A day in my simple life?

NATURE | Cloud's Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns

2010-09-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Save Cloud and America's Wild Horses

2010-09-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

Save Cloud Rescue Team

2010-09-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Cloud's Family To Be Euthanized?

2010-09-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

Cloud & his Herd (Mustangs) - The Power of the Wild Horses

2010-09-15T08:40:00.000-07:00

The release of Pono and Ohi

2010-09-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Death Row Horses

2010-09-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Wild Horse Play in Arizona

2010-09-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Susan Boyle - Wild Horses

2010-09-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

Reba McEntire - The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia

2010-09-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

Reba McEntire - Fancy

2010-09-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson - Because Of You

2010-09-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Lionel B. Cartwright - I Watched It All (On My Radio)

2010-09-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

Neal McCoy You Let Me Be The Hero ( with lyrics)

2010-09-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Neal McCoy ~ Hillbilly Rap

2010-09-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

Loreena McKennitt- The Highwayman

2010-09-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Mystical Dream

2010-09-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Spiral Dance

2010-09-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

Wiccan Lullaby

2010-09-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

9/11 Budweiser Tribute

2010-09-11T04:29:00.000-07:00

Detroit's Economy Saved by Medical Marijuana?

2010-08-08T05:11:00.000-07:00

Detroit's Economy Saved by Medical Marijuana?

Teen Megan Fleming Led Others to Safety After Missouri Bus Crash

2010-08-06T12:37:00.000-07:00

Teen Megan Fleming Led Others to Safety After Missouri Bus Crash

Truly Awesome Young Lady, a True Angel!

Health Insurance Reform? It's For the Dogs! (And Cats, And Exotic Pets Too)

2010-07-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Health Insurance Reform? It's For the Dogs! (And Cats, And Exotic Pets Too)

Germany Considers Tax on the Obese

2010-07-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Germany Considers Tax on the Obese

Abby Guerra, Reported Dead in Crash, Discovered to Be Alive in Hospital

2010-07-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

Abby Guerra, Reported Dead in Crash, Discovered to Be Alive in Hospital

BrewDog's End of History Beer Bottled in Taxidermied Dead Animals

2010-07-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

BrewDog's End of History Beer Bottled in Taxidermied Dead Animals

Snoop Dogg "Oh Sookie" True Blood Music Video HD

2010-07-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

True Blood Opening Credits

2010-07-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

2009-08-12T15:59:00.001-07:00

Lost and Found Dog Saves Life of Boy with Down Syndrome
by Helena Sung (RSS feed) Aug 11th 2009 5:00PM
Categories: Dogs, Pets in the News, Hero Pets, Adoption
Email More

Photo: St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press Do you believe in canine guardian angels and the kindness of strangers? You just might after reading this story. Early one morning, Yolanda Segovia's neighbor, Stacey Savige, knocked on her door and asked her to temporarily take in a stray dog she had found. The scruffy terrier mix had no collar or microchip.

Segovia eyed the pooch -- burrs sticking to his belly and mud caking his fur -- and reluctantly agreed to foster him for the day. An erstwhile hairdresser, Segovia hasn't worked since 2006. At 47, she is a survivor of breast cancer and cervical cancer. A divorced single mother of two, Segovia shares her Port Tampa, Florida home with her 10 year-old son Azaiah and 21 year-old son Christian. Her elder son has Down Syndrome; he cannot speak or bathe himself, and he has had heart surgery and a kidney transplant, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Azaiah immediately took to the dog, whom he named RaeLee (pronounced "Riley"). Segovia and her sons bought the dog a collar, leash, ball and brown bed from the dollar store, and all that day, Azaiah played with the dog, laughing gleefully whenever RaeLee licked his face. "Don't fall in love with him," Segovia warned.Segovia and Savige made 4,000 FOUND flyers with the dog's picture, stuffed mailboxes and put an ad on Craigslist. When no one called, RaeLee stayed the night at the Segovias' house. His dog bed was placed in the living room, but when the boys climbed into their twin beds, RaeLee dragged his bed down the long hallway and bunked with the boys in their room.By Saturday -- four days later -- no one had called to claim RaeLee, and he was still living with the Segovias.

The honey-colored terrier had started responding to his new name. He almost never barked, loved playing rambunctiously with Azaiah, and was tender with Christian. One afternoon, the dog settled himself on the floor near Christian as he watched a "Barney" video in his room. Segovia was outside watering the plants when the placid moment was shattered by the sound of RaeLee crashing into the screen door and barking crazily.

Alarmed, Segovia opened the door, only to have the dog race back through the house towards the boys' room. Segovia followed, screaming when she caught sight of her son. Christian was "slumped over, his body writhing in a seizure, blood streaming from his nose and mouth." RaeLee stood next to him yelping, but suddenly went quiet when Yolanda reached down to hold her son. "If he hadn't come to get me," Segovia said, "the neurologist said Christian would have choked on his own blood and died." The dog, she decided, was a keeper.But the next day, Segovia and her sons were heartbroken when someone called to claim the dog they had come to love.

Randy Cliff, 34, who lived six blocks away said he had been searching for his dog -- real name Odie -- for over a week. Odie had lived with Cliff, his wife, their four children and infant granddaughter. Savige cried, telling Cliff, "That dog saved my friend's son."When Cliff came to collect his dog, RaeLee a.k.a. Odie, leapt off the Segovias' porch and into his arms. Christian watched from a window. Azaiah stood on the porch watching the man hug the dog he knew as RaeLee. "We're going to miss you," he said, tearfully. Looking up, Cliff took in the scene -- Christian looking scared, Azaiah looking downtrodden -- and asked, "Is that your brother?"

Azaiah nodded yes.With a sudden change of heart, Cliff put the dog back down. "Maybe Odie was supposed to find you," Cliff told a stunned and delighted Azaiah. "Maybe you should keep him."And that is how the kindness of strangers -- Savige for rescuing a lost dog, Segovia for taking him in, and Cliff for giving up his pet to a pair of brothers who needed the dog more -- brought RaeLee to live with Azaiah, Christian and their mother.

DOM'S FMS/CFIDS NEWSLETTER

2009-05-09T03:32:00.001-07:00

DOM'S FMS/CFIDS NEWSLETTER
www.fms-help.com/050709.htm

May 7, 2009 - today is the National Day of Prayer

May 12, 2009 - National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Please respond to Reader 2 in Topic 17 about flu shots.

A Christian-based newsletter for people with Fibromyalgia (FMS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) and their families.

26 TOPICS IN BLUE. READERS' COMMENTS IN BLACK. MY COMMENTS IN TEAL. DON'T MISS RED TOPICS!

Dom's Quick Links: Fibro Story CFIDS Story Insomnia Story Newsletter Archives Med List Homepage Previous Newsletter

Click on www.fms-help.com/050709.htm to read the newsletter--

1. READERS WRITE

2. FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY - MAY 12, 2009

3. OBJECTIVE PROOF THAT WE ARE SICK

4. MARRIAGE TROUBLE

5. AVIAN BIRD FLU SCAM

6. NEUTRALIZING VIRUSES

7. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS & PREGNANCY

8. LEVAQUIN

9. POOR NUTRITION IN THE WOMB TRIGGERS PERMANENT GENETIC CHANGES

10. SUFFERING

11. IRRADIATED FOOD CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE

12. ANTI-VIRAL TEAS

13. "THORNS IN THE FLESH"

14. PFIZER'S FIBRO PUT DOWN (TV AD FOR LYRICA)

15. COLDS & CANCER

16. FIND A FIBRO-FRIENDLY DOCTOR

17. FLU SHOTS & VACCINES

18. NATIONAL PAIN CARE POLICY ACT

19. MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

20. ADDERALL FOR FMS

21. OPIOIDS & CONSTIPATION

22. WRETCHED INSOMNIA

23. DR. TEITELBAUM'S WELLNESS SEMINAR

24. DRUGS ARE POISON

25. OIL OF OREGANO

26. DOM'S UPDATE

Click on www.fms-help.com/050709.htm to read the newsletter!

Go to Prom, Get Suspended, School Says

2009-05-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

Go to Prom, Get Suspended, School Says
AP
posted: 13 HOURS 14 MINUTES AGO
comments: 591
filed under: National News, Weird News

FINDLAY, Ohio (May 8) - A student at a fundamentalist Baptist school that forbids dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom, his principal said.

Despite the warning, 17-year-old Tyler Frost, who has never been to a dance before, said he plans to attend Findlay High School's prom Saturday.

Frost, a senior at Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio, agreed to the school's rules when he signed a statement of cooperation at the beginning of the year, principal Tim England said.

The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an "incomplete" on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.

Frost's stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom.

"He deserves to wear that cap and gown," Johnson said.

2009-05-09T03:14:00.000-07:00

Face Transplant Patient Forgives Shooter

2009-05-09T03:11:00.000-07:00

Face Transplant Patient Forgives Shooter
AOL
posted: 11 HOURS 25 MINUTES AGO
comments: 126
filed under: Health News, National News

May 8) - He shot her in the face, leaving her so horrifically disfigured that Connie Culp later received the nation's first face transplant. But she forgives her husband for what he did.
"I forgave him the day he did it. I had to," Connie Culp said Friday in an interview on ABC's 'Good Morning America.'

Thomas Culp was sentenced to seven years in prison for the 2004 shooting. Connie was sentenced to something much worse.

The blast shattered her nose, cheeks, the roof of her mouth and an eye. She underwent nearly 30 operations but was still to smell or eat solid food. She needed a tracheotomy in order to breathe.

Culp came forward this week at a news conference at the Cleveland Clinic, where doctors in December replaced 80 percent of her face with bone, muscles, nerves, skin and blood vessels from a woman who had died.

Culp knows nothing about the donor except that they were about the same age and height. She feels a huge debt of gratitude to the donor's family.

"I just want to thank them and tell them I love them for being so thoughtful," she said.
Culp said she realized the transplant had worked when she first smelled soap.

"I actually smelled my face soap and I realized then I could smell my mouthwash," she told ABC's Diane Sawyer.

The 46-year-old Unionport, Ohio, woman said that after the marathon surgery, the first thing she saw was "my eye outline. I saw my hair. I saw my nose. But the nose looked good from what I could see and my daughter said I looked great."

Now she is adjusting to that nose -- and remembering what to do when it tickles.
"A real funny experience was the first time I sneezed," she said. "I didn't know what to cover up!"

She bears no animosity to the husband whose botched murder-suicide attempt brought her so much pain.
"He's told me that he's sorry," Culp said. "I still love my husband."

But she said women should know that if they are in a physically or even verbal ly abusive relationship, they are in real danger. "If your husband threatens you in any way, it’s going to get worse," she said.

Culp said it now seems strange to remember how, before the shooting, she used to worry about her appearance.

"I was worried about my weight and everything. I'm like, that is so foolish. It don't matter what you look like."
Before the transplant, she would become upset when small children ran from her. One little girl called her "a monster." Now, she said she is happy to walk down the street.

"I want to be positive. I want to move on," she said. "Everything's going to be great from here on out."

Our cousin Connie, we are very proud of her courage.

2009-05-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Our cousin Connie, we are very proud of her courage.

Local Woman Disclosed As First-Ever Face Transplant Patient

Posted: 4:03 pm EDT May 5, 2009Updated: 5:52 pm EDT May 5, 2009

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The injuries Connie Culp suffered on a late night in September 2004 were once believed to be permanent.

Her face was disfigured and she was blind after being shot in the face. The life-changing gunshot shattered her jaw, cheek and nose. She could not smile.
Until recently.

On Tuesday, after months of being shielded in secrecy, the Harrison County woman was disclosed as being the first person to ever have a near-total face transplant in the United States.
In a 22-hour procedure performed at the Cleveland Clinic in December, surgeons transplanted 80 percent of Culp's face, essentially replacing her entire face, except for her upper eyelids, forehead, lower lip and chin.

Culp's life took its first drastic turn during an attempted murder-suicide outside the OK Corral in Hopedale, Ohio. Culp's husband Thomas, shot her in the face from just 8 feet way, then turned the gun on himself. Both survived.

Now, five years later, her life has changed once again. At a news conference Tuesday, Culp was ready to face the world.

"Well, I guess I'm the one you came to see today," Culp, of Hopedale, said. "While I know you all want to focus on me, I think it's more important to focus on the donor family that made it so I could get this Christmas present, I guess I should say."

Today, new nerves are growing beneath her new skin. She can eat, drink and breathe normally.
"This reinforces the concept that this is not cosmetic surgery in any sense of the word," said Dr. Eric Kodish, a bio-ethicist at the Cleveland Clinic.

While Culp could have survived with her injuries, doctors insist that repairing her disfigurement was crucial to her quality of life.

"Most devastating of all was the fact that society had rejected her. She was called names and children were afraid of her," said Dr. Maria Siemionow, director of plastic surgery.

Doctors predicted further progress as swelling subsides and they're able to tighten up the excess skin from the transplant.
To date, all of Culp's post-surgical treatment has happened within the few blocks of the Cleveland Clinic. But her surgeons said they have no problem with her returning home and said they're confident she can stay healthy and live a normal life.

Siemionow said she thinks there is enough home care available in Ohio to help Culp with basic daily activities, "but if there's something major happening, we are here and she knows that."
Surgeons at the clinic said the donor's family was notified that Culp would go public on Tuesday. The family has seen pictures of her new face and was touched by them, clinic officials said.

The donor's family has not yet met face-to-face with Culp, but clinic representatives said when the family is ready to do that, they will help make that happen.

Thomas Culp remains in jail and is expected to be released in 2012, when his seven-year sentence will be complete.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

2009-05-05T02:12:00.000-07:00

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

Time passes.

Life happens.

Distance separates.

Children grow up.

Jobs come and go.

Love waxes and wanes.

Men don't do what they're supposed to do.

Hearts break.

Parents die.

Colleagues forget favors.

Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there,

no matter how much time and how

many miles are between you.

A girl friend is never farther away

than needing her can reach.

When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you

have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life

will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,

praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on

your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the

valley's end.

Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk

beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,

daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,

Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended

family, all bless our life!

The world wouldn't be the same without women, and

neither would I. When we began this adventure called

womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or

sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we

would need each other.

Every day, we need each other still.

Pass this on

to all the women who help make your life meaningful.

I just did.

Short and very sweet:

There are more than twenty angels in this world.

Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds.

Nine are playing..

And one is reading her email at this moment.

Send this message to all of your friends

,

God or Goddess bless you and have a happy day

Wheeling Celtic Societ Meeting

2009-05-04T11:02:00.001-07:00

We cordially invite you to attend our oranization meeting on May 7 2009 at 7 pm at the Ohio County Public Library at 16 and Eoff St, Wheeling WVa.

The meeting will be held in the conference room on the lower level of the library. Signs will be posted in the building. An Elevator is avaiable for use.

We welcome new and existing member to come join us for an evening of things Celtic. There's information about history, language, music, genealogy, and more. We plan anaul events, su7ch as spring and fall bonfires, a summer picnic, and a Christmas party.

Pccasionally we organize shopping trips to Celtic oriented shops in Pittsburgh. We also help support the annaul Wheeling Celtic Celebration in downtown Wheeling, held on the first Saturday of March as well as the annaul Fort Henry Days Festival at Oglebay Park, held during the Labor Day weekend.

Please come and meet the folks of Wheeling Celtic Society. We hope to see you there!

Pandemic?

2009-05-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

WHO Likely to Declare a Flu Pandemic

LONDON (May 4) - A World Health Organization spokesman says the agency may raise its pandemic level to its highest alert, signifying a swine flu pandemic. WHO uses a six-level scale to assess the world's risk.

Last Wednesday, the agency raised the level to 5. Level 6 means a global outbreak of swine flu is under way. WHO spokesman Dick Thompson says Monday the direction WHO will take "will be dictated by the virus."

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais published Monday, WHO chief Margaret Chan implies the agency might raise the level to 6, but cautions that "Level 6 does not mean...we are coming near to the end of the world."

Without that explanation, Chan worries, raising to level 6 could cause "unnecessary panic."
Meanwhile, Mexico chartered a plane on Monday to China to bring home 70 of its citizens who were seized at the airport and quarantined, declaring that the swine flu epidemic was no reason for "repressive and discriminatory measures."
Mexican officials also declared the epidemic to be waning, but medical experts worldwide said it was to early to make that call.

While Mexico began its first tentative steps toward normalcy, weighing whether to reopen businesses and schools, the virus spread to Colombia in the first confirmed case in South America, where flu season is about to begin. A New York City school that had closed after dozens of students were infected with the virus reopened Monday.

More cases were confirmed in North America and Europe — including Portugal's first — with the total number sickened worldwide rising to more than a 1,000 people, according to health and government officials.

But with the scope of the disease unknown, several countries have taken urgent measures against arriving Mexicans or those who have recently traveled to Mexico. In China, more than 70 Mexican travelers were quarantined in hospitals and hotels, and Mexicans on arriving flights were taken into isolation, said Mexico's ambassador, Jorge Guajardo. Even the Mexican consul in Guangzhou was briefly held after returning from a vacation in Cambodia.

And in Hong Kong, 350 people remained isolated Monday in a hotel after a Mexican traveler there was determined to have swine flu.

One guest, Briton Mark Moore, complained that he had not shown symptoms and urged the government to lift the quarantine.

"The government is trying to show the world they are strong in organizing this," the 37-year-old Singapore-based company director said in a phone interview. "I need to be in Singapore now. I have loads of things to do."

Mexican President Felipe Calderon complained of the backlash against Mexicans abroad.
"I think it's unfair that because we have been honest and transparent with the world some countries and places are taking repressive and discriminatory measures because of ignorance and disinformation," Calderon said. "There are always people who are seizing on this pretext to assault Mexicans, even just verbally."

The president did not single out any country. But the Foreign Relations Department said afterward that Mexico was sending a chartered jet Monday to bring back any citizens who wanted to leave China.

China's Foreign Ministry denied it was discriminating against Mexicans.

But the Mexican Embassy in Beijing sent a circular out to all its citizens saying China had imposed "measures of unjustified isolation" in response to swine flu and urging trips there to be canceled or postponed.

"The imposition of measures which restrict freedom of movement such as quarantine and other forms of forced isolation by health authorities in other countries are not compatible" with norms on human rights, according to a document seen by The Associated Press.

The Mexican president said a nationwide shutdown and an aggressive information campaign appeared to have helped curtail the outbreak there.

"We have succeeded in detaining or at least slowing the spread of the virus precisely because the measures have been the correct ones," Calderon said in an interview with state television broadcast Sunday night.
Mexico's health chief said officials will decide Monday whether to reopen businesses and schools or extend the shutdown that has helped choke off the spread of swine flu but caused untold harm to the country's economy.

The reopening "will not happen just like that," Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said at a news conference. "There will have to be training, preparations for teachers and parents."

Possible recommendations would be that there be a 6.5-foot distance kept between people in restaurants or theaters and that workers wear masks on the subway.

The WHO said Mexico had 590 cases of swine flu and 25 deaths from the virus. Cordova said the last confirmed death was April 29 and the illness apparently peaked in Mexico between April 23 and April 28.

Health officials raised the number of confirmed U.S. swine flu cases to 245 in 35 states late Sunday. The new number reflects streamlining in federal procedures and the results of tests by states, which have only recently begun confirming cases, said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC's acting chief, Dr. Richard Besser, said swine flu is spreading just as easily as regular winter flu.
"The good news is when we look at this virus right now, we're not seeing some of the things in the virus that have been associated in the past with more severe flu," Besser said. "That's encouraging, but it doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet."

In Alberta, Canada, officials quarantined about 220 pigs infected by a worker who recently returned from Mexico. It was the first documented case of the H1N1 virus being passed from a human to another species. Canada stressed that pigs often get the flu and there is no danger in eating pork.

Cordova presented the most comprehensive description yet of the dead in Mexico.

He said 15 were female and seven were men. One possible explanation could be that women get poorer health care in Mexico because of its male-dominated culture, he said. Cordova also said only 4 percent were unemployed; the rest either had jobs or were housewives and students. More than 50 percent had not graduated from high school and only 11 percent had university education.

Pablo Kuri, an epidemiologist advising Cordova, told The Associated Press that tests have confirmed a swine flu death in Mexico City on April 11, two days earlier than what had been believed to be the first death.

Kuri also said there were no deaths among health care workers treating swine flu patients in Mexico, an indication that the virus may not be as contagious or virulent as initially feared.

Associated Press writers Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Bradley S. Klapper in Zurich and Alexandra Olson, Paul Haven and E. Eduardo Castillo in Mexico City and Min Lee in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

Special Olympic Games To Take Place Saturday

2009-05-02T03:37:00.000-07:00

Special Olympic Games To Take Place Saturday
Posted: 4:00 pm EDT May 1, 2009

Harding Stadium is no stranger to gifted athletes, and this weekend it will once again be filled with hundreds of special athletes.

The Special Olympics Area 9 Qualifier will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Harding Stadium.

Athletes from the School of Bright Promise have been practicing for the past 18 weeks. They will be participating in the games with more than 400 other athletes from 13 schools across nine counties in Ohio.

Though one of their goals is to try and make it to the state Special Olympics in Columbus, the games aren't all about winning.

One coordinator said the games are about connecting with other athletes from different schools.
Copyright 2009 by wtov9.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The love of my life

2009-04-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

The love of my life.

I was married once before at 17 to the Don Heilman. He was my Jr high sweet heart and things were arranged by families for us. It was not bad until his drinking became a problem and he became abusive. I Got divorced from him, then back with him after my mom died because I thought it was best for my kids and what my mom wanted. When he became so abusive he involved my kids that was it I sought help, and got out. He did time for hurting us, and its been years since.

For 11 years I did not date often, but tried to work and focus on my kids. Honestly I never thought I would find a love like I have now.

Donny Carter and I were friends from kids up but never did I think we would be husband and wife.We shared flirts and things, if you know what I mean. Falling in love with this man has been the greatest thing to ever happen to me besides the birth of our children.

We are together everyday, we talk, and touch, we hold hands, we cuddle, we snuggle,we just give each other these looks and wow. His eyes are so filled with deep love, and my heart is truly his. I don't know how anyone could have hurt this man for to miss him to me is like am I dying.

Once I had to be away a night for work, and I could not sleep why? No snoring, i could not hear him snore. I was so miserable. We never go to bed angry with one another, and we try to respect each others opinion. He is Catholic and I am Wiccan yet we are soul mates...Explain that?

I love the feel of his muscled arms around me. The way I feel so safe when he is near. His kiss...Oh his kiss.. The first time he kissed me was May three years ago... on my parents porch. He told me he had been so worried about how ill I had been. I had a staff infection from a surgery and been in and out of hospitals for weeks. I had to have a pic line in and all. He told me that night he had feelings for me and then kissed me like I never had been kissed before. I Was so stunned, and from that day on we are not been two heart beats but one.

today

2009-04-30T10:39:00.001-07:00

Today is the last day of April already. Good grace the months are going so fast in 2009; Its like you blink and miss a lot.

Today I went to see my therapist and it was not bad. I am trying hard to work through the relapse of my agoraphobia. I still hate leaving the house alone, so I rarely do it. If I do its maybe to Maryland Markey and back. Then I take my dog just not to be alone. I think the stress of the stalking idiot woman has gotten to me. I need to work through it though. So I am trying to get ready to do some things like fishing, hiking, and work my way back out. Driving alone again will be something that needs work on.

Last time I drove alone was when I picked Ashley and her friends up to drop them at the Mexican restaurant. Even then I had Growler with me. Silly to some but it’s a hard thing to get through your head. Its something you develop over time, and well I was a huge woman before, and very ill. I credit my doctor and my husband for helping me through this.

Agoraphobia-(from Greek aγορά, "marketplace"; and φόβος/φοβία, -phobia) is an anxiety disorder, often precipitated by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which there is no easy means of escape. As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to his or her home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this "safe place."

Easter

Easter was nice. We had bought everything ahead of time and had it ready. We cooked ham, with mash potatoes, carrots…a nice cherry pie. Yummy.

Donny had a blast shopping for our grandson’s first basket from us. Though he has a tool belt planned for our little baby boy for Christmas!

We gave baskets to my brother Scott, Our son Damian, and Amanda… one special for Ashley from me. I really love Ashley a lot. Guilty.

We did get to spend time with Amanda which was very nice. We set up a trust program with her. She is good while here, she gets computer time. It works!.

Anniversary.

YES ONE YEAR! Well three we been together again. Its wonderful to be a wife again. April 11 is a day in my heart always.

Work

Well BDS Marketing got bought by Keystone, so we are growing to be bigger in market research, and we are adding stores like Sears. I am excited because I can get to work and learn more. I may be going away for training this month for a Hoover Project, and off to sell for Dell again. Whhooohooo. Got house tax to pay LOL.

I need wedding gift Ideas!

Heather is getting married and I have her shower and wedding to attend in Wheeling. I want a nice gift yet not the usual kind. I got some thinking to do.I am hoping to get to go see Heather and Joellen soon.

Dustin!
Dusty gota promotion at the the Downs, I am so proud of him!!!!!

Tiffany

Tiffany is starting her spring classes this next week. She is a Med tech already and moving on up the ladder!!

Well that’s it for now. Remember May 12 if Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.

Fibromyalgia Center: Symptoms, Treatments, Causes, Tests, and ...
Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans. Here you'll find in-depth fibromyalgia information including symptoms, pain relief, and promising ...
www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/default.htm

National Fibromyalgia Association: Welcome to the national ...
Your fibromyalgia support destination! To develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia.
www.fmaware.org/

60 odd things

2009-04-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

1) Are your parents married or divorced?

Married

2) Are you a vegetarian?

NO

3) Do you believe in Heaven?

Yes and hell and many other things too...I am wiccan go figure

4) Have you ever come close dying?
maybe

5) What jewelry do you wear 24/7

yes, wedding ring, irish engagement ring, trinity ring, and a few others..earrings, too

6) Favorite time of day?

evening

7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli?

Yup

8) Do you wear makeup?

Sometimes

9) Ever have plastic surgery?

yup

10) Do you color your hair?

Yes to keep the grey my kids gave me at bay LOL

11) What do you wear to bed?

Nothing, Don likes it that way LOL

12) Have you ever done anything illegal?

Maybe

13) Can you roll your tongue?

no

14) Do You Tweeze your eyebrows?

Nope

15) What kind of sneakers?

Cheep!

16) Do you believe in abortions?

No, unless....its incest, or the end result is a death of the woman. I believe in life, but thats only my opinon

17) What is your hair color?

Red

18) Future child's name?

Eh we are done I think, less those pwoers that be decide other wise

19) Do you snore?

nnnnnnooo

20) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?

Ireland, Scottland

21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals?

No I got dogs for that...oh yeah and the cat who thinks he is a dog

22) If you won the lottery, what would you do first?

pay off my home, and move to the country

23) Gold or silver?

Silver for balancing power

24) Hamburger or hot dog?

Hamburger baby

25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Eh dont know....

26) City, beach or country?

COUNTRY

27) What was the last thing you touched?

Keyboard

28) Where did you eat last?

Living room

29) When's the last time you cried?

Few nights ago from pain

30) Do you read blogs?

yes, my family and friends

31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex?

Maybe

32) Ever been involved with the police?

yup thanks to Amanda lying.

33) What's your favorite shampoo, conditioner and soap?

Sauve for shampoo, Dove for body wash.

34) Do you talk in your sleep?

yup

35) Ocean or pool?

Pool around here

36) What's your favorite song at the moment?

All Summer Long by Kid Rock

37) What's your favorite color(s)?

Dark Green

38) Window seat or aisle?

Not picky

39) Ever met anyone famous?

Reba, Linda Davis Trace Adkins, Allison Kruass, Owen Heart, Jimmy the Heart, Bruno, Super Fly, Billy the Kid, Umm Sunny, Ummm and alot more wrestlers thanks to my dad. Blackhawk, Billy Dean, Conway Twitty

40) Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life?

eh

41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?

Twirl

42) Ricki Lake or Oprah?

Jerry LOL

43) Basketball or Football?

Steelers Baby

44) How long do your showers last?

It varies

45) Automatic or do you drive a stick?

Automatic

46) Cake or ice cream?

Icecream Cake LOL

47) Are you self-conscious?

yup

48) Have you ever drank so much you threw up?

nope, i hardly ever drink unlike some.

49) Have you ever given money to a tramp?

nope

50) Have you been in love?

I am very much in love right now with Donny

51) Where do you wish you were?

In the country on my farm with my family..far away from the stalking nut case in Mingo..Sorry had to vent

52) Are you wearing socks?

yup

53) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?

yup

54) Can you tango?

yup

55) Last gift you received?

Easter Bunny from Amanda, and flowers from Donny on the same day.

56) Last sport you played?

Hmm football

57) Things you spend a lot of money on?

my house

58) Where do you live?

Steubenville Ohio

59) Where were you born?

Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling Wv

60) Last wedding attended?

Mine

61) Favorite Drink?

Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi

62) What'd you do last weekend?

Went hiking, and taking photographs

63) Most hated food(s)?
Sour Kraut

64) What's your least favorite chore?

Washing clothes

65) Can you sing?

nnnnno

66) Last person you instant messaged?

67) Last place you went on holiday?

Walked Amanda to church and home

68) Favorite regular drink?

Water

69) Current Crush?

Donny Carter

Dear Newsletter Readers - In response to an email I sent out with some of my ideas for battling swine flu, I received a flurry of additional suggestio

2009-04-29T06:47:00.001-07:00

Dear Newsletter Readers - In response to an email I sent out with some of my ideas for battling swine flu, I received a flurry of additional suggestions from readers. Thanks to all who wrote. Those of us with FMS/CFIDS have a compromised immune system and must be extra careful with our health when it comes to viruses and infections. Below is an article I received from a reader which summarized nearly all of the suggestions that were sent in - plus many more! This fascinating article could save your life, should it become endangered. (If you are a new subscriber to Dom's FMS/CFIDS Mailing List and missed my first email with swine flu ideas, write dombush@bellsouth.net.) Please remember that I am not a medical professional - I am just an FMS/CFIDS patient (since 1982) sharing information and ideas. - Dominie www.fms-help.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

eAlert: Pandemic… Be ProActive and Take Some Steps to Feel Less Helpless

Natural Solutions Foundation
www.GlobalHealthFreedom.org
http://www.HealthFreedomUSA.org
(This is the online copy of the Health Freedom Action eAlert of April 28, 2009)

Weaponized Vaccine and Pandemic Threats

Index:
Nano Silver
Engineered Pandemic
Weaponized Vaccines
New World Order
Self-Quarantine & 14 Point Checklist
Anti-Virals
Herbs to Use or Avoid
Herbal Remedies
Miscellaneous Remedies

————————————-

First, A Word For Our Sponsors: YOU

When the Natural Solutions Foundation shared our analysis of the weaponization of the Avian Flu with you in 2008, we got many hundreds of emails asking us what to do to protect ourselves. We said very clearly that while the weaponized Avian Flu Virus might not react the way other pathogens did, we predicted that it would be killed by contact with Nano Silver, a finely divided type of silver which kills all known disease-causing agents or pathogens and which is sold as a Dietary Supplement in the US. I was very clear that the Avian Flu organism might or might not respond the same way. As it happened, later information let us know that we were correct: Nano silver DOES, indeed, kill the weaponized Avian Flu virus as it kills all known micro-organisms except beneficial ones.

The US government says that people marketing silver products are not allowed to tell you this truthful information. We told you, within our private, opt-in expressive association, of the truth as we see it. To receive information like this is exactly why you opted into our Health Freedom Action eAlert - http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?page_id=187. Please be assured, so long as an open and free Internet exists, we will speak truth to power… for you and for all humans who are facing this “time of plague” together.

We anticipate that the protective benefits of Nano Silver will remain true during this absurdly transparent laboratory-created swine flu surging out of Mexico.

After we notified folks about the uses of Nano Silver to protect against disease, even weaponized disease, two things happened:

1. a sudden push to take Nano Silver off the market by the EPA erupted — to which you responded in huge numbers to push back and protect our right to this natural remedy.

2. We got emails thanking us by the thousands about the topic.

When we first mentioned Nano Silver, people wrote to us asking which product I recommend and I freely shared with our followers that we personally use ABL’s Nano Silver, sold under private label at www.Nutronix.com/naturalsolutions called “Silver Biotics”. We spoke extensively with the manufacture (with whom we were already familiar), made arrangements with Nutronix to get the product to you rapidly and passed that information on to you.

In a particularly twisted, bizarre response to our efforts to inform you, some people have even gone so far as to suggest that we are ‘profiteering’ from the pandemic.

Most people wrote to say “Thank you!” — but a few others have written to say that we should not recommend something from which the Foundation receives any benefit!

Um, why not? “Who”, as General Bert often says, “made that rule?”

This Nano Silver product is one in which we believe and which we believe can save your life. We are certainly banking on it to save ours! And, the Foundation also needs support, because our efforts to inform can also save your life. Let’s be frank: times are tough for all not-for-profits, since the economy has taken a carefully orchestrated beating. The Banksters are doing very well, thanks to wholesale plundering of future taxpayers, (Goldman Sachs says it will return the bailout billions rather than cut executive bonuses!) but we little people are bearing the brunt of their misdoings.

The Foundation recommends products and services that we think are of outstanding value and we sometimes make a small percentage of their sale price, when you buy from the sources we recommend. You have the information for free, of course, and, should you choose to make your purchases elsewhere, we do not get any support, but you have the information to use.

Let’s be clear here: whether you buy Nano silver from us or not, it COULD save your life. IF you buy it from Nutronix, a merchant that gives us a percentage of the purchase price, we get support from that sale. Let me reiterate: Neither General Bert nor I take a single penny from this 24/7 engagement with your health freedom. Not one.

These letters remind me of the few, but memorable, people who, as my patients, told me how grateful they were to me for saving their lives but, since I was doing “the Lord’s work”, I had, as a doctor, they would insist, “no right” to make money from their treatment — as though time, knowledge and experience were worthless!

If you are among Natural Solutions Foundation supporters who disseminate our information, donate (http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?page_id=189) and makes purchases through our sites (www.Organics4U.org and www.NaturalSolutionsMarketPlace.org) to support the Natural Solutions Foundation, thank you. We could not do it without you.

But if you are among those few who chastise us for looking to the market as a source of support, please think about this: Only children believe that they should simply hold out their hands and get toys and sweeties without giving something back. We give information, analysis, help and support on a continuing basis. And we look forward to your support as we go forward. It’s called a “reciprocal relationship”. It is a necessary relationship if we are going to heal the world, together.

Index

On to the Engineered Pandemic

The predicted, or perhaps I should say, “promised” pandemic may very well be upon us. This is, as sure as God made little green apples, a totally man-made event, with a totally man-made pathogen (disease-causing agent). The WHO, US Government and MMD (media of mass deception) have been ramping up, ramping up, ramping up. But there is no honest virologist in the world who can look you in the eye and say that this virus had any chance whatsoever of having self-assembled genes from Eurasian, North American and other Swine Flu, Avian Flu (already weaponized with the genes of the 1918 Pandemic Virus?) and human viruses, sprung, like Venus from the brow of Zeus on April 14 in Mexico City and then, suddenly it has deadly potential around the globe… without a whole lot of help from its friends.

Deadly potential, by the way, is pretty weird here. There is little doubt that the death toll in Mexico is much higher than previously reported. How high we may never really know.

But there is also little doubt that there is no reason to have declared a “Health Emergency” in the US for a disease which has impacted fewer than 20 people and killed none of them. What pandemic? Who pandemic? Could it be that this pandemic is a totally orchestrated event to make sure that there is an excuse for closing down those few liberties and constitutional rights which still exist after the last devastating 8 years? The “left neocons” continuing the process the “right neocons” started?

I was reading an update from a Chinese site yesterday. It stated that the US, with 20 non fatal cases, had declared a “Health Emergency”, The same site noted that there had been a fatal train wreck in a remote part of China and 21 people were dead. I noted with interest that China did not declare a “Train Emergency”.

Bear in mind that once a global pandemic is declared, just as the US assumes supreme dictatorial powers through Patriot I, II, III, BARDA and other legislation, Executive Orders and Homeland Security Directives, and as the States assume similar powers through the Emergency Medical Powers Acts, passed at the urging of the Homeland Security cabal, so the UN will, according to already prearranged agreement, become the supreme political governing force on the planet.

World government, “elected” by a lowly virus… and an engineered one, at that.

Interestingly enough, of course, it was the Angel of Change, Barak Obama, who, along with then Senator Biden, proposed to the US Congress that a head tax be paid by every man, woman and child in the US to support the UN and that the US military be placed under the authority of the UN, that is, of the New World Order.

I would call that change, all right. And I would say that it may be that a non-pandemic Pandemic just might work to get them what they are looking for.

Index

What will it get you?
Vaccinated with a Weaponized Vaccine.

I have the reports of several Mexican doctors who tell us that their colleagues were vaccinated and died. Vaccinated with what, you may ask? Now that is a really good question. Remembering that the CDC claims that it already has a “seed stock” from this virus which first appeared, they say, on April 14 in Mexico, that is pretty good work.

My research says that it takes quite a lot longer to make the seed stock, the purified and characterized virus, from which vaccines can be made.

And then it takes an absolute minimum of 4 months, if you are favored by the vaccine-making gods, to get yourself a vaccine.

Now, that vaccine may or may not provide any ‘immunity’ against the virus or other organism you are hoping it will protect you from.

Again, according to my research, there is literally NO disinterested evidence to suggest that vaccines provide any sort of protection from any sort of disease (I know, this is heresy to the vaccine priests and their followers - sorry, I am compelled to speak the truth as real science tells us). We do know, however, that vaccination damages the immune system in a rather horrific number of ways. Despite the ‘white wash’ and fol-de-roll, that is simply the science of the matter.

So now we have a new virus, clearly man-made, against which doctors in Mexico are being vaccinated within less than 2 weeks of its being discovered. And they are dying, according to our sources.

What does that tell us? To my mind, it tells us that the entire purpose of this exercise is two fold:

(1) to get those vaccines into your body and
(2) to tie down global control of the planet.

There is no way whatsoever that a vaccine, which is specific to a particular organism, can be effective, to the extent that it is ever effective, against another organism. NONE. Even the CDC admitted earlier today that existing flu vaccine supplies were not “effective” against this Swine Flu (according to CNN).

But, what will the vaccines do? Consider what happened in January when Baxter Pharmaceuticals “accidentally” contaminated shipments of seasonal flu vaccines to 18 countries with live Avian Flu virus. If that “mistake” (how did that live virus get into the very secure vaccine factory?) had not been discovered, there would already be an Avian Flu pandemic… so now, that weaponization having failed, we get the Swine Flu “incident…”

For more details about the January incident, see:
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=2220

Some commentators have said that this exercise is only that — a dress rehearsal for the “real thing” and they could, of course, be correct. But whether they are correct or not, the game is going forward and it is one in which the official rule book is being written by those who will benefit from the new feudalism.

Index

Can you Spell “New World Order”

Natural Solutions Foundation always provides solutions when we raise problems and issues. Always. And, since we understand that Nano Silver is the most potent, yet safe, nutritional pathogen killer know, we have been recommending for some time now that you need to lay in a good store of Nano Silver for health threats, both natural and man-made. But there are other ways to regulate the immune system, too, and we want to tell you about some of them. We urgently recommend the Nano Silver route (here is the link again: www.Nutronix.com/naturalsolutions). Man does not live by Nano Silver alone:

Many people have been asking us what they can do to feel less helpless in the face of the possible weaponized flu pandemic about which we have been raising the alarm over the past months. While we are watching closely. We are not totally convinced that the current crisis is a true pandemic, despite the fact that the WHO elevated the threat level a few hours ago from “3″ o “4″. We are as greatly concerned about the possibility of a weaponized vaccine forced on the public as the real threat. If the choice is between a ‘quarantine center’ (read: concentration camp) and a vaccine containing unknown dangers, and you are forced to receive an alleged vaccination for a pandemic, the first line of defense would be to consider that perhaps such intramuscular shots are a bit like a snake bite and might be treated in a similar fashion. Get the poison out, as a first line of defense. Detoxify! If you have an Infrared Sauna, use it. Drink large amounts of pure water. Use the detoxifying nutrients and herbs you have available to you. Treat the forced vaccination as though it were the assault on your immune system that it surely will be.

I cannot say what will help, but every bit of mercury, aluminum, fluoride, formaldehyde, squalene, aspartame, MSG, Polysorbate 80 and other toxins you can get out of your body, is better than than that same poison in your body.

Here are some links to information that may help you prepare for what may be coming.

Index

From Natural Solutions Foundation last year -

How to Self-Quarantine; Advice from a Public Health Professional:

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=752

The above article was exclusively published by Natural Solutions Foundation and includes expert opinions -

(1) Self-Quarantine Memo from a NBC Protection Expert
(2) Fourteen Preparedness Points, and
(3) Other Preparedness Steps

The following articles were provided by two readers. We pass it along without endorsement or commentary since the information is benign and might help support your immune system in reasonable ways. Please note, we do not think this information will replace Nano Silver or other profound strategies, but it might help protect you and your loved ones.

Nano Silver MIGHT be a magic bullet. These other strategies are not, but can be very helpful used together with a good diet free from contaminants and taken in enough quantity to have a substantial impact. Don’t be embarrassed about wearing a face mask… it may soon be the fashion rage!

Your in health and freedom,
Dr. Rima
Rima E. Laibow, MD
Medical Director
Natural Solutions Foundation
www.GlobalHealthFreedom.org
www.HealthFreedomUSA.org
www.NaturalSolutionsFoundation.org
www.Organics4U.org
www.NaturalSolutionsMarketPlace.org

PS: My special thanks to our readers for bringing the following articles to my attention. REL

PS#2: Don’t forget, even in dangerous times, we need to continue to educate decision makers about protecting Health Freedom. Please send your message to the President, Congress and state decision makers, in opposition to the pending (sic) “Food Safety” bills that would force the industrialization of agricultural, destroying family farm, natural and home food production — just when our immune systems need wholesome nutrition the most:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/t/1128/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27134

Index

Natural Antivirals

http://www.the-health-gazette.com/health-gazette-blog/alternative-medicine/natural-antivirals

“Research suggests certain natural foods may be as effective against virus H5N1
as commercial antivirals.

(PRWEB) May 10, 2006 — A Biology teacher from Australia, named Stephen Jones,
has done extensive research into the H5N1 virus and compiled a list of natural
foods that are effective against it and listed others that are detrimental.

The list may come as a surprise to many people since foods such as spirulina
and echinacea are listed as detrimental. This strange occurrence is largely
due to the fact that the virus is immune to 2 cytokines that the body produces
(TNF-a and IL-6). Cytokines are compounds produced by the body’s immune system
that attack and remove foreign bodies. The problem is that when a foreign body
is immune to certain cytokines, the body sees that its immune response is not
working and tries even harder, which can lead to what is called a cytokine
storm, where the body becomes flooded with these compounds and they eventually
destroy the body itself. Foods such as Echinacea actually stimulate the
production of these specific cytokines; hence consuming it is not a good idea
if one suspects they may have the virus.

During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy young people died from cytokine
storms due to their immune systems overreacting. Consuming foods which
suppress the production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 and enhance the production
of the ones that actually are effective against the virus will aid the patient
greatly.

Other foods that create mucous in the respiratory tract, such as bananas, are
also listed as detrimental due to the fact that the predominant breeding
ground of the virus is the respiratory tract and another way in which a
patient may suffer is due to the body’s over production of mucous in this
area.

Index

Natural Antivirals

Folk Medicines and Herbs to use and avoid with Bird Flu

Below is a list of foods that are said to contain substances that are natural
antivirals, immune boosters or they decrease cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.

Alternative medications that are most likely to help us during a severe
pandemic:

Garlic (allicin) - Very effective antiviral. Best if fresh (raw) and crushed.
Must be consumed within 1 hour of crushing. Dosage is initially 2 to 3 cloves
per day but later reduce until no body odour occurs. No toxic effects noted.
(Pubmed PMID 9049657)

Vitamin C - Boosts the immune system and is an antiviral by blocking the
enzyme neurominadase. Viruses need neurominadase to reproduce. There are
anecdotal stories of people taking large amounts of Vitamin C (children ½)
surviving the Spanish Flu. Research shows that it may reduce the production of
cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. A study on 470 people involved giving the test group
1000 mg hourly for 6 hours and then 1000 mg 3 times daily after reporting flu
symptoms. Symptoms decreased by 85%. (Pubmed PMID 10543583, 634178, 16169205,
12876306)

Green Tea (possible Tamiflu/Relenza alternative)- Very effective antiviral.
Also decreases the production of the cytokine (catechins) TNF-a. Inhibits
neurominidase. May have antiviral activity that is equal to other antivirals
such as Tamiflu. (Pubmed PMID 16137775)

St Johns Wort (Hypericum) - Very effective antiviral. Also decreases the
production of the cytokine IL-6. Hypericum is an extract from St John’s Wort.
There have been some very successful field trials in commercial flocks
infected with H5N1 in Vietnam. (Pubmed PMID 7857513, 11518071, 11362353,
7857513, 11518071)

Vitamin E - Immune booster. Also decreases the production of the cytokine
TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 155882360, 10929076) Experiments involved using mice. Very
suitable for immune compromised people, especially the elderly. Effects
enhanced when taken with Vitamin C.

Apple Juice - Antiviral. Fresh apple juice including the pulp and skin has
greater antiviral activity than heated commercial apple juice. More research
is needed. Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID 32832, 12452634)

Resveratrol - Antiviral. In addition to inhibiting neuraminidase, Resveratrol
also sends a message to cells to stop manufacturing viruses. This is a proven
antiviral found naturally in red wine, peanuts, mulberries, Japanese Knotwood
root (richest source), raisins and red grapes. Resveratrol supplements are
relatively inexpensive, are more stable than wine and is available in liquid
form for absorption in the mouth. No toxic effects noted. (Pubmed PMID
1583880, 12817628, 15985724)

Scuttellaria (Skullcap) - Antiviral. A herb used as a tea. It has no side
effects and is also a mild tranquillizer. Research suggests neurominidase,
which is a substance needed by the H5N1 virus to reproduce, may be inhibited.

Cranberry Juice - Early research shows that it may be an antiviral, making
viruses less able to invade or multiply. Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown.
(Pubmed PMID15781126)

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) - Decreases the production of the cytokine
TNF-a. Also boosts immune system. The number of white blood cells was
significantly increased during treatment. No toxicity was noted.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed) Active
constituents can be found in the leaves, bark, vine, and roots. Water
extraction from bark used. Children and pregnant women are to avoid. Has a
potentially damaging effect on the DNA of proliferating cells. (cancers,
fetuses, growing children)

Curcumin (Tumeric Spice) - Decreases the production of the cytokine TNF-a.
This is the yellow compound in turmeric spice. Research shows that this may be
very good for preventing a cytokine storm although this is not proven. Must be
taken with food or gastritis or peptic ulcers may occur. Pregnant women and
feeding mothers should avoid this. The medicinal properties of curcurmin
cannot be utilized when used alone due to rapid metabolism in the liver and
intestinal wall. When combined with Piperine found in black pepper the
absorption is increased with no adverse effects. Obtainable from health stores
in tablets, liquid, capsules already combined with piperine. Dosage is 500mg
to 4000mg daily.

Astragalus root (Astragali Radix) - Boosts immune system. (Pubmed
PMID15588652)

Tea tree Steam Inhalation - Reduces the cytokine TNF-a. Add 2 drops of tea
tree oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover head with a towel and inhale for 5
to 10 minutes. Relieves congestion and fights infection. Its effectiveness is
unknown. (Pubmed PMID 11131302)

The following substances may be best to avoid during a H5N1 pandemic

Elderberry juice (Sambucal) - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a
and IL-6. This substance is very effective against the common flu but may not
be desirable for the H5N1 virus. Increases in these cytokines may trigger a
lethal cytokine storm. (Isr Med Journal2002 Nov;4:944-6)

Micro Algae (Chlorella and Spirulina) - AVOID - Increases production of
cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 11731916)

Honey - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed
PMID12824009)

Chocolate - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed
PMID 12885154, PMID 10917928)

Echinacea - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. Although
it is often used for normal flu, research shows that it may increase the
chance of cytokine storms for H5N1. (Pubmed PMID 15556647, 9568541)

Kimchi - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed
PMID15630182)

Dairy products & Bananas - AVOID - These foods increase mucous production.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/ (search using Pubmed ID number listed
after each food)

Index

Natural Antivirals
——————————————

Some Herbal Remedies

Lomatium dissectum root — A Native American remedy. A powerful herbal tincture that kills viruses by disrupting their genes (a chain terminator). When tested at NIH, it made DDI (an AIDS drug) 4000 times more potent. Dose = 2 droppersful / day.

Monolaurin — the natural anti-microbial substance in mother’s milk, made from lauric acid (a fatty acid). Patented by Ecological Formulas. Adult dose is 6 capsules / day. Safe and effective for children at lower doses based on weight.

Echinacea angustifolia root — A native American remedy. Multiple European and American studies have shown that this herb can reduce the risk by one-half of catching a cold, and shorten the duration of a cold by 1.4 days. It should contain all 3 active compounds (polysaccharides, alkylamides and cichoric acid). Dose is 3 grams / day. Not recommended for children.

Olive Leaf Extract — This herbal compound fights bacteria, yeast, fungus and viruses.

L-Lysine — An amino acid that interferes with viral genes (a chain terminator). It has been shown to be extremely effective against Herpes viruses, but has some action against most other viruses.

Vitamin C — Enhances the micro-tubules (cell skeletons) in immune cells, helping them to extend outward (pseudopods) and engulf viruses and bacteria.

Thymus Extract — organic bovine thymus, which provides the 4 basic hormones to stimulate the immune system.

Transfer Factor Plus– A combination of 2 powerful factors: (1) Transfer factors from bovine collostrum, which stimulate the immune system to make natural killer cells. There are over 1000 scientific papers on the efficacy of transfer factor. (2) Japanese mushrooms with anti-viral properties. Together they have been shown to elevate natural killer cells 4000%. Dose 1-2 capsules / day. You can buy Transfer Factor here: http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/store/cart.php?m=search_results&search=Transfer+Factor&button=Go!

Index

—————————————————–

And this email we received, quoting information regarding various miscellaneous remedies and concerns: dehydration, mercury toxins, magnesium, etc and that old-stand-by, Iodine:

“April 28, 2009 - Swine flu is a respiratory illness in pigs caused by a virus. Mexico’s
government is ordering closed schools nationwide as the suspected death toll
from swine flu climbed to 149. Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova says only
20 of the deaths have been confirmed to be from swine flu and the government
was awaiting tests results on the rest. He says 1,995 have been hospitalized
with serious cases of pneumonia since the first case of swine flu was
reported on April 13. Alarmingly, the flu outbreak in Mexico is striking
healthy young people — a pattern that would be expected if a flu virus new
to humans emerged…

Officials in Mexico and the U.S. are taking emergency steps to contain
what is believed to be a new multi-strain swine flu. “If the confirmed
deaths are the first signs of a pandemic, then cases are probably incubating
around the world by now,” said Dr. Michael Osterholm, a pandemic flu expert
at the University of Minnesota. The Mexican Swine Flu has elements of DNA
from the following: avian flu, human flu Type A, human flu Type B, Asian
swine flu, and European swine flu. Human and animal viruses from four or
more continents suddenly recombine in a new flu during a non-flu season that
spreads from human-to-human with a 10% fatality
rating.

Just last month Baxter Pharmaceuticals was caught shipping a mix of H3N2
seasonal flu viruses and unlabelled H5N1 viruses. Baxter released
contaminated flu virus material from a plant in Austria, which contained
live H5N1 avian flu viruses. 2

In Mexico City children rarely use the color blue when they paint the
sky. The atmospheric pollution in the Mexican capital, one of the world’s
biggest cities, is one of the most severe air pollution cases in the world.
Contaminated air hangs over its population of more than 20 million people
doing damage to children’s lungs causing chronic lung diseases when they are
adults. Perched at 7,300 feet in a bowl-shaped valley where the air is thin,
vehicle fumes get trapped and you might as well be living in a gas chamber.
It is that bad and this explains in part why we are finding deaths from the
flu concentrated there with no deaths reported outside of Mexico to this
date. Even the healthy are sick. Full of toxins, they are medically speaking
“accidents waiting to happen,” so when a strong flu strain strikes such a
population the death rate will be very high. The cause of death is
debatable! …

*Infections cannot be separated from the conditions that
invite pathogens to proliferate. This seems to boggle the
minds of orthodox medical scientists, who like the blind men
and the elephant, seem to be able to focus on one thing at a time.*

We live in a dangerous world and anything that throws us out of balance
invites pathogens to take up residence in our bodies. If this is the
beginning of the pandemic that health officials have been warning about it
is best to begin preparing your body before the flu strikes. This article
offers natural emergency medicine that addresses both the body’s terrain and
the potential pathogens quickly. Starting with the most basic medicine, we
need to address dehydration and the use of water and mineral salts as
medicines first.

*Dehydration Dangers*

Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections,
sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions,
such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Many underestimate
seasonal flu’s severity and neglect treating dehydration, a survey of U.S.
physicians and consumers found. Fifty-seven percent of doctors surveyed said
they considered dehydration the single most dangerous flu side effect.
“Severe flu symptoms like fever and body aches often keep patients from
taking in adequate fluids,” said Dr. Leanne M. Chrisman-Khawam of Case
Western Reserve University in Cleveland. “By managing symptoms, one will be
more likely to manage their dehydration as well.” …

The blood is 80 percent water thus hydration levels are extremely
important in blood chemistry. Moderate dehydration, a 3-5% decrease in body
weight due to fluid loss is sufficient to result in a substantial decrease
in strength and endurance because of the *decrease in oxygen carrying
capacity of the blood signaling a drop in Zeta potential.* Proper hydration
is thus the most basic preventative medicine against death from any type of
flu.

*Mercury Exposure = Increased Vulnerability*

Chronic mercury exposure is also a threat to our health and makes us
especially vulnerable to flu infections. It has been shown that “prolonged
exposure of mammals (white mice) to low mercury concentrations (0.008 – 0.02
mg/m3) leads to a significant increase in the susceptibility of mice to
pathological influenza virus strains. This is shown by more severe course of
infection. In the experimental group more mice died (86 – 90.3 %) than in
the unexposed animals (60.2 – 68 %), additionally the experimental group
died more quickly. The significant difference was in the appearance and
degree of pneumonia in the effected animals,” wrote Dr. I. M. Trakhtenberg
in *Chronic Effects of Mercury on Organisms.*

Though everyone in the northern hemisphere is contaminated with mercury
health officials have a mental block against suggesting anything that might
reduce total mercury body burden. Though some dedicated health activists are
cracking the FDA’s endorsement of mercury dental amalgam it will take a
Martian death ray to get them to protect the public from the obvious.
Natural chelation methods work safely to remove mercury but unfortunately,
if this is the dreaded flu outbreak, there will be little time to reduce
mercury levels. Much can still be accomplished with the emergency protocol
suggested below. Mercury exposure will make flu symptoms worse and even more
dangerous, and that is one reason the flu vaccine is deadly because most
brands include thimerosal, which almost fifty percent mercury.

Several other mercury fighters have a place in the flu battlefield. In
addition to binding mercury into a fairly harmless complex, selenium is a
very good inflammation fighter even in small concentrations. N-acetyl
L-cysteine, an antioxidant and glutathione precursor, stimulates production
of this master antioxidant and, among other things, boosts the immune system
and has anti-inflammatory properties. Alpha-lipoic acid, another mercury
mover, acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, while protecting the
mitochondria and reducing cellular inflammation. Learn about them before you
need them and add them to your medicine kit now.

*Iodine, the Universal Pathogen Killer*

As early as June 1, 1905 an article was printed in the New York Times about the
successful use of iodine for consumption/tuberculosis. Though
iodine kills most pathogens on the skin within 90 seconds, its use as an
antibiotic/antiviral/antifungal has been completely ignored by modern
medicine. Iodine exhibits activity against bacteria, molds, yeasts,
protozoa, and many viruses; indeed, of all antiseptic preparations suitable
for direct use on humans and animals and upon tissues, only iodine is
capable of killing *all classes of pathogens*: gram-positive and
gram-negative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses and
protozoa. *Most bacteria are killed within 15 to 30 seconds of contact.*

Index

*Iodine is by far the best antibiotic,
antiviral and antiseptic of all time. *

* Dr. David Derry*

Dr. Derry says iodine is effective “for standard pathogens such as
Staphylococcus, but also iodine has the broadest range of action, fewest
side effects and no development of bacterial resistance.” Some doctors have
reported that it is excellent for the treatment of mononucleosis. Iodine
kills single-celled organisms by combining with the amino acids tyrosine or
histidine when exposed to the extracellular environment. All single cells
(pathogens) showing tyrosine on their outer cell membranes are killed
instantly by a simple chemical reaction with iodine that denatures proteins.
Nature and evolution have given us an important mechanism to control
pathogenic life forms, and we should use it and trust it to protect us in
ways that antibiotics cannot.

Dr. David Brownstein, author of *Iodine – Why You Need It,* uses iodine
extensively in his practice and says, “Iodine is a wonderful antibiotic
solution without question and most importantly *I never see any of my
patients complain of dysbiotic reactions from its use.” *Because
drug-resistant micro-organisms continue to emerge and the number of patients
susceptible to these infections is increasing dramatically an approach that
utilizes the innate powers of the immune system as a therapeutic agent will
have the greatest benefit to sick patients. The body’s ability to resist
infection and disease is hindered by long-term deficiency in essential
vitamins and minerals including that of iodine. Poor immune response is
correlated with impaired thyroid function; *a deficiency in iodine can
greatly affect the immune system* because low levels of iodine lead to
problems with the thyroid gland.

I personally talked to a missionary, Stephen Fisher, in Zambia on the
phone last year who told me about his very successful use of iodine to treat
people with malaria. He used 20 drops of Nascent Iodine in a half glass of
water given 4 or 5 times during the first day and then decreased the dose to
10 drops of Nascent Iodine 4 times a day for 3 more days, although higher
dosages can be administered for much longer since iodine is a nutritional
medicine that is needed by the body. Such a protocol can be used for the
swine flu or any other type of influenza. Brownstein and others use much
higher dosages of other iodine forms, namely Lugol’s and Iodoral for cancer treatment.
If you are interested in high dose usage, please read one of the books by
Dr. Brownstein or myself for more details on how to do so.

The minimum number of iodine molecules required to destroy one
bacterium varies with the species. For H. influenzae it was calculated to be
15000 molecules of iodine per cell. When bacteria are treated with iodine,
the inorganic phosphate up-take and oxygen consumption by the cells
immediately ceases. Thus the antiseptic properties of iodine are used to
sterilize every surface and material in hospitals. Iodine is an excellent
microbicide with a broad range of action that includes almost all of the
important health-related microorganisms, such as enteric bacteria, enteric
viruses, bacterial viruses, fungi and protozoan
cysts.

The tremendous diversity and mutability of many infections and their
ability to intelligently exploit the cells is one of the main reasons we
should return to iodine as our favored broad spectrum antibiotic, anti-viral
and anti fungal agent. Iodine provides us with a safe way to strengthen
innate responses to invading microbes while simultaneously correcting or
eliminating a basic nutritional deficiency that causes immunological
unresponsiveness.

*Iodine is able to penetrate quickly
through the cell walls of microorganisms.*

Iodine is a deadly enemy of single cell microorganisms thus it can be
our best friend in our fight against the most dangerous pathogens. Nature
and evolution have given us an important mechanism to control pathogenic
life forms and we should use it and trust it to protect us in ways that
antibiotics can’t.

Dr. David Brownstein, one of a core group of iodine doctors had very
kind words to say about my *Iodine - Bringing Back the Universal Medicine
book.* “Dr. Sircus has done it again. He has written a wonderful book on
iodine that shows the benefits of iodine for treating a wide range of
disorders and how you can incorporate iodine into your daily lifestyle.
This book should be in everyone’s library.” I would say the same about his
book, which inspired my deeper study into the applications of Iodine.

For those who can only get the inexpensive iodine at the drug store meant
for cuts and bruises, know that you can paint the body with it quite heavily
and frequently to get iodine into the body. Just monitor the skin for any
reactions with small area applications first.

*Influenza, Inflammation, and the Role of Magnesium*

What makes avian-derived H5N1 strains, and the influenza strain
underlying the 1918–1919 human pandemic so virulent is viral triggering of
cytokine-mediated lung inflammation. Inflammation is the activation of the
immune system in response to infection, irritation, or injury. Characterized
by an influx of white blood cells, redness, heat, swelling, pain, and
dysfunction of the organs involved, inflammation has different names when it
appears in different parts of the body. Magnesium is central to
immunocompetence, and plays a crucial role in natural and adaptive immunity
in great part because of its dominance over the inflammatory
response.

Magnesium is at the heart of the inflammatory process, it is the prime
first cause when it is not present in sufficient quantities. Increases in
extracellular magnesium concentration cause a decrease in the inflammatory
response while reduction in the extracellular magnesium results in
inflammation. Magnesium literally puts the chill on inflammation especially
when used transdermally. “Magnesium deficiency induces a systemic stress
response by activation of neuro endocrinological pathways,” writes Dr.
Mazur. “Magnesium deficiency contributes to an exaggerated response to
immune stress and oxidative stress is the consequence of the inflammatory
response,” he continued.

A little bit of magnesium chloride can be added to the drinking water
(the same as sodium bicarbonate mentioned in the next section). But both can
be introduced in much greater dosages and concentration in baths to bypass
digestive systems that may not be working properly. Many already know of the
transdermal effect of magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate. One can also apply both
‘magnesium oil and a self-made lotion of sodium bicarbonate to the skin for rapid
absorption and this is most helpful for children. All can be put into a
sterile solution and nebulized directly into the lungs if inflammation
becomes life threatening. When all else fails, physicians can get both
magnesium and sodium bicarbonate into the body with IVs.

Most people and children are already magnesium deficient, which would
naturally increase complications or the possibility risk of death from
influenza. Everything mentioned in this basic emergency protocol is
preventive and can be started immediately. Don’t wait for the WHO to
officially announce an international pandemic before you stock your
emergency kit with the basics.

*Sodium Bicarbonate*

Using bicarbonate to change blood and full body pH is going to shift
the environment of most pathogens making it more uncomfortable for them to
inhabit a host. Malaria and influenza are often associated with
abnormalities of fluid, electrolytes and the acid-base balance. Sodium
bicarbonate is very useful and should not be overlooked just because it is
one of the most simple medicines and food items you can buy in the
supermarket.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalances easily occur in anybody with a severe
flu. This is common in severe malaria, extremes of age, young children,
malnutrition, and patients with high degree of fever and vomiting/diarrhea.

Sodium bicarbonate can be administered orally every two hours and can
be put in the baths as well as mixed with mineral water to make a lotion.
For oral use, Bob’s Red Mill Sodium Bicarbonate is the best but for baths
the old Arm and Hammer product is fine. Sodium bicarbonate buffers and
defends us from a host of complications, and is even used in chemotherapy to
protect patients from the toxic effects of dangerous drugs.

Sodium bicarbonate along with magnesium chloride are workhorse
medicines that are extremely useful in most all clinical situations.
Certainly they are useful together in infectious diseases to support both
the basic physiology and mitochondrial function.

*Vitamin C*

One does not have to say much when it comes to the importance of
Vitamin C in preparing the body for an aggressive attack of influenza of any
type. If vitamin C levels are low, the body will be more vulnerable to
complications. Also, an attack of the flu will lower already dangerously
depleted vitamin C levels. Whole food vitamin C is often better tolerated
than pure ascorbic acid in addition to the fact that whole food vitamin C
comes with the necessary co-factors for its efficacy, which ascorbic acid
does not.

There are many natural remedies on the market and many wives’s tales
–and there is always Mother’s chicken soup! One will find an extensive list
of possible herbs, formulas and foods that might help; however, they do not
make up a core protocol that one can depend on in an emergency situation
that can easily develop with a severe strain of influenza.

*The Sun – Strong Medicine against the Flu*

Medical scientists have noticed that people with the least D were most
likely to have had a recent infection of the upper respiratory tract. We
already know that getting plenty of vitamin D — more than diet can offer
—
appears to provide potent protection against colds, flu and even pneumonia.
As the amount of vitamin D circulating in blood climbs, risk of upper
respiratory tract infections falls and this is important when strong flu
strains strike hard.

Dr. Adit Ginde, an emergency room physician at the University Of
Colorado Denver School Of Medicine in Aurora says that in people with lung
disease, low levels of the sunshine vitamin “magnify many-fold” the
apparent vulnerability to infection seen in people with healthy lungs. Dr. Ginde
findings appeared in the Feb. 23 Archives of Internal Medicine and concluded
that in every season, people in the lowest vitamin D group were about 36
percent more likely to be suffering a respiratory infection than those in
the highest group.

Grind’s study showed that low levels of vitamin D more than doubled the
risk of respiratory infection for people with COPD — and boosted it almost
six fold in people with asthma — compared with participants who had normal
lung function and were in the highest vitamin D group. What was most
disturbing about the findings was that the NHANES data he analyzed had been
collected about 15 years ago, when almost twice as many people as today had
vitamin D levels above 30 ng/ml. This is a crucial point. We are more
vulnerable today then every before to a massive epidemic because we are more
toxic and more deficient in crucial vitamins and minerals than at any point
in modern history.

One of the most important and misunderstood vitamins is A, and it works
hard to keep you healthy with vitamin D when in the right balance. Vitamin A
plays a vital regulating role in the immune system also. Vitamin A
deficiency leads to a loss of ciliated cells in the lung, an important first
line defense against pathogens. Vitamin A promotes mucin secretion and
microvilli formation by mucosa, including the gastrointestinal tract mucosa.
Vitamin A regulates T-cell production and apoptosis.

If you are a sun lover, you do not need to take supplemental vitamin D;
however you still need to consume adequate vitamin A. Animal studies show
that even moderate amounts of vitamin D increase the body’s need for vitamin
A, whether the vitamin D is provided in the diet or by UV light. So, if you
cut back or eliminate cod liver oil in the summer, you can also consume
plenty of oily fish, liver, butterfat and egg yolks from grass-fed hens to
ensure adequate vitamin A.

So throw away your sun screens and get out in the sun when it is high
in the sky and roast yourself until slightly pink, and do that perhaps every
other day as a replacement for dangerous antiviral medications, along with
the rest of the anti-flu protocol. Drink lots of carrot juice with oranges
and eat spirulina, which is extraordinarily high in beta-carotene.

*In Summary, a Heart Felt Plea*

Please, I beg people to be aware that in November of 2005 Japan’s
health ministry issued a warning of dangerous behavioral side effects linked
to the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu. This came amid reports that several
children in Japan died after taking the medication. Dr. Rokuro Hama, head of
the Japan Institute of Pharmaco-Vigilance, had investigated eight suspicious
deaths of children aged between two and 17, which he thinks are linked to
Tamiflu. He reported his findings at a meeting of the Japan Society of
Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Investigators say in one case last year, a
17-year-old boy, after taking the medication, left his home during a
snowstorm, and jumped in front of a truck and died. Earlier that year, a
14-year-old boy, after taking one Tamiflu capsule, jumped or fell from the
ninth floor of an apartment building. Doctors say in both cases the boys had
not exhibited any abnormal behavior before taking Tamiflu.

Drug manufacturer Roche and US regulators have warned that influenza
patients treated with oseltamivir (Tamiflu) may have an increased risk of
self-injury and delirium. “People with the flu, particularly children, may
be at increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking
Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior,” says
a warning that Roche has added to its official product information,
according to a company letter posted on the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) Web site. …

Dr. Eleanor McBean, lived through the 1918 Influenza epidemic, and
testified, “As far as I could find out, the flu hit only the vaccinated.
Those who had refused the shots escaped the flu. My family had refused all
the vaccinations so we remained well all the time. There was seven times
more disease among the vaccinated soldiers than among the unvaccinated
civilians, and the diseases were those they had been vaccinated against.”

Vaccines, especially when given in multiple quantities in one sitting
certainly have the potential to throw a person or child’s body out of
balance as can nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, lack of exercise
or a lack of sun and vitamin D. Almost everyone today is magnesium
deficient, certainly every Mexican who eats white rice!

There are many who believe from the depths of their hearts that
vaccines are bio weapons of mass destruction, which exist for both
pharmaceutical profit and over bloated professional medical egos attached to
status and power. No matter what we believe though and no matter what
develops over the next few days it would be more than prudent to disseminate
this information that will be helpful to both doctors and people facing the
current public health crisis…

Retired biochemist and toxicologist Walter Last has this to say about
Lugol’s: “Lugol’s solution is an internal iodine
solution designed to eliminate Candida and possibly viruses and other
microbes from the bloodstream. Obtain 100ml of Lugol’s solution, also
labeled Aqueous Iodine Oral Solution B.P., from a chemist. Take a test drop
in liquid other then just water to make it taste less strong. If this does
not cause an allergic reaction, continue to take 4 x 6 drops daily in liquid
or mixed with food, but not together with vitamins A, C, E, grape seed
extract or cysteine. Iodine is an oxidant and it is best to reduce the
intake of antioxidants while using it. If the blood was contaminated, then
you may initially experience a die-off reaction of the Candida, causing
weakness and possibly headache or nausea. If this happens cut temporarily
back on the amount of Lugol’s solution and drink plenty of water and diluted
teas or juices. Continue for 3 weeks, but interrupt if you develop a serious
reaction. Do not take the iodine for more than 3 weeks as that interferes
with thyroid activity. If necessary repeat the course after several
months.”

[We are unable to determine the original source of the above compilation to give due credit; if anyone knows of its original publication, please let us know.]
————————————————–

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 5:22 pm and is filed under Avian Flu, Compulsory Drugging, Disinformation, Medical Hazards, Miscellaneous, Nanotechnology, Pandemic Threats, Privacy, Vaccination . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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2009-04-29T06:39:00.000-07:00

First Swine Flu Death Reported in US
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
,
AP
posted: 2 MINUTES AGO
comments: 11
filed under: Health News, National News, Swine Flu

LATEST ON SWINE FLU OUTBREAK:

Child in Texas Is First Swine Flu Death in US
Egypt Orders Slaughter of All Pigs
Three Swine Flu Cases Confirmed in Germany
Cuba, Argentina Ban Flights to Mexico
WHO Argues Against Closing Borders
Politics Daily: Robocall Tells People Not to Panic
Outbreak Origins: Did It Start in Mexican Town?
Worst-Case Scenario: What Would a Pandemic Look Like?
Video: Are We Prepared for a Health Disaster?
Video: World Scrambles to Contain Outbreak

WASHINGTON (April 29) -- A 23-month-old Texas toddler became the first confirmed swine flu death outside of Mexico as authorities around the world struggled to contain a growing global health menace that has also swept Germany onto the roster of afflicted nations.

Even though we've been expecting this, it is very, very sad," Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday of the infant's death. "As a pediatrician and a parent, my heart goes out to the family."

The child died in Houston, Kathy Barton, a spokeswoman for the city's health department, told KTRK-TV. It wasn't immediately clear where the child was from.

President Barack Obama said this morning that Americans should know the government is doing all it can to control virus. Obama also says schools should consider closing if the spread of the swine flu virus worsens.

Canada, Austria, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Britain and Germany also have reported cases of swine flu sickness. Deaths reported so far have been limited to Mexico, and now the U.S.

As the United States grappled with this widening health crisis, Besser went from network to network Wednesday morning to give an update on what the Obama administration is doing. He said authorities essentially are still "trying to learn more about this strain of the flu." His appearances as Germany reported its first cases of swine flu infection, with three victims.

It's very important that people take their concern and channel it into action," Besser said, adding that "it is crucial that people understand what they need to do if symptoms appear.

"I don't think it (the reported death in Texas) indicates any change in the strain," he said. "We see with any flu virus a spectrum of disease symptoms."

Asked why the problem seems so much more severe in Mexico, Besser said U.S. officials "have teams on the ground, a tri-national team in Mexico, working with Canada and Mexico, to try and understand those differences, because they can be helpful as we plan and implement our control strategies."

Sixty-six infections had been reported in the United States before the report of the toddler's death in Texas.

The world has no vaccine to prevent infection but U.S. health officials aim to have a key ingredient for one ready in early May, the big step that vaccine manufacturers are awaiting. But even if the World Health Organization ordered up emergency vaccine supplies — and that decision hasn't been made yet — it would take at least two more months to produce the initial shots needed for human safety testing.

"We're working together at 100 miles an hour to get material that will be useful," Dr. Jesse Goodman, who oversees the Food and Drug Administration's swine flu work, told The Associated Press.

The U.S. is shipping to states not only enough anti-flu medication for 11 million people, but also masks, hospital supplies and flu test kits. President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funds to help build more drug stockpiles and monitor future cases, as well as help international efforts to avoid a full-fledged pandemic.

"It's a very serious possibility, but it is still too early to say that this is inevitable," the WHO's flu chief, Dr. Keiji Fukuda, told a telephone news conference.

Cuba and Argentina banned flights to Mexico, where swine flu is suspected of killing more than 150 people and sickening well over 2,000. In a bit of good news, Mexico's health secretary, Jose Cordova, late Tuesday called the death toll there "more or less stable."

Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities, has taken drastic steps to curb the virus' spread, starting with shutting down schools and on Tuesday expanding closures to gyms and swimming pools and even telling restaurants to limit service to takeout. People who venture out tend to wear masks in hopes of protection

The number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States rose to 66 in six states, with 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas and one each in Indiana and Ohio, but cities and states suspected more. In New York, the city's health commissioner said "many hundreds" of schoolchildren were ill at a school where some students had confirmed cases.

The WHO argues against closing borders to stem the spread, and the U.S. — although checking arriving travelers for the ill who may need care — agrees it's too late for that tactic.

"Sealing a border as an approach to containment is something that has been discussed and it was our planning assumption should an outbreak of a new strain of influenza occur overseas. We had plans for trying to swoop in and knockout or quench an outbreak if it were occurring far from our borders. That's not the case here," Besser told a telephone briefing of Nevada-based health providers and reporters. "The idea of trying to limit the spread to Mexico is not realistic or at all possible."

"Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work," WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said in Geneva, recalling the SARS epidemic earlier in the decade that killed 774 people, mostly in Asia, and slowed the global economy.

Authorities sought to keep the crisis in context: Flu deaths are common around the world. In the U.S. alone, the CDC says about 36,000 people a year die of flu-related causes. Still, the CDC calls the new strain a combination of pig, bird and human viruses for which people may have limited natural immunity.

Hence the need for a vaccine. Using samples of the flu taken from people who fell ill in Mexico and the U.S., scientists are engineering a strain that could trigger the immune system without causing illness. The hope is to get that ingredient — called a "reference strain" in vaccine jargon — to manufacturers around the second week of May, so they can begin their own laborious production work, said CDC's Dr. Ruben Donis, who is leading that effort.

Vaccine manufacturers are just beginning production for next winter's regular influenza vaccine, which protects against three human flu strains. The WHO wants them to stay with that course for now — it won't call for mass production of a swine flu vaccine unless the outbreak worsens globally. But sometimes new flu strains pop up briefly at the end of one flu season and go away only to re-emerge the next fall, and at the very least there should be a vaccine in time for next winter's flu season, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institutes of Health's infectious diseases chief, said Tuesday.

Number of US Swine Flu Cases Doubles

2009-04-27T11:19:00.001-07:00

Number of US Swine Flu Cases Doubles
Government Starts Border Screenings for Exposure to Virus
LAURAN NEERGAARD
,
AP
posted: 2 HOURS 5 MINUTES AGO
comments: 3643
filed under: Health News, National News, Swine Flu, World News

WASHINGTON (April 27) — President Barack Obama said Monday the threat of spreading swine flu infections was a concern but "not a cause for alarm," while customs agents began checking people coming into the United States by land and air. The World Health Organization said there were 40 confirmed cases in the U.S. but no deaths.
Countries across the globe increased their vigilance amid increasing worries about a worldwide pandemic, Obama told a gathering of scientists that his administration's Department of Health and Human Services "has declared a public health emergency as a precautionary tool to ensure that we have the resources we need at our disposal to respond quickly and effectively."

Also: Swine Flu Deaths Top 100 in Mexico | International Markets React
Politics Daily: Paging the Surgeon General? | The Politics of Swine Flu

The acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Richard Besser, said that Americans should be prepared for the problem to become more severe, and that it could involve "possibly deaths."

The quickening pace of developments in the United States in response to some 1,600 swine flu infections in neighboring Mexico — and reports of over 100 deaths — was accompanied by a host of varying responses around the world. The European Union advised against nonessential travel to the U.S. and Mexico, while China, Taiwan and Russia considered quarantines and several Asian countries scrutinized visitors arriving at their airports.

U.S. customs officials began checking people entering U.S. territory. Officers at airports, seaports and border crossings were watching for signs of illness, said Customs and Border Protection spokesman Lloyd Easterling.

If a traveler says something about not feeling well, the person will be questioned about symptoms and, if necessary, referred to a CDC official for additional screening, Easterling said. The customs officials were wearing personal protective gear, such as gloves and masks, he said.

Multiple airlines, including American, United, Continental, US Airways, Mexicana and Air Canada, said they were waiving usual penalties for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from, or through Mexico, but had not canceled flights.

The CDC's Besser said that while the U.S. hasn't advised against travel to Mexico, it has urged people to take precautions, such as frequent hand-washing while there.
A private school in South Carolina was closed Monday because of fears that young people who recently returned from Mexico might have been infected.

"We are closely monitoring the emerging cases of swine flu in the United States," Obama said. "I'm getting regular updates on the situation from the responsible agencies, and the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Centers for Disease Control will be offering regular updates to the American people so that they know what steps are being taken and what steps they may need to take."

"But one thing is clear: Our capacity to deal with a public health challenge of this sort rests heavily on the work of our scientific and medical community," the president said. "And this is one more example of why we cannot allow our nation to fall behind."
Besser, the CDC official, described the new U.S. border initiative as "passive screening." He said authorities were "asking people about fever and illness, looking for people who are ill."

The U.S. declared a national health emergency in the midst of uncertainty about whether the mounting sick count meant new infections were increasing or health officials had simply missed something that had been simmering for weeks or months. The declaration allowed Washington to ship roughly 12 million doses of flu-fighting medications from a federal stockpile to states in case they are needed.

Besser traveled the morning news-show circuit Monday, telling interviewers the U.S. government was being "extremely aggressive" and saying he wouldn't personally recommend traveling to parts of Mexico where the new virus had taken hold.
Besser said he was not reassured by the fact that so far in the U.S., no one had died from the disease.

"From what we understand in Mexico, I think people need to be ready for the idea that we could see more severe cases in this country and possibly deaths," he said. "That's something people have to be ready for and we're looking for that. So far, thankfully, we haven't seen that. But we're very concerned and that's why we're taking very aggressive measures."

Meanwhile, officials of Newberry Academy in South Carolina said Monday that seniors from the school were in Mexico earlier this month and some had flu-like symptoms when they returned.

State Department of Health and Environmental Control spokesman Jim Beasley said test results on the students could come back as early as Monday afternoon. The agency has stepped up efforts to investigate all flu cases in South Carolina. There have been no confirmed swine flu cases in the state.
A New York City school where eight cases were confirmed will be closed Monday and Tuesday, and 14 schools in Texas, including a high school where two cases were confirmed, will be closed for at least the next week. Some schools in California and Ohio also were closing after students were found or suspected to have the flu.

In Mexico, the outbreak's center, soldiers handed out 6 million face masks to help stop the spread of the virus that is suspected in up to 103 deaths. Most other countries are reporting only mild cases so far, with most of the sick already recovering.

Spain reported its first confirmed swine flu case on Monday and said another 17 people were suspected of having the disease. The European Union health commissioner advised Europeans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico and the United States. Also, three New Zealanders recently returned from Mexico are suspected of having it.

"These are the early days," said World Health Organization spokesman Peter Cordingley. "It's quite clear that there is a potential for this virus to become a pandemic and threaten globally." He said it was spreading rapidly in Mexico and the southern United States.

Worldwide, attention focused on travelers.

"It was acquired in Mexico, brought home and spread," Nova Scotia's chief public health officer, Dr. Robert Strang, said of Canada's first confirmed cases.

Associated Press writers Mark Stevenson and Olga R. Rodriguez in Mexico City; Frank Jordans in Geneva; Mike Stobbe in Atlanta; Maria Cheng in London and Eileen Sullivan in Washington contributed to this report.

life

2009-04-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

life
Its been a few since I wrote but I been dealing with a lot lately. Stupid breathing problems have been haunting me. I Think the inhaler is not working and Don wants me back at the doctor, so I guess I will need to break down and go see Dr Shah. Blah
Any way lets see.

My Dad.

Dad took a fall while getting out of his van. He ended up breaking off a piece of his tail bone. The medicine they gave him from pain is making him very sick to the stomach. Soooo just incase they are doing a cat scan tomorrow. They just want to make sure nothing else is going on with him. So I got my fingers crossed.

Dad has lost a lot of weight lately too. That worries me. He hates it when I fuss but hey. I make sure to fix him breakfast in the mornings. I worry he does not eat enough.

Scott.

Scott’s team for basketball were in second place this year. Now he is getting ready for the special Olympics now. He will run again and do they softball throw. He seems to be excited about it this year. It will be in May, we don’t have a date yet.

He is going out with his old girlfriend Ann now. I tell you this boy dates more then I did his age LOL!

Damian

Damian got his bolo, scarf, and first badge in Boy scouts the other day. I am so proud of him. He is still having a bit of trouble in school with one class, but he is working on extra things to get caught up.

HE met a new girl that just came to their school. Her name is Tina, and he walks her home daily. I think he has a crush, but he says no. Its too cute.

We made Damian his my space page since he is now 14. This way he can play games online, keep in touch with his cousin Kim, and his siblings. He so wants to meet his step sister and Brother.. Tiffany and Shane. He says his sister Tiffany and Tiffany Helen look like they could be true sisters. He is sooo right.

Damian looks like his Aunt Lesley’s son. They could pass for brothers.

We are working on getting the funds to send Damian to his Scout Camp this summer. I hope he gets to go, it will be so good for him. He just did a bike ride with the pack two weekends ago and had a blast doing it.

Last night he helped his dad Don change brake lines on a van. He wants to learn all he can about cars.

Donny….

We are approaching out first wedding anniversary on April 11. Three years now we have been together. Wow.

I am worried about him for he going through so much. He is so worried about his son Shane. He wants to do right by him now that he is allowed. The last Ex did not allow him to try to see his kids. Well I am not that woman. I am me, and all his children step, real other are welcomed into our family.

Donny also is making a decision on Amanda. He feels there is no point on holding on to things when he has to go through her mother all the time. He cant speak to her unless he calls Kriss first, he cant have her for a weekend cause Amanda say her mother does not want her near my family. Don is my family too. We are married. And there is NOTHING wrong with my family.

If he goes to see Amanda, Kriss demands it be there cause she wants to see him or speak with him. Woman get a man already please. Donny has visitation rights and all but we are lucky to see her every two months. I took care of Amanda on my own when she ran away from Kriss, she lived in my home as my daughter. To me she is one of my daughters, so is Ashley. They are FAMILY.

Donny said he talked to Amanda the other day. I don’t know if he did really. I was not there. I wont go to Mingo cause of Kriss. Anyhow I guess he spoke to her about giving up his parental rights and told her why. She acted like she cared but he says he does not think she really does.

He says Amanda could call him from a friends house, or when she bikes, yes bikes all the way from Mingo to Steubenville. (Yes and she is only 13 years old and her mom allows this.) to see that boy George she could come see him. She has been here before biking. Its how we found out she did this that time.

George told on her the rest of the time. Amanda gave her buddies booze from her mom, she has had bunches of kids in her house while she is alone at night doing harassing phone calls. Don says she is out of control. If I did not hear things straight from Keith about Amanda, I would of thought it was all bull crap. But no way is Keith lying.

Amanda is way out of control. I am afraid for her, as well as Don is. So this weighs on his mind a lot. I am not sure what to do for him.

NOW…. Debby is his first wife, and she seems so nice. I enjoy talking with her, and hope to know her more. She is going through a lot right now so Don and I have agreed if she needs to, she can come stay with us till she gets on her feet. She deserve so much more then she is getting. So I will be here for her. I applaud the woman for raising her children and more.

Dusty.

Dustin just got promotion at the dog track. He seems to be doing so good. Sammie is a part of the family, and I adore her. Hunter!!! Ohh he is sooooo cute. He looks like Dustin so much. I enjoy the time I get with him. He loves his Grandpa Don too. Mostly his tools. LOL. Donny wants to start buying him tools already.

Tiffany

My daughter is working hard, and still in college. She is doing pretty good. I am very proud of her. She is coming up this summer and hopes to see the whole family while she is here. I cant wait to see her. I have missed her so much.

Dogs.

We have all our dogs licensed, and in training. Yea they are training all of us I mean. Lil beast are so spoiled. Don’s babies are the most spoiled. I think MiaMi thinks she is human. Shasta rules the house. Nay-Eli is so laid back. Champ is very protective over me and voices his opinion. Growler is my baby, she sleeps under the covers, gets special food, and wants her loving. Junior expects a daily ride in the truck, and he plays foot ball with Damian. Fro is huge!! But a big baby. Boots looks like her mom. Jazz, and Bubbie, get in so much trouble together. Ben is dad’s buddy. Bey has to love over Scott every morning before Scott goes to workshop.

Cats.
Hexie has taken over dad’s room as her own but she gets along with Xena just fine.

Brusier, he does not thick he is a cat, he thinks he is a dog. He gets bathed by Shasta, eats with the dogs, sleeps with the dogs, plays fetch. Crazy
Precious… That’s my baby girl. She rules the downstairs. Lil bitty girl thinks she is a big bad arse. Blue points look so nice on her.

My Snake.

Slither is now about 3 and half feet long. The pet shops says she is indeed a female. She has never tried to bite me, and Don is making friends with her. We cleaned out her cage the other day, and she was perfectly behaved.

She eats three mice every two weeks. So she is plump now.

Well I need to get going. Washing curtains, and cleaning for spring time. Joy.

Amanda struck again!

2009-03-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Amanda struck again!

Well it seems Amanda got in trouble yet came out with her skin on. Seems she gave her mom’s rum to her friends, and yet she did not get taken by the cops. Go figure. I don’t see how she gets out of all this? I feel bad for her mom because she will end up in trouble for all Amanda does, and its all cause Amanda has NO respect for her parents.

2009-03-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

CELTIC CELEBRATIONS in Wheeling

Today is March 7 and we are going to Wheeling for the Celtic Celebrations. Don is bringing Amanda along which is cool but I will keep a distance between her and I. Something with her lately I don’t trust.

Anyway we are working the Wheeling Celtic Society table with Ms Judy and the gang. Ms Judy looks so good, and I love her. She was a good friend to my mom Candy. I so miss my mom. Artie her son is here and I was happy to see him. His sons Zak and Hunter also came. Both have grown and allowed their hair to get long.

Vendors were all over the place. Kathy had Moon Dragon there near the stages. I looked around but I only bought Welsh cookies for the kids at first. Don already bought some Guinness with the young man from the tartan booth. Both we ready for a beer, go figure.

Miss Judy was eating her eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried. Donny and I gave a Guinness clock for a raffle for the Society. I was having a blast taking pictures of everyone. Pastor has a new Lady friend, and she is so pretty. I met a few new folks and got see some I have known for years.

I got Donny some cabbage served with noodles, and some Corn beef on bun for his lunch.
Now this man of mind bought us new wedding rings when I was not looking. Matching spinner rings from Ireland. Silver with Celtic knotting. I love them!

Gallowglass was there. Pat is so sweet and Di is funny. Ms Judy got her with her Prime Celtic Rump Inspector Stamp on her hinnie. Lonnnnnnggggg story. But cute.

Paul and Peggy from Brigid’s Cross were there to sing, and I bought their newest CD. I love those guys so much. Anytime I an see them play I want to. I did so enjoy them!

The dancers were so beautiful, and the bag pipes were awesome.

We met the owner of the River Valley Ale and he was very nice,

Chris was great from the Heritage and Artesian Center of Wheeling.

I hope Amanda got to see my culture is not Satanic Worshipper as her mother preaches to her they are.

I cant wait for the bonfire in May!

Police Say Man Stuffed Cat Inside Bong

2009-03-13T16:57:00.001-07:00

Police Say Man Stuffed Cat Inside Bong
By ERIC OLSON,
AP
posted: 8 HOURS 42 MINUTES AGO
comments: 528
filed under: Animal News, Crime News, Weird News

OMAHA, Neb. (March 2) - A man who tried to cool out his hyper cat by stuffing her into a boxlike homemade bong faces cruelty charges — and catcalls from animal lovers.

Lancaster County sheriff's deputies responding to a domestic disturbance call Sunday alleged they saw 20-year-old Acea Schomaker smoking marijuana through a piece of garden hose attached to a duct-taped, plastic glass box in which the cat had been stuffed.

"This cat was just dazed," Sgt. Andy Stebbing said. "She was on the front seat of the cop car, wrapped in a blanket, and never moved all the way to the humane society."

Schomaker told deputies 6-month-old Shadow was hyper and he was trying to calm her down. The contraption she had been stuffed inside was 12 inches by 6 inches.

Shadow was timid but in good condition Monday at the Capital Humane Society, executive director Bob Downey said.

"What the human mind doesn't invent, huh?" Downey said.

Schomaker was cited for misdemeanor animal cruelty and paid a $400 fine. He also faces drug charges. He did not immediately respond to phone messages left Monday seeking comment.

Australians Rush to Save Beached Whales

2009-03-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

Australians Rush to Save Beached Whales
AP
posted: 12 HOURS 15 MINUTES AGO
comments: 39
filed under: Animal News, World News
Print Share

SYDNEY (March 2) - Rescuers used jet skis, backhoes and human muscle to save dozens of whales and dolphins stranded on a beach in southern Australia on Monday, officials and news reports said.
The 194 pilot whales and half a dozen bottlenose dolphins became stranded on Naracoopa Beach on Tasmania state's King Island on Sunday evening — the fourth beaching incident in recent months in Tasmania.
Skip over this content

Animals in the News

John Nievaart, Naracoopa Holiday Cottages / AP26 photos

Australians rushed Monday to rescue dozens of whales and dolphins that became stranded on Tasmania's King Island. Groups of volunteers used stretchers to lug dolphins into the shallows, and others used small boats and a jet ski to pull whales out to sea. Click through the gallery for more animals in the news.

Strandings happen periodically in Tasmania as whales pass by during their migration to and from Antarctic waters, but scientists do not know why it happens. It is unusual, however, for whales and dolphins to get stranded together.

Chris Arthur, of Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service, said 54 whales and seven dolphins were still alive when the rescue effort began. By late Monday, 48 animals had been returned to the sea by officials and more than 100 King Island residents who had volunteered to help.
Backhoes dug trenches in the sand that allowed water to get close to the whales, as volunteers doused them with water and draped wet fabric over them to keep them cool.
Groups of volunteers used stretchers to lug dolphins into the shallows, and other officials used small boats and a jet ski to pull whales out to sea.

Rescuers were hopeful they would stay away from the shore.
Skip over this content

"It's too early to say yet but it's been a very, very positive day," Shelley Davison, a Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

It was not clear why the animals had beached on the island, halfway between Tasmania and mainland Australia. The Examiner, a Tasmanian newspaper, reported that the animals were caught by a very low tide.

In January, 45 sperm whales died after becoming stranded on a remote Tasmanian sandbar, even though rescuers worked for days to keep them cool and wet as they tried to move them back to the open water.

Last November, 150 long-finned pilot whales died after beaching on a rocky coastline in Tasmania. A week earlier, rescuers saved 11 pilot whales among a pod of 60 that had beached on the island state.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-03-02 08:44:19

Don’s Birthday!

2009-03-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

Don’s Birthday!

I bought Don a hug book on Army History which he read already. I also got him his fishing liscence already. He is so ready to fishing even if its freezing. Got to adore him! I bet he goes with Mr Kenny soon!

Dad gave him money from him and Scott. Damian , Dustin, Keith, Ashley and Tiffany Hellen all told him happy birthday! I was soo glad.

Amanda was so rude to him at 2:45 calling to see if he was going to pick her up. She never even said happy birthday to him.

Don deserves sooo much more then that damn chocolate mint cake he wanted. HE is a very special man.

Mother Sentenced for Attacking Sex Offender

2009-03-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

Mother Sentenced for Attacking Sex Offender
by Elise Nersesian Mar 2nd 2009 5:00PM
Categories: In the news

Tammy Gibson will be spending three months behind bars for taking a baseball bat to a sex offender for talking to her then-10-year-old daughter last summer.Is this Puyallup, WA, mom remorseful or scared? "I'd do it again, if not better," she tells ABC News Seattle affiliate KOMO-TV.

Gibson's older daughter, Rachael Porter, came to her mom's defense saying, "She was protecting her kids like she should have been. They locked her up for way too long."What would you have done?

Gibson pleaded no contest to assault charges last week against hulking 7-foot-3 William A. Baldwin, a Level-3 sex offender. She could have received as much as eight months in jail. "I don't care if it hurts me, I don't regret it," says Gibson. "It got him away from my kids and all the other kids in the neighborhood."Baldwin moved into his uncle's home last June, shortly before county deputies had distributed fliers around the neighborhood to alert residents of his presence.On June 19, Gibson went to the house in the trailer park looking for Baldwin. When he walked outside, Gibson accused him of molesting her children. She hit him repeatedly and allegedly injured his arm. But here's the twist: Gibson later told police he had not molested her daughter, Renee Maria Perez, saying instead that she recognized Baldwin from the flier as the man who had chatted up Renee last summer.

"For him to be right there, in front of my house and talking to my child -- made me crazy," she says. "I just told him that if it were up to me, I'd kill ya."'Renee, now 11, was in tears during the sentencing. "He tried to give me fireworks and I wouldn't take it," she says. Gibson says she hopes the attention created by her case will trigger a change in the laws regarding released sex offenders.

"I would hope that me doing this and going to jail would change something, change some kind of law, change something where people like him can't be standing around little kids?" Gibson says. "It's not right, it's not fair to the kids at all."Whether this mother should be punished for protecting her child is up for debate. Who wouldn't rage at a sex offender spending time with your young daughter? But Baldwin was accused and attacked (unprovoked) at his home. Living near a sex offender is enough to put any parent on edge, but last checked, vigilantism

is still against the law. Baldwin has since moved from Tacoma to Seattle -- a soon-to-be neighbor to another parent's children. What do you think -- is Gibson a criminal or righteous mother hen?

more this and that

2009-03-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

Work
Work has ended for a break. I am redoing all my medical in hopes to keep Ashley on while she is in college. I am worried about her heart.

Donny

I miss you JR.

Spring

My tulips are coming up, I think spring is so close!

AMANDA! GRRRR
Amanda just friggen made Don so mad. She called our cell phone and complained her mother went out drinking again leaving her alone with three other kids in the house. This is at 11:30 at night. I told her I did not want to hear it, and it was wrong yes. She start yelling we don’t care about her. I hung up.

12 am a girl calls the cell phone, Don answered it. She got cheeky with him over Amanda and her mom. He let her know how he felt. That was that.

Don’t then Text her mom the next morning to tell about Amanda. To be honest, nothing will happen.

Teenage office worker fired for moaning on Facebook about her "totally boring" job

2009-03-13T16:46:00.001-07:00

Teenage office worker fired for moaning on Facebook about her "totally boring" job

Like many teenagers, Kimberley Swann was underwhelmed by the menial tasks she was given in her new job. But while other 16-year-olds might have confided in friends and family about the filing, stapling and hole-punching, she decided to let off steam by posting comments on the social networking website Facebook. Three weeks later, the words "first day at work. omg (oh my God)!! So dull!!" came back to haunt her when her boss discovered them as he surfed the Net.

Miss Swann was called into Stephen Ivell's office and fired on the spot before being marched from the premises in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. Yesterday, she said she was shocked at her treatment as her comments had been on a personal site and not intended to be seen by outsiders--least of all her employer. "He called me into the office and said 'I have seen your comments on Facebook and I don't want my company being in the news.' They said it was not good for the company."

"I didn't even put the company's name," she continued. "I just put that my job was boring. They were just being nosy, going through everything. I think it is really sad, it makes them look stupid that they are going to be so petty." (You can watch a BBC interview with Kimberley Swann here.)

Woman Calls 911 3 Times Over McNuggets

2009-03-13T16:44:00.001-07:00

Woman Calls 911 3 Times Over McNuggets

AP
posted: 11 HOURS 8 MINUTES AGO
comments: 1063
filed under: Crime News, Weird News

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (March 3) - Authorities say a Florida woman called 911 three times after McDonald's employees told her they were out of McNuggets.

A police report said 27-year-old Fort Pierce resident Latreasa L. Goodman told authorities she paid for a 10-piece last week but was later informed the restaurant had run out.

She says she was refused a refund and told all sales were final. A cashier told police she offered Goodman a larger portion of different food for the same price, but Goodman became irate.

Police say Goodman was cited on a misuse of 911 charge. A current phone listing for Goodman couldn't be found.

A McDonald's spokesman says Goodman should have been given a refund, and she's being sent a gift card for a free meal.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2009-03-03 19:28:46

2009-03-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

Misscarriage.

My Angel Baby
To the baby that I carried
But never seen your eyes
Or tell you how much I loved you
Or ever to hear your cries.
You will never be forgotten
The excitement we had for your coming.
When I realized I'd never hold you,
The feeling I had was numbing.
My angel baby is who you are.
My angel baby you'll always be.
Your loving memory will live in my heart
So you will always be right here with me.
(c) Lori Jager

I found out I got pregnant which shocked me. Then to be told it would not be a good pregnancy crushed me. I lost all that weight and this happened for a reason. Don and I talked. We said if we were gifted that I could carry the baby we wanted a little girl. His eyes me hair color. Irish and Indian. Wow.

But I was not allowed that gift, we lost our little one. I had to go through a D&C at the hospital and I was so sick. Inside I feel as if I disappointed him. I love don so much I would have been so proud to give him another child.

Its been a few since I wrote so here are some tid bits of life!

2009-03-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

Its been a few since I wrote so here are some tid bits of life!

Valentines day

I had to work on my birthday but hey we needed the money and I did not mind really. Donny got to spend time with Amanda for the first time in a long time. I was surprised the Ex gave her to him. She uses all kinds of excuses on why not to have her. I am her main excuse. Why cause he married me and divorced him. Get over it right?

Anyway I was surprised to see him show up with out Amanda at the store. He left her at Lisa’s (his sister) to come take me to dinner. He also had me candy, cards, pink roses , a shirt, so naughty gifts too for valentines day and my birthday.

We went to dinner at Roosevelt’s. I had not been there in forever. It was great spaghetti and salad. Yummy. We both have great memories of this restaurant. We had our first Italian dinners there, and took our children there too. it’s a tradition in family. It was so wonderful!

We picked up Amanda at Lisa’s to take her home. I asked her why she carried the rose in the vase with her. See Don dropped off her valentines gifts off the day before and took pictures of her too. She told us she was afraid her mom would ruin the rose for her. That’s ashame.

Dad had bought me gifts as well. I loved it all. Candy, a Teddy bear and Scott bought me huge coffee mug with kisses in it. I love my coffee in the mornings. He did sooooo good. All the kids had called me to say Happy Birthday. Keith stopped by the next day and told me happy birthday too.

That night I feel asleep in my husbands arms. I am loved.

Going off my medicines.

Well I went off my meds to de-tox my body. I have now spoken to Dr Shah and he agreed it was fine as long as I can handle the pain my self. And my body does not go in to a bad mode. So for now I am only taking my breathing meds, my stomach med, and my nerve pills. I cant be having the panic attacks, it can cause me to feel as if I am having a heart attack. I don’t want that.

I will see Carol an Dr Signh soon

THE RISK OF LOVE

2009-02-25T06:34:00.000-08:00

THE RISK OF LOVE

by Kris Hydmore

There is a risk involved in everything

Every time you share a smile

Every time you shed a tear

You are opening yourself up to hurt.
Some people tread slowly through life,

Avoiding the closeness risk brings,

Side-stepping the things they can't understand

Turning away from those who care too much,

Those who care stay too long,

Those who hold too tightly.
There is never an easy way to love

You can not approach it cautiously

It will not wait for you to arm yourself.

It does not care if you turn away

It is everywhere, it is everything.
Love is the greatest of all risks.

It is not reliable, it is not cautious,

It is not sympathetic

It is unprejudiced and unmerciliess.

It strikes the strongest of mind,

And brings them to their knees in one blow.
Even in the best of times, love hurts.

It hurts to need, it hurts to belong,I

t hurts to be the other part of someone else,

Without either of your consent.

But, from the moment it overtakes you,

It hurts worse to be all alone.

The risk of love never depletes;

It grows stronger and more dangerous with time.

But, it's in the total surrender of all defense,

That we, no matter weak or strong,

No matter willing or captive,

No matter what, we truly experience love.
Despite the many things love is not,

Outweighing it all are the things that love is.

Love is surrender without a loss.

It is a gift without the cost.

It consumes your every thought & desire,

Every breath you take.

It is the fire that fuels you

To do more than pass through life;

It urges you, instead, to live.

No matter the outcome, having felt love,

You will never be the same.

It may scar your heart & soul

And Leave you only memories of forever.

Or, it may cause every day of your life

To feel like there is no need for tomorrow.

But, love is worth it.

It is worth the risk...

For in all of life,

Love is truly the only risk worth taking.

The Claddagh

2009-02-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

Misty fables surrounds one of Ireland's unique treasures, "The Claddagh" a symbol of Love, Friendship and loyalty.

Some 400 years ago in a fishing village called Claddagh overlooking Galway Bay, close to the city of the Tribes, lived Richard Joyce a Master Goldsmith. It was he who crafted this now famous design that has become part of the IRISH heritage.

The Claddagh Ring belongs to a widespread group of finger rings called Fede or "Faith rings" which date from Roman times. They are distinguished by having the bezel cut or cast in the form of two clasped hands, symbolising faith, trust or "plighted troth". Fede rings were popular in the Middle Ages throughout Europe, and there are examples from this time in the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin. The "Claddagh" ring is a particularly distinctive ring; two hands clasp a heart surmounted by a crown.

The ring worn on the right hand, crown turned inward tells your heart is yet unoccupied, worn with the crown turned outwards reveals love is being considered. Worn on the left hand the crown turned outward shows all, your heart is truly spoken for.

W. Dillon in his publication on "The Claddagh Ring" in the Galway Archaeological Society Journal, Vol. IV, 1905-6, defines the limits over which the ring is worn as roughly from the Aran Islands on the West, and through all Connemara and Joyce Country to Galway, and then eastward and southward for not more than 12 miles at most. The whole district is the one served by fisherfolk of the Claddagh village just outside the city of Galway, but became known as the Claddagh ring probably because of the proximity to the city of the large Claddagh fishing community using the ring alone.

Huge numbers of Claddagh rings were left with a Mr. Kirwan following the Great Famine 1846/7 which finally had to be consigned to the melting pot as there was nobody to redeem or purchase them, hence the difficulty in ascertaining their origin.

Dillon describes some early rings, one with a mitre-like crown, rings made from coins, an analogous ring from Brittany, a "Munster" ring, also Spanish rings with some similarities. He tells us that the Claddagh ring was the only ring ever made in Ireland worn by Queen Victoria and later by Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII. Their rings were made by Dillons of Galway, established in 1750, to whom the Royal Patent was granted and the tradition has been carried on at Dillons to this day. Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco in 1962 were presented with gifts embodying the Claddagh ring motif set in Connemara marble.

In 1984 when Galway celebrated its Quincentennial as a Mayoral City, the people of Galway presented a specially commissioned 18 carat gold Claddagh ring to President Ronald Reagan.
The earliest examples of Claddagh rings that can be dated are stamped with RI, the mark of Richard Joyce, a goldsmith working in Galway circa 1689-1737, of the Joyce Tribe, one of the renowned "Fourteen Tribes of Galway" City. According to Dr. Kurt Ticker in "The Claddagh Ring - A West of Ireland Folklore Custom" (1980) interest in Claddagh rings became dormant after Richard Joyce ended his manufacturing career in the 1730s, and it was revived a generation or more later, probably by George Robinson (Dillon in fact had attributed the earliest ring to Robinson). From then on a number of Galway goldsmiths and jewellers of Galway made Claddagh rings. Their early manufacture was by cuttle-bone mould casting, then the cire perdue or "lost wax" process up to the 1840s, when manufacture became commercialised.

Some Marks on Claddagh Rings from the latter part of the 17th to the early part of the 18th century.

CLADDAGH JEWELERS AND THEIR MARKS

RI
RICHARD JOYCE, GALWAY

GR
GEORGE ROBINSON, GALWAY

AR
ANDREW ROBINSON, GALWAY

NB
NICHOLAS BURDGE, GALWAY

F
AUSTIN FRENCH, GALWAY

JD RD WD
DILLON

JS
?JOHN SHADWELL
TH

unknown The Origins of the Claddagh Ring even yet remains a matter for conjecture, both popular stories of its origins attribute it to the Joyce family of Galway City. The two stories are as follows.

The first story says that a Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spanish merchant who traded with Galway. They proceeded to Spain, where he died,leaving her a considerable fortune. Returning to Galway she used her fortune to build bridges from Galway to Sligo, and re-married Oliver Og French, Major of Galway 1596/7. She was rewarded for her good works and charity by an eagle who dropped the original Claddagh ring into her lap. The second story says that a Richard Joyce of Galway was captured by Algerian corsairs, sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the craft. In 1689 he was released from slavery as a result of a demand from King William III. The Moor offered him his only daughter in marriage and half his wealth, if he would remain in Algiers, but Joyce declined and returned home. He brought with him the idea of the Claddagh ring. The earliest Claddagh rings to be traced bear his mark and the initial letters of his name, RI (Richard Joyce).

13 annaul Celtic Celebration in Wheeling Wva

2009-02-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

WHEELING CELTIC SOCIETY WELCOMES YOU ALL TO COME AND JOIN IN!

I cant wait Take a look!!!!!

Wheeling Artesian Center
http://www.artisancenter.com/coming_events.html

Saturday, March 7, 2009
13th Annual Wheeling Celtic Celebration

Admission : $5
children under 12 Free
call 304-232-1810 or 1-800-828-3097 for more information

Entertainment Schedule

11:15 - 12:00 - Mike Gallagher

12:00 - 12:15 - Opening Ceremonies

12:30 - 1:15 - Pittsburgh Scottish Country Dancers

1:30 - 2:15 - Burke School of Irish Dance

2:30 - 3:15 - Macdonald Pipe Band of Pittsburgh

3:30 - 4:15 - The Odd Couple - Paul & Peggy formerly of Brigid's Cross

http://www.myspace.com/brigidscrossmusic
Peggy and Paulie perform their two-piece act. Musically, this show will feature a lot of Irish music similar to what you'd hear BC perform.

4:30 - 5:15 - Pittsburgh Ceili Club

5:30 - 6:15 - Bell School of Irish Dance

6:30 - 7:15 - Gallowglass (has a page on my space)

http://www.myspace.com/gallowglassband

7:30 - 8:30 - The Odd Couple - Paul & Peggy formerly of Brigid's Cross (has page on my space)http://www.myspace.com/brigidscrossmusic

9:00 - 11:00 - The Prodigals - www.myspace.com/prodigals
The Prodigals are one of the most successful bands to emerge from the East-Coast Irish scene. The band members grew up largely in Ireland; their original songs blend a funky and anarchic energy that is pure New York with a genuine passion for the traditional music of Ireland. They have played throughout the United States, from Los Angeles and Las Vegas to Chicago, Boston and Maine, as well as abroad in Canada, Germany and Ireland, but they remain firmly rooted in Manhattan

WCS monthly meetings held on the last Thursday of every month at 7 pm at our meeting house on School Ave in Wheeling. If you need directions, please email us and we'll connect you to the right people. If you can't make it to the meetings and you have questions, comments, ideas, stories, pictures, thoughts, or any other tidbit of Celtic-ness that you'd like to share, you can email us at whgcelticsoc@email.com, or drop us a note at the following address:

Wheeling Celtic Society P O Box 2273 Wheeling, WV 26003

Wheeling Celtic Society
Membership Application

Name: ______________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
City: __________________________ State: _______ Zip: _______
Birthdate (optional): _________________
Occupation: (optional): _____________________________________

Individual Memberships are $25.00/year.
Family Memberships are $35.00/year.
Please print this application and mail along with your check or money order made payable to "Wheeling Celtic Society" to:

Wheeling Celtic Society
P. O. Box 2273
Wheeling, WV 26003

More information, message me at Crystia214@aol.com.

The Way of the Woven Star

2009-02-12T05:24:00.000-08:00

The Way of the Woven Star

Cornerstones of the Craft

To Know = the Element of Earth

To Will = the Element of Fire

To Dare = the Element of Air

To Be Silent = the Element of Water

To Weave = the Element of Spirit

To Know

By fire this means to sense, physically using your body awareness to protect and strengthen the knowledge you encounter.

By Water. This means to use your inner wisdom, to listen to your inner voice, to know through your emotional responses. Your intuition reveals the inner healer and teacher who guides your quest for knowledge

By Earth. This means to check the facts, to determine the validity and practicality of whatever knowledge you are taught by others or by your self. Your connection to truth provides you with the personal leadership to determine your own path to knowledge.

By Air. This means to think, to use your head to be perceptive, to be aware of your thoughts. Ask everyone, if you choose to, but think and decide for yourself about knowledge. Your thoughts are the bard communicating within your mind.

By Spirit. This means to know within the sacred realms of your Self, if the knowledge you encounter has truth and a positive light.To WillBy fire. This means to use your physical strength, your will as a warrior to energize your work, your life, your Craft. Put some muscle behind your intentions and activate your will. This helps protect your purpose.

By Water. This means to willfully express your inner emotions, to regulate your emotional stability and control the flow of that which would either strain or empower your health. Will your self to wellness.

By Earth. This means to have will power to overcome limitations imposed on by either you or others. It also means having the will to judge what is practical and of positive potential – the will to choose wisely.

By Air. This means to restructure your thoughts in accordance with your own will. It means having the power to express yourself not willfully but with the inspiration of inner will.

By Spirit. This means being attuned to the light, the will of highest power and having the will power to quest for the best.

To Dare

By Fire. This means to dare to take action. Fire up and get moving. This does not mean blood, sweat and tears in the literal sense. It means simply to dance your dance, to walk your walk – not just talk your walk. Be an active warrior for truth and light.

By Water. This means to dare to reach within and experience your emotions fully, to recognize the blocks that keep you emotionally bound, and to assume full responsibility for the health of your life.

By Earth. This means to dare to assume leadership, to change structures and limitations that are wrong and damaging. It means also to dare to be successful, prosperous, and abundantly powerful.

By Air. This means to dare to speak your mind and to dare to think for yourself. It also means using your intellect and perception to determine what you think and say. Think before you speak, and you will express yourself clearly. Dare to do that.By Spirit. This means to dare to live your life according to the guidance of your highest light. It also means to dare to seek the counsel of your own spirit.

To Be Silent

By Fire. This means to show restraint, to be still and self-controlled. It means to have faith and courage to hold yourself in check and to take charge of your actions and your reactions. When your sensations cause you to act and react without control, then you have lost the battle right away.

By Water. This means to go within yourself, to enter into the silence. It means to make time for private self-healing, to retreat for transformative purposes, and to quietly receive what you require from within your self.

By Earth. This means to listen and receive from teachers and leaders – all those who bring you wisdom, Whether your choice is to accept the teachings of others or not, you must first listen before you can choose wisely. There is a time for questions and a time for simply hearing what is being said. It also means to silently observe all life, all Nature, all wisdom to receive truth.

By Air. This means to develop the skill of silent perception, to have the quiet focus required for deep awareness. It also means to communicate with yourself and to silently become aware of the unspoken messages of life.

By Spirit. This means to be in that quiet state of spiritual attunement with your Self and Nature. It means to leave the noisy static long enough to receive and experience the silent gifts of light. Grace of spirit enters quietly.

Be silent and you will know when it comes.

To Weave

By Fire. This means to make physical efforts needed to activate your Craft. It means making a physical commitment to be strong, to use your energy for your Craft. It takes strength to work with the energies of nature. Even the threads of purest light require physical strength and involvement.

By Water. This means to weave, responsibly, the emotional energies of your life into a fabric that is self healing and sacred. Weave the transformative experiences from your inner wisdom and the energies your emotions bring you.

By Earth. This means to craft your work into structures of wisdom for the good of all. Weave a stable life with threads of wisdom and knowledge you collect. Weave abundant energy for growth. Make it beautiful and enjoy your work.

By Air. This means to express your Self and your gifts in a manner that creates harmony and empowers nature. Weave your images and your ceremonies of power into magnificent, poetic melodies that celebrate life.

By Spirit. This means to consciously connect with the Goddess, to inter weave your self and your Craft with the crystalline web of light. It means to experience your Self as part of all life, all Nature. Weave with threads of light and attune with the experience of transcendent power.

From The Old Gods: The Facts about Irish Fairies

2009-02-12T05:07:00.000-08:00

From The Old Gods: The Facts about Irish Fairies

by Patrick Logan

Leprechauns- Irish fairy shoemakers, dressed in green with tricorn hats. They are solitery because they guard ancient treasure which they hide in crocks. It can be revealed but rarely captured-the elusive end of the rainbow invariably shines over one of these hiding places. The name was originally only used in the north Leinster are.

Linchetti-Italian elves who emerge at night. The dislike disorder in their surroundings and may bring nightmares to those who offend them.

Lorelei- Akin to the Sirens of Greek myth, the term is now a generic one for female water sprites in Europe, especially those of fresh water sources, whose beautiful voices lure sailors to their doom.

Lunantishess/Lunantisidhe- Irish blackthorn fairies who protect the trees. No blackthorn stick,used for making the Irish walking stick protective weapon known as a shillelagh, may be cut from a living tree on 11 November, the Day of the Dead in the old Julian calendar, or the 11 May, the original May Day. The blackthorn fairies worship the Moon Goddess.

Lutins- Breton shape-shifting fairies associated mainly with homes, though occasionally living close to water. In the domestic setting he or she expected tribute and consideration or would become spiteful and destructive. There was,for example,a custom of cooling used cooking pans with water so that lutin would not get burned.

Moors- Portuguese fairies who live in the rocky hills above rivers and underground in palaces.They are most powerful on the night of the full moon,when their mesmeric singing would be heard and humans feared they would take away their children.Moors disguised as old women would occasionally knock on doors and,if admitted, might enchant children who would be identified by a cresent moon beneath the arm.

Moss people-German and Swiss woodland spirits with huge butterfly wings, known also in their female form as moss wives,who inhabit the ancient woodlands, though like many tree spirits they can merge into the foliage and moss. The moss women can be quite wild if confronted.

Nagas-In Hindu myth creatures of earth and water,a primeval race of divine serpent-people who bring rain and so,in a hot land,fertility. Nagas live in palaces in an underground city and on one hand are protectors of springs,wells and rivers, but on the other are blamed for disasters such as floods and drought.

Nunnehi-Perhaps the most historically fascinating of the Native North American indigenous fairies. Associated with the Cherokees,they are belived to have guided the nation to safety during the sorrowful time when they were being moved from their homelands to the resettlement areas.

Nymphs-Generic terms for earth and water spirits,who were first recorded in the tales of Ancient Greece.They include dryads,who were spirits of the trees,naiads from springs and rivers,and oceanids from the sea.Because of their great beauty and gentleness they frequently become the lovers of deities,heroes and mortals, and so were unfairly associated with unwise passion. Fairy Garden Fragrances

Autumn Fragrances
The earthy colors and scents of the equinox celebrate the depth of the secret presence at the heart of nature, as autumn arrives with vibrancy even in its dying, so sweet and sensual. The hillside is ablaze with burnished copper leaves, russet vines, ripe red berries, and velvety mosses, as this glorious season seduces the earth.

Enchanted Forest
Twilight in the forest is the most magical time of all. The earth exhales the heat of the day, and the warm air exudes the fragrance of night. The flowers and trees glow as though lit from within . . . stars before the stars come out. The blue moon peeks through the evergreen sentinels, and the fairies of the night spread their iridescent wings. Everything sparkles like silver pennies!

Enchanted Forest is rich in balsam, vanilla, and patchouliâ?" Ever so earthy, sensual, and mysterious. It is gorgeous in forest greens and shades of brown, With sprinkles of moon-light thrown in.

Dried Flowers and Herbs

2 cups deerâ?

Ts-tongue leaves

2 cups patchouli leaves

1 cup balsam fir needles
Essential Oils

20 drops patchouli oil

Powers of money, fertility & lust

10 drops sandalwood oil

Powers protection, wishes, healing & spirituality

8 drops vanilla oil

Powers of love, lust & mental powers
Fixative Â¼ cup mixed ground or cut oakmoss

Textured Elements

1/2 cup orange pee

l Â½ cup sassafras root bark

Â¼ cup sandalwood chips

Â¼ cup cinnamon chips

Â¼ cup vanilla been chunks

Finishing touches

¼ cup vervain blossoms

Â¼ cup silver-painted pinecones

Â¼ cup foxglove flowers

1/4 cup silver glitter

a very bulky blend, this makes a wonderful gift for all fairy kings.

tie it up with gobs of forest green ribbon and a gilded balsam branch.

Sumptuous!

Blue Vervain Slender â?oblue candlesâ?

of wild, vervain stand along meadows, pond banks, and wastelands in the heat of summer. Vervain was first used by the ancient

Druids in their lustral water and for divination and incantations. It is said that fairies and priests have used this herb to drive away evil spirits.

After the Druids introduced the herb to the Romans, it became known as an aphrodisiac and was dedicated to Venus, the goddess of love; hence the name verbena, which means â?oherb of Venus.â?

Vervain has many folk names: herb of grace, holy herb, herb of the cross, frogâ?Ts feet, pigeon grass, and Simplerâ?Ts joy.

Foxglove It was believed that if you picked the tall spires of foxglovesâ?"the most legendary of fairy flowersâ?"you would offend the fairies, but growing them in your garden would surely please the pixies.

Foxglove
The delicate pink or white, bell-shaped blossoms are covered with tiny flecks that are said to be fairy fingerprints. Foxglove derives its folk names of fairy gloves and fairy caps from these splendid blossoms, which becomes props when the fairies played dress up. Other names include foxâ?Ts glue and, because of the poison found in its exquisite â?ocupsâ?, witchâ?Ts thimble and bloody bells. Digitalin, obtained from the blossoms of foxglove, is used to treat heart ailments.

Witches Brooms on Trees

2009-02-12T05:03:00.001-08:00

Witches' Brooms on Trees

A willow branch was recently submitted to the Plant Disease Clinic that had a dense cluster of twigs, a symptom referred to by plant pathologists as a "witches' broom".

In medieval times, mysterious and unexplainable occurrences were often blamed on witchcraft. Brooms during this time were made of bundles of twigs. The term witches' broom comes from the German word Hexenbesen, which means to bewitch (hex) a bundle of twigs (besom).
Witches' brooms occur on many different woody plant species, including deciduous trees such as hackberry, maple, and willow, and conifers such as pine and spruce. There may be only one broom in a tree, or they may be many scattered throughout the tree. In some cases, the brooms are quite large in size and are easily spotted. In others, they are small and well-hidden.

A number of stresses, both biological and environmental, can lead to the formation of brooms. Organisms such as fungi, phytoplasmas (bacterial-like organisms), mites, aphids, and mistletoe plants can cause abnormal growth when they attack a host tree. Environmental stresses that injure the growing points of branches can also trigger the formation of brooms. Some brooms appear to be caused by genetic mutations in the buds of the branches. Unlike brooms caused by living organisms, there is usually just one broom per tree when the cause is a genetic mutation.

Pinpointing the cause of a witches' broom can be difficult, especially if the formation is related to an environmental factor. Analyzing the plant tissue for infectious agents such as phytoplasmas requires specialized testing that can be costly. The cause of the witches' broom on the willow sample sent to the Plant Disease Clinic was not identified with certainty.

Witches' broom, cause unknown, on willow.
This article originally appeared in the 2/23/2005 issue.

Finding your own path…

2009-02-12T04:57:00.000-08:00

Finding your own path…

There are many choices to make when choosing to follow a magickal path. But, the most important thing is to follow your conscience. Read, take lessons, ask questions, and read opinions of others, but always remember to believe and adopt only those practices that meet your own ideology. No one can tell you what is ‘right’ or what is ‘wrong’ – you must define for yourself what is suitable magickal behavior.

As you study, you may find that you can accept parts of one or another tradition’s teachings. If you find yourself picking and choosing from various traditions and teachers – the magickal community has termed this as ‘eclectic’. An ‘eclectic’ label reflects the mix of systems that may be adopted. But, a system put together to meet the provisions of your internal and individual integrities – should not appear as a patch-worked ‘crazy’ quilt.

It should be a cohesive system, which flows logically from basic principles into the complexities of expression. For me, the power of magick lies in the practitioner’s knowledge. Of foremost importance is the knowledge of one’s self. Only through thorough study of your own development and psychology, by delving into your own existence; mind, body, and spirit, can you begin to make choices in alignment with your personal path. The first step for many practitioners is meditation.

Through meditation we look into ourselves, it is within our own existence that we will find the unique path by which we may realize the spiritual plane, and the significance of our vocation is conveyed. While you study, let the information you are taking in not only be thought through, but perceive it on a deeper level. Use your heart and spirit, seek emotional and mystical recognition. Distinguish between the opinions of another and the truth that resonates within your being. The most powerful magick lies within us, when a method of expression is in alignment with what lies within – all things are possible.

************* ************* ************* *************

A place to start defining you own path… There are four basic concepts of magick that have be written and rewritten under many names; they are the ‘Witch’s Pyramid’ and the ‘Four Pillars’ they are often attributed to Eliphas Levi, he wrote "The Doctrine and Ritual of Magic" and it contained the following:

Quote:

"To attain the sanctum regnum, in other words, the knowledge and power of the magi, there are four indispensable conditions - an intelligence illuminated by study, an intrepidity which nothing can check, a will which nothing can break, and a discretion which nothing can corrupt and nothing intoxicate.

To KNOW, to DARE, to WILL, to keep SILENCE - such are the four words of the magus..."

I believe the concepts are much older than Levi’s interpretation. The many interpretations of these concepts lead me to research and write my own interpretations of what these four activities mean. They are as follows: It is a Witch’s personal and imperative responsibility to…. ….study and learn from

All, to develop Intelligence, and in learning to recognize that which is in alignment with their true Will ….seek out and engage with the unknown in their quest for Knowledge and protect the Truth from corruption with confidence and self-assurance ….attend to the discipline of their own Will and to live in accordance with their true

Will in all aspects of life ….discreetly without arrogance or ego to keep their own counsel as to the breadth and correctness of their Knowledge and Workings What do these things mean to you: To KNOW, to DARE, to WILL, and to keep SILENCE?

This is the Wiccan Rede in its entirety:

2009-02-12T04:49:00.000-08:00

This is the Wiccan Rede in its entirety:

THE WICCAN REDE

Bide ye the Wiccan Laws we must

In Perfect love,

In Perfect trust,

Ye must live and let live

Fairly take and fairly give,

Cast the circle thrice about

To keep unwelcome Spirits out,

To bind the spell well every time

Let the spell be spoke in rhyme,

Soft of eye and light of touch

Speak ye little, listen much.

Deosil go by waxing moon

Chanting out the Wiccan runes,

Widdershins go by Waning Moon

Chanting out the baneful tune,

When the Lady's moon is new

Kiss the hand of her times two,

When the moon rides at her peak

Then the hearts desire seek,

Heed the North wind’s mighty gale

Lock the door and trim the sail,

When the wind comes from the

South Love will kiss you on the mouth,

When the moor winds blow from the West

Departed Spirits have no rest,

When the wind blows from the East

Expect the new and set the feast,

Nine woods in the cauldron go

Burn them quick then burn them slow,

Elder be the Lady's tree

Burn it not – or cursed ye’ll be,

When the wheel begins to turn

Let the Beltane fires burn,

When the wheel has turned to Yule

Light the log, the horned one rules,

Heed ye flower, bush and tree

By the Lady Blessed Be,

Where the rippling waters go

Cast a stone the truth to know,

When ye have and hold a need

Hearken not to others greed,

With a fool, no season spend

Or be counted as his friend,

Merry Meet and Merry Part

Bright the cheeks and warm the heart,

Mind the Threefold Law ye should

Three times bad and Three times good,

When misfortune thee endow

Wear the blue star on thy brow,

True to love ye must ever be

Lest thy love be false to thee,

These words the Wiccan Rede fulfil

An harm ye none, do what ye will.

A Dictionary of Witchcraft

2009-02-12T04:39:00.001-08:00

A Dictionary
Of
WitchCraft

A

Affirmation: An affirmation is a statement designed to have a positive effect on the conscious mind when repeated at frequent intervals throughout meditationritual spells.

Alchemy: Alchemy is the medieval chemical science designed to purify and perfect the prformance of chemical experiments and magic rituals.

Altar: In witchcraft, an alter is a flat surface designed to hold rituals tools and symbols throughout the course of a spell being cast.

Amulets: Amulets are objects infused with magical properties and which offer the wearer a sense of protection. They also help maintain health, produce virility and fertility, and create luck. The style of object varies greatlyt in different cultures but the purpose of amulets is generally the same.

Aspecting: Any advance magic activity where the practioner manifests a particular aspect of a goddess or god (whether in speech, appearanve, Behaviour or thought) is known as aspecting.

Binding: To bind a spell, the spellcaster chants a verse upon completion, announcing the end of the ritual and asking for the spell to begin its magic.

Cakes-and-wine: Every meeting of a witches' coven (known also as a "circle" or "esbat"), handfastings, and rites of intiation traditionally end with cakes-and-wine, a sharing of food and drink, and relaxed conversation. The food - often cakes, biscuits or cookies - and the drink - usually wine buut occasionally mead, ale, beer or fruit juice - will have been blessed by a high priest or prietess, and is considered an offering to the deities as thanks for the necessities of life.

Casting: In various methods of divination, stones, cards, sticks and other objects are cast onto the ground or a special cloth so that an insight into the life patterns can be revealed.
Casting the circle: In ritual, a psychic sphere of energy is cast to focus power and to ward off unwanted influences and distractions. This is known as casting a circle.

Cauldron: A cauldron is a cooking pot used to heat herbal healing preparations for rituals.

Chanting: Chanting is the harmonious vocalization of key words, names and pharses that are used in ritual to attune oneself, raise energy, celebrate success and to become centred.

Charge: In witchcraft, to charge is to intentionally empower ritual tools with energy.
Consecration: To consecrate is to solemnly dedicate or devote something or someone to a sacred purpose, to cleanse and protect.

Coven: A coven is a congregation of witches who gather regularly to celebrate their faith and to work together to perform magic rituals. The size of each coven varies, and one must be an initiate.

D
Divination: Divination is the practice of foreseeing future trends by the use of such tools as the Tarot, runes and I Ching. Divination is extremely useful in witchcraft, and can denote good and bad times for specific rituals.

Drumming: Drumming is literally pounding on a surface. This is used in witchcraft to raise power and to change emotional states.

Element: In classic magic, Earth, Air, Fire and Water each represent a class of energies within the universe. These 'elements' are referred to throughout rituals.

Evocation: To evoke is to summon a particular spirit or psyhic energy from within your own psyche.

Familiar: A familiar is the term used for animal companions, such as cats, that are either trained to assist imn magic, or are used as a mascot.

Fire: Fire is the element that corresponds to the South, the colour red, energy, passion, ambition and will power.

Grimoire: This is a book of magically spells and techniques designed to act as a guide for the spellcaster.

Grounding: In witchcraft, to ground yourself is to psychically reinforce your connection with the Earth by reopening an energy channel between your aura and the ground.

Healing: Healing is the ultimate outcome of many magic rituals. This may be accomplished, with the "patient's" permission, by the laying on of hands, visualisation, crystal work, specific spells etc.

Hermetic: This is a style of magic that achieves results through mental concentration and inner awareness.

I
Initiation: Initiation is an important part of ritual, and is used to describe the profound spiritual experience that occurs when one's unity with Deity and the Universe is realised; when one is welcomed as a fully-fledged member of a particular group; and the celebration of a successful ritual.

Invocation: Invocation is calling on a "higher spirit" for assistance in ritual.

Jewellery: Personalised pendants, rings, braclets and other jewellery items are often worn in witchcraft to symbolise power, devotion and specific goals.

Karama: Karama is the word used to describe one's fate or destiny, whether good or bad.

Lunar cycle: The lunar cycle is the 28-day cycle during which the visible phase of the moon waxes from dark to full and wanes to dark again. This is a very powerful time for ritual ceremonies to be preformed.

Meditation: Meditation is a focused and disiplined form of contemplation or reflecting, whereby one is able to alter an emotional state and to receive self-insight.

Necromancy: Necromancy is the communication with the spirits of the dead via a ouija board, on which messages are splet out and interpreted.

O
Occult: To study the occult sciences is to obstain "hidden" knowledge of magical principles and techniques using various means of divination.

Pentagram: A pentagram is a star-like, five-pointed figure of ancient origin that is used ceremonially to bless, protect and balance. The five points represent the four elemnts and the spirit.

Planetary days: Each day of the year is related to one of the planets, the moon and the sun. Energies differ in accordance with the position of the planets.

Quarters: The quarters is an abbreviated term for the four elemental powers and the directions they correspond to.

Querent: In divination and ritual, the querent is the asker of questions.

Ritual: A ritual is a co-ordinated series of events that ultimately leads to the accomplishment of a goal through means of magic and witchcraft.

Sacred space: Although all space is considered sacred, in ceremony, Sacred Space refers to the area enclosed when the circle is cast. Scrying: This is the area of divining by gazing into a reflecting surface.

Sorcery: Sorcery is the use of witchcraft for negative and manipulative purposes, often with the aid of "evil spirits". This is not recommended.

Talismans: Talismans are objects imbued with magical or supernatural powers and transmit them to their owners. Tasseomancy: The art of reading tea leaves and coffee grounds to divine the future. Tasseomancy evolved from the Middle Ages practice of reading blobs of wax or molten lead. When tea was introduced from the orient in the 17th century and gained popularity, the shapes and symbols formed by leaves left in the bottom of a cup seemed an obvious target for interpretation. The Italians claimed to have developed the art of reading coffee grounds in the 18th century

. Temple: The temple is the sacred area reserved specially for religious and magical activites.

Thaumaturgy: Thaumaturgy is magic used to influence everyday events in life to protect the house, travel, health etc.

Thirteen: The number of bad luck and associated with evil power. Witches'coven were thought to always contain 13 members, but there is no firm evidence for this. Most covens range in size from 4 to 20 members. Many neo-Pagan witches consider 13 to be a lucky number!

Uncasting: Uncasting is opening a circle at the end of a ritual.

Visualisation: It is important in ritual to be able to visualise or image a goal or outcome before working magic. This gives the goal power in your mind and helps to charge the spell.

W
Ward: To ward is to spiritually protect someone or something with energy, usually performed prior to a ritual. Wicca: Wicca is a magicall Earth religion that focuses on healing and spiritual growth.

Widdershine: The counterclockwise circular movement used in casting and banishing spells and curses. The opposite motion is called deosil. In noe-Pagan witchcraft, magic circles are usually cast deosil, but in Australia they are normally cast widdershins to match the southern hemisphere counterclockwise movement of the sun through the sky.

Yantra: A yantra is a word, pharse or verse used as a sacred formula in meditation and witchcraft.

Z
Zenith: The zenith is the highest point or state reached and is a term used in witchcraft to describe the elation experienced after a successful ritual has been cast.

2009-02-12T04:35:00.000-08:00

Choosing a Kitchen Goddess

It is very ancient and powerful magick to have a goddess figure in
your home. Some of the earliest human artifacts ever discovered
include many domestic goddess statues. When we create an altar and
house a goddess there, we are making a satisfying link with our
earliest ancestors. Many of us have found that having a female
figure in this place of honor just feels deeply right. (It's
difficult to even picture any of the great male religious figures
bent over a cooking pot stirring away.) And, although goddess
worship was officially squelched for centuries, scores of kitchen
Madonnas from cultures around the globe prove you just can't keep a
good goddess down. Today, we can find or create special kitchen
goddesses to be the focus for our altars. In fact, a good first step in creating
your kitchen altar is choosing a goddess you wish to honor with it. Your
kitchen altar becomes this deity's home, as well as a place to honor
who YOU are and what YOU do.

When you make a kitchen altar, you begin a special, personal, and
very intimate relationship with your kitchen goddess. In some ways,
the two of you will echo each other: it is important to choose a
goddess who embodies traits and values that you desire or with whom
you can identify.

There are hundreds of possible kitchen goddesses and reasons for
choosing them. The only limit is your imagination. Perhaps you are
a particularly creative, gourmet cook, or would like to be. How
about a creativity goddess like Sarasvati or Seshat? Fire goddesses
(Pele, Sekhmet) are an obvious choice, as are goddesses of the
hearth like Hestia and Vesta. Earth goddesses like Gaia, grain goddesses
like Demeter or Ceres, or goddesses of the harvest like Habondia
would also work well. What about goddesses of baking bread like
Chantico or Asherah? Corn Mother is another possibility, while
Changing Woman could teach the lessons of transformation. Goddesses
of abundance like Lakshmi would be appropriate, too. Maybe you want
cooking to be fun and would prefer a playful goddess like Bast, or a
goddess of healing and serenity like Kwan Yin. Prehistoric goddesses
like the Venus of Lausell and the Venus of Willendorf are embodiments
of the nurturing, bountiful earth. You might want to choose a
goddess from your own culture or heritage. It might even be fun to
honor the modern goddesses who make cooking less arduous for those
of us who aren't big on cooking: Mama Michelina, Sara Lee, Betty
Crocker, Aunt Jemima, and Lady Lipton could all have a place of
honor in your kitchen. Just a thought--it's a good idea to keep a
fire extinguisher handy in your kitchen, especially when honoring a
goddess of fire!
Here are some possible kitchen goddesses:

Agnayi: Hindu goddess of fire
Anat: Canaantie goddess of love and fertility
Anna Perenna: Roman goddess of the year and providence
Aradia: Italian witch goddess
Ashnan: Babylonian goddess of grain
Belit-ilanit: Chaldean goddess of love
Benten: Japanese goddess of love, luck, and good fortune
Berchta: Teutonic goddess of marriage
Brigid: Irish goddess of creativity
Buddhi: Hindu goddess of prosperity
Ceres: Roman corn goddess
Cerridwen: Celtic Mother figure and grain goddess
Chicomecoatz: Aztec maize goddess of rural abundance
Concordia: Roman goddess of peace and harmony
Dugnai: Slavic house and bread goddess
Ekadzati: Tibetan goddess of wisdom and the mystical
Erce: Old English goddess of blessings
Fornax: Roman goddess of ovens
Fuchi: Japanese fire goddess
Hebe: Greek cupbearer
Hear: Greek goddess of marriage
Hestia: Greek goddess of home and hearth
Hehsui-no-kami: Japanese kitchen goddess
Huixtocihuatl: Aztec salt goddess
Hygeia: Greek goddess of health
Ida: Hindu goddess of fire and devotion
Ivenopae: Indonesian mother of rice
Kamrusepas: Hittite goddess of health and magick
Kedesh: Syrian goddess of health and life
Lakshmi: Hindu goddess of good fortune and plenty
Li: Chinese goddess of nourishing fire
Mama Occlo: Inca goddess of domestic arts
Nikkal: Canaanite goddess of first fruits
Ogetsu-hime-Ogetsu-hime-no-kami: Japanese
Okitsu-hime: Japanese kitchen goddess
Ops: Roman goddess of the earth, fertility, and wealth
Pirua: Peruvian maize mother
Pomona: Roman goddess of orchards and gardens
Pukkeenegak: Eskimo provider of food and clothing
Samkhat: Babylonian goddess of joy
Saule: Slavic goddess of the sun, hearthfire, and domestic arts
Vasudhara: Hindu goddess of abundance
Vesta: Roman goddess of domestic fires

You may have one kitchen goddess whom your honour year round,
seasonal goddesses, or both. One could honour goddesses of flowers
in the spring(Blodeuwedd, Xochiquetzal)in the spring(Blodeuwedd,
Xochiingrain in the fall(Ashnan, Ceres), and earth(Gaia) in winter, for
example.

Cait Johnson, Cooking Like a Goddess
Linda Ledbetter in Soul Stirrings: The Sage Woman Cookbook
Gillian Souter, Naturecrafts
Patricia Telesco, A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook

Stupid B....otch

2009-02-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

You know I been so good lately and I have not said much about the friggen nutty ex wife of my husbands, but I had it with that huge round rotund beast in Mingo Junction and her bull crap. She is a fruit loop from hell.

You know I got an order for her to stay away from our home in Steubenville. Its been about a year has she listened? Uh no. Don has caught her driving by. I don’t go near this stalking ogre. I don’t know where in Mingo Junction she lives, nor do I want to know. I made this clear to all the kids. All of them. This way I can not get blamed for jack.

I don’t called, and I don’t want to talk to her unless its to tell her how I feel of all the things she did to Don, she did to the kids or mainly what she still does to Amanda. Amanda will call all upset and tell me of things her mom does. I tell her there is nothing I can do.

She asked me to allow her to live with us, and I have said no. I mean it too unless the state comes in and says that the big no good fumbling beast did something horrid to Amanda again as she done before. Then fine. I told Amanda to tell others as in the school and her therapist this crap. I don’t want involved with any of it. Don’t get me wrong I love that little girl as if she was mine own. BUT the last time I tried to help, I was lied on and so was her dad because she is so afraid of the K woman.

I have paid off the fines I took so Amanda would not have to testify against her mom in court. I am o longer having crap above my head. I would do anything for any four of those wonderful kids. Don is my husband we go back over like 37 years from growing up on the same street to playing pool against one another. Yeah we been long time friends and more.

We have secrets too between he and I. So I don’t give a crap they had a history of 23 year, I think ours out numbered hers. Go away, move further away. Allow your children to live by the way arse. Let them be themselves.
Far as Amanda.. She will be old enough to get things done soon. Oh yeah I know what you did with her Christmas gift. She calls me mommy, always has. I will not tell her not to.

As far as handing you money for Amanda, get over it. The State will get it not you. One thing is you would drink it up with all your boy friends. Those men better never touch Amanda either. Oh and not allowing her to speak to her father will come back on you with her.

Throw me in jail for talking to Amanda? She calls me, she can call me all she wants. I have no restraing order against her. I do have one against you. Sadly but I do and it works for both your once married name and maiden. Stay away from my home, from me, from my son, from my husband.

Least I know the truth about things you lied on before when he was married to another. SHAME ON you KMC.

Grow up, get a life.

Blessed be

Goddess forgive me for being tired of hearing about you from our friends.

Oh btw nice telling Lisa , he was in jail for tax evasion? You and your friend get a laugh on that? They know the truth , so you made yourself look dumb yet again.

Then not telling him after he worked on your car and stuff that his dear friend Shawn passed away. Why so you could go and act as if you’re the hurt one? Please my father and Shawn’s were best friends. You just hurt Don so bad and you don’t care.

You still owe him his divorce settlement yet. His grandmother’s candy dish, his movies, his tools you SOLD. His things named, and he never gets to see his child why? Cause you feel he has to see you to see her, You feel he has to speak to you when he speaks to her. He does not want to talk to you nor be around you. When he comes to the house its for Amanda or his son.

Another thing… I would never keep him from any of his children like you did. All his children are welcome at our home, and in his life. That thing you did to his two other children from his first marriage, you make me sick. Callous, insecure so called woman. Ew.

No wonder you drink so much.

Wheeling Celtic Fest

2009-02-06T09:40:00.000-08:00

Saturday, March 7, 2009

13th Annual Wheeling Celtic Celebration

Enjoy live , continuous Celtic music, entertainment, song & dance.

The music is wonderful, and dances are from all over

Ethnic food, Celtic Marketplace, & children's activities.

Admission : $5

children under 12 Free

call 304-232-1810 or 1-800-828-3097 for more information

entertainment schedule to be posted soon.

They still need vendors and merchants as well to come.

Please get a hold of the Center by writingCVillamana@Wheelingheritage.org

or Friend@Wheelingheritage.org

Phone is 304-232-1810 or 1-800-828-3097

I will have more information but we welcome all

Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Driud, Wiccan,

Everyone to come join in!

Message me or email me for more

Crystia214@aol.com

Chrissy

Condom Display At Mall Raises Eyebrows

2009-02-04T05:14:00.000-08:00

Condom Display At Mall Raises Eyebrows

Display Has Valentine's Day Theme

Friday, January 30, 2009 – updated: 2:48 pm EST January 30, 2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A heart-shaped window display of red condoms at the Armani Exchange store at a mall in Sacramento is catching the eyes of shoppers.

The Valentine's Day exhibit went up this week, KCRA-TV in Sacramento reported.
Nearby are the words "Give love get love," "Practice safe love" and "Armani Exchange supports national AIDS fund."

Arden Fair Mall officials said Friday that they have received only three calls from shoppers with questions or concerns.

A mall representative said the display is in space leased by the store, so the mall could offer no comment on what the business chooses to display.

Shoppers said they were not offended by the display, adding that store operators need to do what they can to stimulate business.

2009-02-04T05:08:00.000-08:00

Various WiccanTraditions

Gardnerian Wicca

A retired British civil servant named Gerald B. Gardner is the 'Grandfather', at the very least, of almost all Neo-Wicca. He was initiated into a coven of Witches in the New Forest region of England in 1939 by a High Priestess named 'Old Dorothy' Clutterbuck. In 1949 he wrote a novel [*High Magic's Aid*] about medieval Witchcraft in which quite a bit of the Craft as practiced by that coven was used. In 1951 the last of the English laws against Witchcraft were repealed (primarily due to the pressure of Spiritualists) and Gardner published *Witchcraft Today*, which set forth a version of the rituals and traditions of that coven. There is an enormous amount of disagreement about virtually every statement I have made in this paragraph.

Gardnerism is both a tradition and a family, and lineage is a family tree. The High Priestess rules the coven, and the principles of love and trust preside. We follow our handed down book more carefully than many others, but we are free to add and improvise, as long as we preserve the original.

We work skyclad, practice binding and scourging, are hierarchal and secretive, therefore we are controversial. We're also controversial because we were first - the first craft tradition in the U. S. and descended from the man largely responsible for starting the craft revival. So, we're called the snobs of the Craft, but I think we're as much fun as anyone else; our parties as good, our jokes as bad.

*Each Gardnerian coven is autonomous and is headed by a High Priestess who can turn to her queen (the High Priestess who trained her) for counsel and advice. This maintains the lineage and creates a pool of experienced and knowledgeable leaders and teachers.

*Reincarnation and the Wiccan Rede [An it harm none do what you will] are basic tenants of the tradition. Covens are as much as possible composed of male/female pairs for balance. Most working is accomplished with the energy raised by the interaction of the Lord and Lady as represented by the couples in the coven by dancing, chanting, etc.

*Like many Wiccan traditions, Gardnerians have three degrees. An American Gardnerian must be of the 3rd degree before she can become a HPS. The HPS/HP are responsible for conducting services (circles), training their conveners, and preserving and passing on Gardnerian Craft. *[This material quoted from Converging Paths Newsletter, Kyril, Brita, & Hugh authors.]

A lot of the controversy surrounding Gardnerianism questions the sources of the rituals and other materials, particularly those appearing in print. It is true that Gardner presented these materials as if they were directly from his New Forest tradition. It is clear, however, that whatever materials the coven may have had when he was initiated, Gerald made a lot of changes and added a great deal. Literary sources of the published Book of Shadows include Blake, Kipling, Yeats and Crowley. Much of the published material was written by Doreen Valiente, a member of the coven for a time and later founder of her own groups and author of many excellent books on the Craft.

Gardnerian Witches without doubt do have many materials which have not appeared in print, however, their emphasis on secrecy has made them a punch line in the Wiccan social world. How many Gardnerians does it take to change a light bulb? That's a secret! Their High Priestess will usually be called 'Lady' Soandso and High Priest, 'Lord Whats-his-name'. [This is far more true in the U. S. than it is in England.]

Alexandrian Wicca

*As most everyone by now is aware, the Alexandrian Tradition is very close to Gardnerian with a few minor changes. (One of the most obvious ones being that the Alexandrians use the athame as a symbol for the element of fire and the wand as a symbol for air. Most of the rituals are very formal and heavily indebted to ceremonial magick. It is also a polarized tradition and the sexuality of that female/male polarity is emphasized. The ritual cycle deals mostly with the division of the year between the Holly King and the Oak King and several ritual dramas deal with the dying/resurrected God theme. As with Gardnerians, the High Priestess is supposedly the highest authority. However, it is odd that the primary spokespersons for both traditions have been men. [*This material provided by Gillan]

Alexandrian Wicca is the creation of Alex Sanders (with his then wife Maxine) who claimed to have been initiated by his grandmother in 1933. It's principal proponents are Janet and Stewart Fararr whose books set forth most, if not all, of the Alexandrian tradition. Contrary to popular belief, the name Alexandrian refers not to Alex Sanders, but to Ancient Alexandria.

Although similar to Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca tends to be more eclectic, and liberal. Some of Gardnerisms strict rules, such as the requirement of ritual nudity, have been made optional by Alexandrian Wicca.

Mary Nesnick, an American initiate in Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions founded a 'new' tradition called Algard. This tradition brings together both Gardnerian and Alexandrian teachings under a single banner. This was possible due to the great similarities between the two traditions.

Dianic Wicca

*The Dianic Craft includes two distinct branches:

*1. One branch, founded in Texas by Morgan McFarland and Mark Roberts, gives primacy to the Goddess in its theology, but honors the Horned God as Her Beloved Consort. Covens are mixed, including both women and men. This branch is sometimes called 'Old Dianic', and there are still covens of this tradition, especially in Texas. Other covens, similar in teleology but not directly descended from the McFarland/Roberts line, are sprinkled around the country.

*2. The other branch, sometimes called Feminist Dianic Witchcraft, focus exclusively on the Goddess and consists of women-only covens and groups. These tend to be loosely structured and non-hierarchical, using consensus- decision- making and simple, creative, experimental ritual. They are politically feminist groups, usually very supportive, personal and emotionally intimate. There is a strong lesbian presence in the movement, though most covens are open to women of all orientations. The major network is Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess, which publishes "Of a Like Mind" newspaper and sponsors conferences on Dianic Craft. [* Amber K]

Celtic Wicca (Church of Wicca)

The Church of Wicca was founded by Gavin and Yvonne Frost. They offer correspondence courses in their brand of Wicca, which is sometimes called Celtic Wicca. The Church of Wicca has just recently begun including a Goddess in their deity structure, and has been very patrofocal as Wiccan traditions go. The Church of Wicca terms itself "Baptist Wicca"

*The Frosts call their tradition of Wicca Celtic. To me it seems more of a mixture of high magic and eclectic Wicca, with a smattering of Celtic thrown in. For instance, they use three circles, one within the others, made of salt, sulphur and herbs with runes and symbols between them instead of just one circle. They also insist on a white- handled athame and will not have a black handled one, whereas all the other traditions I have heard or read about use a black handled one. It seems to me the Wicca they practice and teach should not be called Celtic at all; but since a lot of it is made up or put together by them from other traditions they should also give it a made-up name; say Frostism. If you DON'T have to pay for the course, and have some extra time, it would probably be worth reading just for comparison. [*From Circe, who took their correspondence course.]

The Frosts have always been rather more public than most traditions (advertising their course in the Enquirer and similar publications) which has earned them heavy criticism in less public Craft groups.

Georgian Wicca

If one word could best describe the Georgean Tradition, it would be 'eclectic. Even though the material provided to students was nominally Alexandrian, there was never any imperative to follow that path blindly. George Patterson (the tradition's founder) always said 'If it works use it, if it doesn't, don't'. The newsletter was always full of contributions from people of many traditions. I've always felt Pat's intent was to provide jumping off points for students and members. So even though I can claim initiation into more than one tradition, I'll always consider myself 'Georgian first: George is greatly missed, may the God-dess watch over him. Bright Blessings, Lord Fafner.

Discordianism (Erisian)

*The Discordian or Erisian movement is described as a 'Non- Prophet Irreligious Disorganization and has claimed 'The Erisian revelation is not a complicated put-on disguised as a new religion, but a new religion disguised as a complicated put-on. " It all started with the *'Principia Discordia, or How I Found the Goddess and What I Did to Her When I Found Her'*, a collection of articles and ideas compiled by Greg Hill (Malaclypse the Young-er). The central theme is 'Chaos is every bit as important as Order' as illustrated in the story of The curse of Greyface:
*Humor is central to Discordianism, but Discordianism should not be dismissed as a joke.

Profound experiences frequently accompany the practice or Erisinaism. It is a perceptual game, one which demonstrates that the absurd is just as valid as the mundane and chaos is just as valid as order. It frees the practitioner from the order games (that most have forgotten are games) to play games with order or games with chaos, or both. The effects of Discordianism upon an individual can be far reaching and amazingly liberating. [Although a great many immature individuals have played at Discordianism and thereby side stepped any chance of spiritual growth whatsoever.

2009-02-04T05:01:00.000-08:00

Clairalience or "Clear Smelling", is the ability of someone to be able to smell a particular scent though others may not. An example of this may be say the perfume of roses when spirit is trying to pass a message to an individual. Usually the smell has some connection with the deceased individual.Clairaudience - Perception of messages in thought forms from an entity who exists in another realm. You 'hear' what they are saying in thought form messages. This is a form of channeling.

You may actually hear spirits talking or singing in your head yet there is no auditory sounds.
Many of us receive messages this way from spirit guides, or other entities. When a person loses a loved one they often receive messages from them. Often the messages is preceded by a floral fragrance.

Many of us become aware of this skill when we are in danger and that "little inner voice' sends a warning. This causes us to respond instantly though we are not sure why. In times of crises we tend to listen and trust what our thoughts tell us.

When the information comes through, there may be a pressure on top of the head (opening of the crown chakra), body sensation... Chills, tingles, hair standing on end, or other sensations.

Learning to listen to different entities is as much fun as learning to listen to different people. You soon can distinguish their voices (frequencies).

Did you ever stop to wonder where some of your silly thoughts come from during the course of your day? Spirits like to be silly!

Claircognizance - If you have ever had brushes with precognition--thoughts that felt as though they were inspired, strong impressions, or an inner knowingness--you may have the gift of claircognizance.You may have received impressions and your speech may have felt fired with inspiration, you may have been compelled to create, losing all track of time, or you may have had moments when your writing seemed to be directed by a force outside of yourself.There is a reason so many creative people are driven to create. Many artists feel a compulsion, sparked by Higher Intelligence, that is guiding and directing them.Claircognizance is a window into another realm--one that is not governed by time or space. Through claircognizance humans are given glimpses into the sublime, into worlds of beauty and possibility.We share a connection to Universal Consciousness and those possessing intuitive or psychic abilities can tap into this divine source for inspiration and guidance. If you are claircognizant, you are fortunate indeed.

Clairgustance - (also known as Clairhambiance)

Awareness of an entity on the other side by the sense of taste.

A sense experienced in the mouth.

It could by a favorite food associated with a deceased entity, or in many instances the way a deceased person prepared the food to taste.

Clairsentience - (feeling/touching)

Experiencing other realities or entities through one or more of the five senses.

Examples

A tickling sensation on the hand or face during meditation.

A pressure on the top of the head when talking or connecting with a Spirit.

Hairs on the back of the neck standing on end when a spirit is near.

A sensation in the left side of the face when talking with spirit.

A floral smell. Like gardenias.

Funny how smokers - especially cigar smokers - can be experienced as spirits by the smell of a "good cigar"!

A movement as a flick of white, purple, or blue light.

Seeing shadows in the periphery of your field of vision.

Clairvoyance - is the art of 'seeing' with senses beyond the five we normally use. Clairvoyance is often called the 'sixth sense'. It is related to the images that are always present in your mind but you do not connect to. You will experience images, colors, and often animated scenes.
In clairvoyance we 'see' with what is commonly called the 'third eye'. In the human body there is a gland called the pineal gland. It is located in the back area of the brain almost in the center of the head. This gland has degenerated from its original size comparable to a ping pong ball to its present size comparable to a pea, because we forgot how to use it a long time ago when our breathing patterns changed.

The pineal gland looks like an eye, and in some respects, it is literally an eyeball. It is round and has an opening on one portion. In that opening is a lens for focusing light. It looks upward. It's hollow and it has color receptors inside.

Just as the eyes on our face can look up to 90 degrees away from the direction they are set, the pineal gland can also 'look' as much as 90 degrees away from its set direction (up). And just as we cannot look out the back of our heads, the pineal gland cannot look down.
Inside the pineal gland - even in its shrunken size - are all the geometries and understandings of exactly how reality was created. It's all there, in every person. Most of us lost our memories during the fall and are just now starting to re-member and access these geometries and understandings.

Without our memories we started to breathe differently. Pranic energy used to flow right through the center of the pineal gland. Instead of taking in prana through the pineal gland and circulating it up and down our central tube, we started breathing it in through the nose and mouth. This caused the prana to bypass the pineal gland, which resulted in our seeing things in a totally different way, through a different interpretation of the reality called polarity consciousness.

The result of this polarity consciousness has us thinking that we're inside a body looking out, somehow separated from what's out there.

Mankind is evolving to a frequency where clairvoyance will be part of daily life. For many people this gift comes naturally - especially with children.

Some people become clairvoyant after a unique experience such as a Near Death Experience, ET Abduction, high fever, serious accident, blow to the head area, or opening of the kundalini energies.

Some people use chemical stimulants or hallucinogens to heighten their awareness. This is something I do not advise as the information may not be accurate and physical side effects may occur later on.

Clairvoyance connects to the right side of the brain - the feminine, creative, and intuitive aspects. That is why you may tend to feel physical sensations in on the left side of your body when you work clairvoyantly.

The energy enters in through the left side of your body so as to activate the right side of your brain.

Young children and teenagers still remember that there is a special connection between realities - but adults - unless having accessed these gifts in childhood - generally forget and move into 3D stuff to fill up their time. They leave the higher frequency work to their higher consciousness in dreamtime. They call / rely upon that connection only in times of emergency or when they ask for guidance from a higher aspect of themselves or a higher frequency being. (Somewhere in all of us is a knowing of something higher - though most people don't seek it out).

Opening your clairvoyant gifts has to do with DNA activation of your encoded cellular memories, activations of your chakras, raising your frequency, balancing your energy bodies, your self esteem and the ability to trust in what you 'hear' and 'see', your emotional state (clearing issues that block / or influence the information you get), expanding your knowledge base in all areas of 3D. You can't read someone on a subject - or understand symbols on a specific subject if you have no knowledge of that subject. The brain will have no way of interpreting the language into something you can understand. You can explain what you see - but we like to give meaning to our imagery. Even with the archetypes we see in meditation, dreams, etc. - our brains need some sort of frame of reference if we are to understand.

Of course with automatic writing and art we can look at what we 'get' after we are finished and wonder, "What does that represent?" Often we are clueless - yet at some point that which we receive will have meaning. A lot of messages received in automatic writing and art are reflections confusion within us.

Once you have opened your clairvoyant gifts, it is like any other exercise - it gets easier and easier. Some people mediate daily not for these messages but just to keep their sheath bodies in balance. They receive few images - but like to relax and feel at peace.
Every cell in our bodies is being affected by the raising frequencies of the planet. We are being activated whether we want to be or not.

If those souls are merging back with others aspects of their multidimensional selves that are already in higher frequencies - which will be the case for most life forms who are still 'asleep' - then the transition will not be difficult - a bit confusing perhaps - but will be done quickly - as this all happens in a period of time that is so fast - we can not measure it - as there is no measurements.

Hundreds of years ago - to possess the gift of clairvoyance - one was considered a witch - as unknown knowledge was 'feared' (the emotion which keeps us trapped on this planet). Anything connected to 'higher frequency' information was forbidden.
But there were those who remembered and remained connected to spirit.

2009-02-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

PO2 (EOD2)(Explosive Ordnance Disposal)

Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals.

During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, Seal's were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of two's, with the coffin moving up the center.

As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin.

2009-02-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

This my first grandson! Hunter James Heilman. I am very proud of this little angel. As I am proud of his parents, my son Dustin and Sammie his Lady.