Rescue Orphaned Birds!

Random word generated: Cumulative

Even though I originally come from the countryside and have lived there for most of my life, I never came across an orphaned animal or bird of any description. Yet, a move to London in the year 2000, has culminated in a total of one failed attempt at a bird rescue, and countless sightings of injured birds which, despite major concerns, we decided to leave well alone. Although we did (my friend and I) made a successful rescue of a poor crow with its feet tangled up in string. We have no idea whether it survived or not, however.

London is terrible for bird injuries as the countless number of pigeons wandering around with only one foot is testament to. So many believe these birds are vermin and should not be fed or encouraged. But, I don't see them in that light at all. They are a very important part of London life and should be treated with respect.

As an animal lover, I loathe to see any animal in distress whether it's injured or suffering from abuse, but sometimes, it's difficult to know what you should do for the best. I admire anyone who performs rescue of birds and wildlife and I can understand totally why you need to be trained and licensed to do so. There are so much you need to know and so much you need to be aware of, too.

This is why I picked out, Bird Rescue by Karendelac for this week's review. Not only is it informative and well laid out, but it also has gorgeous images. For anyone who does not believe or can imagine that birds have feelings, emotions and attachments must surely be prepared to be proven wrong whilst reading this lens. How can anyone not be moved by the series of images depicting the grieving of a sparrow after the death of his mate?

Squidoo lenses like this move me to tears and I so desperately want to do more for bird and wildlife rescue than I already am. If that is what it does to me, I can only hope it does the same to you, too.

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Image Credit: by BlessingArtAnimals
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Visit: Bird Rescue

The Vets Of Viet Nam

With undeniable emotion in his voice, I often hear my boss say, "Welcome Home Brother!" to a customer who comes into our mall wearing a Viet Nam Veteran hat or shirt. Those simple words said with such conviction have been said thousands of times over the years that I've worked for him but they never lose their effect on me. Each and every time I hear him, a lump fills my throat and tears well up in my eyes. Total strangers meeting for the first time share a bond that many of us can't begin to understand. Some may have volunteered to serve, most were drafted as mere boys and came back as men. Men who witnessed horrible things, had to do horrible things, and are haunted still by the memories.

Growing up in a small rural town in Indiana I saw too many go off to that despicable war. The war I abhorred but the soldiers sent over there had my utmost support. At one time it seemed that the draft board had a special vendetta for our little town because just about every boy of 18 that I knew was drafted up and shipped out. My uncles, neighbors, and boys I had grown up with all seemed to have to go. Too many came home in body bags, too many more came home without limbs, and even more came home with injuries we couldn't see. None of them were quite the same when they came home, none of them.

I found a moving tribute to the Veterans of Viet Nam by Capriliz entitled Vietnam War Pictures - So We Remember. The pictures are moving, especially if you had a loved one over there in the midst of it all. I agree with Capriliz that we should always show honor in some way to these Veterans and all Vets for that matter. We may not agree with the conflict or war they served in, but their service deserves our respect. The difference for the Nam Vets is that they were not shown respect when they came. They were spit on and cursed at by many.

"Welcome Home, Brother!" Simple words that mean more than we can imagine. Simple words spoken with heart felt emotion. Simple words of honor.

Visit Vietnam War Pictures

Image Credit: Honor Our Vietnam Vets

Edna Gladney -- Champion of Unwanted Children

What were your dreams as a child? Did you know what you wanted to be, and did that conviction stay with you? Most of us find that life takes us in different directions as the years go by and our circumstances and interests shift. But for some determined youngsters, nothing can stop them in their chosen path.

Tssfacts was one such kid. This girl was so certain that she wanted to be a nurse that, at the tender age of 11, she had a letter published in the famous Ann Landers advice column in which she asked how to go about it. The advice she received that day was to be a first step on a long and rewarding career journey.

I can't help but think it would be a wonderful thing if all children could have such a sense of who they wanted to be, and the determination and support to follow through with their dreams. But life has a way of stepping in and for every young person like Towanda there will be several more who will drift or will be tripped up by unexpected events.

A teenage pregnancy is surely one of the most life-altering events that can happen to a young woman. Today society is generally much more accepting of unwed mothers and thankfully there is far less of a stigma too on their children. After all, babies have no choice in their birth circumstances. Yet there was a time when a young pregnant woman without a husband would be disowned by her family or forced to give up her baby. Her child would be branded as 'illegitimate', which carried a lifelong burden of shame.

Fortunately, there have been champions of these women and their children. One of the greatest was Edna Gladney, a woman whose legacy has inspired and influenced Towanda in her own vocation to help unwed mothers. Towanda shares this remarkable story in My Tribute to Edna Gladney. She also tells us about her own experiences working in the Edna Gladney Home (now Gladney Center) in Fort Worth, Texas. This facility, which originally existed to find homes for orphans, has evolved into a maternity hospital with living accommodation, a full range of educational and recreational programs, and of course continues to match babies to adoptive parents.

Not only did Towanda fulfill her own childhood dream in her work at the Edna Gladney Home, but she played a part in ensuring young mothers and their children did not lose their opportunities to follow a dream either.

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Image Credit: adoption congratulations card by doodles_daddles

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Visit: My Tribute to Edna Gladney

Secret Freegan Makes Me Wonder Why They Throw All This Food Away

A few years ago I stumbled upon a shocking and powerful lens called, SECRET FREEGAN: Rescuing Food to Feed Homeless. At first the lens really grossed me out, but then after reading it again and really paying attention to the idea behind the lens it opened my eyes to the wastefulness of our society. In short, a brave Squidoo lensmaster makes it her daily mission to feed the hungry. How she feeds the hungry is what is so controversial.

To put it delicately, Secret Freegan (Ginger Freebird) gathers food from the trash bins and distributes it between the homeless and her family. “I'm doing a little by gathering and distributing about 400 lbs. of food weekly,” she states on her lens.

Stumbling upon this lens I immediately began to ask myself, "what if someone gets sick? Those bins are dirty. Right!? What about food poisoning, bugs and …"

As gross as it all sounds, when you read the lens, when you look at all the valuable and eye opening pictures, when you watch the YouTube videos and think about all the hungry people that go hungry every night, you become angered. At least, I did. People all over the world are starving, especially in these tough economic times. Restaurants and grocery stores could donate all their unwanted or unneeded food instead of throwing it away. So, why don’t they? Liability! Appearances? Laziness?

Take a look at the pictures and the videos Ginger displays on her lens. The handfuls of bruised, but still eatable bananas are a good example. I use bruised bananas to make banana bread and liquado all of the time. Why then, were these bruised bananas thrown away instead of donated?

Do I condone what Secret Freegan is doing? Well…that is a tough question to answer. I understand why she does it and I hate that grocery stores and restaurants throw such good food away when it can be used instead to feed so many hungry people. Still, I worry about the dirty bins she pulls the food from. What else has been thrown in those bins that could contaminate the food?

If you read Ginger's lens you will learn how careful she is about gathering the food. For example, she will not collect any milk from the bins and she gathers food that has only been recently thrown away . Ginger also mentions that she has asked the stores directly to donate the unwanted foods to her instead of wasting them, but due to liability they will not.

I would love it if Secret Freegan would use the page break module for this lens. It is a very long lens and the page break module would be a perfect fit. Aside from that, thank you Secret Freegan for the difference you have made. I look forward to more of your lenses.

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Image Credit: Fruit and Food Postcard 76 by fruitandfood

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Visit: SECRET FREEGAN: Rescuing Food to Feed Homeless

Not All Bagels Are Created Equal

Bagels…the good ones…are a foodie art form. If you are a bagel lover or better yet, a connoisseur, you know exactly what I am starting to talk about here. To deem a bagel worthy, for me, it must have an ever-so thin crispy outer ‘shell’ with an incredibly moist inner that teeters on the edge of un-done.

Not every bagel is created equal though. From my experience, most of the bagels made and packaged for mass production are made with the same-old factory bread recipe, then shaped into a bagel. It is just bread with a hole in the middle, not a true bagel. Take off your blinders folks…employ your taste buds! Once you do, it is my hope that you not look back or grab the easy way out with bagged grocery bagels!

Perfecting your recipe is, of course, key. Lucky you because I have discovered Our Bagel Recipe is Finally Perfect! It is an ode to bagels with a nom nom recipe and to-die-for photo step-by-step. Hmm! Just what I needed for my first and last bagel making venture.

Stoked to have found a recipe, after experiencing true from the bakery NY bagels, I headed full on to make mine, way before my KitchenAid I might add. No way…that little bit of bagel batter could not make a dozen bagels, so! Well, the ‘so’ ended up in six of the most ‘humongous’ hunks of bagel I’d ever seen. Humbled, yes. Shoulda read the details, yes. Hilarious, now, definitely not then!

Let’s get prepared for your bagel experience…you will need:
- Pukeko's Perfect Bagel Recipe
- A kneader, employ your kids for a couple of nickels or your hubby with a kiss.
- A scale, dammit! Just emailed Pukeko for the recipe yield so we can divide the bagel dough by eye.
- A large pan and slotted spoon.
- A baking pan…umm, cookie sheet.
- A sense of excitement and adventure for trying something different!

Give us your bagel taste experiences...thank you!

Visit: Our Bagel Recipe is Finally Perfect!

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Image Credit: Hot Bagels by Jenny181174 on Zazzle

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Keeping Calm & Internet Memes

According to dictionary.com, a meme is "a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes."

We have seen this phenomenon numerous times on the internet, where a phrase, idea, blog, or video will go viral, i.e., it is transmitted from one person to the next and before you know it, millions know about it. We saw this happen recently with the video of Susan Boyle singing "I Have a Dream" on the show, Britain's Got Talent.

I have to admit that I had never heard the story of this meme, told beautifully by Katherine Tyrell, aka makingamark, in her article The Best of Keep Calm and Carry On.

Katherine shares the fascinating history of the phrase, Keep Calm and Carry On. It was chosen for a British motivational poster during World War II, to help raise morale in the case of an invasion. Oddly enough, it was never distributed. The poster was re-discovered in 2000 by British booksellers Stuart and Mary Manley (my maiden name!) in a box of old books. Apparently, they hung it in their shop, and people bought copies over the next few years, but after being featured in a national newspaper in 2005, sales started going through the roof.

Obviously, there are certain phrases, ideas, or images that just strike a chord with people. This phrase struck me because of its universality. While entirely appropriate for the time it was written, a time of war in 1939, it still applies to many situations in our world today. For me, it even hits closer to home with a personal situation. Jon Henley, in an article from the Guardian, quotes social psychologist Alain Sampson,

"people are brought together by looking for common values or purposes, symbolized by the crown and the message of resilience. The words are also particularly positive, reassuring, in a period of uncertainty, anxiety, even perhaps of cynicism."

Since 2005, this phrase has spawned spinoffs such as "Chill out, and take it easy," as well as parodies such as "Now panic and freak out." Henley reports that the Manley's have sold more than 41,000 copies of the poster and there are websites selling products based on the phrase. Katherine has a nice collection of products in her article too.

Why do you think this phrase has struck a chord? What does it mean to you?

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Image Credit: Keep Calm And Carry On by vintage_poster

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Visit: The Best of Keep Calm and Carry On

To All Women Over 50 Who Want to Look and Feel Good!

Random Word Generated: Sunny

I dreaded hitting 40, like I dreaded becoming 30. Now, I'm on the short road to 50 and I feel I need all the help I can get. I have this 'idea' in my head that I can never age; that I will always look like I did when I was 20.

Of course, it won't come true and I'm not some god-like-celestial-figure who can never become wrinkly so when I came across Women Over 50 by Lizblueberry, I had to feature it.

A lot of the tips featured here can be followed way before you're 50 especially the skin care, hair care, supplements, fashion and diet tips, as it will certainly help for when you do. I only wish I had taken more care of myself when I was younger and not rely totally on some good genes to get me by (thanks Mum, to a disposition to varicose veins and crepy neck!)

Even now, I'm conscious of the fact that I'm looking at skin care products and cosmetics that aim to improve the look and feel of the mature skin. Of course, I know deep down, that a healthy diet, exercise, drinking lots of water and simple skin care is the answer. However, it makes you feel like you're doing something constructive and we all want or need to be pampered.

Sometimes, if we really think about it, the answer is usually the most obvious, but taking advice or suggestions from someone in the same boat, can usually help to reassurance us that we are all human; that it's easy to be swayed by adverts on the TV about the expensive facial creams and procedures that promise they can make us look 10 years younger.

This lens is extensive in its recommendations and, although there are a few minor glitches, it is worthy of a review, I believe, simply because it helps its targeted visitors in a simple and easy to understand manner.

And, as we get older, this is what we sometimes need even though we may not like or want to admit to it!

How did you cope with turning the big '0'? (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60.)

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Image Credit: A Humorous 50th Birthday Card by biglnet
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Visit: Women Over 50

Giving Jewelry A New Look

I think it would be safe to say that most of us have some pieces of jewelry laying around that could use some fixing up. Giving a new look to an old piece of jewelry can be fun and relatively easy on the purse strings. Perhaps you have what used to be a pair of earrings, but you lost one and you just haven't been able to convince yourself to toss the remaining piece away. Take a look at it again, you might be able to make a new piece of jewelry out of it. It might make a cute charm for a bracelet. Then again, you might be able to combine it with something else and make a pendant. Your imagination and creativity can find a new purpose for your old jewelry

Honestly, making yourself some new jewelry doesn't have to use other old pieces of jewelry. You can get really creative and use old dominoes, mahjong tiles, or just about anything else you can think of. If you would like some tips and suggestions on how to go about giving your jewelry a new look, I would recommend that you take a look at Fitzcharming's article. In Altered Art Craft Jewelry we find that there are many ways to alter items around our house, particularly older pieces of jewelry into something new and fun to wear. She gives us tips on items to use and the tools we would need to re-purpose all sorts of items into a new life.

"Well, I'm just not artsy or crafty enough to do this," might be what you are thinking. Not a problem, as Fitzcharming also gives us some ideas on where we can find Altered Art Jewelry by artisans across the internet. Creative and crafty people are saving a variety of items and giving them new life and a new look and helping the environment by using articles found before they get tossed away.

I've seen this trend growing in my line of work. Many customers are coming in looking at vintage jewelry and discussing how they plan to rework them to make a new piece. I'm always fascinated with their ideas and beg them to bring the piece back in when they are finished.

After you have read Fitzcharming's informative article, go take a peek around the house and see if you have some things you can give a new look to.

Visit Altered Art Craft Jewelry

Image Credit: Crazy Jewels

Discover a Russian Folktale

Do you know the different between a fairytale, a myth and a fable? I was curious about this. Fairytales, it would seem, involve fantasy non-human characters. Fables also tend to focus on animals or objects as the central characters, and have a single moral to impart. A myth, I discovered, is an attempt to explain a supernatural phenomenon and is different from a fable in that it was once assumed to be truth.

Regardless of what name it is known by, I enjoy a good folktale, particularly when it is full of drama, suspense and magic. And if this tale happens to be beautifully illustrated too, so much the better!

I know I'm not alone in this as this week's choice comes via Greekgeek's Squidoo Museum which is exactly the treasure house of cultural, scientific and historical topics that its name suggests.

Greekgeek, herself a popular writer on a wide range of topics (including, of course, ancient Greece), has lived up to her reputation of knowing quality work when she sees it and any one of the articles featured there is guaranteed to be worth a visit.

I'm glad she selected Dobrynja and Gorynytch, A Russian Dragon Tale as one of her current exhibits as I might not otherwise have found this lovely work from Susanne_Iles.

Susanne has taken an epic Russian poem and has retold it in her own style, with both words and original art. The story itself took me back to childhood fairytales, with its three-headed dragon, damsel in distress and the brave and handsome hero. The Russian names are strange and magical to our ears, but the plot is eternal.

It is her pen-and-ink drawings and a beautiful jewel-colored painting, revealed in parts beside each episode of this adventure, that make this tale so special. It draws you in and at the same time lets you see the events unfolding through Susanne's eyes.

I can see from her lensography that mythology, and dragons in particular, are close to Susanne's heart and look forward to discovering more of her work. I also love the concept of the Squidoo Museum and hope to spend more time wandering its virtual halls.

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Image Credit: the dragons duel by AutumnsGoddess

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Visit: Dobrynja and Gorynytch, A Russian Dragon Tale

The iPad and Autism

I am not normally one who has to have the latest electronic gadget. However, I received an iPad from my husband this year for my birthday and I love it! It's something I can take with me on my travels for reading books and keeping up with email and the social networks. What I did not know was that there is a lot of buzz out there about what a valuable tool the iPad can be for kids with autism.

Yesterday, I came upon this interesting article by KarenTBTEN, The iPad: a Useful Tool for Autism?. Apparently, the touch screen and design of the iPad, where you tap and slide, make it easier for kids with coordination and learning difficulties. Karen writes,

"It looks like Apple may have done something they didn't necessarily set out to do: provided one of the better adaptive learning technologies on the market."

Let's hear it for Apple! She then goes on to explain how the brains of autistic kids are wired a little differently. They don't differentiate facial expressions as well as most people and they do better interacting with technology, even cartoon characters, in a self-directed way. Some communicate better in writing and are very visual thinkers. The iPad is unique, it's cool, and is proving to be a great motivational tool for these kids.

Karen cites one Mom who describes it as almost a miracle how much her son has learned using the iPad. The videos in this article are really enlightening, showing how kids use the iPad to learn how to express their feelings, wants, and needs. You have to watch Leo's Social Story made with the app "Stories2Learn."

The iPad's size is much more manageable than the iPod touch and and much more flexible than using a full-size computer. Compared to other learning augmentation devices currently used in schools, the iPad's cost is relatively inexpensive. But Karen asks, "Who should be paying for these devices?" and mentions options such as donations and insurance companies. She points out an organization called "Danny's Wish," whose mission is to put iPads in the hands of those who need them. I think that adding a debate module to her page would be insightful, giving readers the opportunity to provide feedback on this question.

I hope you visit Karen's page and find it as fascinating as I did.

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Image Credit: Autism Handprint by fightcancertees

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Visit: The iPad: a Useful Tool for Autism?

The Mind-Body Connection: An Incredibly Ordinary Message

I'm always motivated by people who have overcome huge obstacles in their lives and now teach others how to be happy or successful or fulfilled. Their stories touch my heart. They move me out of my own excuses. They inspire me to be more and to do more.

There are many stories like this.

You've probably heard of Nick Vujicic. Nick was born without arms and legs and now speaks around the world about hope and finding meaning in life. Kyle Maynard was born without arms and legs. He became a champion wrestler and is now a motivational speaker about living life without excuses. Sean Stephenson was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which caused his bones to be extremely brittle and left him only three feet tall and unable to walk. At one point, his mother asked him, "Is this going to be a gift or a burden?" He now teaches people to get over their excuses. He teaches people how to live a happy and fulfilled life.

To me, these people exemplify one of my favorite quotes by Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor: "One can choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances."

Kajohu shares another example in her well-written and inspirational lens about Matthew Sanford.

Along with his mom, dad, brother and sister, he was in a tragic car accident when he was 13. His dad and sister were killed and he was left paralyzed from the chest down. Matthew describes himself as a "floating torso" from that point forward, until he took his first yoga class at the age of 25 and rediscovered his whole body . . . something he knew from the beginning, but was discouraged from by the medical community.

"I'm actually doing all the work I'm doing because I want a health care system where it didn't take me 12 years to reconnect my mind and body. I was so shown by the doctors - by everyone involved - what might go wrong with my body, not what was still there and could go right. I'm advocating to get that message to patients."

Through yoga, Matthew was reconnected to his entire body - awakened like a blooming flower. He describes his daily yoga practice as "the time I take to feel and refine the sensation of my existence."

And this is a message for everyone, not only those with physical disabilities. Over time we all leave our bodies to some extent as we age.

He now works with others as a yoga teacher and founded a non-profit organization called Mind Body Solutions, through which he spreads his message that we can "transform trauma, loss and disability into hope and potential by awakening the connection between mind and body."

Samantha Drost, someone Matthew works with, can now say that she's defined by the person she is, rather than by her injury.

That's incredible.

Yet Matthew's message isn't really about incredible things, or about overcoming and doing something amazing. His message is ordinary, as he calls it. He just wants to be present in his body and teach others how to be present too. It's "ordinary" because it's accessible to anyone. Matthew believes that the mind-body connection is a basic reality of human existence that we can rediscover. He says, "It is the place where one’s mind and body intersect and interact. We believe a deeper mind-body connection is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or neurological ability. It improves quality of life and opens new opportunities for healing and recovery."

Not only that, though. Matthew also says, "I have never seen anyone truly become more aware of his or her body without also becoming more compassionate. When we deepen the quality of where and how our minds interact and intersect with our bodies, our consciousness shifts. We get more connected to our lives, to each other and to the planet. This is what I am working for."

Ordinary, maybe. And also incredible.

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Image Credit: Yoga card by AdoraCreative
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Visit: Matthew Sanford - Paraplegic Yoga Teacher

What's In Your Deli Sandwich?

Did you know that August is National Sandwich Month? Well it is, now you know! As I was doing my search for a sandwich article  I started asking myself some questions about building an ideal deli sandwich. What mix of ingredients would make the sandwich scream ‘hello’ to me?

These are the important points to ponder about building a deli sandwich…as LindaJM and I see it!

The Bread!

Clouda9 - The bread must be fresh…stale bread is for making breadcrumbs or feeding the chicks. If I am making the sandwich here at home, I have a favorite 5-grain loaf that is always in the breadbox, when dining out at the deli then sour dough, lightly toasted starts off my sandwich.

LindaJM – For a perfect deli sandwich kick it off with white or Bavarian freshly baked bread roll (Bridgeford) or alternatively, a French roll that is sprinkled with cheese of choice and warmed in the oven.

The Condiments!

Clouda9 – When you see the ingredients I love in my deli sandwich, all it needs is a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. If I am feeling frisky, a dollop of stone ground mustard is added to the sandwich.

LindaJM – No fuss additions are a spread of mayonnaise on both slices of bread and a little mustard to the top half.

The Ingredients!

Clouda9 – Please make mine veggie, yum! The fresh factor is essential here too, especially when it comes to the veggies. I’ll take heaps of lettuce and spinach, tomato slices, red onion rings, 3 or 4 slices of cucumber, lots of jalapeno pepper slices, avocado chunks, a sprinkling of alfalfa sprouts, a thin slice or two of pepper jack cheese piled high on that toasted 5-grain or sour dough bread. Sheesh my mouth is watering…brb, need to go make one of these right now!

LindaJM – As the story goes she has had some strange requests...the extra pickle gal was thought to be pregnant, lol! So this is what LindaJM offers up for her deli sandwiches...onions, lettuce, tomato, olives, pepperoncinis, pickles, mozzarella and or cheddar cheese, Canadian bacon aka. "ham", salami, roast beef, pastrami, turkey, fajita chicken strips, avocado and alfalfa sprouts…everyone chooses to have or hold any of the ingredients.

Now the only thing that remains to be said…what fixins' do you pile on to make up your perfect deli sandwich?


Visit: How To Make a GREAT Deli Sandwich

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Image Credit: Italian Deli Poster Print by jamiecreates1 on Zazzle

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Take a funky holiday

Random Word Generated: Outrageous

Entering some keywords into the Squidoo search engine yields good results as with the word, Outrageous. Others are okay, but it almost looks like Squidoo is scraping the bottom of the barrel with the results it comes up with. So, unfortunately, I do have to reject the occasional word that is generated.

So, the word outrageous yielded some very good results but I felt more drawn to Funny Festivities by quippingqueen. It reminded me of the time I was sitting in a pub in London with a friend, reading this list of weird events that were happening throughout the month. We couldn't really work out why they existed and who created them, and even if anyone really attended or celebrated them but after reading Funny Festivities, perhaps it was a very similar idea but unique to the pub itself.

Either way, I found this squidoo lens to be a fascinating read. It tickled my interest in the weird and wonderful, apart from anything else. But, also proved that no matter how bad the world can be sometimes, there is always someone that is willing to inject a bit of humour into the proceedings or that gives many of us something to look forward to.

By the time, this post is published, everyone should be celebrating the:

'August 18 - FAKE FLOWER RECOGNITION DAY (Time to plant those plastic pots of PVC pansies on the deck to impress your know-it-all in-laws or nosey neighbors.)' - Funny Festivities.

How many times have you gone into a bar or restaurant, seen a beautiful display of flowers in the centre of the table and had a quick check to see if it was real or fake? How many times did they turn out to be real? Only now were ruined because you left a mark on the petals or stalk?

Okay, I have to put my hand up! But, it's hard to tell sometimes, so imagine the fun you could have with your neighbours and the local busy bodies, by totally putting their flower display to shame with huge amounts of fake flowers from the £1 store? From a distance you wouldn't know the difference.

Hell, it made my day, anyway :)

But this squidoo lens is great for putting a smile on your face and a wacky idea into your head because even if the rest of the world doesn't know about these wacky holidays, you can have a huge amount of fun celebrating them.

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Image Credit: by PeppersPolishMafia
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Visit: Funny Festivities

All Aboard The Peace Train

Come on let's all get on the train together! Final destination is a world filled with peace. This train ride can be real. The land of peace doesn't have to be a place that we wish for or dream of, it can be a place we make. All of us together, one at a time joining together we can make it happen. It starts at our own station, the one inside of each of us. We get on the train in our own hearts first.

I stumbled across an article about this very thing, Peace and how to reach it. Cheryl Paton, also known as CreativeArtist,  has written about a journey we can all take. In her writing, For Peace, Cheryl talks about first choosing to have peace within ourselves. It is a first step, and for some it may be the only step they need. Certainly having peaceful hearts will influence those around us. By living in peace, we inherently pass peace on with positive energy that is unseen but certainly felt by those we encounter each day.

Cheryl has created some unique art with the Peace Sign as her basis that I found intriguing and fun. She calls them Peace Pies and has made them into different products that we can have for ourselves or give as gifts. In her article she talks about a movement that inspired her products and you might find interesting enough to become involved in.

Cheryl reminds us of the song "Peace Train" by Yusuf (Cat Stevens) by providing a video of his performance at the Nobel Peace Conference of 2006. Back in 1971 when this song first hit the charts, many of us embraced this song and it is still very special in my own heart. One section of the lyrics has always spoken to me loudly over the years. "Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is. Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss?" Isn't that so true? If we stop the hate in our own hearts, eventually all hate will go away. Peace starts with the individual and then grows outside of each of us.

I've never been one who trusts that the governments of the world to bring peace. I believe that true peace will happen but it will come from you and I and the people we influence. It will happen when we banish poverty in the world.  It will happen when we pass out books instead of bombs. Cheryl gives some places and organizations in her article that you might find engaging. "The Peace Train is sounding louder"...All Aboard!

Visit For Peace

Image Credit: Peace train, painting, postage stamp by Cherylsart

Dolls Make a Beautiful Canvas

One thing that makes my day is coming across an article that grabs my attention when it wasn't even a topic I was looking for! That's exactly what happened to me yesterday, when quite by chance I saw a link to an article titled How to Repaint Fashion Dolls - A look at the Art of Doll Repainting.

If you've seen some of my other blog posts here, you may well have noticed that I have particular admiration for the artistic talents out there. I've also had a lifelong love of fashion dolls, born of a fascination with recreating real world items in miniature. For me, an intriguing title like this was like the scent of fresh-baked cookies... I had no choice but to follow it.

Well, it turns out that those enchanting art dolls that I have so often admired are not being created only in big doll studios but also by creative people in their own homes. Lady-in-the-window is one such person. With common sense and clear instructions, she acts as our guide to getting started with the wonderful art of doll repainting with the least possible fuss and expense.

Lady-in-the-window is no amateur and sells both instructional materials for budding doll artists and art dolls themselves. Nonetheless, she has a gift for putting herself in the place of a first-time doll painter and anticipates each concern and potential error. Her step-by-step illustrations offer a captivating glimpse of the creative process even if you have no intention of picking up a brush. This is clearly painstaking work, from the painting of each tiny eyelash to the re-rooting of the doll's hair.

At the same time, this doll artist's passion is contagious and left me itching to have a go at this myself. While this doll painting guide appeals to me on quite a personal level, the whole page is so well put together that I had to share it with you too. Take a look at the before-and-after images of her doll transformations and I'm sure you will agree that though she may use playthings as her canvas, she creates true works of art from them.

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Image Credit: Doll Repaint Nao by Laurie Leigh by laurieleighart

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Visit: How to Repaint Fashion Dolls - A look at the Art of Doll Repainting

Reflecting on Reflections

Lately I've been more introspective than usual, so it's no wonder that I was drawn to this article, The Art of Reflection by JaguarJulie.

As a photographer, images of reflections are favorite subjects of mine. They are often abstract and incredibly beautiful, reminding me that there is no separation between anyone or anything. Photography is a form of meditation for me. What I decide to photograph is often a reflection of what is going on with me at that moment, and can be used for further reflection. I have often read that what we see in the world is a reflection of who we are at that moment, and I believe this to be very true. Images of reflections bring home that point and, I think for me anyways, lead to introspection.

"The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face."--William M. Thackeray

JaguarJulie has designed a page that weaves together beautifully the reflections we see, what she calls tangible reflections, with moments of inner reflection or introspection. She helps us to reflect on reflection by interspersing gorgeous art prints of reflections with inspiring quotes on reflection, as well as selections of books and music on reflection. Many of the quotes imply that taking time for inner reflection is essential for effective action in the world. You will also enjoy reminiscing with this oldie but goodie song, "Reflections of my Life" by the Marmalade.

Do you take time for inner reflection? Are you drawn to images of reflections? According to the poll on JaguarJulie's page, 100% of people dig reflections! If you like this article on the art of reflection, JaguarJulie has a whole series called "The Art Of ...," from the Art of Squash to the Art of Wisdom.

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Image Credit: Surreal Water Photo by SeeRealPhotos

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Visit: The Art of Reflection

A Tale of Two Hummingbirds

I'm reviewing a sweet and endearing lens about hummingbirds today. But you don't have to love birds to love this lens! Believe me, you'll be glued to the entire thing, waiting to find out what happens next. It's a tale of two baby birds and their mother that goes much deeper into ideas and emotions that touch humanity - - life and death, setbacks and perseverance, nurture and love. Like me, you won't even realize how long you've been there until you reach the end, sit back, and take a breath.

"But this is not just another hummingbird story. It is a very unusual one. A series of unexpected events occurred during the three weeks the baby hummers were in the nest, where human intervention came into play."

The main story takes place over a short, six week period, from May 23 to July 5, 2010. This tiny window of time, from when the new nest is built to the moment the baby hummingbirds leave the nest, is a memorable educational experience that will make you feel like you've stepped outside of time. The teaching is so woven into the story that the facts become just as interesting as the plot. The baby hummingbird's names even come from the scientific name for this type of hummingbird species. I'm not telling though - - you'll have to read the story to learn their creative names!

Bakerwoman tells the story through stunning photographs, rare video footage and text that draws you right in to the story - - it's captivating and inspirational as well as educational.

"I took pictures and videos of the daily happenings from the time the nest was built, until the eggs turned into hatchlings, nestlings and fledglings."

The photos are truly incredible and they teach a lot! For example, a couple of them show that the nest is about 1/2 the size of a wine cork, with a diameter only slightly larger than a U.S. quarter! You can imagine how small the eggs are and how tiny the two baby hummingbirds must be to live together in the nest!

Through the photos and video, you witness the birth of the babies, their feeding (which is fascinating, to say the least), their care for one another through some pretty scary times, and the baby's flight out of the nest. And you feel as though you're right there with them.

Foreshadow and suspense keep you glued right to the end. But it's more than that. You become emotionally connected to the story and to the well-being of the baby hummingbirds. You just have to know. What happens next? Are they OK? Will they make it?

I encourage you to set aside about an hour to go through this beautiful lens. It'll take that long if you go through it in detail, but my guess is that you'll be glad you did.

I'll be curious to know - - which little hummingbird grew closest to your heart?

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Image Credit: Hummingbirds card by AdoraCreative
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Visit: A Home For Hummingbirds

Interchangeable Welcome Doormats

Random Word Generator: Permanent

It's really interesting discovering what squidoo lenses come up with the search term provided by the random word generator; at first glance, it's difficult to see how they could possibly be related. However, if you really set your mind to it, you can come up with a link...

Take the word Permanent, for example, as today's random word. The lens, MatMates Doormats by nyfamily5, at first glance, doesn't appear to be linked at all. However, it is :) Doormats, I hope, are a permanent fixture. Okay, a very subtle link!

I found a number of doormat lenses but none of them really stood out enough for me until I came across nyfamily5's. It's bright and colourful and just what you need to wake you up first thing Monday morning, or should that be Wednesday morning?

As the doormat is one of the first things you notice when you knock on someone's door, it has to be pretty striking and very welcoming, too. What isn't very welcoming is a doormat that makes you think twice about entering said residence, even if you think, it could be done in jest ;) The doormats featured on this lens, are more than welcoming, though. They're patriotic, seasonal, bright, cheerful, cute and interchangeable, too!

This is such a neat idea; you first buy the tray and then you can buy separate doormats according to your tastes. As the season, your mood, or even your visitors changes, your doormat can be changed to suit. An ideal way to make someone feel at home whoever it is.

Doormats don't seem to be a popular as they used to be and I often wonder why. It's a shame as they're an attractive and useful addition to any home whether it's a flat, cottage or penthouse ;)

What's on your doormat? :)

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Image Credit: Cat-Doormat by Riviere
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Visit: MatMates Doormats

No Invitation For Fido or Fifi

Have you checked the invitation? Was Fido or Fifi (insert the name of your canine friend) actually invited to attend where you are about to take them? As people who enjoy sharing our lives with our pets, we naturally want to take them with us when we are out for the day or on a trip. Most especially those of us who share our lives with dogs, we see it as an opportunity for them to get some exercise and hone their social skills. Are they truly welcome, though? Will everyone appreciate their cuteness as much as we do?

Pet owner and lover, OhMe takes on the debate of when it might be best to not bring your pet (canine or otherwise) to an event. Her article Pet Owners Should Leave Their Pets At Home gives some pretty good reasons as to why Fido might not be mentioned in the invitation. Being one of the planners of many events in her small community, Nancy has observed situations that might be unsafe for both humans and animals. With her good nature, she explains that not all people are happy to see your pet and not all situations are set up for your pet. Of course, not all folks agree with her but she accepts those opinions respectfully and agrees to disagree.

Nancy's article recently was awarded the Squidoo Sunshine Award. Congratulations! Whether you agree with her point or not, you would have to agree that she does make a good argument and provides some food for thought to those who bring their pets along to events, festivals, and public gatherings that may not be a welcome environment.

Personally, I side with Nancy's point of view. Not all people love animals as we do and some have a fear of those animals. Others may have an allergy to our pet's dander and could become quite ill just being a few feet away from them. There is also the aspect of creating stress for our pet. Suddenly they are overwhelmed with smells, noise, and commotion that they aren't comfortable with and may react in a negative way to it.

Go on over and visit OhMe's article and think about her views as an event planner the next time you are tempted to take your pet along.

Visit Pet Owners Should Leave Their Pets At Home

Image Credit: No dogs allowed poster by nb_greenland

Alzheimer's: A Cat's Perspective

Getting old comes to us all, and though it definitely has its own pleasures there's no getting away from the fact that it brings challenges too. For example, none of us wants to suffer from Alzheimers Disease with all its accompanying indignities, and yet as we live longer the statistics suggest it is on the increase.

Of course, we tend to associate dementia and the other perils of old age with elderly people. Yet this is not a uniquely human disease, as a certain writer by name of Vladi points out.

If you haven't yet encountered this dark and handsome gentleman, you've been missing a treat. He is a most eloquent writer who tackles a whole range of weighty and fun issues, always with impeccable style and a wry sense of humour. He also happens to be a cat -- a fact I only mention so bluntly for its relevance to the topic in hand.

You see, it is Vladi's insider view as a feline, plus his (how can I put this delicately?) vintage status that makes him the obvious person... err... cat to tell us about feline Senile Dementia in Alzheimer's and Cats. As he explains, just like us, cats are living longer. Which makes them more susceptible to feline Alzheimers. The results can be similar, with cats experiencing senior moments and needing a little patience and gentle handling. Happily, in Vladi's case, it certainly sounds as if 'the woman who feeds him' gives him plenty of both.

Interestingly, the preventative measures for cats are pretty much the same as those we might take with regard to our own health. What I love about Vladi's message is that he shows that ageing humans and their feline companions can each help the other to stay agile in mind and body.

I've been a fan of Vladi's for some time now. He even has a Facebook account where he publishes his daily musings. Whether you are wondering about feline health issues or just enjoy cat-related topics, he should definitely be one of your first points of call!

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Image Credit: Bleah! by happyfrog1

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Visit: Alzheimer's and Cats

Michey's Birthday

Happy birthday, Michey!

Michey loves to send images of flowers to folks on their birthdays. It's amazing how nice it feels to receive her flower pictures. So, I wanted to give her some flowers to enjoy for herself. And since they are her state's official flower, I chose violets. Hope you like them, Michey!

In 1986, Michey, born in Romania, and having fled its communist rule in 1980, became a proud US citizen. She has as much love for the US as anyone born to the land. And the South is one of her favorite areas here; she gets a big kick out of Southernisms. And she's even done some lenses on the Civil War -- Part 1 and Part 2.

To learn what I left out between the lines of her life and her move to the US, you'll find the skin-tingling and inspiring details at her lensography.

Michey, all the best to you.

Image credit: African Queen Violet Floral Stamp by LisaLorenzPaintings

CouchSurfing 101

If you are like me, the word "CouchSurfing" might bring up visions of someone sitting on the couch, surfing channels with his or her TV remote. However, to others more in the know, CouchSurfing is one of the hottest trends today.

I first heard of CouchSurfing when my daughter was planning a trip to Boston with her boyfriend and was being a little vague about where they were staying. The inquisitor in me kicked in and finally she told me, "Well, we're CouchSurfing." Of course, I was pretty wary when I learned that it involved staying on a stranger's couch. She calmly directed me to the site, and explained the safety measures they were taking. I heard a familiar refrain, "Don't worry!"

Since then, I have learned more about CouchSurfing, although I'm not sure I would try it myself. CouchSurfing.com is a non-profit organization whose mission is "to create inspiring experiences: cross-cultural encounters that are fun, engaging, and illuminating." How do they operate? CouchSurfers support the community by getting verified, which includes making a donation. The site says that each positive experience between members costs 24¢ USD in CouchSurfing operating costs. Since its inception in 2004, more than two million people have CouchSurfed with 99% reporting positive experiences.

Those who do it regularly are almost religious about its benefits. Besides being an inexpensive way to travel, they tout all of the ways it can make the world a better place. Here are some of the quotes I read at this article on CouchSurfing by calamary.

"It's about making connections worldwide."
"We make the world a better place by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives."
"We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available."
"We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures."
"CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!"

These are lofty claims, yet I wonder if they are on to something. Calamary points to articles where people report on their CouchSurfing experiences and how it has changed them. What do you think? Is this something you would try?

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Image Credit: Globe good2, Hello couchsurfer. by momo034

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Visit: CouchSurfing

The Power of Opera

Music is a universal language and art form that stirs our emotions, connects us to memories and special moments, and speaks to our innermost being. It can take us to places beyond words. Even with lyrics in a different language, music touches us deeply. It reaches deeper than a mental understanding of words and touches us emotionally and spiritually.

Storytelling is also a universal language and art form. It has been a method of passing on information, teachings and traditions since the beginning of time. It connects us as humans. It speaks to our hearts. Storytelling can transport us to other places and times, just like music can. Just think about how lost you can become in a book, or the adventures you took as a child when you heard a story, or read one yourself.

Together, music and story create an intensely deep, powerful and emotional experience.

That's what we find in opera.

Lensmaster, Photahsiamirabel, shares her 20 reasons to love opera in the form of her favorite operatic tunes. As a musician and music educator, it's not just about enjoyment and experience. Lisa also knows a thing or two!

It's true that opera isn't for everyone. And I think it's a common thing for people to go through a period where they turn their nose up at it. I find it interesting that two universal and ancient art forms and methods of communication can seem so foreign! Even Photahsiamirabel writes, "As a teenager, I looked down my nose at opera. It was somehow removed from life as we know it, it didn't speak to my generation in the way that rock music did." After she learned about opera and experienced it in college, though, she had a different view: "All of a sudden I understood the acting and the business behind some of the most glorious music ever written."

And that's her purpose with this lens - - to inspire readers to think about opera in a new way.

So, give it a shot. If you already love opera, you'll enjoy listening to some of the most popular and powerful operatic music. If you're new to it, you might just develop a new appreciation!

Which of Lisa's 20 reasons to love opera is your favorite?

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Image Credit: Evening at the Theater by Memory_Lane
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Visit: 20 Reasons to Love Opera

Meet My Friend, Arnold

This review is an introduction to my way of finding good, unique and inspirational lenses to feature on my day of the week i.e. Wednesday.

By using a random adjective word generator, I will hope to find squidoo lenses that fit the criteria for featuring on Squidoo Lens Reviews. So, as a heading for each post, I will give you the word chosen followed by the review.

I'll let you decide if the lens chosen bears any truth to the word generated.

I hope you enjoy!

Random Word Generated: Unpleasant

I first came across this disease whilst watching an episode of Dr. G. Medical Examiner. It was stated then, on that show, that the condition was extremely rare but can sometimes prove fatal. It didn't, however, elaborate on the symptoms commonly experienced as the programme focusses on the cause of death, only.

So, when I came across What Is Arnold Chiari Malformation? by Caravansarai by way of my random word generator, I just to had to feature it.

Like many people, I can't imagine living with such a debilitating and life-threatening disease and I'm conscious of the fact that I complain like hell about the conditions I do have to live with. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

Those, like the one half of Caravansarai, are the people who help to stop others from losing control to their own difficulties as they put lesser mortals to shame with their uncomplaining attitude to life; they are the ones who are able to bounce back from trauma and laugh about the troubles they experience.

However, more importantly, they are also drawing attention and awareness to ACM which can go undiagnosed for many years. The world is full of misdiagnoses and missed diagnoses, an experience that we can all probably relate to at one time or another, so lenses like this are a godsend for many.

Have you or someone you know ever had a misdiagnosis? Did it ever get sorted out?

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Image Credit: A very touching shot by temabina
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Visit: What Is Arnold Chiari Malformation?

Tiers of Cupcakes

Are you planning a party sometime soon? Thinking about what to serve at the party? Have you considered a Cupcake Tier for the dessert? It really doesn't matter what kind of party or event you might be planning, cupcakes will work. I wrote earlier in the year about Brides starting to tier cupcakes into towers for their wedding receptions instead of the traditional wedding cakes. Cupcakes are so versatile and can be arranged and decorated for any occasion from fancy to whimsical, for kids or adults.

Not only are the cupcakes usually pretty economical to make but when done with a theme and displayed in a tier they create a lovely or cute centerpiece for your table. It should be relatively easy to match the icing colors to your color scheme. Your choices of themes, colors, and flavors are unlimited.

I found an article that shows The Best Cupcake Tiers and gives some pretty awesome ideas for any event where dessert will be served. Prosperity66 gives examples of cupcake tiers for weddings, showers, kids parties, and so much more. I am amazed at how creative people are getting with this luscious little cake that in years past seemed to be relegated to birthday parties for children and served on a boring tray. Hosts and Hostesses are creating these tiers of cupcakes for graduation parties, baby showers, and adult parties with amazingly imaginative color schemes and themes. These examples of cupcake towers and tiers just might help you plan your next party or event. Halloween is coming in a few months, can't you just see some fun cupcake ideas in your head about now?

Go on over and visit Dom's article, drool over the cupcake examples, and be sure to let her know you stopped by. I'm sure it will make your mouth water and probably spark an idea or two for the next time you plan to entertain.

Visit The Best Cupcake Tiers

Image Credit: Colorful Cupcake Tower Party Invitation by BirthdayStampStore

Reflecting on Childhood Memories

Isn't it funny, the things childhood memories are made up of? Though each of us would pick different things, I think it's a fair guess that some things would appear again and again: a grandmother's baking, the vast expanse of a field (and how small it looks now through adult eyes), how many kids shared your name at school. Later on, the embarassing things that happened at your summer job, and dreams of the things you really wanted to do when you grew up.

These are all things that were on DeborahLynne's list when she decided to share her memories of growing up on Long Beach Island in New Jersey. Naturally enough, she begins with the people -- the first and most important influence on the life of a very small child. Then the places, and what they meant to her. The marina, well, that's where she caught her first eel. The church and high school led her to discover a love of choral singing. Her grandparents' home was a place of deep-fried doughnuts and of semi-wild cats.

It's these little things, the detail of a time held only in memory, that makes her memories -- and yours and mine -- special. None of us had quite the same upbringing as Debbie, but many of us will smile as she must have done to recall the funny things a childhood pet once did. Just as we cringe in sympathy at her dropping that tray full of doughnuts at her part-time job.

Just as fascinating are the things that may be different, such as ice skating on a frozen lake. And some things we can only experience by reading the true-life stories of others. Debbie shares an amazing tale of the time there was a small whale in her neighbors' swimming pool.

From her childhood, too, came Debbie's fascination with astronomy, which remains with her today. In See What Makes Me Tick, My Younger Years she writes: My passion is the unexplored (at least by me), and the unknown. What is it that lies just around the next bend? Small wonder that she would have loved to have been an astronaut.

Having read about her adventures and dreams, I will no longer see Debbie as just another name on a screen next time I come across her work online. Now she'll be the little girl who caught a really big eel and dreamed of going into space. Why not head over there are get to know her a little better yourself? Or maybe share some of your own childhood memories?

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Image Credit: Long Beach Island, N.J. souvenir starfish magnet by maukillian

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Visit: See What Makes Me Tick, My Younger Years