Recently Yahoo news ran an article put out by Prevention magazine. It was titled "The 7 foods experts won't eat" and it caught my eye. Seven experts from differing fields of research or food production were asked what foods they would not eat. Here is the list with an abridged version of their reasoning.
Canned Tomatoes; due to their high acidity a potentially dangerous chemical is leached from the can lining.
Corn Fed Beef; because corn is not the cow's natural diet, eating it creates a product that is lower in nutrition than the alternative: grass fed beef.
Microwave Popcorn; allegedly there is a chemical compound in the lining of the bag that transfers to the popcorn when it pops that can cause liver damage and infertility.
Nonorganic Potatoes; due to the high pesticide and herbicide residue as well as the anti-sprouting chemical sprayed on the potatoes before they are bagged.
Farmed Salmon; because of the poor feed given to the fish, it is high in DDT and other known carcinogens.
Milk Produced with Artificial Hormones; this product has had a lot of bad press not too long ago due to the bovine growth hormone and its link to breast and prostate cancers.
Conventional Apples; due to their high level of pesticide residue and the links between this and cancer and now even Parkinson's.
The article lists further facts as well as the "experts" that were consulted.
I was surprised by some of the choices. I figured that apples would be on the list and the corn fed beef was not unexpected nor was the milk. I have heard lots of press about these foods, and even have local sources for raw milk and grass fed beef. Now the canned tomatoes and the potatoes did take me by surprise. I had heard that an anti-sprouting chemical was sprayed on potatoes, but kind of forgot about the chemicals used in growing the potatoes. I had not heard about any leaching of chemicals in tomato cans either.
I also found the correlation between the expert's field of study and the "bad" food very interesting. For example: the man who raises grass fed beef and writes books about sustainable agriculture is the one that chose corn fed beef as the food to avoid. Likewise, the person researching the chemical, BPA, is the one that recommends against canned tomatoes because of the risk of BPA contamination. Now, don't get me wrong, I am glad that I know this information, it helps me make healthy food choices. But I do resent that these people were listed in the beginning paragraph of the article as "the people at the forefront of food safety". Perhaps they all do have our safety in mind, but they do have a skewed take on what food is the healthiest. This article is a prime example of how spin is used in the media every day.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Setting him up for failure....
Is it fair to your children if you, once in a while, set them up for failure? Can it be a time of learning for all involved, or is it just plain mean? I would suppose that those questions and ones like it are not that uncommon to parents around the world, but this is really the first time I have put a title to what I am doing. I mean that I certainly have done it before but this is the first time it has been calculated and had a title.
I was blessed with a boy-child seventeen years ago. We named him Johnnie. He was always a dramatic and head strong boy, but extremely loving and caring too. He has a soft heart and appreciation for beauty and creativity that, in turn fuels mine. In July of 2006 we discovered that John (he decided to be called John after his dad, also named John, died) had bipolar. I could easily take up the rest of this blog telling y'all about the long journey that we have been on for the last three years with finding the right medications and treatments, but that is for another blog post. Suffice it to say that I learned how to be my son's advocate and that I learned way too much about medicines and dosages and side effects.
John's symptoms manifest in, thankfully, very mild ways compared to some. He has problems focusing and staying on task and often goes into what we call "mission mode" where he can only see one point of view and will do anything to achieve that point. One of the most frustrating things is that emotionally, John is only about 13. Physically he is 6' 3" tall and 250 lbs. Chronologically he is 17, and sees what his fellow 17 year old boys are doing and wants the same. I haven't let him get a driver's license because of his lack of focus. We don't have the money for all of the electronic gadgets, or the extracurricular activities either so John was feeling rather left out. All that led to some wicked bad jealousy and complaints that I was holding him back. He wanted a job. I held him off for a while with a promise that once we moved back into town he could start applying at one of the seven restaurants within walking distance of our apartment.
Well, we moved into town just this last October, and he called my bluff. I had wanted him to wait a bit longer so I could arrange for him to get into a "job shadowing" program, where he would have a more understanding boss as well as a facilitator there to help him learn the ropes. But John didn't want to wait. (Was I ever that impatient?) He kept pestering me to let him work, so even though I knew he was going to fail, I let him go. He found a local sushi restaurant that had a "help wanted" sign in the window and applied. I thought this might work out because John wants to be a chef and is fascinated with sushi and has even made his own at home. But it didn't. John was fired last night. Part of the reason was because John just couldn't focus and was not able to perform the exacting and precise tasks that his boss wanted. Admittedly his boss is one of those that wants everything exactly the same every time no matter what, but John was just not able to do what was expected. I don't know if he ever will be able to work for an exacting person like that. All I know is that he had lots of opportunities at his job to learn and grow but, it is like I knew it was going to be… he couldn't do it. I let him try and hopefully he learned. It was worth it.
I was blessed with a boy-child seventeen years ago. We named him Johnnie. He was always a dramatic and head strong boy, but extremely loving and caring too. He has a soft heart and appreciation for beauty and creativity that, in turn fuels mine. In July of 2006 we discovered that John (he decided to be called John after his dad, also named John, died) had bipolar. I could easily take up the rest of this blog telling y'all about the long journey that we have been on for the last three years with finding the right medications and treatments, but that is for another blog post. Suffice it to say that I learned how to be my son's advocate and that I learned way too much about medicines and dosages and side effects.
John's symptoms manifest in, thankfully, very mild ways compared to some. He has problems focusing and staying on task and often goes into what we call "mission mode" where he can only see one point of view and will do anything to achieve that point. One of the most frustrating things is that emotionally, John is only about 13. Physically he is 6' 3" tall and 250 lbs. Chronologically he is 17, and sees what his fellow 17 year old boys are doing and wants the same. I haven't let him get a driver's license because of his lack of focus. We don't have the money for all of the electronic gadgets, or the extracurricular activities either so John was feeling rather left out. All that led to some wicked bad jealousy and complaints that I was holding him back. He wanted a job. I held him off for a while with a promise that once we moved back into town he could start applying at one of the seven restaurants within walking distance of our apartment.
Well, we moved into town just this last October, and he called my bluff. I had wanted him to wait a bit longer so I could arrange for him to get into a "job shadowing" program, where he would have a more understanding boss as well as a facilitator there to help him learn the ropes. But John didn't want to wait. (Was I ever that impatient?) He kept pestering me to let him work, so even though I knew he was going to fail, I let him go. He found a local sushi restaurant that had a "help wanted" sign in the window and applied. I thought this might work out because John wants to be a chef and is fascinated with sushi and has even made his own at home. But it didn't. John was fired last night. Part of the reason was because John just couldn't focus and was not able to perform the exacting and precise tasks that his boss wanted. Admittedly his boss is one of those that wants everything exactly the same every time no matter what, but John was just not able to do what was expected. I don't know if he ever will be able to work for an exacting person like that. All I know is that he had lots of opportunities at his job to learn and grow but, it is like I knew it was going to be… he couldn't do it. I let him try and hopefully he learned. It was worth it.
Friday, December 4, 2009
"Raisin" the roof
Images of people have been used in advertisements for just about as long as advertisements have been around. It seems that with food advertisements, women play an important role. Some of the older brands have created their own female icons. One such young woman, the Sun-Maid raisin girl recently got a "make over" that has some people complaining.
Legend has it that young Loraine Collette Peterson was "discovered" sitting in her parents Fresno California back yard drying her long, black hair in 1915. She was asked to sit for a painting, where her image was captured in watercolor, holding a basket of grapes while wearing a red sunbonnet. That image was used to launch a new ad campaign and an icon was born. About three years ago the Sun-Maid company launched a new young lady in their TV ads, and she was given an update. The new Sun-Maid is buxom, thinner and is shown walking amongst the grape vines and later, the red carpet.
As we all know, change is never easy. Even though the new digital images of the Sun-Maid has been on the air for over three months, protests are only now being raised. It would seem that the hue and cries are being heard from both ends of the political spectrum. Jezebel.com has an article on their feminist website (along with a hilarious article on which modern day female actresses should play some of our most popular female icons) as does the ultra conservative Weekly Standard. The displeasure ranges from the fact that the CG image looks like a bad video game to suggestions of breast implants. Sun Maid has further plans for our hip, new Sun-Maid that could include seeing her at the gym or shopping or even speaking in different languages. Will the wonders never cease?
Seriously? I mean in the world full of starving children, unspeakable abuses and war we are spending time whining about the image on a box of raisins? OK, I found the article entertaining and the link to the history of the Sun-Maid was a good read. I also Googled the images of some other iconic women just to see how they had changed over the years and while some of them were for the better (Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth's for instance) it certainly wasn't earth-shattering.
I admit that I too, would prefer to keep our old friend the Sun-Maid the same (and we will on the boxes… the changes are only on the TV commercials) and not have to look at the bad computer animation. But I don't recall the Sun-Maid writing me and asking me what I thought. So, I can let them know that I am unhappy and buy generic raisins or I can let it go. I can only think that it must have been a slow news day at Yahoo Business news for anyone to crank out this mess.
Legend has it that young Loraine Collette Peterson was "discovered" sitting in her parents Fresno California back yard drying her long, black hair in 1915. She was asked to sit for a painting, where her image was captured in watercolor, holding a basket of grapes while wearing a red sunbonnet. That image was used to launch a new ad campaign and an icon was born. About three years ago the Sun-Maid company launched a new young lady in their TV ads, and she was given an update. The new Sun-Maid is buxom, thinner and is shown walking amongst the grape vines and later, the red carpet.
As we all know, change is never easy. Even though the new digital images of the Sun-Maid has been on the air for over three months, protests are only now being raised. It would seem that the hue and cries are being heard from both ends of the political spectrum. Jezebel.com has an article on their feminist website (along with a hilarious article on which modern day female actresses should play some of our most popular female icons) as does the ultra conservative Weekly Standard. The displeasure ranges from the fact that the CG image looks like a bad video game to suggestions of breast implants. Sun Maid has further plans for our hip, new Sun-Maid that could include seeing her at the gym or shopping or even speaking in different languages. Will the wonders never cease?
Seriously? I mean in the world full of starving children, unspeakable abuses and war we are spending time whining about the image on a box of raisins? OK, I found the article entertaining and the link to the history of the Sun-Maid was a good read. I also Googled the images of some other iconic women just to see how they had changed over the years and while some of them were for the better (Aunt Jemima and Mrs. Butterworth's for instance) it certainly wasn't earth-shattering.
I admit that I too, would prefer to keep our old friend the Sun-Maid the same (and we will on the boxes… the changes are only on the TV commercials) and not have to look at the bad computer animation. But I don't recall the Sun-Maid writing me and asking me what I thought. So, I can let them know that I am unhappy and buy generic raisins or I can let it go. I can only think that it must have been a slow news day at Yahoo Business news for anyone to crank out this mess.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
This company isn't going to the dogs!
Working dogs have been a help to man for centuries, but today's dogs face new foes. We use dogs in police work, all branches of the military as well as for private security contractors. One company in Winnipeg Canada made over $50,000 last year helping to outfit those working dogs with new tools to further help their human partners. In this article put out by Fortune and Small Business We meet Jim and Glori Slater, owners of the business K9 Storm. Jim was a K9 handler who realized one day during a prison riot that his dog and partner, Olaf, was very venerable to being stabbed or shot. This led him to retrofit a human flak jacket to fit his dog. Soon, he was swamped with orders from other professional dog handlers, and thus a booming business was born. For the last eleven years the Slaters have been working to perfect the jackets and equipment seen is their latest catalog.
Equipping a dog for war isn't cheap. K9 Storm's vest the "Intruder" starts out at $20,000. That sounds like a lot, but consider that once on the dog (who themselves can cost up to $50,000 to buy and train) has the bullet proof vest on, its handler can then remotely access a camera mounted on the vest along with speakers and a microphone. The handler can see what the dog sees, and can give commands to the dog as well as people in the immediate area. While the "Intruder" doesn't come out until 2010, there are already several orders waiting for it. Fortunately for local police departments there are donations waiting to assist in covering the purchase costs.
Well, I am a dog person so this article fascinated me. I really like that the dogs that are literally on the front lines are being protected so well. I went to the company's website and took a look around. I was really impressed. They carry professional dog handling items ranging from leashes and collars to a vest that is not only bullet-proof, but straps into a harness so that the dog can make parachute jump right along with their human partner.
The fact that there are grants and donations set up to help offset the cost of this very valuable equipment is heartwarming as well. One donor is Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburg Stealers gave $250,000 to the Pittsburg police and fire departments to outfit their dogs. I like what Brian Adams, spokesman for the MSPCA-Angell Veterinary hospital in Boston said. "Suspects pursued by police will stab, shoot and kick working dogs. They are like any officer of the law. We want to protect them."
Equipping a dog for war isn't cheap. K9 Storm's vest the "Intruder" starts out at $20,000. That sounds like a lot, but consider that once on the dog (who themselves can cost up to $50,000 to buy and train) has the bullet proof vest on, its handler can then remotely access a camera mounted on the vest along with speakers and a microphone. The handler can see what the dog sees, and can give commands to the dog as well as people in the immediate area. While the "Intruder" doesn't come out until 2010, there are already several orders waiting for it. Fortunately for local police departments there are donations waiting to assist in covering the purchase costs.
Well, I am a dog person so this article fascinated me. I really like that the dogs that are literally on the front lines are being protected so well. I went to the company's website and took a look around. I was really impressed. They carry professional dog handling items ranging from leashes and collars to a vest that is not only bullet-proof, but straps into a harness so that the dog can make parachute jump right along with their human partner.
The fact that there are grants and donations set up to help offset the cost of this very valuable equipment is heartwarming as well. One donor is Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback for the Pittsburg Stealers gave $250,000 to the Pittsburg police and fire departments to outfit their dogs. I like what Brian Adams, spokesman for the MSPCA-Angell Veterinary hospital in Boston said. "Suspects pursued by police will stab, shoot and kick working dogs. They are like any officer of the law. We want to protect them."
Sunday, November 29, 2009
A face to go with the name!
Well, y'all have been reading my blog for almost a semester and I have not put a pix up to go with my name. I just haven't had one. I am camera shy. I find that the camera tells a truth that I used to not like, so I wouldn't let anyone take my pix. That has changed in the last couple of months. I like who I am, and the reality that the camera shows is just that, a reality. People either are repelled by it or like me despite it. Those that are turned away by my truth have very seriously lost out, 'cause I rock!! *grin*
This pix that I am putting up is of my family. Of course I am in there, but so is my 19 year old daughter Devon, my 17 year old son John, and my 13 year old daughter, Bailey. They are my beautiful, talented, enchanting, gifts from God. They are my greatest joy and my biggest frustrations!
This pix was taken in Carthage, MO in a prayer garden. It was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been! I could have stayed there all day with a sketch book, camera and the kids. There are so many more pix from our session, but this composite was put together quickly to try to advertise a weekend special for my photographer (photo818.com). There are lots to go through, and I had some head shots taken of me, so I promise to put one of them up for my profile.
God bless you and yours
Deb Seely
Friday, November 27, 2009
When a soldier dies in war, they are afforded certain privileges . A military funeral, a flag draped coffin, and a condolence letter from the President of the United States. But not so if that soldier died by his or her own hand. During the Clinton presidency, policies were changed to exclude death by suicide, according to this article at cnn.com
Gregg Keesling found that out the hard and tragic way. His son, Spc, Chancellor Keesling committed suicide June 19, 2009 while deployed in Iraq. The family picked up the flag draped coffin, and attended the funeral complete with military honors. They even created a memorial wall in their home. They display their son's dress uniform, the flag from his coffin and the Indiana flag that was flown in Washington to honor his death. They left a space in that grouping for the expected condolence letter from the president. But one never came. Finally, after several inquires the family was informed that condolence letters are not written to the families of soldiers that commit suicide.
Gregg Keesling is very careful now how he explains his son's death. He explains it as "dying of suicide". He is also very involved in changing this policy that keeps him from the honor her feels he is due. The Keeslings have written a letter to President Obama, and they have enlisted the help of their local congressmen as well. Keesling feels that his family made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of their country, and the least the president can do for them is to want to send his condolences.
I agree. My late husband was ex military. When he died I received a condolence letter. He was not in combat and had not been in the service for over thirty years. I don't understand what possible good it would do for the president to NOT write letters. The main reason these kids are getting depressed is because they are in battle situations. So basically if they weren't on the battlefield they wouldn't be as depressed and as likely to commit suicide.
Another issue here is the fact that this young soldier was deployed the second time as a reservist. And as such his records (ones that listed his depression and at least one suicide watch) were not sent to his reserve unit. He was reluctant to reveal that he was depressed and had considered suicide. I would think that some better communication between the services would be of help here too. The article states that Spc Keesling was treated at the VA as well. I know from a friend that is a veteran of Iraqi Freedom that the VA is not what a lot of people think it is or what the soldiers need. I liked how the father in this article put it. He said that his son had been injured, but we couldn't see it. It was on the inside
Gregg Keesling found that out the hard and tragic way. His son, Spc, Chancellor Keesling committed suicide June 19, 2009 while deployed in Iraq. The family picked up the flag draped coffin, and attended the funeral complete with military honors. They even created a memorial wall in their home. They display their son's dress uniform, the flag from his coffin and the Indiana flag that was flown in Washington to honor his death. They left a space in that grouping for the expected condolence letter from the president. But one never came. Finally, after several inquires the family was informed that condolence letters are not written to the families of soldiers that commit suicide.
Gregg Keesling is very careful now how he explains his son's death. He explains it as "dying of suicide". He is also very involved in changing this policy that keeps him from the honor her feels he is due. The Keeslings have written a letter to President Obama, and they have enlisted the help of their local congressmen as well. Keesling feels that his family made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of their country, and the least the president can do for them is to want to send his condolences.
I agree. My late husband was ex military. When he died I received a condolence letter. He was not in combat and had not been in the service for over thirty years. I don't understand what possible good it would do for the president to NOT write letters. The main reason these kids are getting depressed is because they are in battle situations. So basically if they weren't on the battlefield they wouldn't be as depressed and as likely to commit suicide.
Another issue here is the fact that this young soldier was deployed the second time as a reservist. And as such his records (ones that listed his depression and at least one suicide watch) were not sent to his reserve unit. He was reluctant to reveal that he was depressed and had considered suicide. I would think that some better communication between the services would be of help here too. The article states that Spc Keesling was treated at the VA as well. I know from a friend that is a veteran of Iraqi Freedom that the VA is not what a lot of people think it is or what the soldiers need. I liked how the father in this article put it. He said that his son had been injured, but we couldn't see it. It was on the inside
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Breast Cancer recomendations cause debate
For years women have been told that they needed to perform self breast examinations and that they needed to have their first mammogram at the age of 40. But not anymore. The latest recommendations of the U.S. Preventative Task Force are that women in the age group of 40 to 49 do not need regular mammograms, nor do they need to worry about routine self evaluations any longer.
In several recent articles at cnn.com the controversial recommendations are cited and debated. Some of the leading breast cancer groups agree with the decision, and some do not. The Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer group recommends that women "be aware" of any changes in their breasts, but do not recommend that women be taught self breast exams. The American Cancer Society agrees. Both groups claim that they disagree with the new mammogram guidelines. They will continue to recommend that women in their forties have regular mammograms.
The greatest concern of the task force is that younger women (who are generally at a lower risk for breast cancer) will encounter more stress because of lumps that are found but are not a cancer threat. They cite health studies performed in Canada that found that there was no significant decrease in breast cancer deaths in women that performed self examinations versus women who did not.
One may wonder just who this task force is, and why it is so significant that they have made these recommendations. The United States Preventative Services Task force is a group of 16 "health care professionals" that base recommendations concerning preventative health procedures upon scientific studies. (It should be noted for the cynics out there that NONE of the doctors on the board are oncologists and that two of the members are affiliated with non-profit health insurance companies.) This task force, started in 1984 is currently considered to be the "leading independent panel of private-sector experts in prevention and primary care," according to their website. Their recommendations are closely watched and taken to be the standard by The American Health Insurance Plans, a company of over 1,300 health insurance providers. However, Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary, said that while their recommendations are taken under advisement they do not set the policies for the United States.
When I started writing this blog article I was just trying to find something that interested me. As I have stated before, I am a cancer survivor so anything that deals with cancer peaks my interest, but as I started reading I got madder and madder! Then I started looking around at Google and found so much coverage of this story with so many other networks and groups. This really has people sitting up and taking notice. As well it should.
So, here is my take on this issue. The boiled down version, I hope. It seems to me that this just smacks of hypocrisy. According to one article I found on a cancer support site, written in 2002, the Task Force has been trying for years to change how we approach screening for breast cancer. For the last nine years… sounds like someone has an agenda. I fear that if too many people listen to these "findings" that the average woman will not have a yearly mammogram covered on their insurance policies. That could prove disastrous.
The only reasons I could find cited to change our current way of screening was some ambiguous reference to the "risks" of mammograms and the possibility of causing unneeded stress to younger women if they should happen to find a lump during self examinations. Seriously? Is that the best they can come up with after all this time? There was a source cited that found that younger women that performed routine self examinations of their breasts found a higher incidence of benign lumps. Is that what is being considered the extra stress? I would rather have a false alarm than to ignore a lump and find out years later that my stage three cancer could have been prevented if I had found it earlier. And to not teach young women to examine their own breasts but to tell them to "be aware of any changes" is asinine, in my opinion. How are young women going to know if there are changes if they don't know what their normal feels or looks like? When my oldest daughter turned 18 I took her to my women's health nurse practitioner Tina. Tina taught her how to perform a self exam and what was normal as well as what was not. Now she can tell us if something changes. I find it just disturbing that just as we (women) are getting some life saving procedures paid for as routine in our yearly visits to our health care providers, some group with an agenda comes along and now we will probably have to fight hard to keep them. It will prove interesting to keep an eye on this issue to see where it goes, and how it will affect us in the future. Let's hope we keep moving in a positive direction.
In several recent articles at cnn.com the controversial recommendations are cited and debated. Some of the leading breast cancer groups agree with the decision, and some do not. The Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer group recommends that women "be aware" of any changes in their breasts, but do not recommend that women be taught self breast exams. The American Cancer Society agrees. Both groups claim that they disagree with the new mammogram guidelines. They will continue to recommend that women in their forties have regular mammograms.
The greatest concern of the task force is that younger women (who are generally at a lower risk for breast cancer) will encounter more stress because of lumps that are found but are not a cancer threat. They cite health studies performed in Canada that found that there was no significant decrease in breast cancer deaths in women that performed self examinations versus women who did not.
One may wonder just who this task force is, and why it is so significant that they have made these recommendations. The United States Preventative Services Task force is a group of 16 "health care professionals" that base recommendations concerning preventative health procedures upon scientific studies. (It should be noted for the cynics out there that NONE of the doctors on the board are oncologists and that two of the members are affiliated with non-profit health insurance companies.) This task force, started in 1984 is currently considered to be the "leading independent panel of private-sector experts in prevention and primary care," according to their website. Their recommendations are closely watched and taken to be the standard by The American Health Insurance Plans, a company of over 1,300 health insurance providers. However, Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary, said that while their recommendations are taken under advisement they do not set the policies for the United States.
When I started writing this blog article I was just trying to find something that interested me. As I have stated before, I am a cancer survivor so anything that deals with cancer peaks my interest, but as I started reading I got madder and madder! Then I started looking around at Google and found so much coverage of this story with so many other networks and groups. This really has people sitting up and taking notice. As well it should.
So, here is my take on this issue. The boiled down version, I hope. It seems to me that this just smacks of hypocrisy. According to one article I found on a cancer support site, written in 2002, the Task Force has been trying for years to change how we approach screening for breast cancer. For the last nine years… sounds like someone has an agenda. I fear that if too many people listen to these "findings" that the average woman will not have a yearly mammogram covered on their insurance policies. That could prove disastrous.
The only reasons I could find cited to change our current way of screening was some ambiguous reference to the "risks" of mammograms and the possibility of causing unneeded stress to younger women if they should happen to find a lump during self examinations. Seriously? Is that the best they can come up with after all this time? There was a source cited that found that younger women that performed routine self examinations of their breasts found a higher incidence of benign lumps. Is that what is being considered the extra stress? I would rather have a false alarm than to ignore a lump and find out years later that my stage three cancer could have been prevented if I had found it earlier. And to not teach young women to examine their own breasts but to tell them to "be aware of any changes" is asinine, in my opinion. How are young women going to know if there are changes if they don't know what their normal feels or looks like? When my oldest daughter turned 18 I took her to my women's health nurse practitioner Tina. Tina taught her how to perform a self exam and what was normal as well as what was not. Now she can tell us if something changes. I find it just disturbing that just as we (women) are getting some life saving procedures paid for as routine in our yearly visits to our health care providers, some group with an agenda comes along and now we will probably have to fight hard to keep them. It will prove interesting to keep an eye on this issue to see where it goes, and how it will affect us in the future. Let's hope we keep moving in a positive direction.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Facebook saves the day...kind of.
Who would have ever thought that logging on to Facebook would prove to be anything other than a simple way to pass the time? According to CNN, A Facebook update became an alibi that lead to one teen's release from Riker's prison in New York. Rodney Bradford turned himself in to authorities after hearing that he was wanted in connection to a robbery at gunpoint in Brooklyn. He thought that by turning himself in it would all get cleared up quickly, but instead the opposite happened. He was put into a line up and was identified as the perpetrator. From there he was charged with robbery in the first degree and sent to Riker's Island, where the New York City Jail is located.
Bradford's father later noticed that his son had posted on Facebook at the same time he was alleged to have robbed the two men and brought this information to the attention of his son's attorney. Later, after some help from Facebook the defense team was able to prove that Rodney was at his father's home in Harlem when he made the status update and thus, cleared the young man of all charges. And now that he is free, Mr. Bradford plans to sue the city.
Well, at first I thought that this was a great story, kind of like a TV show only real. Then I got to reading a bit closer. The fact that Rodney Bradford is awaiting indictment from a robbery in 2008, Kind of made me wonder just exactly why the family is suing the city. Their reason was quoted as being that the city had "no reason" to arrest the young man, and that the 12 to 13 days he was in jail was enough trauma to cause the family to seek "money damages".
I also found it interesting that Facebook is so quick to infer that their site would be joining the ranks of "phone records and video cameras as means to establish an alibi", when it would be so easy to misuse this knowledge. I have kids at home that taught me how to Facebook and I know that if I decided to become a career criminal (something I admit to having fantasized about as one of my "running away" day dreams) I am sure that I could get one of them to log in for me... actually they probably already do know my log in information. I think I should go change that now. This could be used against me too!
Bradford's father later noticed that his son had posted on Facebook at the same time he was alleged to have robbed the two men and brought this information to the attention of his son's attorney. Later, after some help from Facebook the defense team was able to prove that Rodney was at his father's home in Harlem when he made the status update and thus, cleared the young man of all charges. And now that he is free, Mr. Bradford plans to sue the city.
Well, at first I thought that this was a great story, kind of like a TV show only real. Then I got to reading a bit closer. The fact that Rodney Bradford is awaiting indictment from a robbery in 2008, Kind of made me wonder just exactly why the family is suing the city. Their reason was quoted as being that the city had "no reason" to arrest the young man, and that the 12 to 13 days he was in jail was enough trauma to cause the family to seek "money damages".
I also found it interesting that Facebook is so quick to infer that their site would be joining the ranks of "phone records and video cameras as means to establish an alibi", when it would be so easy to misuse this knowledge. I have kids at home that taught me how to Facebook and I know that if I decided to become a career criminal (something I admit to having fantasized about as one of my "running away" day dreams) I am sure that I could get one of them to log in for me... actually they probably already do know my log in information. I think I should go change that now. This could be used against me too!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Talk about a "Faith" lift!
One of the world's oldest religions attracts a new, crowd and gets a "hipper" feel. In an article by CNN, author Jessica Ravitz explores what she dubs "New Jews" in all their glory. Like so many things in this world what was normal for one generation has become boring for another. Steven Cohen, a sociologist at Hebrew Union College in New York, says that about half of the young Jews marry fellow Jews and that of children born to inter faith couples, only 25 percent consider themselves Jewish when they grow up. That does not bode well for future growth.
Like the generations of the past, the young people make the changes. But in the case of "New Jews" they are returning to the faith of their past, but on their own terms. Everything from punk rock Jews to hippie Jews to the groups that propel these movements forward can be found. Interestingly enough It seems to be the religion's leaders, the Rabbis and the religious educators that are in the forefront, trying to make Judaism more "user friendly".
Take, for instance, Punk Torah, the web site created by Patrick Aleph (the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet). It is a self proclaimed place for anyone "who feels disconnected from the Jewish world of summer camps, Holocaust guilt trips, and overpriced High Holiday tickets." Aleph feels that the synagogue should be like a "Jewish night club" someplace where you can go to let your hair down and relax. To dance or sing, but mostly to connect. They also think that traditional synagogues have lost sight of that need and that websites like Punk Torah and its sister site Indie Yeshiva are now satisfying that need.
Not only are sites like Punk Torah and Indie Yeshiva cropping up, but there are other organizations out there to support alternative Judaism. Groups like Mechon Hadar. Self titled as an institute for "prayer, personal growth and Jewish study". They hold meetings and study groups in their own area as well as website link and support other groups. There is also Jewish Jumpstart, another group that supports thinking outside of the traditional box that Judaism seemed to be stuck in.
Another way that "New Jews" are accommodating the back-to-the-land-wilderness-retreat-seeking, modern global citizen of today is with groups like the Limmud (Hebrew for learning) and Wilderness Torah. The Limmud host volunteer staffed wilderness retreats in Colorado, Illinois, Georgia and around the world where one can go to further their spiritual journey. Wilderness Torah's byline is "Connect to the Earth through Judaism... Connect to Judaism through the Earth." They do this by hosting some of the major Jewish holidays, which are land based, out in the wild. For instance, they celebrate Passover in a desert, Sukkot on an organic farm, and Shavuot on a mountainside.
As with most religions, there are Jewish newspaper and magazine publications. But the advent of edgier journalism and websites such as The Forward, the Heeb Magazine, and the Zeek, are reaching out to a newer group of readers. Recently the Heeb published a picture of Rosanne Barr standing at an oven, dressed like Hitler and holding a tray of burned-Jew cookies. The reason for the image? To spark controversy. Anything to get people passionate about their faith.
There are podcasts teaching Judaism (G_dcast), Jewish record labels that handle edgy groups even a political movement to get Barak Obama elected was started. (The Great Schlep, started by Sarah Silverman) One of the most visible ways we are seeing changes is in the newest rage of Hebrew/Jewish tattoos. One site, Tattoo Jew, has been created to track the progress of a documentary recording the intersection between traditional Jewish culture and the current popularity of tattoos. If there is a way to be new, different and exciting in relation to Jewish faith, it is probably out there.
Wow, I was rather impressed and a bit surprised when I started to research a bit farther for this blog post. Although, now I am not sure why it surprised me so much. I am a Christian and there are just as many "alternative" events within my culture. I think it must be because when one thinks of the Jewish faith, especially one stuck in a small town like Joplin, MO, it is rather easy to play into the stereotype of "Tradition". I am so glad that there are blogs, and websites and retreats out there to help people to return to their heritage... or discover something new.
I found the tattoos the most refreshing part of this article, it is a permanent way for someone to announce to the world about their faith, and beliefs. It sure is a nice change from some of the ugly things people can ink their skin with. In reading this article I ran across a lot of terms that were outside the realm of my learning. I found a wonderful glossary of terms that helped me understand some of what I was reading. Best of all, some of these sites (Wilderness Torah for one) have Face Book groups so I can continue to learn more about them.
Like the generations of the past, the young people make the changes. But in the case of "New Jews" they are returning to the faith of their past, but on their own terms. Everything from punk rock Jews to hippie Jews to the groups that propel these movements forward can be found. Interestingly enough It seems to be the religion's leaders, the Rabbis and the religious educators that are in the forefront, trying to make Judaism more "user friendly".
Take, for instance, Punk Torah, the web site created by Patrick Aleph (the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet). It is a self proclaimed place for anyone "who feels disconnected from the Jewish world of summer camps, Holocaust guilt trips, and overpriced High Holiday tickets." Aleph feels that the synagogue should be like a "Jewish night club" someplace where you can go to let your hair down and relax. To dance or sing, but mostly to connect. They also think that traditional synagogues have lost sight of that need and that websites like Punk Torah and its sister site Indie Yeshiva are now satisfying that need.
Not only are sites like Punk Torah and Indie Yeshiva cropping up, but there are other organizations out there to support alternative Judaism. Groups like Mechon Hadar. Self titled as an institute for "prayer, personal growth and Jewish study". They hold meetings and study groups in their own area as well as website link and support other groups. There is also Jewish Jumpstart, another group that supports thinking outside of the traditional box that Judaism seemed to be stuck in.
Another way that "New Jews" are accommodating the back-to-the-land-wilderness-retreat-seeking, modern global citizen of today is with groups like the Limmud (Hebrew for learning) and Wilderness Torah. The Limmud host volunteer staffed wilderness retreats in Colorado, Illinois, Georgia and around the world where one can go to further their spiritual journey. Wilderness Torah's byline is "Connect to the Earth through Judaism... Connect to Judaism through the Earth." They do this by hosting some of the major Jewish holidays, which are land based, out in the wild. For instance, they celebrate Passover in a desert, Sukkot on an organic farm, and Shavuot on a mountainside.
As with most religions, there are Jewish newspaper and magazine publications. But the advent of edgier journalism and websites such as The Forward, the Heeb Magazine, and the Zeek, are reaching out to a newer group of readers. Recently the Heeb published a picture of Rosanne Barr standing at an oven, dressed like Hitler and holding a tray of burned-Jew cookies. The reason for the image? To spark controversy. Anything to get people passionate about their faith.
There are podcasts teaching Judaism (G_dcast), Jewish record labels that handle edgy groups even a political movement to get Barak Obama elected was started. (The Great Schlep, started by Sarah Silverman) One of the most visible ways we are seeing changes is in the newest rage of Hebrew/Jewish tattoos. One site, Tattoo Jew, has been created to track the progress of a documentary recording the intersection between traditional Jewish culture and the current popularity of tattoos. If there is a way to be new, different and exciting in relation to Jewish faith, it is probably out there.
Wow, I was rather impressed and a bit surprised when I started to research a bit farther for this blog post. Although, now I am not sure why it surprised me so much. I am a Christian and there are just as many "alternative" events within my culture. I think it must be because when one thinks of the Jewish faith, especially one stuck in a small town like Joplin, MO, it is rather easy to play into the stereotype of "Tradition". I am so glad that there are blogs, and websites and retreats out there to help people to return to their heritage... or discover something new.
I found the tattoos the most refreshing part of this article, it is a permanent way for someone to announce to the world about their faith, and beliefs. It sure is a nice change from some of the ugly things people can ink their skin with. In reading this article I ran across a lot of terms that were outside the realm of my learning. I found a wonderful glossary of terms that helped me understand some of what I was reading. Best of all, some of these sites (Wilderness Torah for one) have Face Book groups so I can continue to learn more about them.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Cloth or plasic?
Taking your own grocery bag to the store with you to shop is a traditional practice that in the recent past has come back into favor. Target and CVS are now joining the companies that reward their clients monetarily for not using plastic sacks. In an article from CNBC it is noted that smaller companies have been rewarding their customers for a while now when they bring in their own shopping bags, but having large companies doing the same thing has brought about new technology. While Target is relying on giving each customer a nickel off of their bill for each bag that they bring in themselves, CVS has a tag that can be bought for a dollar and attached to the reusable bag. Each time a shopper goes into CVS, they swipe their tag and for each fourth visit they receive a $1 Extra Care Buck that will be printed on their receipt and used at their next visit.
Encouraging shoppers with monetary incentives to practice the three "R's" (reduce, reuse, and recycle) is not a new thing, smaller companies such as Whole Foods Inc. and Shop & Shop have been rewarding their customers for over a year. Whole Foods Inc. was quoted as saying that their banning plastic bags from their stores have saved over 150 million plastic bags from the landfills, and the use of reusable bags from home has tripled. Whether the choice of reusable bags over new plastic ones stems from living in a town where they are outlawed (yes, there are several) or the chance to save a nickel here and a dime there, reducing plastic waste is a good thing for all of us. And the positive P.R. certainly doesn't hurt the retailers either.
Well, I have been using my own bags for a while now (when I can remember them, that is) I do it just because of my "tree-hugging" tendencies. I like using my own bags, and boxes. I am an admitted tightwad, and really like the cheap cloth bags that I can use over and over again, for things beyond groceries and quick runs to Wal-Mart. I use them for carrying books to the library and for laundry, and... well you get the idea. I do take a bit of offense that it seems to me that being "green" is the latest bandwagon. I honestly doubt that the people that run the great big companies such as Target really worry about the impact their store and the products it sells has on our world. But, if making themselves more "green" means more sales, then it is a win-win situation for everyone.
I am also very uncomfortable with the tag on the bag gimmick from CVS. The way the article read to me, was that these tags would be just one more way for CVS to keep track of when you come into their store. I also noticed that they want you to pay cash up front for the tag, but they will only give you a coupon to use on your next purchase. Call me cynical, but I wonder just how many people never use their coupon. Not only does the article have a "spin" towards trying to make me feel like these companies are trying to do right by the world, but the marketing of the companies are too. In the words of my thirteen year old daughter, "Whatever!".
Encouraging shoppers with monetary incentives to practice the three "R's" (reduce, reuse, and recycle) is not a new thing, smaller companies such as Whole Foods Inc. and Shop & Shop have been rewarding their customers for over a year. Whole Foods Inc. was quoted as saying that their banning plastic bags from their stores have saved over 150 million plastic bags from the landfills, and the use of reusable bags from home has tripled. Whether the choice of reusable bags over new plastic ones stems from living in a town where they are outlawed (yes, there are several) or the chance to save a nickel here and a dime there, reducing plastic waste is a good thing for all of us. And the positive P.R. certainly doesn't hurt the retailers either.
Well, I have been using my own bags for a while now (when I can remember them, that is) I do it just because of my "tree-hugging" tendencies. I like using my own bags, and boxes. I am an admitted tightwad, and really like the cheap cloth bags that I can use over and over again, for things beyond groceries and quick runs to Wal-Mart. I use them for carrying books to the library and for laundry, and... well you get the idea. I do take a bit of offense that it seems to me that being "green" is the latest bandwagon. I honestly doubt that the people that run the great big companies such as Target really worry about the impact their store and the products it sells has on our world. But, if making themselves more "green" means more sales, then it is a win-win situation for everyone.
I am also very uncomfortable with the tag on the bag gimmick from CVS. The way the article read to me, was that these tags would be just one more way for CVS to keep track of when you come into their store. I also noticed that they want you to pay cash up front for the tag, but they will only give you a coupon to use on your next purchase. Call me cynical, but I wonder just how many people never use their coupon. Not only does the article have a "spin" towards trying to make me feel like these companies are trying to do right by the world, but the marketing of the companies are too. In the words of my thirteen year old daughter, "Whatever!".
Friday, October 16, 2009
Poo jokes garner attention to a deadly condition
"How do you solve a problem like diarrhea?" (Think Sound of Music here) is the question being asked at a controversial awards ceremony where they will be handing out the "Golden Poo" awards. Yes, there will be trophies shaped like little golden turds, as well as comedy and short films with clever plays on words like the opening question. Now, one might wonder just why the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine would be the sponsors of such an irreverent evening. It is to bring to the public's attention the devastating damage that diarrhea can have in the "third world" countries that have poor hygiene practices and rampant starvation. We might laugh at the jokes, but the one million children that die each year from diarrheal diseases, can't even cry about the enormity of this situation because their bodies are too dehydrated to shed a tear.
It would seem that just trying to educate the public about the toll that diarrhea has on developing countries is not enough. But once someone does something controversial, then the attention can be pointed in the direction it needs to be. Those of us in large, developed countries just don't have any idea just how devastating this symptom can be. For us it is just an inconvenience, but for a million children a year, it is deadly serious.
I admit that it took a bit for me to get the joke at the start of this article. And I also admit that to me, diarrhea has been just an inconvenience. I am blessed to have Pedialyte and Gatorade and Imodium AD, and clean drinking water and even a toilet. Now I have a better idea just how blessed I am. I had no idea that a million children die each year from something so preventable. Clean drinking water, hand washing, good hygiene and some kind of an electrolyte solution could drastically change the death toll numbers. I applaud the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for taking the risk that they have in doing this award show. By being as edgy as they are, they are bringing the attention to the problem. And Education follows attention. Just look what happened when I noticed the "poo joke" that got me to read this article.
It would seem that just trying to educate the public about the toll that diarrhea has on developing countries is not enough. But once someone does something controversial, then the attention can be pointed in the direction it needs to be. Those of us in large, developed countries just don't have any idea just how devastating this symptom can be. For us it is just an inconvenience, but for a million children a year, it is deadly serious.
I admit that it took a bit for me to get the joke at the start of this article. And I also admit that to me, diarrhea has been just an inconvenience. I am blessed to have Pedialyte and Gatorade and Imodium AD, and clean drinking water and even a toilet. Now I have a better idea just how blessed I am. I had no idea that a million children die each year from something so preventable. Clean drinking water, hand washing, good hygiene and some kind of an electrolyte solution could drastically change the death toll numbers. I applaud the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for taking the risk that they have in doing this award show. By being as edgy as they are, they are bringing the attention to the problem. And Education follows attention. Just look what happened when I noticed the "poo joke" that got me to read this article.
Male Breast Cancer's Famous Face
Famed founding member of the rock band KISS, Peter Criss, is speaking out about male breast cancer. In an article found on cnn.com Criss is quoted as saying that he is the "luckiest man in the universe" for having survived this cancer.
Most men don't know that they can get breast cancer, but they can. There is a small amount of breast tissue behind the nipples on men, and even that tiny part can get cancer. Less than one percent of the breast cancer reported each year in the US is found in men, but that is still almost 2,000 men and of that, 440 die. Even though breast cancer is much easier to spot in men, lumps appear and are seen much quicker, diagnoses are usually made at later stages in the cancer. And as we all know, early detection is the key. Another contributing factor is that men tend to ignore the warning signs such as asymmetrical lumps, nipple discharge and pain in the breasts.
Criss, now in his 60's was working out in the gym in 2007 when he noticed that he had a painful lump on his left breast, and upon the advice of his wife (who was herself battling cancer) went and got it checked out. Now, a year later and cancer free, Criss is lending his fame to the cause of male breast cancer awareness.
As a cancer survivor my interest is always peaked when I see someone mention that they survived cancer too. Of course, October is breast cancer awareness month so right now we are seeing all the stories about breast cancer, so I was really interested when I saw that there was info out there about male breast cancer. As women we are told over and over again to be aware of our bodies, to talk to our doctors about changes in how things look or work. Men don't get that message very much, nor do most of them know that they have any breast tissue. Or, what I suspect, is that breast cancer is perceived as a "girly" disease and thus some men don't want to admit that they might have it. My own son had issues that prompted us to go see he nurse practitioner and ask about male breast cancer, that was when I learned about it.
I am so very glad that we now have a famous face to shed light onto this rare, but potentially deadly disease. Perhaps men will start to take notice of their breasts and be more aware in case something changes. It is like Peter Criss said in the article "It's just important -- just go get checked out. It's not like you're going to lose your manhood."
Most men don't know that they can get breast cancer, but they can. There is a small amount of breast tissue behind the nipples on men, and even that tiny part can get cancer. Less than one percent of the breast cancer reported each year in the US is found in men, but that is still almost 2,000 men and of that, 440 die. Even though breast cancer is much easier to spot in men, lumps appear and are seen much quicker, diagnoses are usually made at later stages in the cancer. And as we all know, early detection is the key. Another contributing factor is that men tend to ignore the warning signs such as asymmetrical lumps, nipple discharge and pain in the breasts.
Criss, now in his 60's was working out in the gym in 2007 when he noticed that he had a painful lump on his left breast, and upon the advice of his wife (who was herself battling cancer) went and got it checked out. Now, a year later and cancer free, Criss is lending his fame to the cause of male breast cancer awareness.
As a cancer survivor my interest is always peaked when I see someone mention that they survived cancer too. Of course, October is breast cancer awareness month so right now we are seeing all the stories about breast cancer, so I was really interested when I saw that there was info out there about male breast cancer. As women we are told over and over again to be aware of our bodies, to talk to our doctors about changes in how things look or work. Men don't get that message very much, nor do most of them know that they have any breast tissue. Or, what I suspect, is that breast cancer is perceived as a "girly" disease and thus some men don't want to admit that they might have it. My own son had issues that prompted us to go see he nurse practitioner and ask about male breast cancer, that was when I learned about it.
I am so very glad that we now have a famous face to shed light onto this rare, but potentially deadly disease. Perhaps men will start to take notice of their breasts and be more aware in case something changes. It is like Peter Criss said in the article "It's just important -- just go get checked out. It's not like you're going to lose your manhood."
Judge in Lousiana refuses to wed interracial couple
Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay, of New Orleans Louisiana just wanted to get married. So, they did what couples, seeking to tie the knot do in their area, they called a justice of the peace. Only, when they did, they were shocked to hear that he would not marry them because they are an interracial couple.
According to this article by the Associate Press, it would seem that Justice Keith Bardwell, of Tangipahoa parish, believes that the children of an interracial union are not accepted by either of the two cultures and that it would not be fair to any future children to marry such couples. He claims: "I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," When a couple call him to set up a time for a marriage, he asks them if they are interracial and if they are, he refuses to marry them. He claims that he does not tell them that they cannot get married, just that he won't be the one to marry them.
Humphrey (who is white) and McKay (who is black) are planning on contacting the U.S. Justice department to file a discrimination complaint.
My first reaction when I read this article was total disbelief. I wanted to ask what year it was. I read it out loud for my children to hear and their first reactions were "Hey, he can't do that!". According to the article, Katie Schwartzman (an attorney for the ACLU in Louisiana) sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee asking them to investigate Justice Bardwell because the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 that government can NOT tell people whom they can or can't marry. So, no, this guy can't do that. The Justice tried to defend his actions by saying: "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else." Honestly I am having issues articulating my feelings on this article. Just by that last statement, where he is trying to justify what he does and claim that his is not a bigot would make me laugh if it weren't so sad
According to this article by the Associate Press, it would seem that Justice Keith Bardwell, of Tangipahoa parish, believes that the children of an interracial union are not accepted by either of the two cultures and that it would not be fair to any future children to marry such couples. He claims: "I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," When a couple call him to set up a time for a marriage, he asks them if they are interracial and if they are, he refuses to marry them. He claims that he does not tell them that they cannot get married, just that he won't be the one to marry them.
Humphrey (who is white) and McKay (who is black) are planning on contacting the U.S. Justice department to file a discrimination complaint.
My first reaction when I read this article was total disbelief. I wanted to ask what year it was. I read it out loud for my children to hear and their first reactions were "Hey, he can't do that!". According to the article, Katie Schwartzman (an attorney for the ACLU in Louisiana) sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee asking them to investigate Justice Bardwell because the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 that government can NOT tell people whom they can or can't marry. So, no, this guy can't do that. The Justice tried to defend his actions by saying: "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else." Honestly I am having issues articulating my feelings on this article. Just by that last statement, where he is trying to justify what he does and claim that his is not a bigot would make me laugh if it weren't so sad
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What I have been working on this week.
My mother passed away on Sunday, and I was honored to write her obituary and her eulogy. I thought I would share them with y'all.
God bless you and yours
Deb Seely
Dura Mae Clark age 79, of Webb City MO passed away Sunday October 4th at Freeman Hospital. She was born on September 12th, 1930 in Texas, daughter of William Orville McGinnis, and Margaret Lackey McGinnis. Dura owned and operated several Wedding and formal wear businesses over the last forty-five years in Topeka, Kansas; Miami, OK; Joplin, MO; and Grove OK. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jack McGinnis and Don McGinnis and her husband, Richard Clark. She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Seely of Webb City, MO and two sons, Dan Clark of Joplin, MO and David Clark of Joplin MO. She was known as "Nana" to her five grandchildren; Devon, John and Bailey Seely of Webb City, MO; Alec Burd and Kane Clark of Joplin MO. Visitation will be at Parker Mortuary on Wednesday, October 7th from six o'clock to seven o'clock in the evening. Funeral services will be at College Heights Christian Church on Thursday, October 8th at 1:00 in the afternoon with interment at G.A.R. cemetery in Miami OK
When we were growing up in a tiny town called Harveyville Kansas we lived in a big farm house. Now this town was not far away from Topeka and right in the middle of tornado alley. I can remember one night when I was six, Dan was 5 and David would have been 3. There was a tornado warning and mom had shuffled us all down into the basement to wait the storm out. She sat at the head of the stairs to keep an eye on the TV. We must have gotten upset or scared because the next thing I can remember was mom kneeling on the ground in front of the lantern all hunched over, her hands above her head making a shadow in the shape of a camel on the wall. She was terrified of storms but she loved us all so much and didn't want us to be scared so she put her own fear aside to comfort us. Those of you that knew our mom well, know what love and devotion it took for her to kneel on a dirt floor just to entertain three scared children. But that was typical of our mom, she was very devoted to us.
Mom was one of the bravest women that knew. I found out just recently that she had panic attacks and phobias for the last thirty years or so, but I did not know that until she told me. She faced fear head on each day just so she could take care of all of us. Not only did she take care of her three children and her husband, but her brother and his son lived with us for a while and she took care of her father during his last days.
Mom was one of the hardest working people I ever saw too. There were days when she would work all day and then once we kids were in bed, she would go back to work and stay there until it was time to come home and wake us up to get ready for school . Mom started out working for Witcher Studios in Topeka Kansas, and later on opened up the Dura Clark studio after she met and married our dad. That studio later on morphed into the Bridal Boutique as the business changed to include formal wear and flowers as well. Later, after a move back to Miami OK, and then on to Joplin MO, the store became Special Occasions. All three of us kids worked for mom in her store, I met my husband there and Dan and his wife Brandon carried on the tradition for a time as well.
Our lives were not all peaches and cream, pretty much everyone here knows that. Nobody's family life is. Mom parented us the best she knew how. She came from very humble beginnings. She was born in a tent in Texas and she lived through some very rough things. But if there was one thing that our mother was, it was a lady. Dura Clark was from a time when there was a difference between a lady and a woman. Mom was a lady. She passed that down to us as well. I grew up knowing how to be a lady and my brothers grew up knowing how to be gentlemen, not that during the 80's we showed it. Now that we are, in turn, parents those lessons are coming back to us and it is my hope that we can teach those lessons that I know mom must have despaired of us ever learning. I am glad that of all the women in the world, that God chose Dura Mae McGinnis Clark to be my mom, I have been blessed. We all were.
God bless you and yours
Deb Seely
Dura Mae Clark age 79, of Webb City MO passed away Sunday October 4th at Freeman Hospital. She was born on September 12th, 1930 in Texas, daughter of William Orville McGinnis, and Margaret Lackey McGinnis. Dura owned and operated several Wedding and formal wear businesses over the last forty-five years in Topeka, Kansas; Miami, OK; Joplin, MO; and Grove OK. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jack McGinnis and Don McGinnis and her husband, Richard Clark. She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Seely of Webb City, MO and two sons, Dan Clark of Joplin, MO and David Clark of Joplin MO. She was known as "Nana" to her five grandchildren; Devon, John and Bailey Seely of Webb City, MO; Alec Burd and Kane Clark of Joplin MO. Visitation will be at Parker Mortuary on Wednesday, October 7th from six o'clock to seven o'clock in the evening. Funeral services will be at College Heights Christian Church on Thursday, October 8th at 1:00 in the afternoon with interment at G.A.R. cemetery in Miami OK
When we were growing up in a tiny town called Harveyville Kansas we lived in a big farm house. Now this town was not far away from Topeka and right in the middle of tornado alley. I can remember one night when I was six, Dan was 5 and David would have been 3. There was a tornado warning and mom had shuffled us all down into the basement to wait the storm out. She sat at the head of the stairs to keep an eye on the TV. We must have gotten upset or scared because the next thing I can remember was mom kneeling on the ground in front of the lantern all hunched over, her hands above her head making a shadow in the shape of a camel on the wall. She was terrified of storms but she loved us all so much and didn't want us to be scared so she put her own fear aside to comfort us. Those of you that knew our mom well, know what love and devotion it took for her to kneel on a dirt floor just to entertain three scared children. But that was typical of our mom, she was very devoted to us.
Mom was one of the bravest women that knew. I found out just recently that she had panic attacks and phobias for the last thirty years or so, but I did not know that until she told me. She faced fear head on each day just so she could take care of all of us. Not only did she take care of her three children and her husband, but her brother and his son lived with us for a while and she took care of her father during his last days.
Mom was one of the hardest working people I ever saw too. There were days when she would work all day and then once we kids were in bed, she would go back to work and stay there until it was time to come home and wake us up to get ready for school . Mom started out working for Witcher Studios in Topeka Kansas, and later on opened up the Dura Clark studio after she met and married our dad. That studio later on morphed into the Bridal Boutique as the business changed to include formal wear and flowers as well. Later, after a move back to Miami OK, and then on to Joplin MO, the store became Special Occasions. All three of us kids worked for mom in her store, I met my husband there and Dan and his wife Brandon carried on the tradition for a time as well.
Our lives were not all peaches and cream, pretty much everyone here knows that. Nobody's family life is. Mom parented us the best she knew how. She came from very humble beginnings. She was born in a tent in Texas and she lived through some very rough things. But if there was one thing that our mother was, it was a lady. Dura Clark was from a time when there was a difference between a lady and a woman. Mom was a lady. She passed that down to us as well. I grew up knowing how to be a lady and my brothers grew up knowing how to be gentlemen, not that during the 80's we showed it. Now that we are, in turn, parents those lessons are coming back to us and it is my hope that we can teach those lessons that I know mom must have despaired of us ever learning. I am glad that of all the women in the world, that God chose Dura Mae McGinnis Clark to be my mom, I have been blessed. We all were.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Anti-Wi-Fi paint
The University of Tokyo, has developed an interesting way to keep your Wi-Fi in your home, and away from neighbors that would like to "use" your signal without paying. In this article by the BBC World Service the new "Anti-Wi-Fi" paint is described as being able to block high frequency signals, keeping your sensitive data where it belongs. There are also indications that this paint could be used in theaters to keep your movie or play from being interrupted by ringing cell phones.
The reason this paint works to block high frequency signals (up to 100 GHz) is because it contains an aluminum-iron oxide that resonates at the same frequency as the Wi-Fi and other radio waves. This, in effect, absorbs and blocks the signal from going out and also keeps other signals from coming in. And the potential uses are limitless. Currently there is talk about using this formula to make new movie viewing screens and even clothing. The best part? It is not very expensive.
Now here is an invention I bet that Hugh Jackman wishes that the theater he was performing in recently had used this paint! A cell phone rang during the performance of the play and Jackman broke character and told the audience member to answer his phone. Ok, now that is an extreme reaction to a ringing cell phone, but you get my point. All of us have had a movie or sermon or speech interrupted by a cell phone. Stealing Wi-Fi is rampant too. Recently I noticed that there was a car paused outside of my house for a while and when I asked the man what he was doing he sheepishly told me that he had found signal and was using his computer, in the middle of my street! So annoying. Interestingly enough, the uses for this paint are not just limited to Wi-Fi signals and cell phones. There is also speculation that this paint could be used within hospitals to make the transference of information from one machine to a computer faster and more private as well. I will be interested to see where this all leads, and if it will become available to regular people like you and me.
The reason this paint works to block high frequency signals (up to 100 GHz) is because it contains an aluminum-iron oxide that resonates at the same frequency as the Wi-Fi and other radio waves. This, in effect, absorbs and blocks the signal from going out and also keeps other signals from coming in. And the potential uses are limitless. Currently there is talk about using this formula to make new movie viewing screens and even clothing. The best part? It is not very expensive.
Now here is an invention I bet that Hugh Jackman wishes that the theater he was performing in recently had used this paint! A cell phone rang during the performance of the play and Jackman broke character and told the audience member to answer his phone. Ok, now that is an extreme reaction to a ringing cell phone, but you get my point. All of us have had a movie or sermon or speech interrupted by a cell phone. Stealing Wi-Fi is rampant too. Recently I noticed that there was a car paused outside of my house for a while and when I asked the man what he was doing he sheepishly told me that he had found signal and was using his computer, in the middle of my street! So annoying. Interestingly enough, the uses for this paint are not just limited to Wi-Fi signals and cell phones. There is also speculation that this paint could be used within hospitals to make the transference of information from one machine to a computer faster and more private as well. I will be interested to see where this all leads, and if it will become available to regular people like you and me.
Baby Sitter Backlash!
Lisa Snyder, a Michigan mother was just trying to help out her neighbors by watching their children in her home for a short while each morning while they waited on the school bus. But, according to this article submitted by the AP, she is violating a law concerning un-licensed day cares and has been ordered to stop. When Mrs. Snyder, mother to first grader Grace, heard she was in trouble she immediately called the mothers of the three other children that she kept each school day morning.
It would seem that the law in Michigan states that you cannot care for children that are not related to you for more than four weeks each calendar year. Mrs. Snyder found out that it was a neighbor's complaint that set the wheels in motion. The agency investigating this said that they feel like this law gets in the way of common sense but are bound to investigate and the state is bound to enforce the law.
I find this such a great example of that old adage "penny wise but pound foolish". I would venture to say that most everyone has watched a friends' children and certainly Mrs. Snyder was just trying to help out her neighbors. The bus stop is right in front of her house and it just makes sense that the children wait there. I wonder what this "neighbor" that complained would have the young families that need two incomes do? It would certainly not be proper to leave the children home alone and it isn't very safe to leave children at the curb to wait on busses anymore either.
I was happy to see that the investigators know that this is a silly law in this case, and I do understand that they have to do their job to protect children, but this law needs to be changed. The article says that State Representative Brian Calley is currently working to draft new legislation that makes cases such as this exempt since this was not a working day care. It is refreshing to see that the "powers that be" recognize that this law is not serving the people very well and I do hope that the changes promised do, in fact, take place.
It would seem that the law in Michigan states that you cannot care for children that are not related to you for more than four weeks each calendar year. Mrs. Snyder found out that it was a neighbor's complaint that set the wheels in motion. The agency investigating this said that they feel like this law gets in the way of common sense but are bound to investigate and the state is bound to enforce the law.
I find this such a great example of that old adage "penny wise but pound foolish". I would venture to say that most everyone has watched a friends' children and certainly Mrs. Snyder was just trying to help out her neighbors. The bus stop is right in front of her house and it just makes sense that the children wait there. I wonder what this "neighbor" that complained would have the young families that need two incomes do? It would certainly not be proper to leave the children home alone and it isn't very safe to leave children at the curb to wait on busses anymore either.
I was happy to see that the investigators know that this is a silly law in this case, and I do understand that they have to do their job to protect children, but this law needs to be changed. The article says that State Representative Brian Calley is currently working to draft new legislation that makes cases such as this exempt since this was not a working day care. It is refreshing to see that the "powers that be" recognize that this law is not serving the people very well and I do hope that the changes promised do, in fact, take place.
Monday, September 28, 2009
State Dept.'s gaffe causes a stir with the Spanish government.
Are the children of political figures exempt from the right to their privacy? That question is asked and, in part, answered in this article on yahoo news. It would seem that the daughters of Spain's Prime Minister José Louis RodrÃguez Zapatero, attended a reception in America given by President and Mrs. Obama at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. At this reception, the President and his First Lady took part in over 130 posed photo opportunities. One of which included Prime Minister Zapatero, his wife and teenaged daughters. This photo, along with many others, was released to the State Department's Flickr page.
In Spain, there is a law that prohibits the publication of photos of politcal leaders' under aged children, so sixteen year old Laura and thirteen year old Alba have never been seen in photos by the public of Spain. As soon as the mistake was realized, the photos were taken off of the Flickr page and even the Spanish news agency the EFE, didn't run the photograph. The Spanish government tried to keep the girls' photos out of the press, but their efforts were too little too late.
So, do the family's of political figures deserve privacy? I admit that I am torn on this. I think that it would be considered one of the many down sides to a political career, having your life be an open book. But I also see the devastating consequences that the paparazzi can bring about: , Princess Diana's tragic death as case in point. I was also a bit saddened that John McCain's daughter Meghan, who was quoted in the article, was so very surprised that there was still someplace where laws could protect the underage children of politicians.
This is a classic example of what we are studying right now, two differing viewpoints of the same event. The article I linked above is taking (in my opinion) the viewpoint that this whole thing was a mistake and that even though containment was attempted, that it is too late. But, I also found this article, that talks about how the two girls are dressed in clothing that signifies them as being "Goth" and that the leaked photo is getting the "thumbs up" from adolescent girls all across Spain. In any case, trying to protect the privay of people that choose to put themselves into the spotlight is getting more and more difficult, and it is one more reason I am glad that I am not famous.
In Spain, there is a law that prohibits the publication of photos of politcal leaders' under aged children, so sixteen year old Laura and thirteen year old Alba have never been seen in photos by the public of Spain. As soon as the mistake was realized, the photos were taken off of the Flickr page and even the Spanish news agency the EFE, didn't run the photograph. The Spanish government tried to keep the girls' photos out of the press, but their efforts were too little too late.
So, do the family's of political figures deserve privacy? I admit that I am torn on this. I think that it would be considered one of the many down sides to a political career, having your life be an open book. But I also see the devastating consequences that the paparazzi can bring about: , Princess Diana's tragic death as case in point. I was also a bit saddened that John McCain's daughter Meghan, who was quoted in the article, was so very surprised that there was still someplace where laws could protect the underage children of politicians.
This is a classic example of what we are studying right now, two differing viewpoints of the same event. The article I linked above is taking (in my opinion) the viewpoint that this whole thing was a mistake and that even though containment was attempted, that it is too late. But, I also found this article, that talks about how the two girls are dressed in clothing that signifies them as being "Goth" and that the leaked photo is getting the "thumbs up" from adolescent girls all across Spain. In any case, trying to protect the privay of people that choose to put themselves into the spotlight is getting more and more difficult, and it is one more reason I am glad that I am not famous.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Carolyn Savage of Sylvania, Ohio gave birth to a healthy baby boy today. But what makes this story, found in the American Press, so interesting is that she plans to give the baby back to the parents whose frozen embryo was mistakenly implanted in her. Savage and her husband, Sean found out back in February that what they believed to be their own embryo used during implantation at a fertility clinic outside of Ohio was in fact not their own. It belonged to Paul and Shannon Morrell, a couple with twin daughters from Detroit. The Morrells found out that their embryo had been mistakenly implanted into Sharon, about ten days later. The Morrells were understandably upset and worried that the parents-to-be of their child might choose to terminate the pregnancy or try to keep custody.
Thankfully, the Savages have said in recent press releases that they will give the baby back to his biological parents. They even wished the new parents and big sisters all the best when they announced the birth of the baby boy. Understandably, the Savages are asking for privacy as they are having a difficult time.
I was rather pleasantly surprised that this young couple chose to do the right thing. In a world full of law suits and custody battles, arguments over custody rights vs. property rights and the battles over the power of choice I am gladdened to see people willing to help their fellow man, even at the expense of their own health and happiness. It would have been very easy for the Savages to have chosen to abort the baby so that they could get on with "having their own" child. But they, instead, chose to act in a totally selfless way.
The article was released about seven minutes before I started writing this article, so it will be interesting to see how this all unfolds. I do hope that they follow through with their decision and keep their word.
Thankfully, the Savages have said in recent press releases that they will give the baby back to his biological parents. They even wished the new parents and big sisters all the best when they announced the birth of the baby boy. Understandably, the Savages are asking for privacy as they are having a difficult time.
I was rather pleasantly surprised that this young couple chose to do the right thing. In a world full of law suits and custody battles, arguments over custody rights vs. property rights and the battles over the power of choice I am gladdened to see people willing to help their fellow man, even at the expense of their own health and happiness. It would have been very easy for the Savages to have chosen to abort the baby so that they could get on with "having their own" child. But they, instead, chose to act in a totally selfless way.
The article was released about seven minutes before I started writing this article, so it will be interesting to see how this all unfolds. I do hope that they follow through with their decision and keep their word.
Ammunition sales sky-rocket
First guns, now ammunition sales have spiked in the last year according to this article in the Associated Press on Wednesday the 23rd. Right after President Obama was elected, gun sales were through the roof, but now it is the ammunition sales that are up. According to the National Rifle Association ammunition sales went from seven billion a year to nine billion a year. This increase in sales is thought to be the result of gun owners fearing that the rumors about Barak Obama's intent to limit gun owners rights would prove to be true.
In the recent past, police forces had problems attaining ammunition, but that problem was attributed to the rise in ammo use by the U.S. military. This shortage, however, is not caused by the same issues, nor can it be traced to the local sportsmen and women. The majority of gun owners that are out buying up large quantities of rounds are most likely hoarding their purchases, according to one source quoted in the article.
I found this article very interesting, both in its content and the tone used. I have found that the majority of article about gun owners are written from an "anti-gun" point of view. We normally see articles about the stupidity of gun owners, or the tragedies of careless gun storage. I felt that this article was pretty straight forward and to the point about the increase in sales. I didn't feel like there was any slant to this article. As a former gun owner (bipolar child in the house... no guns now) I have watched this "panic" to buy ammo unfold. I have spoken to several other gun owners who even started buying up all the bullets and shells that their guns needed before the presidential election was over. I agree with the author and the sources quoted in the article that most of the ammunition being snapped up is being hoarded. I also liked the quote at the end of the article about how gold used to be the most precious metal, but now it is lead.
In the recent past, police forces had problems attaining ammunition, but that problem was attributed to the rise in ammo use by the U.S. military. This shortage, however, is not caused by the same issues, nor can it be traced to the local sportsmen and women. The majority of gun owners that are out buying up large quantities of rounds are most likely hoarding their purchases, according to one source quoted in the article.
I found this article very interesting, both in its content and the tone used. I have found that the majority of article about gun owners are written from an "anti-gun" point of view. We normally see articles about the stupidity of gun owners, or the tragedies of careless gun storage. I felt that this article was pretty straight forward and to the point about the increase in sales. I didn't feel like there was any slant to this article. As a former gun owner (bipolar child in the house... no guns now) I have watched this "panic" to buy ammo unfold. I have spoken to several other gun owners who even started buying up all the bullets and shells that their guns needed before the presidential election was over. I agree with the author and the sources quoted in the article that most of the ammunition being snapped up is being hoarded. I also liked the quote at the end of the article about how gold used to be the most precious metal, but now it is lead.
Friday, September 18, 2009
And the beat goes on....
It is safe again to ride the school bus in Belleville IL. The two young men responsible for beating up another, older, student have been arrested. The driver of the bus has been suspended. According to the article on stltoday.com (and being picked up by newsweek.com as well) states that the victim, a 17 year old student got on the bus and looked for a seat. When he finally sat down the 14 year old student in the seat next to him attacked him, punching him in the head and then holding him by the neck and punching him in the face. The victim was attacked again later by another young man aged 15.
The victim is Caucasian and the attackers are African American. This is leading to claims that this attack is racially motivated. The Belleville police released the video from the school bus and stated that the motive was racial. Then the next day a police department spokesman said that the statement was personal opinion and emotional. It was also stated that in the state of Illinois there needs to be more evidence of racial motives than the fact that the victims are of two different races. This has sparked a national debate about racial violence
I am not sure how to feel about this. Especially after reading some of the blog comments. I rode a bus to school in he mid 1980's and some of the things that went on during that rural ride make my toes curl as a present day mother. That being said, there is no telling what set that fight off, but to make it a racial even seems a bit gratuitous. Conversely, if the victim had been African American, Latino or homosexual and the attacker Caucasian it would definitely be labeled racial. It kind of makes me think that there is a large double standard here.
I also think that it was very unprofessional for the police department to release the video and to make an off the cuff statement like they did. Perhaps they deliberately tried to start the debate.
The victim is Caucasian and the attackers are African American. This is leading to claims that this attack is racially motivated. The Belleville police released the video from the school bus and stated that the motive was racial. Then the next day a police department spokesman said that the statement was personal opinion and emotional. It was also stated that in the state of Illinois there needs to be more evidence of racial motives than the fact that the victims are of two different races. This has sparked a national debate about racial violence
I am not sure how to feel about this. Especially after reading some of the blog comments. I rode a bus to school in he mid 1980's and some of the things that went on during that rural ride make my toes curl as a present day mother. That being said, there is no telling what set that fight off, but to make it a racial even seems a bit gratuitous. Conversely, if the victim had been African American, Latino or homosexual and the attacker Caucasian it would definitely be labeled racial. It kind of makes me think that there is a large double standard here.
I also think that it was very unprofessional for the police department to release the video and to make an off the cuff statement like they did. Perhaps they deliberately tried to start the debate.
Fast food really can hurt you!
John Manley a 50 year old North Carolina man had been ill for several years. He complained of not being able to breathe. Finally, after several visits to local doctors, Duke Hospital's Dr. Mohem Wahidi was able to find the cause. Dr. Wahidi found that there was a one inch piece of plastic imbeded in Manley's lung. The article posted on abc.com stated that during the procedure the scope showed the plastic and the doctor and nurses could read the letters "amburger" and figured out that it was a piece of a spoon from Wendy's. The side of the spoon visible would read "Old Fashioned Hamburgers".
Doctor Wahidi removed the piece of plastic and Mr. Manley is doing very well. When asked if he had any idea how the plastic got into his lungs, Manley replied that he grew up in a large family where you had to take big bites and eat fast if you wanted your food. He said that he takes big drinks and probably inhaled the plastic piece while "inhaling" a drink.
Wow! How blessed is this man? In this version of the story Mr. Manley stated that there were doctors out there that had no idea what was wrong and suggested that they could remove his lung to try to find out. Manley declined. He had been sick with coughing, pneumonia and shortness of breath ever since he moved from Queens New York and had no idea it would be something as unique as this. I am flabbergasted that this man could inhale a piece of plastic and have no idea that he did it.
Dr. Wahidi stated that inhaling foreign objects is not that unusual, but that is more common in children. Dr. Wahidi also stated that this was one of the most unusual objects that he has ever removed.
Doctor Wahidi removed the piece of plastic and Mr. Manley is doing very well. When asked if he had any idea how the plastic got into his lungs, Manley replied that he grew up in a large family where you had to take big bites and eat fast if you wanted your food. He said that he takes big drinks and probably inhaled the plastic piece while "inhaling" a drink.
Wow! How blessed is this man? In this version of the story Mr. Manley stated that there were doctors out there that had no idea what was wrong and suggested that they could remove his lung to try to find out. Manley declined. He had been sick with coughing, pneumonia and shortness of breath ever since he moved from Queens New York and had no idea it would be something as unique as this. I am flabbergasted that this man could inhale a piece of plastic and have no idea that he did it.
Dr. Wahidi stated that inhaling foreign objects is not that unusual, but that is more common in children. Dr. Wahidi also stated that this was one of the most unusual objects that he has ever removed.
Friday, September 11, 2009
It's all in the Genes
In the September 10th, 2009 issue of Newsweek.com, there are several articles concerning obesity. The main title of the articles is: The Fat Wars: America’s Weight Rage. The article that caught my eye is titled: The Real Cause of Obesity. This article claims that obesity is genetic. The probability that a person’s genes will determine their weight is the same “strength” as the genes that determine how tall they will be. These genes are even more powerful than the ones that determine if a person will have heart disease or breast cancer.
The body uses its fat cells to produce a gene called Leptin. The leptin sends signals to the brain that tell it when to eat and when not to. When the levels of leptin drop, the body gets hungry. As an example of how certain genes can contribute to obesity, a case from Great Britain is cited. There was a young boy whose body could not make the leptin and as a result he was ravenously hungry all the time. At the age of four, he could eat over a thousand calories a day. Once the leptin levels were corrected, the young man’s appetite went back to normal and he is now at a healthy weight. Nothing else in the boy’s eating habits changed. His parents still fed him the same food, but he was no longer ravenous. This is just one of several genetic factors that can contribute to a (pardon the pun) slim portion of the world’s obese population. But, research is only just now looking for these kinds of genetic problems. There is hope that perhaps as we understand more about genetic predispositions to weight issues, there will be “cures” as well. Maybe some of the obese people really “can’t help” being overweight.
The article I quote above is not the only one on newsweek.com concerning obesity. I found one that talks about the discrimination that obese people endure. This discrimination is not just limited to the school yard. It is being seen as high up as the Surgeon General’s office. Dr. Regina Benjamin is President Obamah’s pick for the office of the Surgeon General, but she is meeting great opposition from several fronts. It has nothing to do with her politics or any potential changes she plans to implement, but because she is overweight. Her opposers are concerned that she will send the wrong message.
New research is also showing that as we as a population expose our children and our unborn babies to pollutants and chemicals we may be predisposing them to obesity as well. Author Sharon Begley warns in an upcoming Newsweek article that several hormones can be affected in our up and coming generations that will markedly change how their bodies metabolize food. So, in essence we may be programming our kids to be overweight by our overexposure to chemicals.
The information that Newsweek put out was not limited to just written articles. I also found several photo slide shows. My favorite is this one, depicting how Hollywood looks at obesity. All in all, I found out a lot of great information about several causes of obesity. My concern is that those of us obese people don’t use this as an excuse for not trying to live a healthy life, and my hope is that the people out there that hate and fear fat, will find some reasons to be a lot more compassionate.
The body uses its fat cells to produce a gene called Leptin. The leptin sends signals to the brain that tell it when to eat and when not to. When the levels of leptin drop, the body gets hungry. As an example of how certain genes can contribute to obesity, a case from Great Britain is cited. There was a young boy whose body could not make the leptin and as a result he was ravenously hungry all the time. At the age of four, he could eat over a thousand calories a day. Once the leptin levels were corrected, the young man’s appetite went back to normal and he is now at a healthy weight. Nothing else in the boy’s eating habits changed. His parents still fed him the same food, but he was no longer ravenous. This is just one of several genetic factors that can contribute to a (pardon the pun) slim portion of the world’s obese population. But, research is only just now looking for these kinds of genetic problems. There is hope that perhaps as we understand more about genetic predispositions to weight issues, there will be “cures” as well. Maybe some of the obese people really “can’t help” being overweight.
The article I quote above is not the only one on newsweek.com concerning obesity. I found one that talks about the discrimination that obese people endure. This discrimination is not just limited to the school yard. It is being seen as high up as the Surgeon General’s office. Dr. Regina Benjamin is President Obamah’s pick for the office of the Surgeon General, but she is meeting great opposition from several fronts. It has nothing to do with her politics or any potential changes she plans to implement, but because she is overweight. Her opposers are concerned that she will send the wrong message.
New research is also showing that as we as a population expose our children and our unborn babies to pollutants and chemicals we may be predisposing them to obesity as well. Author Sharon Begley warns in an upcoming Newsweek article that several hormones can be affected in our up and coming generations that will markedly change how their bodies metabolize food. So, in essence we may be programming our kids to be overweight by our overexposure to chemicals.
The information that Newsweek put out was not limited to just written articles. I also found several photo slide shows. My favorite is this one, depicting how Hollywood looks at obesity. All in all, I found out a lot of great information about several causes of obesity. My concern is that those of us obese people don’t use this as an excuse for not trying to live a healthy life, and my hope is that the people out there that hate and fear fat, will find some reasons to be a lot more compassionate.
Too Much Sleep?
According to an article published by Reuters, older people that get more than eight hours of sleep per night may just be at a higher risk for dementia. The study, conducted by Spanish researchers, showed that of the 3,300 patients tested, the ones that slept over nine hours were more likely to show the signs of dementia. The patients tested were all over 65 years old and showed a 5 percent chance to exhibit the signs of early dementia. Conversely, the patients that got less than five hours of sleep showed almost the same percentage of dementia concerns.
As a person that has short term memory “issues” and a mother with Alzheimer’s I was intrigued by this article. I was holding my breath until I saw what defined the term “older patients” in the article, since I am 41 and can sometimes get lumped into the “older” category. Imagine my relief when I saw that the study was of patients over 65.
The study itself is interesting and in my opinion doesn’t really suggest too much that sleep is the cause of these patient’s problems. I think that the author of this story wanted a sensational story and took an ordinary finding and slanted it to fit her needs. There were several things that factored into the study that could have a much bigger effect on the findings. For example: it is suggested that perhaps sleeping longer is itself a symptom of early dementia. Or perhaps some of the medical conditions that lead to dementia also cause excess sleep. And finally, sleep apnea was mentioned as causing symptoms such as impaired memory and the need for excess hours in bed.
I find it frustrating when someone writes or reports a story with a sensational headline or opening only to get our attention and then change the story. But then again, would I have read it otherwise?
As a person that has short term memory “issues” and a mother with Alzheimer’s I was intrigued by this article. I was holding my breath until I saw what defined the term “older patients” in the article, since I am 41 and can sometimes get lumped into the “older” category. Imagine my relief when I saw that the study was of patients over 65.
The study itself is interesting and in my opinion doesn’t really suggest too much that sleep is the cause of these patient’s problems. I think that the author of this story wanted a sensational story and took an ordinary finding and slanted it to fit her needs. There were several things that factored into the study that could have a much bigger effect on the findings. For example: it is suggested that perhaps sleeping longer is itself a symptom of early dementia. Or perhaps some of the medical conditions that lead to dementia also cause excess sleep. And finally, sleep apnea was mentioned as causing symptoms such as impaired memory and the need for excess hours in bed.
I find it frustrating when someone writes or reports a story with a sensational headline or opening only to get our attention and then change the story. But then again, would I have read it otherwise?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The old euphemism that “You can’t stop progress.” is being proven true in Mongolia. In an article on MSNBC.com one reporter blogs about her experience with the “Reindeer People” in Hosvgol Province. After a three day journey comprised of airplane, Russian van and horse back, reporter Adrienne Mong was happy to still see that she still had cell phone service.
The reporter and her crew were en route to a village further north, but had time to stop in Tsagaannuur for a visit and to see their new Tsaatan Community & Visitors Centre (TCVC). The villagers of Tsagaannuur were traditionally a nomadic tribe, relying on their reindeer for the majority of their needs. But recently, several events impacted the tribe in drastic ways. The first was a bacterial infection that dramatically reduced the reindeer herd’s population. The second was the increase in “eco-tourists” coming to the village being led by guides not of their tribe. There was thousands of dollars and euros being spent, but not within the village. Now, thanks to volunteers, the local tribesmen have been trained how to run the TCVC earning a living and the reindeer herd’s size has doubled. Things seem to be looking up for the “Reindeer People”.
To be honest when I first read this article I had mixed feelings. Being Native American I admit to having a tainted view about “helping” native people with progress. But the young woman also mentioned in the article, Morgan Keay, seems to be going about helping the natives in a positive way. So many times in the past, help offered came with a drastic price; the loss of a people’s identity. Time has taught us that entire societies were destroyed by “progress”.
Ms. Keay, however, seems to be truly helping this group of people help themselves. Instead of removing their cultural heritage, they are now celebrating it and profiting from it. Keay set up the nonprofit Itgel Foundation, a group through which she raised the funds to bring in veterinarians and animal experts from both over seas and from the area. They in turn, discovered why the reindeer herds were declining and then taught the Tsagaannuur people how to treat their animals and care for the herd themselves. Now, the herd is preserved for future generations, and the funds will be there to further their education thanks to the cultural center being run by fellow villagers. If change had to come to this tribe, I am glad it came in the form that it did.
The reporter and her crew were en route to a village further north, but had time to stop in Tsagaannuur for a visit and to see their new Tsaatan Community & Visitors Centre (TCVC). The villagers of Tsagaannuur were traditionally a nomadic tribe, relying on their reindeer for the majority of their needs. But recently, several events impacted the tribe in drastic ways. The first was a bacterial infection that dramatically reduced the reindeer herd’s population. The second was the increase in “eco-tourists” coming to the village being led by guides not of their tribe. There was thousands of dollars and euros being spent, but not within the village. Now, thanks to volunteers, the local tribesmen have been trained how to run the TCVC earning a living and the reindeer herd’s size has doubled. Things seem to be looking up for the “Reindeer People”.
To be honest when I first read this article I had mixed feelings. Being Native American I admit to having a tainted view about “helping” native people with progress. But the young woman also mentioned in the article, Morgan Keay, seems to be going about helping the natives in a positive way. So many times in the past, help offered came with a drastic price; the loss of a people’s identity. Time has taught us that entire societies were destroyed by “progress”.
Ms. Keay, however, seems to be truly helping this group of people help themselves. Instead of removing their cultural heritage, they are now celebrating it and profiting from it. Keay set up the nonprofit Itgel Foundation, a group through which she raised the funds to bring in veterinarians and animal experts from both over seas and from the area. They in turn, discovered why the reindeer herds were declining and then taught the Tsagaannuur people how to treat their animals and care for the herd themselves. Now, the herd is preserved for future generations, and the funds will be there to further their education thanks to the cultural center being run by fellow villagers. If change had to come to this tribe, I am glad it came in the form that it did.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Lessons learned
You know, when I decided to go back to school I knew that I would be learning a lot. That is kind of the whole purpose for school. Right? What I didn't count on were the life lessons I am learning. Which is kind of funny, since one of the biggest reasons I chose to home school my own kids is because I feel that they have a better chance of learning real life lessons.
So, by now I am sure that you are wondering what lessons I have learned recently. The suspense is killing you isn't it? I just know that it is. OK. I will be nice and tell you. It is actually kind of silly this mistake I made, but I bed I don't do it again!
READ YOUR COURSE INSTRUCTIONS! All of them. All the definitions, the syllabus, the documents, everything! Read them well!
Learn from my pain and frustration. Last night at 9:30 PM I sat down at my computer to try to crank out my third blog article. I was exhausted. I had about three hours of sleep because my son had had oral surgery that morning and we had to get to the hospital early, then I was unable to nap because Federal Express delivered a box full of cheerleader uniforms that I had to separate, then a football game. Two very large Pepsis is the only reason I was still upright. So I was not looking forward to doing anything other than sleeping. But, I was determined to meet my deadline and get that third article done. I am so blessed that I read another person's blog question first and saw that we didn't have any articles due this week. Now it made sense why the two that I did write had no comments on them. It also made sense why very few other classmates had any articles written. Needless to say I went to bed very much relieved, stupid, but relieved.
Sometimes God gives us surprise gifts. This morning I logged on to see if there were any new posts and there I saw my gift. I found out that I am already two article ahead for next week. Even though I made a mistake, the two article I had written will count towards next week's work. What a nice surprise.
God bless you and yours
Deb
So, by now I am sure that you are wondering what lessons I have learned recently. The suspense is killing you isn't it? I just know that it is. OK. I will be nice and tell you. It is actually kind of silly this mistake I made, but I bed I don't do it again!
READ YOUR COURSE INSTRUCTIONS! All of them. All the definitions, the syllabus, the documents, everything! Read them well!
Learn from my pain and frustration. Last night at 9:30 PM I sat down at my computer to try to crank out my third blog article. I was exhausted. I had about three hours of sleep because my son had had oral surgery that morning and we had to get to the hospital early, then I was unable to nap because Federal Express delivered a box full of cheerleader uniforms that I had to separate, then a football game. Two very large Pepsis is the only reason I was still upright. So I was not looking forward to doing anything other than sleeping. But, I was determined to meet my deadline and get that third article done. I am so blessed that I read another person's blog question first and saw that we didn't have any articles due this week. Now it made sense why the two that I did write had no comments on them. It also made sense why very few other classmates had any articles written. Needless to say I went to bed very much relieved, stupid, but relieved.
Sometimes God gives us surprise gifts. This morning I logged on to see if there were any new posts and there I saw my gift. I found out that I am already two article ahead for next week. Even though I made a mistake, the two article I had written will count towards next week's work. What a nice surprise.
God bless you and yours
Deb
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Glamour Magazine's "real" woman
Finally, a nationally published and well known magazine is starting to turn in the right direction concerning the sizes of their models. According to CNN.com In Glamour’s September issue, an article was run about being comfortable in the skin you’re in, kind of a “what is normal, really” article. Lizzi Miller was photographed in only her underwear, in a very tasteful pose as an “average” woman.
The response has been overwhelming. Lizzi is a size 12/14 and considered a “plus-sized” model by the industry standards, which is ironic since the average American woman is a size 14. The down side to this is the fact that even though the magazine put in a photo of a beautiful woman, representing women everywhere, there was still a blurb on the front of the magazine touting 3 ways to have a flatter tummy.
Response:
The author of this article seems to be just like all of the rest of us women in the world that are not super models. Those of us that do not have perfect bodies, stylists, hair and makeup teams, or professional air brush artists at our beck and call are not being represented well in the media. Why, if the average woman is a size 14, are the majority of models sized 0 or 2? Why are most of the covers of magazines geared towards women subscribers “graced” with thin, perfect looking models as well as article titles touting the latest diet or exercise craze? Why are we letting them do this?
The article’s author recalls the point in her childhood when she started to realize the pressure that is put upon today’s young women. The constant barrage from TV, magazines, movies and advertisements has our girls already thinking that they need to be thin in order to be happy or have a boyfriend or be popular. It is refreshing to see that Glamour magazine showed a more “natural” woman in their article. I went to the magazine’s website and read about just how popular this three inch by three inch photo has been. The very day that the magazine hit the newsstands the corporate office started receiving phone calls and emails from fans that were expressing their delight in this step in a positive direction.
I agree with the article’s author as well in that it is a shame though, that a sized 12/14 woman would be labeled as a “plus size” model, but I am encouraged to see that at least we are now talking about being happy with our bodies. We need more “real” women feeling beautiful just how they are, and the only way we can start that is by changing how we see beauty. This might just be the first step in that direction.
The response has been overwhelming. Lizzi is a size 12/14 and considered a “plus-sized” model by the industry standards, which is ironic since the average American woman is a size 14. The down side to this is the fact that even though the magazine put in a photo of a beautiful woman, representing women everywhere, there was still a blurb on the front of the magazine touting 3 ways to have a flatter tummy.
Response:
The author of this article seems to be just like all of the rest of us women in the world that are not super models. Those of us that do not have perfect bodies, stylists, hair and makeup teams, or professional air brush artists at our beck and call are not being represented well in the media. Why, if the average woman is a size 14, are the majority of models sized 0 or 2? Why are most of the covers of magazines geared towards women subscribers “graced” with thin, perfect looking models as well as article titles touting the latest diet or exercise craze? Why are we letting them do this?
The article’s author recalls the point in her childhood when she started to realize the pressure that is put upon today’s young women. The constant barrage from TV, magazines, movies and advertisements has our girls already thinking that they need to be thin in order to be happy or have a boyfriend or be popular. It is refreshing to see that Glamour magazine showed a more “natural” woman in their article. I went to the magazine’s website and read about just how popular this three inch by three inch photo has been. The very day that the magazine hit the newsstands the corporate office started receiving phone calls and emails from fans that were expressing their delight in this step in a positive direction.
I agree with the article’s author as well in that it is a shame though, that a sized 12/14 woman would be labeled as a “plus size” model, but I am encouraged to see that at least we are now talking about being happy with our bodies. We need more “real” women feeling beautiful just how they are, and the only way we can start that is by changing how we see beauty. This might just be the first step in that direction.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Julia Child's classic book is enjoying new fame.
Almost fifty years after it was first published, Julia Child's classic cook book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking, will be given the #1 best seller slot in the "advice and how-to" category on the New Your Times Best Seller list. According to an article in the New York Times, this is largely due to the movie "Julie and Julia" currently in theatres. The movie itself is partially about the late Julia Child and how she came to be the master chef that she was, but the cook book (along with several others) was used as a promotional item and that garnered the attention of many new readers. For a 752 page book, filled with labor intensive recipes using ingredients that are certainly not diet friendly, achieving such recognition has been quite a surprise to many in the publishing world. A pleasant surprise, but a surprise nonetheless.
When I was looking around for a topic for my first blog report I was delighted to find this article. I have been a fan of the late Julia Child for years. I was a child of the 70’s and can remember watching “The French Chef” on PBS.
The tone of the article is, in my opinion, celebrating the fact that a movie has brought about a new interest in an almost lost art. I agree with this celebration, and I am pleasantly surprised. Most of the time we hear the word “book” used in conjunction with the word “movie” it is because someone is complaining that the movie was nothing like the book. I have made that complaint myself. But this article's author is excited that a movie has inspired record sales of several books.
We have the movie promoters to thank for at least part of “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” hitting the best seller list of the New York Times. The book was ordered en masse and given away at promotional events. But what took the publishers by surprise was that even after the promotions were over, people wanted to buy the book. Almost fifty years after it was first put into print as a way to introduce American women to French cuisine; “Mastering” has a whole new audience. And what a wonderful new audience it is.
So many people today east fast food, or food that is made fast, things out of boxes, bags, cartons, cans and tubs. It is no wonder that a whole new generation wants to learn how to cook from scratch and is curious about butter, goose fat, pork fat and salt. Ok, not the most healthful things one can eat, admittedly, but my point is that in trying to find a way to avoid any fat, calories and salt we have traveled away from our cooking roots, and I think that many people want to get back to them. Seeing Julia Child’s life being represented on the big screen and witnessing her love of good food has certainly helped as well.
Several other books have become more popular as a result of both the movie and the new curiosity it has caused. “Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom” has had several printing runs this season and is second only to “Mastering the French Kitchen” on the best seller list. One of the biographies of Julia Child: “My Life in France” has enjoyed “sold out” status as has the book “Julie and Julia”, the inspiration for the movie of the same name. Adding to my delight of this article was a quote at the end, from the movie’s writer and director, Nora Ephron, stating that it was a secret hope of hers to inspire more cooking with the film. I am happy that her secret hope was realized.
When I was looking around for a topic for my first blog report I was delighted to find this article. I have been a fan of the late Julia Child for years. I was a child of the 70’s and can remember watching “The French Chef” on PBS.
The tone of the article is, in my opinion, celebrating the fact that a movie has brought about a new interest in an almost lost art. I agree with this celebration, and I am pleasantly surprised. Most of the time we hear the word “book” used in conjunction with the word “movie” it is because someone is complaining that the movie was nothing like the book. I have made that complaint myself. But this article's author is excited that a movie has inspired record sales of several books.
We have the movie promoters to thank for at least part of “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” hitting the best seller list of the New York Times. The book was ordered en masse and given away at promotional events. But what took the publishers by surprise was that even after the promotions were over, people wanted to buy the book. Almost fifty years after it was first put into print as a way to introduce American women to French cuisine; “Mastering” has a whole new audience. And what a wonderful new audience it is.
So many people today east fast food, or food that is made fast, things out of boxes, bags, cartons, cans and tubs. It is no wonder that a whole new generation wants to learn how to cook from scratch and is curious about butter, goose fat, pork fat and salt. Ok, not the most healthful things one can eat, admittedly, but my point is that in trying to find a way to avoid any fat, calories and salt we have traveled away from our cooking roots, and I think that many people want to get back to them. Seeing Julia Child’s life being represented on the big screen and witnessing her love of good food has certainly helped as well.
Several other books have become more popular as a result of both the movie and the new curiosity it has caused. “Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom” has had several printing runs this season and is second only to “Mastering the French Kitchen” on the best seller list. One of the biographies of Julia Child: “My Life in France” has enjoyed “sold out” status as has the book “Julie and Julia”, the inspiration for the movie of the same name. Adding to my delight of this article was a quote at the end, from the movie’s writer and director, Nora Ephron, stating that it was a secret hope of hers to inspire more cooking with the film. I am happy that her secret hope was realized.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Why my addy is what it is.
It is 10:30 and even though that may seem early to some, it is a perfect time to close out my day. Today I have: home schooled my Jr. in high school and my 8th grader in Jr. High, directed the house work, helped my college bound 19 year old (with a math learning disability) with more math work and re-introduced my brain to studying for myself. I finally got to understanding the text after a 1 liter bottle of sweet tea. My poor substitute for a diet pepsi or my fave... a cherry vanilla Coke. So for me... it is time for bed! Tomorrow looks to be just as busy, a Spring Formal planning meeting, cheer practice to direct for the 8th grader and make sure the Jr. gets to football practice. *YAWN* See y'all later!
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