Basel University, Switzerland, have found that ‘warm feet promote the rapid onset of sleep,’ thus Heat Holders offer a straightforward and cost effective solution to help stop people tossing and turning whilst trying to drift off to sleep. Heat Holders have created cosy slipper socks, specially designed to wear at home and with their grip pads, they prevent sliding on slippery surfaces.



As the RRP for a pair of Heat Holders starts at just $19.99, they are perfect as a bargain buy that can be used time and time again. With Christmas round the corner they also offer a fantastic stocking filler for any member of the family!



This winter, invest in a versatile product you can use time and time again. Do not let your feet suffer as you head out into the cold winter. To ensure protection from the cold and prevent sore feet, wrap up your feet in Heat Holders ultimate thermal socks.







Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/heat-holders-fight-winter.aspx#ixzz2k9eHe9bW

Mars One Project accepting applications to live on Mars... By Jessica Bell, 5/8/2013 Read more at http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2013/05/mars-one-project-accepting-applications-live-mars#Zys3TRBCLlkxxpvv.99
13:13 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 631

The project Mars One is currently accepting applications for a reality television show centered on the colonization of Mars.

Although NASA and others continue to believe a Mars mission is impossible due to insufficient technology and funding, the Mars One group pushes on with the $6 billion project. They hope to send four people to live on Mars by 2023, reports the Huffington Post.

Over 78,000 people from more than 120 countries have sent in their videos just two weeks after the Netherlands-based group announced that they are seeking astronauts.

Participants are battling it out for 28 to 40 spots, which are to be selected by 2015. The selected candidates will then train for seven years before an audience votes on the people who get to go to Mars, if the project even lasts that long.

Applicants do not need to know anything about rocket science or astronomy, according to the Los Angeles Times. In fact, there are no prerequisites besides being at least 18 years old. So what’s the catch? Applicants will not be coming back, ever.

So why do it? Some people have nothing to lose. 51-year-old Anders from Sweden says in his application, "Well, I often fantasize to just get on board a spaceship and go, to explore the universe. I often get the feeling that I don't belong here, but out there. In space."

In the US, you can send in a application video - answering questions such the reasons you wish to travel to Mars and how your thoughts about never coming back to Earth – for just $38.

Norbert Kraft, the Mars One chief medical officer, said they are looking for “the most committed, creative, resilient and motivated applicants," reports the LA times.

If not having access to running water or breathable air, plus harmful radiation, and wildly changing temperatures seems like a great place to start a colonization to you, consider sending in an application.



Read more at http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2013/05/mars-one-project-accepting-applications-live-mars#Zys3TRBCLl

These links explain more...

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/635376main_Mars-Exploration-508.pdf



http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/368985main_GottSpaceflightGoal.pdf



http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/329186main_dec5.pdf



This project is underway, for however many years that they need to deem it "as safe as possible". From what I have read, if you undergoe the training program, and do go- YOU CANNOT RETURN TO EARTH.



Happy reading!

~Morganna777

Growing your own food...
04:31 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 638

Fall is definitely here. The leaves are finally falling from the trees and in the Pacific Northwest the infamous November winds have started. A number of years back, Seattle lost a bridge to those winds and once, in the 70s, a tree fell on my house.



Here on San Juan Island, the winds have not been too bad. Fifty to sixty mile gusts are quite common and we take the wind storms in stride. On the other hand, we have another problem. All communication to and from the island has ground to a halt. There is no DSL internet service, marginally intermittent cell service, no texting an no POTS (land line service).



Internet Down Now What? Backdoor Survival



So how am I posting this update? With a lick and a prayer, 3G service is available on my iPad but only in town at the ferry terminal. In addition, our fabulous public library has a high speed fiber connection separate from the more typical DSL service that most consumers and businesses use.



How long will this disruption last? The Seattle news stations are reporting up to 12 days, maybe longer. Here is the official word:



Since the early morning hours of Nov. 5, there has been a widespread phone service outage affecting the San Juan Islands. There is local phone service within each island, but island to island and long distance is out. The outage is affecting 911 service from Lopez, Shaw and Orcas to dispatch on Friday Harbor. For Friday Harbor residents, there is also no cell coverage or internet service.



The outage is due to problem with the underwater cable between Lopez and San Juan Islands. No ETA for return of service, but this is a significant repair that will require specialized equipment and personnel to fix.



What Happens Next?



This weekend I will be temporarily moving to my off-island bug out location where, for now, communications should be viable. That said, there are some critical lessons learned during this experience and you can be sure that I have been taking notes so that I can share them with you. Here is a hint: the HAM radio needs to come out of its box and I need to become licensed!



Alas, today’s announcement of the Winter Blast giveaway will have to wait until I have better connectivity. Hopefully that will happen early next week. My apologies to those of you that were looking forward to hearing about all of the goodies.



The Final Word



There has been a certain peace in my household these last couple of days. No running to check email every hour, no internet fact-checking, and no sense of urgency thinking that I might miss something by not perusing my favorite websites.



Yes, there can be life after the internet and without technology and this is a good test of my coping skills.



Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye



If you have not done so already, please be sure to like Facebook which is updated every time there is an awesome new article, news byte, or link to a free survival, prepping or homesteading book on Amazon. You can also follow Backdoor Survival on Pinterest.



In addition, when you sign up to receive email updates you will receive a free, downloadable copy of my e-book The Emergency Food Buyer’s Guide.



Related Articles:

The Basics of Ham Radio

Shortwave Radio For Preppers

The Coming Collapse of the Internet

Bargain Bin: Here are some of my favorite food storage items. Whether you are just getting started or a seasoned pro, here are the items you will need when purchasing food in bulk for long term, SHTF needs. And to help with your food storage questions, coming soon, my new eBook: The Preppers Guide to Food Storage.



Mylar bags & Oxygen Absorbers: What I love about Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers is they protect against every single one of the food storage enemies. Prices do vary but for the most part, they are inexpensive and easy to keep on hand. And while you can seal them up with a FoodSaver, some tubing and a common clothes iron, I find it infinitely easier with a cheap hair straightening iron that you can pick up $20 or less.



60 – 300cc Oxygen Absorbers: This is one area where you want to make sure you are getting a quality product. Currently, a pack of 60 (in three 20 unit packs) is about $11 with free shipping.



Mylar Zip Seal Food Storage BagsInternet Down Now What? Backdoor Survival: These are the zip seal bags that I used to package up my spices, herbs and butter powder. These are extra heavy, 5 mil bags. I found that the zip feature made packaging extra easy although I still seal the bags with my hair iron.



FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer: As long as the unit has an accessory port (and this one does), and inexpensive FoodSaver will work just as well as the fancier models. That is my two cents, at least.



FoodSaver Wide Mouth Jar Sealer: Already have a FoodSaver? If so, check out this jar sealer which can be used to vacuum seal your Mason jars. This is a great option for short to mid term storage of items such as beans, rice, sugar and salt. Store your jars in a cool, dark place and you are set with the added advantage of removing a small amount for current use without having to disrupt your large Mylar bag or bucket of food. There is also a version for regular sized jars.



Sharpie Permanent MarkersInternet Down Now What? Backdoor Survival: Sharpies were invented for preppers! And without question, Amazon is the cheapest place to buy them. Typically, the price on Amazon is less that $8 for a dozen.



Shop the Emergency Essentials Monthly Specials: The monthly specials at Emergency Essentials feature discounts of up to 35% off sometimes a bit more.

We Are Already in Stage One of Martial Law
04:27 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 639

In recent installments of the show, I’ve mentioned on several occasions how we are already living under the initial stages of martial law. In a nation that prides itself on being the “Land of the free” and “Home of the brave”, a cursory (and realistic) look at the developments in this country since 9/11 will illustrate that America can no longer back up those lofty claims.





In a land where all of our communications and internet activities are recorded and scrutinized, where government and corporations control the food we eat, regulate our health care and control the media, where any one of us can be arrested and detained indefinitely for the mere suspicion of terrorist ties without the Constitutional protection of due process, where surveillance drones criss-cross the skies, where international banksters control our currency, where our president maintains a “kill list” and cowardly executes American citizens and innocent bystanders with impunity from thousands of miles away – and most telling – when the government agencies and departments that are supposed to protect us from external threats are hurriedly arming themselves to the teeth as they attempt to remove our right to protect ourselves, I would posit that America is no longer free and the powers that be are nothing even resembling brave.



I believe the groundwork for martial law has been being laid for over a decade now. Incrementalism is the preferred tactic of the cowards who endeavor to enslave us – keeping us docile, distracted and brainwashed as the hand of tyranny slowly tightens its grip around the throat of liberty.



I believe that martial law is already here.



And I am not alone…



The following is an article by fellow RBN host; Dave Hodges (host of “The Common Sense Show” on Sunday nights – right after Survival and Beyond) detailing a recent interview he gave for “The Voice of Russia” radio program.



By Dave Hodges – Republic Broadcasting Network



In the early morning hours of October 29, 2013, I was interviewed by Kate Zickel from The Voice of Russia radio show, formerly Radio Moscow. The Russians wanted to know why I believe that the United States was on the verge of martial law and I feel compelled to say that the host seemed extremely uncomfortable with the content of my presentation. I was told we would have 10 minutes for the interview. This story cannot be told in 10 minutes so I prepared attention grabbing bullet points in an attempt to convey why I believe martial law does not lie far off in our future. As a radio guest, I usually adopt a calm demeanor and attempt to present hard data which allows the listeners to make up their mind. I am congenial and polite because I would like to be invited back at a future date. In this instance, I did not have that goal.



I have done enough interviews with the main stream media outlets to know when I am venturing into enemy territory. However, in this instance, I decided to be a little more aggressive, not quite to the level of Alex Jones/Piers Morgan gun control debate on CNN, but in the same spirit. The Russian controlled media or the American controlled media, there is virtually no difference. I almost felt sorry for the Russian host as she was both overwhelmed by my material and she was extremely uncomfortable in my approach. Here is a synopsis of what I was able to convey in a 10 minute interview.



The Catalyst for Martial Law



Barring a false flag event, US martial law will have a trigger event, which will lead to martial law, that will be financial and it will naturally occur as we are already on a collision course with destiny.



There are three numbers that every American should be paying attention to and they are (1) the national deficit ($17 trillion dollars), (2) the unfunded liabilities debt ($238 trillion dollars), and (3) the derivatives/futures debt (one quadrillion dollars which is 16 times the entire wealth of the planet.



The net result of these staggering numbers can only end one way, with a financial collapse, a bank holiday, rioting in the streets and the full roll out of martial law.



Most, if not all revolutions occur in three stages and this formed the focus of my interview content.



Stage One



Stage one of martial law consists of the gradual roll-out of government controls over citizen liberties. Travel is restricted through inland border checkpoints and travel restrictions carry over into Stage two. The internal DHS VIPR programs which randomly search citizens at public events and on the highways are now in place. Citizens are conditioned by the TSA that they do not control or own their bodies as the flying public is molested by the TSA everyday in our nation’s airports in an extreme violation of our citizens Fourth Amendment rights. Stage one also begins to create an enemies list and we have already seen this in the MIAC report in which Christians, Ron Paul supporters, Second Amendment supporters, Libertarians and Constitutionalists have been branded as domestic terrorists. The enemies list has been created and will be acted upon at a future date. In Stage one, the government elevates itself above any pretense of constitutional liberties.



In Stage one, the legal mechanisms are put into place which will allow for a more orderly transition to martial law. In the United States there are two distinct provisions which will firmly place the United States under martial law. On December 31, 2011, while the country was preparing to celebrate, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA permits the government to arrest anyone without the due process of law and detain them indefinitely without any legal representative.



Although I did not have the time to tell the Russians about Eric Holder and Jeh Johnson’s legal opinions which legitimize unconstitutional arrests but also sanctioned the unwarranted executions of American citizens. Referring to Attorney General’s legal opinion, Eric Holder has stated that Obama can order the execution of Americans. This legal opinion was based upon a legal brief prepared by newly nominated DHS director, Jeh Johnson, when as senior legal counsel to the Pentagon, he had previously issued the same legal opinion.



The NDAA will allow the administration the legal right to secretly remove any burgeoning leadership of citizen opposition forces. The second provision which will allow this country to quickly transition to martial law is Executive Order (EO) 13603 which allows the President to take control over any resource, property and even human labor within the United States. This EO gives the President unlimited authority including the ability to initiate a civilian draft as well as a military draft. In short, this spells the potential enslavement of the American people. The Russian host was uncomfortable with my recitation of these two draconian dictates.



America has been firmly under Stage one martial law governance and it started in the aftermath of 9/11.



Stage Two



In Stage two, martial law implementation becomes obvious to all citizens except for the ones who invoke cognitive dissonance as a psychological coping mechanism. Stage two is marked by increasing restrictions on travel, the loss of free speech and the right to assemble to air grievances against the government. Stage two also witnesses some level of pushback by the citizens through various forms of civil disobedience.



A hallmark sign that the imposition of martial law is imminent and is tied to the fact that DHS is moving to forcibly restrict travel. Take a look at the following work order I obtained from DHS last year.



Press release date: April 4, 2012



Owner: Department of Homeland Security



Project Description:



Shelters Direct provided the Department of Homeland Security with this 4×13 Steel UL 752 Level 3 Bullet Resistant Booth.



This guard building features a standing seam hip roof, a thru-wall HVAC unit, (2) UL 752 BR Level 3 sliding doors, UL 752 Bullet Resistant Level 3 glass and a Low]E coating.



DHS bullet proof checkpoint. “Papers Please”



The TSA “grope granny” approach to airline security greatly intensifies in this stage. The Russian host posited the view that airline security is a normal part of life and a necessary part of airline security. Having our genitals groped by pot-bellied perverts in blue uniforms is a normal part of life? Control of the media is the same regardless of the country of origin.



In Stage two, the free internet as we know it, will disappear. Subsequently, the truthful, alternative media will disappear as well. Stage two is also characterized by the total loss of due process of law with regard to detainment, imprisonment or worse. This stage is also marked by limiting participation of members of the society who have been previously identified as enemies of the state (i.e. MIAC Report). This would include the ability to hold certain kinds of employment, a special designation on a form of national ID, the imposition of restrictions on who can marry, where one can live, etc.



Stage two also witnesses the total loss of private property and free will in terms of choice of domicile (i.e. Agenda 21), choice of employment and exercising any form of political choice. In short, Stage two is characterized by creating a political caste system in which the legal rights of certain groups are set in place (i.e. NDAA, Executive Order 13603, etc). The MERS mortgage fraud inspired thievery of legitimate home titles and the MF Global theft of privately secured investment accounts are cases in point. Stage two is often preceded by a false flag attack (e.g. burning of the Reichstag) designed to create a perceived enemy which serves as the excuse for the encroachment of “necessary” tyranny in a society in which “we must trade our liberty for security” approach to governance.

Take This Advice To Become Successful At Organic Gardening
04:23 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 642

Many people turn to organic gardening because they are worried about the long-term toxic effects of the many commercial fertilizers and pesticides, on both their health and the environment. Also, organic gardening is quite cheap on the whole. Here are some fundamental tips to get you well on your way to being a successful organic gardener.



TIP! Young children will love it if you plant strawberries that bear continually, and organic gardens are the perfect place to do it. Children are thrilled to harvest fruit from their own garden, and doing so often makes them more enthusiastic about helping out with the more hum-drum aspects of tending a garden.

Plant ever-bearing strawberries for your children in the organic garden. Children love to snap up these sweet juicy fruits for themselves and will be much more willing to eat other foods you’ve planted as well.



Aspirin water has disease-prevention properties that can protect plants. Three aspirins per four gallons of water will help keep your plants healthy. You simply have to spray the solution on your plants to assist them in warding off diseases. Plants should be sprayed once every two to three weeks.



Indoor Plants



Indoor plants have been bred over time to thrive in temperatures that are characteristic of a home. Most indoor plants like to be in about 70 degree temperatures, plus or minus 5 degrees. Plants need to be in an environment that is neither too warm nor too cool for them to grow. Another option is the use heat lamps that will protect your organic plants.



TIP! Keep your gardening tools close by to maximize gardening efficiency. You can make use of a bucket, or wear pants that have plenty of pockets.

If you’re growing indoor organic plants, you should ensure that you think about how much light is available for them. If your residential space has limited sunlight, it will be best that you grow plants that are ideal for this type of environment. If you do and this does not help, consider investing in some grow-lights.



It can be extremely fast and easy to plant perennials into your garden. With a garden spade, slice under the dirt then flip it over. Next, spread out wood chips several inches deep. You want to then give the area about a couple of weeks, then you want your new perennials planted by digging into it.



TIP! Pine is a surprisingly good source of mulch. Many types of plants thrive in soil that has high acid levels.

Don’t underestimate pine as a great mulch. Some plants are highly acidic, and like soil that is acidic too. There is no better, or easier, way to make your acid-loving plants happy then to use pine needles you already have on your beds. Using several inches of needles to cover your beds provides acid for the soil as they begin to decompose.



Coffee Grounds



TIP! Tend your organic garden on a regular schedule. Even if you can’t tend to your garden daily, you can do little things to help so that there is not a huge amount of work to be done when you are ready to get back to it.

Coffee grounds work great mixed in with your soil. These coffee grounds have many nitrogenous nutrients that your plants could use. A strong nitrogen source in your garden area is a wonderful way to have healthy and strong plants.



Spacing is an important factor to consider when planting your garden. Amateur gardeners often make the mistake of failing to leave enough space for fully matured plants. Proper spacing is important not just to accommodate the plants’ sizes but also for air circulation. Therefore, ensure that you allow for ample spaces between your seedlings.



TIP! Use a beer trap to get rid of unwanted pests, like slugs. Get a clean, empty glass jar to use as a trap.

Your compost pile should contain green plants and dried ones in equal amounts. Your green material can be made up of produce waste, used floral arrangements, lawn cuttings, leaves, and other yard waste. You can add dried plants by throwing straw, shredded paper, woody materials and cardboard on your pile. Avoid ashes, meat, charcoal and diseased plants in your compost.



Direct Sunlight



TIP! Brick, stone or untreated wood is great for building raised beds. If using wood, make sure it’s naturally rot resistant and untreated.

A rule of thumb followed by many planters is to bury the seeds in soil to a depth of around three times the diameter of the actual seed. It is important to note though, that not all seeds are covered to this depth, as some need direct sunlight to grow properly. These seeds include petunias and ageratum. With so many different types of seeds, it is important that you check seed packaging or utilize other resources, such as the Internet, to discover which seeds require exposure to direct sunlight.



Once you start to actually apply what you learned from this article you can start growing a prosperous and healthy organic garden in your own back yard for the future. In addition, you will notice more wildlife that congregates around your garden. You can be one with nature! Start planning your garden today.

Survival Friday: One Log DIY Rocket Stove
04:19 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 644

One of the most common questions that I am asked from non-prepper friends and acquaintances is what exactly is a rocket stove and how do I get one. I try not to roll my eyes over this because although rocket stoves are common among campers, backpacking enthusiasts and former boy scouts, they are a relative unknown to city dwellers and individuals that do not spend a lot of time outdoors.



According to Wikipedia, a rocket stove is an efficient cooking stove using small diameter wood fuel which is burned in a simple high-temperature combustion chamber containing an insulated vertical chimney that ensures complete combustion prior to the flames reaching the cooking surface.



Survival Friday: One Log DIY Rocket Stove Backdoor Survival



Seems simple enough, especially when you consider that rocket stoves are found more commonly in third world countries where wood fuel sources are scarce so an efficient system for converting twigs, branches, pinecones, leaves and other bits of biomass to fuel is essential to cooking.



There are a number of commercial versions available and indeed, I own both the Solo StoveSurvival Friday: One Log DIY Rocket Stove Backdoor Survival and the EcoZoom Versa. On the other hand, if you are a bit handy with some basic tools, you can build your own for as little as a dollar or too. All it takes is a bit on interest and a bit of work.



Last month I connected with Ken Youngquist at SurvivalTek regarding a unique rocket stove that he built from a log her found on his property. The advantage of this particular rocket stove was that it was elevated, making it easy on the back while feeding fire or cooking. Not only that, it kept you off of the damp ground, which, depending on where you live, is a big plus.



I was fascinated by the one log rocket stove and shared it over on Facebook where it received a ton of comments. Today, on Survival Friday, I share it with you.



The One Log Rocket Stove



Years ago I wrote about how to make “The Swedish Log Candle” and have since noticed many variations of the same theme appear throughout the internet. While log candles can be used for cooking, rocket stoves in general have been a popular topic as well. There are now a number of various rocket stoves that are made out of a single log, similar in effect to a log candle. After viewing several videos on one log rocket stoves I decided to try it out for myself.



Although I believe pine would be a preferred wood, I used a seasoned poplar log that I had available. I recommend using a corded high-torque drill for this process. I set the 14″ log upright and used a 1 1/2″ blade bit to drill a 6″ deep hole down the center from the top. Then I laid the log on it’s side and drilled a second hole, intersecting the first hole at it’s bottom end.



Just a note: at the point of intersection, a blade bit can give a hellacious “kick” so be careful as you approach that point. After blowing out the saw dust I set the log upright to begin preparing it for fire.



As long as I took the liberty of using an electric drill to make a natural material rocket stove, I also took the liberty of using a manufactured tinder by using bamboo skewers. Purists can figure a way to approach this project more naturally but I figured “who cares? This is fun!”



I collected a bundle that was about a third of the volume of the hole and poured gasoline on it and the hole walls before inserting them down the shaft. It’s important to “wet” vs. “flood” so as not to have the fluid stream out the bottom hole. Use caution when lighting it with a match or lighter. In this case gasoline was handy but other accelerants would work as well.



Survival Friday: One Log DIY Rocket Stove Backdoor Survival



Conventional rocket stoves have larger diameter holes and thus fuel can be fed from the bottom hole. When I tried this approach it seemed to choke out the airway and snuff out the existing flame, so I recommend feeding any kindling from the top during the initial process of establishing the stove’s fire.



Once the flame was established I selected three 1″ high stones that I placed around the top surface of the log which became the tripod or trivet for my pot and pan. I initially brought a pot of water to boil for coffee, then continued with a pan with which to fry bacon and eggs.



Although this rocket stove takes some “manufacturing” to make, it is a great project for a number of reasons. These can be made ahead of time and stored for power outages, camping trips and garden gatherings. Outside of a little tinder and some accelerant, they are self contained and don’t require the gathering and consumption of local natural materials. They can be controlled and extinguished by using a spray bottle of water and thus can be used multiple times. Because it is elevated, it can also be used in a wet environment.



Furthermore, they last for hours and are a joy to use.



About Ken Youngquist: SurvivalTek is the creation of Ken Youngquist, a guy who from his youth was captivated by primitive living skills, and in his adulthood, was intrigued by the television Series MacGyver. The result has been the study and practice of survival skills, and the desire to pass on the mantle of preparedness to others. SurvivalTek contains almost 6 years of weekly articles that support subjects of interest to those of us wanting to learn more about survival and preparedness techniques.



The Final Word



Having the ability to cook outdoors is so important that I tend to write about the various options frequently. This is definitely an area where one size does not fit all. Whether you prefer to build one yourself using Ken’s method, build one using the method described in Building a DIY Rocket Stove or purchase one outright, there are a number of options available to insure that you will be able to cook when the grid is down.



And just when you think you are all set, don’t forget to practice using your rocket stove! As with all survival skills, practice makes perfect. Learning how to build a fire in your rocket stove and how to cook with it is an all-important task that should be done 3 or 4 times a year, just for practice sake.



The bonus is that you might actually have a bit of fun in the process. And who can argue with that?



Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye



If you have not done so already, please be sure to like Facebook which is updated every time there is an awesome new article, news byte, or link to a free survival, prepping or homesteading book on Amazon. You can also follow Backdoor Survival on Pinterest.



In addition, when you sign up to receive email updates you will receive a free, downloadable copy of my e-book The Emergency Food Buyer’s Guide.



Related Articles:

The Remarkable EcoZoom Rocket Stove plus Giveaway

Survival Basics: How to Build a Fire in a Rocket Stove

Building a DIY Rocket Stove

Bargain Bin: Cooking outdoors? Then for sure you need some fire-starting and cast iron goodies. These items are good not only for cooking outdoors, but as part of your survival kit in general.



BIC Disposable Classic Lighter With Child Guard: This six pack of Bic lighters is reasonably priced but check around since these often go on sale locally. BICs just work – every time.



Zippo Street Chrome Pocket Lighter: Zippo has been creating virtually indestructible, windproof refillable lighters for more than 75 years. The Zippo Street Chrome pocket lighter is no exception. This lighter features a classic textured chrome finish and carries the same lifetime guarantee–to either work or be fixed by Zippo free of charge–for life. This lighter uses butane fuel. All wearable parts including flints and wicks are replaceable. Every prepper should own at least one Zippo!



US Forge 400 Welding Gloves Lined Leather: These well-priced gloves provide complete heat and burn protection. They are made of soft and supple top grain leather for comfort and pliability, plus they have an internal liner gives more comfort and durability. These will keep you hands and arms safe while cooking outdoors over an open fire.



Ove Glove Hot Surface Handler, 2 ctSurvival Friday: One Log DIY Rocket Stove Backdoor Survival I cannot say enough about these hand and arm protectors. I have permanent scars from hitting my arm on the rack of my oven. I can only imagine what I would look like if I did not use these with my cast iron cookware. Forget the colorful silicon hot pads. These are 1000 times better!



Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned SkilletSurvival Friday: One Log DIY Rocket Stove Backdoor Survival: This purchase changed the way I cook. I use my cast iron cookware for everything from salmon, to bacon and eggs, to biscuits. For under $20, there is no excuse not to own this survival basic.



Swedish Firesteel: Using this basic pocket fire-starter, you can get a nice fire going under almost any conditions.



Light My Fire Tinder Sticks: Some people prefer to purchase tinder and this is a good choice. I like to use cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly that I make up myself, a couple dozen at a time. They store well in a small Ziploc baggie or re-purposed mint tin.



UCO Stormproof Matches, Waterproof and Windproof with 15 Second Burn Time – 25 Matches: A ZIPPO or BIC lighter are always good to have but it would not hurt to have some stormproof matches as well.



Lightweight Anodized Aluminum Outdoor Mess Kit: This is a well-priced, under $20, mess kit that is lightweight and with decent reviews.



Solo Stove: I was so impressed that I renamed this the “Amazing Little Solo Stove”. The price is $69.99 but for a small amount more, you can get a version that also burns alcohol.



Lodge Cast-Iron Camp Dutch OvenSurvival Friday: One Log DIY Rocket Stove Backdoor Survival: I originally purchased this Dutch oven because it was so darn cute. But over time, I have learned to love it for its versatility. Remember, a camp stove is designed so that you can bake with it by arranging charcoal on top of the lid as well as underneath the Dutch Oven itself.bows – are on sale at $49.99 or 41% off. These are great candles, even for non-emergency purposes.

Surviving An EMP Attack: The Only Way To Prepare For It! (Video)
04:12 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 645

http://beforeitsnews.com/survival/2013/11/surviving-an-emp-attack-the-only-way-to-prepare-for-it-video-2497280.html



Did you know that a single nuclear bomb detonated in space can destroy most electronics in the continental United States? Did you know that you can build a simple box called a Faraday Cage to protect you electronics? Join us as we explain the Electromagnetic Pulse, how it affects your electronics, and what you can do to protect them.

Planet X / Nibiru – Secret History Of The Annunaki
04:01 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 646

Are the Reptilians simply part of an ancient mythology that has reemerged in a modern mythology of space travelers and warring species seeking planetary dominance? Or is there some underlying secret story that is the common thread to the seemingly endless line of connectivity to the Serpent?



Published on Nov 7, 2013



Secret History of the Annunaki Ancient Aliens FEAR. Michael Tellinger – Scientist and researcher Michael Tellinger discussed archaeological and genetic evidence in support of Zecharia Sitchin’s work showing that the Anunnaki created humans through genetic experimentation to serve as slaves for gold mining. Tellinger spoke of a “vast vanished civilization” in Africa– there are ancient circular structures that cover large parts of the southern half of Africa. These stone ruins, which number in the millions, are associated with the Annunaki, and gold mining operations, he contended. Further, the structures are linked by mysterious channels and roads– not a single stone structure is unconnected, and they have no doors or entrances, so they were not used as dwellings, he said, adding that he believes an advanced technology using sound frequency was involved with the structures. Secret History of the Annunaki Ancient Aliens FEAT. Michael Tellinger



https://www.youtube.com/user/FREEC2CAM



One of the structures in South Africa, which bears some similarity to Stonehenge, he dubbed ‘Adam’s Calendar,’ and suggested that it’s one of the oldest human sites (at least 75,000 years), and linked to humanity’s creation. Interestingly, Tellinger said the African shaman Credo Mutwa was familiar with the site, and referred to it by a name that translates as “Birthplace of the Son,” a place where humanity was created by the gods. Secret History of the Annunaki Ancient Aliens FEAT. Michael Tellinger.



The Annunaki were not a benevolent species– they were very much “service to self,” Tellinger noted. He now believes that their need for gold was not to fix the atmosphere of their home world (as Sitchin argued), but to use it to form an atmospheric shield to block other intelligences from observing activities on their home planet. The Annunaki’s genetic work with the “entwined essence” (the Sumerian phrase for DNA) involved mixing their DNA with existing Earth species, and energy from the stone structures was utilized in their cloning efforts, he explained. Secret History of the Annunaki Ancient Aliens FEAT. Michael Tellinger.



Biography:



Michael Tellinger is a scientist in the true sense of the word, never shying away from controversial issues and scrutinizing every clue meticulously. After a 30-year long obsession with the origins of humankind and the genetic anomalies of our species, he wrote Slave Species of God. When Johan Heine exposed the mystery of the stone ruins of South Africa to Michael in 2007, they began an irreversible process of research that led Michael to some startling scientific conclusions and the completion of two more books, Adam’s Calendar and Temples of the African Gods.



Wikipedia

The Anunnaki (also transcribed as: Anunna, Anunnaku, Ananaki and other variations) are a group of deities in ancient Mesopotamian cultures (i.e., Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian and Babylonian). The name is variously written “da-nuna”, “da-nuna-ke4-ne”, or “da-nun-na”, meaning something to the effect of “those of royal blood” or ‘princely offspring’. Their relation to the group of gods known as the Igigi is unclear — at times the names are used synonymously but in the Atra-Hasis flood myth the Igigi are the sixth generation of the Gods who have to work for the Anunnaki, rebelling after 40 days and replaced by the creation of humans.



According to later Assyrian and Babylonian myth, the Anunnaki were the children of Anu and Ki, brother and sister gods, themselves the children of Anshar and Kishar (Skypivot and Earthpivot, the Celestial poles), who in turn were the children of Lahamu and Lahmu (“the muddy ones”), names given to the gatekeepers of the Abzu temple at Eridu, the site at which the creation was thought to have occurred. Finally, Lahamu and Lahmu were the children of Tiamat (Goddess of the Ocean) and Abzu (God of Fresh Water).



Zecharia Sitchin (Russian: Заха́рия Си́тчин Azerbaijani: Zaxariya Sitçin) (July 11, 1920 — October 9, 2010)[1] was an Azerbaijani-born American author of books proposing an explanation for human origins involving ancient astronauts. Sitchin attributes the creation of the ancient Sumerian culture to the Anunnaki, which he states was a race of extraterrestrials from a planet beyond Neptune called Nibiru. He believed this hypothetical planet of Nibiru to be in an elongated, elliptical orbit in the Earth’s own Solar System. Secret History of the Annunaki Ancient Aliens FEAT. Michael Tellinger.



According to Sitchin, Nibiru (called “the twelfth planet” because, Sitchin claimed, the Sumerians’ gods-given conception of the Solar System counted all eight planets, plus Pluto, the Sun and the Moon) was the home of a technologically advanced human-like extraterrestrial race called the Anunnaki in Sumerian myth, who Sitchin states are called the Nephilim in Genesis. He wrote that they evolved after Nibiru entered the solar system and first arrived on Earth probably 450,000 years ago.

Why was the number 7 used in all ancient cultures? What does it mean?
03:52 Nov 09 2013
Times Read: 647

This is an excerpt from my colleagues website http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/







My manuscript is available at: https://www.createspace.com/4346106

(If you cant afford, email thesisofangels@gmail.com for a free PDF)







★LIKE US!!! ★ https://www.facebook.com/ancientwisdomcouk







Quick Links:







Palaeolithic Astronomers.



Astronomy and the Megaliths.



‘Precession of the Equinoxes’ (The ‘Platonic’ year).



Megaliths and the Metonic cycle.



Quadrangles and Latitude.



Harmony of the Spheres.



Light boxes (Form and Function)



Ancient Egyptian Astronomy.



The Anasazi Sun Dagger.



Scottish Recumbent Circles.



Orion Worship in Prehistory.



The Nebra Sky Disc.









Sumeria and the number 7:



It is well noted that Ancient man had an obsession with the number 7…but what exactly does the number 7 symbolize?



Some say Pleiades, some say our Solar system (although there are 9 planets, 8 if you don’t like Pluto) and still many theories abound.



Lets have a look at the significance of 7 in Sumerian texts.



http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/sumeria.htm



1. Lugalbanda in the mountain cave

59-70: the young ones, born in Kulaba, were seven. The goddess Uraš had borne these seven,



2. Gilgameš and Ḫuwawa (Version A)

34-47.: “Now there are seven warriors, sons of a single mother. The first, their eldest brother, has lion’s paws and eagle’s talons. The second is a …… snake, ……. The third is a dragon snake, ……. The fourth blazes with fire ……. The fifth is a …… snake, ……. The sixth {(1 ms. adds:) , a shackle that …… the rebel lands in the hills,} beats at the flanks of the mountains {like a battering flood} {(1 ms. has instead:) , floodwater that destroys all}. The seventh …… flashes like lightning, and no one can deflect {it} {(1 ms. has instead:) its power}. {(1 ms. adds 4 lines:)

—

149-151. When Ḫuwawa had finally handed over to him his seventh terror



3. The death of Ur-Namma (Ur-Namma A)

76-87. He presented gifts to the seven chief porters of the nether world.



4. A praise poem of Išme-Dagan (Išme-Dagan A + V)

53-75. and richly conferred on me seven wisdoms.



5. Inana’s descent to the nether world

164-172.The Anuna, the seven judges



6. Inana’s descent to the nether world

14-19. She took the seven divine powers.

—

102-107. “She has taken the seven divine powers.

—

114-122. When she heard this, Ereškigala slapped the side of her thigh. She bit her lip and took the words to heart. She said to Neti, her chief doorman: “Come Neti, my chief doorman of the underworld, don’t neglect the instructions I will give you. Let the seven gates of the underworld be bolted.

—

123-128. Neti, the chief doorman of the underworld, paid attention to the instructions of his mistress. He bolted the seven gates of the underworld.



7. Gilgameš, Enkidu and the nether world (A version from Me-Turan)

10-16. From that fateful day and for seven days his servant, Enkidu, did not come out from the nether world.



8. Ninurta’s return to Nibru: a šir-gida to Ninurta

30-40: He brought forth the Seven-headed serpent from the …… of the mountains.



(Similar to Revelation 12:3

“Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads.)

—

135-139. “I bear my ……. I bear the alkad net of the rebellious land, my alkad net. I bear that from which the mountains cannot escape, my šušgal net. I bear the seven-mouthed mušmaḫ serpent, the slayer, my spike



9. Nanna-Suen’s journey to Nibru

349-352. My king, on your throne, for Enlil, may Nanna-Suen make you be born for seven days. On your holy throne, for the great mother Ninlil, may Lord Ašimbabbar make you be born for seven days.



10. Inana and Šu-kale-tuda

112-128. Once, after my lady had gone around the heavens, after she had gone around the earth, after Inana had gone around the heavens, after she had gone around the earth, after she had gone around Elam and Subir, after she had gone around the intertwined horizon of heaven, the mistress became so tired that when she arrived there she lay down by its roots. Šu-kale-tuda noticed her from beside his plot. Inana …… the loincloth (?) of the seven divine powers over her genitals. …… the girdle of the seven divine powers over her genitals ……. …… with the shepherd Ama-ušumgal-ana ……. …… over her holy genitals ……. Šu-kale-tuda undid the loincloth (?) of seven divine powers and got her to lie down in her resting place. He had intercourse with her and kissed her there.



11. Inana and Ebiḫ

53-58.She brandished the seven-headed šita weapon vigorously to her right and placed straps of lapis lazuli on her feet.



Interesting huh?

14 Home Remedies for Arthritis & Joint Pain
04:15 Nov 07 2013
Times Read: 654

Arthritis and joint painWe take the freedom of movement for granted, until it becomes limited. The cause of this for many people comes in the form of arthritis, or the inflammation of one or more of your joints. There are two main kinds, osteo and rheumatoid, both of which affect the joint in different ways. Osteo arthritis is when the cartilage between bones wears down, until bone grates on bone. Rheumatoid is little less straightforward, being caused by an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the synovial membrane (a soft tissue that protects joints in the body) and that can lead to bone loss. Whichever you experience, there are natural remedies for arthritis to manage the pain and ease the symptoms.



1. Turmeric & Ginger Tea



Turmeric and ginger are both anti-inflammatorys, and will help with oseto and rheumatoid arthritis. Turmeric in particular has gotten a lot of attention lately. Its active ingredient is something called curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant. In addition, it lowers the levels of 2 enzymes responsible for causing inflammation (which is what we’re often fighting with arthritis.) You can take these in a capsule form or make a nice spicy tea to enjoy daily.



You will need…



-2 cups of water

-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

-1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

-Honey to taste



Directions



Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, and had ½ teaspoon each ground ginger and ground turmeric. Reduce to a simmer and let it be for 10-15 minutes. Strain, add honey to taste, and enjoy twice daily. This yields 2 servings.



turmeric for arthritis



2. Epsom salt soak



Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate which sounds kind of scary, but it’s really quite a wonderful substance. A naturally occurring mineral, magnesium sulfate has been used to get relief from pain for years, namely because of its high levels of magnesium (more on magnesium below.)



You will need…



-1/2 cup of Epsom salt

-A large bowl

-Warm water



Directions



Fill a large bowl with warm water and add ½ cup of Epsom salt. Stir it around, and then submerge your sore joints in the liquid. If you are experiencing pain in a less convenient place to soak, such as your knees, try taking a bath with Epsom salts. Run a tub full of warm water and add 2 cups of Epsom salt. Soak for 15 minutes (at least.)



epsom salt soak



3. Get more magnesium (seriously.)



Magnesium is something our bodies need, but we can’t make it ourselves. It is used in over 300 different biomechanical responses in our body. It relaxes all our muscles and nerve endings, relieving stiffness and pain. It is even part of what makes our heart beat. Not only does it relax muscles and ease pain (this goes for arthritis pain too, of course) it helps bones to mineralize. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition conducted one of many studies on magnesium that showed people who had a diet high in magnesium/took supplements had higher bone density, and overall stronger bones. There are several ways to get more magnesium and utilize it for arthritis in particular.



magnesium supplements



Supplements: Magnesium capsules are a good thing to add to your day-to-day life, but they work best when used in conjunction with an improved diet.



Diet: Really this is the clincher-as great as supplements are, they can’t do everything. Eat foods that are high in magnesium, which include dark leafy greens (like spinach), nuts, and legumes (beans.)



Oil: There is magnesium oil that can be applied topically and absorbed through the skin. Try rubbing it on sore joints to relieve pain.











4. Lubricate With Extra Virgin Olive Oil



The very consistency of olive oil makes it seem like something that would lubricate your joints and ease arthritis pain, and it turns out, it actually does. A main compound in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) called oleocanthal inhibits inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, just like Advil or aspirin does. The study showed that 1 ½ tablespoons is equal to 200-mg of ibuprofen. However, not every oil is created equal. Heat destroys oleocanthal, so it is necessary to use extra virgin olive oil or “cold-pressed.” The ripeness of the olives at the time they were pressed also determines the level of oleocanthal-generally the stronger tasting the oil, the higher the level there is present. It can be taken internally to reap the benefits, but being high in calories consider replacing any fats, such as butter, with it in cooking instead.



You will need…



-2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil



Directions



Rub a bit of olive oil onto your sore joints twice a day, massaging in to each one gently. You can also take 2-3 tablespoons daily, but be sure to give up some other form of fat due to the high calorie count in the oil (rest easy, these are good calories.)



olive oil arthritis remedy



5. Dandelion Leaves



Incredibly high in vitamins A and C, dandelion leaves can help repair damaged tissue and help the liver clear toxins out of the blood. Studies, although limited, have also shown anti-inflammatory properties due to the linoleic and linoleic acid in them. Linoleic is an essential fatty acid required by the body to produce prostaglandin-which basically regulates immune responses and suppresses inflammation. Because of its involvement with immune responses, dandelion shows great potential when it comes to treating rheumatoid arthritis in particular. You can enjoy dandelion leaves in nice salad, or brew tea with them.



You will need…



-3 teaspoons of fresh dandelion leaves, or 1 teaspoon of dried

-1 cup of boiling water

-A handful of fresh leaves (if making a salad)

-A dash of extra virgin olive oil (if making a salad)



Directions



For fresh dandelion tea, step 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon dried in 1 cup of boiling water. Strain and drink twice daily. Dandelion tea is very bitter…you have been warned! You can add honey to sweeten it up if you’d like. To make a salad, simply toss the greens in with another recipe, or eat them plain with a bit of extra virgin olive oil. Older leaves can be gently sautéed to soften them up a bit.



6. Blackstrap Molasses Drink



High in valuable minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, blackstrap molasses has been a cherished home remedy for arthritis for a number of years. Blackstrap molasses is what remains after the 3rd boiling of sugar syrup, and is nothing like the nutrient lacking refined sugars used today. As a dietary supplement (easily consumed as a drink) blackstrap can help relieve symptoms of arthritis and joint pain, thanks to its vital constituents that regulate nerve and muscle function, and strengthen bones.



You will need…



-1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses

-1 cup of warm water



Directions



Heat 1 cup of fresh water until warm, but not hot. Stir in a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses and drink once daily. Do note that it can sometimes have a laxative effect.



molasses drink



7. White Willow Tea (the original aspirin)



Before there was aspirin, and I mean way before aspirin, there was white willow bark. The Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about it all the way back in 5th century BC. It wasn’t until 18-something or other (1829, I believe) that it was found that white willow was so effective because it contained an active ingredient called salicin. Salicin is converted in the body into salicylic acid-similar to acetyl salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. But because the naturally occurring salicin is converted after it passed through the stomach, it resulted in less irritation/side effects. While it can be taken in a capsule form, I usually opt for the tea version of just about everything.



You will need…



-2 teaspoons of powdered or chipped white willow bark

-1 cup of water

-Honey or lemon to taste



Directions



Bring 1 cup (8 oz.) of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add 2 teaspoons of powdered or chipped white willow bark and let it infuse for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it steep for 30 more minutes. Drink twice daily-it’s bitter, so honey and lemon are usually welcome here.



white willow bark tea joint pain remedy



8. Exercise



When it’s painful and difficult just to move, the last thing you feel like doing is getting up and exercising. As unpleasant as it may sound though, exercise is vital for those who suffer from any form of stiffness, joint pain, or arthritis. Exercise will help control weight (an excess of which puts more strain on your joints) strengthens the muscles that support the joint, even when the cartilage is thinning, and lubricates the joints, allowing them to move more freely. When we are inactive the synovial fluid in the joints is the consistency of a thick gel, but once we get moving and warming up, the liquid becomes more viscous and can do a better job of lubricating our joints and keeping them going smoothly. Just imagine if you were to be sedentary every day, pretty soon you’d be so stiff it’d be just about impossible to move. But if you get up and move around every day, you’ll get stronger and will loosen up as well.



Try…

-Going for a brisk walk-start with 15 minutes and work your way up into a solid daily routine.

-Doing joint-targeted exercises-certain stretches and exercises specifically target joints to help rid them of stiffness and pain.

-Getting a dog-doing so backs up the first point, because you’ll have no choice but to walk!



9. Peppermint Eucalyptus Oil Blend



Peppermint and eucalyptus don’t change the course of the arthritis itself, but they do have analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. The cooling sensation that they produce can temporarily override your discomfort, and create a soothing sensation that can ease the pain of arthritis.



You will need…



-5-10 drops of Peppermint oil

-5-10 drops of Eucalyptus oil

-1-2 tablespoons of carrier oil (olive, almond, grape seed, etc.)

-A small dark glass bottle



Directions



Blend 5-10 drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil together, and then mix into 1-2 tablespoons of carrier oil. Carrier oil is needed to dilute the essential oil so that it does not irritate the skin, and can be olive oil, grapeseed oil, or something of the like (not oil.) Store the oil blend in dark glass bottle away from direct sunlight, and rub into your joints when they ache.



essential oils for joint pain



10. Juniper Berry Tea



A 2009 research trial published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” found that juniper berries do indeed help with arthritis pain thanks to a component called terpinen-4-ol. Terpene suppresses a type of white blood cells called monocytes which, as a part of our immune system, respond to signals of inflammation. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks normal joint tissue for no reason, leading to inflammation, pain, and loss of function. If taken daily, juniper may be able to reduce the uncomfortable inflammation thanks to its terpene content. Only prickly juniper and common juniper varieties were effective.



Note: Do NOT drink juniper berry tea while pregnant.



You will need…



-1 tablespoon of dried juniper berries

-1 cup of fresh water

-Honey (optional)



Directions



Bring 1 cup of fresh water to a boil, and place 1 tablespoon of dried juniper berries in a mug. Pour the boiling water over the berries and let them steep for 20 minutes before straining. Drink 1 cup twice daily, and add honey to taste if you like.



juniper berry tea



11. Golden Raisins & Gin



First off I am not recommending that you go and drink gin, but I thought this was an interesting old home remedy for arthritis. Gins flavor is derived from juniper berries (see #11 for a more in depth explanation of juniper berries) which contain anti-inflammatory properties. Golden raisins (only golden can be used in this recipe) require sulfides in their processing to give them their characteristic color. Sulfides are found in both glucosamine and chondroitin, which many people have found to be helpful remedies for arthritis. This remedy stretches back at least 20 years, and some people swear by it, while others have had limited success.



You will need…



-Around 1/2 cup of gin

-1 cup of golden raisins

-a shallow dish



Directions



The amounts will vary depending on how big of a batch you are making, but basically you just need raisins and enough gin to just cover them, and the above amounts are just to give a general guideline. I am one of those people who, even if it is a loosely interpreted recipe, like to have some numbers to start with. Anyways, place 1 cup of golden raisins in a shallow dish, and pour in enough gin to just barely cover them. Cover with a towel and store them away in a dark place until the gin has evaporated (around 2 weeks.) Eat 9 of the raisins daily, keeping in mind the results may take several weeks to show.



12. Bosweilla supplements



Also known as Frankincense, Bosweilla is a flowering plant native to Africa and Asia. The gum resin or extract of the plant works as an anti-inflammatory and pain-killer. It works against inflammation by ‘disabling’ white blood cells that would cause swelling, and also helps shrink tissue that has already become inflamed and painful. I am afraid I don’t have a tea recipe for this one, as it is generally taken in a tablet supplement form, much like a vitamin. It is sold at many health stores and online, and is fairly reasonably priced compared to what some other supplements cost.











13. Pectin & Grape Juice



Pectin is a water soluble carbohydrate substance found in the cell walls of plants, where it helps keep cell walls together, and gives fruit firmness as it ripens. It is extracted from fruit to use as a setting in jams and jellies, and has become popular as a home remedy for arthritis when combined with grape juice. It has been tentatively hypothesized that it helps return the synovial tissue to a more elastic and lubricated state, which results in pain-free movement. Despite the fact that more studies are needed on pectin and connective tissue many people have found, for whatever reason, great relief from their arthritis with it. The grape juice is the liquid of choice due to the fact that it can help with inflammation.



You will need…



-1 tablespoon of liquid pectin

-8 oz. of grape juice



Directions



Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid pectin with 8 oz. of grape juice and drink 1-2 times daily. It will take a week or two for the effects to show.



grape juice and certo for arthritis



14. Cayenne ‘Capsaicin’ Ointment



A common OTC pain reliever for joint pain contains capsaicin, a component in hot peppers that inhibits something called Substance P. Substance P is involved in transmitting pain signals to our brain, and when the capsaicin interferes with it, it minimizes the alert to the discomfort, and therefore the discomfort itself. It has been one of the more effective topical treatments for arthritis, and you can make your own at home with humble cayenne. Keep in mind, however, that it is only a temporary fix and should be used sparingly if possible.



arthritis cream



Learn how to make it here



14 Home Remedies for Arthritis & Joint Pain- a great list of natural ways to relieve arthritis pain.





Our body is an incredible structure that takes a great amount of strain and stress every single day-it’s really no wonder our joints, the things that allows us movement, begin to feel the burden. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the complexity of the body provides a mystery that we may or may not ever solve. Whichever form of arthritis or joint pain you happen to suffer from, a deeper understanding of what is causing it can help you determine the best way to treat it. Nature also does a surprisingly good job at healing-we wouldn’t have made it very far otherwise-and you may find great success in naturally treating your condition and regaining the freedom of movement.

Patients Bill of Rights...Please read, someday you may need them. (Hopefully not),
03:43 Nov 06 2013
Times Read: 663

American Hospital Association



MANAGEMENT ADVISORY



A Patient’s Bill of Rights



A Patient's Bill of Rights was first adopted by the

American Hospital Association in 1973.



This revision was approved by the AHA Board of Trustees on October 21, 1992.





Introduction



Effective health care requires collaboration between patients and physicians and other health care professionals. Open and honest communication, respect for personal and professional values, and sensitivity to differences are integral to optimal patient care. As the setting for the provision of health services, hospitals must provide a foundation for understanding and respecting the rights and responsibilities of patients, their families, physicians, and other caregivers. Hospitals must ensure a health care ethic that respects the role of patients in decision making about treatment choices and other aspects of their care. Hospitals must be sensitive to cultural, racial, linguistic, religious, age, gender, and other differences as well as the needs of persons with disabilities.



The American Hospital Association presents A Patient's Bill of Rights with the expectation that it will contribute to more effective patient care and be supported by the hospital on behalf of the institution, its medical staff, employees, and patients. The American Hospital Association encourages health care institutions to tailor this bill of rights to their patient community by translating and/or simplifying the language of this bill of rights as may be necessary to ensure that patients and their families understand their rights and responsibilities.



Bill of Rights



These rights can be exercised on the patient’s behalf by a designated surrogate or proxy decision maker if the patient lacks decision-making capacity, is legally incompetent, or is a minor.



The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.



The patient has the right to and is encouraged to obtain from physicians and other direct caregivers relevant, current, and understandable information concerning diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.



Except in emergencies when the patient lacks decision-making capacity and the need for treatment is urgent, the patient is entitled to the opportunity to discuss and request information related to the specific procedures and/or treatments, the risks involved, the possible length of recuperation, and the medically reasonable alternatives and their accompanying risks and benefits.



Patients have the right to know the identity of physicians, nurses, and others involved in their care, as well as when those involved are students, residents, or other trainees. The patient also has the right to know the immediate and long-term financial implications of treatment choices, insofar as they are known.



The patient has the right to make decisions about the plan of care prior to and during the course of treatment and to refuse a recommended treatment or plan of care to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy and to be informed of the medical consequences of this action. In case of such refusal, the patient is entitled to other appropriate care and services that the hospital provides or transfer to another hospital. The hospital should notify patients of any policy that might affect patient choice within the institution.



The patient has the right to have an advance directive (such as a living will, health care proxy, or durable power of attorney for health care) concerning treatment or designating a surrogate decision maker with the expectation that the hospital will honor the intent of that directive to the extent permitted by law and hospital policy.



Health care institutions must advise patients of their rights under state law and hospital policy to make informed medical choices, ask if the patient has an advance directive, and include that information in patient records. The patient has the right to timely information about hospital policy that may limit its ability to implement fully a legally valid advance directive.



The patient has the right to every consideration of privacy. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment should be conducted so as to protect each patient's privacy.



The patient has the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to his/her care will be treated as confidential by the hospital, except in cases such as suspected abuse and public health hazards when reporting is permitted or required by law. The patient has the right to expect that the hospital will emphasize the confidentiality of this information when it releases it to any other parties entitled to review information in these records.



The patient has the right to review the records pertaining to his/her medical care and to have the information explained or interpreted as necessary, except when restricted by law.



The patient has the right to expect that, within its capacity and policies, a hospital will make reasonable response to the request of a patient for appropriate and medically indicated care and services. The hospital must provide evaluation, service, and/or referral as indicated by the urgency of the case. When medically appropriate and legally permissible, or when a patient has so requested, a patient may be transferred to another facility. The institution to which the patient is to be transferred must first have accepted the patient for transfer. The patient must also have the benefit of complete information and explanation concerning the need for, risks, benefits, and alternatives to such a transfer.



The patient has the right to ask and be informed of the existence of business relationships among the hospital, educational institutions, other health care providers, or payers that may influence the patient's treatment and care.



The patient has the right to consent to or decline to participate in proposed research studies or human experimentation affecting care and treatment or requiring direct patient involvement, and to have those studies fully explained prior to consent. A patient who declines to participate in research or experimentation is entitled to the most effective care that the hospital can otherwise provide.



The patient has the right to expect reasonable continuity of care when appropriate and to be informed by physicians and other caregivers of available and realistic patient care options when hospital care is no longer appropriate.



The patient has the right to be informed of hospital policies and practices that relate to patient care, treatment, and responsibilities. The patient has the right to be informed of available resources for resolving disputes, grievances, and conflicts, such as ethics committees, patient representatives, or other mechanisms available in the institution. The patient has the right to be informed of the hospital's charges for services and available payment methods.

The collaborative nature of health care requires that patients, or their families/surrogates, participate in their care. The effectiveness of care and patient satisfaction with the course of treatment depend, in part, on the patient fulfilling certain responsibilities. Patients are responsible for providing information about past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters related to health status. To participate effectively in decision making, patients must be encouraged to take responsibility for requesting additional information or clarification about their health status or treatment when they do not fully understand information and instructions. Patients are also responsible for ensuring that the health care institution has a copy of their written advance directive if they have one. Patients are responsible for informing their physicians and other caregivers if they anticipate problems in following prescribed treatment.



Patients should also be aware of the hospital's obligation to be reasonably efficient and equitable in providing care to other patients and the community. The hospital's rules and regulations are designed to help the hospital meet this obligation. Patients and their families are responsible for making reasonable accommodations to the needs of the hospital, other patients, medical staff, and hospital employees. Patients are responsible for providing necessary information for insurance claims and for working with the hospital to make payment arrangements, when necessary.



A person's health depends on much more than health care services. Patients are responsible for recognizing the impact of their life-style on their personal health.



Conclusion



Hospitals have many functions to perform, including the enhancement of health status, health promotion, and the prevention and treatment of injury and disease; the immediate and ongoing care and rehabilitation of patients; the education of health professionals, patients, and the community; and research. All these activities must be conducted with an overriding concern for the values and dignity of patients.

PRIVATE ENTRY
03:30 Nov 06 2013
Times Read: 665


• • • • PRIVATE JOURNAL ENTRY • • • •

Courting the Victorian Woman By Michelle J. Hoppe
02:31 Nov 04 2013
Times Read: 670

Courtship was considered more a career move than a romantic interlude for young men, as all of a woman's property reverted to him upon marriage. Therefore courting was taken very seriously--by both sides. Men and women were careful not to lead the other on unnecessarily.



From the time she was young, a woman was groomed for this role in life--dutiful wife and mother. Properly trained, she learned to sing, play piano or guitar, dance and be conversant about light literature of the day. She also learned French and the rules of etiquette as well as the art of conversation and the art of silence.



COMING OUT--THE COURTSHIP RITUAL



Coming out meant a young woman had completed her education and was officially available on the marriage mart. Financial or family circumstances might delay or move up a girl's debut, though typically, she came out when she was seventeen or eighteen. She purchased a new wardrobe for the season, in order to appear her best in public.



A girl was under her mother's wing for the first few years of her social life. She used her mother's visiting cards, or that of another female relative if her mother was dead. This same person usually served as her chaperone, as a single girl was never allowed out of the house by herself, especially in mixed company.



Courtship advanced by gradations, with couples first speaking, then walking out together, and finally keeping company after mutual attraction had been confirmed. But a gentleman had to take care in the early stages of courtship. If he was introduced to a lady at a party for the purpose for dancing, he could not automatically resume their acquaintance on the street. He had to be re-introduced by a mutual friend. And then, only upon permission of the lady.



The lower classes had opportunities to socialize at Sunday Service, Church suppers and holiday balls, while upper classes held their social events throughout the season. The season ran from April to July. Some families arrived in town earlier if Parliament was in session. A typical debutante's day meant she rose at 11a.m. or 12 noon, ate breakfast in her dressing room, attended a concert or drove in the Park, dined at eight, went to the opera, then to three or four parties until 5 a.m--all under the watchful eye of her chaperone.







Great care had to be taken at these public affairs, so as not to offend a possible suitor or his family. Following are some rules of conduct a proper female must adhere to:



She never approached people of higher rank, unless being introduced by a mutual friend.

People of lesser rank were always introduced to people of higher rank, and then only if the higher-ranking person had given his/her permission.

Even after being introduced, the person of higher rank did not have to maintain the acquaintance. They could ignore, or 'cut' the person of lower rank.

A single woman never addressed a gentleman without an introduction.

A single woman never walked out alone. Her chaperone had to be older and preferably married.

If she had progressed to the stage of courtship in which she walked out with a gentleman, they always walked apart. A gentleman could offer his hand over rough spots, the only contact he was allowed with a woman who was not his fiancée.

Proper women never rode alone in a closed carriage with a man who wasn't a relative.

She would never call upon an unmarried gentleman at his place of residence.

She couldn't receive a man at home if she was alone. Another family member had to be present in the room.

A gentlewoman never looked back after anyone in the street, or turned to stare at others at church, the opera, etc.

No impure conversations were held in front of single women.

No sexual contact was allowed before marriage. Innocence was demanded by men from girls in his class, and most especially from his future wife.

Intelligence was not encouraged, nor was any interest in politics.





A woman was allowed some liberties, however. She could flirt with her fan, as this behavior was within the protocol of accepted behavior. Here are what different signals meant:



Fan fast--I am independent

Fan slow--I am engaged

Fan with right hand in front of face--Come on

Fan with left hand in front of face--Leave me

Fan open and shut--Kiss me

Fan open wide--Love

Fan half open--Friendship

Fan shut--Hate

Fan swinging--Can I see you home?



NEGOTIATIONS



By the end of the season, many relationships had been cemented, with an eye to the future. Thus began the serious chase, with marriage the ultimate goal.



There was a camaraderie among upper class women. They advised, gossiped, told secrets and wrote passionate letters to each other. They were the chief arrangers of social affairs, but woe to anyone who made an enemy of them, as they could be ostracized forever from society. When a young girl was on good terms with these social select, she could expect help in making an advantageous match.



There were rules to follow even here, however. Until 1823, the legal age in England for marriage was 21 years--for men and women. After 1823, a male could marry as young as fourteen without parental consent, and a girl at 12. Most girls, however, married between the ages of 18 and 23, especially in the upper classes.



It was also illegal to marry a deceased wife's sister. But you could marry first cousins. The attitude toward first-cousin marriages changed by the end of the century, however.



Marriage was encouraged only within one's class. To aspire higher, one was considered an upstart. To marry someone of lesser social standing was considered marrying beneath oneself.



In upper class marriages, the wife often brought with a generous dowry--an enticement for marriage. The financial aspects of a marriage were openly discussed, much like the pre-nuptial agreements of today. Both parties disclosed their fortunes. A man had to prove his worth in keeping his wife in the level of life she was accustomed. A woman, often looking to improve her social standing, used a dowry as a lure. To protect an heiress, her family could set up an estate trust for her, which would be controlled by Chancery Court. The woman would have access to this property if she applied, but her husband could not touch it.



An unmarried woman of 21 could inherit and administer her own property. Even her father had no power over it. Once she married, however, all possessions reverted to her husband. She couldn't even make a will for her personal property, while a husband could will his wife's property to his illegitimate children. Therefore, marriage, although her aim in life, had to be very carefully contemplated.



Because many marriages were considered a business deal, few started with love. Although as the years passed, many couples grew tolerably fond of each other, often resulting in a bond almost as deep as love.







THE ENGAGEMENT



The bank accounts have been studied, the ancestral lineages inspected, and political connections explored. If both parties passed muster, the next step toward marriage was the engagement.



If it had not already been done, the man was introduced to girl's parents and her peer group. Permission for asking for the daughter's hand in marriage had to be granted by bride's father, although the gentleman could wait until he had his bride's consent before asking.



A proposal was best made in person, with clear, distinct language, so the girl might not misunderstand the gentleman's intent. If he could not bring himself to propose in person, he could do so in writing. A girl did not have to accept her first proposal. She could play coy.



A short time was allowed to elapse before an engagement was announced, except to the most intimate friends/family of both parties. This was a precaution, lest the engagement be ended by either party.



The mother hosted a dinner party once the engagement was announced. The purpose of this dinner was to introduce the fiancé to his bride's family. A more formal evening party may have followed. Once the groom had been introduced to bride's family, the bride was then introduced to his. This could be a very trying time for a young girl, as a mother-in-law's eye was often critical.



After the engagement was announced to the family, the bride wrote to the rest of her friends with the news. At the same time, her mother wrote to the elders of these families. Engagements lasted from six months to two years depending upon ages and circumstances.



The engagement was finalized with a ring. The size and stone depended upon the groom's finances. They could be in the form of a love knot, a simple band, or a band embedded with different stones whose initials spelled out a name or word of love. For example, the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, gave Princess Alexandra of Denmark a 'gypsy ring' with the stones Beryl, Emerald, Ruby, Turquoise, Iacynth and Emerald, to spell out his nickname, "Bertie."



A woman could, in turn, give her fiancé a ring, although it was not required.



The couple could become a bit more intimate once they were engaged. They could stroll out alone, hold hands in public, and take unchaperoned rides. A hand around the waist, a chaste kiss, a pressing of the hand, were allowed. They could also visit alone behind closed doors. But they had to be dutifully separated by nightfall, or overnight at country parties. Thus, if the engagement was broken, the girl suffered the consequences of a ruined reputation because of her previous behavior. An honorable man never broke an engagement, so as not to cause the girl discomfiture.



Unfortunately, some engagements did end, with resulting embarrassment and possibly even legal action should it be terminated by one party over the protest of the other. A "breach of promise" suit might result in one party paying for the other's damages, such as cost of a wedding gown and trousseau. This was one reason news of the betrothal was often kept from family and friends. It wasn't considered official, and therefore would not hold up in court. Women were even cautioned as to what they wrote in letters and journals, should the case go that far.



As callous as all this sounds, there was true romance and love during the Victorian era. Why else did samples of heart-rending verses and flowery cards last through the ages for us to ponder and dream over? Perhaps it was these very constraints and rules that made true love all the more special to those who found it. For lucky were the ones who found love within their class, and within the approval of their families. Yet even those marriages that did not begin with love, often ended in a deep, endearing attachment that would be envied by many.

The newest Fad... The "OXYGEN BAR" but is it safe? Food for thought....
02:27 Nov 03 2013
Times Read: 678

An oxygen bar is an establishment, or part of one, that sells oxygen for recreational use. Individual flavored scents may be added to enhance the experience. The flavors in an oxygen bar come from bubbling oxygen through bottles containing aromatic solutions before it reaches the nostrils: most bars use food-grade particles to produce the scent, but some bars use aroma oils.[1][2]

Contents [hide]

1 History

2 Provision of oxygen

3 Health benefit claims

4 Regulations

5 See also

6 References

History[edit]



In 1776, Thomas Henry, an apothecary and Fellow of the Royal Society of England speculated tongue in cheek that Joseph Priestley’s newly discovered dephlogisticated air (now called oxygen) might become “as fashionable as French wine at the fashionable taverns”. He did not expect, however, that tavern goers would “relish calling for a bottle of Air, instead of Claret” [3]

Another early reference to the recreational use of oxygen is found in Jules Verne's 1870 novel Around the Moon. In this work Verne states "Do you know, my friends, that a curious establishment might be founded with rooms of oxygen, where people whose system is weakened could for a few hours live a more active life. Fancy parties where the room was saturated with this heroic fluid, theaters where it should be kept at high pressure; what passion in the souls of the actors and spectators! what fire, what enthusiasm! And if, instead of an assembly only a whole people could be saturated, what activity in its functions, what a supplement to life it would derive. From an exhausted nation they might make a great and strong one, and I know more than one state in old Europe which ought to put itself under the regime of oxygen for the sake of its health!"

Modeled after the "air stations" in polluted downtown Tokyo and Beijing, the first official oxygen bar (the O2 Spa Bar) opened in Toronto, Canada, in 1996. The trend continued in North America and by the late 1990s bars were in use in New York, California, Florida, Las Vegas and the Rocky Mountain region. Customers in these bars breathe oxygen through a plastic hose inserted into their nostrils.[4] Oxygen bars can now be found in many venues such as nightclubs, salons, spas, health clubs, resorts, tanning salons, restaurants, coffee houses, bars, airports, ski chalets, yoga studios, chiropractors, and casinos. They can also be found at trade shows, conventions and corporate meetings, as well as at private parties and promotional events.

Provision of oxygen[edit]



Oxygen bar guests will pay about one U.S. dollar per minute to inhale an increased percentage of oxygen compared to the normal atmospheric content of 20.9% oxygen. This oxygen is produced from the ambient air by an industrial (non-medical) oxygen concentrator and inhaled through a nasal cannula from a few minutes to about 20 minutes.[5]

The machines used by oxygen bars or oxygen vendors are different from the typical medical-issue machine, though customers use the cannula, the rubber tube apparatus that fits around the ears and inserts in the nostrils, to breathe in the oxygen. Customers can enhance their oxygen experience by using aromatherapy scents to be added to the oxygen, such as lavender or mint.[6]

Health benefit claims[edit]



It has been claimed by alternative medicine that the human body is oxygen deprived, and so that more oxygen will remove "toxins" and even cure cancer.[7] Proponents claim this practice is not only safe, but enhances health and well-being, including strengthening the immune system, enhancing concentration, reducing stress, increasing energy and alertness, lessening the effects of hangovers, headaches, and sinus problems, and generally relaxing the body.[5] It has also been alleged to help with altitude sickness. However, no long-term, well-controlled scientific studies have confirmed any of the proponents' claims.[5] Furthermore, the human body is adapted to 21 percent oxygen, and the blood exiting the lungs already has about 97 percent of the oxygen that it could carry bound to hemoglobin. Having a higher oxygen fraction in the lungs serves no purpose, and may actually be detrimental.[7]

The medical profession warns that individuals with respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema should not inhale too much oxygen.[5] Higher than normal oxygen partial pressure can also indirectly cause carbon dioxide narcosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).[8] The FDA warns that some flavoring methods use oils, which if used improperly, and droplets are inhaled, might contribute to an inflammation of the lungs. Some oxygen bar companies offer safe water-based aromas for flavoring in order to maintain compliance and stay within FDA guidelines.[5]

Also, concentrated oxygen is a flame accelerant which should be kept away from cigarettes and other sources of ignition. Oxygen may also cause serious side effects at excessive doses. Although the effects of oxygen toxicity at atmospheric pressure can cause lung damage,[9] the low fraction of oxygen (30–40%)[10] and relatively brief exposures make pulmonary toxicity unlikely.[11] Nevertheless, due caution should be exercised when consuming oxygen. In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance on equipment (including tubing) and on staff training, as well as warning on potential hazards, and makes several recommendations to ensure safe practice, principally to minimise fire risks.[12]

Another concern is the improper maintenance of oxygen equipment. Some oxygen concentrators use clay filters which cause micro-organisms to grow creating an additional danger that can cause lung infections.[13]

Regulations[edit]



In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines any substance, used for breathing and administered by another person, as a prescription drug. Melvin Szymanski, a consumer safety officer in the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, has explained that at one end of the hose is a source of oxygen, so the individual providing the hose and turning on the supply is dispensing a prescription drug.[14] He commented that "Although oxygen bars that dispense oxygen without a prescription violate FDA regulations, the agency applies regulatory discretion to permit the individual state boards of licensing to enforce the requirements pertaining to the dispensing of oxygen."[14]

Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists says that "As health professionals, we cannot ethically or morally support providing oxygen therapy to those who do not require it."[15]

See also[edit]



Carbogen

References[edit]



Jump up ^ Drahl, Carmen. "The Highs and Lows of Oxygen." Chemical and Engineering News 86.45 (2008):64.

Jump up ^ Dispositif de distribution d'oxygène parfumé aux huiles essentielles à usage unique ou multiple pouvant prendre la forme de bars, de fontaines ou de narguilés - Brevet d'invention N° 07 04583 - INPI (France)

Jump up ^ Thomas Henry F. R. S. “Essays Physical and Chemical by M. Lavoisier – Translated from the French, with Notes, and an Appendix, by Thomas Henry”, note from The London Review of English and Foreign Literature by W. Kenrick, Vol IV, T. Evans, Pater-Noster-Row, 1776, p 214

Jump up ^ Altman, Nathaniel. The Oxygen Prescription: The Miracle of Oxidative Therapies. Rochester: Healing, 2007. 313–14

^ Jump up to: a b c d e Bren, Linda (November 2002). "Oxygen Bars: Is a Breath of Fresh Air Worth It?". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (in FDA Consumer magazine). Retrieved 2009-06-26.

Jump up ^ Stalling, Ann E., "A breath of fresher air." Ball State Daily News. 27 Feb. 2004:1. http://www.bsudailynews.com/home/search/[dead link]

^ Jump up to: a b Wanjek, Christopher. "Suffocating Trends: Oxygen Bars and Drinks." LiveScience (2006): 1. 25 June 2009.http://www.livescience.com/health/060418_bad_oxygen.html

Jump up ^ Patel, Dharmeshkumar N; Goel, Ashish; Agarwal, SB; Garg, Praveenkumar; Lakhani, Krishna K (July 2003). "Oxygen toxicity" (PDF). Journal, Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine 4 (3): 234–7.

Jump up ^ Clark, John M; Lambertsen, Christian J (1971). "Pulmonary oxygen toxicity: a review". Pharmacological reviews 23 (2): 37–133. PMID 4948324. Retrieved 2008-10-10.

Jump up ^ "Oxygen Delivery Methods." American Thoracic Society. http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/copd-guidelines/for-health-professionals/exacerbation/inpatient-oxygen-therapy/oxygen-delivery-methods.php Accessed 9 July 2013.

Jump up ^ O'Keefe, Michael F et al (c1998). "6 Oxygen Therapy". Brady emergency care. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Brady/Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-8359-5073-5.

Jump up ^ Gregson, Margaret (May 2008). "Review of developments in the use of oxygen". UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Retrieved 2012-09-12.

Jump up ^ Chavis, Vicki F., "Oxygen Bars - Health Benefit or Hazard." Natural Medicine 9 Apr. 2009: 2

^ Jump up to: a b U.S. Food and Drug Administration (28 June 2009). "Oxygen Bars: Healthy or Just Hype". enotalone.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010.

Jump up ^ Sorgen, Carol. "The Rise of Oxygen Bars." WebMD (2002):1-2. http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/rise-of-oxygen-bars



At health spas, mall kiosks, and “oxygen bars” across the country, people are paying to breathe oxygen. For about a dollar a minute, enthusiasts inhale 95 percent oxygen ? air offers a paltry 21 percent O2 ? and report that it relieves a variety of maladies from hangovers to headaches. The practice may be a bad idea, according to scientists studying the damaging effects of free radicals ? highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen.

From the Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

High-intake oxygen can be harmful

At health spas, mall kiosks, and “oxygen bars” across the country, people are paying to breathe oxygen. For about a dollar a minute, enthusiasts inhale 95 percent oxygen ? air offers a paltry 21 percent O2 ? and report that it relieves a variety of maladies from hangovers to headaches.

The practice may be a bad idea, according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center scientists who are studying the damaging effects of free radicals ? highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen.

“We’re starting to think that oxygen is not as benign as many believe it is,” said Dr. L. Jackson Roberts II, professor of Pharmacology and Medicine.

Roberts and Joshua P. Fessel, an M.D./Ph.D. student, have discovered a new class of compounds, called isofurans, which form when free radicals attack cell membrane lipids. Isofurans, whose production is favored by high oxygen concentrations, are expected to be a useful tool for assessing the role of free radicals and oxidative injury in disease and for evaluating the effectiveness of antioxidant therapies.

Already, the investigators have demonstrated that isofuran levels increase when animals breathe 100 percent oxygen for as little as three hours. These findings, part of the group’s work reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrate that free radical processes are at work in hyperoxia-induced lung injury. “We suspected this to be the case, but we didn’t have the tools to show it until now,” Roberts said.

Hyperoxia-induced lung injury is a key problem in intensive care units. Patients on ventilators can only breathe oxygen concentrations up to 60 percent for prolonged periods of time. Higher concentrations ? though of potential benefit to the body’s organs ? lead to severe lung damage.

The ability to measure isofuran production will make it possible to study the oxygen-induced damage and to evaluate potential therapeutic interventions like antioxidants, the researchers said.

“The question is, is there something we can do that would allow clinicians to actually use higher concentrations of oxygen safely, and therefore better oxygenate patients who are sick?” Roberts said. “We don’t know yet, but now we have a way to monitor that.”

The fact that isofuran levels increased in the lung after only three hours of exposure to 100 percent oxygen ? indicating that free radical damage is a very early event ? surprised the researchers. They also found evidence for the release of a trigger for programmed cell death, cytochrome c, in the lung at three hours.

“Most physicians are certainly aware that extended periods of exposure to 100 percent oxygen is harmful, but three hours would not be considered an extended period of time,” Fessel said. The short time frame of free radical damage opens questions about potential damage to the lungs of patients who breathe 100 percent oxygen during surgical procedures and to the lungs of those “oxygen bar” enthusiasts.

For a healthy individual, any damage that results from breathing high concentrations of oxygen for a short time is likely to be insignificant and spontaneously repaired, Fessel said. “But what about the person who has some underlying infection or other problem in the lung?” he asked.

Roberts and colleagues, including Dr. Jeffrey Balser, James Tayloe Gwathmey Professor and Chair of Anesthesiology, and Dr. Kenneth Smithson, assistant professor of Anesthesiology, are launching a clinical study to evaluate how free radical processes might impact lung function in surgery patients. The study could suggest that lower oxygen levels would be beneficial, Roberts and Fessel said, or that antioxidant interventions should be tested to prevent free radical damage.

The newly identified isofurans are actually the second set of compounds that Roberts and colleagues have linked to free radical processes. The group’s 1990 discovery of isoprostanes, prostaglandin-like products of free radical injury, made it possible for researchers to detect and monitor free radical reactions in human beings for the first time. Measuring isoprostanes quickly became the “gold standard in the field,” Roberts said, and it has been used to implicate free radicals in disease processes ranging from atherosclerosis to neurodegeneration.

But isoprostanes are not perfect measures of free radical processes. Because the formation of these compounds becomes disfavored when oxygen levels climb above 21 percent, they do not provide an accurate measure of free radical reactions that occur in the presence of high oxygen concentrations. The isofurans overcome this limitation. High oxygen levels favor the chemical reactions that produce isofurans, making them useful indicators of free radical damage in high oxygen settings like hyperoxia-induced lung injury, as the investigators showed, and for other oxygen-associated disease states like retinopathy of prematurity.

The investigators also have measured isofurans to assess oxidative injury in disease states involving mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria ? the power plants of cells ? use oxygen in a complex series of energy-generating chemical reactions. They also generate free radicals. When mitochondria are not fully functional, oxygen levels inside the cell theoretically climb. Roberts and Fessel postulated that free radical activity under these conditions might result in isofuran production.

Indeed, they found that isofuran levels were elevated in brain tissue samples from Parkinson’s patients ?Parkinson’s disease is known to involve mitochondrial dysfunction ?whereas isoprostane levels were unchanged. The investigators will continue to explore disease states where mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a role.

“Measuring isofurans really complements measuring isoprostanes,” Roberts said. “Together the two of them provide a complete picture of oxidant stress.”

The two also can serve as a sort of “oxygen sensor,” Fessel and Roberts said. The researchers found that the ratio of isofuran to isoprostane concentrations in normal tissues ? the compounds are produced by ongoing free radical processes ? provides an indication of tissue oxygenation. In oxygen-rich tissues like brain and kidney, isofuran levels were two to three times higher than isoprostane levels. In the oxygen-poor liver, isoprostanes predominated.

“The isofuran/isoprostane ratio is really a measure of steady state tissue oxygenation,” Fessel said. The ratio should be useful for studying disease states where oxygen supply is perturbed, like peripheral vascular disease, or for assessing the effectiveness of so-called “blood substitutes” ? compounds that carry oxygen to tissues, he said.

Other authors of the PNAS study include Ned A. Porter, Ph.D., Stevenson Professor of Chemistry, Dr. James R. Sheller, associate professor of Medicine, and Dr. Kevin P. Moore of the Royal Free and University College Medical School in London. The work was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the PhRMA Foundation.



Read more at http://scienceblog.com/969/oxygen-bars-may-be-harmful-to-your-health/#BEG824RYEhgfPto6.99

The Top Ten Legal Steps To Take Before You Die By: LawInfo
01:51 Nov 03 2013
Times Read: 679




No one likes to think about dying. Yet we all know that it is inevitable. Perhaps some of our anxiety about dying could be alleviated if we take the necessary steps to protect our families and our assets. Below, are the top ten legal steps that you should take to protect your family and your assets before you die.

1. Hire an Estate Planning Attorney: An estate planning attorney knows all the tools of the trade and can best advise you on how to protect your assets and those you love by creating legally valid documents such as a will and trusts.

2. Write a Will: A will is the cornerstone of most estate plans. It may allocate specific provisions to specific beneficiaries and distribute the rest of your assets that are not specifically named elsewhere in your will or estate plan.

3. Purchase Life Insurance: Whether you work outside the home or you stay at home, it is important to consider the income or services that you provide to your family and provide your family with the money necessary to replace the income or services should you die.

4. Create Trusts: you may create trusts for specific purposes or with certain provisions. For example, you may hold money in trust for your children until they reach a certain age. In some cases, there are also tax advantages to creating trusts.

5. Appoint a Guardian for Your Minor Children: This is among the most important things that you can do to protect your family in the event of your death. You will be secure in the knowledge that your children will be cared for by the person whom you choose to care for them and not by the person whom the state statute or a probate judge assigns for them.

6. Create a Power of Attorney: A power of attorney will be able to handle your business and financial affairs if you become incapacitated.

7. Create a Living Will and Health Care Proxy: These documents will allow doctors to provide the medical care that you want provided in the event that you are unable to verbally direct them to provide that care. A living will provides specific directives as to what medical care you do or do not want in certain situations and a health care proxy appoints a specific person to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated.

8. Consider Charitable Contributions: You may provide certain assets to the charity of your choice either in the form of a trust or in your will. If have a favorite charity that you want to support and / or need a tax deduction then you might consider charitable contributions.

9. Make Sure Beneficiaries are Named on all Assets Which Pass Outside of the Estate: this may include life insurance policies and certain retirement accounts such as some IRAs.

10. Review Your Estate Plan Every Few Years: As your family and financial situations change, so should your estate plan. For example, you might get married and wish to provide for your new spouse or you may have a child with disabilities whom you wish to provide more for financially than your other children. Similarly, your net worth may dramatically increase making it more important to use appropriate estate planning tools to minimize your estate tax and maximize the amount of money that goes to your beneficiaries.



These ten steps will make sure that all of your legal and financial matters are taken care of should anything happen to you and provide security and predictability for your family and beneficiaries.

6 Things to Do before you die...
01:43 Nov 03 2013
Times Read: 684

Last I heard, no one lives forever. Estate planning, which deals with providing for ourselves as we age and taking care of loved ones after we are gone, is a constant reminder of that fact. So it’s easy to understand why many people think this is a morbid topic and put off doing anything about it. Nearly 2.5 million Americans die each year, and many haven’t signed the basic documents needed to protect those they love.



Estate Planning Awareness Week is Oct. 15 to 22. Sure, it’s a bit of a contrivance by lawyers in the field to get you to seek out their services. But it’s also a good time to take stock of your life and do what’s necessary. Here are some steps that should be on everyone’s list.





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1. Find something to enjoy about every day. The economy is in the doldrums; many of us are working harder than ever, with no prospect of ever retiring; and we’re worried about the world that our children and grandchildren will inherit. But meantime those birthdays are stacking up. So force yourself to appreciate at least something today, whether it’s a walk in the sunshine, hugging your spouse or child, or having a good laugh with a friend. Live each day as if it was your last, because one of these days, it will be.



2. Make a bucket list. Rob Reiner’s 2007 movie, “The Bucket List,” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as two terminally ill men sharing the same hospital room, has inspired many people to make a list of things they still want to do in life. No matter how young or old you are, it will help you live life without regrets. (See “Six High-Altitude-Vacations To Take While You Can.”)



3. Sign documents to protect yourself. Simple estate planning should start earlier than you might think. In most states parents don’t have the authority to make health care decisions or manage money for their kids once they turn 18—even if they still have those kids on their health insurance plans and claim them as dependents on their tax returns. That means if a young adult is in an accident and becomes disabled—even temporarily—a parent might need court approval to act on his or her behalf.



So it should be a rite of passage for every 18-year-old to sign a health care proxy (also known as a health care power of attorney) authorizing someone to make medical decisions on his behalf, if he can’t, and a living will (also known as an advance directive) expressing his preferences about certain aspects of end-of-life care. Up-to-date versions of these forms for each state can be downloaded for free from caringinfo.org.



Every adult, young or old, should also sign a power of attorney allowing someone else to take over financial matters if need be. These, too, vary by state and can be found online by searching “free [your state name] power of attorney form.” For more about these documents, see my post, “Sign A Healthcare Proxy, Living Will And Power Of Attorney.”



4. Provide for loved ones. Contrary to popular misconception, you don’t have to own a big house to have an estate. Your estate consists of everything you own when you die, including your home, personal property, investments, bank accounts, retirement plans and any interests in a family business or partnership.



If you die without a will or living trust (“intestate,” in legalese), state law will determine how most of your belongings are distributed, and the result may not be what you would want. These laws establish a ranking of inheritors. Some newer laws say everything will go first to the spouse, then to children, parents and siblings. (See “N.Y. State Could Get $40 Million From Man Who Died Without A Will.”)



But showing is better than telling. So I like to send people to a wonderful, free, interactive website that shows exactly what would happen in their situation if they died tomorrow without a will. The site is mystatewill.com. On the map of the United States at the top of the homepage, click on the abbreviation for your state–it includes all states (plus the District of Columbia) except Louisiana. Without asking for your name or any other identifying information, it steps you through a series of questions. Then it tells you what would happen if you die without a will.



Without a will, if your children are minors and you were a single or surviving parent, a court will appoint a guardian for them. Therefore, reaching an agreement about this issue and formalizing it in a will is extremely important. Ideally, couples should agree on the choice of guardian, with each of their wills appointing the same person. But disagreements often delay planning, or lead to unusual compromises. (See my post, “Adam Yauch’s Will Reveals His Private Dilemma.”)



For a lifestage guide to other estate planning strategies, see my FORBES magazine article, “The Real Estate-Planning Crisis Isn’t About Taxes.”



5. Review beneficiary forms. Retirement accounts are distributed according to beneficiary designation forms filed with the bank or financial institution (the custodian) holding your account. With an IRA, you can readily name any beneficiaries you want, including friends, family members, a trust or charity. For a 401(k) or other workplace plan, you must get your spouse’s written permission to leave it to anyone else. To change a beneficiary–for example, if you recently got divorced or your spouse died–file an amended form. Make sure to name both primary and alternate beneficiaries. Do not name your estate as beneficiary; that could cause your heirs to lose important income tax benefits. (See “Inherited IRA Rules: What You Need To Know.”)



6. Tell friends and family that you love them. Some people don’t say this at all. Others don’t say it often enough. Don’t leave any room for doubt. For those left behind, there is no greater comfort.

Putting Affairs in Order Before Death...
01:40 Nov 03 2013
Times Read: 686

Experts explain the steps you should take to make sure your family knows your wishes on everything from funeral plans to end-of-life care.



WebMD Feature Archive By Tom Valeo

WebMD Feature Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

See Paris. Swim with a dolphin. Skydive.



They're on almost every list of things you should do before you die.



Recommended Related to Healthy Seniors

Games to Keep You Young

Jennifer Wagner, 52, a blogger in New York City, is addicted to playing games like Wurdle, Bejeweled, and Cup O’ Joe on her iPhone. She discovered them when her husband and college-age sons talked non-stop about gaming apps after getting the iPhone in December 2008. “They make me think,” she says, “and I find that relaxing. Because I’m concentrating on the game, my mind is cleared of everything else, which rarely happens, so I love that feeling.” Like Wagner, many boomers have caught the bug,...

Read the Games to Keep You Young article > >

But what about those things you really should do before you die? They may not be fun, but they will bring you peace of mind today, and provide guidance to the friends and family members you leave behind.



"I think there's an emotional obstacle to this kind of planning," says Charles Sabatino, director of the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. "I think the unspoken belief is that death is optional."



Sabatino lists five things that everyone should do before they die:



No.1. Give someone durable power of attorney to manage your affairs if you become sick and unable to do so yourself.



"Who is going to pay your bills, deposit your checks, manage your financial affairs and your business if you have one," says Sabatino. "We're going to live a lot longer in general, and most of us will live under some chronic condition or disability that will impair us. The goal is to live with as much control and quality of life as possible."



No. 2. Write a will. That may be sufficient estate planning for most people now that estates worth up to $2 million are tax exempt (in 2009 that will go up to $3.9 million).



"People tend to create a trust to reduce estate taxes and avoid probate, but taxes are less of a concern these days," said Sabatino. "So is probate, because the procedures have been simplified in many states, so many people find they don't need a trust. A will and durable power of attorney usually will take care of things."



Living Will



No. 3. Write an advanced-care directive or living will, and give someone medical power of attorney to carry out your wishes about medical treatment at the end of your life.



"Name someone you trust totally," says Sabatino.



Without this, you could end up like Terri Schiavo, the Florida woman who triggered a battle between her husband and her parents after a heart attack left her with massive brain damage. Her husband claimed she would not want to be kept alive in such a condition, but her parents disagreed.



"A durable power of attorney for health care enables you to appoint someone as your proxy to make health care decisions for you," says Sabatino.



Aging With Dignity has prepared a "Five Wishes" document that outlines such personal care decisions in plain English. Go to www.agingwithdignity.org or call 1-888-594-7437.



No. 4. If you have dependent children, name a guardian to take care of them. If you have a disabled child, you may also need to consult a professional who can guide you through the labyrinth of Medicaid and Medicare rules.



"Find a specialist who understands the benefits that may be available under Medicaid and Medicare, and who understands how those benefits can coordinate with asset planning," Sabatino says. "If you leave everything to a disabled child, he or she won't be eligible for aid. They will have to use up the entire estate before they qualify for aid. More thoughtful planning would allow the estate to complement public benefits. This is a growing specialty called special-needs planning."

No. 5. Ease the trauma of your death for survivors by preplanning your funeral. "Leave instructions on how you want your body to be disposed of," says Sabatino. "Today, when families are so far-flung, how are you going to get your children together for your funeral or memorial service? You can arrange for their travel expenses. You can write your own obituary, or at least a minibiography for death announcements."



Those are the "big five," as Sabatino calls them, but he and other experts suggest a few others:



Donate your organs. Carry an organ donation card in your wallet. Keep a second card with your important documents so it will be found quickly should you have an accident. In many states you can become an organ donor when you renew your driver's license. For information, visit www.organdonor.gov.

Make sure you have life insurance if your spouse or children will need financial support after you die.

Think about long-term care. "Stay out of a nursing home if you can," Sabatino says. "Most people who end up in nursing homes become impoverished and qualify for Medicaid. Don't assume that long-term care insurance will protect you. "You may have a condition that disqualifies you," says Sabatino, "or you may not be able to afford it. Premiums can cost up to $2,000 a year for a 60-year-old and double each decade after that." You may be able to give some money to your children so they can help you after you can qualify for Medicaid, but you must do that well in advance of going into a nursing home now that Congress has tightened the rules. "If you give your property away, you may be disqualified from Medicaid coverage."

The important thing is to start planning sooner rather than later, according to Dan Taylor, author of The Parent Care Conversation. In his book he offers detailed suggestions on how to talk about these issues with your parents and, if appropriate, with your children.



"I think that people do not talk with each other about this because they don't know how to begin the conversation," Taylor says.



Taylor wrote the book to help others avoid the problems he encountered after his father developed dementia. Taylor realized that with a few simple conversations, he could have taken much better care of him.



"There needs to be a major dialogue between adult children and their aging parents about how best to prepare for and how best to be able to spend these extra years, in terms of quality of care and quality of life," Taylor says. "And the dialogue needs to occur now."



Don't begin the conversation by telling your parents what you want them to do, as though you know what's best, Taylor suggests.



"A better way to begin is by asking your parents what their view of the future is," he says. "Many [adult children] have no idea if parents are OK financially. They don't know where the assets are. Then something happens that forces them to take control, and by then the parent may not be able to tell them."

Link to see if there is any money being held by the Government in your name.... Check to see if there is any unclaimed monies that belong to you!
01:35 Nov 03 2013
Times Read: 688

http://www.missingmoney.com/

A Home Test for ear Infections?
03:11 Nov 01 2013
Times Read: 580

Could a parent's smartphone one day be used to diagnose a child's ear infection? That's the goal of a new technology unveiled at a meeting this week of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Orlando.



The new, smartphone-enabled " CellScope Oto" device provides clear video images of the ear drum that could be sent to a doctor for an e-diagnosis that wouldn't require an office exam.

Researchers who developed the device said early studies show it can accurately diagnose acute otitis media — ear infections — in children. The studies involved 63 children with upper respiratory symptoms who sought care at an emergency department in 2012. Each child was examined with a conventional otoscope as well as with the CellScope Oto, which attaches to a smartphone providing video of the inner ear through an app.



Editor's Note : Video Exposes Dangers of Obamacare Law



Of the 49 children diagnosed with an ear infection, researchers found both devices were equally effective in helping doctors make those diagnoses.



"The CellScope Oto allows parents to see what the doctor sees, which helps them to better understand the child's diagnosis and treatment," said researcher Kathryn Rappaport, M.D. In addition, the video images provide a baseline and ongoing documentation of the child's ear infections.



"Now you can have actual video documentation of findings that can be followed over a period of time which can help in diagnosis and treatment decisions," she said.





Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/newswidget/home-test-ear-infections/2013/10/30/id/533952?promo_code=14959-1&utm_source=14959Shape&utm_medium=nmwidget&utm_campaign=widgetphase1#ixzz2jMNCxqMl

5 Things Victorian Ladies didn't do... (Much)
03:05 Nov 01 2013
Times Read: 580

We often assume that the life of the average lass in Victorian England was narrow and restrictive, full of stern governesses, stifling garments and fainting spells. Sure, the 19th century’s rules of etiquette, social class and morality all served to limit the range of acceptable behavior, but don’t let the lace doilies and lavender sachets fool you. Not all of the modern clichés we apply to English womanhood in the 1800s hold weight. Below, explore five things Queen Victoria’s female contemporaries didn’t do as often as you might think.

1. They didn’t die young.

People lived to an average age of just 40 in 19th-century England, but that number is deceiving. Certainly, infants and children died of disease, malnutrition and mishaps at much higher rates than they do today. But if a girl managed to survive to adulthood, her chance of living to a ripe old age of 50, 60, 70 or even older was quite good. These odds only increased as the century progressed and improvements in sanitation, nutrition and medical care lengthened Victorian lifespans.



2. They didn’t marry young.

At the end of the 18th century, the average age of first marriage was 28 years old for men and 26 years old for women. During the 19th century, the average age fell for English women, but it didn’t drop any lower than 22. Patterns varied depending on social and economic class, of course, with working-class women tending to marry slightly older than their aristocratic counterparts. But the prevailing modern idea that all English ladies wed before leaving their teenage years is well off the mark.



3. They didn’t marry their cousins.

Marrying your first cousin was perfectly acceptable in the early 1800s, and the practice certainly offered some benefits: Wealth and property were more likely to remain in the same hands, and it was easier for young women to meet and be courted by bachelors within the family circle. Later in the 19th century, though, marriage between cousins became less common. Increased mobility due to the growth of the railroad and other widespread economic improvements vastly broadened a young lady’s scope of prospective husbands. Meanwhile, the Victorian era saw a rise in awareness of birth defects associated with reproduction among relatives. Cousin marriages remained popular among the upper class, however. Charles Darwin married his first cousin Emma Wedgwood, for instance, and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were themselves first cousins.



4. They didn’t wear tight corsets.

The popular image of young ladies lacing themselves into corsets drawn up as tight as their maids could make them is a bit misleading. While the Victorian era did feature fashions that emphasized a tiny waist only achievable through the careful application of whalebone and ribbon, most women wore their daily corsets with a healthy dose of moderation—not to the point of swooning on the divan. Also, at the time, corsets weren’t simply a fashion statement: They were actually thought to encourage good, healthful posture and to keep the internal organs in proper alignment. And the extreme practice of removing ribs to slim the waist, rumored to have flourished in the Victorian era, simply didn’t exist



5. They didn’t wear pink.

Today’s approach to gender-specific colors would confuse—and likely amuse—our 19th-century counterparts. White was the preferred color for babies and children of any sex until they reached the age of about 6 or 7, mainly because white clothes and diapers could be bleached. As they grew older, children were dressed in paler versions of the colors adults wore. Red was considered a strong, virile, masculine shade, while blue was dainty, delicate, feminine. So young boys were more frequently seen in pink, while young girls favored pale blue. It wasn’t until the early 20th century—quite possibly as late as the 1940s—that pink began to be universally assigned to girls and blue to boys.

Samhain and the Ancient Origins of All Hallows Eve...
02:59 Nov 01 2013
Times Read: 580

Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.

Ancient Origins of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.



To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.



By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.



On May 13, 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome in honor of all Christian martyrs, and the Catholic feast of All Martyrs Day was established in the Western church. Pope Gregory III (731–741) later expanded the festival to include all saints as well as all martyrs, and moved the observance from May 13 to November 1. By the 9th century the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands, where it gradually blended with and supplanted the older Celtic rites. In 1000 A.D., the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It is widely believed today that the church was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. All Souls Day was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels and devils. The All Saints Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.



Halloween Comes to America

Celebration of Halloween was extremely limited in colonial New England because of the rigid Protestant belief systems there. Halloween was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups as well as the American Indians meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country.



In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. Young women believed that on Halloween they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings or mirrors.



In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers than about ghosts, pranks and witchcraft. At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season and festive costumes. Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything "frightening" or "grotesque" out of Halloween celebrations. Because of these efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century.



By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular, but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague Halloween celebrations in many communities during this time. By the 1950s, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism and Halloween had evolved into a holiday directed mainly at the young. Due to the high numbers of young children during the fifties baby boom, parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated. Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. A new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday.



Today's Halloween Traditions

The American Halloween tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives. The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.



The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.



Halloween Superstitions

Halloween has always been a holiday filled with mystery, magic and superstition. It began as a Celtic end-of-summer festival during which people felt especially close to deceased relatives and friends. For these friendly spirits, they set places at the dinner table, left treats on doorsteps and along the side of the road and lit candles to help loved ones find their way back to the spirit world. Today's Halloween ghosts are often depicted as more fearsome and malevolent, and our customs and superstitions are scarier too. We avoid crossing paths with black cats, afraid that they might bring us bad luck. This idea has its roots in the Middle Ages, when many people believed that witches avoided detection by turning themselves into cats. We try not to walk under ladders for the same reason. This superstition may have come from the ancient Egyptians, who believed that triangles were sacred; it also may have something to do with the fact that walking under a leaning ladder tends to be fairly unsafe. And around Halloween, especially, we try to avoid breaking mirrors, stepping on cracks in the road or spilling salt.



But what about the Halloween traditions and beliefs that today's trick-or-treaters have forgotten all about? Many of these obsolete rituals focused on the future instead of the past and the living instead of the dead. In particular, many had to do with helping young women identify their future husbands and reassuring them that they would someday—with luck, by next Halloween—be married. In 18th-century Ireland, a matchmaking cook might bury a ring in her mashed potatoes on Halloween night, hoping to bring true love to the diner who found it. In Scotland, fortune-tellers recommended that an eligible young woman name a hazelnut for each of her suitors and then toss the nuts into the fireplace. The nut that burned to ashes rather than popping or exploding, the story went, represented the girl's future husband. (In some versions of this legend, confusingly, the opposite was true: The nut that burned away symbolized a love that would not last.) Another tale had it that if a young woman ate a sugary concoction made out of walnuts, hazelnuts and nutmeg before bed on Halloween night she would dream about her future husband. Young women tossed apple-peels over their shoulders, hoping that the peels would fall on the floor in the shape of their future husbands' initials; tried to learn about their futures by peering at egg yolks floating in a bowl of water; and stood in front of mirrors in darkened rooms, holding candles and looking over their shoulders for their husbands' faces. Other rituals were more competitive. At some Halloween parties, the first guest to find a burr on a chestnut-hunt would be the first to marry; at others, the first successful apple-bobber would be the first down the aisle.



Of course, whether we're asking for romantic advice or trying to avoid seven years of bad luck, each one of these Halloween superstitions relies on the good will of the very same "spirits" whose presence the early Celts felt so keenly.

Thanksgiving... Did you know?
02:53 Nov 01 2013
Times Read: 580

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

Thanksgiving at Plymouth

In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers—an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth.



Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English. Several days later, he returned with another Native American, Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans.



In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. While no record exists of the historic banquet’s exact menu, the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow wrote in his journal that Governor Bradford sent four men on a “fowling” mission in preparation for the event, and that the Wampanoag guests arrived bearing five deer. Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations.

Thanksgiving Controversies

For some scholars, the jury is still out on whether the feast at Plymouth really constituted the first Thanksgiving in the United States. Indeed, historians have recorded other ceremonies of thanks among European settlers in North America that predate the Pilgrims’ celebration. In 1565, for instance, the Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilé invited members of the local Timucua tribe to a dinner in St. Augustine, Florida, after holding a mass to thank God for his crew’s safe arrival. On December 4, 1619, when 38 British settlers reached a site known as Berkeley Hundred on the banks of Virginia’s James River, they read a proclamation designating the date as “a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."



Some Native Americans and others take issue with how the Thanksgiving story is presented to the American public, and especially to schoolchildren. In their view, the traditional narrative paints a deceptively sunny portrait of relations between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, masking the long and bloody history of conflict between Native Americans and European settlers that resulted in the deaths of millions. Since 1970, protesters have gathered on the day designated as Thanksgiving at the top of Cole’s Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Rock, to commemorate a “National Day of Mourning.” Similar events are held in other parts of the country.



Thanksgiving's Ancient Origins

Although the American concept of Thanksgiving developed in the colonies of New England, its roots can be traced back to the other side of the Atlantic. Both the Separatists who came over on the Mayflower and the Puritans who arrived soon after brought with them a tradition of providential holidays—days of fasting during difficult or pivotal moments and days of feasting and celebration to thank God in times of plenty.



As an annual celebration of the harvest and its bounty, moreover, Thanksgiving falls under a category of festivals that spans cultures, continents and millennia. In ancient times, the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans feasted and paid tribute to their gods after the fall harvest. Thanksgiving also bears a resemblance to the ancient Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot. Finally, historians have noted that Native Americans had a rich tradition of commemorating the fall harvest with feasting and merrymaking long before Europeans set foot on their shores.

Halloween around the World...
02:46 Nov 01 2013
Times Read: 580

Halloween, one of the world's oldest holidays, is still celebrated today in a number of countries around the globe. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead—honors deceased loved ones and ancestors. In countries such as Ireland, Canada and the United States, adults and children alike revel in the popular Halloween holiday, which derived from ancient festivals and religious rituals. Traditions include costume parties, trick-or-treating, pranks and games.

Dia de los Muertos

In Mexico, Latin America and Spain, All Souls' Day, which takes place on November 2, is commemorated with a three-day celebration that begins on the evening of October 31. The celebration is designed to honor the dead who, it is believed, return to their earthly homes on Halloween. Many families construct an altar to the dead in their homes to honor deceased relatives and decorate it with candy, flowers, photographs, samples of the deceased's favorite foods and drinks, and fresh water. Often, a wash basin and towel are left out so that the spirit can wash before indulging in the feast.



Candles and incense are burned to help the deceased find the way home. Relatives also tidy the gravesites of their departed family members. This can include snipping weeds, making repairs, and painting. The grave is then decorated with flowers, wreaths, or paper streamers. On November 2, relatives gather at the gravesite to picnic and reminisce. Some gatherings even include tequila and a mariachi band.



Guy Fawkes Day

On the evening of November 5, bonfires are lit throughout England. Effigies are burned and fireworks are set off. Although it falls around the same time and has some similar traditions, this celebration has little to do with Halloween or the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The English, for the most part, stopped celebrating Halloween as Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation began to spread. As followers of the new religion did not believe in saints, they had no reason to celebrate the eve of All Saints' Day. However, a new autumn ritual did emerge. Guy Fawkes Day festivities were designed to commemorate the execution of a notorious English traitor, Guy Fawkes.



On November 5, 1606, Fawkes was executed after being convicted of attempting to blow up England's parliament building. Fawkes was a member of a Catholic group who wanted to remove the Protestant King James from power. The original Guy Fawkes Day was celebrated right after his execution. The first bonfires, which were called "bone fires," were set up to burn effigies and symbolic "bones" of the Catholic pope. It was not until two centuries later that effigies of the pope were replaced with those of Guy Fawkes. In addition to making effigies to be burned in the fires, children in some parts of England also walk the streets carrying an effigy or "guy" and ask for "a penny for the guy," although they keep the money for themselves. This is as close to the American practice of "trick-or-treating" as can be found in England today. Guy Fawkes Day was even celebrated by the pilgrims at the first settlement at Plymouth. However, as the young nation began to develop its own history, Guy Fawkes was celebrated less frequently and eventually died out.



Halloween: Where It All Began

In Ireland, where Halloween originated, the day is still celebrated much as it is in the United States. In rural areas, bonfires are lit as they were in the days of the Celts, and all over the country, children get dressed up in costumes and spend the evening "trick-or-treating" in their neighborhoods. After trick-or-treating, most people attend parties with neighbors and friends. At the parties, many games are played, including "snap-apple," a game in which an apple on a string is tied to a doorframe or tree and players attempt to bite the hanging apple. In addition to bobbing for apples, parents often arrange treasure hunts, with candy or pastries as the "treasure." The Irish also play a card game where cards are laid face down on a table with candy or coins underneath them. When a child chooses a card, he receives whatever prize is found below it.



A traditional food eaten on Halloween is barnbrack, a kind of fruitcake that can be bought in stores or baked at home. A muslin-wrapped treat is baked inside the cake that, it is said, can foretell the eater's future. If a ring is found, it means that the person will soon be wed; a piece of straw means that a prosperous year is on its way. Children are also known to play tricks on their neighbors, such as "knock-a-dolly," a prank in which children knock on the doors of their neighbors, but run away before the door is opened.

What is bobbing for apples?
02:44 Nov 01 2013
Times Read: 581

Bobbing for apples has been an autumn tradition for hundreds of years. Despite its presence at Halloween parties and festivals today, however, its origins are more rooted in love and romance than tricks and treats. In fact, it began as a British courting ritual, popular among young ladies and their potential beaus. There were several variations of game: In one set of rules, each apple was assigned to a potential mate. The bobber would then attempt to bite into the apple named for the young man she desired. If it only took her one try, they were destined for romance. If she succeeded with her second attempt, he would court her but their love would fade. If it took three tries, their relationship was doomed. Another approach to the game was a race to be the first to bite an apple; the first to emerge successful would be the first to marry. A related superstition suggested that if a girl put the apple she had bitten underneath her pillow, she would see her future soul mate in her dreams that night.



Eventually, the game declined in popularity, and by the 1800s, it was common only in Ireland and certain areas of England. At the end of the century, though, Americans exploring their immigrant roots decided to bring back this Celtic fall tradition as a game for both children and adults at Halloween parties. Today, some parents may keep their kids away from the tub of apples for fear of spreading germs, but bobbing for apples is a comparatively safe tradition when compared to another old apple-centric Halloween pastime: Snap Apple. In the game of Snap Apple, an apple was speared on one end of a stick while a lit candle was fixed at the other end. The stick was spun around, and the participants’ goal was to take a bite of the apple, avoiding a face full of hot candle wax—definitely not a game to play with kids!

The History of the Jack O'Lanterns
02:38 Nov 01 2013
Times Read: 581

Every October, carved pumpkins peer out from porches and doorsteps in the United States and other parts of the world. Gourd-like orange fruits inscribed with ghoulish faces and illuminated by candles are a sure sign of the Halloween season. The practice of decorating “jack-o’-lanterns”—the name comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack—originated in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as an early canvas. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, home of the pumpkin, and it became an integral part of Halloween festivities.



The Legend of "Stingy Jack"

People have been making jack-o'-lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.



Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."



In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack-o'-lanterns.