Look out ladybugs! Those Marigolds are mine!

Flowers are beautiful. Butterflies, bees and bugs come to them for food and I always wonder if I can too. I’ve heard stories of people mistakenly eating poisonous plants in search of food and the thought of mistakenly eating a plant scares me a lot. Even more so, since I found out that the beautiful flowering bush growing in my front yard is deadly. It’s an Oleander. Before I knew it was poisonous I let my kids play with the flowers.

It is good to know, thanks to a lens called, The Edible Marigold by BuckHawk, that there are beautiful flowers I can safely enjoy in my garden as well as on my plate. BuckHawk’s well written, tasty and educational lens is a perfect example of a lensmaster/author who did her research before making a lens. She didn’t just click it together in a few minutes and call it a lens. Instead, she has covered a lens in great tips, tasty recipes, pretty pictures, and beneficial facts about marigolds.

For example, I learned that there are two genuses of marigolds. The French Marigolds is part of the Tagetes genuses. “The French Marigolds make wonderful insect protection in the vegetable garden. Plus, moles think the roots of marigolds are distasteful. So planted around the perimeter of any garden they will deter moles from ruining flowers and vegetables” (The Edible Marigold). I also learned that the Marigold (Calendula) could be used for the treatment for skin problems and even inflammation.

I really love BuckHawk’s idea of blossom ice cubes. It is so easy to do and I know my kids would love it if I made them. Her flower-infused syrup recipe sounds delicious and her flower butter tip is so simple to do, I have no reason why not to try these recipes. To be honest, I like all the simple to follow recipes and food tips she had featured on this page. Recipes should always be simple and easy to follow in my opinion.

I’ve tried growing marigolds in my garden before, but I have not had much success. After reading this lens and learning how beneficial marigolds can be to my garden, my health and that they’re edible too, I am definitely going to try growing them in my garden again. I only wish BuckHawk would display a few more large pictures of marigolds throughout the lens or put several together and display them in the photo gallery module so we can enjoy the brightly colored flowers a little more.

Now...I am going to take a look at BuckHawk’s other edible flower lenses.

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Image Credit: Marigold Garden - Greeting Card by DonnaGrayson

Why Am I Writing About My Grief?

For once in my life, I'm not writing about my grief...I'm writing about kaazoom's grief, a very personal account of the struggle he had coping after the death of his son.

There are not many people on this Earth that hasn't experienced grief in some form or another whether it's due to the death of a loved one, pet or the loss of something that they hold dear.

It's a fact of life but it doesn't make it any easier to handle or even to learn to know what is the best way to deal with the sudden strength and force of emotions that a death or a loss can cause. Writing about your experience and publishing your story on the Internet is often overlooked as it does involve bearing your vulnerabilities and your innermost thoughts to everyone who happens to come along. For anyone who has had the misfortune to do this exact thing and have received negative reactions for their trouble, then there is a definite need to be wary.

It is therefore very brave and admirable for someone to take this huge but not always satisfying step on the journey to their recovery if they feel this is the right way to not only help themselves but also to help others who may also be going through a similar thing.

Kaazoom has done just this with particular frankness, sensitivity and tenderness. Every single word on A Grief Observed - Coping With The loss of My Son displays copious amounts of sincerity that facilitates a helping and trusting, reaching hand out to whoever needs it.

After so many years of struggling with my own grief, I know how important it is to find that outlet and release of emotional build up that could only be described as despair and deep loss.

What has helped you the most with dealing with your grief? Could it help me, too, perhaps?

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Image Credit: one joy scatters a hundred griefs by galdesigns

Warriors Against Poverty

I believe that we should all become warriors against poverty in our Country. We should fight against this enemy with as much strength as we can muster. We need to find ways that can help children and adults get the basic needs that every human deserves. Our enemy is poverty which is robbing more and more people each day of their homes and food in their bellies. Worst of all, Poverty steals the hopes and dreams of children who are the innocents in this war. The battles are getting tougher as each of us struggle with our own economic woes. Fight, we must! The typical weapons of war won't work against our mortal enemy, Poverty. We must be the Warriors of Love, Compassion, and Action. We must arm ourselves with the knowledge of the needs of so many and use this knowledge to start to make a difference winning one battle at a time.

You may be wondering about my choice of a graphic for this review. It is the Flag of the Oglala Band of Lakota (Sioux) who live for the most part on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Last week I read Pine Ridge Reservation Or Prison Camp by VBright105. Veronica shares with us that the Lakota People on Pine Ridge are the poorest people in the United States. Lakota is the real name for the Native Americans that we often mistakenly refer to as the Sioux Indians. Veronica speaks from her heart in this article because she visits Pine Ridge on a regular basis and has seen with her own eyes the conditions and the poverty that have taken over the lives of the Lakota and the Oglala. She gives some pretty grim facts and has some heart breaking videos to watch.

Veronica brings out a good point about many finding it easy to sit back and "judge" the Native American due to misinformation that we have been taught in our history books. In general, I think a lot of people find it easy to "judge" the poverty stricken people across our country. We sit in our comfortable homes with plenty of food and blame the victims. Yes, I know that there are some people who represent every culture of the world who make the choice to be lazy and expect a handout from us and never do anything to make their lives better. There are many more who don't want to be homeless, hungry, jobless, and without hope. Those are the people we must become warriors for.

After reading VBright105's article, I hope you will join me and Veronica and become a Warrior Against Poverty. Whether you choose to help the Lakota at Pine Ridge or people closer to you isn't important. What is important is that we do what we can to fight this enemy and wipe it off the face of the map. If money is tight for your household right now then think of volunteering some time and energy. No act is unworthy, no donation is too small as each becomes a weapon that will help win the war; one battle at a time.

Image Credit: Oglala Lakota Flag

A Deliberate Act of Kindness

The aftermath of war can last for years and even decades. While it is the politicians who draw the lines on maps and pass the orders that divide countries and sometimes even cities and families, it is the innocent civilians who have to bear the consequences.

And who more innocent than the children? What part did they have in their parents' war? I have read something of the hardships faced by children of different nationalities during and after World War II. Not least those of Berlin and occupied Germany.

I recently learned more about the plight of the Berliners, particularly the youngest of the divided city's inhabitants, when I came across a wonderful article by triathlontraining.

He explains that in 1947 the city faced yet another severe crisis as political disagreement led to the Soviet Union blocking the entrance of vital supplies by land into Berlin. Instead, the Western occupying forces were obliged to take to the air to deliver the food that would keep the people from starvation.

American pilots, and later the American population, got behind this effort in a way I had never heard of before. The pilots began dropping sweet treats over the beleagured city, an ongoing effort that earned them the name of Candy Bombers. This developed into a full-blown official Operation with confectioners and even US school children getting involved.

The important part about dropping the treats to the people trapped in West Berlin was that most of the children only knew the Americans as the ones that bombed and possibly killed some of their family. The effect of dropping candy was to give hope and a little joy to the most fragile people of the population; the children.

In this tribute to The Candy Bombers and the Berlin Airlift triathlontraining goes on to share a review of the book The Candy Bombers and tells us more about the man who started it all. This is no dry account, his admiration for this heart-warming piece of history at a time of so much strife shines through. He also shares with us a number of images and videos that bring this story to life.

As the holiday season approaches and we brace ourselves for all the candy, chocolate and sweets that will tempt our own children, it is worth sparing a thought for the youngsters of Berlin and how candy fell from the sky at a time when it must have seemed that hope was lost.

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Image Credit: Kindness and Grace Mousepad by GraceKindness.

Extreme Writing Now Network

This evening, Alex (Drifter0658) spoke about the writers here at Squidoo Lens Reviews. He thinks they are some of the best writers in the whole site of Squidoo.

I couldn't agree more. And I thank him for the shout out for the authors here. It's very much appreciated and very good to hear that the superb writers at Squidoo Lens Reviews have been recognized this way.

And that brings me to a little radio show. The show, Extreme Writing Now Network, on BlogTalkRadio, is where I heard him give the Squidoo Lens Reviews writers a shout out.

The EWNN radio show is hosted by Alex and one of our very own Squidoo Lens Reviews authors, Bev (BevsPaper). These two folks make a great team. The back and forth banter is just enough to give you some giggles, but with lots of room for the serious stuff. I just wish the 30 minutes didn't pass by so quickly!

Each week, there's a guest author being interviewed. And you get to listen to the recorded hypnotic voice of Karen (KarenTBTEN) reading a book passage. There's also catch-up time where Bev lets folks know what went on at the Extreme Writing Now website in the past week. (If you check out the site and something's acting wonky, don't worry, Alex is setting up a new theme and will have it back in order in no time.)

And let's not forget the chat room during the radio show. We have some fun in there as well. Tonight included folks such as Clouda9, lakeerieartists, and Bev's husband, Terry.

All in all, the radio show is a great get together for lovers of the written word.

As for the home website, it's for writers of any caliber, any genre — even any word count. And there always seems to be a contest going on giving you a chance to win a book. So, if you're a word lover, the EWN website is an inspiring place for writers, and it's also a whole lot of fun.

A big thank you to Alex for the site and for the radio show. And thank you again, Alex, for the shout out for this site's authors.

Image credit: Writer by ExtremeWritingNow

Celebrate Autumn

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." ~Albert Camus



Living in the midwestern United States, I am lucky to be able to experience a balance of all four seasons in their radiant splendor. This week we transition to autumn, one of my favorite times of year. It seems that after the oppressive heat and humidity of summer, we are always more than ready for fall. The picture to your left is actually of a tree in my neighborhood and it makes me gasp every time I look at it. Every year I get to witness this beauty for about two weeks.

When I came across Marelisa's page, Celebrate Autumn, I thought that the title was perfect. All of the changes that autumn brings are a cause for celebration and Marelisa gives us a diverse selection of ways to do just that. Through ideas, quotes, images, and links, she gets across the message that autumn is a time to treasure. All of our senses are stimulated with her list and here is just a sampling.

Eyes - Take a fall colors tour when the leaves are at their peak.
Ears - Enjoy the sound of leaves crinkling under your feet.
Touch - Make sticky toffee apples.
Smell - Take in the clean, crisp autumn air.
Taste - Buy roasted chestnuts from a street vendor.

Autumn is a great time to get outdoors and combat that nature deficit disorder I talked about last week. The oppressive heat of the summer is gone and a new vitality is felt. During autumn I like to go for hikes in the woods or play an outdoor game with family or friends. I like to decorate the house with fall colors, pumpkins, gourds, or straw bales. The smell of fresh squash soup or a baking apple crisp is something I always look forward to. Marelisa suggests watching one of my favorite shows, Charlie Brown's "The Great Pumpkin."

How do you like to celebrate this new season? Whatever way you choose, follow Marelisa's advice and have a joyous autumn.

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Image Credit: Red Maple by kimmanleyort

Funny And Silly Letters

Random word generated: Admitted

The English language is a complex, sometimes confusing but certainly a very interesting language. It's full of similar sounding words that mean different things, confusing verbs and odd spellings. It's no wonder that it is known to be one of the hardest languages to learn.

But, in amongst this strange mass of words and contradictions lie some hidden humorous gems.

Funny Humorous Letters by Snozzle is just one example of the many squidoo lenses out there that highlight the weird and wacky side of the English language by bringing funny letters that have been sent to official and professional bodies to the rest of the world's attention.

As Snozzle is someone who had the pleasure of receiving similar letters to his place of work on a regular basis, I can only really begin to imagine just how much reading these letters brightened up his day. Perhaps they were funny enough to share with his mates over a pint of lager after work or even made him laugh out loud at his desk much to the amusement of his work colleagues.

Either way, they are something I would love to receive as a change from the somewhat boring spam emails I get sent to me like so many others also do.

As an extra bonus, spotted throughout the lens, Snozzle has been thoughtful enough to provide his readers with a little treat by adding a few optical illusions. These will be sure to send you crossed-eyed and loopy if you are that way inclined. It's ironic, in that case, that the random word generated this week is admitted :)

These particular funny letters, quotes and statements feature double entendres, toilet humour, medical quotes and more. A couple of my favourites amongst this collection are:

"Rectal examination revealed a normal sized thyroid," and

"My bush is really overgrown round the front and my back passage has fungus growing in it."

Now, it's over to you.

Do you have any experiences of similar funny letters or do you have your own personal favourite from this lens?

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Image Credit: Postal Worker Missing The Dogs-Story Art by gabelstories

Quilts, Fabrics, And Life

Quilts have always held a special place in my heart. I love seeing the fabrics that the quilter has chosen to work with to create a colorful piece of art that is also a functional item that can be treasured throughout our lives. The intricate stitching done by hand and now, more often, by machine that joins the quilt top to other layers of the quilt form yet another picture. The Quilter takes what may, at first glance, look like totally unrelated pieces of fabrics and paints a picture with cloth. I have often related life as a quilt with the people in our lives representing the fabrics, joined together with a common thread, making the unique pattern of our lives.

I've tried my hand at quilting and wish that I had more time to quilt. I guess you could say I am a "wannabe" quilter. The women and men that I have met that are quilters always have a stash of fabrics for future projects. Although I have not met her in person, BuckHawk is one such person who has quite a collection of fabrics to work with. She tells us in A Fabric-a-holic's Story about her life with fabrics and quilting. I can tell you right now, I envy that closet! So organized with gems of colorful fabric that just make my mouth water. She shows us some lovely examples of quilts that she has completed and gives some personal insight of her passion for cloth.

I admire Susan (BuckHawk) for her organization and quilting talent. Taking her special pieces of fabric from her closet and joining them into pieces of art to adorn a bed or wall takes time but also passion. I couldn't help but think when I saw her pictures of quilts if someday in the future an Antique Dealer would be offering one of them as a treasure of the past. I also admire Susan for keeping a tradition and art form alive with her special eye for color and her loving stitches placed in each quilt.

When old quilts come into the shop, I go into a trance imagining the woman who chose those fabrics to work with, wondering who she was and who she loved so much that she would make a quilt for them. I am in awe of the tiny little stitches that create another picture as they bind all of the pieces together. Even the pattern that she chooses with the blocks gives a little insight into the woman she was.

Thank you, Susan, for letting us see the wonderful woman you are by sharing your lovely fabrics and telling us about your passion for the cloth and the quilt.

Visit A Fabric-a-holic's Story

Image Credit: Quilt Patch One

Glass Treasures on the Beach

Whenever I visit the ocean I turn into a beachcomber. Like a magpie, my eyes search the ground for a twinkle of glass or a pretty pebble with an unusual color or markings. Sometimes I see dead crabs or starfish but I leave those where they lie.

I have never found a message in a bottle, though I know some people do pick up these mysterious (or funny) messages from the seashore.

What I didn't know was that along some beaches you can, if you are fortunate, find even more interesting treasures. One of the most unique articles I read this week was titled The Glass Floats in Lincoln City, Oregon.

If you are wondering, as I did, what a glass float is, the author of this piece has the answer. ArtbyLinda explains that glass fishing floats have been around for more than 150 years. While they served a essential purpose in keeping the fishermen's nets afloat, surprisingly not all of them were made from the cheapest glass. Indeed glass floats were over the decades produced in a whole range of colors.

As Linda explains, the glass floats had a tendency to 'escape' and many of the floats that wash up today are many years old.

However, in Lincoln City, Oregon, there is a much more modern project involving these glass spheres.

"Every year they place glass floats handblown by local artists along the shoreline of Lincoln City beaches.

They call this "Finders Keepers", because if you find one, you get to keep it.

What a lovely tradition to start, and a wonderful way to encourage people to explore their coastline. For those who don't strike lucky, there is also the option to buy a float or even blow your own. Linda shares a video of this fascinating process, in which you can see not only how they get those colored streaks in them but also get a glimpse of just how pretty the end result can be.

As for me, I'll have to be content for now with bits of broken glass, but maybe one day I'll find a glass float of my own!

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Image Credit: Japanese Glass Float stamp by deegolden

How Annoying Do You Want To Be?

I am annoying. Ask my oldest sister. She can’t stand me. I can tell by the rolling of her eyes. Instead of responding to my annoyances she just rolls her eyes and walks away.

My other siblings don’t seem to have a problem with my annoying personality. At least, I don’t think they do. Maybe it’s because they are annoying too. Put us all together in a room and people will leave the room. Our husbands and in-laws will nod in agreement.

Why? Because, we are loud. We say stupid things, things that don’t make sense and then we laugh about it because we can, even if we don’t understand what we are saying ourselves. When I really want to be annoying I’ll point my finger in a persons face, their shoulder, the top of their back, in their ear, their neck, etc. I could go on an on about my annoyances, but before I annoyingly tell you all about myself again (annoying) I will introduce you instead to a very educational lens from girlfriendfactory. It’s called The Art of Being Annoying - A How-To Guide for the Annoyingly Impaired.

Let me begin by saying I love a lens that will make me chuckle. This lens definitely gave me a good chuckle. It has a lot to do with the sarcastic tone throughout the lens. Sarcasm drips from this lens like chocolate from a fondue fountain and I love it. I want to grab a strawberry, dip it into sarcasm richness and then eat it all up. Why? So I can be more annoying for my sister, of course.

The layout of the lens is perfect. A fellow “annoyingly impaired” can go from beginner to advanced in just a few lessons. The lessons are descriptive and easy to understand by child or adult. Girlfriendfactory is a true master in annoyance. Even the annoying products she has displayed on the lens fit in well with the lens subject.

For a visual, here’s a quick list of basic, intermediate and advanced annoyance skills she has listed on her lens:

“Learn how to properly whine!” I whine a lot.

“Make sure the conversation always stays on topic - YOUR topic!” Hello! This has me written all over it!

“Ask for items that are clearly not available to you!” My kids do this.

“Change your mind, then change it back, then change it back again!” This is an advanced skill and I do this!

“Completely ignore the mood of a situation and bring your own!” I do this too!

Even the disclaimer made me giggle. I had to read it twice because the sentences are so long (annoying), but the “don’t spit in the wind” hit the funny spot right on. Annoying video lesson plans would be beneficial to this lens. Videos would not only tell us, but also show us how to be annoying. Some of us need visuals. I would also love to see more annoying lessons from girlfriendfactory. There is just so much more she could teach and so much more I would love to learn.

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Image Credit: Congratulations by girlfriendfactory

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Visit:

Are you suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder?

When I was a kid, we lived on a cul-de-sac with a school across the street and a large forest at the end of the circle. We kids on the circle spent endless hours in those woods exploring and building forts in the trees. Very little time was spent indoors.

Many of my peers relate similar experiences as children and lament that children today are not having the same opportunities. Children often grow up in cities and if they are lucky have a park with playground equipment to go to. I must admit that this is how my children grew up and I was always close by keeping an eye on them. Stranger danger caused my generation to be afraid of letting our kids out of our sight.

When I read Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods," I realized that I myself, as well as my kids, were suffering from what he calls "nature deficit disorder." And I was pleased to find this very excellent review of the book by Jimmie. She relates her own experience living in a huge city in China with a small child. After reading Louv's book, she also realized that she "longed for green. I felt that there was "no escaping man" as Louv quotes Bill McKibben." And to help her daughter she began to incorporate nature study into their days. The main point of the book to her was that all of us, but children especially, really need nature.

According to Louv, nature provides "emotional well being, spiritual sense of perspective, observation skills, cognitive abilities, creativity, healthy risk taking, observation skills, balanced sense of humility, stress management, increased attention, and lowered depression."

Whew. Sounds like a miracle drug to me. How does it provide all of these things? Jimmie explains that because spending time in nature involves all of the senses, it is a terrific learning experience, definitely not wasted time. And Louv writes, "Time in nature is not leisure time; it's an essential investment in our children's health." On top of that, spending time in nature helps establish that love for nature that is so badly needed today. For only if we love something, will we try to protect it.

Please visit Jimmie's review of the book to learn more and, hopefully, read the book for yourself or better yet, take your kids outside.

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Image Credit: Digital Landscape Bumper Sticker by pyrabird

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Visit: SquidLit Review - Last Child in the Woods

You're Awesome

I believe that self worth, or the lack of it, is at the root of everything in life. Whether you view yourself positively or negatively is foundational to all you do because it comes from the inside and moves out. It colors your life. It affects the choices you make, the things you pursue, how you interact with others and your success in various areas of life (however you view success).

Self worth is so important, and so lacking in our world today, that I teach it a lot in the work I do. It's life-altering to improve your self esteem and change the way you think about yourself. So, I was ecstatic to find a lens called You Rock by lensmaster, jacquelinestone, who also teaches and coaches about self worth.

Jacqueline begins by saying that it's often difficult to receive positive comments or compliments from others, but it's important to express appreciation to others anyway. It's also often difficult for people to give themselves positive comments or compliments. Instead, they speak negatively to, and about, themselves all day long in their minds. It's called negative self talk. And it perpetuates low self worth. This self perception is a large reason why it's really hard to accept comments of appreciation from others, but Jacqueline makes it clear that it's still worthwhile to offer praise to others. Uplifting words from someone outside themselves might just be the boost they need. She explains, "I believe that, while it's nice to receive compliments from others, how we feel is ultimately up to us. At the same time, experience has shown me that sometimes it's a kind word from someone else that reminds me that I am valuable and have something worthwhile to contribute. A timely compliment can jump-start my self-esteem, but it's up to me to shift it into high gear."

Jacqueline does an excellent job of compassionately sharing her personal experience with low self worth and a lot of negative self talk. She shares the methods that helped her become a person of high self worth with very little negative self talk. These methods can also help her readers "shift it into high gear."

Beautiful affirmations, statements of blessing and powerful videos add to the main text and help to illustrate the power of kind words as well as the worth of everyone in the world . . . no matter what. There's even a place for you to share your lenses that help others feel good.

So if you want or need to work on your own self esteem, want to simply feel good, or want to help others improve their worth, this lens is for you. Check it out and receive and give a statement of appreciation to someone today.

Did you know that you're awesome?

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Image Credit: You Rock by Beezazzler
Browse more Rock Cards

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Visit: You Rock!

Big Kisses on the Big Screen

Random word generated: Longest

If there's just one thing I love in the entire world then it would have to be kisses.To me, they are the only way that two people can express the love or desire that they feel for each other truthfully. By that I mean that it is virtually impossible to hide your true feelings for another by performing this act alone. In a relationship, once the kisses stop, then I believe that the passion and the desire has gone, too. Maybe not completely, but it is certainly missing and should be retrieved as soon as possible if the relationship has any chance of surviving.

It was inevitable, therefore, that I would eventually choose to review a lens about kissing which is why The Best Movie Kisses of All Time by kab came to my attention with the help of the random word generator.

I've watched some (not all) of the movies listed on this squidoo lens and I think only one kiss really stands out for me: Some Kind of Wonderful. It's passionate, it's all about a 'friend' helping another and you get to really feel for the girl because the guy she wants doesn't know she exists in that way at that time.

Of course, everyone has their own personal view as to what makes a movie kiss special and so many factors have to be taken into consideration:

The background music, the situation or circumstances, the build-up, whether or not the kiss is actually real or not (on a side note, to me, some of the kisses in the earlier, black and white films look like they use strength as opposed to passion to get their point across), even who the kiss is actually between, matters.

I have to question, too, how can the leading ladies in the superhero films not know who they're actually kissing? I mean, the men (the superheroes (as in Spider-man and Batman)) have such distinctive mouths and lips that you can see who they are even before they get to the kissing stage!

However, it's certainly been interesting to see and read about just what kind of kiss is considered hot. Also, what kisses do not quite make the grade just by reading and visiting this very sensual and passionate lens ;)

So, do you have a particular favourite movie kiss that is listed on this lens? Or is there another movie kiss that does it for you?

If so, what makes it special for you?

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Image Credit: misses kisses herself by MissesKisses
View more cards on zazzle.com

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Visit: The Best Movie Kisses of All Time

Web Of Life

For the past month or so, I've had this rather lost, empty, and almost voiceless feeling enveloping me. Not a feeling of depression as one might start to assume, but more of a lack of my spiritual energy.  Something was just off within my inner being. I was finding it difficult to write much of anything which is usually a labor of love and energizing for my soul. Something felt disconnected as if the strand of life that I was on had broken away from the rest of the web

As you might imagine, this empty feeling started to take its toll on my physical energy level and I knew I needed to stop and take some time to figure out what was going on with my inner being. Before I had actually asked for some guidance to find the answers, I was brought to an article that became the catalyst for me first to figure out why I was having these feelings and then do something about it. I stumbled (or was I directed there?) upon one of GrannySage's newest articles. Web of Connection where Diane uses her wonderful writing skills to show an analogy of the Web of Life and the movie Avatar. Diane goes deep into the meanings of the movie and explains in her sagely way the connection that all things have in life. She tells us in the first paragraph about her comment to her husband as she left the movie. "This is what the mystics and shamans and holy men and women have tried to say for centuries. We are all connected." I was moved by her feeling because it was almost the same thing I said when I saw the movie, too.

As I read her insightful thoughts about the messages we can get from the movie Avatar, I began to realize what was going on with myself. Diane speaks of the Na'vi and how they understand that all things in life are connected much like a huge web and there is energy there. Diane reminded me in her clever way to once again embrace that message. As the Na'vi would do in the movie when they greeted someone, I needed to look in my own mirror and say the words, "I See You". I needed to look at the inner spirit of myself and reconnect.

I encourage you to go read Diane's (GrannySage) piece and think about how everything really is connected. Each being that we encounter is connected to the same web of life and our actions and thoughts have an impact on each of them. Each one's energy brings energy to the whole, we should endeavor to always make that a positive energy.

Thank you, Diane, for helping me to get back to my inner core of belief, to reconnect with what is most important to me, to find my inner voice. You helped me to remember that I am never alone because all things are related to me and will help me in my journey. "I See You", Diane and you are a most positive energy that gives much to this Web of Life we are in.

Visit Web of Connection

Image Credit: Blue Cobweb Sunburst

Conquering Fears to Climb Half Dome -- Now That's Cool!

What's your definition of something that's really, really cool? I'm guessing it's a question some of you have been asked recently and can't help but wonder what answers you came up with. If you didn't take 'cool' too literally, that is!

For me, something cool is an experience that I would love to have had but will always be just out of reach. It's not the impossible, but it is something that might well feel impossible and can't be done without being physically and mentally prepared. It takes skill, determination, and courage. And the reward is in knowing you conquered your fears as much as it is in reaching the goal.

People who do really cool things are braver than me and fitter than me. But they are not the super-humans. They are ordinary people who don't give up.

This seems like the perfect moment to introduce you to LotusPetalYoga. As the name suggests, this lady is a yoga instructor, the first hint at a strength of will that has driven her to achieve those out of reach goals.

Not only that but LotusPetalYoga is also a rock climber. (On top of that, she's an excellent writer, as if she wasn't cool enough in my eyes already.) Rock climbers are in my view both awesome and just a little crazy. This was something confirmed by LPY when she revealed one of the challenges she set for herself in Rock Climbing Half Dome's Regular Northwest Route. Yes, that is indeed her route marked on the picture that introduces this article.

"I think its called the Thank God Ledge not because its a small ledge to rest upon after hundreds of smooth vertical feet of climbing, but rather because when you get there you really want to thank God that you are nearly at the top of this climb."

Her account of this climb is compelling and I will leave it to her to tell you about it in her own words. It is a tale that is both rich in detail of the climb and in its honesty. This gruelling experience took her, as it would any climber, to the limits of her emotional and physical endurance. She also happened to be pregnant at the time.

As cool things go, what this woman achieved is way up there for me. And some time in the future, when she tells the next generation the tale, I bet her kid is going to think she is really cool too!

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Image Credit: Half Dome From Sentinal Bridge Over The Merced Riv by lifesphere

Get Creative with an Art Journal

We can all use a little creative inspiration from time to time. When I was in school, there was an assignment that involved visiting the same place outdoors, several times a week, and journaling through art while we were there. The emphasis was on using an art form we weren't necessarily comfortable with. For me, that was drawing and painting. This type of illustrated journaling was challenging but I appreciated the push to try something new.

Journaling can be used in a number of ways, as a diary of your life, a place to record random musings, or as a creative spark. It is a tool, but when you add drawing, painting, or mixed media collage to the mix, your journal can become a work of art.

And all the proof you need can be found on this very inspiring page, Art Journaling, Technique Tutorials, Inspiration and Prompts by Studentz. If you have ever considered trying art journaling, Studentz provides a number of links to art journal sites, books, and entertaining videos to get you started. But you don't even have to leave the page to be inspired. There are a number of gorgeous examples included on the page as well as prompts, such as

"Choose a quote or poem and write why you like it, or just embellish it appropriately."

"If you could throw a dinner party for any 10 people (living or dead), who would you invite?" and

"Are you the eldest, middle or youngest child, or are you an only child? What were the advantages and disadvantages of that?"

When I was journaling outdoors, I would record what I saw or heard and then try to draw or paint the experience. However, you don't have to be outdoors to do this. Just look at the example where Studentz recorded what was close at hand, including keys, lip balm, and a pocket knife. Studentz also suggests using this idea for creatively recording your recipes and shows a beautiful example for "Lemon Madeira."

How about it? Do you need your creative fires stoked? Maybe art journaling is just the outlet you need.

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Image Credit: Musings by shaksy

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Visit: Art Journaling

Improve Your Communication

Everything we do involves communication. And communication takes place every second of every day. Whether we're writing online, interacting with a friend, giving a speech to a huge crowd, sitting alone in a coffee shop or even thinking within our own minds, we're communicating.

Communication takes place in ways that you might not even realize are communication! We communicate through our energy even when we're "just" thinking inside our own minds. We communicate with our body language when we're sitting alone in a coffee shop. To these things, we add communication through our words, actions and feelings when we start getting involved personally with others in various ways.

These days we have so many methods of communication too! We can interact with anyone, anywhere on Skype, by texting, by chatting on Facebook, by putting our thoughts out there on our blog, by using electronic reading devices to consume information . . . and on, and on it goes! A lot of this global interaction is between different cultures with different styles and expectations for communication.

Although, it's so important and so much a part of our lives, how often do we stop to really think about our communication - - our style, our strengths and areas where we could improve? How often, in our interactions, do we think about how we could make the situation better through our communication, or how we might make it worse? Do we ever think about the other person's communication style or how they might best hear what we have to say? How often do we think beyond ourselves to our global world? Or within ourselves to our thinking and energetic communication . . . which effects our entire universe?

Lensmaster, Ener-G addresses some of these questions in her lens, Easily Improve Communication. She offers a couple of the usual methods for improving communication, but goes beyond to some deeper and more creative techniques. These techniques might help you tune in better to the person you want to speak with and create a more positive experience. Ener-G's lens is simple and organized . . . yet the deeper ideas can make a huge difference in your life. I know they have for me.

What's your favorite technique for improving your communication with others?

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Image Credit: Earth Dwellers by prawny
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Visit: Simple Techniques to Improve Communication Immediately

The Dictionary of Daffy Diseases

Random word generated: Premature

Oh boy, choosing a lens worthy of review was difficult this week but in the end, it came down to choosing between two of my favourite subjects. As you can see health won the fight this time around.

I like the unusual, I like the odd and although many would say I lack a sense of humour, I disagree. I just lack one that can easily be categorised or labelled. Hence my attraction to Daffy Diseases, a lens that tickles my wacky sense of humour.

I've always been known as a hypochondriac to those closest to me but not necessarily those who can state they know me very well, because of my interest in health and my seemingly regular periods of ill-health. It's therefore surprising that I have not yet gained the new label of being a Cyberchondriac, which is, as quippingqueen states on Daffy Diseases, "One who's certain he's/she's got every disease he's/she's ever read about on the internet and then some!"

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact I still prefer to research about my favourite interest by burying my nose in a medical Encyclopedia (I have two, you know...!)

Due to the vast number of lenses now published on Squidoo, finding a well-crafted, easy to read and entertaining lens on a subject that you find interesting is still a rare occurrence. But, as so often is said, the cream rises to the top and this is certainly true of Daffy Diseases.

But, the question is:

Can you find something that you recognise of yourself within this lens or is there a wacky ailment that you can relate to in the same way as I do to Cyberchondriac?

Hang tight, whilst I get changed into my crisp, white nurse uniform, not forgetting my fob watch, of course, and I promise that I will listen sympathetically to all the problems you think you may have ;)

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Image Credit: by awarenessgifts
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Visit: Daffy Diseases

Monarch Butterflies Are On The Move

September marks the migration of the Monarch Butterflies of North America. These magnificent and magical beauties can travel as far as 3,000 miles during the months of September and October. I've been noticing these delicate little creatures adding beauty to my world in the last few days and I can't help but be awed by the journey they will soon be making.

I found out some fascinating facts from Kajohu about these most recognizable of all butterflies and I thought you might be interested to know about their migration, also. In her article Monarch Butterfly Migration she shares some impressive photos of Monarchs along with information that many people probably don't know about these dainty little beauties of the garden. We learn why the migration is necessary and a little about the life cycle of the Monarch Butterflies.

We also learn about a tagging program that is underway and what we should do if we find one with a tag. This will help to better understand the pathways of the butterflies, most specifically east of the Rocky Mountains. A project that any of us can help with.

Butterflies, in general, hold a special meaning in my heart. They are a symbol of transformation and an analogy of the human life cycle. We can often times observe what stage of transformation our lives are in to better understand what needs to be done next in the never ending cycle of our time here on earth. Are we in the egg stage, or the beginning of a cycle? Perhaps we are in the larva stage where there is time to reflect on decisions. We may find ourselves in the cocoon stage where we are developing and making something a reality. Then comes the birth state where we complete the cycle. What a beautiful creature to think of for our own transforming of growth!

Find out more about the enchanting journey that these lovely insects of North America take each year to insure their species survives and prospers. Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me with the gifts and instincts she places in all of her creatures, be they winged or legged, stemmed or trunked.

Visit Monarch Butterfly Migration

Image Credit: Monarch Butterfly Mouse Pad

Capturing Memories with a Scanner

Special memories are so often caught up between the threads of the clothes we wear. Whether they linger in the worn texture of a favorite t-shirt or among the beads and sequins of an evening gown, certain items have associations full of meaning for us.

You can even find them imprinted into the soles of shoes. Just ask any parent who has pairs of tiny first shoes tucked away long after they ceased to serve any useful purpose. And how many of us have our wedding outfits wrapped up somewhere, never to be worn again but too special to let go?

Then there are gifts and souvenirs, such as a silk scarf from a foreign trip, maybe even a Japanese kimono or embroidered slippers. Or those handmade items that you simply can't throw away. Any knitter will know the hours of work that can go into something as simple as a pair of socks!

If, like me, you have boxes of clothes you can't bear to cut up or give away, SacredCynWear has a very clever idea for you. This fashion lover is carving out a name for herself in her selections of gorgeous clothing in Gothic, Steampunk and Rockabilly styles. It's clear she has a love affair with fabrics, textures and colors that has influenced her own clothing designs. At the same time, as a parent, she has her own stash of adorable items that are a tangible reminder of her little ones as they once were in spite of time racing on.

Small wonder, then, that Cynthia came up with the idea of scanning fabrics and even entire tutus and child-sized pairs of shoes in order to create a unique and very special lasting memory. Her how-to guide Scanography: Memories on Display reveals each step in this process. The results, whether in collages or simply as a digitally enhanced scan, are quite wonderful!

While it takes an artistic eye and some computer skills to create a piece that you can frame and hang on the wall (like the flowers above -- also scanned!), the idea is accessible to anyone who owns a scanner. Even a quick scan will preserve a little piece of the past, safe from moths, dust and age. Or, if Cynthia inspires you to take it further, you might just end up with a sensational piece of wall art that will be a talking point for years to come!

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Image Credit: Lisianthus by brianhaslam

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Visit: Scanography: Memories on Display

The Regal Eagle

What do you think of when you hear the word eagle? For me, the bald eagle is an emblem for the United States and I kn0w that they were on the endangered species list until very recently (now moved to just threatened). What more was there to know?

When my friend, Kathy McGraw, said that she was researching an article on Eagle Facts, Myths, Legends and Superstitions, I was excited. Kathy puts a lot of thought and work into her lenses and she has a very popular page on Owls. So, when her lens on eagles was recently published, I was one of the first to take a peek. And I was not disappointed.

Like her owl lens, Kathy presents a reverent look at this majestic bird that represents strength, courage, and freedom. Eagles have been important figures since ancient times. The god Jupiter believed that eagles were so powerful that they could look directly at the sun. In her article, you will learn more myths, superstitions, and facts about eagles and their feathers, as well as find links to resources, folk tales, and laws regarding eagles and their feathers.

Did you know, for example, that there are 59 species of eagles? Many countries have their own legends about eagles and Kathy tells them on this page. Did you know that there is an Eagle repository in the United States, which is the only place to legally obtain eagle feathers?

Besides all of the useful information, Kathy has created some unique and stunning art pieces that show her respect for the power of these birds. A dear friend of Kathy's passed away just as she was getting ready to publish this article and the piece, Eagles as Messengers, was designed the same day she found out that her friend was sick. Kathy doesn't know how to explain it, but she says, "The passing of my friend and this lens has now merged into one and has inspired a project for all people that live alone, tentatively called Buddy Connection." Yes, hard to explain!

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Image Credit: Bald American Eagle Eye by made_in_atlantis

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Visit: Eagle Facts, Myths, Legends, and Superstitions

Science is Fun!

As a teacher, a mom and a past home educator, I always love to find fun, cool new ideas for teaching. I particularly like activities that incorporate different learning styles and lessons that are captivating to kids. It disturbs me a bit (okay, maybe more than a bit) that kids start out curious, investigative and eager to learn, but often end up stifled, contained and not so enthusiastic. So, I also like it when I come across stuff that allows for discovery.

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." ~Mark Van Doren

I came across one such activity through a lens by homeschooler, Rhonda Albom (Pukeko). The lens is called Gross Science - Let's Make Poo and it's all about simulating the digestive process using some food, a few simple kitchen tools and a stocking. It's very educational . . . and I have to admit I also cracked up laughing as I read through it all!

Rhonda taught this lesson to her two daughters and documented it all on her lens. Check out the kid's smiles in the video on the lens! I think they may have giggled a bit too. They were so excited! It was totally captivating to them - - so much so, that they invited their friends over to do the experiment with them! I love how the girls have the "poo" all over their hands by the end! They're right in there squeezing it out of the hole in the stocking!

Not only was it fun, but the poo-making activity addressed visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners by incorporating art, video creation and hands-on investigation. It also allowed for interpersonal learning through the group activity and print or logical learning through work they did researching terminology. The kids were able to express themselves in ways that let their strengths shine, while also being exposed to other styles.

The fun, combined with the different learning styles, grabbed the kid's attention and let them learn and remember it better. I love how Rhonda described it: "And at some point in the fun they actually learned all about the digestive process."

So check out the fun! Learn how to make poo?!? And maybe give it a shot yourself - - the lens describes the activity step by step so anyone can repeat it :)

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Image Credit: Future Scientist by stick_figures
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Visit: Gross Science - Let's Make Poo