She finished second to a Dance group and did it with grace. Susan Boyle has helped to teach us a basic lesson that we all should have learned as children; NEVER judge a book by it's cover!
I think there is not a doubt that Boyle will remain a singing legend and be counted among the most notable of great Divas including Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, and Billy Holiday.
It is unfortunate to think her physical appearance may have kept this great talent from making a public debut. There have been others whose talent overcame their physical shortcomings. Jim Nabors, who played the character Marine Private First Class "Gomer Pyle" took America by surprise. The well meaning, but not-so intelligent "Pyle" a Southern boy who couldn't get it together in boot camp brough the America to tears when he sang.
Now, nearly 40 years after Jim Nabors took everyone by surprise, Susan Boyle has DREAMED THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM, too.
MONDAY, JUNE 1 ON OPRAH===IS YOUR CHILD SENDING OR RECEIVING Sexually explicit text messages? Maybe they are sending or receiving nude and semi nude photos of friends or even of themselves!Tune in.
fRIDAY, May 29 ON OPRAH===Women Leaving Men for OTHER WOMEN
Our very good friends' son was to be married, a first marriage, he is 32. As good friends do, we bought a wonderful gift, and arranged time on our calender months in advance. The day came, we drove an hour to get there, fully expecting to be seated with long lost cousins and to know NO ONE but the parents of the groom.
When we arrived at the 'country club', which was directly across from a fast food restaurant on a very busy road, we thought, AH....an afternoon of obligation, that's fine, we love our friends. When we were directed the rear yard of the main building, SURPRISE...surprise, the most beautiful gardens and grounds; a rolling golf course and a koi pond complete with a graceful arching stone foot bridge.
The music was TODAY, the ceremony beautiful and 'religion' was conspicuously absent. The groom and his men wore black...maybe a little much as the sun glasses added to a men in black look. The bride's attendants wore little black dresses with wide white sashes and an elegant bow at the back. Each carried a beautiful and full bouquet of roses, in all pink and white shades. Then the feast for everyone's eyes, the bride, her veil failed to conceal the tears of joy, crossed the footbridge to meet the man of her dreams and be bound forever in holy matrimony. Her gown was traditional, flowing. The large butterfly tatoo on her shoulder was further adorned with glistening 'jewels'.
Another perfect day and we sat with our dear friends at table number 1. Long live the bride and groom.
This young couple followed their own ways, here are some IRISH traditions and LORE for the married couple to be. Enjoy!
THE TRADITIONAL IRISH WEDDING by Bridget Haggerty (C) Copyright http://www.ireland-information.com
There is one wedding Irish tradition that states: 'Marry in May and Rue The Day' while another states: 'Marry in April if you can, joy for maiden and for man'.
When I told my daughter about this Irish superstition, she changed her wedding date so that she'd be married in April!
What began as a search for Irish traditions and customs that she could incorporate into her celebration ended up as an incredible pile of notes that eventually took on a life of its own. Long after her wedding, I was still obsessed with delving into history and folklore, looking for everything I could find on how weddings were celebrated in Ireland long ago.
I am convinced that if couples make the effort, they can have a totally Irish celebration from beginning to end - even to the pre-wedding parties. There's one quaint custom where the groom was invited to the bride's house right before the wedding and they cooked a goose in his honor. It was called Aitin' the gander — it has to be where we get the expression 'his goose is cooked!' We threw one of these dinner parties for my daughter and everyone had a great time. (The apple-potato stuffing has become a family favorite!).
copyright Bev Lloyd-Roberts, stockxchng. Please scroll to the bottom of the article for additional information on Bev.
There are so many other traditions, customs and just an incredible amount of folklore to draw upon, that it would be remiss to be of Irish descent and not take advantage of all the possibilities. Here are just a few ideas culled from what eventually has become a 200-plus page book called 'The Traditional Irish Wedding' and it is now available in the United States and will be released in Ireland this spring. As complete as I could make it, the book covers attire, decor, menus, recipes, music, toasts, vows, and perhaps of most value, a resource listing that will help you find everything from Irish wedding gowns and tiaras to sheet music for a Celtic Mass.
Here are some more:
* Bunratty Meade is a honey wine that's served at the Bunratty Castle medieval banquet. It's from a recipe based on the oldest drink in Ireland and if you've never tasted it, it's well worth trying. In the old days, it was consumed at weddings because it was thought that it promoted virility. (If a baby was born nine months after the wedding, it was attributed to the mead!) Couples also drank it from special goblets for a full month following the wedding, which is supposedly where we get the word honeymoon. This was to protect the couple from the fairies coming to spirit the bride away.
* Lucky horseshoe. Irish brides used to carry a real horseshoe for good luck. (Turned up so the luck won't run out). You can get porcelain horseshoes which most Irish brides carry these days, or one made of fabric which is worn on the wrist.
* Magic Hanky. This charming custom involves having the bride carry a special hanky that with a few stitches can be turned into a christening bonnet for the first baby. With a couple of snips it can be turned back into a hanky that your child can carry on his/her wedding day.
* Make-up bells. The chime of bells is thought to keep evil spirits away, restore harmony if a couple is fighting, and also remind a couple of their wedding vows. Giving a bell as a gift has become an Irish tradition. You could also have your greeters hand out tiny bells to your guests to ring as you process. (You might want to let them know when they're supposed to be rung - perhaps mention it in your program along with an explanation of the custom). Guests could also ring their little bells at the reception in lieu of clinking glasses.
* Irish Dancers. Consider hiring a group of Irish dancers to hand out your programs before the ceremony. Dressed in their full regalia, it would add a wonderful touch of of pageantry and color. They could also dance at the reception later. We did this at my daughter's reception and it was a major hit.
* Music. There's so much wonderful Irish music available, you'll have no problems in finding appropriate selections for both the ceremony and the reception. The difficulty will be in deciding which pieces to play!
* Readings: My daughter had the following Irish wedding vow on the front of her program:
By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me. As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me. As light to the eye, as bread to the hungry, as joy to the heart, may thy presence be with me, oh one that I love, 'til death comes to part us asunder.
On the back of the program, she had this old Irish proverb: Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend.
* The Irish Wedding Song. Very popular at contemporary Irish weddings. We had two friends sing this at my daughter's reception while the newlyweds cut the cake. (Afterwards I thought we should have had the lyrics typed up and placed on the tables so that everyone could join in).
* Flowers. In the old days, many Irish brides wore a wreath of wildflowers in their hair; they also carried them in bouquets. For my daughter's wedding, our florist designed gorgeous bouquets that included a flower called Bells of Ireland. In Wales, brides carried live myrtle and gave a sprig to each bridesmaid which they planted. If it grew, the bridesmaid would marry within the year. If you're planning a more general Celtic celebration, this might be worth considering.
* Ancient custom: In the old days, couples ate salt and oatmeal at the beginning of their reception: Each of them took three mouthfuls as a protection against the power of the evil eye. Also, when a couple is dancing, the bride can't take both feet off the floor because the fairies will get the upper hand. Fairies love beautiful things and one of their favorites is a bride. There's many an Irish legend about brides being spirited away by the little people! For the same reason, it's bad luck for a bride to wear green. I've also heard that it's bad luck for anyone to wear green at an Irish wedding - but I think it really only applies to the bride. It's also bad luck for a bride or the groom to sing at their own wedding.
Portents and omens:
* A fine day meant good luck, especially if the sun shone on the bride. If you're a Roman Catholic, one way to make certain that it won't rain is to put a statue of the Infant of Prague outside the church before your ceremony.
* It was unlucky to marry on a Saturday.
* Those who married in harvest would spend all their lives gathering
* A man should always be the first to wish joy to the bride, never a woman
*It was lucky to hear a cuckoo on the wedding morning, or to see three magpies
* To meet a funeral on the road meant bad luck and if there was a funeral procession planned for that day, the wedding party always took a different road
* The wedding party should always take the longest road home from the church
* It was bad luck if a glass or cup were broken on the wedding day
*A bride and groom should never wash their hands in the same sink at the same time—it's courting disaster if they do
* It was said to be lucky if you married during a 'growing moon and a flowing tide'
* When leaving the church, someone must throw an old shoe over the bride's head so she will have good luck
* If the bride's mother-in-law breaks a piece of wedding cake on the bride's head as she enters the house after the ceremony, they will be friends for life.
Many other customs are interspersed throughout the book, e.g. (from the reception section) the top tier of your wedding cake should be an Irish whiskey cake which is saved for the christening of your first baby. I've also heard of another custom which just came to my attention and will be included in the next edition: a bottle of champagne is saved from the reception so that it can be used to 'wet the baby's head' at the christening.
In finally making this book a reality, my hope is that when he says to you 'would you like to be buried with my people', or you say to him 'would you like to hang your washing next to mine', you'll say yes, and then use the suggestions to help you plan an Irish celebration reflective of your roots and as romantic as your heritage.
And for all engaged couples and their families in the midst of pre-wedding chaos, I raise a parting glass: May all your joys be pure joy and all your pain champagne.
notes: The goose dinner image found in this article is from http://www.sxc.hu/profile/BeverlyLR---Bev Lloyd-Roberts. "Keen amateur photographer. Been a member of Abington Camera Club for 16years. Love doing still life photography best, then landscapes. Also love taking photographs of my our children and pets. I love reading comments from people, so" please leave some.
republished from one of my earlier blogs, 17.3.07 MEDIOCRITY: Dunkin Donut's has no NEW ENGLAND CRULLERS!
Below, Delightfully delicious assorted donuts and crullers from Allies' Donuts, Kingston, Rhode Island (RI), the perfectly formed NEW ENGLAND Cruller is to the left, YUMMY.
The year 2003 was a memorable year for me; I turned '50' and Dunkin Donuts dropped from their menu the FABULOUSLY POPULAR twisted delight, THE NEW ENGLAND CRULLER. Which is worse, the fact that the beloved New England favorite, "Dunkees" began machine EXTRUDING the dough to create oblong shapes which bare NO resemblance to the hand twisted traditional crullers. Their NEWER VERSION is called THE STICK, perhaps Turd, would have been a better name.!
cruller
SYLLABICATION: crul·ler PRONUNCIATION: krlr NOUN: 1. Chiefly Northeastern, Central Atlantic, & Upper Northern U.S. A small, usually ring-shaped or twisted cake of sweet dough fried in deep fat. 2. Chiefly New England & Pennsylvania An unraised doughnut, usually twisted but also shaped into rings or oblongs. ETYMOLOGY: From obsolete Dutch krulle-koken, rolled-up cake, from Middle Dutch crulle-koken, to curl, from crulle, curly. (1)
-The French Cruller~~~~The Mexican Cruller (Churros)
The New England Cruller is a ARTISAN piece, a hand twisted oblong of delicious dough, fried in LARD-- an LDL nightmare. The twisting creates crusty ridges that adds to the texture and goes hand in hand when SAVORING this tradition. A modification in cooking oil that is lower in cholesterol and boosts the HDL is possible, albeit it does change the flavor it a bit- HOWEVER, the Hand twisting IS AN INTEGRAL part of the creating of this FAMOUS CRULLER.
Dunkin Donut's MEDIOCRITIZATION of a prized NEW ENGLAND tradition is, IN PART, emblematic of what is happening on all levels of society. In an article Joseph P. Kahn wrote for the Boston Globe on October 25, 2003 he interviewed Dunkin Donut's chief test baker who reported that the HAND MADE CRULLER had to go.
"We introduced a new doughnut mix over the summer, one which is lighter and moister and all machine-made," says Pitts. Handcut products, he adds, were beyond the capabilities of these machines, which can produce rings and sticks but not braided pastries. Therefore, something had to go. The cruller went because it could not be machine-produced, like the jelly stick, but required human hands." (3)
Oh, the horror,requiring human hands to uphold tradition, quality and EXCELLENCE! But, alas, this corporate profit-first attitude is prevalent, so the mass market producers will continue to lower their standards and how low will they go?
Many of you may be reading this and asking yourselves what standards Dunkies ever upheld. If you are 50 or older, you know that Dunkin Donuts acted more like individual neighborhood bakeries in the old days. Many Dunkin Donuts entrepreneurs BAKED THEIR OWN in back room kitchens. The twisting of the cruller was done by your neighbor and you ate it freshly baked with your fresh brew.
I am finished with Dunkin Donuts! Try your local Artisan Bakery and enjoy a TRADITIONAL TWIST!
1.http://www.bartleby.com/61/60/C0776000.html 2.https://www.dunkindonuts.com/aboutus/nutrition/Product.aspx?Category=Donuts&id=DD-699 3.http://www.boston.com/ae/food/articles/2003/10/25/with_progress_a_cruel_twist/ Posted by VIM at 20:28 8 comments Links to this post Labels: crullers, Dunkin Donuts, mediocrity, New England, tradition
It's the season for the sun to blaze. Your fashion statement must take this fact into account, lest you find yourself sizzling under the heat. A lot of fashionable and colourful styles are set to make impact this summer. They come with delicate touches that lend style to the outfit. You can snuggle into them and look great this summer.
Fashion trend reports say that green is a particularly popular colour this season. Going green this summer is not a mere fashion wear but a duty as well.
By wearing eco-friendly dresses highlight the harmful effects of inorganic women's clothing.
To popularize the concept almost all designers have dedicated a part of their creation to organic women's clothing. So when you go out apparel shopping this summer head straightway to the shelves that have stacked green summer fashion wear exclusively for you.
Apart from dresses, designers have stuff ready which will help you go all-green from top to middle to bottom. You can easily avail a scarf and a designer belt made of eco-friendly materials. To top it a green hat on your head and a pair of organic shoes for your feet will make you a brand ambassador of green women's fashion apparel. Thus you set new summer trends. Remember by wearing green items made of 100 percent organic cotton you soothe your gentle skin.
If you are averse to the idea of going all green, there is no problem whatsoever. Green goes well with gold, chocolate, and forestry colours. So choose them for your tops.
Apart from clothing you also need to have the right kind of accessories in your wardrobe. To enhance your looks have some fun, feathery and exotic necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Feather earrings are the most popular.
When you re-stack your wardrobe for summer, do not forget to keep the latest collection of metal sunglasses handy. When it comes to protecting your eyes from the blazing sun, nothing can beat the sunglasses. What is more important is that they complete your overall appearance. Retro and metal styled sunglasses are in vogue this season. Also keep a good sun-protection lotion ready.
In summer when most people commit themselves to skimpy dresses, attention needs to be paid to the shoes you're wearing. You need to wear shoes more for comfort and less for fashion. However if it serves both, then all the better! Try out sandals, thongs and flip-flops as your summer shoes.
Shirley Jones is her own unique brand. The plucky Ms. Jones wears the same little pixie hair style that she wore 40 years ago. She is a wholesome 'ma and apply pie' type of gal, everyone's sweetheart... or is she and was she?
Now, according to Playboy Magazine, the all American Mrs. Partridge from the early 1970s sitcom "The Partridge Family" may pose nude. Are you shocked? Well, it may come as a surprise to many, but Shirely Jones played a call girl 40 years ago in "The Happy Ending" where she stared opposite Lloyd Bridges. Both were nude from the waist up.
Jones is busier than ever, even in our youth obsessed culture, she is in demand. Now, her husband is pushing for the Playboy shoot. Marty Ingels is her husband and manager for the past 31 years. If Jones goes through with posing nude for Playboy, will it tell us that beauty exists at any age or will we see Ms. Jones and Mr. Ingels as opportunistic publicity seekers?
Time will tell, and if opportunity knocks, I, for one, will purchase my first issue of Playboy.
One of the most difficult things a youngster can go through when they're growing up is bed-wetting. Although as a society we've become more sensitive about many issues, for some reason bed-wetting and the use of diapers to manage it is a topic that remains shrouded in shame.
While many cases of bed-wetting can be cured using alarms,medicines,and other methods, there are some instances of bed-wetting persisting into adulthood. In cases such as this the prudent course of action would be to use protective garments such as diapers. This article discusses both the negative image diapers have with many people, and steps we can take to overcome this negative image so society can become more accepting of people who have no other option but to use diapers to manage their bed-wetting.
Unfortunately there is tremendous stigma associated with diapers. Most people view diapers as babyish. This is the main reason most older children,adolescents,teenagers,and adults are reluctant to wear them to bed. In fact most of them wouldn't be caught dead in a diaper. Older children,adolescents,and teenagers are at a point in their lives where they want to become more independent and in their minds diapers represent a stage in their lives when they were more dependent on their parents. In their view wearing diapers to bed is regressing. Although I sympathize with this view,to a large extent I think it misses the mark.
If you have been looking for a fashion accessory to modernize your wardrobe and add an artistic flair to your personal style, then you should purchase some handmade jewelry. Handmade jewelry pieces are timeless fashion accessories, adding style and beauty to any ensemble. Even as fashion changes, handmade jewelry will always be in style. The unique patterns and colors of handmade jewelry contribute to their popularity in the fashion world.
Handmade jewelry is special and can be used as an extension of your personality. Adding handmade jewelry accessories to your outfit will let everyone know you have a perfect sense of fashion. The unique embellishments and materials used in handmade jewelry allow you to make a stunning personal statement that others can’t help but to take notice of. With handmade jewelry it is easy to find the right color and style that perfectly suits your look and personality.
For centuries, jewelry artists have crafted handmade jewelry from a variety of materials, the most popular being glass beads. Glass beads are amazingly vibrant in color and are used to make necklaces, earrings bracelets and rings. With their bold designs and rich colors, there is absolutely no wonder why handmade glass bead jewelry has become one of the leading fashion accessories.
The best quality handmade glass bead jewelry is made by glass bead artists, whose creative passion is reflected in each glass beads they create. Compared to machine made jewelry, handmade glass bead jewelry has more vivid colors, unique patterns and a higher sparkle quality. The glass beads handmade by glass bead artists offer a vast range of designs, from a rich chocolate color to soft transparent lite green colors edged with an earthy band to striking black and white dotted swirl patterns.
If you want to make a lasting impression then, handmade glass bead jewelry is perfect for you. Glass beads offer a wide variety of styles and colors making them perfect for any outfit or occasion. From your casual weekend outfit, to your professional business suit or sexy black dress handmade glass bead jewelry is sure to add a touch of bold sophistication. When you wear a stunning piece of handmade glass bead jewelry you will always make the right fashion statement.
Enhance the beauty of your jewelry collection by adding handmade glass bead jewelry. You’ll never have to worry about what type of jewelry to wear for that perfect occasion. Handmade jewelry is the one fashion accessory that will never go out of style and can last a lifetime. So, if you are ready to make a dramatic statement with your very own handmade glass jewelry piece, visit www.dkdesigns.biz now.
About the Author:
Diane has been beading for over 15 years, and has traveled and attended many beading conferences and workshop learning many different beading techniques. She has learned the art of Lamp Working 9 years ago creating glass beads with glass rods and a torch which sparked her creativity to produce varied and unique jewelry designs. Diane's creations can be seen on her DK Designs.biz and at art and craft shows throughout the southeast.
Dazzling colors, beautiful strokes of paint, they look so good that you might want to eat them.
Copyright by
Follow the links to WONDERFUL PAINTERS offering delectable and tempting "dishes" on eBay. ORIGINAL ART, that you can buy directly from artists at affordable prices. GUARANTEED low in calories!
Food allergy remains one of the most persistent forms of allergic reaction. No one knows why people have certain allergic responses to different types of food. But it is a fact that once a person is exposed to the food allergen, the symptoms will surely follow.
Gluten allergy is a food allergy that makes the sufferer sensitive to gluten. Coeliac disease is a health condition in the small intestine. What happens to a person with gluten allergy is once the allergen comes in contact with the small intestine, it causes the immune system to attack the lining of the bowel.
This attack on the small intestine's lining of the gluten allergy sufferer weakens the stomach and can cause serious health problems in the future. The delicate lining is responsible for the absorption of nutrients and vitamins in our body. Once it is weakened, we lose our capacity to effectively turn food into energy,
Gluten allergy starts at a young age, right after the weaning period and the mother is feeding the baby with cereals. There are no specific reasons why a person develops the gluten allergy but when it happens, the only thing the gluten allergy sufferer can do is avoid gluten at all cost.
Symptoms of Gluten Allergy
Gluten is usually found in wheat products. Breads, pasta and other baked goods can be considered dangerous to a person with gluten allergy. Biscuits, pastries, breakfast cereals and instant soups and sauces also have gluten. The symptoms of a gluten allergy differ from children and adults.
Children with gluten allergy may suffer from slow physical growth, weight loss, with poor appetite. Gluten allergic symptoms also include vomiting and diarrhea. Because the small intestine's lining is damaged, the vitamins and minerals do not go to the body. The kids end up looking thin, pale and have no energy at all.
In adults, gluten allergy symptoms are similar, with loss of weight, diarrhea or constipation complicating the disease. Aside from this, adults often complain about depression, extreme fatigue, lethargy, bone pain and ulcers in the sufferer's mouth.
Treatment
Treatment for gluten allergies begins like all other food allergy, avoiding contact with the allergen. There are certain food substitutes for gluten allergy sufferers like using sunflower oil instead of the usual cooking oil and drinking wines instead of beer.
There are medications available to these sufferers. But unlike other food allergies that show external symptoms like rashes, gluten allergy destroys from the inside, making diagnosis and detection hard. Oral medication can help ease the pain from the small intestine and vitamin supplements must also be taken along with it.
Gluten allergy prevention
Gluten allergy sufferers are asked to be vigilant in monitoring their diet. Reading the labels for anything with wheat is a good start. Self-discipline is the key to beating gluten allergy. The food selection for coeliac disease sufferers is still varied like fruits, salads and vegetables, rice, corn, nuts, meat and chicken eggs and dairy products, fish and seafood.
What could be the worst-case scenario for gluten allergy sufferers? If left untreated, coeliac disease can result in anemia, bone disease and some form of cancer. The best advise is to steer clear of gluten-laden foods. The more the person does not intake gluten, the better their chances of not having a serious health problem in the future.
Adrienne La Vallee, aka ambercolumbia, talks with Nancy Wright, aka rakuchick
Nancy, aka rakuchic, was very young when she "first found...expression through art".She was hooked on the medium the first time she touched clay in a non-credit ceramics class. Later, she was inspired by her mentor, William Hynes, a ceramics professor at Shippensburg University. Today, Nancy is a full time artist.
ambercolumbia: Congratulations, Nancy, on being the first place winner in the Artists' Choice Awards Pottery category and thank you for participating in this interview!
rakuchic: Thank you! I am truly honored and inspired by this wonderful award. There is no praise more flattering than that from ones peers.
ambercolumbia: Nancy, when I think of your work, I envision the beautiful, classic forms along with the rich color you achieve. For people who may not understand your artform, would you give us an idea of how your finished surfaces are created?
rakuchic: Thank you. I use Soldate 60 clay which is a very smooth and "plastic" clay. I have found this particular claybody allows much more height when wheel-throwing and strength when firing. Because of the rapid temerature changes, sand must be added to the clay to absorb thermal stresses and even with this, breakages are, unfortunately, common. As far as the finished surfaces, it has been a "hit or miss" when it comes to my favorite glazes. My favorites are the ones with copper because the uniqueness of the finished product. Raku differs from traditional electric kiln firing (oxidation) in that through the final process, (called reduction) the lack of oxygen coupled with combustibles in the airtight container, creates rainbows of rich color, metallics and carbon coloration. The firing is always exciting and quite awe-inspiring if done in darkness. The temperature of the kiln reaches around 1800 degrees, so when the piece is exposed as it is removed with tongs, it is a glowing and beautiful sight to behold.(My Professor used to compare it to Marilyn Monroe's lipstick!) I have accumulated glaze recipes over the years and have always mixed the glazes myself.
ambercolumbia: Do you have a studio and how do you find balance between your work and your friends and family?
rakuchic: I turned my sunroom into my studio. Lots of natural sunlight is wonderful. I moved two years ago to the Charleston, SC area from PA where my much larger studio was in my basement with little natural sunlight. I find now, I am inspired more while having the ability to open the windows, feel the wonderful South Carolina breezes and see nature. Everyone knows when I am working…in the "zone," I need my alone time. When sales are good, I spend about 30 hours a week in the studio including firing. My children are grown now and I live alone, so besides my THIRTY pound cat, I am only limited to my own expectations. A funny story about my cat, Einstein. He believes my clay table is his own, so he is always close by when I am working. He is obviously not aware of his size and has, more than a few times, believed he could crawl inside the not-yet fired and still wet pieces. I have since learned to keep them out of reach of his "delusions." haha.
ambercolumbia: How does your inspiration for a piece come to you? Do you envision your end results or does the process of creating lead to the unexpected? It sounds as if Einstein might help to create a little of the unexpected, too.
rakuchic: I have a binder next to my bed. My ideas usually come to me right before I fall asleep. Sometimes I plan what I will create, but I mostly allow the piece to evolve without intended results. For example, there are times when I have an idea for a lid, sculpt it, then find it to be disappointing after placing it atop a piece. My visions are not always to my liking, so I change, manipulate, and re-create until they feel spacially and visually appealing to me. I have found that I am a very "symmetrical" thinker. That carries over into my work. As far as color, If I am brave enough to attempt a re-fire, I will sometimes add another layer of glaze, hold my breath, and re-fire. I normally just let "fate" do what it will and have learned with breakages, come lessons and patience.
ambercolumbia: Are there other forms of art you’d like to try and why?
rakuchic: I would love to try glass blowing to incorporate it with clay. I have always found blown glass work to be very free and beautiful.
ambercolumbia: What was the first piece you sold and when?
rakuchick: I sold a wheel-thrown piece at a festival before it was even fired! We were doing a demonstration outside and someone watching approached me and asked "how much for that piece?" I had no idea, so I said "How about $50?" He said SOLD! I was in shock and at the same time thrilled. I sold many pieces that day. That was about 12 years ago I guess.
ambercolumbia: Why did you decide to sell art on eBay and do you sell elsewhere?
rakuchic: My very bright daughter suggested Ebay to me when she was 12 years of age. Now, I sell to galleries from Ebay as well as to the private collector. I enjoy the opportunity to communicate with my buyers through Ebay. I have tried gallery consignment, but have never found the right fit for my work.
ambercolumbia: Do you keep much of your work?
rakuchic: My Mother has all my favorite pieces in her home. She has always been my greatest support and always made certain I was given any materials I needed when growing up. She was the "first' artist I ever knew with her talent being sewing and Interior design. She decorates her home "around" my work and always shows great pride in me as an artist. I am very fortunate, indeed. Both my children also have collections of their own as well as my sister. They are all my biggest "fans."
c 2009 Nancy Wright
ambercolumbia: If you were not an artist, what would you be and why? rackuchick: A psychologist. I have always been perceptive; sometimes I consider it a curse. So, because of that, I tend to notice life and human beings as an opportunity to learn and grow. I have always been fascinated by the human condition and am inspired in my work because of that. For example, the female figures I sculpt represent both the strength and the vulnerability of women in their roles in today's society. My vessel shapes tend to be feminine, and the sculptures atop the lids, tend to reflect my mood. Our expression is our art, and our art is our self-descriptor. That certainly proves true with me. ambercolumbia: I have enjoyed our conversation and wish you the greatest success in 2009.
SIMMERING, OR STEWING.--The cooking process known as simmering, or stewing, is a modification of boiling. By this method, food is cooked in water at a temperature below the boiling point, or anywhere from to degrees Fahrenheit. Water at the simmering point always moves gently--never rapidly as it does in boiling. Less heat and consequently less fuel are required to cook foods in this way, unless, of course, the time consumed in cooking the food at a low temperature is much greater than that consumed in cooking it more rapidly.
Aside from permitting economy in the use of fuel, simmering, or stewing, cooks deliciously certain foods that could not be selected for the more rapid methods. For example, tough cuts of meat and old fowl can be made tender and tasty by long cooking at a low temperature, for this method tends to soften the fiber and to develop an excellent flavor. Tough vegetables, too, can be cooked tender by the simmering process without using so much fuel as would be used if they were boiled, for whatever method is used they require long cooking. Beets, turnips, and other winter vegetables should be stewed rather than boiled, as it is somewhat difficult to cook them tender, especially in the late winter and early spring. If dry beans and peas are brought to the simmering point and then allowed to cook, they can be prepared for the table in practically the same length of time and without so much fuel as if they boiled continuously.
STEAMING.--As its name implies, steaming is the cooking of food by the application of steam. In this cooking process, the food is put into a steamer, which is a cooking utensil that consists of a vessel with a perforated bottom placed over one containing water. As the water boils, steam rises and cooks the food in the upper, or perforated, vessel. Steamers are sometimes arranged with a number of perforated vessels, one on top of the other. Such a steamer permits of the cooking of several foods at the same time without the need of additional fuel, because a different food may be placed in each vessel.
Steaming is preferable to boiling in some cases, because by it there is no loss of mineral salts nor food substances; besides, the flavor is not so likely to be lost as when food is boiled. Vegetables prepared in this way prove very palatable, and very often variety is added to the diet by steaming bread, cake, and pudding mixtures and then, provided a crisp outside is desired, placing them in a hot oven to dry out the moist surface.
DRY STEAMING.--Cooking foods in a vessel that is suspended in another one containing boiling water constitutes the cooking method known as dry steaming. The double boiler is a cooking utensil devised especially for carrying on this process. The food placed in the suspended, or inner, vessel does not reach the boiling point, but is cooked by the transfer of heat from the water in the outside, or lower, vessel. A decided advantage of this method is that no watching is required except to see that the water in the lower vessel does not boil away completely, for as long as there is water between the food and the fire, the food will neither boil nor burn.
Because of the nature of certain foods, cooking them by this process is especially desirable. The flavor and consistency of cereals and foods containing starch are greatly improved by long cooking in this way. Likewise, custards and mixtures containing eggs can be conveniently cooked in a double boiler, because they do not require a high temperature; in fact, their texture is spoiled if they are cooked at the boiling point. To heat milk directly over the flame without scorching it is a difficult matter, and, on the other hand, boiled milk is hard to digest. Because of these facts, food containing milk should not be boiled, but should be cooked at a lower temperature in a double boiler.
BRAIZING.--Cooking meat in an oven in a closed pan with a small quantity of water constitutes braizing. This cooking process might be called a combination of stewing and baking, but when it is properly carried out, the meat is placed on a rack so as to be raised above the water, in which may be placed sliced vegetables. In this process the meat actually cooks in the flavored steam that surrounds it in the hot pan. The so-called double roasting pans are in fact braizing pans when they are properly used. A pot roast is the result of a modification of the braizing method.
If you look closely, you will notice that there are only four small vowels that differentiate a worrier from a warrior. Similarly, with only a few small shifts in perspective, you can transform yourself from an ineffectual worrywart to a resourceful, decisive individual.
There is a difference between being concerned and being worried. A concern is something that requires your attention, interest, and care; it is something that affects your welfare and happiness. To be concerned engages your awareness toward a desired outcome. Whereas, worry is a repetitive thought pattern that causes anxiety and lacks clarity or perspective. It is corrosive and depleting. Worry is self perpetuating and disempowering, rarely leading to a solution or worthwhile course of action.
A warrior is not a person who seeks unnecessary conflict. A true warrior is a person who is able to respond in difficult or threatening situations, decisively with strength, focus, and determination. A warrior is able to turn fear into positive action. By transforming from a worrier to a warrior, you are able to meet concerns with right and just action. Here are four shifts in attitude and perspective that can help you in your transformation.
1. Worriers live in the past and the future. They recycle the past, reliving hurts, failures and injustices, and project them into the future with, "What if this... and What if that..." Warriors live in the present. Their creed is "What was, was, and what is, is." A warrior determines, what are the best options for optimum results from this point forward?
2. Worriers are stuck in their head, wasting time and energy battling perceived obstacles and playing out imagined scenarios. Warriors challenge their assumptions and preconceived notions, because they know the acronym for fear is: false evidence appearing real. Each challenge needs to been understood from all perspectives. Warriors utilize each of their six senses to assess the situation. Their mind, body, and heart are unified in knowledge and purpose before they move.
3. Worriers live from the outside in. External circumstances set off automatic reactions. There is no pause between cause and effect. Warriors live from the inside out. Their values and integrity determine how they respond to a situation. They have a strong honor code and a well established core belief system. They embrace the power of choice and their own response-ability.
4. Worriers expect the worse and see only limitations. Warriors see a myriad of possibilities and have a deep sense of faith and trust. They maintain a long term perspective, knowing you may lose a battle but still win the war. Warriors are able to let go of the uncontrollable and focus their attention on the areas where they can be effectual.
The next time you find yourself fretting over a situation, no matter how serious and real the issue may be, review the above list and select one shift in attitude or perception that you can make to gain greater clarity. This will not be an exercise that you try once and victory is achieved. It will take practice, practice, practice. But the awareness that you have choice and that your life need not be dictated by repetitive, autonomic emotions can be a huge and dramatic shift. This is the path of the Inner Samurai.
Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than old-fashioned exercise.
The merits of exercise — from preventing chronic health conditions to boosting confidence and self-esteem — are hard to ignore. And the benefits are yours for the taking, regardless of age, sex or physical ability.
We were made to move. It is what our bodies were built for. Exercising will:
Help lower blood pressure
Increase levels of good HDL cholesterol
Cut heart attack, and diabetes risk
Reduce insulin needs if you have diabetes
Reduce colon cancer risk
Keep bones and joints strong
Control weight
Promote better sleep
Improve mood
Ease depression
Put the spark back into your sex life
The older you are, the more important exercising becomes. Your metabolic rate slows down and you need fewer calories to maintain your correct weight. Weight-bearing exercise is also needed to help prevent osteoporosis in aging bones.
You may find the threat of a future illness is not enough motivation to change your habits now. There can be many reasons for not taking up exercise, including:
Lack of time due to work or family commitments
Cost of equipment or gym membership
Lack of facilities nearby
Personal safety when exercising outdoors alone
Poor weather or nighttime lighting
However, there are ways to overcome all of these potential barriers and work exercise into your daily life. This could include getting off the bus to work one or two stops earlier than usual.
You may find the threat of a future illness is not enough motivation to change your habits now. There can be many reasons for not taking up exercise, including:
Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. "Think 'move' in small increments of time," recommends Nerys Purchon in her book The Essential Natural Health Bible. "It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym, or a 45-minute aerobic dance class. That's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more."
You may find the threat of a future illness is not enough motivation to change your habits now. There can be many reasons for not taking up exercise, including:
Sixty minutes of physical activity every day is one of the "golden rules" for good health. That includes incidental activity (the calories we burn in our everyday activities) and planned exercise. To make a real difference, it must be regular and some of it needs to get the heart pumping.
Examples of everyday activities that count include:
Planned exercise doesn't mean a gym. The key is to find some activities you enjoy, and to do them regularly. Nerys Purchon gives some ideas in her book:
Examples of everyday activities that count include:
Salmonella is the most common cause of food-borne illness and causes a condition known as salmonellosis. Salmonella is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that pass from the feces of people or other animals to other people or animals.
What Foods Are Likely to Harbor Salmonella?
Any food that comes from an animal can contain salmonella. Meat, poultry, milk, dairy products, eggs, and seafood are can contain salmonella. Sometimes fruits and vegetables also can contain salmonella. Salmonella can cause sickness when animal products are not cooked to an adequate temperature or when produce is not adequately washed.
What is Salmonellosis?
When an individual is exposed to salmonella they are infected with salmonellosis. Salmonellosis results in more than 500 illnesses each year in the United States.
What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
1. stomach cramps
2. chills
3. headache
4. nausea
5. vomiting
6. fever
7. diarrhea
How Does Salmonella Get Into Peanut Butter? The peanut butter-salmonella outbreak came as a surprise to many food safety experts. Bacteria typically do not thrive in the high-fat, low-moisture environment that peanut butter provides. Additionally, peanut butter usually is pasteurized; bacteria do not usually survive the high heat needed for the pasteurization process. Research into the topic of past peanut butter safety, however, provided even bigger surprises.
The salmonella outbreak is not the first associated with peanut butter; a similar incident affected about 50 people in 1996 in Australia. An "associated" source of salmonella contamination is considered a product such as peanut butter; however, this is different than say raw meat, eggs or poultry, which are considered a principle source. While salmonella can show up in peanut butter, there needs to be a source for the contamination to occur. A study published in Journal of Food Protection in November 2006 suggested that the high-fat, low-water composition of peanut butter was sufficient to sustain the growth of three different types of salmonella.
What Kind of Peanut Butter Was Affected in the February 2007 Recall?
ConAgra manufactured the contaminated peanut butter. Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration recommends that all Peter Pan peanut butter purchased after May 2006 be thrown away. Additionally, the Great Value peanut butter from Wal-Mart is part of the affected recall.
How Do I Know If I Ate Contaminated Peanut Butter?
Exposure to salmonella generally results in fever, dehydration, abdominal pain, and vomiting within about 8 to 72 hours of exposure; those who display such symptoms as a result of salmonella exposure are said to have salmonellosis. Symptoms usually go away within four to seven days. Those with strong immune systems often do not need medical attention to get better. However, for children, elderly people, and those with compromised immune systems, salmonellosis can prove deadly.
Are There Permanent Effects of Being Exposed to Salmonella?
Those who have diarrhea as a result of salmonella exposure usually recover completely. A small number of those who are exposed to salmonella end up with joint pain, irritation in their eyes, and painful urination known as Reiter's syndrome. This can last for months or years and even can lead to chronic arthritis.
How Can I Protect Myself and My Family From Salmonella?
Sanitizing is an important part of salmonella avoidance. Alcohol is effective against salmonella, as is quaternary ammonium. Salmonella lives in the intestines of animals and generally is spread by contact with animal feces. Salmonella that is present in the juices of raw meat and in poultry can lead to food-borne illness and also can cross-contaminate other foods. Food also can become contaminated if handled by someone who has salmonella present on his or her hands.
The feces of pets can also lead to salmonella contamination, especially if a pet has diarrhea. Reptiles are particularly likely to have salmonella; after handling a reptile, people should always immediately wash their hands. Cooking meat products thoroughly and measuring inside temperature with a thermometer can help kill much of the salmonella that causes illness.
If you were sickened after eating Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter, contact an experienced unsafe products attorney for an evaluation. You may decide to file a Peter Pan peanut butter recall lawsuit and recoup compensation related to medical expenses, future medical care, and other costs.
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