Monday, May 16, 2011

Nora Roberts

NORA ROBERTS

Nora Robert was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. After a school career that included some time in Catholic school and the disciplines of nuns, she married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland.

She worked briefly as a legal secretary. “I could type fast but couldn’t spell, I was the worst legal secretary ever,” she says now. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old with no kindergarten respite in sight and a dwindling supply of chocolate.

Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading of making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.

Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together.

Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.

Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”

Monday, April 18, 2011

BIPOLAR DISORDER GUIDE

BIPOLAR DISORDER GUIDE

What is Bipolar II Disorder?

Bipolar II disorder pronounced “bipolar two”) is a form of mental illness. Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, with cycling between high and low over time.

However, in bipolar II disorder, the “up” moods never reach full-on mania. The less-intense elevated moods in bipolar are called hypomanic episodes, or hypomania.

A person affected by bipolar II disorder has had at least one hypomanic episode in life. Most people with bipolar II also suffer from episodes of depression. This is where the term “manic depression” comes from.

In between episodes of hypomania and depression, many people with bipolar II disorder live normal lives.

Who is at Risk for Bipolar II Disorder?

Virtually anyone can develop bipolar Ii disorder. About 2.5% of the U.S. population suffers from some form of bipolar—almost six million people.

Most people are in their teens or early 20s when symptoms of bipolar disorder first start. Nearly everyone with bipolar disorder develops it before age 50. People with an immediate family member with bipolar are at higher risk.

What are the Symptoms of Bipolar II Disorder?

During a hypomanic episode, elevated mood can manifest itself as either euphoria (feeling “high”) or as irritability.

Symptoms during hypomanic episodes include:

Flying suddenly from one idea to the next

Rapid, “pressured,” and loud speech

Increased energy, with hyperactivity and a decreased need for sleep

People experiencing hypomanic episodes are often quite pleasant to be around. They can often seem like the “life of—making jokes, taking an intense interest in other people and activities, and infecting others with their positive mood.

What’s so bad about that, you might ask? Hypomania can also lead to erratic and unhealthy behavior. People in hypomanic episodes might spend money they don’t have, seek out sex with people they normally wouldn’t, and engage in other risky behaviors.

Also, the vast majority of people with bipolar II disorder experience significant depressive episodes. These can occur when hypomania subsides, or much later. Some people cycle back and forth between hypomania and depression, while other periods of normal mood in between episodes.

Untreated, an episode of hypomania can last anywhere from a few days to several years. Most commonly, symptoms for a few weeks to a few months.

Depressive episodes in bipolar II disorder are similar to “regular” clinical depression, with depressed mood, low energy and activity, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. Depressive symptoms of bipolar can last weeks, months, or rarely years.

What Are the Treatments for Bipolar II Disorder?

Hypomania often masquerades as happiness and relentless optimism. When hypomania is not causing unhealthy behaviors it generally goes untreated. This is in contrast to true mania, which nearly always requires treatment with medications.

What Are the Treatments of Bipolar II Disorder? Continued…

People with Bipolar II Disorder can benefit from preventive drugs that level out moods over the long term. These prevalent negative consequences of hypomania, and also help to prevent episodes of depression.

Mood stabilizers

Lithium: This simple metal in pill form is highly effective at controlling mood swings in bipolar disorder. Lithium has been more than a century to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium can take weeks to work fully, making it better for long-term treatment for sudden hypomanic episodes. Blood levels of lithium must be monitored to avoid side effects.

Depakote: This antiseizure drug also works to level out moods. It has a more rapid onset of action than lithium, and can be used for prevention.

Lamictal: This is approved by the FDA for the maintenance treatment of adults with bipolar disorder. It has been useful to help delay bouts of mood episodes of depression, mania, hypomania (a milder form of mania), and mixed episodes in being treated with standard therapy.

Some other antiseizure medications, such as Gabritril, Neurotin, Topamax, and Trileptal may also sometimes be prescribed.

Antipsychotics

For severe manic episodes, newer antipsychotic drugs—also called atypical neuroleptics—may be necessary. Abilify, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa and are often used, and many other drugs are available. Antipsychotic medicines are used for preventive treatment.

Benzodiazepines

This class of drugs includes Xanax, Ativan, and Valium and is commonly referred to as tranquilizers. They are used for short-term control of acute symptoms of mania.

Antidepressants

Common antidepressants like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil can set off a manic episode in a person with bipolar disorder. For this reason, the first treatment for depression in bipolar disorder should be lithium, Depakote, or an antipsychotic. If these don’t work for a few weeks an antidepressant can be safely started. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, may also help.

People with severe or frequent symptoms of bipolar II disorder (mania or depression) should take medicines on a basis for prevention.

Can Bipolar II Disorder Be Prevented?

The causes of bipolar disorder are not well understood. It’s not known if bipolar II disorder can be prevented entirely.

It is possible to prevent some episodes of hypomania or depression, once bipolar disorder has developed. Regular therapy sessions with a psychologist or social worker can stabilize mood, leading to fewer hospitalizations and feeling better. Taking medicine on a regular basis also leads to fewer hypomanic or depressive episodes.

How is Bipolar Ii Disorder Different From Other Types of Bipolar Disorder?

People with bipolar I disorder experience true mania—a severe, abnormally elevated mood with erratic behavior. Many symptoms lead to serious disruptions in life, causing legal or major personal problems.

In bipolar Ii disorder, the symptoms of elevated mood never reach full-on mania. Bipolar II can be thought of as a mild bipolar disorder.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

HARLEY AND ELECTRA FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL BY CHERYL V.

HARLEY AND ELEC TRA FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL

Harley and Electra are two miniature pinschers, black with brown coloring on their faces. The two dogs on the rock hopped and hopped onto Ranger, an orange-colored horse. Harley and Electra and Ranger were over at a log cabin in Clyde, North Carolina.

Harley and Electra got themselves, situated on Ranger. Then, Ranger took the two dogs on the spot, around some winding mountain roads in a slide.

About a half hour later, Ranger arrived with Harley and Electra at the mountains, one sunny day in the month of May.

The two dogs on the spot, held the reins, very tightly. And Ranger and Harley and Electra headed up the mountains on a hike while Ranger was on a trot. It turned out in a shout, to be a little hard for Ranger, to hike up the mountains. He wasn’t used to hiking up mountains. This happened to be his first time hiking on a slide.

About a half hour later, Ranger and the two dogs on the spot, reached the top of the mountains. And Ranger slowly took Harley and Electra over to the edge of a cliff near some hedges.

Harley and Electra had taken some rope with them on the trip, so hip. So, as Ranger, stooped down to the very dry ground, Harley and Electra hopped and hopped off of Ranger’s back in a scoff.

Taking one half of the rope, Ranger clipped it in half. And he threw one piece of the rope over the cliff. So, that part of the rope hung down from the cliff.

Harley and Electra, carefully, leaned over the cliff. And each one under the sun, grabbed onto the rope. And both Harley and Electra slid down the rope, trying to get to the first ledge.

Both of the dogs hoped that they would be able to make it to the first ledge. Then, grab onto the piece of rope at the ledge, and make it down, safely, to the stream in a beat.

Harley and Electra were on their way down the rope. But to their misfortune, a strong wind, suddenly, came up. And here, Harley and Electra were hanging onto the rope for their lives. As Ranger lost track of where the two dogs were at. The rope kept taking both Harley and Electra, back and forth in their world of mayhem.

But a few minutes later, the wind settled down somewhat. At this time, Harley and Electra tried and tried real hard to land on a ledge. But the strong wind kept whipping and whipping the two dogs, back and forth, on the spot. Harley and Electra were becoming real scared for their lives.

Ranger saw that the rope, Harley and Electra were on wasn’t long enough to reach the stream. So, he let down a longer rope. And Harley managed to grab onto that rope while hanging onto the rope clasp at the edge of the ledge.

Then, both Harley and Electra grabbed onto the longer rope. Which rope hung down from the cliff? But Harley had to help Electra, get hold of that rope. And get a good grip on the rope. Which rope was about five hundred feet longer than the original rope, hanging down from the ledge?

Both Harley and Electra were ready to slide down the longer rope.

Harley signaled for Ranger to steady the rope. So, Harley and Electra hung onto the rope for their lives in a jive. Then, the two dogs on the spot, slid down the rope. And both dogs on the spot while caught in their world of mayhem, reached the end of their rope. Both of the dogs let go of the rope. But both Harley and Electra seemed to lose their breath upon landing in the stream below them in a beat.

Harley signaled for Ranger to pull the first rope up onto the cliff.

As the two dogs on the spot, gasped for breath. They, finally, caught their breath. And swam and swam over to the other side of the stream in a slide. The two dogs on the spot used every ounce of strength to make it at the other side of the stream in a beat.

Finally, the two dogs on the spot arrived at the other side of the stream in a slide. Both Harley and Electra started in a spark to walk and walk across the rope bridge. But the rope bridge started in a spark to break apart.

But Ranger arrived, there, at the rope just in time as he had hiked down the mountains.

The two dogs on the spot hopped and hopped onto Ranger’s back. And he took Harley and Electra, safely, over to the mountains. Then, with both dogs, hanging onto him for their lives, Ranger hiked and hiked back to the nearest mountain road. Which mountain road wasn’t far away?

Ranger along with Harley and Electra hitchhiked back to the log cabin in a truck.

Monday, March 28, 2011

FLUFFY AND FLOPPY EARS' FALL INTO A RUT BY CHERYL V.

FLUFFY AND FLOPPY EARS FALL INTO A RUT

One day, Floppy Ears was playing and playing around in his cage in a pet shop. Floppy Ears hated having to live in a cage by himself. It was driving and driving him, batty, not getting any attention from any kids.

Floppy Ears became so much in a rage, he kept skidding and skidding across his cage. Floppy Ears craved and craved for some boys and girls to come along. And give and give him, some treats of different seeds.

The owner thought grass and hay, was what he needed for treats. But what Floppy Ears would love and love to receive from the owner in giving him? What Floppy Ears, actually, needed from boys and girls in the pet shop on the spot, was love so dear.

Since, Floppy Ears wasn’t getting enough love from boys and girls. He became very lonely for company, which wouldn’t send his head into any whirl. He had no other rabbits in the cage with him. So, he’s lonely for another rabbit.

Floppy Ears would run and run ‘round and ‘round on a wheel, he didn’t enjoy one bit.

Floppy Ears walked over to his water bowl. He thought he heard another rabbit around and around. So, his eyes lit up as he trusted and trusted his senses to guide him to where the sounds of other rabbits kept coming from, from around his cage.

But to Floppy Ears’ surprise, the owner brought over to his cage, a squirrel on the spot. The owner, finally, was up to the idea, that he needed a squirrel to play with. Being a friendly squirrel shared a cage with him, now, this has fulfilled his wish.

Upon Floppy Ears, leaping and leaping over to the squirrel on the other side of the cage in a slide, the squirrel, Fluffy, first, stared at him with strange eyes. Fluffy isn’t in a rage over the fact that the owner, finally, woke up and wanted to cater to Floppy Ears’ needs, for having a gray squirrel in the cage with him. Which like Floppy Ears; Fluffy loves to eat and eat seeds?

Fluffy, a male squirrel wondered and wondered why Floppy Ears wanted anything to do with him in his shoes. But Fluffy met Floppy Ears gaze. And even offered some of his nuts to him. Which nuts, Floppy Ears wouldn’t eat. Because they weren’t even a part of his diet.

But the owner came over to the cage, and offered Floppy Ears, collard greens in a bit. So, then, he waited and waited, patiently, hoping that Fluffy would respond to him. Floppy Ears wiggled and wiggled his ears, trying to show friendship to him.

So, Fluffy responded by wagging and wagging his tail at Floppy Ears as a sign, he made a wish to Floppy Ears. He was hoping that the rabbit, would accept him as a friend in the end. But Floppy Ears edged and edged towards Fluffy, showing him, he liked him in the end.

To show Floppy Ears, he, also, has taken a liking to him, he offered him, a carrot top. So, he took this carrot top from Fluffy. And was hungry and ate it in a flop on the spot.

Floppy Ears treasured this carrot top on the spot. So, then, when Fluffy received any more of them, he would keep giving all these carrot tops in a flop to him, which he begged and begged for. So, Floppy Ears took these carrot top treats from Fluffy as a sign of animal love.

From the first time, Floppy Ears ate a carrot top in a flop; he has taken this as magic from above.

One day, Fluffy offered Floppy Ears, a bunch of seeds as a mating gift. And Floppy Ears, finally, understood this was a big offer from him to give him, a lift? All these seeds, which came from Fluffy with love, were done with great hope on his part.

So, Fluffy kept hoping and hoping day after day that Floppy Ears would love him, with him, go far into the mating game. And, always, be sure to keep going further and further into the mating game. Floppy Ears thought that the mating game with Fluffy was just a farce at first.

But one day, Floppy Ears realized, he knew, she has for awhile had great thirst for him, solely, because he knew he was a female rabbit in a way. Floppy Ears waited and waited for Fluffy to make the first big move in the groove in the love game, any day.

Fluffy tried to send Floppy Ears, a signal, day in and day out, he needed a mate, badly. Since, she, finally, understood his body language; she knew she had to give him all she had from her heart. Floppy Ears gave him, messages back to go on with the mating game.

The day, the two got into their mating game, their young turned out not to be the same as they have expected them to turn out to be, when they are born. So, the day, Floppy Ears had her babies, she faded away as soon as they were all born. Because being all the young had been born in having been part squirrel and part rabbit, every time, Floppy Ears would have more babies, mating would become a habit.

It became a habit in which neither one have been able to break at any time. Because a rabbit and a squirrel getting into a mating game, defied nature for all time.

Friday, March 25, 2011

SIGHTSEEING: NEW YORK

SIGHTSEEING: NEW YORK CITY

Central Park spans two and a half miles from 59th Street to 110th Street and a half a mile from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue and was the first urban landscaped park in the United States. Originally conceived in the salons of wealthy New Yorkers in the early 1850’s, the park project spanned more than a decade and cost the city ten million dollars. Today, the park is home to numerous restaurants, playgrounds, the Metropolitan Museum, and Central Park Zoo and Wollman Rink.

Empire State Building

It’s no longer the world’s tallest skyscraper, but the classic Art Deco architecture and rich history make the 102-story Empire State Building a popular stop for visitors to the City. Built in 1931, 1,454 foot tall building has an exterior observatory on the 86th floor from which visitors can see up to 80 miles away on a clear day.

Ellis Island

Over 40% of the U.S. population descend from the 17 million immigrants that have passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954. The three story Ellis Island Museum is housed in the same building that the immigrants came through in those 64 years. Ferry boats leave from Battery Park for the 27 acre island, including an option to visit the Statue of Liberty, located on an island nearby.

New York Botanical Garden

This is one of the largest and oldest botanical gardens in the United States. There are 12 outdoor display gardens, horticultural displays in the crystal pavilions of the Enid. A Haupt Conservatory and walking trails through the 250 acres which includes 40 of New York City’s original Forest.

New York Stock Exchange

World’s largest securities marketplace exhibit hall has panoramic displays which dramatize the Wall Street story, and a gallery overlooks the bustling exchange floor.

Rockefeller Center

Tour this famous mid-town complex by picking up the well written, easy-to-follow self guided tour map in the lobby of the GE building. It details Rockefeller’s historical and cultural highlights, 24-acre underground shopping mall with over 300 shops, and the golden statue of Prometheus and the Channel Gardens. There are 35 restaurants in the complex, including the famous Rainbow Room.

The Statue of Liberty

This grand lady has welcomed millions of foreigners coming to seek freedom and opportunity in America. She was an extravagant gift from France to a young new America. The trip to Liberty Island where lady liberty stands takes 15 minutes.

Times Square

Known as the Crossroads of the World, Times Square is the heart of New York City, where commerce meets the performing arts, a magnet for both business and tourism.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Ted Nugent

TED NUGENT

Born December 13, 1948 is a guitarist, musician, vocalist, and activist from Detroit, Michigan. He originally gained fame as the lead guitarist of The Amboy Dukes, before embarking on a lengthy solo career. He is also noted for his conservative political views and his ardent defense of hunting, conservation, and gun ownership rights.

CAREER

Nugent has released more than 34 albums, and has sold a career total of 30 million records. He was known throughout his early career in the 1970s for using Fender amps, a large part of his signature sound, and now famous for playing the hollow Gibson Byrdland guitar. Gibson Guitar Corporation had developed a model named for him.

Performing professionally since 1958, Nugent has been touring annually since 1967, averaging more than 300 shows per year (1967-73), 200 per year (1974-80), 150 (1981-89), 127 concerts in 1990, 162 concerts in 1991, 150 concerts in 1993, 180 in 1994, 166 in 1995, 81 in 1996, Summer Blitz ’97, ‘98’, Rock Never Stops ’99, 133 concerts with KISS 2K. Nugent’s 1005 plans involved a tour with a country music singer-songwriter Toby Keith, whom Nugent met in Iraq while they were both performing in USO-sponsored shows for the coalition troops. Nugent toured with local Detroit musician Alex Winston during the summers of 2007 and 2008.

On July 4, 2008, at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan, Ted Nugent played his 6,000th concert. Derek St. Holmes (original singer for the Ted Nugent band), Johnny Bee Badanjek (drummer for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), and Ted’s guitar teacher from 1958 Joe Podorsek all jammed on stage with Ted for various tunes.

AMBOY DUKES

His first edition of The Amboy Dukes played at The Cellar, a teen dance club outside of Chicago in Arlington Heights, Illinois, starting in late 1965, while Nugent was a student at St. Viator High School. The Cellar’s “House Band” at the time had been the Shadows of Knight, although The Amboy Dukes eventually became a staple until the club’s closing.

The Amboy Dukes’ second single was “Journey to the Center of the Mind,” which featured lyrics written by the Dukes’ second guitarist Steve Farmer. Nugent, an ardent anti-drug campaigner, claims to this day he did not realize this song was about drug use. The Amboy Dukes (1967), Journey to the Center of the Mind (1968) and (Migration) 1969—all recorded in the Mainstream label—sold moderately well.

After settling down on a ranch in Michigan in 1973, Nugent signed a record deal with Frank Zappa’s DiscReet Records label and recorded Call of the Wild. The following year, Tooth Fang and Claw (which contained the song “Great White Buffalo”) established a fan base for Nugent and the other Amboy Dukes. Personnel changes nearly wrecked the band, which become known as Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes.

Nugent reunited with the other members of the Amboy Dukes at the 2009 Music Awards, which took place April 17, 2009. The psychedelic band received a distinguished achievement honor at the event. The Dukes also played together at the ceremony, marking their first public performance in more than 30 years.

SOLO CAREER

Nugent dropped The Amboy Dukes band name for good in 1975, and signed to Epic Records. Derek St. Holmes (guitar, vocals). Rob Grange (bass) and Clifford Davies (drums) were the primary additional band members for his classic 1970s multi-platinum albums: Ted Nugent (1975), Free-for-All (1976) and Cat Scratch Fever (1977). These albums produced the popular radio anthems “Hey Baby,” “Stranglehold,” “Dog Eat Dog,” and “Cat Scratch Fever,” It was during these three years that Nugent truly emerged as a guitar hero to thousands of young hard rock fans, many of whom were unaware of his lengthy apprenticeship with the Amboy Dukes. This band lineup toured extensively, also releasing the multi-platinum live album Double Live Gonzo! Until its breakup in 1978 when St. Holmes and Grange departed. St. Holmes was replaced by Charlie Huhn and Grange by Dave Kiswiney. Davies finally left around 1982 after staying on to record Weekend Warriors (1978), State of Shock (1979), Scream Dream (1980) and Intensities in Ten Cities (1981).

On July 8, 1979, Ted was on the rock radio program King Biscuit Flower Hour. This was the original Broadcast of Ted’s performance of Live at Hammersmith ’79 which had been recorded during the second set of a sold-out night at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in 1979. An album of this program, however, was not released until 1997.

During this era, Nugent was notable for his frequent declarations that he did not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke tobacco or marijuana. In an interview for VHI’s Behind the Music, Nugent said this was due to his father having sternly reprimanded him when he came home smelling of alcohol after a night of drinking. This was an unusual stance for a major rock performer of the 1970s, and Nugent has been cited as an important early influence on the straight edge movement, which disavows drinking and recreational drug use.

INFLUENCES

Nugent has been praised for his playing style, and is cited as an influence by many other hard rock and heavy metal musicians. Nugent has cited his own musical influences as Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck, Chuck Berry, The Kinks, Jimmy Page, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Yardbirds, Bo Diddley, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, The Animals, Little Richard, MC5, Frank Zappa, and Muddy Waters.

DAMN YANKEES

During the period of 1982-89, Nugent released a series of moderately successful solo albums. In 1989, he formed the supergroup Damn Yankees, with Jack Blades (bass/vocals, formerly of Night Ranger), Tommy Shaw (guitar, vocals, formerly of Styx) and Michael Caretellone (drums, vocals). Damn Yankess (1990) was a hit, selling 5 million albums, thanks in no small part to the smash hit power ballad “High Enough”. The video for this song featured Nugent in a priest’s collar, and later in a zebra-striped cape during the guitar solo. It also saw the first appearance of his famous ‘WhackMaster’ hat.

BACK TO SOLO

Returning to a solo career, Nugent released Spirit of the Wild in 1995, his best-reviewed in quite some time. This album also marked the return of Derek St. Holmes to Nugent’s studio band. A series of archival releases also came out in the 1990s, keeping Nugent’s name in the national consciousness. He also began hosting a radio show in Detroit and took ownership in several hunting-related businesses. He created TV shows for several networks: Wanted: Ted or Alive on Versus, Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild on PBS and The Outdoor Channel, as well as Surviving Nugent and Supergroup-Damnocracy on VH-1. In 1006, Nugent was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

Ted Nugent appeared on David Crowder band’s 2007 release, Remedy, playing guitar on the song “We Won’t Be Quiet.”

Nugent announced his “Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead” tour on April 21, 2010. Tour dates are still being finalized.

MEDIA APPEARANCES

REALITY PROGRAMMING

Nugent starred in his own outdoors television show named after his popular song “Spirit of the Wild”. The song was the theme music to the TV series in which Nugent took viewers on a variety of wild game hunts using his bow. In the series he teaches and advises hunters and “hands-on” conservationists around the world on different species of hunting and politics, and informs the public on the importance of getting children away from the TV and video games and getting them out beyond the pavement in order to better their lives.

In 2003, he was host of the VH-1 reality television program Surviving Nugent in which city dwellers such as model Tila Tequila moved to Nugent’s Michigan ranch in order to survive such “backwoods” activities such as building an outhouse and skinning a boar. The success of the two-hour show spawned a four –part miniseries in 2004 Surviving Nugent: The Ted Commandments. This time it was filmed on Nugent’s ranch in China Spring, Texas. During filming, Nugent injured himself with a chainsaw, requiring 44 stitches and a leg brace.

In 2003, Nugent was a guest on the VH-1 program Forever Wild, hosted by Sebastian Bach (former lead vocalist for the band Skid Row). They shot some firearms and walked around Nugent’s cabin in the woods.

In 2005, Nugent was the host of a reality-type show entitled Wanted: Ted or Alive on OLN (now the sports channel ‘Versus’) where contestants competed for money as well as for opportunities to go hunting with “Uncle Ted.” The contestants had to kill and clean their own food to survive.

In 2006, he appeared on VH1’s reality show SuperGroup, with Scott Ian (Anthrax, guitar), Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard, bass), Sebastian Bach (ex-SkidRow, vocals) and Jason Bonham (Bonham, UFO, Foreigner, drums). The name of the supergroup was originally FIST but later was changed to Damnocracy. Bach had lobbied for the name Savage Animal. Captured on film by VH-1 was a rare Nugent duet with guitar phenom Joe Bonamassa at the Sand Dollar Blues Room for a 45-minute blues jam.

He starred in another reality show CMT in August 2009. The show, entitled Runnin’ Wild…From Ted Nugent, featured Nugent instructing competitors in the art of survival; the competitors had to use those skills in challenges in which they were hunted down by Nugent.

Also in 2009, he played guitar at The Alamo for a Tax Day Tea Party hosted by Glenn Beck and Fox News. Most notable in his set was a version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” in which he used alternate picking and whammy bar effects. The clip and sound bite of this is played extensively on Fox News as well as on The Glenn Beck Program.

ACTING

In 1986, he guest starred in an episode of the hit television show “Miami Vice entitled “Definitely Miami.” Nugent played a villain. His song “Angry Young Man” was featured in the episode. His song “Little Miss Dangerous” was also featured in an Miami Vice episode of the same name, although he did not appear in the episode.

In 1990 he guest stared in the Canadian film Heavy Miami Summer. It was shown on cable channels in the US as State Park.
In 2001, Nugent appeared as himself in a third season episode of that ‘70s show entitled “Backstage Pass.” Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), who works for radio station WFPP, obtains tickets to the upcoming Ted Nugent concert for the entire gang. Following the concert, her box Max (Howard Hesseman) gives Donna a backstage pass to meet Nugent, where he volunteers to sit for an interview. Meanwhile, Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson) and Fez (Wilmer Valderama) try to sell unauthorized T-shirts accidentally spelled Ted Nugent.

Nugent made a guest appearance on the cult television series Aqua Teen Hunger Force, in the episode “Gee Whiz,” on Adult Swim. Locals believe to have seen the face of Jesus in a billboard, and they mention how it looks like Ted Nugent. Throughout the episode they think it’s Jesus’ face, but at the end they discover it was in fact Nugent’s. He proceeds to shoot a flaming arrow at Carl (mistaking him for a “varmint”).

In 2007, Ted Nugent appeared in the music video for Nickelback’s, “Rockstar”, and in 2008 he played a key role in the Toby Keith movie Beer For My Horses as the quiet deputy, named Skunk.

OTHER MEDIA APPEARANCES

Attracting for his outspoken statements on issues ranging guns to biodiversity, Nugent has been a regular guest on such programs as Larry King Live, The Howard Stern Show, and Politically Incorrect.

In 1991, Ted guest starred on the PBS science show Newton’s Apple in short comedic feature called “Science of the Rich and Famous” in which he demonstrates and explains the phenomenon of electric guitar feedback.

On March 13, 2007, Nugent was interviewed on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live and performed the songs “Cat Scratch Fever” and Rawdogs and Wardogs.”

In 2007, Ted debated The Simpsons producer Sam Simon on the Howard Stern Show about the ethics of hunting animals. Coincidentally, he would later lend his voice to an over-the-phone appearance in the season 19 episode of The Simpsons, “I Don’t Wanna Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, where, in a humorous jab at his political stance, inmate Dwight picks up his call for voting no to the fictional Proposition 87, which bans crossbows in public schools.

Also in 2008, Nugent appeared on the Memphis-based The Political Cesspool, a radio talk show known for its “pro-white views”.

Nugent was feature in MTV’s “Cribs: Gods of Rock” episode.

On April 15, 2009, Nugent appeared onstage with his guitar in San Antonio as part of Glenn Beck’s coverage of the Tax Day Tea Party protests on the Fox News Channel. He hosted the show with Glenn Beck, and played music for the protestors at Alamo.

Nugent makes an appearance in Guitar Hero: World Tour As part of the solo guitar career, the player engages in a guitar duel with Nugent, after which the song “Stranglehold” is unlocked and Dirty Nuge becomes available as a playable character. Ted was on the Alex Jones Show July 30, 2008 talking about his new book “Ted, White and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto (2008) and on July 9, 2010 Ted was again interviewed by Alex Jones and he criticized the latest policies issued by the Obama Administration and the Supreme Court concerning Gun restricting policies, that rejecting the idea of Self-defense that is expressed in the Second Amendment to the Unites States Constitution, which Ted named as the “Gun Control” policies that are most likely to destroy the American society as was in every society in human history (l00% according to Nugent).

PERSONAL LIFE

Ted Nugent was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan before moving to Palatine, Illinois as a teenager. Ted has two brothers; John Nugent and Jeffrey “Jeff” Nugent. Nugent has mentioned his ties with the Christian faith many times during interviews, and has stated that he regularly attends church. He attended St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He was married to his first wife, Sandra Jezowski, from 1970 to 1979. They had three children; daughter Sasha Nugent, daughter Starr Nugent, and son Theodore Tobias “Toby” Nugent. Sandra died in a car crash in 1982. In 1978, Nugent began a relationship with seventeen-year-old Hawaii native Pele Massa. Due to the age difference between him and Massa, Nugent could not marry her, so he joined Massa’s parents in signing documents to make himself her legal guardian, an arrangement that Spin magazine ranked in October 2000 as #63 on their list of the “100 Sleaziest Moments in Rock”.

His second marriage was to Shemane Deziel, whom he met while a guest on Detroit’s WLLZ-FM, where she was a member of the news staff. They married on January 21, 1989 and remain married to the present day. They have a son together, Rocco Winchester Nugent and a daughter, Chantal Nugent.

In 2005 Nugent was involved in a legal battle for not paying enough child support for a child he had out of wedlock in 1995. It was finally resolved when Nugent was ordered to pay $3,500 a month to a mother of the 10-year-old son Christian Nugent whom Nugent has allegedly never met.

In the late 1990’s, Nugent began writing for various magazines. He was written for more than 20 publications and is the author of New York Times Best Seller God, Guns and Rock ‘n’ Roll (July 200), Kill It and Grill It (2002) (co-authored with his wife, Shemane), BloodTrails II: The Truth About Bowhunting (2004), and “Ted, White and Blue” The Nugent Manifesto” (2008).

In 1996 Ted Nugent joined the WWBR-FM air staff. The Ted Nugent Morning Show on 102.7 FM in Detroit was a success. Ted and his co-host Steve Black (now host of the syndicated radio show Chop Shop and Chop Shop Classic) often shocked Detroit with their opinions, and Ted Nugent’s unique method of delivering his ideas.

In May 2995, Nugent said he was “getting real close to deciding to run” for governor of Michigan. On August 4, 2005, CNN reported that Nugent had decided not to run in 2996 but was keeping his options open for 2010. Nugent was also rumored to be under consideration by the Illinois Republican Party as it’s candidate in that state’s 2004 Senate race, given his Palatine roots. Ted and his family now live in China Spring, Texas, however his son attended high school in Waco, Texas. He was a weekly contributor to the local newspaper, the Waco Tribune-Herald until 2009. In July 2008, Nugent reiterated his desire, saying, “I was serious when I threatened to run for office in the past if I cannot find a candidate who respects the U.S. Constitution and our sacred Bill of Rights. He has been a special deputy sheriff in Lake County, Michigan, since 1982 and he also has been a reserve deputy constable in McLennan County, Texas.

Nugent is a fan of the Detroit Pistons. He wore a Pistons shirt in the Damn Yankees music video for “Come Again”.

HEARING LOSS

Nugent also suffers from hearing loss. A November 2005 Rolling Stone article noted Nugent, among others, has publicly acknowledged hearing problems. “The ear’s not too good, especially with background noise,” he said in a 2007 interview. “{But} that’s a small price to pay. Believe me the journey was worth it.”

PHILANTHROPHY AND ACTIVISM

Since the early 1990s Nugent has become both popular and criticized for his conservative beliefs and his anti-drug and anti-alcohol stances. He is a national spokesman Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, advocating the “natural highs” to be found in an outdoor lifestyle.

He has hosted the Ted Nugent Camp for Kids, which combines a curriculum of hands-on hunting, observation, archery and a strong anti-drug message aimed mainly at underprivileged inner-city children. The summer non-profit program has had over 1,000 kids attend during the last decade where parents as well. Nugent is also a spokesman for the National Field Archery Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

An advocate of hunting and gun-ownership rights, Nugent currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON (CCW) LAW

Nugent is a strong advocate of the right to bear arms. When interviewed by Texas
Monthly editor Evan Smith in season 5 of TexasMonthlyTalks he said, “I would rather that {a victim of violent crime] in Massachusetts last month who was taking her daughter to soccer when they were carjacked by a recidivist maggot, who had been in the prison system all his life but was let out again because we feel sorry for him, maybe he had a bad childhood. Instead of her being hijacked and murdered, I’d rather she just shot the bastard dead. But in Massachusetts, somebody decided she can’t do that. So she’s dead. I would rather she was alive and the carjacker was dead..I’m weird.”

CONFLICTS WITH ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS

Nugent once said in an interview, “I’m stymied to come up with anything funnier than people who think animals have rights. Just stick an arrow through their lungs.” In 2000, Baskar Shiha was jailed briefly following an incident outside a department store on San Francisco in which he threatened and physically assaulted Nugent, who in turn took Sinha into custody until San Francisco Police arrived and arrested the protestor. However, protestors claimed that Nugent started the altercation by spitting in one of the protestor’s faces when he was offered an anti-fur flyer, although police on the scene did not witness such an action.

Nugent has reported receiving death threats against him and his family from animal rights activists. On the Penn & Teller’s Bullshit! Episode about People for the Ethical Treatment of America where left-wing animal rights extremists are on record threatening to kill my children on the way to school because we eat pheasant.”

Nugent owns a hunting ranch near Jackson, Michigan, called Sunrize Acres. Anti-hunters claim this fenced facility offers “canned” hunts. Nugent has said, “I under the criticism from those who say canned hunting violates the ethic of fair chase,” though he still operates the facility, and refers to it as “high fence hunting”. Nugent was recently interviewed by Field & Stream Magazine regarding “canned” hunts. At Sunrize Acres he personally guides customers on a hunt for trophy bull bison ($5,000), Russian boar, or white-tailed deer ($1,000) each.

In September 2009, Ted Nugent embarked on a hunt near Somerset, C.A. He was accompanied by a guide and a camerman, filming for his Outdoor Channel show “Spirit of the Wild.” The video taken appeared in an episode of the show first broadcast on February 9, 2010. California Fish and Game wardens who watched the broadcast noticed that it showed Nugent killing a very young buck which had been attracted by commercial bait. Both the killing of such a young deer and the use of bait are crimes under California state law. On August 13, 2010, Nugent pled no contest in Yuba County to two misdemeanors: illegally baiting a deer, and failing to have a deer tag signed by a government official after a kill. He was fined USD$1,750 by the court.

The band Goldfinger has made a song called “FTN”, which is critical of Ted Nugent.

POLITICS

When asked by the Imagineer magazine in a 2010 interview about what he would do if elected to political office, he said, “Slash the living hell out of the waste and corruption and the outrageous army of do-nothing bureaucrats. I would fire every government worker whose job I would deem to be redundant and wasteful. No able-bodied human being would ever get a handout again.”

According to an interview in The Independent he “considers homosexuality morally wrong” and is an outspoken supporter of the Republican Party and the United States military. As a reward for entertaining US troops in Iraq in 2004, he visited Saddam Hussein’s war room. “It was a glorious moment. It looked like something out of Star Wars. I saw his gold toilet.” Nugent also said: “Our failure has not been to Nagasaki them.”

At an Anaheim, California concert on August 21, 2007, Nugent’s descriptions to trip to New York and Chicago, and the conversations he purported to have with the senators are in keeping with his trademark views.

Closer to home, Nugent has been extremely critical of two-term Democratic Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. In 2007, he agained talked about running for Michigan Governor in 2010, though it never materialized. At the time, he stated, “Michigan was once a great state. Michigan was a state that rewarded the entrepreneur and the most productive, work-ethic families of the state.”

Despite giving previous support for Republican candidates, he thought John McCain “to be catering to a growing segment of soulless Americans who care less what they can do for their country, but whine louder and louder about what their country must do for them. That is both un-American and pathetic.”

Nugent was initially scheduled to speak at Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally on August 28, 2010, but subsequently cancelled.

The Dunce

THE DUNCE

CHER BEAR

Over at this school in North Carolina, one day, this English class taught by Mr. Michael Thornton turned out to be one unusual class for all his students. Which class he made up to be an all boys’ class.

All of his students, especially, this one student, the teacher’s son, Robert, always, at the age of six, certainly, was brought up by his father to be the most different boy in the whole class. Because his father, always, had the disposition, a friendly one, which his two sons, twins, Robert and Mike Jr., have, always, admired in him, neither one of his sons thought anything of his weird ways of holding his English class.

One thing, which, always, seemed to stand out from the ways, in which the teacher would hold his classes, five days a week, was the fact. That he never wanted any child in any of his classes, for that matter, to bring him, any dentures to class. Which one of the boys in the class, thought as being funny just because he didn’t believe in bringing any apples to give to the teacher. He, always, seemed to feel very odd about a teacher, accepting any apples from him at any time.

But one thing about the teacher, which all of his students, always, seemed to notice about him. Is the certain way in which he never looked at any of his students, directly, in the eyes except for his twin sons? And because the teacher seemed to make it a habit from the beginning, every single one of his students started thinking of him as being very weird.

Whenever any of his students’ would brings him, an apple, he just would be afraid to say anything about why he liked any of his students, giving him as a teacher, an apple. Any boy, who happened to bring his teacher, an apple, just to try to please his teacher, the teacher would just leave the apple on his desk. Until the teacher, started wondering why a student would go out of his way to do this for the teacher.

And Mr. Thornton, usually, didn’t show any interest in any apple, he would receive from any of his students until the end of class, that day, the apple was given to him.

What none of his students seemed to notice about their teacher was that he was considered to be abnormal by the principal of the school. And this happened to be true, because of the way, the teacher would, always; act is he was so distant to all of his students.

One thing, which the teacher never wanted of the students in his English class to know, was that it was a strong possibility. That he could have some vampire blood in him. Even though, his twin sons, Michael Jr. and Robert, from when they had been just about one year old, seemed to think just by the way, their father, always, treated them at home. That in him being a father, he was quite different from any of their friends’ fathers in every way.

One thing, which none of Mr. Thornton’s students never like about him at any time, was the odd way, in which he seemed to, always, approach them at the end of class just before it became time to leave for the next class, that day.

What started his students, in thinking he was quite weird, was the way; Mr. Thornton would finish teaching the last lesson for the day’s class. He would, with him in a stance, where he had his body turned, completely, facing the blackboard, paint the shape of a witch’s baton on the blackboard. And then, when he was finished doing this, then, he would turn around to face the class. Trying not to meet the gaze of any of his students.

Then, Mr. Thornton would at random, pick out one of his students. And he would, actually, wink at that boy. He would send that child, the message through of mouth. That that boy hasn’t been doing his lessons right for that day, while acting like he was checking that boy’s papers after they have been turned in to him.

At this time, he wouldn’t take the time to sit down at his desk. He would, instead, act like he was very buried in what this certain boy has for his lesson for the day. But the teacher would, in the meantime, still, act like he was afraid to even look at this boy. Instead, he would, on purpose, look away from this student of his, keeping his gaze at a window like he was more interested in what was going on, outside, at that time.

Then, right in front of all the children in his English class, Mr. Thornton would walk right up to that certain child, standing by his desk. Mr. Thornton would say to that certain child, that he was bad for not doing his lessons right, today. In front of all the children in his class, Mr. Thornton would take that child to a corner of the classroom. And make him; sit, there, on a stool. And place this dunce cap on his head. All this time, Mr. Thornton would keep looking away from the child, trying not to meet his gaze.

Then, Mr. Thornton would wait as all the children, who would look at him with curious faces, left at the end of class. With him and the child on the stool in the dunce cap, the only ones in the classroom, get out either black or red paint, depending on which paint, he wanted the child to use for that day. Looking away from the child while standing at his desk, he made that child, paint the stood, black or red, depending on what mood, he was in that day.

After that child, wearing the dunce cap, that day, was through painting the stool, he, suddenly, for no certain reason, would become quite tired, hardly, being able to stand up. So, this child would sink down to the floor not being able to get up without the teacher’s help.

Then, leaving the child on the floor with heavy eyes and in a stupor, which the teacher pulled on him through some magic, he would sit down at his desk. There, at his desk, he would pull his cell phone out of his pocket. And he would give the child’s parents, a phone call. And during this phone call, the teacher would say to the child’s parents, “Is this the child’s mother and father? Well, your child failed to do his lessons for the day in class, the right way like he’s supposed to have done.”

Then, later on, when school’s over; the child would end up getting home later than usual from school. So, his mother and father would talk to Mr. Thornton. Because they thought, he was the one, responsible for their child being home late.

“Is this Mr. Thornton, the English teacher? Well, neither one of us received any phone from you or even the principal, when it time for our child to catch the school bus, back home. And the bus happens to have been late, dropping off out child at the house.”

“It’s not my fault that your child was late getting home. It jus so happens that your child fell asleep after class. And your child had to be taken to the principal’s office. Because I haven’t been able to wake up him up, right away. And your child ended up getting sick after class. And he has been in the sick room all this time.”

“Oh, we see what the situation is. He got sick after class, because he didn’t do his lessons, the way, he should have done. And our child has just walked inside the house. And he’s acting like he’s in some sort of stupor, because he didn’t even act like he saw us at home. Or is glad to be back home to see us, again.”

“In fact, he, almost, had to stay, overnight. And he had to be fed apples, which have been building up on my desk in the classroom. And these apples, I don’t eat. But I thought they would be good for your child to eat to help him get back onto his feet, again.”

What the child’s parents didn’t know was that Mr. Thornton put him under a spell, when he painted the stool, and got tired and fell on the floor, apparently, in a stupor, looking like he was asleep at that time. Another thing, which his parents didn’t know about, was that when it turned dark, outside, that night, the teacher, Mr. Thornton, probably, went ahead. And sucked blood out of the child, supposedly, sick and in a stupor.

The next time, any child put into a stupor and under a spell from teacher, had to be picked up by his parents over at school, the next morning after classes. But the child, who happened to have been in a stupor, overnight, if the teacher didn’t end up getting the urge to take the child’s blood, the principal, would tell the teacher to leave the child, alone. And leave him to himself during class, because the teacher was the one, who, originally, placed the child under his spell.

And the child can’t be free of the teacher’s spell until his parents, end up refusing to let their child, attend school, anymore. Which, usually, ends up happening? And that seemed to be the only way, in which the child could become free of the teacher’s witchery.

Any child, who in the end, never pulled out of his stupor, has ended up being one of the children, who has had his blood, sucked out of him by the teacher. And what happened next, was that any children, which Mr. Thornton never sent back home to his parents, after his parents have wondered for days and nights, where his child had happened to be their child, had to attend a funeral for him over at the school.

The principal ended up being the one, who called the child’s parents about their child being dead and about the funeral being held for him over at the school. But the next day after the child’s death, the parents, usually, show up to pay their last respects to their child. But to their surprise, they find out that Mr. Thornton doesn’t show up at the funeral, held in the school yard for the child.

What Mr. Thornton has been doing to his students in his English class, soon, is understood to be labeled as suspicious by the principal. So, the principal of the school, finally, turned Mr. Thornton in. And he’s tried by the law under suspicion of murder to his students.

The police, soon, found out about this vampire teacher, Mr. Thornton, who ended up getting arrested by the police in the vicinity of Blue Ridge, North Carolina. Mr. Thornton was tried in court for all what he had been doing to his students, placing them all under his spell. And having made all of the children, under his witchery, paint the stool in the classroom, either red or black. So, he could place all of his students, eventually, on the cot in the sick room through the night. And place them all in stupors, one a day and night. So, none of them would even be aware of what happened to each of them while being made to lie down on cots while in a stupor.

All of Mr. Thornton’s students ended up fading away into the darkness under his witchery and dying slow deaths. And by the time, the teacher, actually, had enough evidence against him to arrest him and put him in jail, all of his English class had met their deaths. And the teacher, through court, was tried under charges of first-degree murder on all of his students.

But, once, the teacher was placed in a jail cell, he died from lack of blood. Because he couldn’t live on a human diet. And he was buried in a hole; he had dug out in his jail cell while having sensed his death, coming before him, very fast before him, actually, died.

Friday, March 18, 2011

The Magic Star

THE MAGIC STAR

CHER BEAR

Once upon a time, a child found herself, caught up in the middle of a dream. This child had a lot of talent as far as singing and dancing goes. This child, a ten year old girl with long blonde hair, one day, happened to be picked while at school to part of a battle to become a star on the show, “American Idol.”

This child had her hopes up to be able to make it in this interesting world of hers to turn into a child star, some day.

All the judges on “American Idol,” were clapping this child on as she took the floor. Once, she was in front of all these humans, mostly, kids about her age. She just turned into ice. Though, her mother and father have their fingers, crossed.

None of the judges nor her mother or father knew what to do. Because this child was in a state of shock. And couldn’t move.

And the head of the show had no success in trying to move her off of the floor. Because she was like an ice figure. And the head of the show had much comfort for her as tears, rolled down her cheeks.

Though, this child, suddenly, started to melt into a puddle. The head of the show didn’t want to try and mop her up. Because what if she came back to life right on the floor. And came back out of her dream.

So, the judges, suddenly, took sight of the puddle, fading away. And this child turned back into herself. But she just stood, there, on the floor with this fixed look on her face. This child’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Her voice wouldn’t sing, just squeaked out endless words to her song as a band, started playing her song.

And this child started dancing and going to town on her dancing. But she couldn’t get her feet to move the right way to the song. Her feet just moved all over the place like she was scared to try to control them.

This child turned quite nervous and again, tears rolled down her cheeks as she asked the host to give her, another chance to do the right dance to the song. And let her words, flow out of her mouth to music.

Before this child had another chance to do her act, the head of the show came onto the floor. And was making her, leave the floor as her mother and father, turned hopeless. But just at that moment, she was being led off of the floor out of sight of the crowd and judges, she shouted out to the host of the show and her mother and father, “I’ll never make it as a singer and dancer.”

But, suddenly, as this child, struggled out back onto the floor and ran, there, the judges were booing her.

But at that moment, the judges and the crowd let out a big oh.

This child said in wonder, “Oh my, look there’s a big star above my head,” and with a surprised look on her face.

This child and her mother and father were the only ones, who could, actually, believe a star came from nowhere. And is shining bright light above this child’s head.

Suddenly, this child turned into an angel as the star seemed to grow quite big in size. This child, now, an angel, saw a fairy, fly out of this star while the crowd and judges and head of the show, suddenly, were out of sight. This child’s mother and father, also, turned into angels, couldn’t believe, what was happening to their only child.

Besides the child, while her mother and father just were drawn towards the stage, they, too, caught eye of the fairy. Landing on their child’s shoulder. Then, the fairy waved her, magic wand. And the star over the child’s head, seemed to shine over her whole being.

The fairy touched the child’s head with her magic wand. Suddenly, this child could sing and dance to her mother’s and father’s surprise. When she was done with her act, this child heard an angel crowd, clapping for her. And angel judges calling for her. Which judges gave her, the best score of 100?

Then, with her mother and father, suddenly, fading away, the fairy picked up this child into her arms. And carried her up to the sky, nowhere to be seen.

The angel judges had placed a gold band on the child’s head just before the fairy took her away. Going back into the star. Which star, with the child, faded away into the sky after going through a window of the building?

This star joined all the other stars in the dark sky in the dark of night. But the child, the fairy brought up to the sky while traveling inside this certain special star. There, in the sky, an angel brought her up to heaven. Because this child was due her time to die of some youth sickness.

Once, this child arrived in heaven, she was free of sickness. Because she, no longer, has a body. There, in heaven, this child sing her heart out and danced for all the angels’ and played these pipes without end.

Some day, when it’s time for her mother and father to die, when their time has come, they, once again, be tied with their only child in heaven.

Monday, March 14, 2011

BITTER LOVE BY CHERYL VERBEKE

BITTER LOVE

Once upon a time, this princess, Electra, lie on her bed in a deep sleep in the form of a miniature pinscher inside a golden castle. She was waiting for Harley, a prince in the form of a miniature pinscher, to come by and wake her up from her deep sleep. She’s been lying, there, in her room on a glass bed for three days and nights. And could not go any longer without food and water.

So, one night, when Prince Harley of the golden castle, happened to be sleeping in another part of the golden castle, some bright light, which he thought was coming from lightening, woke him up, abruptly. He followed a star, suddenly, blinking before his green eyes, which falling star came from in through a window of his room. Not knowing, he was in a dream, he followed the star with his eyes through the golden castle.

Upon walking to the other side of the golden castle, the star guided him over to this one room. As the star reached this room, suddenly, the star faded and turned into a bright light.

Suddenly, Prince Harley came out of his dream, only, to discover Princess Electra, asleep, lying on a glass bed. Because he was a dog, he couldn’t understand why he would have this urge to kiss Electra, a dog princess. So, he strolled into Electra’s chamber and over to where she’s lying on the glass bed in a deep sleeps.

At first, Prince Harley didn’t know how to handle the situation. If he should in being a dog, actually, jump on the glass bed to kiss Princess Electra. Because as a dog, he couldn’t have known he was about to go through a big change.

Finally, in gathering the guts to do so, he jumped and jumped until he was on top of Princess Electra. And he nudged noses with her and kissed her on her delicate lips, which startled her out of her deep sleep.

At first, Princess Electra jus lies, there, on the glass bed, thinking she was in a daydream. Because she, abruptly, changed into an attractive and real princess. And Harley, her prince, changed into a real prince.

But as he spoke to her, she realized she wasn’t in a daydream. That she, actually, was in the middle of a fantasy. He said to her in wonder, “Please don’t be afraid. Please accept the fact that you’ve changed into a real princess. And that I’m, also, a real prince, now.”

She responded, “Oh, my Harley. It feels so different to be human. But please take my hand in unity. I love you so much.”

So, at that moment, he slid a golden box out of his pocket. And slid a golden ring on her finger after taking the ring out of its red velvet box.

Then, Prince Harley scooped her into his agile and strong arms. And he carried her out her chamber doorway. And was on his way over to his chamber on the other side of the golden castle.

As Prince Harley arrived over at his chamber, he entered his chamber and laid her on his bed. He was about to lie down beside her and keep her, company, in his bed. With her, being a virgin, he didn’t want to force her to give up her virginity just yet. He wanted to wait until the two of them were united with the gentlemen of the court and all the proper persons present like the king and queen.

Suddenly, just before Prince Harley had a chance to enjoy one more night, spending it with his virgin princess, Electra, one morning, he heard someone at the castle doors. So, he ran over to the castle doors from his chamber straight through the main part of the castle.

Upon arriving at the castle doors, he opened up the doors. And there, at the castle doors, appeared Prince Charming.

Prince Charming demanded to Prince Harley, “Where’s my princess, Electra? Is she hiding, somewhere, in the castle? I’m the one, who awakened her from a deep sleep.”

“That does not make her, your princess. The king, originally, offered her to me.”

“That’s not true. He told if I could awaken her from a deep sleep, she would become mine. I’ll prove to you, Prince Harley that she belongs to me. I’ll challenge you to a duel. And whoever wins this duel gets her hand in unity.”

So, Prince Harley said to him, “Okay, but I’m the stronger one and more capable than you.”

Prince Harley drew his sword out of his side and fought, madly, against Prince Charming. And the duel not much time later, seemed to be dragging between the two princes.

After about what seemed like a half hour, Princess Charming, finally, lost the duel with Prince Harley, getting him face down on the grass. At first, it seemed, as though, Prince Charming had met his fate. Because he was bleeding, profusely. But he managed to get back up onto his feet. And he half ran over to his horse, where he grabbed some dynamite. And strolled back to Prince Harley, half limping, who saw the prince, coming back at him with dynamite.

But on Prince Charming’s way over to the other prince, Prince Charming, abruptly, with lighted dynamite, ready to throw at Prince Harley. Passed out right on the grass from loss of blood. And blew himself to pieces as Prince Harley ran back to the golden castle. Fortunately, Prince Charming had just missed the golden castle with the dynamite. But Prince Charming scared his horse away, which ran for its life.

Then, in a fury, his horse came galloping back to the golden castle. And Prince Harley with great speed ran over to the horse. And grabbed it by its reins just in time. Prince Harley petted and petted the horse. And it calmed down just as his princess, came flying out the castle doors.

As Princess Electra ran up to Prince Harley, desperately, he scooped her up into his strong and agile arms. And he, gently, helped her onto the horse. And he hopped up onto the horse, and seated himself just behind her. The two rode and rode with the speed of lightening over to the nearest tree.

There, over at the tree like magic, the king and queen and gentlemen of the court appeared out of nowhere. Likewise, the red carpet was rolled out from the golden castle. And Prince Harley took Princess Electra’s hand in marriage. And the two were married before the gentlemen of the court and king and queen.

That very day, Prince Harley kissed Prince Electra. And he scooped her up into his strong and agile arms.

Upon the two, getting back on the horse, the horse and prince and princess disappeared into the wilderness amongst bright light off to their secret hideout. And this turned out to be the very day; she gave up being a virgin.

Friday, February 25, 2011

DIVING INTO THE CAVE OF YOUR HEART - TRANSITION FROM WINTER INTO SPRING WITH INSPIRATION

DIVING INTO THE CAVE OF YOUR HEART – TRANSITION FROM WINTER INTO SPRING WITH INSPIRATION

Notice all of the changes taking place in nature as the weather warms and every day becomes longer. There is a palpable sense of renewal of life. Plants are literally breaking free from the earth and stretching toward the sun. Flowers are blooming. There is a vitality that you can even smell in the spring winds.

The invitation in this season of growth is to align with the powerful forces of nature both outside and within. All of the seeds of intention that you have planted in the fall and cultivated in the winter can now begin to emerge into manifestation. This is the time to make shifts in ways of being and doing that harness harness these powerful creative energies.

The word for transformation in Sanskrit is “parynama”. “Pary” means to encircle one’s heart. “Nama” means to make an offering. Together, the word suggests that an authentic transformation is made by deeply looking into the cave of your heart and then making sweet offerings from what you discover.

This is the time to unveil your contemplations and reflections. Let your deepest and most cherished desires bear fruit as you dig deep inside the wellspring of your heart and express who you are into the world. When you align so deeply with who you are, whatever you do or say will feel like you are offering your highest. When you act from the highest, you will not only feel the delight of such a connection but others will be uplifted in your presence and get a hit of their own Divine light.

If you have been waiting for the right time to launch some important project, venture, business, or other offering, this is a great opportunity. This is a wonderful season to harness the creative energies of nature and skillfully ride the waves of change to affirm your life and make a beautiful offering to the world.

Make sure that as you make your offering that it is in fact aligned with your heart. The transformation may not always be comfortable as change make take you out of your comfort zone. However, when you remember your intention, it will give you renewed energy and inspiration to hold to that vision. In the process, you awaken to a new understanding of yourself and your relationship to the world. It is not just in your mind, but the transformation will affect your heart. By aligning with your depths, you will feel the delight of spirit as the very play of consciousness. As the Divine has taken every form, including you, the invitation is that you shift your form to feel a closer relationship to the Divine. As you shift in relationship with the Divine in this way, you will feel Divine!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

WINTER INTO SPRING, CAT-WISE

WINTER INTO SPRING, CAT-WISE

The transition from fall to winter to spring is an annual cycle for the cat and the cat-owning household with typically consistent year-to-year behaviors that mark the passage of time.
As fall turns to winter, many of our indoor/outdoor cat friends choose to make the indoors by the fire a new place to hang out. It is amazing how many hours they can sleep, and I often wonder what they dream about. Even those cats that are strictly indoor cats mark the passage of winter in a more quiet repose. And now, as the days grow longer, we’ll begin to see a stirring, maybe sitting on the window sill, more often than watching the bird feeder or squirrels, and for the more hardy, checking the open door to see if today would be a good day to venture forth.
What as cat owners should we be conscious of with regard to care and health during this transition? Here are a few things that I think about. Most of our outdoor cats have been hunting and maybe have had some fleas during the summer and fall. As the hunting season ends for a few months, November or December would have been a good time to get that last dose of worming medication, administered to allow them to pass the winter without the burden of tapeworms, round worms and hookworms. Of course, if your cat has not been on a flea preventive medication, confirming that he or she doesn’t bring unwanted houseguests is a great idea. You can check your cat by using a “flea comb,” running your fingers from the tail base to the shoulders looking through the hair as you go. If your cat is accommodating, look carefully at the belly where fleas like to congregate. I recommend using a flea/tick preventive into December to increase the chances of having a flea free winter.
If you share your life with one of the more hardy cats who likes to spend the time outdoors all winter, it is important to be sure that she or he has a place to get out of the wind and cold. Many cats grow really robust coats and tolerate the winter well with a little extra food, but frozen ear tips are not uncommon in cats who lack a good place to “hunker down” on a windy day. Have you ever seen and wondered about a cat you’ve met with squared off ears? This is usually evidence of a previous frostbite where the tips of the ears have actually died and fallen off.
What about the woodstove of which your cat is so fond? Hopefully is he or she likes to use it as a perch during the summer, you made the transition to wood heat without any burned footpads. It’s good to be careful as we get into spring. If the stove is out during the day and then on at night, some cats make a leap that they might have wished they hadn’t made!
With the first signs of spring just around the corner, those cats with cabin fever will be stirring from the fire, climbing into the windows and heading outdoors. It’s a good idea to be up to date on the weather forecasts so no one stays out too long on a cold day. If your cats can’t be counted on to obey a curfew, its important to get them in for the night. It’s kind of like hardening your seedlings in the spring. Before long, the indoor-only group will be sitting at the window watching those birds and butterflies that I suspect they were dreaming about, and the outdoors group will be chasing them, in addition to mice, chipmunks and voles.
So, while you enjoy the lengthening days and the change of the seasons, and while you marvel at the return of spring life outdoors, it is good to notice the change in patterns and behaviors that we can recognize in our domesticated friends.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Legends of St. Valentine's Day

LEGENDS OF ST. VALENTINE’S DAY
There are various popular and interesting legends of St. Valentine’s Day. Some legends trace the origin of Valentine’s Day to pagan times while others link it one or more Saints of early Christian Church. Yet another point of view on the origin of St. Valentine’s Day links it to the beginning of birds mating season. Popularity of the festival is perhaps due to the combined effect of all these legends along with the notion that spring is the time for love.
Some famous legends of Valentine’s day are:
Feast of Lupercalia
Saint Valentine of Rome – I
Saint Valentine of Rome II
Birds Mating Time
Feast of Lupercalia
Several historians trace the origin of Valentine’s Day to pagan times in ancient Roman Empire. In those times, people organized a holiday on February to honor Juno – the mythological Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also regard Juno as the Goddess of Women and Marriage. From the following day – February 15 started the Fertility Festival called the Feast of Lupercalia. This feast was organized to protect humans from wolves and to honor the Roman Gods of Agriculture – Lupercus and Faunus besides the founders of Rome – Romulus and Remus. During the Feast of Lupercalia, members of Lupercali – an order of the Roman priest used to gather in a sacred cave where Romulus and Remus were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. Following the tradition, the priest would sacrifice a goat for fertility and a dog for purification. Boys would slice the goats hide into strips, dipped them in sacrificial blood and move about the streets gently slapping women and fields with the animal hide. Womenfolk gladly received a slap, as they believed that the practice would make them more fertile. Later, during the Feast of Lupercalia, all the young women in the city would place a chit of their name in a big urn. Bachelors in the city would each then take a chit out of the urn and became paired for the girl whose name was on the chit for the rest of the year. Quite often, the paired couple would fall in love and marry.
Later, when Christianity spread through Rome, the practice of finding mate through ‘lottery’ was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Around 498 AD, Pope Gelasius is said to have declared Feburary 14 Valentine’s Day. Some writers link Valentine’s Day with Feast of Lupercalia because of similar date and connection with fertility.
Legends of St. Valentine
Early Christian church indicates the presence of at least two saints named Valentine. Some scholars however, says that there were as many as seven saints credited with the name of Saint Valentine or Valentinus all of whom lived in the Third Century and apparently died on the same day. Given here are some of the most popular of all legends of Saint Valentine:
Saint Valentine of Rome – I
According to one of the very popular legend, Valentine was a priest in Rome who lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Under his regime, Claudius is said to have engaged Rome into se veral bloody battles. To strengthen his army, the Emperor continuously needed to recruit soldiers. However, Claudius found that not many soldiers were keen to join the army because of attachment with their wives and families. In order to sever the bond of attachment, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine – a romantic at heart priest, defied this callous decree of Claudius by secretly arranging marriages of young men and women. When Valentine’s defiance was discovered by the Emperor, he was brutally beaten up and put to death on February 14, about 270 AD.
For his martyrdom and dedication for the cause Valentine was named a Saint after his death. My Middle Ages, Saint Valentine became popular as the patron saint of love and lovers in England and France to the extent that Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as Valentine’s Day on 498 AD and put an end to pagan celebrations. Thus, Saint Valentine’s martyrdom became an occasion to celebrate love.
Saint Valentine of Rome –II
Another famous legend on Saint Valentine states Valentine was an early Christian in Rome who was very popular amongst children. But during the time when Valentine lived, Roman regime was not on favour of Christianity and it even persecuted Christians to make Rome free of the followers of Christianity. In spite of this strict law, Valentine continued to practice his faith and refused to worship Roman Gods. This enraged Emperor Claudius II and he put Valentine in prison.
Valentine is said to have spent a year in rigorous imprisonment during which he was missed a lot by children. They began to toss loving notes and flowers between the bars of his cell window. To an extent, this legend may explain the tradition of exchanging notes and flowers on St. Valentine’s Day.
Some scholars believe that during his stay in prison Valentine made friends with jailer’s blind daughter who at times brought to him notes and flowers from children. Whenever possible, Valentine also replied to the notes. Days before his execution, Valentine prayed for the jailer’s daughter and she regained her sight. Before his death, Valentine is also said to have written a farewell note for the jailer’s daughter and signed it, “From Your Valentine”. This expression is popular even till date.
Some scholars believe that Valentine was killed because he tried to help Christians escape from the Roman prison as they were being tortured and beaten. Yet another scholars say Emperor Claudius II was impressed by Valentine’s kindness and good behavior. He even stated that Valentine could be freed if he agreed to worship Roman Gods. Valentine not just refused he even tried to convert Emperor to Christianity. This made Claudius very angry and he ordered his execution. Valentine was beheaded on February 14.
Birds Mating Time
During the Middle Ages, people in England and France held a popular belief that birds started to look for a mate from February 14. This popular notion further strengthened the idea that Valentine’s Festival that falls in the middle of February should be celebrated as the day of love and romance. The concept soon gained ground amongst the lovers and they began to celebrate the day by exchanging love notes and simple gifts like flowers.

Friday, January 28, 2011

GRIEF: COPING WITH REMINDERS AFTER A LOSS

GRIEF: COPING WITH REMINDERS AFTER A LOSS
Grief doesn’t magically end after a certain point after a loved one’s death
Often brings back the pain and of loss even years after but here is some helpful tip for coping and healing
When a loved one dies, but you may be faced with grief over your loss again and again sometimes even years after the feelings of grief may return on your loved one’s anniversary death or on your loved one’s or other special days throughout the year anniversary reaction, it isn’t necessarily a setback in the grieving process it’s a reflection that a loved one’s life was important to continue down the path towards healing what to expect and how to cope with the reminder of the loss.

GRIEF COMES WITH MANY EMOTIONS

GRIEF COMES WITH MANY EMOTIONS
There aren’t any “should” with respect with how grief is felt or expressed. It’s common for people who have lost a spouse or someone close to feel sad, angry, helpless, guilty, anxious, lonely and frightened. It is also common to experience a sense of shock or numbness, especially if the death was sudden and unexpected. All of these feelings are normal.
Generally speaking, common emotions of grief are:
Shock
At first, it may be difficult to accept that your loved one has died. Some survivors cry, but others are too numb. They’re in shock. Shock acts as defense against the painful feelings associated with loss. Shock is nature’s way of helping us through what otherwise seems unbearable.
Disorganization
As shock lessens, feelings of uncertainty, confusion and disorganization often set in. All of the activities associated with everyday life may seem unimportant given the major loss you’ve experienced. A person’s normal routine is now forever changed.
Volatile emotions
Anger, bitterness, hostility and resentment are common emotions experienced by a grieving person. These feelings may come on suddenly and without explanation. These types of feelings, while uncomfortable, are no cause for shame. It’s best to just accept your emotions and express them in healthy ways.
Guilt
Feeling of guilt and anger may occur at the same time. Some people may feel guilty because of their angry feelings. Others feel guilty about something that was said or done that is now regretted. Still others may experience guilt if they believe they could have done something to prevent the deceased person’s illness or death. Such nagging thought often begin with “if only” of “what if.”
When working through your feeling of guilt be open to confiding these thoughts and feelings with a trusted friend or relative. If individuals find themselves feeling guilty and angry for long periods and can’t seem to move on, it’s important to consult with a professional.
Loss and loneliness
This is often the most painful of emotions and involves acknowledging the significance of the loss. Many people will feel depressed and will withdraw from activities they enjoyed.
Some people find it useful to seek the help of a professional counselor or a support group to help them through this difficult time.
Relief and recovery
Feelings of relief and a sense that the worst is overcome with the realization that life will go on and that you’ll be alright. It is important to realize that feeling relief in no way diminishes the loss you have experienced. It simply marks the beginning of recovery.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

SYMBOLS/MYTHS/LEGENDS-LEPRECHAUN

SYMBOLS/MYTHS/LEGENDS
LEPRECHAUN
A leprechaun n Irish folklore was, a little sprite, or goblin.
The name leprechaun may have derived from the Irish leath brogan or shoemaker, though its origins lay lie in laucharma’s Irish for pygmy.
These apparently aged, diminutive men are frequently to be found in an intoxicated state, caused by home-brew poteen. However they never become so drunk that the hand which holds the hammer becomes unsteady and their shoemaker’s work affected.
Leprechauns have also become self-appointed guardians of ancient treasure, burying it in crocks or pots.
If caught by a mortal, he will promise great wealth if allowed to go free. He carries two leather pouches. In one there is a silver shilling, a magical coin that returns to the purse each time it is paid out. In the other he carries a gold coin which he uses to try and bribe his way out of difficult situations. This coin usually turns to leaves or ashes once the leprechaun has parted with it.
The leprechaun ‘family’ appears split into two distinct groups – leprechaun and cluricaun. Although the leprechaun has been described as Ireland’s national fairy, this name was originally only used in the north Leinster area. Variants include lurcahmain, lurican, lurgadhan.
The legends of Ireland are rife with mentions of the charming, impish Lepechaun. If you are curious about the lore and history of your ancestral home, you may be interested in learning more about the leprechaun and his origins in the myths, folklore, and verse of the Emerald Isle.
The leprechaun is traditionally viewed as a mischievous little creature, who spends his days crafting shoes and storing his profits in the proverbial pot of gold. Legend has it that you can find the pot o’ gold if you listen closely for the hammering sounds the tiny fairy makes as he does his work.
Catching a leprechaun is hard work. They are inclined to resist contact with human beings, according to legend, and they are crafty. The leprechaun will share his secrets with you if you are lucky enough to find him. According to the tales of old, a leprechaun will lead you to his pot of gold and bestow his riches upon you, if you are clever enough to meet him.
The classic leprechaun of Irish folklore stands a mere 24 inches in height, and he will have a glint of mischief in his sparkling eyes. He will greet you with a bright, happy expression that may mask some element of trickery. Leprechauns enjoy their own prankish nature, and they will relish playing tricks to fool the people who seek them out.
Your leprechaun may have an appetite for fine malt whiskey and tobacco from a pipe. They are also rumored to be able to drink you under the table, despite their diminutive size! These pleasure seeking fairy creatures carry many secrets, and they will take pains to protect their treasure from prying eyes.
There are no female leprechauns. These elfin beings have inhabited the Emerald Isle for thousands of years, before the Druids practiced their Pagan faith in Ireland. In order to capture one of these elusive fairies, you must maintain eye contact with him. He cannot flee as long as you stare at one another. However, if you turn away from him, he will seize his chance and disappear.
Beware of the many hidden powers of the leprechaun. He may have the ability to hypnotize you, and his power will allow his to escape. Keep watch for his bright red coat, and his distinctive, pointed cap. He will be a sharp dresser, with many rows of decorative buttons upon his cloak.
The legend of the leprechaun is one of Ireland’s most charming tales. There are many symbols of Ireland, and the little limp who cobbles shoes and hides his riches in a pot of gold is just one example of the Irish story-telling tradition.
If you enjoy Irish symbols and folklore, you will find other examples on today’s Irish jewelry designs, which echo the tales of the Irish people. Shamrocks and Claddagh symbols all tell a story of centuries past, and they are a fine way to celebrate the gifts of story and verse that are a hallmark of the Irish people.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Ranger and Harley and Electra Meet Danger

RANGER AND HARLEY AND ELECTRA MEET DANGER
Harley and Electra jus arrived in Clyde, North Carolina. They wanted Ranger, the horse, to take them, somewhere. So, both dogs in a jog ran and ran up to where Ranger was out behind a wire fence. And somehow, Ranger was able to dunk underneath the wire fence without getting electrocuted.
Once, Ranger was out from underneath the wire fence, he leaned down to the ground. And he allowed Electra and Harley to jump onto her back.
Once, the two dogs on the spot were on top of Ranger’s back, he said to the two dogs on the spot, “What did you two dogs have in mind for today? How about if I take yhou two dogs on the spot for a walk down the road. And from there, you two dogs on the spot, can decided jus where you want to go on such a nice day as today.”
Harley said to Ranger, “Electra and I would like to jus take a ride down a couple streets down the winding mountain roads, here, in Clyde. On a day like today, so warm, we jus would like to get away from our Masters for once. Because ever since, we’ve been, here, at the log cabin in a jog, we’ve been a little cooped up in the front yard with all that fencing around us. The fence seems to make us, feel as though, we’re cramped inside the front yard.”
Ranger responded, “Okay, hold on tight, because when I gallop, I tend to move quite fast down the mountain roads.”
So, first, as Ranger got back up onto his feet, the two dogs on the spot, made sure they were holding tight onto Ranger’s back. Then, Ranger along with the two dogs on the spot, were on their way down the road.
But as they all reached the stop sign at the end of the road, a pit bull, which lives at a corner house, starting barking fiercely at the dogs. And sensing that the pit bull was about to leap at Harley and Electra, they tried to run away from that corner. But before the two dogs in a job, could get away from the pit bull, the pit bull kept barking and barking louder and lounder.
Being that Ranger was sensing that Harley and Electra were in danger, he said tok the two dogs on the spot, “C’mon and hop onto my back. We’ve got to get away from this dog, because he seems to be the dangerous type.”
But Harley and Electra jus wanted fight or flight. So, the two dogs started running after the pit bull. And the two dogs and the pit bull got into a fierce fight. Harley and Electra tried to lash at the pit bull. But the pit bull turned more fierce to them. And it started in a spark, to try to match the strength of the pit bull. But the pit bull opened its jaws wide. And started to knaw at both Harley and Electra.
In seeing that Harley and Electra were getting attacked by the pit bull, Ranger couldn’t allow them to fall at the mercy of the pit bull. So, Ranger leaped at the pit bull and knocked that dog down to the ground. As the pit bull, finally, turned helpless, Harley and Electra, finally, were able to get away from that fierce dog on the spot.
Harley and Electra, with whatever strength, they had left in them, they jumped onto Ranger. And Ranger, at a trot, took both Harley and Electra back to the log cabin.
As they arrived over at the log cabin on the spot, Ranger trotted up to the side door of the log cabin. And he kicked at the side door. It was a good thing that Larry heard Ranger at the door. Because he, quickly, walked and walked over to the side door. And in seeing Ranger at the side door, Larry was able to see that Harley and Electra jus slid off of Ranger’s back. And the two dogs on the spot, were lying on the grass, gasping for breath.
Larry walked outside and in seeing the two dogs on the spot, lying on the grass out of breath, called Flo outside in a slide. Once, they both arrived outside in a slide, they, quickly, picked up Harley and Electra into their arms with a lot of charm. And they both put the dogs into the back part of the jeep. And upon Larry and Flo jumping and jumping into the jeep, they were off to the nearest vet to havae both Harley and Electra checked out in a slide.
Not much time later, as they arrived over at the vet, Larry and Flo hopped out of the jeep in a beat. And carefully, they each took one of the dogs into their arms. And both Larry and Flo walked into the vet’s office. And let the vet know that they have an emergency on their hands.
So, the vet took their two dogs right away. And the vet allowed Larry and Flo to walk inside the vet’s office. And especially, because both Harley and Electra were bad condition at this time in a slide.
Harley and Electra, finally, survived their wounds. And Larry and Flo took the two dogs on the spot, back to the log cabin. And once, they arrived back at the log cabin, they spent the rest of the day into the night, watching after the dogs on the spot. And they took turns taking care of their dogs on the spot, because the two dogs had to be watched very carefully.
By the next day, both Harley and Electra were alright. But Larry and Flo made the two dogs on the spot, have about a weeks’ rest to recover, fully, from the attack from the pit bull down at the corner. But the best thing about the whole thing, is that both Harley and Electra survived and were alright in a matter of days.

Friday, January 7, 2011

GOOD LUCK NOT LETTING THE BEDBUGS BITE

GOOD LUCK NOT LETTING THE BEDBUGS BITE
For anyone hoping there’s a quick, easy treatment in the near future, take note of the hesitation in Coby Schal’s response.
Schal is an N.C. State University urban etomologist-the academic title for a guy who studies cockroaches, and of late, bedbugs- and he gets asked all the time whether a miracle might soon hit the market to stem growing infestations of the blood-sucking insets.
Pause.
Long, scary pause.
“I wish I had a short-term answer to that,” he says. Another pause. “But I don’t.”
Oh, agony and woe.
And the pessimism along leading bug scientists is nothing compared to the downer from exterminators, who now rank bedbugs among their worst and most prevalent problems.
Donnie Shelton, owner of Triangle Pest Control in Raleigh, said his bedbug business has increased 400-fold-just this year.
Tools of the trade
He bought a dog, named Scout, who is specially trained to sniff out bedbug infestations. Next month Shelton will offer what he believes is the area’s first heat-based eradication system, which uses industrial heaters to roast the bugs dead in their tracks.
Pesticides, he says, are increasingly ineffective.
“They become more resistant every single day,” Shelton says, “They’re insane. You can’t do anything with them. Everything in the arsenal isn’t working.”
Overuse of pesticides has likely contributed to the bedbugs’ resurgence, and that exact process is one of the mysteries Schal’s team at NCSU is trying to figure out.
Defeating pesticides
Until only recently, bedbugs seemed to be a scourge of the past, but their comeback has been a triumph of selective resilience that would be a marvel if it wasn’t so creepy.
“Bedbugs just drive people mad,” Shelton says, “The thought of an insect coming out and biting you when you’re sleeping-it makes people crazy.”
Infestations have hit area motels, NCSU and Wake Forest University dorm rooms, a home for the elderly in downtown Raleigh, and untold numbers of private residences.
Treatments can be extensive and expensive, requiring repeat visits that can run costs to well over $1,000.
When bedbugs first started showing up in North Carolina four years ago, Shelton says, a pesticide that relied on the chemical compound pyrethroid worked well. That didn’t last. Exterminators then switched to another chemical, also a pyrethroid-based compound, and it, too, failed.
Schal says he has dunked bedbugs in pyrethroid-literally soaked them-and they live. “They just walk away,” he says.
As s result, he suspects the bugs that are now infesting the United States hitchhiked here from Africa or South America, where pyrethroid-based insecticides have been sprayed liberally to eradicate mosquitoes that carry malaria and so-called kissing bugs that transmit Chagas disease.
When poisons are usedover and over again, the vulnerable bugs die, while the hardy ones live and breed, creating a master race that is impervious to the toxins.
And since bedbugs are notorious travelers-they can hop on luggage, clothing, purses-they easily spread in a go-go world.
The big questions.
Schal’s group at NCSU has a $350,000 grant to use DNA sequencing to trace the origins of current bedbug populations in the United States. The information, he says, will clarify “where they came from and why they’re here and why we’re having problems now that we didn’t have two decades ago.”
The failure of pyrethroid-based insecticides has created a unique situation in the battle against bedbugs.
With cockroaches, which have also grown resistant to the pesticide, exterminators have other weapons. They can use baits to attract the insects. The baits, spiked with another poison the insects eat, kill the critters and other than come in contact with them.
But bedbugs are built to suck blood, not scrounge food particles. In addition, scientists don’t know exactly what draws bedbugs to humans, other than the prospect of a blood meal.
Stealthy, resourceful.
Answering that question is another goal of Schal and his team at NCSU, in hopes the knowledge may results in something that allures bedbugs from the nooks and crannies where they hide.
That would be a major advance, because it’s a sneaky breed. Bedbugs can go months without a meal, burrow deep into furniture and walls, and are creative in where they hide their progeny; eggs have been found in picture frames, behind baseboards, even along the threads of headboard bolts.
Pest experts note that such survival skills make it hard for trained exterminators to clear an infestation, let alone do-it-yourselvers. They particularly caution people from using pesticide “bombs,” which contain pyrethroid and are generally ineffective. Multiple bombs only put residents at risk, not the bugs.
Mike Valdvogel, another NCSU entomologist, says there are steps people can take to prevent infestations in the first place. He says people who travel should check their hotel rooms for tell-tale signs of bedbugs, notably brown stains along the seams of mattresses, and keep their luggage off the floors, beds and chairs.
Once they return home, he says, people should unpack in the bathtub, where they’re more likely to see a hitchhiking bug, and immediately wash and dry all their clothes. He also recommends sequestering the suitcase outside or in the garage.
And while Waldvogel urges diligence, he also says there’s no reason to panic.
“You can’t just stay at home and hunker down and watch TV and never invite anyone into your house,” he says.
Then again, that doesn’t sound quite so bad.
savery@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4882

GOOD LUCK NOT LETTING THE BEDBUGS BITE

GOOD LUCK NOT LETTING THE BEDBUGS BITE
For anyone hoping there’s a quick, easy treatment in the near future, take note of the hesitation in Coby Schal’s response.
Schal is an N.C. State University urban etomologist-the academic title for a guy who studies cockroaches, and of late, bedbugs- and he gets asked all the time whether a miracle might soon hit the market to stem growing infestations of the blood-sucking insets.
Pause.
Long, scary pause.
“I wish I had a short-term answer to that,” he says. Another pause. “But I don’t.”
Oh, agony and woe.
And the pessimism along leading bug scientists is nothing compared to the downer from exterminators, who now rank bedbugs among their worst and most prevalent problems.
Donnie Shelton, owner of Triangle Pest Control in Raleigh, said his bedbug business has increased 400-fold-just this year.
Tools of the trade
He bought a dog, named Scout, who is specially trained to sniff out bedbug infestations. Next month Shelton will offer what he believes is the area’s first heat-based eradication system, which uses industrial heaters to roast the bugs dead in their tracks.
Pesticides, he says, are increasingly ineffective.
“They become more resistant every single day,” Shelton says, “They’re insane. You can’t do anything with them. Everything in the arsenal isn’t working.”
Overuse of pesticides has likely contributed to the bedbugs’ resurgence, and that exact process is one of the mysteries Schal’s team at NCSU is trying to figure out.
Defeating pesticides
Until only recently, bedbugs seemed to be a scourge of the past, but their comeback has been a triumph of selective resilience that would be a marvel if it wasn’t so creepy.
“Bedbugs just drive people mad,” Shelton says, “The thought of an insect coming out and biting you when you’re sleeping-it makes people crazy.”
Infestations have hit area motels, NCSU and Wake Forest University dorm rooms, a home for the elderly in downtown Raleigh, and untold numbers of private residences.
Treatments can be extensive and expensive, requiring repeat visits that can run costs to well over $1,000.
When bedbugs first started showing up in North Carolina four years ago, Shelton says, a pesticide that relied on the chemical compound pyrethroid worked well. That didn’t last. Exterminators then switched to another chemical, also a pyrethroid-based compound, and it, too, failed.
Schal says he has dunked bedbugs in pyrethroid-literally soaked them-and they live. “They just walk away,” he says.
As s result, he suspects the bugs that are now infesting the United States hitchhiked here from Africa or South America, where pyrethroid-based insecticides have been sprayed liberally to eradicate mosquitoes that carry malaria and so-called kissing bugs that transmit Chagas disease.
When poisons are usedover and over again, the vulnerable bugs die, while the hardy ones live and breed, creating a master race that is impervious to the toxins.
And since bedbugs are notorious travelers-they can hop on luggage, clothing, purses-they easily spread in a go-go world.
The big questions.
Schal’s group at NCSU has a $350,000 grant to use DNA sequencing to trace the origins of current bedbug populations in the United States. The information, he says, will clarify “where they came from and why they’re here and why we’re having problems now that we didn’t have two decades ago.”
The failure of pyrethroid-based insecticides has created a unique situation in the battle against bedbugs.
With cockroaches, which have also grown resistant to the pesticide, exterminators have other weapons. They can use baits to attract the insects. The baits, spiked with another poison the insects eat, kill the critters and other than come in contact with them.
But bedbugs are built to suck blood, not scrounge food particles. In addition, scientists don’t know exactly what draws bedbugs to humans, other than the prospect of a blood meal.
Stealthy, resourceful.
Answering that question is another goal of Schal and his team at NCSU, in hopes the knowledge may results in something that allures bedbugs from the nooks and crannies where they hide.
That would be a major advance, because it’s a sneaky breed. Bedbugs can go months without a meal, burrow deep into furniture and walls, and are creative in where they hide their progeny; eggs have been found in picture frames, behind baseboards, even along the threads of headboard bolts.
Pest experts note that such survival skills make it hard for trained exterminators to clear an infestation, let alone do-it-yourselvers. They particularly caution people from using pesticide “bombs,” which contain pyrethroid and are generally ineffective. Multiple bombs only put residents at risk, not the bugs.
Mike Valdvogel, another NCSU entomologist, says there are steps people can take to prevent infestations in the first place. He says people who travel should check their hotel rooms for tell-tale signs of bedbugs, notably brown stains along the seams of mattresses, and keep their luggage off the floors, beds and chairs.
Once they return home, he says, people should unpack in the bathtub, where they’re more likely to see a hitchhiking bug, and immediately wash and dry all their clothes. He also recommends sequestering the suitcase outside or in the garage.
And while Waldvogel urges diligence, he also says there’s no reason to panic.
“You can’t just stay at home and hunker down and watch TV and never invite anyone into your house,” he says.
Then again, that doesn’t sound quite so bad.
savery@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4882