The month of May has us turning our thoughts toward Mother’s Day.We take this time to reflect on how dear our mothers are to us, and also on how much we enjoy being mothers to our children.For our canine and feline companions, however, it is most often the case that it is much better for them, and for us, for them not to become parents themselves.
The simple truth is that your pet has a chance at a longer and healthier life if you spay or neuter them at a young age.Female cats that are spayed prior to 6 months of age have a 91% reduction in the risk of developing mammary carcinoma (breast cancer).Dogs that are not spayed before the age of 2.5 years are almost 200 times more likely to have breast cancer as adults, than dogs that are spayed before their first heat.Another common reproductive complication of dogs called pyometra, which is a severe infection of the uterus that can be life-threatening, is completely eliminated by spaying.This health protection is also granted to male dogs as well.Male dogs who are neutered cannot develop problems like testicular cancer or testicular torsion, and they are much less likely to have diseases of the prostate gland later in life.
Early neuter of your pet has many behavioral benefits as well.Neutered dogs are much less likely to roam far from your house (in search of a mate), have less tendency to urine mark their territory, and are also less likely to show aggressive behavior toward other dogs or toward people.Male cats that remain intact fight frequently with other cats, spray their territories with urine, and the smell of their urine makes them practically unbearable to keep in your home.
Contrary to popular belief, sterilizing your pet will not make it “fat and lazy.”Both sterilized and unsterilized pets can have poor body condition due to overfeeding and lack of exercise. Your animal’s body condition is much more dependant on these parameters, than on their reproductive status.Another misconception is that it is healthier to let a female dog or cat have one litter before spaying her.This most certainly is not true, and in fact, female dogs and cats are much less likely to experience certain medical complications as they age, if they have never had a litter or even an estrous cycle (heat).
As if these medical reasons for pet sterilization weren’t enough, there are also social reasons for having these procedures done on your pets.Pet overpopulation is a huge problem in Palm Beach County, and for the state of Florida and the U.S. as a whole.Every year, millions of unwanted animals are euthanized in animal shelters.By not spaying or neutering your pet, and allowing them to reproduce, you greatly contribute to this ongoing problem.There is no way for you to guarantee that every puppy or kitten you bring into this world will get a good home.And, by not being able to control whether those puppies and kittens get sterilized, you cause many, many more generations of animals to be born that likely will end up being euthanized.Dealing with all of these unwanted animals, is not only emotionally taxing, but is a great financial burden in that millions of dollars are spent each year by communities to manage homeless animals.
Enjoy your Mother’s day and the joy that motherhood brings.But please remember to make the responsible and compassionate decision to spay and neuter your pets.This one procedure can help your companion to live a longer and healthier life.
Dr. Karpf is the co-owner of The Visiting Vet, a housecall service for dogs and cats serving Palm Beach County.For an appointment, please call 561-252-8874.
Are we all happy that the miscommunication and confusion has stopped?I for one, am ecstatic, however, I also realize that it was a necessary time to address issues that have arisen from the past and required another visit in order to “smooth out” that part of my life.It is a necessary part of growth and sometimes the need to get serious about my spiritual evolution can be downright painful.
Perhaps the most frequent question that I hear is “how is a Sun Sign different from a Natal Chart”, and often my answer is that it is not different.The Sun Sign is a part of, but certainly not the whole, Natal chart.The horoscope is many times shown as a wheel; it shows a map of the planets’ positions and of the earth’s position in relation to the planets at the precise moment of the native’s birth.(The “native” is a term often used to designate the person for whom the map is drawn up).To the uninitiated a horoscope might look very much like a hopeless jumble of meaningless symbols.Yet, in that complex-looking chart, there are three basic components.They are:1. The planets, 2. The signs of the zodiac and 3. The houses.A planet is always in a sign and always in a house.A basic axiom of astrology is that the planet is the active force, its energy is modified by the sign it happens to be in, such as the well known Sun sign, and it focuses into the area of life according to the house in which it appears.While simple in concept, however, there is a bit more to it than that.Indeed, I maintain that you may study astrology for the rest of your life, and you will never learn it entirely.
This month the Sun Sign is mostly Taurus with Gemini in the latter part of the month.Venus is the ruler of Taurus, consequently Taureans are a fixed earth sign, seeking harmony.Fixed, in this case, means steadfast and earth means practicality.So the basic nature of a Taurus is practical with predictable and reliable qualities and this is symbolized by the Bull.This sign is patient and can persevere, though maybe a bit slow to make a decision, but once the decision is made, it is extremely difficult to make the Taurus change it.Taurus is earthy and does not take well to being pushed around.Since Venus rules this sign, relationships are important and Taureans are a force of attraction.
Taurus – Happy Birthday and Happy Mother’s Day to the attractive mothers born under this sign.Your ruler, Venus, makes you attractive to others of all ages.You have excellent communication skills this month and a well-deserved rest is something to indulge in, though it seems that your list of things to do is endless right now.Whether you are the homemaker, or bread-winner, you can always be counted on to come through with class, so now take time out for yourself.The latter part of the month is great for gardening and working with your hands.
Gemini – Socializing with the sillier folks in your circle is pure pleasure and, with Venus in your Sunsign during the latter part of the month, any miscommunication from the past month will be easily forgiven.It is time to resume your forward momentum..
Cancer – You have had to master enormous decision-making for two months.Things are looking up however, and after the beginning of the month, things should settle down to a more natural routine.Beware of promises after the 24th of May and allow for adjustments that need to be made.
Leo – Plans that you made back in the winter get a chance to bloom this month.Your decision-making ability is enhanced and you are willing to take big chances, however, do not attempt a brand new plan at the end of the month.The old and tried will work much better at that time.
Virgo – This month is a “preparation period” for decisions that will culminate in the summer months.Miscommunication from the past month is fading away and you are now ready to indulge in future goals.
Libra – This month is a balancing act as the beginning is full of physical energy and starting projects, while the latter half requires your loving, quiet nature to be on constant standby.Others will need your soothing nature to smooth out their ruffles.
Scorpio –May brings increasing complexity in relationships or work projects. You are at your best as you engineer new projects and plan the immediate future.Look closely though, as it may seem that you are more invested in a project than you really are.Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.
Sagittarius – Great changes are in store for you this month and an important decision needs to be made soon.Expand your business and take advantage of the incredible energy given from higher sources.Your life is evolving.
Capricorn – Delay negotiations until next month when you will be thinking more clearly about what you really need.Your ability to assess and calculate will be sharpest then as right now you are very short sighted..Delay new decisions the last week of the month.
Aquarius – There may be a significant twist to activities and relationships this month.Travel, moving or clarifying relations with a loved one are emphasized.Beware of miscommunication during this time as your words can change the course of the future in an unanticipated way.Is this really what you wanted or are you reacting to inner immature needs?
Pisces – Make sound decisions this month with security being a priority.Are you getting the best deal for your money?Get good advice from a trusted friend, however, you have good instincts so don’t totally undermine your own judgment.Don’t invest the last week of the month.
Aries – Financial improvements for your home make sense, but double check any contracts during this time.March and April were exciting and brought a lot of unexpected reversals, but May will bring some forward momentum, so move on.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, young and old.Your unconditional love is of the highest and purest and many times it seems that only you and god know the ultimate truth about the energy poured from your heart.We recognize and celebrate you for what you do so unselfishly, and hope that you have a glorious and pampered Mother’s Day.
Karola Crawford, MAFA, has been a certified Astrologer for 25 years. She has cast charts for clients all over the world and also practices Holistic medicine, Yoga, Shiatsu, Reiki, Auricular Acupucture and is an accomplished artist. Where does she get all of her energy? A grand trine in fire, of course. Karola can be reached at 561-234-6338 or by visiting the web site at www.shamanofvisionsforhealing.com.
In honor of Stroke Awareness Month and my son’s teacher’s Dad
By Vanessa Vizcaino, M.D.
DID YOU KNOW?
With every second, the average large-vessel acute ischemic stroke patient loses 32,000 brain cells?
Stroke 101 Fact Sheet
• Stroke is an emergency and a brain attack, cutting off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
• In the United States, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing over 133,000 people each year, and a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability.
• There are an estimated 7,000,000 stroke survivors in the U.S. over age 20.
• Approximately 795,000 strokes will occur this year, one occurring every 40 seconds, and taking a life approximately every four minutes.
• Stroke can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of race, sex or age.
TYPES OF STROKE
• Ischemic stroke occurs when arteries are blocked by blood clots or by the gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits. About 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic.
• Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks leaking blood into the brain. Hemorrhagic strokes account for thirteen percent of all strokes, yet are responsible for more than thirty percent of all stroke deaths.
• Two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. Recognizing symptoms and acting FAST to get medical attention can save a life and limit disabilities.
• The prevalence of transient ischemic attacks (TIA – “mini strokes”) increases with age. Up to 40 percent of all people who suffer a TIA will go on to experience a stroke.
Stroke is an Emergency!!!Act FAST and Call 9-1-1.
Few in the U.S. know the warning signs of stroke. Learning them – and acting FAST when they occur – could save your life or the life of a loved one.
Use the FAST test to remember warning signs of stroke.
F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A = ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T = TIME If you observe any of these signs (independently or together), call 9-1-1 immediately.
Reducing Stroke Risk:Many risk factors are beyond your control, including being over age 55, being a male, being African-American, having diabetes, and having a family history of stroke. If you have one or more of these risk factors, it is even more important that you learn about the lifestyle and medical changes you can make to prevent a stroke. However, everyone should do what they can to reduce their risk for stroke – learn more by reading and following the Stroke Prevention Guidelines below.
Medical stroke risk factors include: Previous stroke, previous episode of TIA (or mini stroke), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and carotid artery disease. These risk factors can be controlled and managed with the help of a healthcare professional.
Lifestyle stroke risk factors include:Smoking, being overweight and drinking too much alcohol. You can control these risk factors by quitting smoking, exercising regularly, watching what and how much you eat and limiting alcohol consumption.
Stroke Prevention Guidelines
1. Know blood pressure (hypertension) and keep it in check.
2. Identify atrial fibrillation (Afib). If you feel an irregular heart rate, go see your medical provider.
3. Stop smoking! Smoking doubles the risk of stroke.
4. Control alcohol use.
5. Know cholesterol levels. See a doctor if your total cholesterol level is more than 200.
6. Control diabetes.
7. Manage exercise and diet. Excess weight strains the circulatory system. Exercise five times a week. Maintain a diet low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. Eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
8. Treat circulation problems.
9. Act FAST at the first warning sign of stroke. If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
If you have any questions or want to be screened for risk factors, please contact us at Family Medical and Wellness Center, (561) 721-1953.
Cobh, Ireland:A walk through history and a roaring good time!
By Terri Marshall
Photos by Gregory Holder
First impression?Postcard!Cobh, formerly known as Queenstown, is located on the Great Island in County Cork Ireland and it is beyond postcard pretty!The colorful buildings of the town slope down a steep hill from St. Colman’s Cathedral – the crowning glory of this picturesque community.Looking beyond the pretty face of Cobh you will discover a community rich in maritime history – some of it incredibly tragic – a community with entertaining personalities and an undeniable connection to the United States.
Located on Cork Harbour, one of the largest harbors in the world, Cobh and its surrounding islands have witnessed 14
Town of Cobh
centuries of history.Of the 6 million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950, 2.5 million of them left from Cobh.As testament to this, on the waterfront outside the Cobh Heritage Centre stands a statue of Annie Moore and her brothers.Annie Moore left from Cobh to become the first person admitted to the United States through the immigration center at Ellis Island, New York on January 1, 1892.There is a similar statue of Annie Moore on Ellis Island.Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre located in the quayside railway station for an in depth look at the history of the emigrants.http://www.cobhheritage.com
On April 11, 1912, Queenstown was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic as she left for her ill-fated transatlantic journey to America.Passengers left from the pier of the White Star Line’s Office to board tender ships which carried them to the Titanic as she waited anchored at the mouth of the Harbour.Cobh was the boarding location for 123 passengers – only 44 of those passengers survived the sinking.In 1915, maritime tragedy struck the town again when the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-Boat off the Old Head of Kinsale nearby.Survivors and victims were brought to Cobh for medical care or burial.
The best way to walk through Cobh’s history is to walk with Michael Martin.Michael, an avid historian who served 23 years in the Irish Naval Service, has created unique, informative and historically accurate Titanic Trail Tours.He has been featured on radio and television, in numerous documentaries and has delivered lectures
White Star Lines dock where passengers boarded tender ships for the Titanic
on Cobh in the USA, UK and Australia.Michael will walk with you through the streets of Cobh and provide you with insights into its rich history.Perhaps the most striking realization is how much Cobh has remained unchanged since the era of the Titanic.The occupants of the brightly colored storefronts may have changed, but the architecture remains in tact from the early 1800’s.
Some of the significant landmarks you will visit along the Titanic Trail include the Lusitania Peace Memorial in Casement Square erected to commemorate lives lost and to pay tribute to the townspeople of Cobh who repeatedly journeyed to the site of the sinking ship in efforts to rescue additional passengers throughout this heartbreaking experience.
Erected in the 1830’s the White Star Lines Office with its original pier still stands.Visiting this sight you will walk where the Titanic passengers walked before boarding.First class passengers were checked in on the first floor of the building overlooking the harbour while third class “steerage” passengers lined up down the ramp at the side of the building.
Follow the footsteps of the families of departing emigrants who climbed the steep streets known as the Cathedral Walk to wave goodbye to the ones they loved as they sailed out of the harbour.The climb will take you to the center of Cobh to the spectacular St. Colman’s Cathedral.This Neo French Gothic structure took 47 years to build.Completed in 1916, the cathedral’s famous carillon has 49 bells with the heaviest weighing 3.6 tons.St. Colman’s Cathedral’s carillon is the only one in Ireland.Not only will sacred hymns be heard throughout Cobh when the carillon plays – you could very well hear a Beatles tune!
Titanic Trail Tours depart daily from The Commodore Hotel on the waterfront.Built in 1854, The Commodore Hotel was one of the first purpose built hotels in Ireland.The most noted owner of the hotel was Otto Humbert of German descent.His family took over the ownership of the hotel with a focus on attracting the harbour’s liner traffic.However, anti-German sentiments resulting from the sinking of the Lusitania forced the Humbert family to hide out in the hotel’s wine cellar as an angry mob called for the hotel to be burned down.The hotel was commandeered by an English lady who was on holiday in Cobh at the time.She converted the hotel into a temporary hospital to treat victims of the Lusitania.A copy of the letter she wrote to her husband detailing the daily activities at the time is on display at the hotel.Today the hotel has been renovated and makes an excellent lodging choice for exploring all Cobh has to offer.http://www.commodorehotel.ie
In addition to The Titanic Trail walking tours, Michael Martin’s Heritage Tours & Talks offers several other touring options including tours of Spike Island.After nearly a decade of petitioning, Michael was successful in garnering public access to Spike Island and now conducts tours for an up close observation of 14 centuries of diverse history.Originally serving as the sight of a monastery, Spike Island has also been witness to Viking raids, Norman conquest, used as a prison depot and a military sight throughout centuries of conflict.Visitors depart Cobh by ferry for a 90 minute guided walk through history.http://www.spikeislandcork.com
Additional tours offered through Michael’s company include organized pub crawls or a chilling Ghost Walk through Cobh for tales of haunting and murders.Be careful before you ask about ghost stories about your hotel – Michael will be sure to accommodate and you may find yourself waking in the night listening for the sound of infant cries or pipe organs!For more information visit http://www.titanic-trail.com or contact Michael at info@titanic-trail.com
History is not all Cobh has to offer.Its harbor location makes it a perfect place to begin water explorations including fishing excursions, sailing and kayaking.There are also numerous golf courses and tennis options available.The Commodore Hotel concierge will be able to connect you with the perfect company for your active pursuits.http://www.commodorehotel.ie/activities
Pubs are abundant in most Irish towns and Cobh is no exception.Whether you choose to participate in an organized pub crawl or explore on your own, you are sure to find good times and good company – or as the Irish say “lots of Craic”!If you are fortunate
Locals in a weekly jam session at The Roaring Donkey
enough to be in Cobh on a Wednesday night The Roaring Donkey is the place to go.This small pub tucked away in a residential section of Cobh is not typically at tourist destination – and that is exactly what makes it fun!Michael Martin was gracious enough to invite us along for the locals’ Wednesday night music session.This informal “jam session” of traditional Irish music was one of the best experiences I have had to date in my travels.The residents are welcoming, entertaining and extremely musically talented.At any point someone may decide to belt out an old Irish ballad and everyone joins in – I am convinced they know all the words to every Irish tune!Pints of Guinness flow like water and the laughs will flow along as well.Yes, it is truly a roaring good time at The Roaring Donkey!http://www.theroaringdonkey.com
Cobh’s beauty, history and pleasant residents make this a place everyone should experience at least once.Personally, I plan to experience it several times!
Special thanks to the Ireland Tourism board for their help with this story. Planning a trip to Ireland? Check out their website http://www.discoverireland.com.
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. You can contact Terri at terri.marshall60@gmail.com
I was driving around town listening to the radio the other day and I heard Kenny Rodgers sing “She Believes In Me” followed by John Denver singing “Sunshine On My Shoulders” followed by the Captain and Tennille singing “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Looking for a logical explanation for this odd string of moldy oldies, I came to two possible conclusions:
1)I had hit a pothole that somehow triggered a time-travel episode landing me back in the 1970s.
2)A new easy listening station had invaded the airwaves.
Since a quick reality check confirmed I wasn’t wearing bell bottoms or flipping the hair out of my eyes every 10 seconds, I latched onto the new radio station theory. Of course, I use the word “new” loosely when referring to a station where Olivia Newton John and the Bee Gees are topping the charts and Lionel Richie is still dancing on the ceiling.
Frankly, I have a dysfunctional come closer/go away relationship with easy listening radio. On the positive side, there’s that irresistible thrill one gets when an all-time favorite song pops up, like unexpectedly running into an old friend. That’s how I feel when I hear “Operator” by Jim Croce or “Blue Bayou” by Linda Ronstadt or “Handyman” by James Taylor.
On the negative side, easy listening can quickly turn into queasy listening when sappy slush begins to crowd out the joys of timeless musical gems. That’s how I feel when I hear “Can’t Smile Without You” by Barry Manilow or “My Eyes Adored You” by Frankie Valli or “Sometimes When We Touch (The Reality’s Too Much)” by Dan Hill. Copy that, Dan.
The worst moments come when, in spite of your self-image as an enlightened connoisseur of music as a dynamic expression of the human experience, you find yourself singing along to some gooey slab of schmaltz like the Carpenter’s “They Long To Be Close To You.” Before you chalk it up to a harmless moment of weakness, let’s recite a snippet of the actual lyrics, shall we?
Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
Still skeptical? Here’s more . . .
Why do stars fall down from the sky, every time you walk by?
Just like me they long to be close to you.
Call it a “guilty pleasure” if you like, but the ability and willingness to sing along with this or any other Carpenter’s song is a sign that your connection to any form of cutting-edge, contemporary music is hanging by a thread. What’s next, swooning to the silky smooth croonings of Canadian songbird Anne Murray? Dancing to the slick pop stylings of Tony Orlando & Dawn? Partying to the power ballads of Petula (“Downtown”) Clark?
As I teeter between this time-warped world of seductive simplicity and today’s plugged-in power surge of life-in-progress complexity, I see the slippery musical slope before me. One minute you’re privately cranking up the car radio to hear an endearing piece of 30-year-old fluff like Peaches and Herb’s “Reunited,” the next you’re in Barnes & Noble or Borders asking some mystified 20-year-old if they carry Peaches and Herb’s greatest hits. Or the Fifth Dimension’s. Or Air Supply’s. What’s that, punk? You never heard of Air Supply? Now don’t make me sing one of their songs to jog your memory. Oops, too late.
I’m lying alone, with my head on the phone,
thinking of you till it hurts.
I know you hurt too, but what else can we do?
Tormented and torn apart.
Not ringing any bells? Here’s the chorus . . .
I’m all out of love, what am I without you?
I can’t be too late to say I was so wrong.
Look, some like the breathless zeal and simpleminded worship of easy listening songs and some don’t. Judging from my tendency to turn the radio up at the first sign of any Everly Brothers song, I probably have a higher tolerance for it then a lot of people. But I still worry about the addictive perils of prolonged ballad abuse.
There’s a line that must not be crossed and pretending that line isn’t there is dangerous. For some the line is drawn at Karen Carpenter. For others, Neil Diamond. For others still, it’s any duet involving Tony Bennett, even if he’s paired with Elvis Costello or Bono. For me, I’ll know I’ve reached the point of no return when I hear the DJ say:
“Stay tuned for more soft and mellow favorites to ease you through your cheesy, breezy life.”
I am a girl who is blessed with a woman that put my needs before her own. I am blessed to have someone that cares about me so intensely that she goes out of her way to make my day a little brighter. I am so blessed that a person would make such sacrifices for a girl that she adores. That basically sums up my mother in just a few short sentences.
As a young girl, I always remember my mother there, physically and emotionally. She took off of work for my first four years of life to give me a quality childhood. In the city of Queens, New York, we traveled the streets together always with an exciting novel adventure that she would contrive. It did not matter whether we went to the grocery store or just took a stroll down Austin Street. The significance of my memories was that we were never separated.
One of my fondest memories, which have come of some use to me today, was our frequent strolls down the block of our apartment building. She would point to every parked car on the street and inform me of its logo whether it was a Mercedes-Benz or a Toyota. It did not take very long before I was able to walk on my own and label every single vehicle that we passed. Although it was a regular occurrence, it was a special part of my day that I looked forward to.
I am proud to be her daughter. She has had copious hardships regarding retaining a job and friends because of the many moves that our family has made throughout the years. The count is currently at six, since I have been born. She is dedicated to her family most of all. We come first and foremost. As an only child, I am fortunate that I did not have to share her with any siblings. I cherish that one-on-one time that we have spent and I would not trade it for anything.
To my dearest mother, Happy Mother’s Day! I love you and want you to know that I truly do appreciate all that you do for me. I feel that way every day, but don’t always express it.
To all of the sons and daughters out there, you only have one mother. Treat her well and respect her. Take Mother’s Day as a way to appreciate all of the efforts that she has made to raise you. Most notably, celebrate that Sunday as a family.
Stephanie Courtois is a junior at Wellington High School. She is involved in tae kwon do, French, National and Chemistry Honor Societies, and is the news editor for the school newspaper. She loves journalism and plans to continue working for a magazine in her career after college.
When “Mommy moments” are looking more like “senior moments”
By Melanie Lewis
Recently the dentist’s receptionist called and asked if I was coming to my teeth cleaning.I answered, “yes.”She said it was scheduled to begin 5 minutes ago.Apologetic, I told her I’d be down in 5 minutes.Hold the chair, please.It’s a good thing I chose a dentist nearby.About a week later my son had a friend over to play.Around the time his mom was supposed to come and collect him, she called.She asked if I could watch him for another 45 minutes.Her dentist had called with the same question.She had completely forgotten her dental cleaning appointment and was en route to the dentist chair.I had chalked mine up to extreme spacey-ness.I had checked my calendar in the morning, but by afternoon that schedule had gone out of mind.But, how could this happen to my friend?She carries her Smartphone around everywhere.How could her appointment skip town?It turned out she had forgotten to enter it to her phone. Is it dentist phobia?
Here’s another situation I witnessed.We were at a playdate and I was asking if her son had gone for his teacher conference.She gave me a panicked look and then excused herself to check on it.She came back with a despairing look. Then said it was yesterday.She’d forgotten to enter it to her laptop.
Oh, how I’ve been there!That panicked feeling strikes first, and then the search to the nooks and crannies of memory takes over.It stands to reason it can happen to anyone.We’ve been flooded with multi-tasking and constant distractions.There’s so much happening at rapid-fire pace, we’re left in a frazzled state. These situations were innocuous and easily remedied.But, what about the stories we’ve heard of babies forgotten in cars, or fires started because the grill was left on. Somehow we’ve got to gain control of the situation to regain sanity.
I’ve found that too much over-doing is a culprit. I may have been up for the break-neck pace once-upon-a time.But his is no fairy tale. My solution was to cut my hours at work in half. I limit each child to 2 activities.I’m entering appointments and events on calendar with alarm setting on my old cell phone as soon as they’re made.And I started taking a few minutes to organize myself at the beginning of the week.
There are moments still when the chime goes off on the phone and I can’t remember why it’s going off until I read the note on the screen.At least I’m getting to the dentist on time these days.
Melanie is the mother of 2 boys, 5 and 7 years old. They have a Ragdoll, named Percy and a Golden Retriever, named Rosie. She works part-time as a weight-loss consultant and is an independent Silpada Jewelry Representative: http:/mysilpada.com/melanie.lewis
INSTALLED BY PROFESSIONALS AT HI-TECH PLUMBING SERVICE.
By Jathy Garcia
Innovative hot water recirculation systems deliver hot water to fixtures quickly without waiting for the water to get hot. Rather than relying on low water pressure common in most water lines, recirculating systems use a pump to rapidly move water from a water heater to the fixtures.
In this system, a recirculating pump rapidly pulls hot water from a water heater while simultaneously sending cooled-off water from the hot water lines back to the water heater to be reheated. In addition to having the convenience of hot water on-demand, the system conserves water and can save energy.
Hot water recirculation systems can be activated by the push of a button, or by a thermostat, timer or motion sensor. Systems that use a thermostat or timer automatically turn on the pump whenever water temperature drops below a set-point, or when the timer reaches a setting. These systems ensure that hot water is always available at the faucet without any waiting.
It is much like turning on the hot water faucet and letting the water run until it gets hot, but instead of the water going down the drain, it is simply returned back to the water heater. When the hot water faucet is turned on, hot water is readily available.
The system is designed to provide hot water at the most distant fixture and every fixture in series or close to the main line. All cold water fixtures still receive cold water, and the system is designed to not allow hot water to enter cold water lines. Only one pump is necessary to supply hot water to any fixture. Optional wireless remote control units let the user turn on the system from any faucet or fixture in the house.
Hi-Tech plumbing is a local plumbing contractor in the Wellington/ Royal Palm Beach area who specializes in all facets of plumbing service utilizing the latest & up-to date technology. For more information visit our website at www.hi-techplumbing.com or call our office at 561-790-6966. And remember Don’t fret… just call Hi-Tech!
It’s comforting to believe the myth that we’re safer in small-town America. Perhaps on one hand there’s a kernel of truth in this ideological precept, but in reality we know it’s not true. And who better to tackle this subject? None other than best-selling author and Tampa resident Lisa Unger, whose current book deals with this particular subject.
Lisa Unger with her novel "Fragile." Photo by Marla E. Schwartz.
Lisa was born the small town of New Haven, Ct., the oldest “small town” in America. But she moved around a great deal in her formative years so it’s not clearwhether or not her early environment subconsciously affects her writing material.No matter the influence, the world is fortunate to have her writing for it. Lisa studied and graduated from theNew School for Social Research in New York City, achieved success in the publicity field and then followed her dream of becoming a published author. Her first set of novels, known as her ‘Lydia Strong’ series, Angel Fire (2002), The Darkness Gathers (2003), Twice (2004), and Smoke (2005), were published under her maiden name, Lisa Miscione.
She attended the 2010 Miami Book Fair International where she spoke about her novel FRAGILE that’s being released in paperback this month. Her next novel. Darkness, My Old Friend will be released in hardback in August 2011. In respect to FRAGILE, the story revolves around the mystery of a missing girl in a small town and how her disappearance is connected to that of another missing girl from the past. This funny, endearing, sensible and wise author took time to answer a few questions specifically about her book.
AW.COM: How does living in Florida or other places you’ve lived influence your work, or doesn’t it?
LISA UNGER: It certainly does. I was in Florida for about four years before I started writing about New York. My first book as Lisa Unger is BEAUTIFUL LIES and it’s my love letter to that city. A lot of what’s in that book is me; my first apartment, the places I’ve been, and I left because the city started to shut me down a bit because it’s such an intense place to live. I left without a second thought and moved to Florida. I had met my husband at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West. He was living in Detroit at the time and I was still in NYC. Right before I met him I’d finished my first novel so we decided when we were going to get married that we would go where he got the best job, so that’s how we ended up in Clearwater, which is near Tampa. I’ve been here for about seven years so I really have this sense of Florida. I found the things I love about Florida are very similar to the things I love about New York. They both have this dark heart, this ethereal center and subterranean worlds that appeal to my imagination. It’s all these things mingling together that are fascinating to me. It takes time for a place to metabolize for me. I must have a primary knowledge of a place to the degree where I can feel super comfortable writing about it in an intimate perspective. You have the insider’s knowledge of having lived in a place and now you have an outsider’s perspective where you see things in a way that you can make it relatable.
AW: What gave you the courage to leave your job in publicity?
LU: It was a difficult transition. I worked in publicity for a publishing company and even having that knowledge and kind of access to the field didn’t help in the transition. I was a closet writer. My job was getting bigger and bigger and the time I spent writing got smaller and smaller and the only thing I wanted drifted a little bit. Then I had an epiphany where I thought I could live with crashing and burning but not so much a slow fade. I got very serious about it and it took me about a year and a half to finish my book, something that I started when I was nineteen and finished when I was twenty-nine. That was Angel Fire. I finished it and a few months later I met my husband and before we left for Florida I took my manuscript to an agent and kind of went for broke. It was pretty scary.
AW: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
LU: I actually don’t remember a time before – I define myself that way. It’s been a driving force for me throughout my education. It’s definitely something I gravitated to early as I’ve been an avid reader since the time I could read. Then there’s a moment, I don’t remember the moment, but there must be one where you realize you’re not content to just read. So you start writing and writing awful stuff at first. But I had a lot of early recognition and support and that was very helpful.
AW: I wonder if people from your hometown have made any comments to you about FRAGILE because the story is loosely based on your childhood memory of an abduction and murder that took place.
LU: After I got back from the Netherlands and England my family settled in New Jersey. The town (in the book) itself isn’t the town where I grew up but it’s not so wildly different from it. The event that inspired the book is by no means a re-telling of it, and that was very purposeful of me because I had a fear of exploiting the memory of someone who was my classmate and her family. But what I did tell was mine to tell. For me, when I write, in some sense I’m not even thinking that it’s going to be published even though I have a contract and I have every reason to believe that my book will be read by some people – I never think about it while I’m writing. But in this case it was very much something that impacted me, it changed the way I saw the world and it changed my perspective on everything. And not to say it hung heavy on my heart or that it was something I had nightmares about but it changed me in a significant way. It was a moment in time when she called her mom and told her she’d missed the bus which she had done hundreds of times. So her mom was annoyed and told her to walk. I mean, it’s not even a mile and you could easily walk it, yet it was also that moment when he had been waiting and this story has tried to find its way onto the page before. I’ve never been able to resolve it or find strong enough voices to tell the story. It’s interesting because the voices that finally did succeed in telling the story were much older and it was almost as if I had to be older, to be a wife and a mother to have access to all of the layers of the story. You have to have empathy for the mother to tell the story. You never think something like this is going to happen to your child, especially in a town like this that is idyllic, very quiet.
AW: You once stated that people who read and write books turn to books to understand life? Why do you think this is true?
LU: I think it’s true because every good book is a little bit of a slice of life. As a crime fiction writer, I’m trying to find a way to make order out of chaos. I feel most people, especially people who get together to talk about books, are getting together to talk about life and trying to understand it a little bit more. I don’t believe people are reading necessarily to escape, maybe in some cases, but real readers, people who are truly reading and loving it and belong to book groups and are also writers, is that we’re trying to understand things that don’t make sense. It’s only in the course of living your life and making good choices and bad choices and then making choices yet again to deal with the consequences of whatever these choices were – is a chain link of choices and ultimately that’s what your life is – a series of choices. And that’s something that I come back to again and again because I like exploring this theme.
AW: Tell me more about Jones.
LU: I felt it was very clear to me that Jones is really the central figure of that story even though Maggie probably has more page time. I was so interested in him as here’s this man, actually, interesting enough that in my next book (Darkness, My Old Friend) it continues with him, which I almost never do. But I couldn’t give him up. He has a long road ahead of him because in this terrible moment he made terrible choices. He’s not guiltless, and yet he’s not culpable. He didn’t truly do anything wrong. It was just afterwards he made these really bad choices. But they were choices informed by adults who also made terrible choices. He was really just a kid, and if he had had more strength, somebody to bolster him and lead him through it he may have come out of it totally different. He’s now resigned from the police department so what can he do? And what is going to happen to his marriage?
AW: In FRAGILE, the word fragile appears in several places throughout it. Did the title come first?
LU: In this case, which is often not the case, the title choice came first. The word means something to me and the idea that it touches on so many threads of the novel such as the fragility of your own memory and the memory of events and the course of life itself and our relationships and how tenuously we’re connected. And yet how powerful those connections are and how those relationships have the ability to impact everything in our lives. Titles are something that I usually have a problem with, but not in this case.
AW: I’m curious as to your use of a psychic energy and intuitive references in your book.
LU: For me the feeling of energy off of people is very real. I honor it and it finds its way even more so into my next novel. We’re beings that are connected to energy. You may feel unusually close to someone or repelled by others. And if you’re getting a negative energy from someone this is important and I don’t know how people can ignore that fact.
AW: The title of your next book – is this an homage to the Simon and Garfunkel hit The Sound of Silence?
LU: Yes, it was inspired by that song, “Hello darkness, my old friend, I’vecome to talkto youagain“.
AW: Is there anything you want to add?
LU: Read. Read anyway you want – Kindle, a bound book, and support your local library. Librarians are telling me how their new book budgets are being slashed and this is very sad to me. Obviously I’m an author and I make a living by the sale of my books, but I feel that art should be available to everyone whether they can afford it or not. I want people to read and have a way to explore life and to broaden their minds.
AW: Thank you, Lisa Unger!
***
A Toledo, OH native, a graduate of Kent State, Marla E. Schwartz is a Senior Writer for Miami Living Magazine, afreelance writer forLighthouse Point Magazine and the a cultural arts columnist for AroundWellington.com Her photographs have appeared in these publications, in many Ohio periodicals, as well as in The Miami Herald, The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and The Palm Beach Post. She has had numerous plays published and produced around the country. Her short play, America’s Working? was produced in Los Angeles at both the First Stage and the Lone Star Ensemble theater companies, in Florida at Lynn University and at an Off-Broadway playhouse in NYC. Her piece, The Lunch Time Café, was a finalist for the Heideman Award,Actors Theatre of Louisville. Please check out the re-prints of her interviews with authors Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson and Dexter novelist Jeff Lindsay in the October 2010 issue #2 and Chris Bohjalian in the April 2011 issue #3 of Duff Brenna’sServingHouse: A Journal of Literary Arts at www.servinghousejournal.com. You can contact her at marlaschwartz@att.net.
Trump for President in 2012: A Mockery of Democracy?
By Tom Copeland
Only in America can these things happen. A billionaire real estate mogul who amassed unbelievable fortunes in the 1970’s New York City real estate boom who goes on to build the world’s most lavish hotels and resorts, write tons books and memoirs, and star in his own hit television realty-show competition that perpetuates the eccentric, cocky attitude of un-apologetic, ruthless businessman flirts with the idea of the presidency.
Now, I love America dearly. In fact, every day that I read more and more about the social revolutions sweeping Middle Eastern dictatorships and the absolute horrors these leaders have exacted on their own people, I thank God I live in a country that allows me to start and run my own successful business, help me pay my way through college, and cherish a series of fundamental rights that includes a provision for free speech, allowing me to pen and publish this very article.
And I especially appreciate the right to vote and the rights of citizens to run for publicly elected office. But just because we can run for public office doesn’t mean we should. So I’m skeptically (and even so too are some supporters of the Tea Party, a group Trump most closely aligns himself with when interviewed by reporters this past weekend at a rally in Boca Raton he spoke at) questioning The Donald’s motives.
Is Trump flirting with a potential presidential run because he understands politics and because of his decorated experience in public office? I think not. Is he considering a run because he passionately cares about foreign policy, protecting and serving the American people and our interests, and all of the issues our country faces today (budget deficits, immigration reform, education, etc.)? Almost certainly not!
So why on earth is Donald Trump considering running for the highest elected office in our country? Well…he hasn’t said. It’s all speculation at this point. But he’s made a few remarks in rally speeches the last few weeks that may indicate why he’s launched this seemingly impulsive “campaign”, and why he likely wouldn’t win anyway.
1.He simply hates President Obama and Democrats
Despite widespread discrediting by Hawaiian officials, investigators, past and present colleagues, close friends, family, and even an actual hospital birth record, Trump triumphantly claims Barack Obama was not born in the US. It’s a common political attack Republicans have used for short-term gains in notoriety and publicity since the President first announced his intent to run in 2007. So instead of spending his time drafting concrete plans and taking a stance of serious issues, Trump would rather be gossiping to drum up attention and popularity among his constituents.
2.Celebrities don’t make great politicians
I would guess like a lot of other Americans, I’m getting burnt out on the celebrity-turned-political figure and vice versa thing. I just don’t understand why these hoards of celebrities and private businessmen, movie starts, and the like want to run for public office. Is it the power and fame that comes along with the job? Are they just bored? Either way, I think Americans, when it comes time for elections, will want serious, experienced leadership to emerge before the 2012 Presidential Primaries.
3.Does anyone actually like Donald Trump?
Now when I say this, what I really mean is whether or not the average American views Donald Trump favorably. His ideology is skewed way to the right as an ultra-conservative, and represents a small minority of people. He sports an infamous and tremendously awful toupee, and literally embodies the epiphany of a completely arrogant, jerk-of-a-tyrant-businessman (although I don’t think anyone is his circle would ever say that). He’s incredibly loud and aggressive in just about everything he does and always has been; and I think that turns the majority of Americans off.
Frankly, Donald Trump is just not that popular. Consider this: he launched a website earlier this month he called Should Trump Run. In a poll offering the same question of the website’s namesake, only 73,400 people have said yes, representing a minuscule fraction of the total US voting population. In contrast, 5,700 people said no, but of course this is The Donald’s website – it’s written by him, for him.
Look, I agree that Donald Trump is an incredible success story (although his father was a wealthy real estate developer too), and he’s a very successful businessman. But it just scares me a bit that just because he’s so rich, he obviously thinks (and has outright said) he would be better than everyone else at their jobs in Washington.
I don’t think he would win; it would make more sense that eventually, voters on both sides of the aisle won’t take him seriously. But still, in a state where we just elected another shady billionaire businessman who has no experience in public office whatsoever, I’ll admit I’m nervous about the prospect of a Donald Trump Presidency in 2012.
Tom is a freelance web developer, professional content writer, and owner of Bullworthy, a web services firm. Tom helps small businesses create a powerful, branded presence on the web. Bullworthy specializes in building web assets using WordPress development from their West Palm Beach offices.
Travel with Terri
LISA UNGER
settled in New Jersey. The town (in the book) itself isn’t the town where I grew up but it’s not so wildly different from it. The event that inspired the book is by no means a re-telling of it, and that was very purposeful of me because I had a fear of exploiting the memory of someone who was my classmate and her family. But what I did tell was mine to tell. For me, when I write, in some sense I’m not even thinking that it’s going to be published even though I have a contract and I have every reason to believe that my book will be read by some people – I never think about it while I’m writing. But in this case it was very much something that impacted me, it changed the way I saw the world and it changed my perspective on everything. And not to say it hung heavy on my heart or that it was something I had nightmares about but it changed me in a significant way. It was a moment in time when she called her mom and told her she’d missed the bus which she had done hundreds of times. So her mom was annoyed and told her to walk. I mean, it’s not even a mile and you could easily walk it, yet it was also that moment when he had been waiting and this story has tried to find its way onto the page before. I’ve never been able to resolve it or find strong enough voices to tell the story. It’s interesting because the voices that finally did succeed in telling the story were much older and it was almost as if I had to be older, to be a wife and a mother to have access to all of the layers of the story. You have to have empathy for the mother to tell the story. You never think something like this is going to happen to your child, especially in a town like this that is idyllic, very quiet.
