Children and War

My new friend's experiences (see Gitmo post) prompted me to do some research concerning children and war.

I found that most of the world's children do not experience childhood in the same way the U.S., Canada, or England and some of the other westernized countries experience childhood.

For many children around the world, childhood has become non-existent except for physical body development. Research has shown that the brain of a human being is not fully developed until at least late teens or even early twenties. What happens when a child experiences war as a victim or as a child soldier? Truthfully, I don't know - but I do know that around the world millions of children are abducted and forced into fighting wars and they lose their childhood very early in life. Some studies have shown them to be unable to integrate back into a non-war life, probably because of the ongoing horror and trauma of war.

Other research has shown that trauma experienced as a child through abuse, accidents, any trauma - may actually change the chemical structure of the child's brain which affects the bodily systems as well.

The U.N. has certain standards that, when captured in war, child soldiers must be returned to their own country. A friend of mine recently informed me that the U.S. did indeed return some children who were inducted by the terrorists and captured with those terrorists, back to their home country from Gitmo. In researching this subject,it seems the U.N. is busily working on an organized system to make this happen world-wide, as much as possible. Some countries refuse to comply with any U.N. standards.

Since my blog acts also as my "diary," I think I will use the next few posts on this, while much of the world mourns Michael Jackson's demise, I'll swim against the stream as usual and mourn for children who have lost their innocence and even their lives. In a way, this will also be my tribute to Farrah Fawcett, a valiant woman, also a celebrity of an era who stood for several causes, including the mistreatment of women and children....and later, cancer.

Here we go......"Many underdeveloped countries are involved in ethnic conflicts in which many innocent, unarmed civilians are killed. In recent decades war victims who are civilians has gone up incredibly high from 5% to 90%.(Defense Monitor) Worst of all, children are increasingly being used as combatants and fighting in these wars themselves. In most armed conflicts right now the number of children under eighteen are active in the army, and in many countries these child soldiers are under fifteen. (Defense Monitor) According to the most recent annual human rights report the U.S. State Department an estimated quarter of a million children, even as young as six have served in armed conflicts. These children are invisible for they spend most of their time in remote conflict zones that are away from the public and media. It's hard to find the children after wars for either they are killed, they vanish, or have been abandoned. What is really sad is that these children grow into teenagers and become more invisible from the outside world. These little children become adults locked within a child's body. Child soldiers are usually recruited because there aren't enough adults who are available or willing to become soldiers. Some are kidnapped, others are forced to join groups, and some even volunteer. Once recruited as soldiers children generally are treated as adults and are often inducted into brutal ceremonies, and are often humiliated and embarrassed. (Defense Monitor) Child soldiers suffer many of the same physical and psychological effects that war brings to noncombatant children. They are separated from their parents and lose their homes. They are exposed to violence, death, and are often permanently disabled. (Defense Monitor) Physical injury also carries additional emotional, psychological, and social disadvantages. (Defense Monitor) Yet the most severe long term consequences of children serving as soldiers may be their moral development. When the fighting ends it's very hard to place these kids back in a home surrounding, or school surrounding and expect them to adjust. They are in fear all of the time, and have a difficult time switching over from a non-violent life style if they are even to adjust at all. Governments must take or assist in the appropriate measures to promote children's physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration."

http://www.usm.maine.edu/~kuzma/security/welch/childsoldiers.html

More Later......

Brain Eating Alien Victim

Grandson's first video creation:

Saturday Night Sunset at Beach

Gitmo Tale

Well, it sometimes takes hearing something directly from someone who experiences it, doesn't it?

Last night we went to a wine tasting at a unique place - a cafe, complete with art gallery, bookstore, studio (that used to be one of my dreams!) and I met a man who is retired military nurse. He served in Guantanamo. There is a lot of controversy here over the president wanting to close the facility in Guantanamo Bay that acts as a holding prison for many suspected (and known) of terrorism. We listened a long time and felt that this man was sort of debriefing -

Certainly he had suffered a lot of abuse from the prisoners that he treated as best as he could to honor his oath to his profession and his country. He was abused by prisoners - many are mean beyond our comprehension, many are deadly and finely tuned killing machines -- he related stories that were frightening and those afraid of maiming and death were not necessarily just prisoners, but those whose jobs it was to take care of the prisoners. It is interesting to me that the stories of the prison staff's injuries and attacks on them by prisoners and the daily stresses on the staff of dealing with what they had to deal with did not make the news.

He, the nurse, was abused by his own countrymen as well because he did meet the requirements of his oath to treat those injured and sick according to his nursing oath. After all, some reasoned it is easier to kill a direct threat so the daily threat and fear does not erode your life away, but we are supposed to be more humane than that, especially those who are sworn to heal: the doctors and the nurses.

He related that the prisoners received the best of food, the newest and best of medicines and medical care that many of our own citizens can't afford. He related that workers could not play their own music if it was patriotic or religious, but the sounds of prisoners worshipping five times a day would echo day after day after day through the facility staff's heads and there was nothing they could do about it but endure it while being deprived of their rights to worship and listen to what they wanted to openly. Their rights were stripped while the prisoners weren't, in that particular situation at least.

He spoke of fear on a moment to moment basis as prisoners sought to kill and/or maim even those who were trying to care for them in a medical situation. Their networks would often extend to soldier's families being threatened even here in the U.S.

And he spoke of his love, photography, and showed us photos of beautiful sunsets - places he had found refuge from the horrors of serving men trained to kill and hate, and made art in order to heal from his ordeal. This man, this medical corps nurse, had been in many places, served in several modern day wars, including the Gulf War and Kosovo. The threat of daily harm and mental pressure for guards, medical staff and other staff in that prison from the prisoners was the worst he had been under he felt.

I really hope those prisoners aren't dispersed into our various prison populations on the mainland. We'll see. And I hope our new friend eventually heals. He will - because he is a healer himself.

I have a new perspective on the situation there. The terrorists came to our country first, killed 3,000 at least of our citizens. I'm not saying the response was right, I'm not saying certain acts of cruelty that our soldiers are accused of were wrong or right, (after listening to this man, I could only imagine the stress and pressure our soldiers face every day and still could never have a good understanding of it - sometimes we retaliate in incorrect ways, but none of us are exempt from that - it is a matter of scale). What I am saying I am thankful for being given a first hand account from someone who "has been there."

Right now everything associated with Guantanamo is being so strongly criticized and some politicians are considering dispersing the ever present danger that is resident there to prisons in other states, at least last I heard. Some of those prisoners were there because in war, prisoners of war are a result. This is one side of the controversy from a non-combatant personnel that often is not heard.

Dog Days in June?

Well, I don't understand it, but it has consistently been over 100 C. degrees by afternoon for over a week running now. Even my garden is wilted! We are wilted. Thank God for air conditioning, but I don't want to see the bill when it comes. No way.

I've just paid a ridiculous bill for TV that I rarely watch. But, of course, it covers the internet as well and a house phone. I'm thinking of getting rid of the house phone, I don't use it that much.

Youngest daughter gave me her Blackberry because she wanted the new touch screen one - I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this phone. All the keys work, I can hear, I can read the screen even while out in the sun! It never hangs up on me or flips me into conference calls with the first person on my call list, all irritations of the old phone. Super easy to use, interfaces with Facebook and all my emails can be read and/or sent from it, I can download music, take pictures, videos - WOW!

Maggie came for Father's Day and we had fun sitting around talking, watched Tyler Perry's Madea, laughed a lot and traded health hints. Maggie got me started on a cleanse which I am already not being very successful with, but we didn't start it right either. Its called "Master Cleanse" and I think only for the very brave and very strong in willpower of which I am neither. But I am sitting here sipping maple syrup, lemonade spiced with cayenne pepper and eating asparagus which was gloriously on sale.

This weekend coming up is our Leonissi paintathon slumber party - that will be loads of fun, we have a condo on the beach and I will take lots of pics to post. We paint a large canvas, and then raffle to see who takes it home. I'm praying to win! This will be a great getaway before the Wyoming trip.

I don't know how to pack for the Wyoming trip - the two years I spent out there, the summers were stifling hot, but my mother says its been cold and rainy. Guess I'll know more as July settles in. I don't feel like taking a lot of luggage or "stuff." Layers, layers will work. My sis and I are avid coffee drinkers - we will have to sneak out for coffee or figure something out as we both like a fabulous cup of coffee - ordinary coffee won't do, but I'm sure we will be grateful for ordinary coffee. I really could take a lot - like my water filter and my coffee maker - and magnetics so I can sleep better - but my gosh - I'm not able to lug it around. Could mail it out and back I guess.

Summer is going way too fast and I imagine even faster for my northern friends. Before school starts once again, I would like to rent a condo over night - just to have a getaway and let grandson swim to his heart's content. He's at the age however he would want to take a friend...and should.

My daughter, Maggie, has been great letting her kids have friends, friends, friends around. Her house has been, and is a grand central station for kids. Even when broke she's managed to take the kids on vacations - they'll always have great memories - vacations are one of the opportunities I regret not taking.

I want to host a painting party before the summer is over. I smile, it would probably freak PawPaw out to have that much estrogen running around the house...I would have to rent him a condo on the beach to pull that off! Actually since tourist season kicked in full swing, he is so blooming tired when he gets home, he could probably sleep through, not only a dozen or so women high on estrogen, but a hurricane as well.

Soooooo - back to pouring more lemonade and doing some Southern languishing.

Summertime - Heat Index reaches over 104 C

Since we can't afford a Koi Pond, perhaps a Mushroom Pool? Actually these guys are soaking and cleaning for a diet version of Stragonoff - that is under 300 calories per serving!

Thank goodness this green drink is almost used up - it didn't taste good, but its good for you!

Fighting over who gets to lie down next to me.

Grandson's birthday party - his stepdad catering to a little girl guest who insisted on riding in a pink "Hello Kitty" car - now that's a real man, one who will ride in a pink hello kitty car and smile! Grandson seems to have hit a marker - 12 years old. Awwww, my baby is one year away from being a teenager!

Yes, I've fallen asleep at the kitchen sink. Not really, just having back pain, and leaning back for a breather. Yeh, yeh. Thank you, "H" for the flattering picture....not. Oh well, its real, eh?

The video cam I was so excited about quit functioning after two days so I have to go get a refund. Cheap not always better. I will put a good one on prayer list right next to a new classy storage cupboard for study/studio, ceramic tile floors, and the disappearance of twenty more pounds. For "Someday Isle."

Garden is gorgeous, but the battle with evil bugs continues - I do not like to use poison as the dragonflies, an occasional bumble bee (they have disappeared around the world), and butterflies are enjoying it too. So maybe I have to give up some produce and go to the Farmer's Markets. Will post pics soon.

Preparing for the trip to Wyoming - our family has two surgeries this summer to deal with - one being my mother's hip repair. My sister and I will be taking care of her and her dog pack though neither one of us should probably be traveling so far. My sis was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and is in the midst of treatment changes, and there is no air conditioning allowed in the house because "the dogs might get cold." It will be hard for me to keep up my health care regime. I probably will be posting elderly care stories in about a month. Besides, the hospital is scary.....I remember my IV coming out, and the staff refusing to give me any pain killers the day I came out of surgery - a night nurse finally came on, an efficient angel she was, checked my chart and went ballistic when she discovered the day nurses were too lazy to clean me up from surgery or bring me my meds (I never did get the preventative antibiotic dose) and I quickly had my pain meds, heat packs, a clean, blood free gown, and was able to sleep. I would not leave a dog alone in a hospital in this day and age - - - so I am taking camping out gear for the hospital. A foam piece to sleep on if I have to.

Have to update important papers and put them in our "hurricane evacuation box" - a plastic box with insurance, etc. papers that will be packed during an evacuation. I have a gut feeling though, despite dire predictions, that we will have a quiet season here.

Prep for Father's Day is underway. Will be low key.

Having fun!

I am just being naughty. Just sent this Utube to an old friend. Ahhh hem.
Anyway, I just love Jelly Roll. I like to put on my filmy robe, put flowers in my room, string around the Mardi Gras beads, have a glass of wine and listen to Jelly Roll. No one ever said I wasn't a bid odd. Oh well!

Oh, it is sooooooo beautiful here. Another magnificent beach day. Grandson is here for a couple of days - yay, and I didn't feel like doing much, but decided I had better never waste the moment, so we went to his favorite place, the beach, then on to Publix for sushi and cucumber and dill hummus, green & yellow squash slices, a carton of olive salad, fruit for the trip home, and, of course, he talked me into buying him one of their fabulous chocolate, chocolate, light fluffy, cakes.

I've showered all the sand off, he's next to hit the shower, we'll have more snax, and he can watch a movie while I try to figure out the software for my new toy. We watched The Tale of Despereaux last night and we LOVED it.

The video cam is a snazzy little cigarette package sized, a bit narrower, video camera (can take pics too) that has an USB connection that pops right into the computer - no messy hookup! I have figured it out - except there has to be a way to edit the video....and I can't track it down in the software. It was incredibly inexpensive, I just hope I can edit. "H" saw it and thought I'd fancy it - I did. I have long admired "The Minx's" videos as an art form.

Well, grandson is in, coughing like crazy and begging more cake. Better find the inhaler and the cake.

The Brushstrokes of Life

Bits n' Pieces:

....World Convention of our company is postponed because of "bans on international travel?" Eeek. (Swine flu).

....Monday and Tuesday were great days with a friend who is my hero. She and her husband began a ministry in Guatemala in the early 80's and now 8,000 plus children are being fed down there, in addition to children in Albania, and widows in Egypt. Our other friends stopped by...he had been in an awful accident in Egypt. We listened to the story of moving from the hospital in Egypt to Albania, and then back to the U.S. I am amazed he is alive, let alone traveling as he is. Among other injuries, he has three fractured vertebrae in his neck.

We talked non-stop!

....Saturday and Sunday were lazy with not much being accomplished. I did not get downtown to get pictures of the Spanish Ship. My garden looks ratty, I tried to put too much in it. I need to fertilize it today. But I have been eating lots of jalapenos and cherry tomatoes - my prime producers, besides the flowers. I'm closely watching the eggplant hoping to get it at peak of maturity, but before the bugs.

....Suddenly grandson hasn't come over much - feels like having a child and losing it at age 12 - I'm having a very hard time. Number one is his well being, of course, and not mine, but still.....I am trying to resist going to movies and eating popcorn, laying in bed in a depressed mode and trying to utilize the extra time to paint, garden, and work on business and be a happy fun person when I will get to see him.

....One set of neighbor kids were here for babysitting one morning, and the little girl stayed to to art......the other kids are in Bahrain for a while. I'm told they desperately need help in the program in Albania and my ears perk up.......

....We went to a 30 year anniversary of a pastor we dearly love! I've made it through buffets and bakeries and I've been super at staying on the eating plan, but in four to six weeks only four pounds have toppled off and I'm discouraged. My visiting friend was smiling though, she says, "H" looks at you like he's seeing you for the first time".........although he is careful to assure me that I was beautiful 60 some pounds ago....uh yeah. So, why all the attention now. Well, enough of that thinking - its a new day, a new life!

Our pastor friend has a condition that left his bones crumbling in his legs, and he couldn't feel it and continued walking on them - now is in a wheelchair - I'm trying to think of how to approach him on using the water and the energizer in hopes he'll walk again. To see friends in pain is emotionally painful for me....so partially selfish motives here!

Our "Leonissi" all beautiful, sexy girl 24 hour painting party on the beach is coming very soon and I am sooooo excited. We'll incorporate a baby shower and a birthday party in the midst of it as well, and exchange wisdom, lessons learned, and revel in our "woman-ness" and return to life as usual, refreshed.

Life is unfolding like a series of paintings - my friends, upon seeing my house were delighted with the artwork. I am delighted they were delighted. Friends are becoming more and more important and I'm loving seeing friends I've had for years and have a rich history in our relationships.

I'm Star Struck

Remember the superman body builder I was so struck with? "H" felt a connection and offered him water a few months back, now here we are. He drank "the water" for 24 hours and absolutely could not live without it. He now is an estatic alkaline water drinker! For body builders, it appears that the water absorbs deeply and does not lie upon the top of the muscles for a while, which enables the competitor to look so sleek and not "dried up." He's pictured here with my up-up line, Fred and her cousin Carlos, who also appear to be quite star struck. His manager is on the right. I am going to be closely following the career of this guy for sure! This is my prediction only and I'm no expert on body building, but the rumbles going around with this sport is that he is on his way to the Mr. Olympus title.

Things are starting to move, just when I was starting to think, well, I'll just paint full time and forget all this! He joined our team! And I'm thinking, yes, people are listening. . . it will happen.

I'll share a secret - I have dreamed, do dream, of sending this water all over the world. I keep reading how many people die because of lack of drinkable water. Where there is a faucet and electricity - clean water that enables the body to withstand diseases and food borne illnesses COULD be made available and at the same time disinfect surfaces and wounds, I can't even imagine the impact - I wish for a miracle.

Cleaning the Unthinkable

When "H" opens the refridg and says it stinks, then it is time to do something - like clean. He has a 90% dead zone nose after working as a meatcutter and cutting dead things up for years. Sorry all you meat eaters out there. Actually I've been craving a T-bone - they look real purty and smell real good grilled, sans blood, with garlic salt and pepper. However there are some things I can't stand - the odor of a raw chicken, the smell of cooking hamburger (unless on a grill). I want an outdoor grill so bad I can smell and taste almost. I digress, back to "H'" "nose"...if HE says it smells bad, it smells bad.

My sister is the one who cleans refrigerators. She's amazing. Cleaning fridges has never been my forte, yet it is important to be able to find things and keep a certain standard of cleanliness going. So, Sistah, if you are reading this - be at peace, it's clean. Well, there is the freezer........

Anyway, the inside of the fridge is now perfect. Perfectly stacked, all pull dated food thrown out - all fungus growth on the leftovers pushed to the back went down the disposal - all containers soaked in 2.5 acid water to disinfect - I'm having so much fun cleaning with WATER! I scrubbed down the silver metal blinds with 11.5 alkaline water and it removed the grease from the table top grill perfectly. Doesn't take much to make me happy does it?

I moved on to Elvis and the tree with the birds on it - a gift from a friend who travels to Guatemala often. Elvis, a reject from my daughter when she moved. Now I am moving on to baseboards with the 11.5. Don't ya wish you were having as much fun as me?

The future seems to be holding room for me to schedule my time around other people's surgeries, colonoscopies, etc. I think this summer will go so fast, my head will spin...except for the month in Wyoming.

After Weds. and a Mexican dinner I am hosting, I'm going to concentrate on the beach for a few days! The water has turned from a dark color to the emerald green that our coastline is famous for and is as still and calm as silk.

Why?

Mostly I champion children, but wanton killing and torture of animals is high on my list of things to be eliminated on this earth along with child abuse.



Here are some sad videos - I've written my elected officials when I can. I guess they just passed a law allowing loaded guns to include rifles in National Parks - now why would one want to carry rifles into National Parks? Or any loaded gun for that matter. Very scary.

A loaded rifle is considered personal protection? National Parks have a VERY low level of crime. Or are loaded rifles better for poaching which is decimating the protected species in National Parks. That and maybe kidnapping and rape are the only reasons I could think of to take a loaded rifle to a national park. Now will we have wars in the national parks between criminals and campers, park rangers and poachers?



At least some of the people are truthful about why they are killing in this video - the "thrill" of killing a predator - but what to do when mankind is the predator?



Another reason I wasn't popular in Wyoming - my idea of fun does not extend to killing creatures. Yeh, I know all the jargon - protection of herds, like elk spread brucillosis, yeh sure. Cattle don't carry diseases? Coyotes are more into rabbits - not a prize ram - they have been known to take a sick sheep. But then so have pet dogs. I had a cousin who laid in the wreckage of a plane way too long when it went out shooting coyotes from the air. Hunting from the air can be dangerous to humans, and as the shooting of his friend by ex VP Cheney indicates hunting from the ground can also be dangerous. Some people's idea of fun!

One day while driving across town, I saw a wounded pelican in the intersection. Some people were actually trying to run over the bird, while (in the minority)a couple of people had stopped in the bedlam to rescue the bird.

I just do not understand the mentality of killing for fun. Hunting and eating the meat is another thing - if the meat is used, I have enough of the wild west in my system to not have a problem with that, but not enough wild west in me to think killing for fun is ok. An elk or deer or two in the freezer was a welcome gift enabling us to save money throughout the year on groceries - but killing for fun? I don't see it - I even hate BB guns! Ok, I'm such a spoil sport, I know!

Why Cats Sleep in the Day Time

I'm not speaking to the cats today. I woke up this morning with fleas in my bed and one hairy spider crawling over my thigh. Jumped out of bed screaming and flailing, got tangled in the blankets and fell over onto my air cleaning machine which I hope I didn't break. Cats scattered. My fault, I should never allow them in the bedroom. All the books say, the bedroom should be sancrosanct, no TV, no pets, no multi-purpose - the bedroom should be for sleep and love. Cat's really don't give a _________ what the books say. They yowl, they claw at the door and the carpet under it, they fight outside the door until I have to make a value decision on which disturbance I would rather put up with, yowling, clawing doors, sounds of in-fighting - or their invasion of my sanctuary. Perhaps this is preparing me for dog duty in the next six weeks....

Immediately when I woke up, I had my coffee and still in underwear and a T-shirt, did the unthinkable - I rubbed flea medicine into their stiff, ornery little necks (this really ticks them off) and stripped the bed for washing of everything.

Now moving on to pick up the house, wash my hair - I took a 5 a.m. shower - couldn't sleep - remake the bed with clean linens - have to pickup Grandson - only two more days of school left. The fridge is full of incredibly fresh, delicious fruit! Sun is shining, but the sky is graying a bit, making ready for our daily afternoon showers. I am also going to vacuum the carpet and wake the dang cats up.

Interesting Glamour Mag Poll

Found these tidbits of info on the internet - yuck - I'm a rigid germaphobe so I'm surprised at these statistics - and then again, maybe not.

Confessions: I NEVER wear underwear more than once before washing them out - and wash my hands constantly since I am the household food preparer (in fact in public places, I turn off the faucets with paper towels and exit the doors with paper towels to protect hands, throw them away outside of bathrooms). I line strange toilets with strips of toilet paper before sitting down. I soak produce in 2.5 acidic water to remove germs, wash my meat like a racoon before cooking - gross out at gas pump handles. I carry wet wipes in my purse and annoy my family by handing them out before eating in a restaurant. I won't let people walk in the beds or get in them in clothes they wear outside the house (except "H" ignores my "nutty rules"). I prefer that people remove their shoes before walking in the house. I never, never, never eat off the floor - well maybe if I drop, like blueberries - then I wash them off with the 2.5 water first.

Not asking anyone else what they do, confess if you are brave - but thought this was interesting anyway - - -

How Dirty Are You?
Posted: 2009-05-20 10:41:57
Provided by Glamour

Glamour polled nearly 1,000 women on everything from sitting on public toilets to rewearing dirty clothes, then sent the results to Billy Goldberg, M.D., and Mark Leyner, authors of "Let's Play Doctor." Here, find out which habits are unhealthy -- and which are filthy but fine.

Ever Wear Dirty Clothes? A full 85 percent of women have.

Says Penny, 32: "Isn't that what Febreze is for?" Yes -- just draw the line at underwear (which 52 percent of poll-takers have reworn). According to microbiologist Charles Gerba, Ph.D., there is roughly a tenth of a gram of fecal matter in worn undies; that translates to about 100 million E. coli bacteria, which, in ferreting through your laundry, may get on your hands. Then, if you rub your eyes or, God forbid, eat a sandwich, you could get sick. If you're a regular hamper digger, wash your hands after rooting around in there.


Have You Ever Peed in the Shower? Almost 75 percent of poll-takers have.

Let's start with a few facts: Toilet flushing accounts for almost 27 percent of indoor water use in a home. The amount used per flush ranges from a gallon in eco-friendly models to a whopping seven in older types. Where are we going with this? We beseech you: Save water. Save the planet! Pee in the shower! OK, we won't insist. But it isn't really that gross. Unless you have an infection, urine is sterile and nontoxic. Proponents of "urine therapy" even believe it can help treat athlete's foot. Heck, Dr. Billy freely admits that he is a shameless shower squirter.


Do You Follow the Five-Second Rule? More than 40 percent of women eat food that's fallen on the floor.

First, what floor are we talking about? There's a NASA Clean Room floor, and then there's the floor of a restroom in the Port Authority bus terminal near Times Square. But either way, the five-second rule -- which states that if you retrieve a morsel quickly enough, it's safe -- isn't exactly true. Researchers tossed food on grimy flooring and found that it was germy after just a few seconds. Since it takes very little bacteria to make you sick, it's a good idea to toss fallen food into the trash.


Do You Go Barefoot at the Gym? 32 percent of women admitted doing it.

Sorry, going barefoot is not a good thing to do at the gym. Even if you're not worried about slipping on wet feet, you should be wary of the stuff found in sweaty, steamy places that can cause athlete's foot and plantar warts. If your feet (and the areas between your toes) remain moist, an infection can grow…and grow. So splurge on a pair of $1.99 drugstore flip-flops.


Do You Brush Your Teeth Every Night? 43 percent of poll-takers said they don't.

Brushing before bed always seemed like a no-brainer to us. Skip it, and you're giving the germs in your mouth time to multiply, especially since the production of bacteria-killing saliva decreases when you sleep. All this can lead to cavities and gum disease -- and many studies suggest that the bacteria responsible for gum disease may also play a role in heart trouble. If that won't get you brushing, consider this: These nasty little germs emit gases called volatile sulfur compounds, which smell like a porta-potty.


How Often Do You Shower? Almost a third of women said they don't lather up every day.

Grody? Depends on how much you sweat. Unhealthy? Nah. Stink-causing bacteria feast on sweat released by your apocrine glands, which are concentrated in areas like your armpits and groin. The longer these germs are allowed to grow, the smellier you get. They pose no health risk, but you may clear out a row at the multiplex.


Do You Wash Up After Using the Bathroom? 24 percent of women don't do it every time.

"I'll scrub if I'm about to eat, but if I'm in and out real quick and don't pee on myself, why wash?" asks Alanna, 25. Here's why: When you wipe, your hand is awfully close to the source of stomach-churning E. coli. A little time at the sink will prevent those germs from finding their way into your mouth and causing you -- or a person you shake hands with -- some nasty gastrointestinal distress. Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the transmission of disease of almost any kind. So without question, wash up after using the bathroom. And do it right: According to a recent study involving a supposedly "unobtrusive" research-observer hiding in a toilet stall, 63 percent of women washed their hands after using the bathroom, but only 38 percent used soap (a must) and a measly 2 percent did it for 10 or more seconds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 15 to 20 seconds. (Note: If you ever find someone sitting in a toilet stall with a clipboard, please demand her credentials.)

Billy Goldberg, M.D., is a host of the weekly Sirius Satellite Radio show "Doctor Radio," and novelist Mark Leyner is writing a screenplay called Hurricane Jerry.

2009-05-20 10:06:56

Come, come, come to the garden.....

Aptly named a "Shrimp Plant" -


This is one of three types of basil I have planted. It is the hardiest. I also have lemon basil this year and it is incredible in ice tea and water for flavor.

First Bell Pepper of the season. Pretty spicey though!


Natural mosquito relief


My Mother's Day Lily


Lacey Hydrangea


Baby eggplant wanting to grow up

Gardens give me great pleasure. I cease to think in the garden. That is a good thing. I have thought so much during the last 24 hours, my brain is literally exhuasted.

I am going to paint today. I will hide when I paint - I don't know what is going on with the particular neighbors - the kids who "want to paint" - I've set up an ideal situation for them, they don't show up, then several hours later begin pounding on my door wanting to "paint." I've spoken with their mother - typed up a packet offering free art lessons with the stipulation that after the first lesson during which I will furnish supplies, they either pay supply fee or bring their own supplies. I created a plan, a syllabus, a lesson for the first day and created a time that the kids and their mother agreed to. When they banged on the door for the second time, 6 hours after not showing up, the older kid said they went to Walmart instead of showing up at the agreed to time. I've haven't a clue what is going on, other than I'm tired of answering the door at random hours, while trying to cook dinner, work on the computer (real work, not play), or watch a movie with kids demanding to use my paints and my house. But at least I'm getting things very organized to begin classes for people who are able to make them. Kids or otherwise.

I don't mind an occasional fun day with the paints or whatever other art supplies I have, but several times a week, and just coming in the house without knocking or asking - I have had to begin locking the door - oh, weird, if there is a weird situation, I will find it.

Then - my business - the man who is training me, just quit. Won't answer phone calls. The one above him is telling me to produce - I have produced - set up gigantic events and small events, and events and events and now people are hanging, I am hanging - so I'm thinking, well - another square peg not fitting into a round hole - what is it I'm learning from this. PAINT - then market myself. Perhaps that's it. Just concentrate on joyful things - painting and art and writing. I'm retired. I can do that after years and years of work I didn't really like. Why keep striving? I'm really free - I just keep thinking I HAVE to work. I don't.

I will share all my health research, my experiements on myself and the wonderful products that have contributed to making me well....and keep the business.....but very, very leisurely.

Then in July I have a month gone from my summer - my mother is having hip surgery and I must go to Wyoming and dwell in a closed up house with no A/C - she has one, just doesn't like it because the "dogs get cold." No open windows - the drafts bother her. No, she's telling me, I don't need to have my meal replacements sent there, I can eat the TV dinners that have been in the freezer from last year. Oh, what a weird summer. Maybe I will sweat the rest of the weight off.

Ok, I am off the computer - I've pulled my weeds from the garden, I'm going to make a glass of iced tea with the basil and lime, the paints are all organized waiting - I'm putting on music and stopping the pesky thinking.....the only person I know with weirder rabbit trails is my beautiful and eccentric Doc Lovely....

Clouds and Concerns

My computer is back - so happy!

I never tire of the beach, it looks different each and every day. If I were a millionaire, you could bet I would probably succumb to living on the beach - maybe - what would I do without the gardens and grass, although "H" detests taking care of them and only does it to please me. (Sometimes I wish he could find the joy and comfort of sinking his hands into the dirt that I do.)

Then, what would I do not being able to watch the crazy birds as they go about their daily lives in the yard? Yeh, watch the sharks, the Mantas, the dolphins - the gulls and the herons and the little crabs hustling from hole to hole (which in the 20 years since we've been here have gone from plentiful to a rare sighting).

Unfortunately, a modest little place on the beach is a thing of the far past. Now only the very wealthy can afford to live on the beach it seems, where once charming small to larger homes and "Mom and Pop" businesses gave "Old Florida" a comforting, funky feel. Now the atmosphere is one of high rise, fortified homes, and big business restaurants and beach shops.

I could not be happy for long, riding an elevator up a concrete building, to live in a small portion of the building, no matter how nice it was. The view would be nice - but no, not top much modernity (is that a word?) for me. I would prefer a cottage in a more wild, undeveloped piece of shore.

I am old enough to remember and long for the simple America I once knew - small farms in Iowa, funky beach towns in Florida and California, a country where grisly murders were a rarity, TV shows simpler and not an ever droning noise of crime, political analysis, and what the new hot bodies are doing for "fun." Less stress - more time to relate with people, less texting - more coffee at the kitchen table -

I sometimes think my generation is stuck in a time warp. Then I think of my grandma who traveled to Wyoming in a covered wagon and lived way beyond seeing a man walk on the moon and I realize life is a series of time warps that are coming at a faster and faster pace.

Anyway, relating to suburbia, perhaps one stays with what they know - I could never live in a city for long - with concrete everywhere - there are so many wonderful and interesting things in the city, and so many opportunities lost not living there - but long term, I must have my little plot of land, my suburbia.

For a long time, as a young woman, I lived in pretty bad poverty ridden rentals and sections of town as a single mom. I never want to go there again, and I dearly and daily give thanks my children and grandchildren have a good place in which to live.

I'm always aware that poverty is only a grind away - and but for the grace of God there go I. This leaves me daily thankful for adequate food, housing, transportation, and fluffy extras like makeup, pretty clothes (sometimes), earrings, books, art supplies - - - when I was younger I never dreamed I would have the gift of living how and where I am now, never mind the millionaire mansions I see everyday almost. Looking at the world now, I hope my descendants can have the same standard of living at least.

As our companions (or discards) animals live on the same different levels we do. I was looking at Big Mamma Kitty this morning thinking of her life in the humane society shelter - when I found her, her eyes were anguished and she had a horrible intestinal problem. Her fur was ratty - she was in feline poverty. Now she has organic cat food, a gorgeous yard, fluffy pillows which she prefers to lie on, filtered, alkaline ph water, a kitty brush, and a human to lie next to at night that takes care of her. She gets vitamins and when she's grouchy because her earlier life of stress left her body and emotions weak, and she doesn't feel good, I understand completely and let her be - snoozing on a pillow or stretched out in the sun in the study.

What is this life all about sometimes I wonder.....

I'm not depressed today - just puzzled - and wishing I could give everyone in the world food and clean water and a small house, hah, including animals. I guess even Brad Pitt could only build 100 in New Orleans - and I want to fix the world!!!! I admire my friend,

Candy Minx

, so much for taking action on social issues. I guess we can do what we can in our sphere of influence.

In the meantime, enjoy the clouds and don't let my on-line musings get you down! Just thinking too much I guess.

A Fun Place to Visit

Had a new visitor to my blog - drop by and say hello. Her blog is delightful and chock full of recipes too!

Dining with Debbie

Also, a new computer cord is on its way - Dell has tremendous service lately - and I will be able to post pics of my own, yay!

Challenges.......

To begin, I have no photos of my own today though I have taken many recently - I accidentally chopped up another laptop cord - same as before, it got stuck in the recliner. This computer will not read a card.

I had tons of garden pictures - the white eggplants are growing nicely and I wish I had a dozen more plants...I guess I can buy more and stagger the plantings and insure a continuing supply throughout the summer as well. I've eaten the first fruits of the pepper plants and the tomatoes are doing marvelously well.

The grass is not doing so well - some of the sprinkler heads are mutilated - how????? Therefore, sections of the yard are "burning up" - it was so pretty when it was raining so much. There are weird holes all over the yard about a hand's length in size - we have no dogs - so - - what on earth? Earthworms that dig like dogs and eat sprinkler heads? I don't think so.

Neighborhood painting lessons are getting out of hand. I started wanting to give the kids some joy and a beginning hopefully of a love for art and the doing thereof, but in order for me to have joy, I need to get a handle on some regularly scheduled times and fees for supplies or have them bring their own. They show up empty handed, expecting paint, a surface, brushes, food, free run of my home, and lessons when THEY want them.

I have kids demanding I give them a lesson NOW, small ones wondering in the house uninvited, getting in my palette and smearing paint on my cabinets and demanding water and food, going to my grandson's bedroom digging out toys and videos. If this is going to become a stressful "job" that ruins my brushes and my home and peace of mind - I don't want to do it!

Perhaps I am not seeing clearly here - there may be a value in these little ones being part of another "household" other than their own - but balanced with knowing my own limitations. I am setting a certain time for hour-long lesson, letting the people who send their kids over here know those times and the list of supplies the kids need or supply fee, and if no one shows up, fine, if they show up at other hours, they will be sent home with a cookie.

Good time Nana is setting some limits! I have a feeling the preteens will not be too happy when they find some structure - painting a still life to learn values, etc...and will get bored and not come back anyway. Perhaps they will surprise me.

We'll see! Gosh, the sun is coming up - its now Sunday already. Grandson and I are going to church - "H" will bound out and leave us in the dust as he gets to the service he wants to go to - the boy and I will have breakfast, go pick up his cowboy boots and show up for the late service. His dad wants to spend the day - but I need to have structure on that too - school will be out soon and I don't want to lose control of my home, my time, and/or my sanity for the summer! I love that our neighborhood is getting involved together as families, sharing, etc., haven't had that for a long, long time! But I don't want to be a place to flop in free air conditioning nor a drop-in free babysitter....its different when all the kids are playing when grandson is here.

MICROMANAGEMENT

Ok, I have something irritating me, so I'm climbing on the soapbox this a.m. The past few weeks when I've turned on TV for some national news I have found nothing but program after program of people offering opinions about this or that. Where is a good ol' serial killer program anymore?

What IS IT with scrutinizing celebrities lives in order to criticise them? I'm surprised they aren't down to describing bowel movements and offering opinions on the color, shape, and lack of or too much.

The Coupe de grace was a paper thin, even more beautiful, Farah Faucett who was being interviewed on TV in regard to her hospital visits and treatments being made public information and such information being discussed on air. She is terminally ill with cancer it was reported. She said she fully realized that interest of the public came with being a star, but a line should be drawn at invasion of privacy, such as illegal prying into medical information.

Going beyond just plain ignorance on the part of supposedly smart people - I mean they are newscasters, interviewers, etc. - it took a few brains to get them where they are (I think). Here are some of the silly things I've observed:

Preoccupation with weight gain of women stars - singers, actresses
Why I don't care: I have enough trouble worrying about my own weight and its no one's business what I weigh anyway, if they don't like it, don't look.

Preoccupation with Obama's decisions.
Why I don't care: He's doing his job the best he can and I can't do a dang thing about what I don't like about it anyway and I'm too busy to watch every speech and read everything written about each decision he makes. And I don't have all the information that goes into making those decisions and I'm sure the news pundits don't either. Anyway, that's what I'm paying him for.

Preoccupation with critiquing on national TV.
Have you noticed that the large "news" stations have disintegrated into giving opinions on this and that rather than straight news reporting? Local news is much better.
Why I don't care: I am too busy to listen to opinionated blabber and I form my own opinions.

Preoccupation with who Brad Pitt is bomping.
Why I don't care: I'm not married to him.

Preoccupation with Edwards affair.
Why I don't care: Having enough problems with my own marriage to worry about his.

And the list goes on.

Sea Critters

I did. I went to the beach again today. Not to despise my Northern European lineage - but to make my skin gold like my native American ancestors. It is gold - yay! Ah feel sexy, flexy, and fun..."H" is snoring away in his room, oh well.

I blatantly ignore all the warnings of too much sun on the skin and instead soak, imbibe and otherwise wallow in antioxidants.

The sun, the water sounds, the clouds, the gulls crying, the sight of the sea creatures, what balm to the soul.

It was so cool - I saw a school of dolphins - parents and little ones, and also watched a school of Manta Rays - four very large ones and three little ones. I was terrified to go in the water because of the Rays and also because of an incredible undertow for weeks down there. (Although one bikini clad woman I was chatting with said only Sting Rays sting - well, makes sense) Since the back injury, I have a hard time standing up in a strong undertow and did not want to get swept out where I would test the Rays to see if they indeed did or did not sting. And/or drown.

Stopped at the market on the way home and bought a large ice cold watermelon that I shared with Big Mamma Cat - she is so funny, loves watermelon and avocados.

It finally rained a whole bunch and I am now on my way out to sit on the front porch and survey what grows in the front. Yesterday I had jalapenos in my eggs - from the garden (not the eggs - no chickens, though I wish there were) ....

Misplaced my camera again, caught the laptop cord in the recliner and mashed it, so no computer left with sound and this one slugs along so slowly.....burned up my stand-up mixer trying to make chocolate zucchini muffins, transferred the batter to the food processor and burned it up - I guess they were old - I keep thinking things should last forever - like husbands - sorry, I am being quite the comedian this evening - 'twas the wonderful salt air - more relaxed than if I had 3 Margarita's. Come to think of it, I think that would quite top off the day.........a nice, on the rocks, slow sip on the porch admiring the flowers. Wish I had photos for everyone - Foxglove, Lilies, Purple Stocks - Gerberas, things are growing like crazy!

Wrap Up of Mum's Day Weekend

Snatched this photo from a post on Facebook. Made me think of the contradictory messages in life - like words that don't line up with what I see - I have learned to always trust what I see, not what someone tells me is the reality. Anyway, thought this was a fun photo. Love the South!

Had a nice mother's day - didn't get to go to church, but I will survive that - did get to see all my grandkids - and that was sweet. I have three beautiful plants to transfer to the gardens. Planted two watermelon plants. I woke up at 4:00 a.m., got up at 5:00 - feels like I've been up forever. I'm lucky. I'm loved.

Put a cage around one of my tomato plants and busted off one of the branches that was loaded with tomatoes - oi, that hurts!

Experimented with Kale - makes yummy tastes in salads.

Sitting at my patio table in the backyard in the early mist, I realized how lush and beautiful my yard is and only a couple of years ago when I returned from Wyoming, it was half gone....like me.......I realize our yards tell stories about us.........whenever I changed a job, I used to add a new bamboo plant in the office and found it so interesting to see how much it grew while I was at that particular job.

Watched movies this weekend: Houndog - that was sort of a pre-pubescent Black Snake Moan - and I watched I Have Loved You So Long, and that set me in a mode of crying for a while, but its a good, good movie.

Then watched The Reader which made me angry - any subject involving an adult perpetrator with a minor, and that being called an "affair" always sets me off. I have worked with people suffering devastating life problems from molestation. Too often they think they had an "affair" when in reality they were children with still developing brains who had been stalked and seduced by adults who should have known better. The devastating guilt and complicated life problems thereafter can be devastating to a successful future. However, the film was magnificent in the story telling of the young boy who became bonded to the perpetrator so severely he could not have a normal relationship until the perpetrator was dead. The movie chronicles his involvement with the perpetrator's life until her death and finally his emotional freedom from her. Other terrifying things were revealed to him about her which richly layered the story telling. I thought the acting was superb.

So, that's been my weekend. My laptop is down for the count - the cord keeps going out and I'm back on my old, limpy desktop with no sound. My granddaughter at least connected it so I can print something without having to disconnect the mouse.

Hope to get around to everyone in the next 24 hours - I must vacuum, run the boy's "stuff" to him and plant the beautiful plants I received for M. Day.