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Xavier Farriols will speak at Sustainable Brands Madrid 2018 about empowering consumers for energy transition. In this interview analyze the goals of climate change and efficient What makes Factor Energia different from other electricity supply companies? We make different the TRANSPARENCY, we are customer centric; and the MARKET KNWOLEDGE, We operate in the Spanish energy […]

Bibi Bleekemolen, Founding Member & Corporate Communications Manager of Fairphone: “We firmly believe that it’s possible to combine purpose and profits in a single company”

In 2011, Bibi Bleekemolen she met Fairphone founder Bas van Abel and together they travelled to the DR Congo as part of a campaign to raise awareness for conflict minerals, using a mobile phone as a storytelling object. Since the inception of social enterprise Fairphone in 2013, Bibi has been working on impact and public […]

Joanna Yarrow, Head of Sustainable & Healthy Living, IKEA Group: “We need to develop a positive vision of how to live a good life within the limits of the planet”

Joanna Yarrow leads the IKEA Group’s work to inspire and enable 1 billion people to live better lives within the limits of the planet by 2030 – by making sustainable and healthy living affordable, attractive and accessible for as many people as possible worldwide. Joanna will be at Sustainable Brands Madrid 2018. The IKEA Sustainability […]

John Rousseau, Vice President of Design of Artefact: “It is our responsibility to shape the future with care and ensure our work is contributing to the ‘good life’ for all”

Artefact is an award-winning digital experience innovation company. They use human-centered design to solve complex problems and create timeless experiences that help their partners have a positive impact on their customers, businesses and society. John Rousseau is responsible for the creative culture that the firm drives, and also for innovating its offering, capabilities, and methodologies […]

Sergio Estella, co-founder of Vizzuality: “Open data allows people to understand what’s happening in our world and what choices should be made to secure a sustainable, equitable future”

The goal of Vizzuality is making beautiful data design a true driver of change and impact on people’s lives. From his position as its chief designer officer, Sergio produces beautiful visualizations, intuitive user experiences and help people to understand the massive amount of information flowing everywhere. He believes that we all have the opportunity –and […]

DANIEL TRURAN, B CORP AMBASSADOR: “B Corp companies wish to harness the power of business to help address society’s greatest challenges and to build a more inclusive economy”

Daniel is a social innovator, speaker and facilitator of change that helps people transform their organizations into meaningful, socially useful and also successful entities that contribute to creating a more prosperous, fair and sustainable civilization. That is just the goal of B Corp Companies. At Sustainable Brands Madrid 2018 he will speak about ‘Business as […]

Erin Gardhouse, Associate Publisher of Corporate Knights: “Companies can make money and impact society positively at the same time”

Corporate Knight is a media, research and financial information products company founded in 2002 and based in Toronto (Canada). It’s focused on promoting an economic system it calls «clean capitalism», where prices fully incorporate social, economic and ecological costs and benefits, and market participants are clearly aware of the consequences of their actions. The company, […]

Paul Holmes, Founder The Holmes Report: “Companies are  understanding that many employees, customers and shareholders will choose to do business with socially responsible brands”

Paul Holmes is the Founder of The Holmes Report, a media about news, insights and intelligence from the global PR industry. In this interview he analyzes the importance of linking sustainability to communication strategy. The Holmes Report is media partner to Sustainable Brands Madrid 2018. How would you describe The Holmes Report? The Holmes Report […]

David Grayson, Emeritus Professor of Corporate Responsibility at Cranfield School of Management: “There are lots of different opportunities and ways to promote sustainable development”

David Grayson will speak at Sustainable Brands Madrid 2018 about his book ‘All In: The Future of Business Leadership’, co-authored with Chris Coulter from GlobeScan and Mark Lee from SustainAbility. He is passionate about social entrepreneurship and The Guardian has identified him as one of the ten top tweeters on sustainable leadership, alongside Al Gore […]


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[Subclipse-dev] Revision graph problem/improvement

From: Mark Phippard <markphip_at_gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2008 15:05:10 -0400

One of the general problems with the revision graph is that there is
often too much information. One of the optimizations that you made
was to take items that have been copied and then never modified and
treat them as "tags". Do not show the tag and instead show the tags
in the tooltip. This helped.

There is another class of "problem" that still exists. That is when a
branch is created, the file is never modified and the branch is
eventually deleted. Currently, the deletion of the branch is being
seen as a modification of the file and it shows the branch in the
graph. In this situation the ideal behavior would be to completely
ignore this branch. Do not show it in the graph, do not show it as a

With the tests I am doing, this would dramatically improve the graph
by removing all of the "noise".

Any chance you could look at this, or point Steve in a direction?

Mark Phippard
To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe_at_subclipse.tigris.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help_at_subclipse.tigris.org
Received on 2008-10-03 21:05:25 CEST

This is an archived mail posted to the Subclipse Dev mailing list.

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isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2021-43
publisher: Common Crawl
description: Wide crawl of the web for October 2021
operator: Common Crawl Admin (info@commoncrawl.org)
hostname: ip-10-67-67-180
software: Apache Nutch 1.18 (modified, https://github.com/commoncrawl/nutch/)
robots: checked via crawler-commons 1.2-SNAPSHOT (https://github.com/crawler-commons/crawler-commons)
format: WARC File Format 1.1
conformsTo: https://iipc.github.io/warc-specifications/specifications/warc-format/warc-1.1/


text:
Universe  ID: 4645

Pulsar Current Sheets - Electron flows

Scientists studying what amounts to a computer-simulated “pulsar in a box” are gaining a more detailed understanding of the complex, high-energy environment around spinning neutron stars, also called pulsars. The model traces the paths of charged particles in magnetic and electric fields near the neutron star, revealing behaviors that may help explain how pulsars emit gamma-ray and radio pulses with ultraprecise timing.

A pulsar is the crushed core of a massive star that exploded as a supernova. The core is so compressed that more mass than the Sun's squeezes into a ball no wider than Manhattan Island in New York City. This process also revvs up its rotation and strengthens its magnetic and electric fields.

Various physical processes ensure that most of the particles around a pulsar are either electrons or their antimatter counterparts, positrons. To trace the behavior and energies of these particles, the researchers used a comparatively new type of pulsar model called a “particle in cell” (PIC) simulation.

The PIC technique lets scientists explore the pulsar from first principles, starting with a spinning, magnetized meutron star. The computer code injects electrons and positrons at the pulsar's surface and tracks how they interact with the electric and magnetic fields. It's computationally intensive because the particle motions affect the fields and the fields affect the particles, and everything is moving near the speed of light.

This visualization shows the high-speed electrons moviing around the pulsar. Darker blue trails represent slow electrons. White trails indicate high speed (relativisitic) particles. There are more high-speed electrons outside the current sheet.

Used Elsewhere In

Visualization Credits

Tom Bridgman (GST): Lead Data Visualizer
Scott Wiessinger (USRA): Lead Producer
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

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Data Used:
Brambilla Pulsar Model
Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.

This item is part of these series:
Astrophysics Visualizations
Astrophysics Simulations
Pulsar Current Sheets

SVS >> Electron
SVS >> Magnetic Fields
SVS >> Neutron Star
SVS >> Positron
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> Pulsar
NASA Science >> Universe


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Sweet Pea Births

Chandler, Arizona

Sweet Pea Births

...celebrating every sweet pea their birth

REVIEW: ACOG Committee Opinion on Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth

Posted on March 7, 2017 at 6:24 PM Comments comments (54)
Note: all words in this piece that are in “quotation marks” are excerpts or quotes from the ACOG Committee Opinion published February 2017.  HERE is that article.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology just came to a very important conclusion in THIS Committee Opinion that was published in February 2017:
“Many common obstetric practices are of limited or uncertain benefit for low-risk women in spontaneous labor. In addition, some women may seek to reduce medical interventions during labor and delivery. Satisfaction with one’s birth experience also is related to personal expectations, support from caregivers, quality of the patient–caregiver relationship, and the patient’s involvement in decision making (57). Therefore, obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers should be familiar with and consider using low-interventional approaches, when appropriate, for the intrapartum management of low-risk women in spontaneous labor.”
Yes, it is a little frustrating that it has taken years for the doctors who manage pregnancy, labor and birth to acknowledge that less intervention is best for birth outcomes.  However, I am grateful that ACOG has caught up with Dr. Bradley and all the other proponents of dignity in birth that know “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.”
The part that interests me the most as a childbirth educator is how they treat the topic of pain relief and coping techniques in labor.  There is the acknowledgement that, “pharmacologic methods mitigate pain, but they may not relieve anxiety or suffering. “
And then this statement:
“None of the nonpharmacologic techniques have been found to adversely affect the woman, the fetus, or the progress of labor, but few have been studied extensively enough to determine clear or relative effectiveness.”
So there is finally the recognition that nonparmacologic techniques do not adversely affect the woman, the fetus or the progress of labor. And to CYA, they have to state that there is no conclusive study to determine effectiveness.  Be that as it may, it doesn’t matter to me as a childbirth educator if a study can measure the effectiveness.  What I do know as an educator and a doula is that if the mother perceives a pain coping practice as effective, it is being effective for her in that moment.
The key to continuing that pain coping practice hinges on two questions: “Is the mother okay? Is the baby okay”” As long as both the mother and the baby continue to tolerate the intensity of labor, then the conclusion effectively says LEAVE THEM ALONE.
In the article there are two distinctions between pain coping practices:
The pain coping practices that have been studied and, “have all demonstrated statistically significant reductions in pain in many studies”
Water immersion consistently has been found to lower pain scores (8, 34).
Intradermal sterile water injections
Relaxation techniques
“Other techniques may help women cope with labor more than directly affect pain scores”
Childbirth education
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
Here are some more areas of discussion in the committee opinion that bring obstetric care into the humane versus management for their convenience.  I have included the corresponding bullet points from the summary and also provided some lay-person translation as needed.
Latent Labor: Labor Management and the Timing of Admission
·       “For a woman who is at term in spontaneous labor with a fetus in vertex presentation, labor management may be individualized (depending on maternal and fetal condition and risks) to include techniques such as intermittent auscultation and nonpharmacologic methods of pain relief.”
IN OTHER WORDS: If your baby is head-down when you start labor, then your labor management can be individualized and include intermittent fetal monitoring (freedom to move as labor indicates) instead of continuous fetal monitoring (thus anchored to the bed) AND mother is free to try any method of pain relief of non-drug pain relief that she would like to try.
·       “Admission to labor and delivery may be delayed for women in the latent phase of labor when their status and their fetuses’ status are reassuring. The women can be offered frequent contact and support, as well as nonpharmacologic pain management measures.”

IN OTHER WORDS: If your labor has started and your bag of waters is intact, there is no rush to admit you to the labor and delivery ward.  If the mother is okay and the baby is okay, phone contact and support from your care provider is the order of the day, and the mother is free to continue with any non-drug pain coping practice that is working for her.
Term Premature Rupture of Membranes
·       Obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers should inform pregnant women with term premature rupture of membrane (PROM [also known as prelabor rupture of membranes]) who are considering a period of expectant care of the potential risks associated with expectant management and the limitations of available data. For informed women, if concordant with their individual preferences and if there are no other maternal or fetal reasons to expedite delivery, the choice of expectant management for a period of time may be appropriately offered and supported. For women who are group B streptococci (GBS) positive, however, administration of antibiotics for GBS prophylaxis should not be delayed while awaiting labor. In such cases, many patients and obstetrician–gynecologists or other obstetric care providers may prefer immediate induction.
If your bag of water breaks and you are not GBS-positive, you as the patient can decline immediate induction and this committee opinion instructs the care provider to support the patient in that choice.  If you are informed, you also know this includes declining vaginal exams that have the potential to introduce infection and that water immersion is an available pain coping practice (see Henci Goer’s Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth”).
What bothers me a little is that if a woman is not informed, it sounds like they are going to railroad her into the immediate induction route.  Yuck.
As for women who are GBS-positive, the recommendation is to admit the patient and start the administration of antibiotics.  The committee says that the preference is for immediate induction, but it doesn’t say one way or the other that it is the best practice.  You can go back to those two important questions, “Is mom okay? Is baby okay?” If you get YES answers to both of those questions, you may think about getting the antibiotics and then postponing anything else that is offered until there is a medical indication “to do something”.
Continuous Support During Labor
·       “Evidence suggests that, in addition to regular nursing care, continuous one-to-one emotional support is associated with improved outcomes for women in labor.”
Routine Amniotomy
·       “For women with normally progressing labor and no evidence of fetal compromise, routine amniotomy need not be undertaken unless required to facilitate monitoring.”
IN OTHER WORDS: Amniotomy is the artificial breaking of the bag of waters.  You can read the info sheet on this procedure HERE. What this committee opinion states clearly is that THERE IS NO REASON to break the bag of waters if labor is progressing and there is no evidence of fetal compromise.  Not to “help things along”.  Not to “speed labor”.  Not “to see what happens”. NONE. DO NOT break the bag of waters.
The only reason stated for breaking the bag of waters is in the case of the need of an internal fetal monitor. This monitor is screwed into the baby’s fontanel, so in order to facilitate access to said fontanel, the bag of waters needs to be out of the way.
Intermittent Auscultation
·       “To facilitate the option of intermittent auscultation, obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers and facilities should consider adopting protocols and training staff to use a hand-held Doppler device for low-risk women who desire such monitoring during labor.”
IN OTHER WORDS: Get with the program and learn how to do labor evaluation with a hand-held Doppler device.  P.S.: Midwives have been doing this for years.
There are many risks associated with continuous fetal monitoring – for more information I recommend you read THIS Cochrane review that shows how a decrease in fetal monitoring increases positive birth outcomes.  There are many cases of false positives with continuous fetal monitoring.  These false positives result in a more aggressive management of labor that often leads to an increase in unnecessary cesarean birth outcomes.  While there is a time and a place and much gratitude for cesarean births that are needed, it is devastating for a mother to read her operative report and realize that her cesarean birth could have been avoided with a different approach to her care.
Techniques for Coping With Labor Pain
·       “When women are observed or admitted for pain or fatigue in latent labor, techniques such as education and support, oral hydration, positions of comfort, and nonpharmacologic pain management techniques such as massage or water immersion may be beneficial.”
IN OTHER WORDS: Don’t push the epidural if the patient wants to try some other things first.
·       “Use of the coping scale in conjunction with different nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic pain management techniques can help obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers tailor interventions to best meet the needs of each woman.”
IN OTHER WORDS: Treat your patients as individuals!! What works for one does not work for all.  And pain is not the only marker for labor management.  As stated in the committee opinion, “pharmacologic methods mitigate pain, but they may not relieve anxiety or suffering.“  If the mother can handle the pain and is doing something that does reduces anxiety or suffering, that is ok.  It may be hard to watch, however, doing nothing is fine as long as the mother and the baby are doing well.
Hydration and Oral Intake in Labor
“Women in spontaneously progressing labor may not require routine continuous infusion of intravenous fluids. Although safe, intravenous hydration limits freedom of movement and may not be necessary.”
IN OTHER WORDS: Routine use of IV fluids is out!! Yeah!! The whole tone of this committee opinion is to treat patients as individuals, so if there is no medical indication and the patient declines routine IV, then leave her to labor without IV fluids.
HERE  is the summary of research presented at the Anesthesiology® 2015 Annual Meeting.  It states that, “most healthy women can skip the fasting and, in fact, would benefit from eating a light meal during labor…improvements in anesthesia care have made pain control during labor safer, reducing risks related to eating”.
Maternal Position During Labor
·       “Frequent position changes during labor to enhance maternal comfort and promote optimal fetal positioning can be supported as long as adopted positions allow appropriate maternal and fetal monitoring and treatments and are not contraindicated by maternal medical or obstetric complications.”
IN OTHER WORDS: As long as labor is progressing and mom and baby are well, let a mom labor in whatever position she deems useful.  When it’s time to monitor the baby, any position that allows for monitoring to happen is still acceptable. The easiest for the nurse and the most uncomfortable position for the mother/baby is to have the mother lie on her back (supine).  According to this committee opinion, other positions are now within range of acceptable.  Positions such as side lying, hands and knees, or tailor sitting are all examples of other positions that allow for fetal rotation and engagement in the pelvis while keeping the mother still enough to undergo fetal monitoring.
Second Stage of Labor: Pushing Technique
·       “When not coached to breathe in a specific way, women push with an open glottis. In consideration of the limited data regarding outcomes of spontaneous versus Valsalva pushing, each woman should be encouraged to use the technique that she prefers and is most effective for her.”
IN OTHER WORDS: Don’t tell a woman how to push.  If she follows her instincts, the baby will come out.  Valsalva pushing is when a woman is directed to do forceful pushing during a contraction for a certain count with no regard to what her body is doing physiologically.  Physiological pushing allows for a woman to work with her contractions: as she feels the peak, she will push as long as is comfortable. End of story.
Immediate Versus Delayed Pushing for Nulliparous Women With Epidural Analgesia
·       “In the absence of an indication for expeditious delivery, women (particularly those who are nulliparous with epidural analgesia) may be offered a period of rest of 1–2 hours (unless the woman has an urge to bear down sooner) at the onset of the second stage of labor.”
IN OTHER WORDS: “Nulliparous” means a woman that has not given birth before.  Unless there is a medical reason for the baby to be born as soon as possible, women, including those who have epidural analgesia, are to be allowed a time period between the time they are completely dilated (10 cm) and pushing.  If the woman is monitored and both she and baby are shown to be well, up to two hours can be allowed for the baby to descend into a position that creates the urge to push, thus making the pushing phase more effective.
Sometimes the cervix is open and the baby is still high in the pelvis, thus there is no urge to push.  When the pushing phase begins before there is an urge to push, this effectively “starts the clock” by which a care provider or hospital policy may deem it necessary to intervene with a vaginal operative birth (vacuum or forceps delivery) or a cesarean birth.
I hope this little review offers you the confidence as a consumer to advocate for what you know is right for you and your baby.  Our inner wisdom about birth is present and powerful if we can allow it a voice in our labor space.

The material included in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.  This blog and video contain information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.
Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale

Info Sheet: Amniotomy

Posted on February 6, 2015 at 9:23 AM Comments comments (55)
Amniotomy, Artificial Rupture of the Membranes, AROM - Info sheet for Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson
Amniotomy, also known as Artificial Rupture of the Membranes (AROM) is the surgical rupture of fetal membranes to induce or expedite labor.

American Heritage Medical Dictionary

Amniotomy is used to start or speed up contractions and, as a result, shorten the length of labour.
Artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes during labour, sometimes called amniotomy or ’breaking of the waters’ was introduced in the mid-eighteenth century, first being described in 1756 by an English obstetrician, Thomas Denman (Calder 1999). Whilst he emphasized reliance on the natural process of labour, he acknowledged that rupture of the membranes might be necessary in order to induce or accelerate labour (Dunn 1992). Since then, the popularity of amniotomy as a procedure has varied over time (Busowski1995), more recently becoming common practice in many maternity units throughout the UK and Ireland (Downe 2001; Enkin 2000a ; O’Driscoll 1993) and in parts of the developing world (Camey 1996; Chanrachakul 2001; Rana 2003). The primary aim of amniotomy is to speed up contractions and, therefore, shorten the length of labour.
The first recorded use of amniotomy in the United States was in 1810; it was used to induce premature labor. Amniotomy and other mechanical methods remained the methods of labor induction most commonly employed until the 20th century. Amniotomy, or artificial rupture of the amniotic membranes, causes local synthesis and release of prostaglandins, leading to labor within 6 hours in nearly 90% of term patients. Turnbull and Anderson found that amniotomy without additional drug therapy successfully induced labor in approximately 75% of cases within 24 hours.
  • Amniotomy was associated with a reduction in labour duration of between 60 and 120 minutes in various trials
  • There was a statistically significant association of amniotomy with a decrease in the use of oxytocin: OR = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.67-0.92 in several randomized trials
  • AROM does not involve any type of medication to mom or baby and is considered by some to be the most “natural” means of induction in a hospital setting.
  • In several randomized trials there was a marked trend toward an increase in the risk of Cesarean delivery: OR = 1.26; 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=0.96-1. 66.
  • Trial reviewers suggest that amniotomy should be reserved for women with abnormal labour progress.
  • In 15 studies containing 5583 women there was no clear statistically significant difference between women in the amniotomy and control groups in length of the first stage of labour
  • Evidence does not support routinely breaking the waters for women in normally progressing spontaneous labour or where labours have become prolonged.
  • [Once membranes are broken} most obstetricians want the baby birthed as soon as 6 hours post-onset to reduce the risk of infection from the introduction of bacteria into the vagina due to repeated vaginal exams. Some obstetricians will wait as long as 24 hours but that is less common. In contrast, midwives, who do not routinely perform cervical checks unless specifically indicated or requested, thus limiting the chance of infection, will often allow up to 36-48 hours as long as no indications of an active infection are present.
  • A large study of 3000 women’s opinions of the intervention was conducted by the National Childbirth Trust (1989). Two thirds of the women in this study reported an increase in rate, strength and pain of contractions following membrane rupture; they found these contractions more difficult to cope with, needed more analgesia and felt that the physiology of labour was disturbed.
  • When there is concern that labour is slowing down, benign measures to intensify contractions such as positional changes and movement may prevent the need for more invasive interventions (Simkin 2010). The Cochrane review of maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour supports the positive impact mobility has in shortening labour (Lawrence et al. 2009).
  • Smyth et al. 2007 studies showed that amniotomy is not an effective method of shortening spontaneous labour and increases the risk of caesarean section and more fetal heart abnormalities

*Link List
 For further exploration on your part

What do you think? Is this an option you would consider, or that you chose for during your birth?

Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, PaysonDisclaimer:
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.  This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.

Info Sheet: Stripping Membranes

Posted on April 18, 2014 at 7:04 PM Comments comments (83)

The information below is paraphrased and/or quoted from the listed sources.

*Definition of the procedure
Stripping Membranes
Stripping membranes, sometimes called "sweeping of the membranes" or "membrane sweeping", is a method used to try to start labor. The health care provider puts her or his finger into the cervix – the mouth of the uterus – and uses the finger to separate the bag of waters from the side of the uterus near the cervix. This releases local prostaglandins/hormones that can trigger contractions. It can be done in your doctor or midwife's office.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) notes that for the purpose of it's guideline, membrane sweeping is regarded as an adjunct to induction of labor rather than an actual method of induction.
Sweeping (or stripping) the membranes (sometimes referred to as a 'strip and stretch') is an old method of induction that was first documented in the year 1810.

The available evidence suggests that sweeping the membranes promotes the onset of labor. For women thought to require induction of labor, a reduction in the use of more formal methods of induction could be expected. For women near term (37 to 40 weeks of gestation) in an uncomplicated pregnancy there seems to be little justification for performing routine sweeping of membranes. Sweeping of the membranes is probably safe, provided that the intervention is avoided in pregnancies complicated by placenta praevia or when contraindications for labor and/or vaginal delivery are present. There is no evidence that sweeping the membranes increases the risk of maternal and neonatal infection, or of premature rupture of the membranes. However, women’s discomfort during the procedure and other side-effects must be balanced with the expected benefits before submitting women to sweeping of the membranes.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), stripping membranes increases the likelihood of spontaneous labor within 48 hours and reduces the incidence of induction with other methods.

  • It is a drug free…method of stimulating labor
  • It may mean you avoid further intervention
  • You can have it performed at home or in your health care providers office
  • Spontaneous delivery is more likely
  • Has been found to reduce the risk of post term gestation, or pregnancy continuing past 41 weeks.

In a randomized trial of 274 women, the women who underwent membrane sweeping had:

  • Higher spontaneous vaginal delivery rate (69% vs 56%, P=.041)
  • Shorter induction-to-delivery interval (mean 14 vs 19 hours, P=.003)
  • Fewer requirements for oxytocin (46% vs 59%, P=.037)
  • Shorter duration of oxytocin infuson (mean 2.6 vs 4.3 hours, P=.001)
  • Greater satisfaction with the birth process

  • Possible discomfort during procedure
  • Possible discomfort after procedure
  • Possible abdominal cramping after procedure
  • Possible spotting after procedure
  • The cramping that may occur in the 24 hours after your membranes are stripped can make it hard to rest or sleep; this means that you might lose some sleep before actually going into labor.

  • Some people worry that membrane stripping may cause the bag of water to break or cause mothers or babies to become sick. Studies have found that membrane stripping does not make them more likely.
  • Possible risk of spreading infection for mothers that are GBS positive

*Links with other options to explore

Was this intervention part of your birth story? What is your insight?
Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and posted.
Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, PaysonThe material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.  This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.

Warning Labels: Drugs Used for Augmentation

Posted on June 21, 2013 at 11:07 AM Comments comments (28)
When looking up the drugs used that stimulate uterine contractions, Oxytocics, I also noticed that this post needs to include the drugs that are used to reverse the effect of those drugs, a group called Tocolytics.  As with the two previous posts in this series, I have listed the FDA Pregnancy category, included links to the complete drug profiles, and then pulled out the warning, adverse reaction, and contraindication sections for you to read right here and right now.

To be clear – we are not anti-care provider or anti-drug.  We are grateful for modern medicine that saves lives in circumstances when Mother Nature needs help.  It exists for a reason, and we are thankful for the opportunity to meet all the Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies when we hold a class reunion.

We are passionate about helping families have their Best Possible Birth.  By that we mean the path that leads each individual family to a Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby outcome.  We want families to have a toolbox full of tips and techniques that help them manage the ebb and flow of labor.  We want them to be comfortable with the path of a normal, low-risk labor.  We want them to have true informed consent by having an open line of communication with their care providers.

To that end, I am sharing the information below in the interest of furthering our goal that all our students have true informed consent: knowing all the benefits and risks of a drug or procedure.  It is very rare for anyone to read the drug information insert that comes in all drug packages.  To save you time and squinting, we are already researched Epidural Drugs and Induction Drugs.  To conclude the “Warning Label” Series, here are the drugs used for Augmentation and to counteract the strong contractions they have the potential to stimulate.

PITOCIN: Pregnancy Category X
“Antepartum [before delivery] use of Pitocin is contraindicated in any of the following circumstances:
Where there is significant cephalopelvic disproportion;
In unfavorable fetal positions or presentations, such as transverse lies, which are undeliverable without conversion prior to delivery;
In obstetrical emergencies where the benefit-to-risk ratio for either the fetus or the mother favors surgical intervention;
In fetal distress where delivery is not imminent;
Where adequate uterine activity fails to achieve satisfactory progress;
Where the uterus is already hyperactive or hypertonic;
In cases where vaginal delivery is contraindicated, such as invasive cervical carcinoma, active herpes genitalis, total placenta previa, vasa previa, and cord presentation or prolapse of the cord;
In patients with hypersensitivity to the drug.”

“When properly administered, oxytocin should stimulate uterine contractions comparable to those seen in normal labor. Overstimulation of the uterus by improper administration can be hazardous to both mother and fetus. Even with proper administration and adequate supervision, hypertonic contractions can occur in patients whose uteri are hypersensitive to oxytocin. This fact must be considered by the physician in exercising his judgment regarding patient selection.”

“Except in unusual circumstances, oxytocin should not be administered in the following conditions: fetal distress, hydramnios, partial placenta previa, prematurity, borderline cephalopelvic disproportion, and any condition in which there is a predisposition for uterine rupture, such as previous major surgery on the cervix or uterus including cesarean section, overdistention of the uterus, grand multiparity, or past history of uterine sepsis or of traumatic delivery. Because of the variability of the combinations of factors which may be present in the conditions listed above, the definition of "unusual circumstances" must be left to the judgment of the physician. The decision can be made only by carefully weighing the potential benefits which oxytocin can provide in a given case against rare but definite potential for the drug to produce hypertonicity or tetanic spasm.
Maternal deaths due to hypertensive episodes, subarachnoid hemorrhage, rupture of the uterus, and fetal deaths due to various causes have been reported associated with the use of parenteral oxytocic drugs for induction of labor or for augmentation in the first and second stages of labor.”

“Oxytocin has been shown to have an intrinsic antidiuretic effect, acting to increase water reabsorption from the glomerular filtrate. Consideration should, therefore, be given to the possibility of water intoxication, particularly when oxytocin is administered continuously by infusion and the patient is receiving fluids by mouth.
When oxytocin is used for induction or reinforcement of already existent labor, patients should be carefully selected. Pelvic adequacy must be considered and maternal and fetal conditions evaluated before use of the drug.”

Adverse Reactions
“The following adverse reactions have been reported in the mother:

  • Anaphylactic reaction
  • Premature ventricular contractions
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Pelvic hematoma
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Fatal afibrinogenemia
  • Hypertensive episodes
  • Nausea
  • Rupture of the uterus
  • Vomiting
  • Excessive dosage or hypersensitivity to the drug may result in uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction, or rupture of the uterus.”

“The possibility of increased blood loss and afibrinogenemia should be kept in mind when administering the drug.”

“Severe water intoxication with convulsions and coma has occurred, associated with a slow oxytocin infusion over a 24-hour period. Maternal death due to oxytocin-induced water intoxication has been reported.”

“The following adverse reactions have been reported in the fetus or neonate:
Due to induced uterine motility:

  •   Bradycardia
  •   Premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias
  •   Permanent CNS or brain damage
  •   Fetal death
  •   Neonatal seizures have been reported with the use of Pitocin.
Due to use of oxytocin in the mother:
  • Low Apgar scores at five minutes
  • Neonatal jaundice
  • Neonatal retinal hemorrhage

Related drug SYNTOCINON® - most of the information is identical

ERGOTRATE (ERGONOVINE) – Pregnancy: Should not be administered prior to delivery or delivery of the placenta
“Use of ergonovine is contraindicated during pregnancy…Tetanic contractions may result in decreased uterine blood flow and fetal distress.”

Labor and delivery—
“High doses of ergonovine administered prior to delivery may cause uterine tetany and problems in the infant (hypoxia, intracranial hemorrhage) {03}. Ergonovine should not be administered prior to delivery of the placenta…Administration prior to delivery of the placenta may cause captivation of the placenta…or missed diagnosis of a second infant, due to excessive uterine contraction.”

“Problems in humans have not been documented. However, ergot alkaloids are excreted in breast milk…Although inhibition of lactation has not been reported for ergonovine, other ergot alkaloids inhibit lactation. Also, studies have shown that ergonovine interferes with the secretion of prolactin (to a lesser degree than bromocriptine) in the immediate postpartum period…This could result in delayed or diminished lactation with prolonged use.”

“Ergot alkaloids have the potential to cause chronic ergot poisoning in the infant if used in higher-than-recommended doses or if used for a longer period of time than is generally recommended.”

"Elimination of ergonovine may be prolonged in newborns...Neonates inadvertently administered ergonovine in overdose amounts have developed respiratory depression, cyanosis, seizures, decreased urine output, and severe peripheral vasoconstriction."

“For routine management after delivery of the placenta; postpartum atony and hemorrhage; subinvolution. Under full obstetric supervision, it may be given in the second stage of labor following delivery of the anterior shoulder.”

"Hypertension; toxemia; pregnancy; and hypersensitivity."

MAGNESIUM SULFATE: Pregnancy Category A
“Studies in pregnant women have not shown evidence of fetal risk if magnesium sulfate is administered during any trimesters of pregnancy. However, because studies cannot completely rule out the possibility of harm, magnesium sulfate injection is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.”

“Newborns may show signs of magnesium toxicity (i.e. respiratory and/or neuromuscular depression) if the mother has received intravenous magnesium sulfate prior to delivery (especially if for a period of longer than 24 hours). Equipment for assisted ventilation as well as intravenous calcium should be immediately available for the first 24 to 48 hours after delivery. One study has reported that maternal magnesium sulfate treatment is associated with reduced brain blood flow perfusion in preterm infants. However, intravenous magnesium sulfate did not lead to lower neonate Apgar scores in a study of women treated for preeclampsia even though the newborns cord level indicated hypermagnesemia.”

TERBUTALINE (BRETHINE): Pregnancy Category B
“Terbutaline has been shown to cross the placenta, and the fetus may experience the general adverse effects reported in the mother. Pulmonary edema has been associated with the intravenous use of terbutaline in pregnant women. Myocardial necrosis in one infant was thought to be associated with terbutaline given at a rate of 0.5 mg/hr for 12 weeks by subcutaneous infusion. In one retrospective review of 8,709 patients receiving continuous low-dose subcutaneous infusion of terbutaline to arrest preterm labor, only 47 (0.54%) had one or more cardiopulmonary problems. Pulmonary edema was reported in 28 patients (0.32%), 17 of whom had been treated concurrently with large amounts of IV fluids or one to three tocolytic agents and four of whom had been diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension and/or multiple gestation. Other cardiovascular effects occurred in 19 patients (0.22%), including electrocardiogram changes, irregular heart rate, chest pain, or shortness of breath. However, 7 of these patients had a history of cardiac problems. Use of terbutaline in pregnant women for the relief of bronchospasm may interfere with uterine contractility. For the treatment of asthma, administration by metered dose inhaler results in lower plasma concentrations and consequently fewer adverse effects for the mother and fetus. Hepatitis has been reported in at least two patients receiving terbutaline to control premature labor.”

“Terbutaline has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity. Terbutaline is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.”

INDOMETHACIN (NSAID): Pregnancy Category C
“Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity or fetal harm except at doses which result in significant maternal toxicity. There are no controlled data in early human pregnancy. Indomethacin has been used in the management of premature labor. However, fetal hemodynamic changes, premature closure of the ductus arteriosus resulting in neonatal primary pulmonary hypertension, and neonatal oliguric renal failure, oligohydramnios, hemorrhage, and intestinal perforation have been reported as a result of this tocolytic therapy. Indomethacin is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.”

“Indomethacin crosses the placenta. In one study, 26 pregnant patients were administered indomethacin 50 mg orally one time approximately six hours prior to scheduled cordocentesis, at a gestational age of 23.6 to 36.6 weeks. At the time of the procedure, maternal serum indomethacin concentrations ranged from 42 to 690 ng/mL (mean 218 ng/mL) while fetal concentrations ranged from 87 to 496 ng/mL (mean 219 ng/mL). The mean maternal to fetal serum concentration ratio was 0.97. There was no correlation between gestational age and maternal/fetal ratio. Amniotic fluid concentrations averaged 21 ng/mL. Indomethacin has been used successfully in the treatment of premature labor as well as polyhydramnios. In several studies, indomethacin was as effective and better tolerated than beta-agonists for premature labor. However, while earlier reports and studies suggested indomethacin was safe for the fetus or neonate, especially when use was confined to pregnancies of 34 weeks gestation or less, more recent data suggest a substantial increase in the risk of serious fetal or neonatal side effects. Eronen (1993) studied the effects of indomethacin or nylidrin on the fetal and neonatal ductus arteriosus and tricuspid valve function. A total of 84 pregnancies (94 fetuses) with premature labor between 22.9 and 34.0 weeks gestation were evaluated. Ductal constriction occurred in 46/49 (86%) of fetuses (gestational age 24.0 to 34.0 weeks) treated with indomethacin. The gestational age of the fetuses without ductal constriction ranged from 24.3 to 28.6 weeks. Eleven fetuses with ductal constriction also had tricuspid regurgitation. Data from this study suggest increasing reactivity of the ductus with increasing gestational age; although, ductal constriction occurred in one fetus at 22.9 weeks gestation. In addition to hemodynamic changes, other serious sequelae of maternal indomethacin use have been documented. One study compared 57 infants delivered at or before 30 weeks gestation whose mothers received indomethacin for the treatment of premature labor with 57 infants whose mothers had not received indomethacin. The total dose of indomethacin ranged from 50 to 6000 mg (median 425 mg) and the duration of therapy ranged from 1 to 79 days (median 3 days). Necrotizing enterocolitis occurred in 29% of infants exposed to indomethacin compared with an 8% incidence in the control group (p=0.005). Intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 28% of infants in the indomethacin group compared with only 9% in the control group (p=0.02). Maternal use of indomethacin has resulted in reduced fetal urine output and subsequent oligohydramnios, neonatal renal failure, fetal pleural effusion, and ileal perforation. In addition, at least two cases of neonatal lower limb ischemia have been reported following prolonged intrauterine exposure to indomethacin. Fetal echocardiograms after 24 hours of maternal indomethacin therapy and then weekly, thereafter, if long-term therapy is necessary, have been recommended. In addition, assessment of amniotic fluid volume is also recommended.”

RITODRINE (YUPOTAR): Pregnancy Category B
“There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Neonatal hypoglycemia, tachycardia, and ileus have been reported. Rarely, ketoacidosis resulting in fetal death has been reported. Ritodrine is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.”

The material included on this site is for informational purposes only.
It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.  This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.
Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson


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Very Sexy for Him Car Scent [Tobacco Lid]

  • $12.00

Only 1 left!

These super cute car scents are perfect for not only your car, but they can be used on a hanger in your closet to have your clothes stay smellin' good! These are all handmade here in Texas! They last about 2-6 months. They come in many different scents, colors, and shapes, so you have so many to choose from. We have some for the guys and the gals, so everyone can be blessed with a nice smelling car/truck or clothes!

To attach to either a rear view mirror, hanger, etc. tie the string around tight and it will stay there until you remove it! It is super easy and an amazing detail!

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North Vancouver

Availability: Now

Square Footage: 750ft²

Pets: Upon Approval

Furnished: No

Luxury Basement Suite

A luxurious new build with over 750 sq.ft of well-planned space utilizing luxury finishings & appliances, this home is a renters dream come true! From top to bottom, there is no detail that has been overlooked and no expense spared, such as luxurious wooden floors, high ceilings across the entire suite, SOUND proofed, high-end stainless appliances, ensuite washer and dryer 2 ample sides bedrooms and bathrooms while giving you the privacy of a separate entrance and dedicated car-port.

To schedule a showing please contact Rahil at viewings @ sycamorepm.ca
It would be helpful to know the total number of tenants, your preferred start date and length of the term.

This is a non-smoking, unfurnished rental available for a minimum of a one year lease.

Remax Masters Realty
1453 Bellevue Avenue
West Vancouver BC V7T 1C3

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Hoist Weekly Roundup w/Peta & Riley

Ready for a groovy lineup of new local music?!

Here at The Hoist Peta and Riley have gathered a large variety of groovy new local tracks they have been loving!!

Here are some of the tracks they are grooving along to:

The Belafontes- Tired

The husband and wife duo have just had a bub so I am MUY impressed with their ability to pump out a full-bodied EP – the rest of Desk Job is a belter. This song ironically pumps in the background during my working hours. It’s just a subtle reminder that WFH can still be a harp and a half.

Beatnik Collective- Peer Pressure

2019 was a very busy year for Beatnik. They played multiple gigs each week and redefined their ensemble. Bummed that I couldn’t see them support for First Beige due to #rona – Peer Pressure is a gift from the contemporary Jazz godz. A redefining accompaniment to LA’s Sam Gendel on sax. What a triumph of a collaboration. The man went to school with Louis Cole and jams with Ezra Koenig. Dayum.

Ghost Bumps- Spacesuit

This song’s ultra playful and whimsical, it’ll literally make you feel like a bored and unstimulated astronaut floating aimlessly through space. Just go home dawg, ya shouldn’t be out! Home aside, Ghost Bumps are an alt-rock group I’m aching to catch when gigs startup again. If you’re a Sunfruits and Babe Rainbow fab you’ll dig.

spacesuit   LISTEN HERE: Ghost Bumps- Spacesuit

Sophie Edwards- Early Bird

Early bird is such an honest and heartfelt retelling of that moment you realise you need to stop crushing hard for an egotistical loser. There are singing birds, violins and Gus Gus running across the piano keys. It’s a pretty coming-of-age moment that has grittiness with the personalised imperfections of Sophie’s Aussie accented vocals. Just lovely.

 Yuto ft. Julia Lostrom – Tell Me

The Yuto brothers weave together pop with RnB so delicately with this song. Simple elements and percussive pulses that amplify the heck out of Jess’s insane control. If Flume and FKJ had a bebeh it’d be this track and I want to be the godmother.

KYVA – Dollar Signs

KYVA delivers some Dev Hynes sounds with their new single. The track is groovy whilst equally being a bit melancholy. The song paints a picture of riding a bike at dusk by the beach. The soothing vocals guide you through the song over the rolling synth beats.

Airline Food – When I Was Young

The new single from Perth band Airline Food hits the spot. You can definitely tell they are a Perth band, they just have that “sound”, that good “sound” that Perth bands have. The wavy psychedelic nature of the track combines that current-day indie, with the old school psych-rock and a pinch of 80s synth vibe to create a wonderful music cocktail. Whilst listening, it reminds me of MGMT circa Little Dark Age, so if you’re into that, you’ll be into this track.

FLOSSY – The Mess You Made

Perth duo FLOSSY’s new track packs some aggression under the catchy melody. The upbeat track has gorgeous harmonising and fuzzy guitar contrast against the emotional lyrics, something the indie rock genre is oh, so good at doing. FLOSSY give me big 90s rock girl band vibes and in my books, that’s always a positive.

SULT – Gaslight

My brain instantly thought of Killing Heidi when I first I heard this song. SULT is a duo from Wollongong that pair a gorgeous sound with heavy lyrics for the second single. The band have said they’re “not afraid to talk about things that people say women shouldn’t”. This song explores some important themes whilst embracing and indie-pop sound. Keeping eyes peeled for anything else they have to gift listeners ears with.

Alt Fiction – All My Friends

If you to escape into a dream reality from this isolation reality then Alt Fiction’s new track is for you. The scenario of you on the beach with your mates may seem out of reach right now but this track can help you imagine it. The Queensland trio’s debut single has that indie sound that many people love and with a beachy theme it’s destined to be a good listen for many Aussies at the moment.

Written by Peta Petidis & Riley Geary Goodwin


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Family · Holiday

Cute Classroom Valentine’s Day Ideas

I was picking out Valentines for my son’s class and went down the Etsy rabbit hole FAST! You absolutely cannot go wrong with Etsy for cute printables! I get all my birthday invitations and tags from them and now cute Valentine’s labels. They are so inexpensive as well. Spend just a few dollars on the file, print them at home, and attach to your gift! So easy, and CUTE!

Here are some of my favorites I found!

1. You’re Awesome-Sauce Valentine! Just attach to a pouch of apple sauce and done!val2

2. I do-nut know what I would do without a friend like you: Attach a pack of pre-packaged donuts from the grocery store or get some pretty pink iced ones from your local bakery and individually wrap them! val3

3.  Yoda Best! How stinking cute are these with the glow stick? You can get a pack of 10-12 from Dollar Tree, so these are super affordable as well! You can also find them HERE. val4

4. I’m wild about you, Valentine!Attach this label to some animal crackers or an animal themed toy!val5

5. Have a poppin’ Day! Attach to a bag of microwave popcorn or a bag of pre-packaged gourmet popcorn!val6

6. We Mermaid to be friends: So precious for the little mermaid lover! These are specifically made for juice pouches, but you can definitely get creative.val7

7. I’m Beary Happy we’re friends! Attach to some yummy gummy bears or a little stuffed bear plush!val8

8. You’re a-doh-able Valentine! What kid doesn’t love playdough? Get a 15 pack for only $5 HERE!val9

9. I dig you Valentine! I thought this was fun and creative with the little shovels! Especially if you live in an area near the beach! Add whatever goodies you want to the bag!val10

10. You’re Dino-mite! I have a couple dinosaur obsessed boys (it will be my soon to be 5 year old’s party theme this year) and so I thought this idea was absolutely adorable! Get a pack of little dinos super cheap and you are good to go!

Now we can’t forget our teachers! They deserve some love on Valentine’s Day too! Especially after all they do for our littles. I grabbed a few ideas for them (gift cards are always a good idea) and rounded them up here.

1. Thank you for being an Amazing teacher: The card says it all and the gift card is certainly appreciated by teachers. teach2

2. Thank you a Latte! This is just so adorable and perfect for the coffee lover!teach4

3. You are hands down the best teacher! Teachers this time of year I don’t think can get enough hand sanitizer. Its still flu season, y’all! This gift is both cute and thoughtful. teach1

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Jimmy Kimmel hosted his show with a black eye and bandage on Monday, and he tried to explain what had happened with an amusing video reenactment.

He also managed to squeeze in a Paula Deen joke

(Sources: ABC-TV and GossipCop.com)

Jimmy Kimmel Performs Black Eye Re-Enactment

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On ‘Good Morning America,’ actress Natalie Portman explained why she took her newest role as a ballerina in the film ‘Black Swan.’ “I really wanted to work with Darren Aronofsky … I’ve just admired his work forever. So, when he approached me about it 10 years ago, I was just excited at the prospect of working with him. And I also just love dance,” Portman said, adding that she danced as a young girl until 12 years of age.

Portman said that, in order to portray a ballerina on the big screen, she felt like she needed to train like one. “We were doing, like, 5-8 hours of day of ballet, cross training with swimming, toning, just, basically, working out all day,” she said. “It gave me a complete, new respect for ballet dancing.”

(Source: TVSquad.com and ABC-TV)

Natalie Portman: Training for “Black Swan”

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2016 Harley-Davidson SuperLow

Stock number: T415554
VIN number: 1HD1LL310GC415554
Family: Sportster
Condition: Pre-owned
Year: 2016
Mileage: 23823 mi
Color: Custom Colour Cosmic Blue Pearl
Location: Tallahassee Harley-Davidson®

2016 Harley-Davidson SuperLow

If ever a motorcycle could turn a trip to the corner store into a cross-country trek, the Super Low® 1200T model is the one. You’ve got a light, nimble frame for easy handling. Detachable windshield and lockable saddlebags for the open road. A new seat for all-day comfort. And a low center of gravity coupled with an all-new suspension that lets you eat tight city traffic and twisting miles of highway with equal ease. Fire it up. See where it takes you.

This Harley has a new battery installed, a new front tire, and a 25k service was completed after arrival. Call or text 850-205-4294 to schedule a test ride and day of the week.

Length: 87.6 in
Seat Height: 27.8 in
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal
Dry Weight: 573 lbs
Engine: Air-cooled, Evolution®
Displacement: 73.41 in3
Engine torque: 70.8 ft-lb
Front: Black/Silver, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum - 120/70 ZR-18 59W
Rear: Black/Silver, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum - 150/70 ZR-17 69W

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International Bullying Prevention Association

Siblings, The Summer, and Bullying

By | Bullies and Victims, Bully, bullying prevention, Do Something, Dr. Barbara Greenberg, International Bullying Prevention Association, Pediatrics, sibling bullying, siblings, SuEllen Fried, summer activities, Uncategorized | No Comments

This week’s anti-bullying buzz is about siblings.  A new study published by the journal Pediatrics, reveals that sibling bullying can be just as harmful as peer bullying to children’s mental health. When kids are out of school and spending more…

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International Bullying Prevention Conference

By | bullying, bullying prevention, Center for Social and Emotional Education, elementary schools, International Bullying Prevention Association, New Orleans, school administrators, school counselors, Uncategorized | No Comments

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already interested in doing something about bullying and cyberbullying. The statistics are staggering but the reality of the pain it causes to kids, families and schools is mind blowing. Schools and counselors know what…

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New Moon (Chapter 21 VERDICT)

WE WERE IN A BRIGHTLY LIT, UNREMARKABLE HALLWAY. The walls were off-white, the floor carpeted in industrial gray. Common rectangular fluorescent lights were spaced evenly along the ceiling. It was warmer here, for which I was grateful. This hall seemed very benign after the gloom of the ghoulish stone sewers.

Edward didn't seem to agree with my assessment. He glowered darkly down the long hallway, toward the slight, black shrouded figure at the end, standing by an elevator.

He pulled me along, and Alice walked on my other side. The heavy door creaked shut behind us, and then there was the thud of a bolt sliding home.

Jane waited by the elevator, one hand holding the doors open for us. Her expression was apathetic.

Once inside the elevator, the three vampires that belonged to the Volturi relaxed further. They threw back their cloaks, letting the hoods fall back on their shoulders. Felix and Demetri were both of a slightly olive complexion��it looked odd combined with their chalky pallor. Felix's black hair was cropped short, but Demetri's waved to his shoulders. Their irises were deep crimson around the edges, darkening until they were black around the pupil. Under the shrouds, their clothes were modern, pale, and nondescript. I cowered in the corner, cringing against Edward. His hand still rubbed against my arm. He never took his eyes off Jane.

The elevator ride was short; we stepped out into what looked like a posh office reception area. The walls were paneled in wood, the floors carpeted in thick, deep green. There were no windows, but large, brightly lit paintings of the Tuscan countryside hung everywhere as replacements. Pale leather couches were arranged in cozy groupings, and the glossy tables held crystal vases full of vibrantly colored bouquets. The flowers' smell reminded me of a funeral home.

In the middle of the room was a high, polished mahogany counter. I gawked in astonishment at the woman behind it.

She was tall, with dark skin and green eyes. She would have been very pretty in any other company��but not here. Because she was every bit as human as I was. I couldn't comprehend what this human woman was doing here, totally at ease, surrounded by vampnes.

She smiled politely in welcome. "Good afternoon, Jane," she said. There was no surprise in her face as she glanced at Jane's company. Not Edward, his bare chest glinting dimly in the white lights, or even me, disheveled and comparatively hideous.

Jane nodded. "Gianna." She continued toward a set of double doors in the back of the room, and we followed.

As Felix passed the desk, he winked at Gianna, and she giggled.

On the other side of the wooden doors was a different kind of reception. The pale boy in the pearl gray suit could have been Jane's twin. His hair was darker, and his lips were not as full, but he was just as lovely. He came forward to meet us. He smiled, reaching for her. "Jane."

"Alec," she responded, embracing the boy. They kissed each other's cheeks on both sides. Then he looked at us.

"They send you out for one and you come back with two�� and a half," he noted, looking at me. "Nice work."

She laughed��the sound sparkled with delight like a baby's cooing.

"Welcome back, Edward," Alec greeted him. "You seem in a better mood."

"Marginally," Edward agreed in a flat voice. I glanced at Edward's hard face, and wondered how his mood could have been darker before.

Alec chuckled, and examined me as I clung to Edward's side. "And this is the cause of all the trouble?" he asked, skeptical.

Edward only smiled, his expression contemptuous. Then he froze.

"Dibs," Felix called casually from behind.

Edward turned, a low snarl building deep in his chest. Felix smiled��his hand was raised, palm up; he curled his fingers twice, inviting Edward forward.

Alice touched Edward's arm. "Patience," she cautioned him.

They exchanged a long glance, and I wished I could hear what she was telling him. I figured that it was something to do with not attacking Felix, because Edward took a deep breath and turned back to Alec.

"Aro will be so pleased to see you again," Alec said, as if nothing had passed.

"Let's not keep him waiting," Jane suggested.

Edward nodded once.

Alec and Jane, holding hands, led the way down yet another wide, ornate hall��would there ever be an end?

They ignored the doors at the end of the hall��doors entirely sheathed in gold��stopping halfway down the hall and sliding aside a piece of the paneling to expose a plain wooden door. It wasn't locked. Alec held it open for Jane.

I wanted to groan when Edward pulled me through to the other side of the door. It was the same ancient stone as the square, the alley, and the sewers. And it was dark and cold again.

The stone antechamber was not large. It opened quickly into a brighter, cavernous room, perfectly round like a huge castle turret�� which was probably exactly what it was.

Two stories up, long window slits threw thin rectangles of bright sunlight onto the stone floor below. There were no artificial lights. The only furniture in the room were several massive wooden chairs, like thrones, that were spaced unevenly, flush with the curving stone walls. In the very center of the circle, in a slight depression, was another drain. I wondered if they used it as an exit, like the hole in the street.

The room was not empty. A handful of people were convened in seemingly relaxed conversation. The murmur of low, smooth voices was a gentle hum in the air. As I watched, a pair of pale women in summer dresses paused in a patch of light, and, like prisms, their skin threw the light in rainbow sparkles against the sienna walls.

The exquisite faces all turned toward our party as we entered the room. Most of the immortals were dressed in inconspicuous pants and shirts��things that wouldn't stick out at all on the streets below. But the man who spoke first wore one of the long robes. It was pitch-black, and brushed against the floor. For a moment, I thought his long, jet-black hair was the hood of his cloak.

"Jane, dear one, you've returned!" he cried in evident delight. His voice was just a soft sighing.

He drifted forward, and the movement flowed with such surreal grace that I gawked, my mouth hangmg open. Even Alice, whose every motion looked like dancing, could not compare.

I was only more astonished as he floated closer and I could see his face. It was not like the unnaturally attractive faces that surrounded him (for he did not approach us alone; the entire group converged around him, some following, and some walking ahead of him with the alert manner of bodyguards). I couldn't decide if his face was beautiful or not. I suppose the features were perfect. But he was as different from the vampires beside him as they were from me. His skin was translucently white, like onionskin, and it looked just as delicate��it stood in shocking contrast to the long black hair that framed his face. I felt a strange, horrifying urge to touch his cheek, to see if it was softer than Edward's or Alice's, or if it was powdery, like chalk. His eyes were red, the same as the others around him, but the color was clouded, milky; I wondered if his vision was affected by the haze.

He glided to Jane, took her face in his papery hands, kissed her lightly on her full lips, and then floated back a step.

"Yes, Master." Jane smiled; the expression made her look like an angelic child. "I brought him back alive, just as you wished."

"Ah, Jane." He smiled, too. "You are such a comfort to me."

He turned his misty eyes toward us, and the smile brightened��became ecstatic.

"And Alice and Bella, too!" he rejoiced, clapping his thin hands together. "This is a happy surprise! Wonderful!"

I stared in shock as he called our names informally, as if we were old friends dropping in for an unexpected visit.

He turned to our hulking escort. "Felix, be a dear and tell my brothers about our company. I'm sure they wouldn't want to miss this."

"Yes, Master." Felix nodded and disappeared back the way we had come.

"You see, Edward?" The strange vampire turned and smiled at Edward like a fond but scolding grandfather. "What did I tell you? Aren't you glad that I didn't give you what you wanted yesterday?"

"Yes, Aro, I am," he agreed, tightening his arm around my waist.

"I love a happy ending." Aro sighed. "They are so rare. But I want the whole story. How did this happen? Alice?" He turned to gaze at Alice with curious, misty eyes. "Your brother seemed to think you infallible, but apparently there was some mistake."

"Oh, I'm far from infallible." She flashed a dazzling smile. She looked perfectly at ease, except that her hands were balled into tight little fists. "As you can see today, I cause problems as often as I cure them."

"You're too modest," Aro chided. "I've seen some of your more amazing exploits, and I must admit I've never observed anything like your talent. Wonderful!"

Alice flickered a glance at Edward. Aro did not miss it.

"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced properly at all, have we? It's just that I feel like I know you already, and I tend get ahead of myself. Your brother introduced us yesterday, in a peculiar way. You see, I share some of your brother's talent, only I am limited in a way that he is not." Aro shook his head; his tone was envious.

"And also exponentially more powerful," Edward added dryly. He looked at Alice as he swiftly explained. "Aro needs physical contact to hear your thoughts, but he hears much more than I do. You know I can only hear what's passing through your head in the moment. Aro hears every thought your mind has ever had."

Alice raised her delicate eyebrows, and Edward inclined his head.

Aro didn't miss that either.

"But to be able to hear from a distance��" Aro sighed, gesturing toward the two of them, and the exchange that had just taken place. "That would be so convenient."

Aro looked over our shoulders. All the other heads turned in the same direction, including Jane, Alec, and Demetri, who stood silently beside us.

I was the slowest to turn. Felix was back, and behind him floated two more black-robed men. Both looked very much like Aro, one even had the same flowing black hair. The other had a shock of snow-white hair��the same shade as his face��that brushed against his shoulders. Their faces had identical, paper-thin skin.

The trio from Carlisle's painting was complete, unchanged by the last three hundred years since it was painted.

"Marcus, Caius, look!" Aro crooned. "Bella is alive after all, and Alice is here with her! Isn't that wonderful?"

Neither of the other two looked as if wonderful would be their first choice of words. The dark-haired man seemed utterly bored, like he'd seen too many millennia of Aro's enthusiasm. The other's hice was sour under the snowy hair.

Their lack of interest did not curb Aro's enjoyment.

"Let us have the story," Aro almost sang in his feathery voice.

The white-haired ancient vampire drifted away, gliding toward one of the wooden thrones. The other paused beside Aro, and he reached his hand out, at first I thought to take Aro's hand. But he just touched Aro's palm briefly and then dropped his hand to his side. Aro raised one black brow. I wondered how his papery skin did not crumple in the effort.

Edward snorted very quietly, and Alice looked at him, curious.

"Thank you, Marcus," Aro said. "That's quite interesting."

I realized, a second late, that Marcus was letting Aro know his thoughts.

Marcus didn't look interested. He glided away from Aro to join the one who must be Caius, seated against the wall. Two of the attending vampires followed silently behind him��bodyguards, like I'd thought before. I could see that the two women in the sundresses had gone to stand beside Caius in the same manner. The idea of any vampire needing a guard was faintly ridiculous to me, but maybe the ancient ones were as frail as their skin suggested.

Aro was shaking his head. "Amazing,"' he said. "Absolutely amazing."

Alice's expression was frustrated. Edward turned to her and explained again in a swift, low voice. "Marcus sees relationships. He's surprised by the intensity of ours."

Aro smiled. "So convenient," he repeated to himself. Then he spoke to us. "It takes quite a bit to surprise Marcus, I can assure you."

I looked at Marcus's dead face, and I believed that.

"It's just so difficult to understand, even now," Aro mused, staring at Edward's arm wrapped around me. It was hard for me to follow Aro's chaotic train of thought. I struggled to keep up. "How can you stand so close to het like that?"

"It's not without effort," Edward answered calmly.

"Butstill��la tua cantante! What a waste!"

Edward chuckled once without humor. "I look at it more as a price."

Aro was skeptical. "A very high price."

"Opportunity cost."

Aro laughed. "If I hadn't smelled her through your memories, I wouldn't have believed the call of anyone's blood could be so strong. I've never felt anything like it myself. Most of us would trade much for such a gift, and yet you��"

"Waste it," Edward finished, his voice sarcastic now.

Aro laughed again. "Ah, how I miss my friend Carlisle! You remind me of him��only he was not so angry."

"Carlisle outshines me in many other ways as well."

"I certainly never thought to see Carlisle bested for self-control of all things, but you put him to shame."

"Hardly." Edward sounded impatient. As if he were tired of the preliminaries. It made me more afraid; I couldn't help but try to imagine what he expected would follow.

"I am gratified by his success," Aro mused. "Your memories of him are quite a gift for me, though they astonish me exceedingly. I am surprised by how it�� pleases me, his success in this unorthodox path he's chosen. I expected that he would waste, weaken with time. I'd scoffed at his plan to find others who would share his peculiar vision. Yet, somehow, I'm happy to be wrong."

Edward didn't reply.

"But your restraint!" Aro sighed. "I did not know such strength was possible. To inure yourself against such a siren call, not just once but again and again��if I had not felt it myself, I would not have believed."

Edward gazed back at Aro's admiration with no expression. I knew his face well enough��time had not changed that��to guess at something seething beneath the surface. I fought to keep my breathing even.

"Just remembering how she appeals to you��" Aro chuckled. "It makes me thirsty."

Edward tensed.

"Don't be disturbed," Aro reassured him. "I mean her no harm. But I am so curious, about one thing in particular." He eyed me with bright interest. "May I?" he asked eagerly, lifting one hand.

"Ask her," Edward suggested in a flat voice.

"Of course, how rude of me!" Aro exclaimed. "Bella," he addressed me directly now. "I'm fascinated that you are the one exception to Edward's impressive talent��so very interesting that such a thing should occur! And I was wondering, since our talents are similar in many ways, if you would be so kind as to allow me to try��to see if you are an exception for me, as well?"

My eyes flashed up to Edward's face in terror. Despite Aro's overt politeness, I didn't believe I really had a choice. I was horrified at the thought of allowing him to touch me, and yet also perversely intrigued by the chance to feel his strange skin.

Edward nodded in encouragement��whether because he was sure Aro would not hurt me, or because there was no choice, I couldn't tell.

I turned back to Aro and raised my hand slowly in front of me. It was trembling.

He glided closer, and I believe he meant his expression to be reassuring. But his papery features were too strange, too alien and frightening, to reassure. The look on his face was more confident than his words had been.

Aro reached out, as if to shake my hand, and pressed his insubstantial-looking skin against mine. It was hard, but felt brittle��shale rather than granite��and even colder than I expected.

His filmy eyes smiled down at mine, and it was impossible to look away. They were mesmerizing in an odd, unpleasant way.

Aro's face altered as I watched. The confidence wavered and became first doubt, then incredulity before he calmed it into a friendly mask.

"So very interesting," he said as he released my hand and drifted back.

My eyes flickered to Edward, and, though his face was composed, I thought he seemed a little smug.

Aro continued to drift wnh a thoughtful expression. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes flickering between the three of us. Then, abruptly, he shook his head.

"A first," he said to himself "I wonder if she is immune to our other talents�� Jane, dear?"

"No!" Edward snarled the word. Alice grabbed his arm with a restraining hand. He shook her off.

Little Jane smiled up happily at Aro. "Yes, Master?"

Edward was truly snarling now, the sound ripping and tearing from him, glaring at Aro with baleful eyes. The room had gone still, everyone watching him with amazed disbelief, as if he were committing some embarrassing social faux pas. I saw Felix grin hopefully and move a step forward. Aro glanced at him once, and he froze in place, his grin turning to a sulky expression.

Then he spoke to Jane. "I was wondering, my dear one, if Bella is immune to you."

I could barely hear Aro over Edward's furious growls. He let go of me, moving to hide me from their view. Caius ghosted in our direction, with his entourage, to watch.

Jane turned toward us with a beatific smile.

"Don't!" Alice cried as Edward launched himself at the little girl.

Before I could react, before anyone could jump between them, before Aro's bodyguards could tense, Edward was on the ground.

No one had touched him, but he was on the stone floor writhing in obvious agony, while I stared in horror.

Jane was smiling only at him now, and it all clicked together. What Alice had said about formidable gifts , why everyone treated Jane with such deference, and why Edward had thrown himself in her path before she could do that to me.

"Stop!" I shrieked, my voice echoing in the silence, jumping forward to put myself between them. But Alice threw her arms around me in an unbreakable grasp and ignored my struggles. No sound escaped Edward's lips as he cringed against the stones. It felt like my head would explode from the pain of watching this.

"Jane," Aro recalled her in a tranquil voice. She looked up quickly, still smiling with pleasure, her eyes questioning. As soon as Jane looked away, Edward was still.

Aro inclined his head toward me.

Jane turned her smile in my direction.

I didn't even meet her gaze. I watched Edward from the prison of Alice's arms, still struggling pointlessly.

"He's fine," Alice whispered in a tight voice. As she spoke, he sat up, and then sprang lightly to his feet. His eyes met mine, and they were horror-struck. At first I thought the horror was for what he had just suffered. But then he looked quickly at Jane, and back to me��and his face relaxed into relief.

I looked at Jane, too, and she no longer smiled. She glared at me, her jaw clenched with the intensity of her focus. I shrank back, waiting for the pain.

Nothing happened.

Edward was by my side again. He touched Alice's arm, and she surrendered me to him.

Aro started to laugh. "Ha, ha. ha," he chuckled. "This is wonderful!"

Jane hissed in frustration, leaning forward like she was preparing to spring.

"Don't be put out, dear one," Aro said in a comforting tone, placing a powder-light hand on her shoulder. "She confounds us all."

Jane's upper lip curled back ever her teeth as she continued to glare at me.

"Ha, ha, ha," Aro chortled again. "You're very brave, Edward, to endure in silence. I asked Jane to do that to me once��just out of curiosity." He shook his head in admiration.

Edward glared, disgusted.

"So what do we do with you now?" Aro sighed.

Edward and Alice stiffened. This was the part they'd been waiting for. I began to tremble.

"I don't suppose there's any chance that you've changed your mind?" Aro asked Edward hopefully. "Your talent would be an excellent addition to our little company."

Edward hesitated. From the corner of my eye, I saw both Felix and Jane grimace.

Edward seemed to weigh each word before he spoke it. "I'd�� rather�� not."

"Alice?" Aro asked, still hopeful. "Would you perhaps be interested in joining with us?"

"No, thank you," Alice said.

"And you, Bella?" Aro raised his eyebrows.

Edward hissed, low in my ears. I stared at Aro blankly. Was he joking? Or was he really asking me if I wanted to stay for dinner?

It was the white-haired Caius who broke the silence.

"What?" he demanded of Aro; his voice, though no more than a whisper, was flat.

"Caius, surely you see the potential," Aro chided him affectionately. "I haven't seen a prospective talent so promising since we found Jane and Alec. Can you imagine the possibilities when she is one of us?"

Caius looked away with a caustic expression. Jane's eyes sparked with indignation at the comparison.

Edward fumed beside me. I could hear a rumble in his chest, building toward a growl. I couldn't let his temper get him hurt.

"No, thank you," I spoke up in barely more than a whisper, my voice breaking in fright.

Aro sighed. "That's unfortunate. Such a waste."

Edward hissed. "Join or die, is that it? I suspected as much when we were brought to this room. So much for your laws."

The tone of his voice surprised me. He sounded irate, but there was something deliberate about his delivery��as if he'd chosen his words with great care.

"Of course not." Aro blinked, astonished. "We were already convened here, Edward, awaiting Heidi's return. Not for you."

"Aro," Caius hissed. "The law claims them."

Edward glared at Caius. "How so?" he demanded. He must have known what Caius was thinking, but he seemed determined to make him speak it aloud.

Caius pointed a skeletal finger at me. "She knows too much. You have exposed our secrets." His voice was papery thin, just like his skin.

"There are a few humans in on your charade here, as well," Edward reminded him, and I thought of the pretty receptionist below.

Caius's face twisted into a new expression. Was it supposed to be a smiled.

"Yes," he agreed. "But when they are no longer useful to us, they will serve to sustain us. That is not your plan for this one. If she betrays our secrets, are you prepared to destroy her? I think not," he scoffed.

"I wouldn't��," I began, still whispering. Caius silenced me with an icy look.

"Nor do you intend to make her one of us," Caius continued. "Therefore, she is a vulnerability. Though it is true, for this, only her life is forfeit. You may leave if you wish."

Edward bared his teeth.

"That's what I thought," Caius said, with something akin to pleasure. Felix leaned forward, eager.

"Unless��" Aro interrupted. He looked unhappy with the way the conversation had gone. "Unless you do intend to give her immortality?"

Edward pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment before he answered. "And if I do?"

Aro smiled, happy again. "Why, then you would be free to go home and give my regards to my friend Carlisle." His expression turned more hesitant. "But I'm afraid you would have to mean it."

Aro raised his hand in front of him.

Caius, who had begun to scowl furiously, relaxed.

Edward's lips tightened into a fierce line. He stared into my eyes, and I stared back.

"Mean it," I whispered. "Please."

Was it really such a loathsome idea? Would he rather die than change me? I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach.

Edward stared down at me with a tortured expression.

And then Alice stepped away from us, forward toward Aro. We turned to watch her. Her hand was raised like his.

She didn't say anything, and Aro waved off his anxious guard as they moved to block her approach. Aro met her halfway, and took her hand with an eager, acquisitive glint in his eyes.

He bent his head over their touching hands, his eyes closing as he concentrated. Alice was motionless, her face blank. I heard Edward's teeth snap together.

No one moved. Aro seemed frozen over Alice's hand. The seconds passed and I grew more and more stressed, wondering how much time would pass before it was too much time. Before it meant something was wrong��more wrong than it already was.

Another agonizing moment passed, and then Aro's voice broke the silence.

"Ha, ha, ha," he laughed, his head still bent forward. He looked up slowly, his eyes bright with excitement. "That was fascinating!"

Alice smiled dryly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"To see the things you've seen��especially the ones that haven't happened yet!" He shook his head in wonder.

"But that will," she reminded him, voice calm.

"Yes, yes, it's quite determined. Certainly there's no problem."

Caius looked bitterly disappointed��a feeling he seemed to share with Felix and Jane.

"Aro," Caius complained.

"Dear Caius," Aro smiled. "Do not fret. Think of the possibilities! They do not join us today, but we can always hope for the future. Imagine the joy young Alice alone would bring to our little household�� Besides, I'm so terribly curious to see how Bella turns out!"

Aro seemed convinced. Did he not realize how subjective Alice's visions were.' That she could make up her mind to transform me today, and then change it tomorrow? A million tiny decisions, her decisions and so many others', too��Edward's��could alter her path, and with that, the future.

And would it really matter that Alice was willing, would it make any difference if I did become a vampire, when the idea was so repulsive to Edward? If death was, to him, a better alternative than having me around forever, an immortal annoyance? Terrified as I was, I felt myself sinking down into depression, drowning in it��

"Then we are free to go now?" Edward asked in an even voice.

"Yes, yes," Aro said pleasantly. "But please visit again. It's been absolutely enthralling!"

"And we will visit you as well," Caius promised, his eyes suddenly half-closed like the heavy-lidded gaze of a lizard. "To be sure that you follow through on your side. Were I you, I would not delay too long. We do not offer second chances."

Edward's jaw clenched tight, but he nodded once.

Caius smirked and drifted back to where Marcus still sat, unmoving and uninterested.

Felix groaned.

"Ah, Felix." Aro smiled, amused. "Heidi will be here at any moment. Patience."

"Hmm." Edward's voice had a new edge to it. "In that case, perhaps we'd better leave sooner rather than later."

"Yes," Aro agreed. "That's a good idea. Accidents do happen. Please wait below until after dark, though, if you don't mind."

"Of course," Edward agreed, while I cringed at the thought of waiting out the day before we could escape.

"And here," Aro added, motioning to Felix with one finger. Felix came forward at once, and Aro unfastened the gray cloak the huge vampire wore, pulling from his shoulders. He tossed it to Edward. "Take this. You're a little conspicuous."

Edward put the long cloak on, leaving the hood down.

Aro sighed. "It suits you."

Edward chuckled, but broke off suddenly, glancing over his shoulder. "Thank you, Aro. We'll wait below."

"Goodbye, young friends," Aro said, his eyes bright as he stared in the same direction.

"Let's go," Edward said, urgent now.

Demetri gestured that we should follow, and then set off the way we'd come in, the only exit by the look of things.

Edward pulled me swiftly along beside him. Alice was close by my other side, her face hard.

"Not fast enough," she muttered.

I stared up at her, frightened, but she only seemed chagrined. It was then that I first heard the babble of voices��loud, rough voices��coming from the antechamber.

"Well this is unusual," a man's coarse voice boomed.

"So medieval," an unpleasantly shrill, female voice gushed back.

A large crowd was coming through the little door, filling the smaller stone chamber. Demetri motioned for us to make room. We pressed back against the cold wall to let them pass.

The couple in front, Americans from the sound of them, glanced around themselves with appraising eyes.

"Welcome, guests! Welcome to Volterra!" I could hear Aro sing from the big turret room.

The rest of them, maybe forty or more, filed in after the couple. Some studied the setting like tourists. A few even snapped pictures. Others looked confused, as if the story that had led them to this room was not making sense anymore. I noticed one small, dark woman in particular. Around her neck was a rosary, and she gripped the cross tightly in one hand. She walked more slowly than the others, touching someone now and then and asking a question in an unfamiliar language. No one seemed to understand her, and her voice grew more panicked.

Edward pulled my face against his chest, but it was too late. I already understood.

As soon as the smallest break appeared, Edward pushed me quickly toward the door. I could feel the horrified expression on my face, and the tears beginning to pool in my eyes.

The ornate golden hallway was quiet, empty except for one gorgeous, statuesque woman. She stared at us curiously, me in particular.

"Welcome home, Heidi," Demetri greeted her from behind us.

Heidi smiled absently. She reminded me of Rosalie, though they looked nothing alike��it was just that her beauty, too, was exceptional, unforgettable. I couldn't seem to look away.

She was dressed to emphasize that beauty. Her amazingly long legs, darkened with tights, were exposed by the shortest of miniskirts. Her top was long-sleeved and high-necked, but extremely close-fitting, and constructed of red vinyl. Her long mahogany hair was lustrous, and her eyes were the strangest shade of violet��a color that might result from blue-tinted contacts over red irises.

"Demetri," she responded in a silky voice, her eyes flickering between my face and Edward's gray cloak.

"Nice fishing," Demetri complimented her, and I suddenly understood the attention-grabbing outfit she wore�� she was not only the fisherman, but also the bait.

"Thanks." She flashed a stunning smile. "Aren't you coming?"

"In a minute. Save a few for me."

Heidi nodded and ducked through the door with one last curious look at me.

Edward set a pace that had me running to keep up. But we still couldn't get through the ornate door at the end of the hallway before the screaming started.


text:
Feisty Tofu with Broccoli, Chile & Nuts

a plate of stir-fried tofu
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Number of Servings:
Serves 4
Recipe Source:
Super Natural Simple by Heidi Swanson ($28, Ten Speed Press, 2021)

  • 3 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce, divided
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • 12 oz extra-firm organic tofu, cut into 34-inch cubes
  • 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 7 dried red chiles, stemmed and
  • thinly sliced
  • 3 or 4 handfuls of broccoli florets
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
  • 12 cup raw cashews or peanuts

  1. In a wide, shallow dish, stir together 2 tablespoons of the tamari and the water. Toss tofu with tamari mixture. Let tofu marinate for at least 10 minutes, but really, longer is better, even overnight.
  2. In meantime, combine remaining 1 tablespoon tamari, the maple syrup, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chiles and cook for 20 to 30 seconds, until they’re fragrant and darken slightly. Transfer chiles to a plate, leaving oil behind in skillet.
  4. Add marinated tofu to skillet and cook for 2 minutes, until golden on all sides. Transfer tofu to plate with chiles.
  5. Add broccoli, garlic, ginger, and tamari-maple mixture to skillet. Stir well and cook, covered, for 1 to 2 minutes, until broccoli brightens. Uncover pan and stir in nuts, tofu, and chiles. Cook for another minute or two, long enough for nuts to toast a bit. Serve immediately.

  • This simple but spicy stir-fry is loaded with chiles and nuts—choose cashews or peanuts, whatever you love.
  • Be sure to prep all of the ingredients before you start cooking because stir-fries cook quickly.
  • Serve this over brown rice, soba, or brown-rice noodles.
Nutrition Info:
288 Calories, 16 g Protein, 15 g Carbohydrates, 5 g Fiber, 21 g Total fat (3 g sat), 800 mg Sodium, ★★★★★ Vitamin C, K, ★★★ Folate, Phosphorus, ★★ Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, E, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Potassium, Zinc

Heidi Swanson

Heidi Swanson believes in the power of plants, natural foods, home-cooked meals, and sharing a table with the people you love. Learn more at her personal site, or find more recipes on her blog, 101 Cookbooks.