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A coarse-grained limestone consisting of limestone clasts, more than 2 mm in diameter, set in a carbonate matrix. The clasts may be angular or rounded.

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Oyster Capital

Oyster Capital is a New Zealand owned company specialising in the pre-development and development of land for both residential and commercial property projects across New Zealand.

About Us

From site selection, capital raising to initial design and construction, we plan and manage both residential and commercial land development projects throughout New Zealand. Whether your needs involve industrial or agricultural facilities, commercial or institutional developments, subdivisions or master-planned communities, Oyster Capital offer a number of land development services with the aim of fulfilling goals and maximizing return on investment.


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Softball Opens Season With Doubleheader Sweep

Jan. 24, 2003

TUCSON - Arizona opened the 2003 softball season with a good hittingdisplay off junior-college pitching to sweep an exhibition doubleheader,9-0 in five innings and 6-2 in seven, over Phoenix College Friday atHillenbrand Stadium.

Arizona socked six home runs and 24 hits in the two games.

In the first game, freshman pitcher Alicia Hollowell tossed five inningsof two-hit ball, giving up only infield singles to Samantha Zadel and SoniaMedina. She struck out 10 and walked none.

The Cats used a power display from junior catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest,who hit two home runs, and also had homers from freshman first basemanShelly Schultz and senior second baseman Lisha Ribellia. Vendergeest drovein five runs. The Cats collected nine hits off the Bears' Ramie Garcia.

In the second contest, PC jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the first withsuccessive hits by Delane Oscarson and Zadel and a walk by Medina off UApitcher Wendy Allen. Deeanna Camacho drove in both runs with a one-outsingle to left before Allen struck out the side.

But UA answered in its half of the inning, tying the score with an RBIsingle by Allen and a run-scoring double by Jackie Coburn.

Lovie Jung gave UA the lead with a leadoff homer in the bottom of thethird. Vandergeest singled and Allen doubled over the left fielder's headto put two runners in scoring position and Coburn lifted a towering shotjust over the centerfield fence for a 6-3 lead.

UA pitcher Wendy Allen, a junior transfer who was Big Ten Player of theYear at Ohio State last season, limited the Bears to four hits.

The exhibition drew 621 fans. The Cats will play another exhiition game at2 p.m. Saturday against former Wildcat stars in town for Arizona SoftballAlumni Weekend.

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Romar Named USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year

Dec. 14, 2006

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - University of Washington head men's basketball coach Lorenzo Romar and DePaul University (Ill.) head women's basketball coach Doug Bruno, who each led a 12-member group of elite athletes to perfect 4-0 records and gold medals at the respective 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championships, were announced today as co-recipients of the 2006 USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year award.

The selections were made by the USA Basketball Executive Committee.

'I wish I could tell you it was all me, but I had two of the better coaches in the country in Paul Hewitt and Jerry Wainwright along with me,' Romar said. 'And you couldn't have asked for a better group of guys to coach. They busted their tails and did everything we asked them to do.'

'It's a great honor,' Bruno said. 'And yet it is an honor that I share with my assistants Jennifer Rizzotti and Carol Owens, the support staff and, most importantly, the players. These awards don't happen without their help.'

USA Basketball will submit Bruno and Romar to the U.S. Olympic Committee as nominees for the 2006 USOC Developmental Coach of the Year award.

'Both of these coaches showed a tremendous ability to unite, inspire and motivate their young athletes,' said USA Basketball Executive Director Jim Tooley. 'These two coaches not only secured gold medals, but also qualified the United States for the men's and women's 2007 FIBA U19 World Championships.'

USA Basketball's Development Coach of the Year award was established in 1996 to recognize a USA Basketball head coach who, during the year of the award, made significant impact on the success of individual athlete and team performance at the developmental level.

Bruno and Romar added their names to a list of award recipients that includes Kathy Delaney-Smith (2005) of Harvard University (Mass.); Jay Wright (2005) of Villanova University (Pa.); Kelvin Sampson (2004) currently at Indiana University; Jim Foster (2003) of The Ohio State University; Marsha Sharp (2002) formerly of Texas Tech University; Debbie Ryan (2001) of the University of Virginia; Geno Auriemma (2000) of the University of Connecticut; Oliver Purnell (1999) currently at Clemson University (S.C.); Jim Boeheim (1998) of Syracuse University (N.Y.); Rene Portland (1997) of Penn State University and Mike Montgomery (1996) formerly of Stanford University (Calif.).

Romar and his USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team dominated opponents by an average of 29.7 points a game and captured four straight victories at the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men. Romar's squad also qualified the USA for the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship that will be contested in Vancouver, Canada.

'He was great because he was really enthusiastic and wanted to be out there coaching,' said future Blue Devil Nolan Smith (Oak Hill Academy, Va./Duke). 'He taught us that whether you are scoring or not, as long as you are doing something to help your team, you will be successful.'

Georgia Tech head mentor Paul Hewitt and DePaul University head coach Jerry Wainwright assisted Romar on the sidelines.

The USA Basketball U18 National Team included: Chris Allen (Meadowcreek H.S./Lawrenceville, Ga.); Jerryd Bayless (St. Mary's H.S./Phoenix, Ariz.); Michael Beasley (Notre Dame Prep/Frederick, Md.); Jonny Flynn (Niagara Falls H.S./Niagara Falls, N.Y.); Donte Greene (Towson Catholic H.S./Baltimore, Md.); Spencer Hawes (Washington/Seattle, Wash.); Taylor King (Mater Dei H.S./Huntington Beach, Calif.); Stanley Robinson (Connecticut/Birmingham, Ala.); Kyle Singler (South Medford H.S./Medford, Ore.); Smith; DaJuan Summers (Georgetown/Baltimore, Md.); and Lance Thomas (Duke/Scotch Plains, N.J.).

The USA men first rolled over Uruguay in a 111-64 victory on June 28, then, on June 30, the Americans out-slugged Brazil 90-66. Matched against Canada in the medal round semifinals, six U.S. players scored in double digits and the USA earned a 92-66 victory. In the championship game on July 2, the USA men erased a two-point first quarter deficit to easily capture the gold medal with a 104-82 victory over Argentina.

Beasley led the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.8 ppg. and 8.3 rpg., followed by Hawes, who tallied 12.5 ppg. and 7.5 rpg. King added 12.0 ppg., and Bayless and Singler each contributed 11.0 ppg.

Seven U.S. players broke into the tournament's top-ten rankings in eight different categories. Bayless ranked first in free-throw percentage with a perfect 13-13 tally from the charity stripe, and Beasley ranked fifth in rebounding. Flynn ranked third in free throw percentage (.882), fifth in assists (5.3 apg) and tied for eighth in free throws made (15-of-17 FTs). Hawes ranked fourth in blocked shots (1.4 bpg.), eighth in rebounding and tied for eighth in free throw percentage (.750). King ranked fourth in both 3-pointers made (10) and 3-point percentage (.476), and Singler ranked fourth in steals (2.3 spg.). Smith tied for eighth in free-throws made (15) and free throw percentage (.750) and listed 10th in assists (3.5 apg.).

The USA dominated the tournament's team statistics, ranking No.1 in 13 of the 19 categories, including scoring offense (99.2 ppg.), scoring defense (69.5 ppg.), rebounding margin (+19.7 rpg.), assists (20.5 apg.), steals (12 spg.), turnover margin (+3.50) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.19).

The 2006 squad contributed 10 new entries to the USA U18 Championship record book, including shooting 73.1 percent as a team from the free throw line to set the USA U18 Championship record.

Meanwhile in Colorado Springs, Colo., Bruno guided the USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team to a 4-0 record and the gold medal at the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women. The USA dominated the competition by an average margin of 40.2 ppg., and the team's first-place finish qualified the USA for the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship that will be held in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The USA began the tournament with a 121-56 win over Paraguay on June 28, and handed Brazil a 75-48 loss in the second match-up. The U.S. squad then rolled over Argentina 81-47 on July 1 in the semifinals to advance to the gold medal game. The Americans outmatched Canada early and cruised to an easy 87-52 gold medal victory on July 2.

Text courtesy of USA Basketball

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Four Advance to Southern Scuffle Championship Quarterfinals

Dec. 29, 2006

Greensboro, N.C. - Four Cardinal wrestlers went undefeated and advanced to tomorrow's quarterfinal round at the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, N.C. today. Stanford wrestlers combined for 16 wins on the first day of competition in a field of some of the nation's top programs. Junior Tanner Gardner, junior Josh Zupancic, senior Brian Perry and freshman Zack Giesen will continue action tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. (ET).

At 125 pounds, Gardner posted a 13-1 major decision over Joe Coughlin of George Mason and a 9-4 decision over Nicholas Hyatt of Lock Haven to advance to the quarterfinals. The second-seeded Stanford junior will continue his run towards his third tournament title of the season tomorrow, facing Matthew Fisk of Lehigh to begin the day. Gardner has now won seven straight matches and boasts a 20-2 overall record.

At 157 pounds, Zupancic posted three straight wins to earn his place in the quarterfinals. The junior topped Kyle Heselpoth of East Stroudsburg with a 10-1 major decision before earning decisions over Eric Grida of Maryland and Ben Fiacco of North Carolina. Seeded fourth in the field, Zupancic will battle No. 20 Tyler Sherfey of Boise State in a re-match of the Reno Tournament championship match last week.

At 165 pounds, Perry topped Justin Jacobs of Navy, 11-4 before edging Sean Richmond of Pittsburgh, 4-3, to secure his spot in the quarterfinals. The senior is set to face No. 13 Keegan Mueller of North Carolina when action continues tomorrow.

Giesen, a true freshman, earned his way into the 184 pound quarterfinals with a decisive win over Calvin Cardillo of Virginia and a 6-2 decision over Tom Kocher of Lock Haven. Giesen will get a chance to avenge an early season loss to No. 11 Alex Clemsen of Edinboro in tomorrow's quarterfinals.

'Considering our guys didn't have an ideal training situation this last week, we didn't wrestle bad,' said Head Coach Kerry McCoy. 'The four guys who advanced will have some tough matches tomorrow, but if they wrestle to their potential, they can definitely win. As a team we're 18th right now, but if we can get these guys to come through for us, I think we can have a pretty strong finish.'

125 pounds

Tanner Gardner (2-0): maj. dec. Joe Coughlin (George Mason), 13-1; dec. Nicholas Hyatt (Lock Haven), 9-4.

133 pounds

Cameron Teitelman (2-2): win by default Irving Hernandez (Gardner-Webb); lost to Daniel Mitcheff (Kent State), 7-3; maj. dec. Chris Panfili (Davidson), 8-0; fall to Willie Saxton (Missouri), 3:53.

149 pounds

Tyler Parker (1-2): lost to Dave Ingram (Navy), 7-6; tech. fall Josh Lowe (Gardner-Webb), 16-1; lost to Drew DiPasquale (Virginia), 3-0.

157 pounds

Josh Zupancic (3-0): maj. dec. Kyle Heselpoth (East Stroudsburg), 10-1; dec. Eric Grida (Maryland), 8-5; dec. Ben Fiacco (North Carolina), 7-1.

165 pounds

Brian Perry (2-0): dec. Justin Jacobs (Navy), 11-4; dec. Sean Richmond (Pittsburgh), 4-3.

Scott Loescher (1-2): pinned Mike Mackie (Cornell), 1:26; lost to Deonte Penn (Edinboro), 7-3; lost to Jacob Ison (Ohio), 5-3.

174 pounds

Luke Feist (0-2): lost to Joe Lowe (UNC Greensboro), 2-0 (OT); lost to Darius Caldwell (The Citadel), 7-3.

Jake Johnson (2-2): lost to Matt Stolpinski (Navy), 9-4; pinned Griffin Greene (The Citadel), 4:03; dec. Shane Mallory (East Stroudsburg), 3-2; lost maj. dec. to Lloyd Rogers (Chattanooga), 13-5.

184 pounds

Zack Giesen (2-0): tech. fall Calvin Cardillo (Virginia), 16-1; dec. Tom Kocher (Lock Haven), 6-2.

197 pounds

Jared Boyer (1-2): fall to Ryan Goodman (North Carolina State), 1:50; pinned Rob Yoder (Campbell), 1:40; fall to Larry Reichard (Ohio), 1:24.

Phillip Doerner (0-2): lost to Spencer Nadolsky (North Carolina), 8-3; lost maj. dec. to Sean Connole (Missouri), 12-3.

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Friday, March 08, 2013

A New Lesson Plan Discovered Abroad

By Erin Shepard MAT '05

Since graduating from Pacific in 2005, with my Masters in teaching, I have been incredibly fortunate to work for the Hillsboro School District. I’ve been navigating the teaching world in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades since 2006. The daily challenges and triumphs of teaching are very inspiring to me. I’ve feel as though I’ve truly found my niche in education. Adapting and growing with this ever-evolving field, brings me a lot of joy.

Teaching has also provided me with some pretty incredible learning opportunities! I am a firm believer that the best teachers are life-long students themselves. I also think that one of the most powerful ways to learn about the world around us and to inform our teaching practices is through travel. Getting out of our comfort zones and learning about other places in the world can often lead to a greater understanding of the students we teach in our classrooms.

Just last spring, I was awarded a Fulbright-Hays educator travel grant to study in Mexico and Colombia. My trip began mid-June 2012 as I met up with my new travel comrades, 15 elementary teachers from across the United States, in Austin, Texas for a few days of orientation at the University of Texas. It was such a unique and special opportunity to connect with other educators and share experiences!

The title of the travel seminar was “Mexico and Colombia: Beyond the Headlines.” The media coverage from both countries that we see in the states is often very negative. This experience was aimed to highlight the incredible richness of culture and diversity of people in Mexico and Colombia; to show the other side that often goes unnoticed. We visited local schools, traveled to rural villages, attended lectures and experienced ancient cultures, cuisines, arts and music.

One of the most powerful experiences for me while in Mexico, was visiting a small village outside Puebla, called Tlaplanala. This community experienced some of the highest rates of immigration to the U.S., and its residents’ income was primarily from remittances from family members living abroad. This village, among so many others like it, was not providing enough economic opportunity to live off of.

In response, local leaders applied for several small grants from both the public and private sector that supported families in raising chickens and pigs and growing their own vegetables. Kids from the village learn the entire process from purchasing the chickens, tending to them and even profiting from selling their very own chicken-sausage. Efforts are also being made to document language, folk stories and art from the community to preserve their rich culture. These economically tangible changes combined with feeling proud of ones’ heritage are supporting younger generations and giving them reasons to stay in Mexico. It seems to be a very powerful combination.

In Colombia, we began our travels in Bogota. This sprawling city of just over 7 million people, sits high at 8,612 feet. I highly recommend bringing along altitude sickness medication if you plan on visiting! We toured the Universidad de Los Andes and visited a preschool there that focuses on whole child education. Bogota served as our “base camp” as we would fly out from there to the other cities on the itinerary including Medellin, Armenia, Cartagena and Santa Marta.

Colombia’s mountainous and lush landscape is breathtaking! Our trip went up through the coffee-growing country and finished on the beautiful Caribbean coast.  The people we met along the way were so welcoming and eager to share their culture with us. Much like Mexico, the traditions, music and food vary greatly depending on what region you are in.

Over the past ten years or so, major efforts have been made to help create access to jobs and education for all Colombians. A very emotionally moving experience for our group came in Medellin which was once ravaged by violent drug cartels. We walked in a neighborhood which most would describe as a slum, called Comuna Trece. It is traditionally the most violent area in all of Medellin.

The people here live in a sea of tightly packed and poorly constructed houses. In Medellin, the most economically disadvantaged areas sit precariously on vast hillsides surrounding the thriving city. Knowing the hardships of the past and need to change the situation, funding for a project called the “electric stairs” helped build outdoor escalators that extend most of the way up the hillside. The escalators, also patrolled by security guards 24 hours a day, have provided better access to jobs, healthcare and schools for the residents here.

They have also greatly reduced criminal activity and helped people feel safer in their own community. It’s an amazing success story and so inspiring to see first-hand.

Through my travels, I learned there are many Mexicos and many Colombias. Each region, city, village and neighborhood has its own unique culture, history and traditions. My five weeks of travel left me with many things; new friendships, life-changing experiences and most of all, the desire to keep on traveling and learning.

My teaching will forever be changed from this experience and I can’t encourage other educators enough to travel as a means of informing your practice. During the fall, I completed my curriculum project, titled, “Discovering Diverse Mexico: A Culture Box Adventure!” designed for 3rd graders. This can downloaded soon at

In the meantime, you can browse through many incredible units of study all prepped and ready to be taught that were designed by former Fulbright-Hays participants. If you are interested in educator travel grants, I am would be happy to speak with you. I’d also love to come to your classroom and talk with students about my experiences. Now, on to the next adventure!

Shepard MAT '05 currently works in the Hillsboro School District. To see the trip in its entirety, please visit her travel blog at,

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Saturday, 9 January 2010

Stripy Dolphins off Burray

We couldn’t really decide where to go today, the wind was SEish but there was a big swell around the coasts.  Much debate was undertaken throughout the week but upon my arrival fashionably late at the carpark, Johnny said ‘Roseness’ which sounded as good a plan as any.  By then I had worked out that I had lost my voice so I wasn’t really in any position to argue!!IC Italian Chapel

So off we toddled to the 1st barrier, and launched at the south end of the barrier on Lamb Holm, just near the Italian Chapel.

We had 7 bodies out and there were folks from both clubs.  We headed to Couse Point at which point the fetch up Holm Sound could be seen to be generating some fairly exciting water and we could see the spray off Roseness quite clearly.  We decided instead to head straight into the wind towards Burray so that we could get blown home again.

Today’s pictures are really crap, so I apologise!

IMGP0651 Cathy and Johnny punch through the wavesIMGP0650 Peter off to Burray

We had lots of fun bouncing over the waves and Harry got a good old wetting.  I was trying desperately to give coaching tips across the waves in a very husky voice!  First time I’ve had to carry Strepsils in my deckbag!

We rounded the point of Burray Haas and headed across Bu Bay with a view to landing at a sheltered spot.  It was this point we saw the disputed identity mammals.  At first they were quite far away, but soon they came in closer and we saw them for at least 5 minutes.  One surfaced just in front of Peter W and he is sure they were stripy dolphins.  White beaked or Atlantic white sided perhaps.  I thought dolphins were bigger so Johnny and I decided they were porpoises, but frankly my identification of marine mammals is woefully poor.  This dolphin is small, this dolphin is far away…..Dolphin or porpoise, they were a truly lovely sight and made the paddle for everyone.  I did try to take a picture but failed.

IMGP0656Johnny surfs his way home

After a splendid picnic of apple and cinnamon pancakes, scones, fruit quarters, fruit loaf, all with butter and jam (served on plates!)and washed down with a nice cup of tea, we headed towards home again.  Unfortunately my mobile toasting device (a blow torch) was thoroughly unsuccessful.  The mid paddle, rapid production, of toasted fruity baked goods clearly needs more research.

Heading back, we had the wind behind us and I had fun surfing along on the waves.  Not everyone was as comfortable but they all made it to calmer waters safely and without incident.  I caught my best wave just as I rounded Couse Point and wasn’t trying to catch one at all.  Of course I surfed straight towards the rocks and had to jam in a good hard stern rudder to avoid them.

We landed in what was pretty much the dark but it was a really nice afternoon out and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.  It was lovely to paddle with the KKC paddlers too.

The only casualty of the day was my skeg wire which I have managed to bend, thus rendering skeg inoperable.  Very annoying!

And no, I still can’t talk…..090110 This is where I think we went…..

  1. very neat story on the Italian Chapel. Speaks volumes of the Scottish people when POW's leave tearful!

    My great aunt who lived next door to me in NFLD growing up was a war bride my uncle brought home from scotland. A real wonderful woman.

  2. sounds like a great outing, what camera are you using?

  3. Dolphins! I want to see dolphins! Have only seen them from the shore. Have seen lots of porpoises from the kayak though. Both are a treat.

    Like the nod to Father Ted :)

  4. I saw big dolphins off Unst last July, but this was the first time I've seen any in Orkney, although we did see some porpoises in the Flow during November. Really lovely to see and I am sure they like to play with the kayaks.


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Saturday, 4 December 2010

A winter’s blast

This afternoon a few of us had a short paddle in Scapa Bay.  One of our party is recovering from a broken collarbone and four ribs so we just wanted to do something gentle.  I haven’t broken anything but am so out of condition, a short paddle sounded just right to me.

IMGP0438Peter and Johnny set out

The weather in the morning had been sunny and very calm.  Although winds were forecast, they had no materialised.  We set forth at about 1pm, in calm, if a little grey, conditions, with the rain stopping almost immediately.

IMGP0440Hemp Stack

We decided to head as far as Hemp Stack where we played around taking pictures and video of forward and reverse sweeps to use on the website.

IMGP0442 The cameraman

Emerging from behind the shelter of the rocks we found ourselves with an irritating northerly headwind to contend with.  This increased in ferocity as we headed home.  By the time we landed it was a F5 gusting F7.  It had been F3 at most when we left.

Wind after the calm

Although the strong winds were expected, it was an interesting reminder of how quickly conditions can change and how important it is to check the forecast!  By the time we landed it was both windy and very wet so I ran away to the warmth of the fire ASAP.

Good to get out and blow off some cobwebs and excellent to see Peter back on the water.

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Saturday, May 23, 2015

"An Afternoon at China Cove", 12x12 , oil, California landscapes, MAryanne Jacobsen art, Point Lobos, China Cove, impressionism, colorist art

"An Afternoon at China Cove", 12x12 , oil

Beautiful is the only way I came describe the dreamy waters of China Cove, in Point Lobos. The water in the cove ranges from emerald to teal and falls into a violet blue in the deeper waters. The light in California is soft, calming and slightly cool compared to  what I am used to here in Southwest Florida, where the light is usually quite warm, and harsh  in its brightness.

The seals were out on the beach lazing about on the day that I visited last month. It was helpful to paint there that day, because once you paint in a location, you remember those subtle qualities of the scene, that you would never get in a photograph. There was some really magical reflected light on the rocks near the keyholes- light reflecting off the water.

I painted this with palette knife and brush and I hope you enjoy it!

Saturday, May 09, 2015

"The Scent of Summer", 12x16, oil, flowers, pink, impasto, impressionism, palette knife, roses, Maryanne Jacobsen art

"The Scent of Summer", 12x16, oil

I had fun experimenting with this painting. I kept wiping out the work I had done when I wasn't happy with it and going over the top with something new. Wiping out was something I got used to hearing about at PACE15. In fact, instead of thinking of wiping out as being a result of making mistakes, it's often a technique that seasoned artists use to get some nice softening effects.

I forget what this is called. Though I know it has a name!

I also used a limited palette of two yellows, two reds and two blues. It does make for a nice harmonic sound, and I do see unity in the work above.

Anyhow, I enjoyed playing with this one and kept the impasto for the end- in the flowers, of course.

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

"Late afternoon, China Cove", 8x10, oil on panel, Maryanne Jacobsen art, Point Lobos, China Cove, Plein air convention, Monterrey, Carmel art, Pacific Ocean, sheltered coves, seals, plein air

"Late afternoon, China Cove", 8x10, oil on panel

I recently returned from a trip to California which included a week at the Plein Air Convention in Monterrey, as well as a side trip to San Francisco and Yosemite National Park.

While at the #PACE15 convention, I had another wonderful opportunity to paint at China Cove in Point Lobos. Point Lobos is eye candy for artists- an artist's Paradise on earth! It was a horrendously windy day on the first day of the convention, and while the other artists headed to Asilimar Beach to paint, I took the road less traveled by and headed to China Cove, which is just sheltered enough that it was peaceful and calm in those late afternoon hours when I set up.

Lest you think I am kidding about eye candy for artists, here's what it looked like from the walking trail where I painted...

 Do not miss the chance to visit one of the most breathtaking spots in the entire world if you happen to be in the mid-coast area of California. Here is the official web site for the state preserve of Pt. Lobos- Point Lobos State Preserve.

I happened to notice on the website that the steps leading to China Cove are now closed until further notice due to erosion! Whew! So glad I had the opportunity to paint there a few weeks ago before they closed the path!

The seals were also lazing about the shoreline with their pups while I was there. It was such a treat!

This was my second trip to the area. I do hope that it is not my last!


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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Pumpkins...isn't it time for Autumn yet?

Once again it is time to participate in "A Few of My Favorite Things Saturdays" with Laurie over at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie. She has a great blog - check it out!

Pumpkins...I love pumpkins...hence the name of my blog (genius - I know!) I love does that happen when you live your entire life in Central Florida? We certainly don't HAVE experience the autumn season. Generally it's still hot when the leaves are changing elsewhere...we don't have pumpkin patches (aside from the ones hosted by the local churches where you can't get a pumpkin for less than $20), we don't have apple orchards to go pick apples and make yummy crisps and tarts. Crisp and cool mornings and evenings? Maybe in mid December...

So how is that it's been my favorite season for as long as I can remember when i've NEVER experienced it? Sure I get a little dose when we go to Georgia or up to the cabin for a quick trip...but when it's a week at most, it's not the same.

I was obviously born to yankee parents and it's in my blood. My mom was born in North Carolina, but grew up in Ohio, my father grew up "in the shadow of the Golden Dome" in Indiana.  That may be more "mid west" but they say "pop" up there, so it's definitely yankee territory - not that there's anything wrong with that...just sayin' - besides, I'm born n reared in Florida...the southernmost yankee state. Native Floridians don't say "pop" just for the record. It's Coke.

As I was saying - Fall...Autumn...I can't wait for the day that I get to experience it every single year. I will go apple pickin', I will go to the fall festivals and decorate my porches for the season, hay bales, corn shocks, tons of pumpkins and giant baskets of mums! I love love love it all...

I have pumpkins out in the cottage year round. I have more packed away for fall decorating...but since I picked up a new addition to the collection at Goodwill yesterday (I know, i'm weak...) I thought i'd share some of my beloved pumpkins for Favorite Things day...

My new pumpkin tureen from Harry and David's. I have no idea what it cost originally, but I paid $14.99 for it. I did find reference of it on the web from 2007 where someone got it on sale with an additional coupon discount for $ I'm guessing I got a decent deal. It's BIG and in perfect condition so I was happy to hand over the cash for it.
Pumpkins on a board....and on a stack of towels
Tall and skinny wooden pumpkin with beads and metal leaves

Beaded pumpkin on a candle stand
PUMPKINS! Well a sign that SAYS so...
Salt n peppa shakers from Hallmark a couple years ago

Pumpkin Pie plate and cover

Pumpkins on canvas!

Pumpkin folding 3 tier server... (currently folded closed)
Another pumpkin on cavas
A big hollow metal contemporary pumpkin from Broyhill...
Not sure what this one is made of...sort of feels like wood, but it's not very heavy...
And a funky mirrored mercury type glass pumpkin...
A pierced clay pumpkin...
and one of my very usually sits in the middle of my kitchen table - this is a pottery pumpkin that my mom purchased for me at a local craft fair a few years ago. The top comes off - I guess it could be a cookie jar.

On that note, i'm off to make dinner - fish on the grill!

Parmesan Flounder

2 lbs flounder (or sole or tilapia)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 C grated parmesan cheese
1/4 C butter / margarine, melted
3 tbsp mayo
3 tbsp chopped green onions / scallions / spice of choice
1/4 tsp salt

Coat a piece of heavy-duty foil (about 14 in. x 14 in.) with nonstick cooking spray. Place fillets on foil; brush with lemon juice. Shape foil to form edges. Put foil flat on the grill (do not seal). Grill, covered, over medium-hot heat for 4 minutes. Mix parmesan cheese, butter, mayo, onions (spices) and salt; brush over fillets. Grill 3-4 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

America's Favorite Fish Recipes: More Than 180 Mouthwatering Recipes from Fishing Guides and Professional Chefs (The Freshwater Angler)The Big Book of Fish & Shellfish: More Than 250 Terrific Recipes (Big Book (Chronicle Books))The New York Times Seafood Cookbook: 250 Recipes for More than 70 Kinds of Fish and ShellfishFish: The Complete Guide to Buying and CookingPumpkin, a Super Food for All 12 Months of the Year

NancyC said...

I love all your pumpkin decorations! Thanks for sharing your recipe, too!

Sailing Simply said...

Very cute! I love all your pumpkins! However, I don't think I've ever met a pumpkin collector! You are the first! What a neat thing to collect. I like your beaded, pie plate and mercury glass pumpkins the best! Thanks for sharing these with us!

laurie @ bargain hunting said...

What a fun collection! I love the new tureen, and I would think that was a FABULOUS price for it. Lucky you! so glad you linked this unique collection to Favorite Things Sat. laurie

Auntie Alyce said...

Amazing. You know fall is my favorite too. A basket of mums can not be beat! Up here in OH fall can be stunning. But IT LEADS TO WINTER! But then again it leads to my second favorite season, Spring!

Lauren said...

I love Fall. Oh wait... you know that:)


text:
Politics from the Palouse to Puget Sound

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

King Solomon Hath Spoken

Mark "King" Solomon has issued a royal pronouncement today's Daily News on the Hawkins development in the corridor: It shall not come to pass.
Environmental light is still red

Whitman County’s determination of nonsignificance on the effects of the proposed Hawkins state line development did not make a finding on aquifer impacts. Instead they specifically left that responsibility to Washington State Department of Ecology if/when Hawkins applies for a water right.

There is a factual matter regarding additional water withdrawals from the upper Wanapum aquifer at this site that is of concern to the Idaho side of the line and not to the Washington side. The Wanapum aquifer that underlies this site provides 30 percent of the city of Moscow’s water supply. The same rocks are essentially dry further west providing little water to Whitman County residents or businesses. This is believed due to the thinning out of the sediments of the Latah and Vantage formations in the vicinity of the state line combined with a dipping to the east of the Wanapum that begins in the same area. Contact with the sediments is believed to be the recharge mechanism although the specific areas of recharge have not yet been determined. An additional large well at the Hawkins site directly will affect Moscow, but not Whitman County. It is entirely appropriate, and indeed a responsible requirement of good governance, for Moscow to be engaged in this matter that, if approved, would affect Moscow’s water supply directly.

This significant issue will be heard fully at the ecology department hearing if/when Hawkins finds a suitable water right to purchase and applies to transfer it to their site. They’ve been looking for one for more than a year and still have not found one. In the meantime, nothing is going to happen at that site. Whitman County has stated in its decision that no building permit will be issued until sufficient water supply has been secured.

There is no environmental green light for Hawkins. It’s still solid red.

Mark Solomon, Moscow
I think we all know what is "solid red."

Let me get this straight. King Solomon first calls "additional water withdrawals" a "factual matter" and then goes on to use the words "believed" and "have not been determined." What???

And by the way, Hawkins has found a water right. From the Nov. 20, 2006 issue of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
The town of Colton wants to swap water rights with the developer of a proposed shopping mall along the Pullman-Moscow Highway.

Colton Mayor Greg Eylar said the city agreed to swap 22-acre-feet of water it was about to acquire in exchange for the rights to 100-acre-feet of water the Hawkins Companies are attempting to acquire.

The deal isn’t done yet. It still must be approved by the Department of Ecology.

Stoffel said the application will be reviewed by the local water conservation board, and then be forwarded to the state. No guarantee or timeline exist for its approval.
Solomon has just saved the DOE the trouble of a review. According to him, the Colton water right is not acceptable.

The ultimate irony about the King's letter is another letter from a Moscow Civic Association board member, also published today, that stated:
We should all have concerns about giving Moscow’s water and services to businesses in Washington. This is a pro-Moscow position, not anti-growth.
Ah, now it all becomes clearer.
A better option for some of the proposed growth may be in the commercial and motor business land north of the Palouse Mall. We should be open to other proposals as well, but we should not weaken our ability to retain local control and decision-making capacity where the future of our city is at stake.
North of the Palouse Mall? Oh, now we're talking Home Depot. The writer doesn't want to "weaken local control and decision-making capability" for Moscow, but has no problem in doing that for Whitman County. I can't wait to see how they justify a Home Depot's water usage.
I am proud to be a part of the MCA, which goes beyond the idea that allowing huge, national corporations to enter our city without restriction is the only way to grow.
For the record folks, Home Depot is a "huge, national corporation." I can't wait to see how this festival of hypocrisy all plays out. I don't blame Paul Kimmell, the Moscow Chamber of Commerce director, for getting the hell out of Dodge.

Of course, the MCA and Moscow opposition to growth across the border is nothing new. April forwarded Dale Courtney at Right Mind a list of some folks in Moscow that had signed the PARD petition to never shop or work at a Pullman Wal-Mart Supercenter. It's quite enlightening.

April has made available to me an electronic copy of the PARD petition. I may post some snippets here in the near future.

Satanic Mechanic said...

If the Daily Watermelon would update their "Letters" section of their website, you can see the letter written by the Mayor of Moscow. Grab a physical copy to read it before you stick it in the woodstove or birdcage.
That mayor is a true politican with her writing. It was two-faced and once again the enviromental card is played.

April E. Coggins said...

I like this: "An additional large well at the Hawkins site directly will affect Moscow, but not Whitman County." I wonder where he thinks Whitman County begins? Unless Hawkins drills down and over into Moscow, how can it not affect Whitman County water? Oh wait, that's right, ALL the water, including what is under Whitman County, belongs to Moscow.

Satanic: What does Queen Nancy think she is accomplishing by stirring up the students? Even they can see the hypocrisy in that WSU is building a golf course, adding many new bathrooms to the stadium and a major remodel to the CUB.

Sarcastic Housewife #1 said...

The circus just grows and grows. Frighteningly, these people really believe they are in the right, yet when you start looking at everything there is absolutely no logic or reality anywhere to be seen.

April E. Coggins said...

The good thing is that all Solomon and the MCA can do is write ignorant letters to the editor. They have absolutely no power. Neither Hawkins or the commissioners are communicating or answering the Moscow interlopers. King Solomon and henchmen are operating on Daily News articles and wild assumptions. Many of them are so wrong, they are laughable. The commissioners don't have to worry about the votes or tax dollars of the MCA members, but they do have to worry about ours. Thank goodness for borders!

I do think the sudden flurry of editorials is a prelude to a Moscow appeal. They are trying to drum up support within Whitman county. I believe it is too little, too late. Time will tell.


text:
Politics from the Palouse to Puget Sound

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Bank of America Is Making Me Mad!

Bank of America has just made it on my list!

You are in for a Scotty Rant here.

I have dropped different companies in the past due to them "screwing me over". My MBNA credit card company royally screwed me a few years back. I had bill pay set up to do a set payment that was more than the monthly minimum. It was a credit card I got when I was younger and had a pretty high interest rate. I accepted that. But then the federal government made the credit card companies change their minimum payment calculations so people would not stay in debt as long.

I did not know this change was made and I did not check my monthly statement each and every month, like I should have. But when I opened it up, I found that the previous month my automatic bill pay was too low for the new minimum by around thirty bucks. They then jacked my interest rate to nearly THIRTY percent. Wow, talk about me being mad! I had been a customer for nearly nine years and not only did I get a slow-pay on my credit report they jacked my interest rate sky high.

I only saw red and I quickly used my tax refund to totally pay off that account and close my account with them, TO NEVER USE THEM AGAIN! When they asked me why I was closing the account I let them know that I was mad over them jacking my interest rate to 30% after making one mistake.

So now we have Bank of America. I have been with them since 1992. I opened a Versateler account, which was an account without any monthly fees, but you had to use an ATM to do everything. I opened my statement this month and saw a $5.95 service fee. I was a little upset that I was being charged $6 on an account that was supposed to be free. I called them up.

I told them I had a Versteler Account and now I am getting charged a fee. I was told that the Versateler accounts are no longer offered and my account was switched to something else. Imagine my surprise. This is only two months after I cancelled my BOA credit card because they wanted to charge a yearly fee.

So after 15 years of being a customer of BOA, they want to charge me to use my money. That is so nice of them I am going to go close my account with them.

You can bet I am mad. All I want is for people to stop nickle and diming me to death.

Satanic Mechanic said...

I severed all ties to Bank of America after they started giving away credit cards to illegals. I too canceled my credit card and paid off the BoA loan I had on my pickup truck.

That's right Al Gore and Liberals! The Dodge, which I call the "Overlord", with the V-10 engine is paid off! Now I will run over your precious hybrids while getting 12 miles to the gallon, clubbing baby-seals and watching Fox News! (insert evil laugh)

Paul E. Zimmerman, M.A. said...

I've been thinking of bailing out of my BoA accounts for some time. I'm still technically an employee of the university (junior writing portfolio program reader), so I might go for WSECU.

SVC Alumnus Blogger said...

I hear ya as a Bank of America customer - but somebody has to pay the costs of keeping the money and the infrastructure to use your money and the money of your fellow citizens.

That said, I think they should charge as little as possible and be 100% transparent!!!!

April E. Coggins said...

I have a great deal of difficulty supporting people who hide behind nicknames and then attack real people and real businesses. Why is it okay to "out" other people while hiding behind your own mask? It's very easy to accuse a business or person when there is no way for the victim to respond and no accountability for the poster.

Not very unlike yesterday when posters here complained that the war protesters wore masks.

Ray Lindquist said...

Well Jo & I pulled a some CD's we had in BofA and moved them over to WaMu. I hope that enough people will pull out over time, and it will force BofA to rethink that BAD idea.

Paul E. Zimmerman, M.A. said...

I doubt BoA will change course. I didn't read too far into the info I found, but by the sound of things, these practices have been going on for years now. My understanding is that Citi Group led the way.

Basically, BoA is giving these accounts to people who can produce a taxpayer ID number instead of a SS#, which many legal and illegal immigrants have. In addition, one has to be a BoA checking account holder for three months without overdrawing the account even once to qualify for the card. As it goes, then, it's not a total free-for-all.

My question then is why can't INS use these programs as "come and get me" rosters of illegals?


text:
Saturday, February 4, 2012

Mr/Mrs and Bubbles

Walking out of the church doors as husband and wife.....greeted by our loved ones.  In bottom left, my baby was still in tears. awwww.....too cute.  My dad was trying to comfort her.

Everyone was manned with bubbles to blow at us. Blow baby, blow!


text:
Thursday, April 30, 2009

Burberry on a writer's salary

Every time I go to a creative meet or mingle with fellow ink-scribbling-Mac-loving-day- dreaming humans, I feel, the raw, passionate, frugal artist in me come out alive and slay the worldly corporate creature. If someone measured my aura post those interactions, I promise you, they’d be intrigued by the halo around my heart :-) I enter a state of timeless trance, and everything around becomes a rhythmic yet insignificant blur. For instance, last week when I got home from one such event, my husband asked, “How was the event?” I said, “samosa and wine have never tasted better.” Just so you know, I love samosa and wine individually but not together. But is that sensation enough to make a life-altering decision?

Off late, numerous people have asked me if I wanted to quit my job and become a full-time writer. Here is my response: “I want to but can’t.” Before I say anything further, let me digress and clarify a simple difference between “want” and “can.” Want is a desire that stems from your heart while can & cannot is reality that you see with your eyes. It’s rare for the ‘want’ and the ‘can’ family to dance in unison.

Let’s get real here. Not every writer has the same destiny as Jhumpa Lahiri or the resources of Virginia Wolfe. I am not being a wuss and looking for excuses, but the fact is that becoming a full-time writer today would also mean compromising on things that I really like. It would also mean taking gratuitous risks. It was one thing if I was nineteen and still figuring out my life. I wouldn’t have known any different. Who knows; deprivation might have sounded romantic. But I am not just beginning my life. I am old enough to have distinct tastes (good or bad) and set expectations from life. I love the smell of rustic, quaint bookstores, and Literati Company but in the same breath, I cherish the coffee shops and wine bars near such stores. I am not profligate, but I’d be lying if I said that I don’t care about trying out new restaurants, going on vacations, or purchasing chic items. I mean, designer handbags are my weakness (Who am I kidding? Let’s call it “vice.”). Burberry is my eternal soul mate. But then, I work hard and earn the money for my indulgences.

Here is the question: Even before I consider my case on the scale of want and can, let’s pause and think about the “fairness factor.” Without a fixed income, will I be able to afford the “fine” things” in life? Sure, my soul might feel nourished if I spend eternity in the company of words, but what about my wallet that’s used to a (maybe not fat but dependable) paycheck? As I mentioned earlier, with time and age, we all get set in our own styles. Scaling back is a Herculean task if imposed intentionally. I still might be able to compromise on a few things, but would it be fair to deliberately deprive my family because I decide to go on a whim of self-gratification? To me, it feels a little unjust. And what makes my relationship with words more sanctimonious than my husband’s passions? I have always been outspoken about gender equality, so how is it fair that I get to pursue my dream (without a conscience) with no to negligible return on investment and my husband slaves over reality?

More until next time.

Copyright © 04.30.2009

"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is." - Oscar Wilde

Thursday, April 23, 2009

What would life be without *it*?

A very near and dear one once said to me, “I couldn’t marry someone who wasn’t ambitious. If the person is complacent themselves, how would they understand my ambition and what will they teach the generation after?” With time, I seem to see the reality in the confession.

The other day, a friend called me a true prototype of my Zodiac sign—ambitious. I couldn’t agree more; I am a classic Capricorn and not embarrassed to admit it. My mother’s generation fought and sacrificed so women from my generation could have the freedom we have today, and I refuse to let their efforts go a waste by wearing an excuse of “societal-expectations.” See, one of my close college friend’s mothers is a qualified architect, but her in-laws didn’t allow her to practice architecture because that would mean long hours with strangers (read as “males”). Hmmm. So every woman from her generation, who decided to have a career, was libidinous while the stay-at-home women, with an army of servants and countless free hours on their hands, worshipped their husbands? The silliness didn’t end there; she was “allowed” to teach in a school because that would translate to minimal interaction with the opposite sex yet offer her flexible timing so she could bring home money and put up a spread on the table at meal timings. Her ambition was defined for her, but that was then—a generation ago.

More importantly, the true meaning of ambition doesn’t lie in the ordinary definition of 9-5. Ambition is a flavorful word with several dimensions to it. Here is one aspect of the Merriam-Webster meaning for ambition“It applies to the desire for personal advancement.” This personal advancement comes from the aspiration to defy mediocrity. It’s that unique quality that makes every human special. A very good friend of mine, who lives in San Diego, could put most women to shame with the kind of stuff she does with her life and family. The list is endless, so I’ll stop, but I did suggest that she start a “What Not to Wear” show targeted towards mothers with appalling taste in style, so they wouldn’t dress their kids like dweebs. That aside, due to her phenomenal desire to defy the ordinary, her four-year old wanted to be taken to a "messy" beach, so that she and her sister could pick up the trash and help clean it up! Did I mention that her seven-year old willingly eats healthy food and rarely even smells junk food? My friend knows her ambition (It’s not a 9-5 corporate ruckus) and is darn good at it. Hmm. Now when I think of it, she too is a Capricorn.:-)

People assume the longer hours you spend at work or the more you travel on business, the more driven you are. And they say it like it’s a crime. Well, for starters, wrong! Some women have to keep longer hours because that’s what their job entails. Then there are women, who work because of financial constraints. I have super-successful corporate friends, who love their families as much as stay-at-home women, but because you can’t have the cake and eat it too, you do what’s required. You can’t say I can do what a man does and then leave things midway because you want to come home and cook or sing a lullaby. The way Mother Nature created us women, you want to be able to put a fresh meal on the table and read a story to your little one, but it can’t all be done. It’s tough and draining, but the inability to do these little things shouldn’t earn the woman insipid comments like, “An ambitious woman can never keep a house happy.” By the same token, just because a woman is always available for her family, doesn’t make her super-competent and compassionate. It’s quality vs. quality. What if she’s too lazy to juggle a work life balance or lacks the drive or confidence or interest to go out in the real world. Again, just because a woman is a stay-at-home person, doesn’t mean she lacks the drive. My friend in San Diego is a classic example. To each his own, but don’t condemn “ambition” like it’s a leper you don’t want to see on the streets.

I want to end my rants with: If your ambition is to cruise through life doing nothing but staying happy the way you are, kudos to you. Do just that because that’s your ambition, and there is nothing wrong with it. Its life without a drive that is tragically sad.

More until next time.

Copyright © 04.23.2009

“Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds” - Oscar Wilde

Thursday, April 16, 2009

My ears feel abused

Anyone, who has taken the subway in NYC, has probably encountered creepy preachers. Maybe not several times but at least once. They go on an exhausting verbal rant about their set of religious beliefs and faith and life. How their God is the only savior for the mortal degenerates like us. I am so tempted to say “Stuff it stupid,” but the wuss in me avoids the confrontation. I know someone who offered these noise-creators aka weird subway riders a couple of dollars to just shut up. How awesome is that!

This morning in the subway, an annoying, sanctimonious, fanatical, bigot squashed the tranquil of the subway car with her venomous tongue and decrepit words. The self-appointed morality police insulted everyone but Jesus. She said, “Obama can’t help us; only the Lord can.” I couldn’t help but snicker at her malarkey and audacity—so did quite a few of the fellow commuters. But soon I felt humor replaced with fury when she started to deride the gay community. Her word choice was reprehensible -- like a gratuitous insult. For starters, she referred to them as, “Those homosexuals ruining.” I looked at my husband and said, “Why the hell can’t she mind her own business?”

I remember this one time, (In my defense, I’d had an emotionally scathing week); I told one of them off. Well, this woman was waving her hand in my face and asking me to pray to Jesus. Her volume was directly proportional to her portly body. I grew up in a secular country, so I am nothing if not religiously tolerant, but at 7:30p.m. on a Thursday, after a bad week & volunteering my seat to the pregnant, the old, and the kids, I am intolerant towards verbal baloney. I have zero patience for self-righteous fools! I yelled back, “I am Hindu. You are wasting your time on me as I don’t believe in Jesus.”I let the words flow profusely from my mouth into her imbecile ears. She stood still, and I sat shocked.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less what she was preaching about; I just wanted my moment of quiet. So, why am I blogging about crazies in the subway? I don’t know. Maybe because it’s Thursday today, and I feel my patience abandon me.

More until next time.

Copyright © 04.16.2009

“Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.” – Oscar Wilde

Thursday, April 9, 2009

What will my generation pass over?

The Jewish holiday of Passover began yesterday at sundown. Most of my Jewish friends and colleagues either worked from home or left office early to get home on time for Seder. Our conversation in the past couple of weeks has involved at least five mentions of “Passover.” In fact, this year, a few of my friends organized Seder (with loads of traditional Jewish food) at their place and invited even their extended families. Majority of my Catholic friends have given up that one thing they like for Lent--like complaining, gossiping, eating meat, and drinking alcohol etc. I have to admit that I am quite impressed.

In the same breadth, Holi, one of the biggest Hindu festivals was in the month of March, and a lot of Hindus from my generation didn’t even make simple “halwaa” at home. Few used the most banal, “It’s in the middle of the week,” or “All this rich food is not good for you,” excuse for getting out of observing the holiday. I don’t get it. The same folks drink themselves silly on a weeknight at a bar or clog their arteries with French fries and Buffalo wings, but when it comes to their own festivals, they look for justification. To each their own but be consistent with what you say. Not believing in the holidays is one thing but using the “calorimeter” or “inconvenience factor” are just lame. The cheesecake that you chow down once a week or the wine/beer you drink five nights a week are probably a lot worse than a piece of besan laddoo you audaciously chastise.

People could argue that India has gazillion festivals and every state celebrates its holidays, so it’s hard to keep track. Maybe so. But Holi and Diwali are major Indian festivals, and I see them die every year with my generation. Also, Judaism has several holidays too. How come the young Jewish folks don’t find it arduous to remember?

I grew up in a festive house and celebratory hostels. My mother, an awesome cook, made every Indian holiday special for us, so I can’t imagine ordering in food/ going out to dinner or NOT planning a celebration for the aforementioned festivals. But that’s just my thing. I might be a health freak on other days, but Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, and Rakhi mean that there will be kheer and Puri at home, if not more. My own friends and acquaintances have expressed their surprise over my elaborate holiday indulgence. I guess living away from India just makes me clingier to my traditions. For me, it’s a way of thanking the universe for ending another year on a reasonable note. Back home, whether you wanted it or not, you would know that it’s a big holiday—with the blaring music and the energy. But in NYC, unless there is merriment going on at home, a festival would be just another ordinary weekday.

With age, a significant number of my Christian and Jewish friends (the non-anal types) have expressed their desire to get more involved with their religion. As and when they decide to have a family, they would like their kids to have a sense of religion and pedigree. My Christian friends have social circles at church. But I see my Hindu friends and relatives drift away from their faith. Amongst younger Hindus, it’s cool to be an atheist. “I go to the temple to eat dosa,” is a very acceptable notion.

Having said all that, I think I am beginning to understand why some of the Hindus from my generation aren’t as willingly involved as their peers from other religions. In Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, depending on your personality, upbringing, and belief system, you have different kinds of levels of faith you could belong to. Unlike Hinduism, it’s not a macro approach. So, a pork-eating Jew could be a part of the Reformist Synagogue while a Sabbath-keeping-Kosher-following Jew could go to an Orthodox Synagogue. They both follow Judaism but in their own personalized style. Tailored places of worship make sense to me.

I, for one, am anything but an atheist. I love going to “some” temples—the ones where I don’t have to deal with the “I-know-it-all-corrupt-pundits.” I personally don’t need a mediator, and I don’t care about a human telling me how to “think” and “feel” about God. The concept of making friends at Hindu temples isn’t prevalent because you have people from extreme mindsets pray under the same roof. For instance, if I have to sit and pray next to a person who is intolerant towards a Muslim, I won’t. If I have to listen to a fool urging me to fast four days in a week or else bad karma won’t leave my side, I mentally check myself out. I imagine a lot of my peers feel the same way. I believe there should be separate physical temples depending on your belief system—the way it is in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

For instance, I’d like to go to a mandir that doesn’t promote Hindu fundamentalists; doesn’t tell me that I am inferior as a woman; doesn’t rely on fear tactics to get donation out of me. If such a place existed, I would probably go more often instead of making the temple a convenient brunch stop every once in a while. Unless something drastic is done, I can see the Hindus from my generation won’t have much to pass over.

More until next time.

Copyright © 04.09.2009

“Religion is the fashionable substitute for belief”
- Oscar Wilde

Thursday, April 2, 2009

The unexplored possibilities

Over the past few days, I have either watched esoteric movies or had conversations with friends about the most occult topics. Replaying those dialogues, themes, and conversations in my mind has led me to think that we, as humans, choose to see only what our mind allows us to. We take the obvious for granted. Denial is the mantra. What we don’t know can’t hurt. But what if our philosophy is wrong? Who really decides what is the obvious? Why do we not question it?

I have created a short questionnaire and pasted it below—of course, with my answers along with them. Look deep inside your soul. Then, try answering these questions honestly and see if you don’t find out more about yourself. The untainted, true you.

Can you really plan destiny? I wish I could, but I don’t think you can. No wonder the five-year plan is ever a success.

Do certain relationships happen for a reason bigger than what our human mind can comprehend? Do these relationships serve a purpose? Sure. I have met certain people in my life, who came out of nowhere for a defined period, but left at a point. Without any argument or animosity, a distance got created, and the parties moved on. I truly believe they were a part of my life for a reason and vice-versa.

Is America moving from capitalism to socialism and eventually communism? If that’s the case, will the US still hold the same charm for people with big ideas and dreams? If it doesn’t, will innovation come to an end? Yes, I believe the US is moving towards socialism. Socialism won’t attract immigrants with brains and no money. If that’s the case, innovation goes kaput.

Does Obama’s triumph in the elections indicate America is over the “color-issue?” Obama’s victory indicates that people wanted a change. The change came in a different shade and that was a lucky coincidence. The sinking economy worked against the Republicans. Frankly, in my generation, it was unhip if you didn’t vote for Obama; Sarah Palin was the reason why McCain lost with the educated, white, older generation.

Come to think of it, are there any non-racists on this planet? There is a bigot inside all of us. Education and political suaveness has taught us how to mask it. In dire straits, the animal is unleashed.

In the same breadth, is reverse stereotype acceptable? No, it’s not. You represent the tone or a message without the consent of the community. Self-deprecatory humor is smart only if you limit it to your own self.

Is there a selfless deed? I personally don’t think so. Giving to charity makes us feel good. Lot of people like to think that doing stuff for their kids is the most selfless deed. Think again. The child didn’t ask to be born in a particular household. You do things for your children to prove your social status/economic abilities and also to sound prodigious in your “parent-circle.” It might be a subconscious effort, but think it through. A toddler doesn’t know Kmart from FAO Schwartz.

Do we really not judge people who fall outside the realm of our belief system? Of course, we all judge people who fall outside the realm of our belief system. It’s not necessarily out of malice, but “I wonder” + “I am amazed at” = judging. The ensuing battle between “working” and “non-working” women is a classic example. I’d be lying if I said that I don’t wonder about people, who are content with JUST relationships define their existence.

Is it possible to live a life with zero expectations? I am no saint, so of course I don’t think one could live a life that had no expectations. How morose and cold would that be? See, unintentionally, I judged.

How fine is the line between caring and interfering? You can’t care and not interfere, but you can interfere without any care.

Do dreams mean anything? I certainly hope so. The past three nights, I have had a recurring dream. Only with different characters. It’s a message I need to decipher.

Are the people in our dreams a mere personification of our thoughts? I am still figuring this one out. At one of the workshops, a few weeks ago, the professor shared that he believed in this theory.

What’s the mystique of the paranormal? Is there life beyond? I believe so. What happens when we die, especially untimely? Would you not swarm around people and things that meant to you in your human life? My spirit would never leave certain wine bars, coffee shops, Burberry stores, and Tangra Masala.

Does the weather determine our mood? In my case, yes, sometimes. It changes my perspective of how I view the obvious.

More until next time.

Copyright © 04.02.2009

“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” Oscar Wilde


text:
Monday, 5 May 2008

Written by
"Imagine time as a spider's web -a spiral with intersecting rays,a magickal model or map,this simple design can be used for potent pathworkings and astral timetravel"... Is the opening of this book which is an artistic,magickal,poetic representation of time-emit. travelling though different spaces of time from greek chronos and hindu makahala to the ancient femenine mysteries of fate.this mystic history explores the far reaches of time. and its warp in the web of wyrd. each page is a convergence through magickalgrimories,sorcery,qabalah,tantra,typhonian magick...and more. also,the concepts and appreciations of occultists as A.Crowley,Soror Nema,and K.Grant are developed as complements in the whole concept of the book.Orryelle shows all siHer talented skills as artist with a lot of graphic emmanations such as pictures from "The Book Of Kaos Tarot",poetic exaltations and his encounter via astral with the Arachnean loas. an inspirational book full of symbolism recived via magickal experimentations. Also,here you will find a complete article about "The Global Anahata(heart) Chakra Working" which are cultural representations of the 12 tribes or source-races of humanity wovwn together by heart chakra piercings in a web of unity in diversity.This new revised and expanded edition includes an extended Arachnean grimorie and the always fascinating sculpture picures of KALI-ARACHNE.This books also includes a 2 hour DVD with "Loom Of Lilla"expressing in form and movement the reationship of the individual to the to the collective,exploring also the concepts of microsmos and fate versus free will. dancers together from th face and hands of Kali-Arachne.individual dancers expressing their free will,break away from te composite figure to perform their own dances,yet these also ultimately weave back into the pattern of the whole. The fractal or holographic nature of reality is expressed through the forms and movements of individual figures echoing the larger movements of a larger beings they are part of. The composite face is created by idividuals who compse it,this begin a visual and theatrical metaphor for the nature of deity.e believe in god/goddess whether we call them this or less personalized names such as:fate,energies,or "collective consciousness" by them,yet thy are a result of and created by our belief and energies. we may struggle with our fate,or dance with it and co-create our destiny,acknowledging our part within the collective reality both being influenced by it and with the language of our bodies and souls-influencing it. Also another related work by the always dynamic artistical explorations of METAMORPHIC RITUAL THEATRE Co.The book comes with a full color front & back covers and includes a three fold colouredartistical pictures by Taz.The Book contains 164 pages(including DVD) and cost $33Us(world)
.So,for more info just visit:
A full long interview with Orryelle Defenestrate Bascule will be included on a printed experimental magickal grimorie generated by me(Kerval) Fr.NUBTI 111 and will be out Summer Solstice 2008 E.V and in the book ANTIBOTHIS Vol II. MORE INFO...COMING SOON!!!

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Sunday, June 23, 2013

From Rosyln to Home

Once the rally was over we stayed another day in Rosyln to check out the area including the Cemetery that is a must see.

There are 25 different cemeteries at the same location mostly divided by "Culture" or race in today's
politically incorrect terms great little tourist trap...ok trap is a bit harsh, but what else would you call a town like this one. It has changed over the years since I last visited it.....gone from pastry shops and bakeries to wine tasting bars.

My daughter Randi remembers the little town well from her visits as a teen and asked me to pick up sugar cookies she loved to get from the many little shops back in the day.....I was only able to find one cream filled pastries at all and one cookie shop with 2 choices of sugar cookies, ginger bread cookies( I should have tried one...oops) and not much more.

Lake Chalan....expensive, but man is it worth it.......I once read a book about a New York Executive who moved to the small town of Stehekin after burning out.....he took a ferry to get himself and his family as the only way in is ferry or float plane.
It was a wonderful book and had such an effect on me that I once spent a week there on a honey moon.
There is now a ferry ride deal where you can ferry in have a bus tour and lunch and return to Chalan all in one day for around $70.00 per person.......I was sick (TBI) and worried about brain stress from the ferry ride so we did not take the ride.......Please do take the ride if you get the chance.

This tree caught my must have fallen at sometime or other and just took off growing straight up again

This is the park after the trailers left the rally

and this is a trail that leads to a is part of the old railway to and from the mines around Rosyln

Beavers have been working on these trees

 After spending the night where the beavers live we drove on up to the small town of Warthrope another theme town...western this time.

Rock Ducks

 Winthrope did have a wonderful museum that I highly recommend

Another night on another river, just a few miles north of town we found this free government camping spot.......

And now it is time to get back towards home.....but first we want to see more including The Grand Coulee Dam

Lucked onto this pulling off the road to read my maps

Guess who!!!!

The Grand Coulee was for decades the largest man made structure in the world and the largest concrete formation as well.

20 years ago you could buy this house in Pomeroy Washington for $4k

large rooms for the day

back porch could use a little paint

We found a nice camp spot near McCall Idaho

we had a nice night, but woke up to cold and on the road quickly and headed int McCall for coffee

Malta Idaho....can you find it on the map?

Spartin in Malta Idaho

We camped here in Elba Idaho

The van is a Chevy Corvair

Our travels took us onto the California Trail up near Almo Idaho

There was a trail that broke off here and headed off to Salt Lake City

Some of the journal entries I read called this the most beautiful area they had seen in many

Castle Rocks

Sandy's new RV

 Sandy and I stopped by the Nap Idaho Mercantile and Post Office.
As a young boy I used to go by this then Ghost town with a one room log cabin school house, general store and dance hall.
Today the store is opened and serves great food, antiques and great conversation.
Sandy and I stayed for hours and visited with the owners as well as locals who came by and even a retired school teacher from Plain City and his lovely wife.
Naf is only a mile or so off paved roads and worth every inch.
The dance hall was unlocked for us to go through.....what a place it must of been back in it's hay day.
I remember being told it was a jumping place.
Jerry the owner would like to get it up and running again.....he could use the help if anyone wants to needs to be rewired, painted and not much else.

This trailer is across the street....any idea what it is??


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Thursday, June 2, 2011

The Coveted PTI Anniversary Sets!

For those of you who maybe interested......I just listed in my Etsy shop(2) of the Papertrey Ink 4th Anniversary Sets and (1) of the 3rd Anniversary Sets. :)

These sets will not be released for sale thru PTI and have never been used.  I have kept a set each for myself and would love to unload these for future purchases.

Go take a peek - I'm sure they won't be around for long! Have a good evening! Cathy xx :)

1 comment:

  1. Woohoo - can't believe it was still available! Can't wait to get the 4th Anniversary set!!! Thanks for Etsy-ing!

Thank you for taking a peek and dropping me a line! Your comments are so greatly appreciated and always make my day. Have a wonderful day and keep creating! :)

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Conventions: A Paralegal Education Resource

Conventions: A Paralegal Education Resource

Paralegals searching for quality continuing education programs offered over a brief period of time should consider attending conventions sponsored by professional associations.

NALA the Association of Legal Assistants-Paralegals offered this opportunity to paralegals from all over the country July 29-August 2nd at the association’s 33rd annual convention in Oklahoma City, OK.
Not only do conventions sponsored by professional associations offer excellent continuing education opportunities, they also provide occasion for networking with peers. The five days I spent in Oklahoma City (July 29-August 2nd) at the NALA Convention were terrific! It was great fun to reconnect with long-time friends, as well as get acquainted with new friends from across the country. I encourage every paralegal to put a convention on their calendar!

The pictures below were taken following the installation of NALA’s officers for 2008-09. Linda J. Wolf (Dallas TX) will serve as President for the coming year.

I spent some time chatting with Montana members Terry Halstead (left) and Barbara Bessey (right).
As a NALA Past President, I always look forward to reminiscing with other Past Presidents at Convention. This year I got visit with Brenda A. Mientka (Colorado Springs, CO) (l) and Tita A. Brewster (Las Cruces NM) (center). Past Presidents Patricia G. Elliott (Phoenix AZ) and Debra J. Monke (Bloomington IL) attended but were unavailable for a picture.
I was a very proud mentor when members from Michigan were elected to office! Sharon A. Werner (l) was elected Second Vice President and Kelly A. LaGrave (r) will serve as Treasurer. Congratulations to both of you!

Deb Elkins (r) (Tucson AZ) always has a smile for everyone! Deb has missed just one convention in the past 14 years. Quite a record!

Ann Atkinson (Omaha NE), NALA Secretary, shares a moment with Sharon Werner and me. Congratulations on your election, Ann!
Ruth Conley (Houston TX) (l) and Lorena Shingleton, Charleston WV (below), celebrated their ‘graduation’ from NALA’s first LEAP Class.
I served as Lorena’s mentor this past year. Ruth was instrumental in arranging my presentation ‘Keys to Eliminating Procrastination and Perfectionism’ to the Houston Paralegal Association.

Following the reception, I had dinner with NALA CEC Chair, Kathy Miller (Irvine CA) (l). Convention Chair, Chris Porter (Wilsonville OR) and Tita Brewster (Las Cruces NM) joined us.

Now I’m looking forward to NALA’s 34th Annual Convention in San Diego CA, July 2009!


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Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Tamed by a Tiger by Felicity Heaton [Review]

 Tamed by a Tiger by Felicity Heaton
Tamed by a Tiger (Eternal Mates #13) by Felicity Heaton
Format: ebook
Source: provided by the author for an honest review
Date read: July 23, 2017

Eternal Mates
1. Kissed by a Dark Prince
2. Claimed by a Demon King
3. Tempted by a Rogue Prince
4. Hunted by a Jaguar
5. Craved by an Alpha
6. Bitten by a Hellcat
7. Taken by a Dragon
8. Marked by an Assassin
9. Possessed by a Dark Warrior
10. Awakened by a Demoness
11. Haunted by the King of Death
12. Turned by a Tiger
13. Tamed by a TigerKindle
14. Treasured by a Tiger

Felicity Heaton
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):
A snow leopard shifter in the prime of his life, the last thing on August’s mind is tying himself to one female. He welcomes a different one to his bed each night, or at least he had until five months ago when he became alpha. The duties and pressures of running his pride have his libido dead on arrival—until a trip to London to discuss business with the former alpha lands him in the path of a beautiful, bewitching tigress who awakens a passion in him that flares white hot and a need of her that consumes his every moment.

Promised at birth to a male she has never met, Maya has left her pride behind to go to the tiger alpha who is to be her mate, but she can’t leave without saying goodbye to her older brother, Talon. A stop in London at Underworld to see him one last time turns out far different, and far more dangerous, than how she had imagined it when she sets eyes on an alluring crimson-haired stranger who stirs new, unbidden feelings in her, desires that rouse her fiercest and most frightening instincts and demand she stake a claim on him—her fated mate.

Will Maya be strong enough to place her pride and her family’s safety before the desires of her own heart? And will August unravel his feelings for the black-haired beauty before it’s too late and he loses her forever?
Thoughts on Tamed by a Tiger: Shapeshifters, man. I like their hot-blooded style! (For the record, I pretty much like all the species that populate the Eternal Mates world. From elves to demons and everything in between.)

We met Maya in the previous book and she's...not in the best place in this one. Determined to hold to the bargain her parents made, she's on her way to a new pride as a bride. Did I mention she's determined? Because she is. Her brothers can't talk her out of it and she wants one last chance to say goodbye to Talon before doing her duty.

As tends to happen, this puts her in the path of August, her special someone. Which is really bad timing in the sense that she's heading out into the wilds to be another man's ladyfriend. On the other hand, it's really GOOD timing since she hasn't actually mated the other dude yet. Sparks fly. Things happen. Regret is felt.

The regret isn't all on Maya's part, either. As the leader of his snow leopard pride, August is expected to take a snow leopard mate. Maya is clearly not a snow leopard. There doesn't look like there's a good way out for either of them at several points in their story. (As an aside, shapeshifters have some pretty outdated rules when it comes to mating and whatnot. Not all shapeshifters, I guess, but enough of them. Change is needed. *gives August a look*)

Another fast-paced, sexy romance with more than a hint of danger and plenty of smolder. I'm looking forward to Grey's book!

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Return of Scorpia

Hello Friends ! Enjoy one Frew comic in HQ . This particular comic contains 3 stories but as other two stories are already online so scanning has been avoided of these two stories .
Return of Scorpia is new story which is follow up story of original story of "The Scorpia "Only all pages of this story , editorial pages of old scorpia story , phantom phorum & ad pages are only scanned .

Return of Scorpia
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15 Response to Return of Scorpia

January 13, 2012 at 11:48 PM

Thanks ajay for this frew. Cover page is very attractive. I'll download it tommorow.

January 14, 2012 at 11:34 AM

Thanks for this Frew Comic. Can I know the names of the two other stories?

January 14, 2012 at 1:23 PM

Thanks a ton for this nice story.
If it is possible please provide the links for the other stories, so that we can have the complete issue # 1384 in our e collection.
Also in future, please, if it is possible, could we have the complete comic --- if it is not too much to ask---so that we have a feeling of completeness.
Thanks in advance.

January 14, 2012 at 3:27 PM

Venkitachalam Subramanian : welcome

Other two stories are -

S-159 - Sinbad's stone

D-210- Viper God

January 14, 2012 at 3:28 PM

praveen : we will try to post entire full comics . If time permits , would scan other two stories in HQ too .

Links for other two stories : s-159 sindbad ‘s stone – D210 Viper god

January 15, 2012 at 1:10 AM

Thanks for those links.

January 17, 2012 at 11:26 AM

Very nice story but original story was a better theme line

January 18, 2012 at 7:56 PM is not a scan of the Frew edition, nor is the other link:

January 18, 2012 at 8:07 PM

Albert Chame : Correct . Frew scans are yet to be made very soon . Links are for story published in newspaper only

January 18, 2012 at 9:17 PM

The provided links (below) points to 525 and 640 pixels colors, not the Frew printed as one expect: s-159 sindbad ‘s stone – D210 Viper god

January 28, 2012 at 9:42 AM

Albert Chame : Frew scans would be coming very soon

February 18, 2012 at 8:24 PM

March 17, 2012 at 5:07 PM

Wonderful comic. thanks

January 5, 2014 at 8:10 AM

Download link is dead. Please provide fresh link.

March 14, 2016 at 6:59 PM

Hello, could you please send a new link to ... thanks! The published link above seems to be dead.

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Foundation Single Crochet

I discovered this unique foundation stitch as an alternative to beginning a pattern with a chain stitch.  Otherwise known as “chainless crochet”, this technique allows impatient, tight tension crocheters such as myself to complete a chain stitch and one row of single crochets in one.

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14 May, 2014

maybelline babylips-cherry me

Hello people. I am back after a century. How are you guys? Hope everyone is doing great.

So today when i was busy in doing my usual boring stuff, i suddenly remembered "oh…i used to have a blog" so i decided to check the deserted place and plant some new plants there haha. So here i am sharing with you my cutest go to product these days: maybelline babylips lip balm in 15-cherry me.

I have been a sucker for lip balms since time immemorial and i am always on the hunt for some cute looking, moisturising, long staying lip balm with a slight hue that matches my lip color. (Yes, cute looking is also the criterion haha). So i must confess that i have found this baby to fulfill all my demands and its quite easy on the pocket too!

It comes in a pretty packaging with transparent lid which is quite secure and you can easily carry it in your makeup bag or pouch etc. (Like i do, daily). It has a moisturising effect on the lips which lasts for a good 2.5 to 3 hours on me - someone who lovvvvves to eat whatevvvver product is there on the lips haha so for that matter, im quite impressed by its staying power. However, a few days back, when i was the victim of extremely dry and chapped lips, i was not very impressed by its performance, but now when my lips are back to normal state i feel its working quite fine! I also love the fact that it gives a very pretty slight cherry tint to the lips which just enhances my natural lip color.

All in all its a very good product for its price. Also it goes a long way and only a little product is consumed. I have been using it for around 2-3 months now and you can see how much of the product is consumed/remains…

For PKR 350, you get 4.4g of the product. It can easily be found in any supermarket / makeup store stocking the maybelline products. If you wish to purchase online, you can check just4girls.pk or beautyarena.pk

So if you are in search for a pocket friendly lipbalm which not only moisturises your lips but gives a pretty mild Cherry tint too, i think i can safely recommend you this baby. :-)

Dont mind the crappy photographs, i took them with my phone infact i am writing this post on my phone too haha… how incredibly lazy i am to fetch a laptop! Lol

Hope you enjoyed reading the review. Do share your opinions about cherry me if you have used it and if some other lipbalm you are a fan of, do let us know here! Untill next time, xoxo :-)

  1. Love the light color touch!
    Greets from the EDELFABRIK

  2. we have baby lips here too bt nt in same packaging.. welcome back..... nice review!!!

  3. looks good and sounds cute too.Great review.Loved reading your review after a long time.where were you?

    1. Awww thank you shehrzad...bus yar was busy in work and stuff you know...now will try to be more regular :-)

  4. Oh finally you remembered that you own a blog too....:D.....missed you and nice review dear...The pix are amazing....xoxoxo....:D

    1. Aww thank you maria...your encouraging comments luft up my spirirt! Thank you :-)

  5. Hello. I am here on your blog after ages. At least it feels like. I think I should buy these too. I want to buy lots of stuff yar. :( Bdw I will need lots and lots of makeup advice once I start my university. So I will ask you because you know a lot about make up products and stuff. Keep blogging you awesome person. You are one humble fashion blogger. You blog about products which almost everyone here can afford so YAYYY!

    Bdw check out the interview I did on my blog. :D

    1. Omg Ridx you cutie...makeup advice and me? *Hides under the table* but seriously, i dont know too much about makeup cuz mostly i concentrate on skin care rather than makeup BUT you are more than welcome to ask me whatever you want anytime! :-) i think ill be able to guide you for a daytime look for uni students since thats what im good at and still do although im no more a student hehe
      Thanks for your comment girl. xx

  6. ahahha welcome back girl :D

    Loving this lipstick I got it too :D

    Happy Monday Girl!

    Cant’ wait to see you back on my blog !

    FIT&FAB - Hydrapak Review Wooley Bottle
    Visit The Fashion Milkshake Blog

  7. Such a pretty colour. Love Baby Lips! x

    Shang J. | The Feminine Crusade

  8. Keep meaning to try this out!

Thank you for leaving a comment on my post. I always reply back, sooner or later. :)
If you wish me to visit/follow your blog, you only need to ask! Just leave your blog link in your comment and I'll be happy to increase my circle of friends. :)
Have a blessed day!


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August 31, 2013

The Information Age or regular stupidity?

I have long tried to put my finger on the reasons why we have become a nation of child-forgetters.

You don't have to look too hard to find stories of kids left in cars, left at stores, left in school buses.

The Home Alone movie franchise story made it humorous, but in the original, little Kevin was left behind for several combined, and easy to relate to, reasons.  It was the Christmas season, their house was filled with extra family members, they were busy getting ready to depart for a vacation, Kevin wasn't where he normally would be, having been relegated to sleep in the attic, everyone overslept due to a power almost seems as if the movie's writers made the list of reasons intentionally long, so that the public could see past the horror of a little boy left on his own for days, and enjoy the humor of the movie.

What has happened to our society, our culture, that we can forget a child.  I can use all of the excuses I listed above, throw in long work hours, hectic school and social schedules, miscommunication - there are hundreds of things that distract us in our modern society.

But, hell, we also have hundreds of time and energy-daving devices that our ancestors didn't have.  We have mobile phones, GPS, and the constant stream of media to keep us informed.  Why in the heck can't we remember to get the last kid off the bus, or take the toddler out of the car seat?

Is it a statistical anomaly?  Part of me hopes that this phenomenon isn't about being self-absorbed and too busy for parenthood, but rather a normal, albeit terrifying, condition that we are simply more aware and informed of due to the saturation of the media in our lives.  Perhaps children have always been forgotten, but we simply didn't hear about it.

Usually at this part of the internal argument, the other side kicks in and reminds me that, surely, if kids had been dying in hot cars since cars were commonly owned, that we would have grown up knowing about the dangers and, it wouldn't be just now that car manufacturers are trying to develop devices that sense movement in cars that aren't running (no comment on what such a device will do to the tradition of teenagers 'parking').

I'm not judging anyone - I have had moments of forgetfulness regarding my children, fortunately none of them were dangerous - but I can see how they could have been.  I just can't wrap my head around the epidemic of these cases and understand why it seems to happen so frequently.

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