tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34601846121565833602011-10-06T05:05:31.941-04:00Most of my Platitudes have become my Principles , on occasion some Plagiarism ,Discussions on my experiences,feelings,thoughts,philosophy on Healing, Life, This Universe, Osteopathy, Tai Chi,Qi Qong, My Own Self, My Goals,My Life, My Relationships and how to be a Healthier,Better Balanced, and Genuine Person., All within the T"Theme of the Current Blog"/Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.comBlogger971100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-83012266275926507582011-10-06T05:05:00.000-04:002011-10-06T05:05:31.953-04:00<strong>Happy October 6th, and Happy Autumn </strong><br /><br />Day 37 of Juicing over 2 months of vegetarian lifestyle. No meat, is not a big deal,avoiding carbs,like cheese, ect , more difficult. Obviously I am or have gotten off track as I am back to #262.2, Girth 48 ", VBF 23%. Issue is time management, and eating after I come home. Juicing is time consuming, often teh juice tastes disgusting, and if not has too many carbs(apples,carrots,beets). Working , domestic obligations, and not weight training and engaging in a dedicted aerobic conditoning program add to the backslide. I have been practicing my Qi Qong. Patinets whom I've offereda variation of the juiceing lifestyle/plan to, 2 to 3 times a week, and eating meat, low glycemic diet, have remarked they've had more energy.<br /><br />Well I'll check back in in a month, and see if I can follow thru, not cheat, and actually Practice What I Preach.<br /><br /><strong>Top 5 Goal:</strong><br /><br />1) Juice at least 4 days a a week<br /><br />2) Wt Train 90 minutes &nbsp;once a week<br /><br />3) Swim&nbsp; 40 minutes Once a week<br /><br />4) Walk one hour&nbsp; twice a week<br /><br />5) Practice Qi Qong 7 Hours a week<br /><br />So, to get back on track , hows about I&nbsp;&nbsp;start by &nbsp;by following thru on&nbsp; my little guide:<br /><br /><strong>"How to Accomplish Almost Anything"</strong><br /><br /><strong>6 Basic Human Needs</strong><br /><br />1) Certainty<br /><br />2) Diversity<br /><br />3) Significance<br /><br />4) Connectiveness<br /><br />5) Growth<br /><br />6) Contribution<br /><br /><strong>Five&nbsp;Levels of Experience</strong><br /><br />1) I like it, it Is Good for me and Helps Others<br /><br />2) I don’t like it, but it Is Good for me and helps others<br /><br />3) I Like it, I am not sure it is good for me, but it does help others<br /><br />4) I like it, but it is Not Good for me, and does not help others<br /><br />5) I don’t like it, it is Not Good for me, and does not help others<br /><br /><br /><strong>7 methods to sabotage any process, DO the Reverse to Fix it</strong><br /><br />1) Have a negative attitude towards the process<br /><br />2) Avoid an Abundant /Enthusiastic attitude/mentality<br /><br />3) Don’t have a Strategy<br /><br />4) Don’t follow that strategy thru<br /><br />5) Rely entirely on experts<br /><br />6) Fail to maintain a Vigil once successful<br /><br />7) Allow crisis to turn into catastrophe, a lack of resilience<br /><br /><br /><strong>12 Methods to Solve any Problem</strong><br /><br />1 ) Manage your emotional state<br /><br />2) Focus, 20 % on the problem, 80 % on the solution<br /><br />3) Obtain and maintain momentum, write it down<br /><br />4) Analyze the issue<br /><br />5) Re assess, Redirect, your method/ solution<br /><br />6) Recruit Role models to assist, people who’ve been there ,negotiated a similar problem successfully before<br /><br />7) Reassess your relationship with this challenge<br /><br />8) Find out what is good about this challenge<br /><br />9) Find out what is not perfect yet, but could me<br /><br />10) Find out what are you willing to do , to solve this challenge<br />11) Find out what you are no longer willing to do ,or continue doing to solve this challenge<br /><br />12) Find out how you can deal with this challenge and enjoy, learn ,grow from the process <br /><br /><br /><strong>Below is my Wt Log since my last entry. No need for a new picture as no tmuch has changed.</strong><br /><br />&nbsp;Day 18 Sat 9/17/11 Wt 254.2#<br /><br />Day 19 Sun 9/18/11 Wt 255.8#<br /><br />Day 20 Mon 9/19/11 Wt?!260#<br /><br />Day 21 Tues 9/20/11 Wt 258#<br /><br />Day 22 Wed 9/21/11 Wt 258#<br /><br />Day 23 Thu 9/22/11 Wt 256.6#<br /><br />Day 24 Fri 9/23/11 Wt 256#<br /><br />Day 25 Sat 9/24/11 Wt 255.6#<br /><br />Day 26 Sun 9/25/11 Wt 258#?<br /><br />Day 27 Mon 9/26/11 Wt 260#?<br /><br />Day 28 Tue 9/27/11 Wt 259#<br /><br />Day29 Wed 9/28/11 Wt 258.6#<br /><br />Day 30 Thu 9/29/11 Wt 256.6#<br /><br />Day 31 Fri 9/30/11 Wt 256.4#<br />Girth 47" VBF 23 %<br /><br />Day 32 Sat 10/1/11 Wt 257#<br /><br />Day 33 Sun 10/2/11 Wt 258.6#<br /><br />Day 34 Mon 10/3/11 Wt 262#!?<br /><br />Day 35 Tues 10/4/11 Wt 262<br /><br />Day 36 Wed 10/5/11 Wt 261.2<br /><br />Day 37 Thur 10/6/11 Wt 262.2<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8301226627592650758?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-1995118240896395082011-09-14T22:22:00.001-04:002011-09-14T22:28:25.857-04:00Day 42, 14 Day ReBoot, Yeah!!Wednesday.<br /><br />So, today I completed my 1st ReBoot, 14 days, Juicing, mostly Green,alot of cheating, but No Meat, minimal Alcohol.<br /><br />Celebrated by having&nbsp;a Salad, some cheese, and 3 glasses of wine, (back Tracking ,I know!) anyway,<br /><br />Day 14 of my reboot, went from 264.6 # &nbsp;to 253.8 , Visceral Body Fat from 23 % to 22 %, and Gith and bellly Button, 48 in to 47 ".<br /><br />Below is my ReBoot Log, Diary,&nbsp; Won't do that again. just record Wt, Girth VBF every 2 weeks till 25 Jan 2012, Water Daragon!<br /><br />Cheating helps, results not as dramatic as my son Chris, (Not a Cheater) who lost 20# in 8 days, but he is Dizzy!)<br /><br />Developed my Recipe for Jungle Juice Lena Green &amp; Mean. Tha tis also Below, and wha tI mostly live on.<br /><br />Some Nuts, some cheese, salad, CHines Vegies, and rarely ice cream, once in awhile., but 75% ,I am a Green Juicer till 1/25/12!!<br /><br />So, Here we, go, Read below, see the Pics, Soon I'l do a Morph Vidoe, Thansk for the Support, Next ReBOot will be while Working<br /><br /><br />Jungle Juice<br /><br /><br />Required High End Juicer<br /><br /><br /><br />Bremer or Champion<br /><br /><br /><br />Review DVDs<br /><br /><br /><br />www.sickfatandnearlydead .com<br /><br /><br /><br />www.crazysexylife.com<br /><br /><br /><br />www.nutritiondata.com<br /><br /><br /><br />My Recipe:<br /><br /><br /><br />Kale: 12 oz = 3 oz juice<br /><br /><br /><br />Chard 12 oz = 4 oz juice<br /><br /><br /><br />Spinach 11 oz = 5 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />Bok Choy 12 oz = 9 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />Cucumber 16 oz = 8 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />Celery 15 oz = 9 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />2 stalks green onion .5 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />1 whole red beet = 2 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />1 carrot = 2 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />Wheat Grass.( frozen) e 4 oz<br /><br /><br /><br />3 Pears 32 oz = 8 oz juice<br /><br /><br /><br />2 green Apples = 6 oz juice<br /><br /><br /><br />2 limes = 2 oz of juice<br /><br /><br /><br />2 Halopeno peppers .5 oz juice<br /><br /><br /><br />2 Tblspn Spirulina ( Protein)<br /><br /><br /><br />Total with 12 oz of coconut water<br /><br /><br /><br />= 75 oz Good for 1 day<br /><br /><br /><br />Eat 12 oz black beans or lentils<br /><br /><br /><br />if you are weight training<br /><br /><br /><br />Eat an extra Carrot, Apple &amp; Pear<br /><br /><br /><br />If you are Dizzy , need to eat<br /><br /><br /><br />A Gentle Cheat is :<br /><br /><br /><br />Have a Salad with Vinegrette<br /><br /><br /><br />and / or take Pulp from Juice<br /><br /><br /><br />Mix with a bit of Cayenne, turmeric, salt, pepper ( brown Rice)<br /><br />and fry up using PAM Or Bake.<br /><br /><br /><br />That'll give you some Fiber and<br /><br /><br /><br />few extra calories, rather than<br /><br /><br /><br />Cheating , like usually do!<br /><br /><br /><br />if you are walking/ 30 min Aerobics<br /><br /><br /><br />Get 8 to 23 hours of Sleep Daily<br /><br /><br /><br />Cost about $15<br /><br /><br /><br />Good Luck <br /><br />2 Week ReBoot.<br /><br /><br />food activity time Log<br /><br />"A Perfect Day ! ,<br /><br />is To Wake Up with a Goal,<br /><br />and Go to Sleep a Dream"<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 1, 8/31/11 Wed Wt 264.4#<br /><br />Visceral Body Fat 23 %<br /><br />Abd Girth 48 "<br /><br /><br /><br />7 am<br /><br />Rosary, awoke, cleaned up<br /><br />went to Dentist 8 am to 9:30 am<br /><br /><br /><br />9:30 am<br /><br />phone calls<br /><br /><br /><br />10 am<br /><br />Home, juiced 2 liters chard,spinach,soybeans, cucumber,celery,apple,lemon,<br /><br />Ginger,but spilled wasted .5 l<br /><br />Cleaned Mess<br /><br />Watched Henry<br /><br />Fed Dogs mixed pulp in their food<br /><br />Drank .75 liters Ok<br /><br /><br /><br />12 pm attempt to nap, watch sesame St home videos with Hank<br /><br /><br /><br />1 pm eat 1/2 an apple drink Jungle Juice .5 l , watch Elmo<br /><br />with Hank<br /><br /><br /><br />2 pm Watch &amp; Nap with Hank &amp; Leanna.<br /><br /><br /><br />3:30 pm watch be with Kadin<br /><br /><br /><br />5 pm Go with Hank, Kadin Von<br /><br />to Wegmas &amp; Lowes<br /><br /><br /><br />7 pm 1 liter Jungle juice, eat 1/2 cup of chopped olives, 1 cup of Red Peppers, watch SF&amp;ND with Chris<br /><br /><br /><br />8 pm get Soring<br /><br /><br /><br />8:30 get home 1cup of Garbanzo Beans Cook Chicken Mushroom Curry for Family. Watch Doc on Cocaine<br /><br /><br /><br />10 pm work on paperwork , futlily work on computer.<br /><br />complete daily Log<br /><br /><br /><br />11 pm Go to Bed . small HA<br /><br /><br /><br />Goal get up early get LapTop working or get ready for Work but 1st Swim Wt Train. Work , get Buisness Done, Juice for Day, Teach Tai Ji, clean/ organize office, do some charts, be with family, play with Harvey<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 2 9/1/11 Thurs 262.2 #<br /><br /><br /><br />7 am Rosary Sleep/ Dream<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30am awaken<br /><br />Take Bath with Soring<br /><br /><br /><br />11 am watch babies, feed dogs, Make Jungle Juice 1 Beet,2 apples,3 endives, 4 stalks celery, 4 stalks Chard, 1 tablspn Spirulina, 1 bunch dandelions,<br /><br />.5 liters coconut water, =2 liters, drink 1.5 liters<br /><br /><br /><br />1 pm watch babies,<br /><br />argue with Jon<br /><br /><br /><br />2pm nap with Soring<br /><br /><br /><br />3pm organize stuff, talk with Soring,Drink .5 liter JJ, 1/2 banana, 1/2 apple<br /><br /><br /><br />4:30 pm Go to BACH close charts<br /><br />drink 0.5 l water with Soring<br /><br /><br /><br />5:15pm Teach Tai Ji/ Qi Qong<br /><br /><br /><br />6:45 pm<br /><br />shopping, chores, go home<br /><br />Ate 25 peanuts &amp; 10 watermelon seeds with shells<br /><br /><br /><br />8 pm ate rice cakes 20 salted<br /><br /><br /><br />8:30 pm watch Vampire Diaries, watch Babies, 1/2 apple<br /><br /><br /><br />9:30 pm watch finding Nemo with Von &amp; babies,<br /><br />20 oz wine ,500 cal of popcorn<br /><br /><br /><br />11 pm Check E Mail<br /><br /><br /><br />12 am Take Meds, Go to Sleep<br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrows Goals:<br /><br />Don't Cheat on program<br /><br />Complete Day one Goals<br /><br />Complete BAHC Training some Charts , Swim<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 3 9/2/11 Fri 263.4 #<br /><br /><br /><br />4:30 am Awake Rosary, rest<br /><br /><br /><br />5:30 am get ready, drink 0.5 l JJ,do chores<br /><br /><br /><br />6:30 am Go to YMCA 1 diet RedBull 1 energy<br /><br /><br /><br />6:45 am YMCA<br /><br />swam 400 yd/20min<br /><br /><br /><br />7:30 am Go to BAHC Admin day<br /><br />Coffee 8oz<br /><br /><br /><br />12 pm home for lunch , 1/2 cup tomatoes &amp; 1/3 cup guacamole<br /><br />Rested<br /><br /><br /><br />1 pm work<br /><br /><br /><br />3:30 pm 8 oz V8, go home<br /><br />check on / Feed Dogs, bring Von &amp; Babies to FSK , get Oil changed, Chevy maintained.<br /><br />Walk 1 mile in mall<br /><br />10 pieces Vegie Sushi, Seaweed Salad, 4pieces Vegie tempura<br /><br />16oz berry,soy,banana smoothies<br /><br /><br /><br />8 pm Take Kadin home. Then go Home<br /><br /><br /><br />8:30 pm home get Harvey watch TV with Soring<br /><br />Ate 400 calRice Cakes.<br /><br />1/4 cup ice cream one apple<br /><br /><br /><br />12 am check email , you tube<br /><br />Fu Jow Pai &amp; Tai Ji Spear videos<br /><br /><br /><br />1 am go to sleep<br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrow Goals:<br /><br />Clean Desk, Office, Wt Train<br /><br />Do Some Charts, Training BAHC<br /><br />Don't Cheat on ReBoot, Walk<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 4 9/3/11 Sat Wt 262 #<br /><br />VBF 22 %<br /><br />10 am Awake, help Von with Kids<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 Make 2 L Jungle Juice<br /><br />Bitter Squash leaves ,Spinach,<br /><br />Chard, Celery, Cucumber, Beet<br /><br />Green Apples, pear, Lemon, Hot<br /><br />Pepper, Wheat Grass, Spirulina<br /><br />0.5 L Coconut Water, Water<br /><br />Had 4 oz juice, a pear, an apple<br /><br /><br /><br />11:30 amClean Up, Clean Kitchen<br /><br /><br /><br />12:30 pm take Meds Go over<br /><br />stuff and talk with Soring<br /><br /><br /><br />2 pm Take a Nap<br /><br /><br /><br />3:30 Take a Shower be with Soring, talk to Chris<br /><br />1 L Jungle Juice<br /><br /><br /><br />5 pm Go to CTS&amp;RT<br /><br /><br /><br />6 pm Have Vegie dinner<br /><br />Spinach,Carrots. Mushrooms, Vegie Raviolli 1, Tea, 1 bread, tsp butter. Delicious but neither Soring or I could eat it All<br /><br /><br /><br />7 pm Slots &amp; Craps, lost $50<br /><br /><br /><br />8 pm Waiting for Soring, check email, Text Review Stuff<br /><br /><br /><br />8:30 pm . No Soring Yet<br /><br />Threw Kua 42 to 61 Inner Truth Zhong Fu to Increase Yi about Jonathan &amp; I, what to do, Don't Inflict the Consequence, he may Die. Wait, be Firm, Be Correct, he may see his mistakes , correct them and Improve<br /><br /><br /><br />8:45 pm Stuck in Car,with Soring<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />10 pm Got Home fixed Car<br /><br />1/2 cheese sandwich<br /><br />Watch Star Wars . Had 4 oz<br /><br />Jungle Juice, 20 Peanuts<br /><br />BS fe Ed d<br /><br />12 am Call Mel in PI<br /><br />Take Medications<br /><br /><br /><br />Tomorrows Goals<br /><br />Work on Today's Goals<br /><br />Don't Cheat on ReBoot<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 5 9/4/11 Sun Wt 260,4#<br /><br /><br /><br />8:30 am awake ,<br /><br />Do Rosary Check Texts , Rest more with Soring<br /><br /><br /><br />9:30 Get up, shower , drink 1 L Jungle Juice, leave with Chris &amp; Kadin to get Carlie Go to RenFair<br /><br /><br /><br />11:30 RenFest, walk 2 miles, ate<br /><br />Fried MushRooms, Onion Rings,<br /><br />Meade,12 oz Hard cider, 8 oz cider , lemonade, saw Johnny Fox, Medeival Babes, had Fun !!<br /><br /><br /><br />18:30 left RenFest had 1 L JJ<br /><br /><br /><br />7:30 Go To Frederick to shop<br /><br /><br /><br />8 pm Home had Cheese sandwich 1 L water<br /><br />Watch Medieval Babes DVD<br /><br />1/2 cup chips 1 apple<br /><br />Watch Joel Osteen<br /><br />Watch True Blood<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 Take Meds Go to Sleep<br /><br />Dream Request Wisdom and Will<br /><br />to Surrender &amp; Comprehend as Able Will of God.<br /><br />Be more Single Minded in my<br /><br />Purpose and Priorities<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 6. Mon 9/5/11 Wt 258.8 #<br /><br /><br /><br />Goals: Stretch Back, Do Yoga<br /><br />Clean Office &amp; Bathrm<br /><br />Walk, Go to Zoo or Wt Train<br /><br />Mail off info to Mr Laffer<br /><br />Do 10 charts, Training at BAHC<br /><br /><br /><br />8:30 Awake Do Rosary, rest<br /><br /><br /><br />9 am get up be with Von &amp; kids<br /><br />Feed Dogs, make non dairy Corn<br /><br />Chowder with left overs, Juice<br /><br />Ate one apple<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 am Do Yoga Sword Form Stretch Back, watch babies Watch Army of Darkness Eat 2 cups of corn Chowder 2 apples<br /><br /><br /><br />1 pm make CD of RenFest<br /><br /><br /><br />1:30 pm dance with Babies<br /><br /><br /><br />2 pm eat Portabella Mushrooms<br /><br />1 cup of corn soup , 4 cups of Sprouts, 1tblspn Dressing, 1 oz cheese, 4 carrots<br /><br />Watch Madea Show<br /><br />Watch Babies<br /><br />Make ( J J) Jungle Juice<br /><br />Watch Win Win<br /><br />Corn Chowder, pickles, 1 L JJ<br /><br />Watch Drive Angry<br /><br /><br /><br />1am Review Day<br /><br />1:30 Go to Sleep<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 7 Tues 9/6/11 Wt 259 #<br /><br /><br /><br />Goals :Stay Focused Find/Get ID<br /><br />Complete yesterday's Goals<br /><br /><br /><br />7:30 am ,Awake Say Rosary Meditate, Look for ID<br /><br />Drink 1.5 L JJ, Rest,Think<br /><br /><br /><br />9 am Sky Drum, Dragon Qi Qong<br /><br />12 Standing Postures Qi Qong<br /><br />3rd Section Yang Set,<br /><br />16 Tai Ji Spear, 1 cup Soy Milk<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 am Found ID,<br /><br />Fixed Von's Amulet<br /><br /><br /><br />11 am watch Babies Clean Medicine Cabinet Organize Papers, take a nap, eat can of Black Beans, steamed Vegies,<br /><br />Make Leanna's Video<br /><br /><br /><br />7 pm watch TV, watch babies, lemonade, work on chores<br /><br /><br /><br />12 am Go to Sleep<br /><br />Dream: Single Minded Purpose<br /><br />Work on Goal Completion<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 8 Wed 9/7/11 Wt 256.6#<br /><br /><br /><br />9:30 awoke, up several times<br /><br />Rosary done earlier, back to bed<br /><br />Goals: complete prior day goals , go see Master Li<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 am Eat a Banana Check email do Buisness Get ready<br /><br /><br /><br />12 pm Go to Acupuncture with Soring. Eat 3 cups of Grapes, small French Fries, 1/2 banana.<br /><br /><br /><br />1:30 pm Acupuncture,cupping<br /><br />Soring &amp; I<br /><br /><br /><br />4 pm Travel to Lottes to get<br /><br />Veggies &amp; Fruits, have lunch<br /><br />Vegie noodle soup,Spring Roll. avocado Bean Sprout salad &amp; Fruit Shake<br /><br /><br /><br />6 pm shop for Vegies at Lotte's<br /><br /><br /><br />8 pm Got home, watch babies, ate 1 pears, 1 banana, one Carrot, watch TV with Soring<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 pm take meds check email<br /><br /><br /><br />11 pm Go to Sleep<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 9 Thurs 9/8/11 Wt 255.6#<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 am Awake Do Rosary<br /><br />11 am Sing Happy BD to Nancy<br /><br />11:30 shower, take Meds<br /><br />take Pic of self for Blog<br /><br />12 pm Juice Jungle Juice<br /><br />Have a pear<br /><br /><br /><br />2 pm 1 L JJ, finished making Creamed Greens Pulp Sprout with mushrooms Eat 2 1/2 cups, rest<br /><br /><br /><br />2:45 pm Get Kadin, have smallmeal, 1 pear,onion rings, cheese sticks, coffee,1 cookie, fedx business, teach Kadin Tai Ji, Qi Qong, Talk to Chris<br /><br /><br /><br />7 pm Wt Train lift 29 K#<br /><br /><br /><br />8:50 pm Go Home<br /><br /><br /><br />9:15 pm Home Watch TV, play with babies, 1 bowl Greens, 2 cups Grapes, cheese sandwich, a few french fries<br /><br /><br /><br />11 pm get ready to Sleep,check email,take Meds, stomach Burning, Wide Awake?? Still at<br /><br /><br /><br />1:40 am go to Sleep<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 10 Fri 9/9/11 Wt 258.6# ??<br /><br /><br /><br />4 am Awake??Work on Web Site<br /><br /><br /><br />5 am drink 8 oz Soymilk<br /><br />16 oz of Jungle Juice , go to<br /><br />Clinic /charts do Rosary in route<br /><br /><br /><br />5:30 am Do Training, QA,email<br /><br /><br /><br />10 am Go to Bank, drink (2) V8's<br /><br />Go Home<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 am Home, Rest, organize office, drink 1 L JJ, 1 bowl Greens, take Nap<br /><br /><br /><br />2:30 pm awake, eat a bowl of greens , get Kadin, Go do chores , come home /organize, watch babies, TV<br /><br /><br /><br />8:30 pm organize, eat green beans, eggplant, watch babies<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 pm do Rosary, take Meds<br /><br /><br /><br />11 pm Be with Soring go to bed<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 11 Sat 9/10/11 Wt 255.2#.<br /><br /><br /><br />9 am Awake Organize day<br /><br />Feed Dogs, drink 1 L JJ<br /><br /><br /><br />11 am Go with Chris to RenFest with Soren &amp; Hank<br /><br />V 8<br /><br />12:30 pm Have Fun drink 6 oz of Mead &amp; Hard Cider. 3 pieces Falafel<br /><br />walk 2 miles<br /><br />6 pm Home:<br /><br />6:30 pm home rest 1 pear<br /><br />8:00 pm chores shopping<br /><br />9 pm eggplant. Sprouts. Asparagus. Portabella. Vets<br /><br />fruit , Vegie juice, play with babies. TV<br /><br /><br /><br />10 pm take Meds Go to Bed<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 12 Sun 9/11/11 Wt 255#<br /><br /><br /><br />11 am Awake do Rosary, take Meds, organize office<br /><br /><br /><br />12 pm apples, eggplant, beans, sprouts , SoyMilk<br /><br /><br /><br />1 pm feed dogs, watch babies, be with Rexie<br /><br /><br /><br />4 pm rest<br /><br /><br /><br />6 pm organize office<br /><br />Watch TV with Soring, 1/2 cup mashed potatoes with gravy, 2 ears of corn<br /><br /><br /><br />8pm eat beans, asparagus ,chips<br /><br /><br /><br />10 pm organize office, talk to sisters, watch Moving Forward<br /><br /><br /><br />11 pm take Meds go to bed<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 13 Mon 9/12/11 Wt 256.2#<br /><br /><br /><br />10:30 am Awake<br /><br />, do Rosary<br /><br /><br /><br />11 am take a bath, take Meds, drink 2 L JJ<br /><br /><br /><br />12 pm go do chores eat Chinese Vegies, 1/2 cup fried rice, 2 small Vegie eggrolls<br /><br /><br /><br />2 pm Home rest chores<br /><br /><br /><br />3 pm get Kadin , go out do chores Teach Tai Ji<br /><br /><br /><br />7 pm 2 L JJ. Chores, watch babies<br /><br /><br /><br />8 pm mashed potatoes, apple.<br /><br />2 cups ice cream? Watch TV<br /><br /><br /><br />10 pm paperwork<br /><br /><br /><br />11 pm take Meds go to bed<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 14 Tues 9/13/11 Wt 256.4<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />4:30 Awake Do Rosary take Meds<br /><br /><br /><br />5 am get ready, Do Admin Charts<br /><br />Drink 1 L JJ,<br /><br /><br /><br />8 am Dr Saba, bank, dr Zaidi<br /><br />drink 1 L JJ, .5 L fruit juice<br /><br /><br /><br />1 pm go to Dr Morrison<br /><br /><br /><br />3 pm go to Gene Laffer<br /><br />Says Change dep to 2<br /><br />6 pm go home,get Meds,groceries<br /><br />8 pm home, eat Greek Salad<br /><br />watch TV,babies<br /><br />11 pm take Meds go to bed<br /><br /><br /><br />Day 15 Wed 9/14/11 253.8#??<br /><br />VBF 22% Girth 47" lost 10.6 #<br /><br /><br /><br />Do Blog tonite Continue till<br /><br /><br /><br />23/ 25 Jan 2012 Year of Water Dragon.<br /><br /><br /><br />Blog every 2 weeks with updated info but no daily Diary<br /><br /><br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-199511824089639508?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-13123452715537617232011-08-21T12:55:00.001-04:002011-09-14T22:00:13.801-04:00Day 17, of PWIP. No real change this week, mostly because I didn't exercise, and cheated.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Didn't eat meat, but at grain and had a pint of Bailey's. It is all Physiology and Physics. <br /><br /><br /><br />Success is all about planning, time management and vigilance. I did purchase a Champion Juicer with Greens and Mills Attachment.<br /><br /><br /><br />SO now I know again the price of complacency, Stagnation. <br /><br /><br /><br />My Wt. 260.2, Girth 47.5, VBF 23 %<br /><br /><br /><br />Hopefully I will be more Vigilant and lessen my tendency to Procrastinate.<br /><br /><br /><br />Epiphanies I have had over the last few years: From newest to oldest:<br /><br /><br /><br />1) I am not responsible for the happiness of others, only my own. <br /><br />2) If I can help, then good, but everyone must own that personal responsibility.<br /><br /><br /><br />2) What is the purpose of studying martial arts? To protect the Karma of others. If that is my Intention, it comes from compassion.<br /><br /><br /><br />3) I do not own my Reputation, that is an ephemeral perception of others. I do own my Integrity.<br /><br /><br /><br />4) Do one's best, with the wisdom, mindset, abilities you possess at that given time, and environment, but do not attach yourself to the outcome.<br /><br /><br /><br />5) Main purpose of being human, meaning for existence, Is to love and care or each other, and Play. To enjoy this universe and planet, while caring for it and others. All other activities are related to this. Loving ourselves, and each other, are the prerequisites, <br /><br />to Loving God.<br /><br /><br /><br />Well, till next week. Strength &amp; Balance<br /><br /><br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-1312345271553761723?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-82455456740407065382011-08-14T13:34:00.000-04:002011-08-14T13:34:53.251-04:00Well, completed a 10 day introduction to PWIP,<b>" Practice What I Preach</b>" Program. Weight 260# (lost 4#) Girth is 47 in, (lost an inch), VBF, still 23 %. Completed a mostly Vegetarian, Fruit, Nuts Diet. Started back to weight Training, my program is below. Cheated some, a few drinks, a little ice cream, blended and juiced my food, but also has vegetable soups, salads and worked m 50 hour work week. Goal is to transition to mostly Juiced vegetable, fruits, No cheating. I am Off of work, from 31 Aug to 13 Aug, about 2 weeks, to accomplish this program. Will Reboot, with 10 day Juiced programs, every month from then on, and continue to avoid cooked foods except for an occasional soup, eat only fruits, (low Glycemic) an, Vegetables, and some soy and nuts. My program is compromise of the SexyKrazyCancer and the Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dad program.<br /><br /><br />I am up to 6 minutes for Cross Hands Standing Qi Qong Posture, Total Weight about #23,400 , up from #18,400, Swimming is 700 meters, in 25 min. SO, some progress.<br /><br /><br /><br />I'll keep up my blog, calling it, "Practice What I Preach”, as I am always counseling my patients on fitness, diet, stress management, but am far from being the Poster Boy, of what I preach, but that will change.<br /><br />Strength and Balance. Bill Swann D.O.<br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8245545674040706538?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-39137507585180642162011-08-03T23:42:00.000-04:002011-08-03T23:42:17.234-04:00So<br /><br />It has been a while since I made a post. Alot has occurred, Workng on 5 grandchildren, have a new job as an Internist at BAHC, Ft. Detrick, MD, gained #15.<br /><br />ALot to be healthy and live for, alot of years attempting to walk the walk, waiting for the "physician to heal thy self" . So ,what better Venture, than to attempt to reproduce and commit to the "Reboot" ,as seen in Joe Cross's " <b>Fat ,Sick and Nearly Dead</b>" Follow his path, the path of <b>Chris Karr of Sexy Krazy Cancer</b>, and regain my Health, be an example , Not a warning? SO, here we Go. It is about 11:08 P, EST, I weigh, on my OMRON Body Composition Scale, 264#, 30.8% Body Fat, 23 % Visceral Body Fat, 69 1/2 inch tall, have a BMI of 38.5 % and an Abdominal Girth at teh Umbilicus of 48 inches. Unlike Joe and Phil who in about 60 days lost 82 and 91 # respectively,on a 100 % Vegetarian Fruit Juiced Diet, I am GOing to go 100 %, but about 0 % Juiced, using some Soy and and Lentil source for protein. Also, unlike my mentors, I will stillhave to work, and plan on swimming, weight training and practicing my Yoga, Qi Qong and Tai Ji Quan.<br /><br />I will make weekly posts, accounting for calories, diet journaling, activity journal,lots of @#!*% and a epiphanies if they come and a few Pics of my progress. So, Lets, see if can transition from "One Who Knew , to One Who Would Do!"<br /><br />Bill Swann D.O><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-3913750758518064216?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-14474692344615848102010-09-20T21:07:00.009-04:002010-09-20T21:15:00.812-04:00Well , before I begin this Quest, Let's start with a Poem ,by<b> RUMI.</b><br /><br />This Poem Connotes the Essence of an Attitude one may wish to have,regarding Change.<br /><br /><br /><b>The Guest House</b><br /><br /><br />This being Human is a Guest - House<br />Every Morning a New arrival<br /><br />A Joy, a Depression, A Meanness,<br />Some momentary awareness comes<br />As an Unexpected visitor.<br /><br />Welcome and Entertain them All!!!<br />Even if they are a crowd of Sorrows,<br />Who Violently Sweep your house<br />Empty of its furniture.<br /><br />Still,treat each Guest honorably.<br />He may be Clearing you out for some New delight,<br /><br />The Dark thought, the Shame,the Malice,<br />Meet them at the door laughing,and Invite them in.<br /><br />Be Grateful for Whoever comes,<br />Because each has been sent as Guide from Beyond.<br /><br /><b>RUMI</b><br /><br /><br /><b>What is the I Ching?</b><br /><br />There are So many answers /opinions to this question! The I Ching is an accumulated experience and wisdom, including one's own,of over 2,500 years.<br />For myself you use the I Ching as a reference, and a Guide. Not really as an Oracle as many do.<br /><br />I use the I Ching to assist in answering one question:<br /><br /><br /><b>How can I Best ... Deal with This Situation??</b><br /><br />As Ann Rand asked the graduating class of West Point in, I believe, 1966,<br /><br /><br /><b>Ask and Know the answers to these three questions:</b><br /><br /><b> 1) Where am I?</b><br /><br /><b> 2) How do I know this?</b><br /><br /><b>3) What am I going to do about it?</b><br /><br />So, it is also with the I Ching ,we are asking ,<b>"What is this Situation?"</b><br /><br /><br /><b> "Where can it lead to?</b><br /><br />The I Ching discusses the transitions and relationships of 64 situations.<br /><br />64 Hexagrams, which Change,into any of the others. To garner an idea of here we are, where we were,and where we could go,<b>"We throw a Kua, a Hexagram"</b><br /><br />You'll See, the process is Profound, I've been studying it for 40 years,<br /><br /><b>"I've only just Begun"</b><br /><br />Next time we will discuss how and what makes up a Trigram and a Hexagram.<br /><br />For a Preview ,see the <b>"Look Up Table" </b><br /><br />See you then.<br /><br /><b>Bill Swann D.O.</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-1447469234461584810?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-6736080418022591722010-08-28T23:20:00.005-04:002010-08-28T23:21:51.802-04:00So, this is the last of my "Gratitude" Blog entries, and , the 1st of my "New" Blog entries. <br /><br />What am I grateful about? So,So Much! <br /><br />1) Well for starters my oldest son, and his sweetheart, had a baby girl,<br /><br />my first born "Grand Daughter" " Leanna Jane Swann" a Mestiza, her Mom is well after a C Section, (cord was around her neck)( Hera's Attempt to strangle her was foiled).<br /><br />2) My Daughter, my 2nd love of my life, is home with my 2nd grandson( Hank), going into nursing and is due in 4 months with my 2nd grand daughter to be.<br /><br />3) My 1st Grandson ,Kadin, a good Bow Shot, a lovely and Wise child,is 7 years old.<br /><br />4) I grateful for having received the acknowledgment and the,<br /><br /><b>"Physician of the Year Award 2009"</b> from the Maryland Osteopathic Association.<br /><br />5) Last but not least , having received a Nurse Practitioner at my job, and having <br /><br />such great Nurse Case Managers, to help me as the<b> Chief Primary Care Manager</b><br /><br />of the <b>"Warrior Transition Unit" </b>, and to have an opportunity to apply<br /><br />for a job working with the VA as a physician only 12 miles from my home.<br /><br /><br />So, I begin a new year of Blogging, hopefully more consistent. The Theme is the<br /><br />' I Ching" (Yi Ching) . I will review on each blog entry a brief discussion<br /><br />on one of the 64 Hexagams, with links to online resources on the " Yi Ching".<br /><br />My study f this book of wisdom, began about 39 years ago. I've read it about<br /><br />3 or 4 times, used it to assist me in decision making and understanding ,<br /><br />So many times. I will post a picute of the Chines Characters of each of these <br /><br />hexagrams on each entry, then discuss the meaning review the Images, entries,ect.<br /><br />I will learn alot, the task will take about 2 years. When I ist read the text,<br /><br />and learned that Confucious didn't even start to read the text until he was in his <br /><br />60's, I thought that was ridiculous. Well, I am 58 1/2, and am most likely <br /><br />a bit arrogant to think I could "illuminate" anyone on the Wisdom, it contains.<br /><br />However, the the throwing of it's "Kua's" has never steered me wrong. Possibly,<br /><br />because I never asked for advice on the future, but rather , asked the question,<br /><b><br />"How to I Best deal with a certain situation??",</b><br /><br />This is how I believe the Yi Ching is to be used. Know the present, is my goal.<br /><br />So, lets begin this quest together, learn together, OK. Good Luck.<br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-673608041802259172?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-70354344185142685422010-08-02T22:43:00.002-04:002010-08-03T05:16:51.535-04:00So, Today would have been my Dad's 85th Birthday/He was born in the year of the Ox. He died in 1987, age 62,of CHF.<br /><br />I am Grateful to my Dad, who lead a Tumultuous Life, but ended it as a grateful,compassionate,peaceful yet somewhat Sad Man. My Father Burned Off his Karma,in his own Life Time, he needed too,as between his being Bipolar and an Alcoholic, his Wife and Children Suffered. I am Grateful,However. I am Grateful to my Father ,whose Genes I carry. Who Gave me an Enduring Love of Family and of the Spiritual Life, both kinds of Spirits! I am Grateful for his giving me a Love of Learning and the ability to Work Incessantly for my Family. I am Grateful for the Value to Protect Family Friends and Others. I am Grateful that I only copied a few of his Faults, and most of his Virtues. Though there was emotional Carnage to Clean Up, and Given to me, Bill Swann Sr, ended his Life , a Compassionate Dragon,.<br /><br /><br />CHF is congestive heart failure,but he also had diabetes, Hypertension,alcoholism,and was Bipolar.Dad, known as "Buster" to his brothers and one Sister, and Mom,lead a complex life. His Mother was Betty Mae Jump, married to Lottie Swann, his father who left when he was ?5?, came back when he was 12 or much later/ My Dad got his nickname from haivng had been jumped on while litle,and playing causing a Hernia to"Bust" out. It was repaired when he was 12. He and his brother Charlie would run "Moon Shine" up and around "Black Mountain"<br />"Bill Sr", was in the CC camps, a Merchant Marine is WWII and a soldier for less than a year in the Korean Conflict,married my Mom,Rose Marion Johnson, when I was 3. He had 3 children over a decade with his 1st wife, Laura Thomas, divorced her, and married my Mom, when I was 3, but retained custody of my 2 step sisters, and one step brother. Rose had 4 more girls. Of all , myself , my eldest step sister, and my 2 youngest sisters still are alive and kickin./ <br /><br /><br /><br />My dad was Scotch/Irish/English and Cherokee/ my Mom Rose, was German and Swedish.<br />Laura was French/Scotch English ,not sure if she was Cherokee.<br /><br />I always though Swann was an English Name, perhaps our lineage is of the Swann,which is an old VIking name, however, I am wondering now, if our name really comes from the Indian/Cherwah /Cherokee Suwa’li-nunnohi, whci later was anglicized to Swannanoa. Below is a bit of that history, Our History,Well, that is another Story.<br /><br /><br />Swannanoa is a census-designated place (CDP) in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,526 in 2007. The community is named for the Swannanoa River, which flows through the settlement. The Swannanoa River joins the French Broad at Asheville, North Carolina. The Cheraw Indians lived east of the Cherokee until they were obliged to join the Catawba people early in the 18th Century. Their name for themselves must have been something like “Suwala,” because de Soto called them Xuala and, to the Cherokee, they were Ani-Suwali ["they are Suwali"]. The Cherokee name for the route from the mountains to the Cheraw country was Suwa’li-nunnohi ["Suwali path"]. In English pronunciation, that became Swannanoa and was applied to the river and the mountains just east of Asheville. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area.<br /><br />Swannanoa is approximately located between Asheville and Black Mountain. I-40 passes through the main commercial area of Swannanoa, which is focused around Ingles supermarket and gas station. The old commercial area sits beside an empty lot where the old Beacon Blankets plant once sat. The Beacon Plant was the epicenter of the Swannanoa community, built by the late Charles D. Owen,Sr.<br /><br />Swannanoa is located at 35°36′17″N 82°23′17″W / 35.60472°N 82.38806°W / 35.60472; -82.38806 (35.604808, -82.387921).[3]<br /><br />According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km2), of which, 6.4 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.62%) is water.<br />About Our Town<br />Black Mountain was originally known as Grey Eagle to the Cherokee and Catawba Native Americans who lived and hunted here in great numbers. Early settlers of the area were lured by the adventure and rugged beauty of the surrounding mountains. <br /><br />The Town of Black Mountain was founded in 1893. It was named for the Black Mountain range of mountains that border the Town to the north. At the time of incorporation, the Town of Black Mountain had become a major pathway for westbound immigrants, commercial trade, and the mountain railroad. This strategic location helped establish Black Mountain as one of the most prosperous and picturesque communities in the country.<br /><br />Spectacular views have welcomed Black Mountain residents and visitors for over 109 years as they step from the quaint shops, prosperous businesses, and friendly neighborhoods into the great outdoors that serves as the centerpiece for a visual feast that continues to draw so many to this lovely valley. Black Mountain’s friendly character and graceful setting have long lured botanists, hikers, travelers, and others seeking to commune with the great outdoors. However, the magnificence of the mountains has drawn more than just those seeking to enjoy this graceful natural bounty. Our historic downtown shopping district, vital service sector and clean industry, all serve to attract fine people of every age and profession with backgrounds and interests as varied as the mountainous landscape that surrounds the Town. This special mixture of people and talent has created a lively community with varied assets and lifestyles<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-7035434418514268542?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-5938813355705464072010-07-05T21:24:00.028-04:002010-07-05T21:55:49.131-04:00<b>Below are a Litany of Quotes on the Concept of "Regret" </b><br /><br />I will lead the list with a Platitude of my Own, then a brief bit of explanation.<br /><br /><b>"When you change one thing, you change everything" </b><br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<br /><br />Well, I did discover/ realize it,on my own,though I am sure in history many have done similarly. SO,when it comes to regret, be careful for what you wish for.<br />Our words and thoughts are like prayers, often sent before consideration of the consequences. For myself,a Life lived, ended, with No Regrets, is the Best Life.<br />Would I have changed this,or that, done this or that,in retrospect?<br />Well then would I have changed All of the ramifications of those actions.??<br />Doing my Best,with the Wisdom I had, /have but not attaching to myself to the<br />Outcome, that is what attempt to do. I do review my life, my decisions,actions,<br />but attempt to move on,not repeat what, I at that time, I consider misjudgment,<br />and learn. I think of Arthur Ashe, who died of HIV ,gotten from contaminated blood received during a transfusion after having a heart attack. When asked, did he regret his having this fatal disease, he answered,( and I am paraphrasing)<br /><br /><b> "If I changed this/take back this event, then I would have to do the same for all the good and blessed events of my life"</b> <br /><br />e do not get to pick and choose our destiny, our job is to fulfill that destiny. <br /><br />And as Billy Pilgrim said,<br />"and so it goes".<br /><br /><b>Some Quotes from Arthur Ashe:</b><br /><br /><b> * "Success is a journey, not a destination."</b><br /><br />* "True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."<br /><br />* "You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy."<br /><br />* "If one's reputation is a possession, then of all my possessions, my reputation means most to me."<br /><br />* "I respected the way they stood tall against the sky and insisted on being heard in matters other than Track and Field -- on matters of Civil Rights and social responsibility. I couldn't help but admire them." --- on the Olympic athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos when they did the Black Power Salute at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City (as quoted by Samuel L. Jackson at the 2008 Espys)<br /><br />* "From what we get, we make a living; what we give, however, makes a life." (paraphrasing Winston Churchill -"You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give")<br /><br />* "I believe I was destined to do more than hit tennis balls"<br /><br />* “If I were to say, God, why me? about the bad things, then I should have said, God, why me? about the good things that happened in my life.”<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Some Quotes on "Regret"<br /></b><br />"Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets." Author Unknown, from Dreams<br /><br />Make the most of your regrets; never smother your sorrow, but tend and cherish it till it comes to have a separate and integral interest. To regret deeply is to live afresh. Henry David Thoreau<br /><br />If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow." Chinese Proverb<br /><br />Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true. Robert Brault<br /><br />I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not. Lucille Ball<br /><br />Live in the present tense, facing the duty at hand without regret for the past or worry over the future. William de Witt Hyde, from Grammar<br /><br />A man is not old until his regrets take the place of his dreams. Yiddish Proverb<br /><br />The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone. Harriet Beecher Stowe<br /><br />I have no regrets. I wouldn't have lived my life the way I did if I was going to worry about what people were going to say. Ingrid Bergman<br /><br />We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment. Jim Rohn<br /><br />Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable. Sydney J. Harris<br /><br />Looking back, I have this to regret...that too often when I loved, I did not say so. David Grayson<br /><br />Regrets are the natural property of grey hairs. Charles Dickens <br /><br /><br /><b>No Regrets<br />By Agnes Sligh Turnbull</b><br /><br />There is only one thing about which I shall have no regrets when my life ends.<br />I have savoured to the full all the small, daily joys.<br />The bright sunshine on the breakfast table;<br />the smell of the air at dusk;<br />the sound of the clock ticking;<br />the light rains that start gently after midnight;<br />the hour when the family come home;<br />Sunday evening tea before the fire!<br />I have never missed one moment of beauty,<br />not ever taken it for granted.<br />Spring, summer, autumn, or winter.<br />I wish I had failed as little in other ways.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b><br />Regret Today<br />By Catherine Pulsifer, © 2007</b><br /><br />How many times do we say something that we immediately realized was not the right thing to say?<br />How many times do we look back on an event and think, if only I had....<br />How many times do we do something that we wish hadn't done?<br /><br />You can't change what has been said.<br />You can't change a past event.<br />You can't change what has been done.<br /><br />Do you call it regret, sorrow, repentance?<br />Do you think about what might have been?<br />Do you relive an event the way it should have been?<br /><br />Forget about regret, and focus.<br />Focus on today, not on the past.<br />Focus on what you can do, not what you didn't do.<br /><br />The only thing to regret is living in the past<br />The only thing to feel sorrow for is not living each day to the fullest.<br />The only thing to do to repent is to sincerely say, I'm sorry. Don't live your life regretting yesterday.<br />Live your life so tomorrow you won't regret today.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-593881335570546407?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-34455152407171784572010-06-20T22:22:00.000-04:002010-06-20T22:22:49.120-04:00<b>Irish Twins </b> <b> Week 44 of Gratitude Journal,Now ? Monthly ?/</b><br /><br />The term <b>“Irish twins”</b> is used to describe two children born to the same mother within 12 months of each other or born in the same calendar year. Given that it is a somewhat derogatory term, it is generally not used in print or in polite society. As is the case with many terms with derogatory origins, some people use it without thinking about the implications of the deeper meaning. Learning about the roots of these terms and the meaning behind them can help people to decide whether or not they are appropriate for common use.<br /><br /><br />The roots of the idea behind the term are actually quite old, although no one knows when, exactly, people first began to talk about Irish twins. In both England and the United States, a massive influx of Irish immigration in the 1800s led to a negative connotation with Irish people and society. This often happens when a large immigrant group begins to settle in mass numbers in a new country. The Irish were accused of being backwards and uncultured, and it was assumed that they were uneducated, dirty, and a general pox on society. As a result, the use of the word “Irish” began to be pejorative.<br /><br />A number of derogatory terms incorporating stereotypes about the Irish began to emerge, including “Irish confetti” for thrown bricks and “Irish kiss” for a slap. Irish twins fits into this vernacular, and is actually insulting on multiple levels.<br /><br />Firstly, the term pokes fun at the stereotypical fertility of Irish Catholic families, which traditionally do not use birth control. In addition, it implies that the Irish lack the ability to plan ahead or control themselves, having children in quick succession rather than responsibly spacing them. Finally, it suggests that the Irish do not understand the medical definition of twins, which involves two children conceived and born together.<br /><br />A variation on the term is “Irish triplets,” which means three children born within three years. Parents who have Irish twins or triplets often struggle with a variety of issues, since having two or three very young children to manage can be very stressful. As the children grow up, the parents may encounter other difficulties as well, such as the simultaneous payment of astronomical college tuition fees. However, Irish twins often end up being very close and affectionate with each other, since the space between them is so small, and it intensifies the sibling bond.<br /><br /><b><br />Yes , and No, they aren't necessarily Irish, or Twins, but my Wife and I had a Pair, my Daughter ,Yvonne, is to start hers,Her Irish Twin ,Jonathan, is to start his Singlet, and their Adventure Begins.</b><br /><br />Following our Irish Twins, my Wife bore a our last son, who became a Lovely Young Man,a Lovely Young Father of our 1st Grandson,Kadin..<br /><br /><b>I am Grateful for my Three Children,Who almost, made is as Irish Triplets .<br />I am Grateful for my Wife ,who bore these 3 Jewels of my Heart.<br />I am Grateful for my grandchildren, and Hope they all have another set ,(except for my daughter, she'd go nuts,) of Irish Twins.</b><br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-3445515240717178457?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-75564758557294723682010-05-20T04:10:00.003-04:002010-05-20T04:17:01.566-04:00So, this blog has evolved into a weekly blog, almost. <br />I am Gratefull for Being able to maintan my composure most of teh time<br />I am Gratefull for Others who have taught me this virtue and for Others who are able to to do so as well<br />I am Gratefull for My Wifee's gardening Skills, she has turned our Garden inot a Paradise.<br /><br /><b>So, is it 4 or 5 levels of experience.?</b><br /><br />Distilled from Tony Robbins "Personal Power"series there are <br />4 Levels of Experience.:<br /><br />1) I like it, it Is Good for me and Helps Others<br /><br />2) I don’t like it, but it Is Good for me and helps others<br /><br />3) I like it, but it is Not Good for me, and does not help others<br /><br />4) I don’t like it, it is Not Good for me, and does not help others<br /><br /><br />However I seem to have a found a 5th, a paradox in fact.<br /><br /><b>5) I Like It, It Helps Others, But It Isn't Good For Me</b><br /><br />How's That?! Well, Like my job, like being a soldier on occassion,<br /><br />We are helping others, at least the group we care for or protect <br /><br />We enjoy in some fashion, to a degree or more the process,<br /><br />However, the Job has Risks, Is Consuming, Not healthy <br /><br />or in a Healthy Enviroment, or over time, Deleterious to One's Health.<br /><br />So,What is one to Do?/ <br /><br />Well,Find a way to make it Good For You. At Least on a "Karmic" level.<br /><br />There are sacrifices we make, but perhaps what appears <br /><br />"Not to be Good for Us" is really a means ,method or form of discipline,<br /><br />suffering,self denial, that is the long run ,is good for us.<br /><br />Perhaps we need to be more resilient, then it will be good for us.<br /><br />I Wonder><br /><br />Then what about the "Karmic Cost" of what we Do.? <br /><br />Well, that is for another day and discussion.<br /><br />Take Care<br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-7556475855729472368?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-73801338599252054992010-05-09T21:40:00.000-04:002010-05-09T21:40:55.982-04:00This Week 38 of my Gratitude Journal. <br /><br />I am Grateful for the Existances of the Nursing Profession and Nurses.<br /><br />International Nurses week (IND) is celebrated around the world every 6-12 May. This day is celebrated to remember all of the valuable contributions nurses make to society.<br /><br />The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has celebrated this day since 1965. In 1953 Dorothy Sutherland, an official with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, had proposed that then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaim a "Nurses Day," but he did not approve it.[1]<br /><br />In January 1974, the decision was made to celebrate the day on 12 May as it is the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. Each year, ICN prepares and distributes the International Nurses' Day Kit. The kit contains educational and public information materials, for use by nurses everywhere.<br /><br />As Florence Nightingale is no longer seen as a role model in some parts of the world, demands have arisen, for example by the British public sector union UNISON, to transfer this day on another date.[2] 21 May, the birthday of Elizabeth Fry (1780–1845), has been suggested. Elizabeth Fry founded the Institution of Nursing Sisters and is also known for her work with prisoners.[3]<br /><br />As of 1998, May 8th was designated as annual National Student Nurses Day. As of 2003, the Wednesday within National Nurses Week, between May 6th and May 12th, is National School Nurse Day.[4]<br /><br />[edit] UK celebrations<br />Each year on 12 May service is held in Westminster Abbey in London. During the Service, a symbolic Lamp is taken from the Nurses' Chapel in the Abbey and handed from one nurse to another, thence to the Dean, who places it on the High Altar. This signifies the passing of knowledge from one nurse to another. At St Margaret's Church at East Wellow in Hampshire, where Florence Nightingale is buried, a service is also held on the Sunday after her birthday.[5]<br /><br />Below are the Biographies of 5 ( Of Oh So Many,Most Unkown and UnNamed) Nurses in History:<br /><br /><b>NURSE HELEN FAIRCHILD</b><br />Nurse Helen Fairchild, RN was born on the 21st. November 1885 in Turbot Township, Milton, in central Pennsylvania and graduated as a nurse from Pennsylvania Hospital in 1913. One month after America declared war on April 6th. 1917, Helen volunteered to go overseas with 63 other nurses from Pennsylvania Hospital. She was assigned to duty as a Nurse on the 7th. May 1917 and nursed in Flanders during the Battle of Passchendaele (3rd. Ypres).<br /><br />She had a history of abdominal pain after meals before she left for France and during November 1917 she suffered from a recurrence. By Christmas she was vomiting after every meal and a Barium meal X-Ray revealed a large gastric ulcer obstructing her pylorus. She underwent a gastro-enterostomy operation for the pyloric obstruction on the 13th. January 1918. Initially she did well but she became jaundiced on the third day postoperatively and deteriorated rapidly, dying in a coma at 11.20 AM on the 18th. January 1918.<br /><br />Nurse Fairchild's cause of death was attributed to acute atrophy of the liver. A postmortem examination was performed and the report can be viewed at the end of this document by clicking on the link. The final cause of death was considered to be a result of hepatic complications of the chloroform used for her general anaesthetic.<br /><br /><br /><br />She wrote 100 pages of letters during her time in France and her letters home have been collected by her niece, Mrs Nelle Fairchild Rote. A selection of these letters were originally published in an article in the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine by Mrs Rote and they are reproduced here by kind permission of the author who can be contacted by E-mail at: elle12@ptd.net<br /><br />Dr Geoffrey Miller<br /><br /><br /><br />NURSE HELEN FAIRCHILD,<br />MY AUNT, MY HERO<br /><br />By NELLE FAIRCHILD ROTE;<br /><br />REPRINTED FROM DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 1997, VOL. 131, NO. 9<br /><br /><br /><br />NURSE HELEN FAIRCHILD<br /><br />As a little girl I knew how proud my father was of his sister who had been a nurse in World War 1. When the boys in the fourth grade said, "She doesn't count, she's a girl," I was stung by their unfairness. How could anyone say she was not a veteran too?<br /><br />"Oh the stories I'll tell when I get home" wrote Nurse Helen Fairchild in 1917, while serving with the American Expeditionary Force in France. Aunt Helen, 32, volunteered to be one of the first to go overseas after the United States entered World War 1, April 5th, 1917. She volunteered to go to the "Front," July 31, 1917, to Casualty Clearing Station No. 4. Through her letters written to her family, which have been so lovingly preserved, Nurse Fairchild is at last telling her story:<br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL UNIT, Saturday, May 8, 1917<br />Dear Brother,<br />Monday I got a telegram telling me to be here ready to go abroad by Friday, so here I am, waiting for the pokey old government to get things ready for us to go. I am grateful to be one of the ones to go, but feel sorry for Mother... if only she wouldn't worry so much. Don't feel uneasy about me, ever, for the folks at home will he notified immediately if anything should happen.<br /><br />Heaps of love, and write me right away,<br />Lovingly, Sis<br /><br />MIDLAND ADELPHI HOTEL, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, May 26, 1917<br />Dear Mother,<br />Someday I will write you all that has happened from the time we left New York last Saturday. We sailed at noon and by 6 o'clock pm I felt as if the floors were coming up to meet me, and the whole universe was whirling. You can see I didn't waste much time getting seasick, and I like to die all day Sunday and Monday. Then on Tuesday morn we had to have para-typhoid<br />vaccine. Everybody had to take it and everybody had quite a reaction. We were on the boat just eight days.<br /><br />Heaps of love, your very own, Helen.<br /><br />.I forgot to tell you that we wear uniforms all the time, and our street uniforms are heavy dark blue serge, made very military, one piece, with big broad pleats over the shoulders with rows of big, black buttons down both sides, and swirls, with panels front and back, made quite short little<br />white bands around the collar and sleeves, and sort blue hats. At first we didn't like the idea of having to wear uniforms all the time, but we have learned the wisdom of it now, for it gives protection, and everywhere we go they leave us in without charges whatever.<br /><br />Waldorf Hotel, England, June 2, 1917<br /><br />Dear Mother,<br /><br />...in a restaurant the orchestra played the Star Spangled Banner, and maybe we didn't cheer! You never appreciate your own National Air until you hear it in some foreign land. Everyone living in London has been lovely to us, but the Americans living here are particularly so.<br /><br />On Wednesday we had tea at the Astor country home, and yesterday six of us had tea with Miss Emily Sergeant, a sister of John Sargeant, who is considered America's most famous artist, so you can see we are getting well treated, but at that, I am ready to go back work.<br /><br />Don't worry if you don't hear from me, for you will be cabled promptly if anything goes wrong.<br /><br />Heaps of love, your very own, Helen<br /><br />Base Hospital No. 10, Le Treport, France<br /><br />Dear Mother,<br /><br />The wind is whistling around the hut. I do not mind the rain so much, but the wind makes me cross, and it blows a perfect gale, even in perfect weather. You should see our clothes, no fancy things for us. I have 2 rain hats and 2 raincoats and a pair of rubber boots, so we never stay in on account of rain. One soldier said, "I didn't know American girls were so ugly."<br /><br />After finding a rickety old Ford to take us, went shopping in Dieppe today on our half day off. I bought a knitted underskirt and a pair of the heaviest shoes l have ever had, great high ones too, cost fifteen dollars.<br /><br />One has to pay well for everything here, but I am going to keep warm if possible. I had a notion to have you send me some shoes, as it is often impossible to find shoes here that we can wear, as they are such queer shapes.<br /><br />Heaps and heaps of love, your very own,<br /><br />Helen.<br /><br /><br />Nurse Helen Fairchild<br /><br />THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES - PAASCHENDAELE, WORLD WAR I<br />The casualty clearing stations were frequently the scene of the most distressing sight which human eye can witness, that is the re-wounding and killing of already wounded men by an enemy's bomb dropped suddenly in the dead of night. There was hardly a moonlight night that the Hun did not visit our neighborhood and drop bombs. We dug below the level of the ground to form shallow graves, two by six, by eighteen inches deep, which were dug through the floor of our tents, and when the anti-aircraft guns were shooting and particles of the exploded shells were falling, we partly closed over a section of the floor of the tent which was hinged and which<br />had a piece of sheet iron nailed on the underside.<br /><br />I was impressed with the bravery and fortitude of the women nurses. Night bombing is a terrifying thing, and those who are not disturbed by it possess unusual qualities. I believe the nurses showed less fear than anyone. In 1920 I had the opportunity to visit this casualty clearing station area again, where I found only a few of the metal huts standing, but was able to locate the nurses dug-out, and the holes in the ground where they slept,<br /><br />Nurse Fairchild represented the truest type of womanhood and stood for the very best in the nursing profession.<br /><br />Ida Downs, Pennsylvania Hospital, U.S.A.<br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />From Base Hospital No. 10, Paul B. Hoeber later wrote:<br /><br />"Upon their arrival, sixty four American nurses were faced with a 2,000 bed hospital. The first hard experience came when an exceedingly large convoy of patients, overwhelmed by Mustard gas, and the picture of intense suffering, poured in on them in great numbers... 600 in less than 48 hours, and it was repeated for many a night.<br /><br /><br /><br />Casualty Clearing Station No. 4, [Ypres-Passchendaele area]<br /><br />August 1917<br /><br />Dear Mother,<br /><br />...I am with an operating team about 100 miles from our own Base Hospital, closer to the fighting lines. I'll sure have a lot to tell about this experience when I get home. I have been here three weeks and see no signs of going back yet, altho when we came we only expected to be here a few days. Of course, I didn't bring much with me. Had two white dresses and two aprons, and two combinations. Now can you imagine trying to keep decent with that much clothing in a place where it rains nearly every day. We all live in tents and wade through mud to and from the operating room where we stand in mud higher than our ankles. It was some task, but dear old Major Harte, who I am up here with, got a car and a man; to go down to our hospital and get us some things. He brought me six clean uniforms and aprons, beside heaps of notes from all the nurses, letters from home and all kinds of fruit and cake.<br /><br />We made the trip up to this place in an auto-ambulance 100 miles through France. Oh I shall have books to tell when I get home.<br /><br /><br /><br />Wounded soldiers at a Casualty Clearing Station, waiting to be taken to a Base Hospital.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Chief Nurse Julia Stimson was concerned for the nurses she sent for temporary duty at the casualty clearing stations.<br /><br />Nurse Stimson wrote:<br /><br />"...what with the steam, the ether, and the filthy clothes of the men...the odor in the operating room was so terrible that it was all any of them could do to keep from being sick...no mere handling of instruments and sponges, but sewing and tying up and putting in drains while the doctor takes the next piece of shell out of another place. Then after fourteen hours of this with freezing feet, to a meal of tea and bread and jam, then off to rest if you can, in a wet bell tent in a damp bed without sheets, after a wash with a cupful of water...one need never tell me that I women can't do as much, stand as much, and be as brave as men."<br /><br /><br /><br />Base Hospital No. 10, October 1917<br /><br />Dear Mother,<br /><br />I hope by next summer I can be home to help eat the peaches Irma tells me you are putting up. One of the girls brought me some great big, dandy ones a day or two ago, but they were so bitter I couldn't eat them.<br /><br />Just as soon as I get home I am going to get dresses all colors of the rainbow, but never again blue serge or a blue felt hat. Gee, now I know how the kids in orphan asylums must feel when they all have to wear the same kind of clothes.<br /><br />Another of our operating team left for a place further up the lines this am. They went to relieve Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Packard and Miss McClelland, who have been up there since July 21st, and who are tired out. This team will take their place so they can come home.<br /><br />Rained some last night and is frightfully windy and cold. I put on some woolen clothing for we do not have any fires in the hut yet, but in spite of two pairs of stockings my feet are cold. Right now I stopped writing and got two hot water bottles and have my feet on one and the other in my lap.<br /><br />Please write letters often, they mean more to me than a package, for I get a little homesick sometimes.<br /><br />Heaps and heaps of love and a big kiss to every one,<br /><br />your very own, Helen.<br /><br />THE LAST LETTER SENT HOME<br /><br />Base Hospital No. 10, December 28, 1917<br /><br />Dear Mother,<br /><br />Had a letter from the States this week and was glad, for being sick this far from home is no fun, but everyone has been fine to me. My room is filled with flowers they bring me, and fruit galore. Miss Dunlop does everything she can to make me comfortable and came in and talked with me every couple of hours. She wanted me to come up in the cot in her sitting room, but I did not want to do that, for Wagner wanted me to stay in our own room where she could do things for me. Wagner sure is a friend indeed.<br /><br />Dr. Norris was just in to see me and told me I could stop some of my medicine. He said my throat looked much better but I still can't go on duty "till I eat and get some color, so I see my finish, for as usual, I look like the wrath of Kingdom come, but I'll make them let me go back soon, for it's too lonesome here to be off duty.<br /><br />Gee but I'll be glad to see you all by the time this war is over, but at the same time I am glad to be here to help take care of these poor men, and I'll be doubly glad when our own U.S. boys will be [in this part of France] with us, for they will be so far from home, and they will have no one but us American nurses to really take any genuine interest in them, for their own friends will not be able to reach them.<br /><br />What the Red Cross and the YMCAs are doing for us here means so much to us. Really, it would be awful to get along without the things they send us. Most of the pleasure that the troops get are the ones provided by the YMCA.<br /><br />If you could only see what the boys here have to go through sometimes, you would see they need all the comfort possible. Without the supplies sent to us by the Red Cross Society, we could not do half as much for them as we are.<br /><br />Please tell me what it was that everyone seems to have heard concerning me at home. Of course, whatever it was, as you know, is not correct, for as I have told you often, anytime anything should happen, you would be notified.<br /><br />Heaps of love, your very own, Helen.<br /><br />War Department<br /><br />Office of the Surgeon General<br /><br />Washington, D.C.<br /><br />January 24, 1918<br /><br />Mr. Ambrose Fairchild<br /><br />Allenwood, Union County, Pennsylvania<br /><br />Dear Mr. Fairchild,<br /><br />It is with regret that I have to inform you of the death of your daughter, Miss Helen Fairchild, RN, on January 18, 1918, while on duty with Base Hospital #10, American Expeditionary Forces, France.<br /><br />D.E. Thompson, Superintendent Army Nurse Corps<br /><br />The cause of Nurse Fairchild's death was "acute atrophy of the liver," according to General John J. Pershing. Exploratory surgery revealed a massive stomach ulcer, caused or made worse by exposure to Mustard gas and other gasses used by the enemy. The word was she gave her gas mask to a soldier. She was given a military funeral, a "most solemn and impressive ceremony, and buried in the uniform of an American Army nurse. Her funeral was attended by an entire garrison of English, Canadian, French and American officers, nurses and troops." Buried first in Mont Huron Cemetery, Le Treport, her body was removed to the Somme American Cemetery and Memorial, Bony, France; plot A, Row 15, grave 13.<br /><br />Upon the organization of the Nurses' Post of the American Legion at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 14, 1919, it was named the Helen Fairchild Nurses' Post 412, of the American Legion.<br /><br />Helen Fairchild is registered in Women In Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington Cemetery, Virginia. Helen's sister, Christine McFarland, at 92, had the pleasure of registering her in the Memorial. Aunt Chris died in 1993. She was grateful that the stories of all women veterans would be preserved, upon the completion of this great Museum and Memorial.<br /><br />The Women In Military Service for America Museum and Memorial, WIMSA, planned to display Nurse Fairchild's artifacts in their World War I display, but World War II has been given priority for the opening in October. As funds become available, the World War I exhibit will be completed.<br /><br />Anyone may register the name of any woman veteran or veteran health caregiver, and is urged to do so. Contributions are also needed to reach the goal. The address is: WIMSA, Dept. 560., Washington, D.C. 20042-0560.<br /><br /><br /><b><br />Kathleen Hall RGN, RM <br />(1896 - 1970)</b><br /><br />Kathleen Hall was born in Napier, New Zealand in 1896 and later moved to Auckland. There she trained at Auckland Public Hospital. <br /><br />In 1922 she was accepted by the Anglican Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for missionary work in China. Before leaving New Zealand she successfully undertook midwifery training at St Helen's hospital in Christchurch.<br /><br />In North China at that time there was one outstanding hospital where western medicine was practised, the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC). It was a very advanced institution, funded by the American Rockefeller Foundation and operated by British and American Protestant missions. <br /><br />After several years language training and professional practice there, Kathleen was appointed Sister-in-Charge of a provincial hospital at Datong, later being transferred to the same position at Hejian and Anguo in Hebei Province.<br /><br />She became acquainted with the deplorable living conditions in the Hebei mountains and in 1934 she obtained the permission of her Bishop to leave the cities and set up her own cottage hospital in the mountain village of Songjiazhuang. <br /><br />In 1937 she had to return temporarily to take charge of the hospital at Anguo on the plains and she was in charge there when the Japanese invaded. <br /><br />There was a great battle nearby, the Chinese were defeated and hers was the only hospital for hundreds of miles. The doctors fled and with a few Chinese nurses she was left to deal with many hundred casualties.<br /><br />As the Japanese pushed southwards, she was able to return to her own hospital in the mountains, to find that it was now in "no-man's land" between the Chinese guerilla forces and the Japanese. With her British passport she could move comparatively freely, and before long she was making long journeys to Peking to purchase medical supplies, much of which she passed on to the Chinese army, until caught by the Japanese.<br /><br />They put her on a ship for New Zealand, but she disembarked at Hong Kong and joined the Chinese Red Cross. She made a dangerous journey through inland China to rejoin the 8th Route Army. Eventually she was struck down with beriberi, and repatriated to New Zealand.<br /><br />After the war the helped to establish a model leper colony in Hong Kong, and in her final years of service she worked with the Anglican Maori Mission at Te Kuiti and Waitara. <br /><br />In retirement she devoted her life to telling New Zealanders the truth about China. She worked very hard to bring the various Friendship groups in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch together to form the NZ-China Friendship Society, which was inaugurated in Wellington in 1958, with Kathleen as a member of the first National Committee.<br /><br />She was able to revisit China twice more, in 1960 and 1964. She died in Hamilton in 1970. <br /><br />In 1993 a delegation of friends and relatives carried her ashes back to China in accordance with her wishes.<br /><br />In 1996 the local people of Quyang County celebrated the centennial of her birth by creating a beautiful marble statue and setting it up in the village of Songjiazhuang where she had established her clinic. <br /><br />A China Today article published in 1997 describes this moving event, and gives more details of Kathleen's life.<br /><br />In 2000, her clinic was rebuilt with a donation of $15,000 from our Society, which has been tripled by a subsidy from the N.Z. Government. The completion of the rebuilding project was celebrated in June 2000 and the clinic was officially reopened in July 2001. Click here to view pictures of both celebrations.<br /><br /><b>Margaret Sanger</b><br /><br />Many don't realize the very short period of time in our history we as a society have been allowed to participate in using birth control. Many are also unaware that we contribute the advocacy and use of birth control to famed nurse Margaret Sanger. Her crusade to legitimize birth control and give women the right to choose was one that showed much opposition from not only the government but also the Catholic Church. But no one understood the importance of birth control more than Sanger. She was the sixth of eleven children, whose mother died while she was young and whose death was attributed to her many pregnancies. Sanger started her career working in the poor ghettos of New York City, seeing first hand the atrocities that came with complicated pregnancies and self-abortions. As a nurse, she realized the only way to combat these problems was to target the source of the problem: child birth. This would begin her crusade to educate the poor working class about birth control, in addition to several writings which discussed elements of growth for young women. Throughout her career she would be resisted by those who thought her teachings were lewd or pornographic, as in the early twentieth century it was not customary to discuss sexual relations in public. The Catholic Church also showed much opposition as her teachings went against the churches, but back down over time as they decided to focus on teaching abstinence to their followers as a means to control birth. Sanger would spent her later years spreading her message to the more elite in order to convince them of the needs of birth control and education in order to reach a much larger audience. <br /><br /><b>Margaret Sanger</b><br /><br />Many don't realize the very short period of time in our history we as a society have been allowed to participate in using birth control. Many are also unaware that we contribute the advocacy and use of birth control to famed nurse Margaret Sanger. Her crusade to legitimize birth control and give women the right to choose was one that showed much opposition from not only the government but also the Catholic Church. But no one understood the importance of birth control more than Sanger. She was the sixth of eleven children, whose mother died while she was young and whose death was attributed to her many pregnancies. Sanger started her career working in the poor ghettos of New York City, seeing first hand the atrocities that came with complicated pregnancies and self-abortions. As a nurse, she realized the only way to combat these problems was to target the source of the problem: child birth. This would begin her crusade to educate the poor working class about birth control, in addition to several writings which discussed elements of growth for young women. Throughout her career she would be resisted by those who thought her teachings were lewd or pornographic, as in the early twentieth century it was not customary to discuss sexual relations in public. The Catholic Church also showed much opposition as her teachings went against the churches, but back down over time as they decided to focus on teaching abstinence to their followers as a means to control birth. Sanger would spent her later years spreading her message to the more elite in order to convince them of the needs of birth control and education in order to reach a much larger audience. <br /><br /><b>Walt Whitman <br />Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892): </b>Few people realize that the famous poet was also a volunteer nurse. Whitman worked as a nurse at Army hospitals set up during the Civil War. Many of his observations during this time led to his “The Great Army of the Sick.” Whitman was known for his egalitarian views, as well as for his political interest and poems.<br />Walt Whitman, 1887 <br />Born May 31, 1819(1819-05-31)<br />West Hills, Town of Huntington, Long Island, New York, U.S. <br />Died March 26, 1892 (aged 72)<br />Camden, New Jersey, U.S. <br /><br />Walter Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, journalist, and humanist. He was a part of the transition between Transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse.[1] His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.<br /><br />Born on Long Island, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War in addition to publishing his poetry. Early in his career, he also produced a temperance novel, Franklin Evans (1842). Whitman's major work, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 with his own money. The work was an attempt at reaching out to the common person with an American epic. He continued expanding and revising it until his death in 1892. After a stroke towards the end of his life, he moved to Camden, New Jersey where his health further declined. He died at age 72 and his funeral became a public spectacle.[2][3]<br /><br />Whitman's sexuality is often discussed alongside his poetry. Though biographers continue to debate his sexuality, he is usually described as either homosexual or bisexual in his feelings and attractions.[4] However, there is disagreement among biographers as to whether Whitman had actual sexual experiences with men.[5] Whitman was concerned with politics throughout his life. He supported the Wilmot Proviso and opposed the extension of slavery generally. His poetry presented an egalitarian view of the races, and at one point he called for the abolition of slavery, but later he saw the abolitionist movement as a threat to democracy.[6<br /><br /><b>Hazel W. Johnson-Brown: </b><br />The first African-American woman general in history, Hazel W. Johnson-Brown is also a skilled nurse. She served as the chief of the Army Nurse Corps. and served as dean of the Walter Reed Army Institute School of Nursing. She was introduced to the army while working at a Veteran’s hospital. It is hard to believe, considering her accomplishments, that she was first rejected for nursing school at the West Chester School of Nursing because of her race. <br />Hazel Johnson-Brown made military history when she became the first African American woman general in 1979. She entered the U.S. Army in 1955, shortly after President Harry Truman banned segregation in the armed services. When she retired from the military in 1983, the list of credentials Johnson-Brown had accumulated was impressive. Some of the positions she held included project director at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command in Washington, D.C.; dean of the Walter Reed Army Institute School of Nursing; and special assistant to the chief of the U.S. Army Medical Command in Korea. She reached the pinnacle of her military career when she was appointed Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, with the rank of Brigadier General. <br />Born in 1927 in Malvern, Pennsylvania and one of seven children, she was raised on her father’s farm in nearby West Chester. Inspired by a local white public heath nurse when she was 12, Johnson decided that she too would become a nurse. She applied to the West Chester School of Nursing, but was rejected because she was black. She did not, however, let this stand in her way. She left West Chester for New York City in 1947, and enrolled in the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing. <br /><br />After graduating, she went to work at the Philadelphia Veteran’s Hospital in 1953. It was there that her colleagues noticed her natural leadership abilities, and suggested she join the Army. After one meeting with a recruiter, she enlisted for what she thought would be a two-year tour. Instead, she swiftly rose through the ranks, enjoying a remarkable military career that spanned almost three decades.<br /><br />As the first African American appointed as Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, Johnson commanded 7,000 male and female nurses in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. She also set policy and oversaw operations in eight Army medical centers, fifty-six community hospitals and one hundred forty-three freestanding clinics in the United States, Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, and Panama.<br /><br />While in the army, she continued her formal education, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Villanova University, a master’s degree in nursing education from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in education administration from Catholic University. Two years before retiring from the army in 1983, she married David Brown.<br /><br />Following her retirement, Johnson-Brown enjoyed a distinguished “second” career in academia. She served as professor of nursing at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and finally at George Mason University in Virginia. At George Mason University, she was instrumental in founding the Center for Health Policy, designed to educate and involve nurses in health policy and policy design. <br /><br />She retired from teaching in 1997. She continues to live in the Washington area, serving on a variety of university and health administration boards.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-7380133859925205499?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-40786104151760640722010-04-19T20:39:00.000-04:002010-04-19T20:39:13.711-04:00<b>Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), </b><br />REBT previously called rational therapy and rational emotive therapy, is a comprehensive, active-directive, philosophically and empirically based psychotherapy which focuses on resolving emotional and behavioral problems and disturbances and enabling people to lead happier and more fulfilling lives. REBT was created and developed by the American psychotherapist and psychologist Albert Ellis who was inspired by many of the teachings of Asian, Greek, Roman and modern philosophers. REBT is one form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and was first expounded by Ellis in the mid-1950s; development continued until his death in 2007.<br /><br />Contents [hide]<br />1 History<br />2 Theoretical assumptions<br />3 Psychological dysfunction<br />4 Mental wellness<br />5 REBT Intervention<br />6 Limitations and critique<br />7 Applications and interfaces<br />8 References<br />9 Further reading<br />10 External links <br />10.1 General<br />10.2 REBT Applications<br />10.3 Forums<br /><br />[edit] History<br />Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is both a psychotherapeutic system of theory and practices and a school of thought established by Albert Ellis. Originally called rational therapy, its appellation was revised to rational emotive therapy in 1959, then to its current appellation in 1992. REBT was one of the first of the cognitive behavior therapies, as it was predicated in articles Ellis first published in 1956,[1] nearly a decade before Aaron Beck first set forth his cognitive therapy.[2]<br /><br />[edit] Theoretical assumptions<br />One of the fundamental premises of REBT is that humans, in most cases, do not merely get upset by unfortunate adversities, but also by how they construct their views of reality through their language, evaluative beliefs, meanings and philosophies about the world, themselves and others.[3] In REBT, clients usually learn and begin to apply this premise by learning the A-B-C-model of psychological disturbance and change. The A-B-C model states that it normally is not merely an A, adversity (or activating event) that contributes to disturbed and dysfunctional emotional and behavioral Cs, consequences, but also what people B, believe about the A, adversity. A, adversity can be either an external situation or a thought or other kind of internal event, and it can refer to an event in the past, present, or future.[4]<br /><br />The Bs, beliefs that are most important in the A-B-C model are explicit and implicit philosophical meanings and assumptions about events, personal desires, and preferences. The Bs, beliefs that are most significant are highly evaluative and consists of interrelated and integrated cognitive, emotional and behavioral aspects and dimensions. According to REBT, if a person's evaluative B, belief about the A, activating event is rigid, absolutistic and dysfunctional, the C, the emotional and behavioral consequence, is likely to be self-defeating and destructive. Alternatively, if a person's evaluative B, belief is preferential, flexible and constructive, the C, the emotional and behavioral consequence is likely to be self-helping and constructive.<br /><br />Through REBT, by understanding the role of their mediating, evaluative and philosophically based illogical, unrealistic and self-defeating meanings, interpretations and assumptions in upset, people often can learn to identify them, begin to D, dispute, refute, challenge and question them, distinguish them from healthy constructs, and subscribe to more constructive and self-helping constructs.[5]<br /><br />The REBT framework assumes that humans have both innate rational (meaning self- and social-helping and constructive) and irrational (meaning self- and social-defeating and un-helpful) tendencies and leanings. REBT claims that people to a large degree consciously and unconsciously construct emotional difficulties such as self-blame, self-pity, clinical anger, hurt, guilt, shame, depression and anxiety, and behaviors and behavior tendencies like procrastination, over-compulsiveness, avoidance, addiction and withdrawal by the means of their irrational and self-defeating thinking, emoting and behaving.[6] REBT is then applied as an educational process in which the therapist often active-directively teaches the client how to identify irrational and self-defeating beliefs and philosophies which in nature are rigid, extreme, unrealistic, illogical and absolutist, and then to forcefully and actively question and dispute them and replace them with more rational and self-helping ones. By using different cognitive, emotive and behavioral methods and activities, the client, together with help from the therapist and in homework exercises, can gain a more rational, self-helping and constructive rational way of thinking, emoting and behaving. One of the main objectives in REBT is to show the client that whenever unpleasant and unfortunate activating events occur in people's lives, they have a choice of making themselves feel healthily and self-helpingly sorry, disappointed, frustrated, and annoyed, or making themselves feel unhealthily and self-defeatingly horrified, terrified, panicked, depressed, self-hating, and self-pitying.[7] By attaining and ingraining a more rational and self-constructive philosophy of themselves, others and the world, people often are more likely to behave and emote in more life-serving and adaptive ways.<br /><br />Albert Ellis[7] posits three major insights of REBT:<br /><br />Insight 1 - People seeing and accepting the reality that their emotional disturbances at point C only partially stem from the activating events or adversities at point A that precede C. Although A contributes to C, and although disturbed Cs (such as feelings of panic and depression) are much more likely to follow strong negative As (such as being assaulted or raped), than they are to follow weak As (such as being disliked by a stranger), the main or more direct cores of extreme and dysfunctional emotional disturbances (Cs) are people’s irrational beliefs — the absolutistic musts and their accompanying inferences and attributions that people strongly believe about their undesirable activating events.<br /><br />Insight 2 - No matter how, when, and why people acquire self-defeating or irrational beliefs (i.e. beliefs which are the main cause of their dysfunctional emotional-behavioral consequences), if they are disturbed in the present, they tend to keep holding these irrational beliefs and continue upsetting themselves with these thoughts. They do so not because they held them in the past, but because they still actively hold them in the present, though often unconsciously, while continuing to reaffirm their beliefs and act as if they are still valid. In their minds and hearts they still follow the core "musturbatory" philosophies they adopted or invented long ago, or ones they recently accepted or constructed.<br /><br />Insight 3 - No matter how well they have achieved insight 1 and insight 2, insight alone will rarely enable people to undo their emotional disturbances. They may feel better when they know, or think they know, how they became disturbed - since insights can give the impression of being useful and curative. But, it is unlikely that they will actually get better and stay better unless they accept insights 1 and 2, and then also go on to strongly apply insight 3: There is usually no way to get better and stay better but by: continual work and practice in looking for, and finding, one’s core irrational beliefs; actively, energetically, and scientifically disputing them; replacing one’s absolutist musts with flexible preferences; changing one's unhealthy feelings to healthy, self-helping emotions; and firmly acting against one’s dysfunctional fears and compulsions. Only by a combined cognitive, emotive, and behavioral, as well as a quite persistent and forceful attack on one's serious emotional problems, is one likely to significantly ameliorate or remove them — and keep them removed.<br /><br />Regarding cognitive-affective-behavioral processes in mental functioning and dysfunctioning, originator Albert Ellis explains:[7]<br /><br />"REBT assumes that human thinking, emotion, and action are not really separate or disparate processes, but that they all significantly overlap and are rarely experienced in a pure state. Much of what we call emotion is nothing more nor less than a certain kind — a biased, prejudiced, or strongly evaluative kind — of thought. But emotions and behaviors significantly influence and affect thinking, just as thinking influences emotions and behaviors. Evaluating is a fundamental characteristic of human organisms and seems to work in a kind of closed circuit with a feedback mechanism: Because perception biases response and then response tends to bias subsequent perception. Also, prior perceptions appear to bias subsequent perceptions, and prior responses appear to bias subsequent responses. What we call feelings almost always have a pronounced evaluating or appraisal element."<br /><br />REBT then generally proposes that many of these self-defeating cognitive, emotive and behavioral tendencies are both innately biological and indoctrinated early in and during life, and further grow stronger as a person continually revisits, clings and acts on them. Ellis alluded to similarities between REBT and General Semantics in explaining the role of irrational beliefs in self-defeating tendencies, citing Alfred Korzybski as a significant modern influence on this thinking.[citation needed]<br /><br />REBT differs from other clinical approaches like psychoanalysis in that it places little emphasis on exploring the past, but instead focuses on changing the current evaluations and philosophical thinking-emoting and behaving in relation to themselves, others and the conditions under which people live.<br /><br />[edit] Psychological dysfunction<br />One of the main pillars of REBT is that irrational and dysfunctional ways and patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving are contributing to much, though hardly all, human disturbance and emotional and behavioral self- and social defeatism. REBT generally teaches that when people turn flexible preferences, desires and wishes into grandiose, absolutistic and fatalistic dictates, this tends to contribute to disturbance and upsetness.<br /><br />Albert Ellis has suggested three core beliefs or philosophies that humans tend to disturb themselves through:[7]<br /><br />"I absolutely MUST, under practically all conditions and at all times, perform well (or outstandingly well) and win the approval (or complete love) of significant others. If I fail in these important—and sacred—respects, that is awful and I am a bad, incompetent, unworthy person, who will probably always fail and deserves to suffer." "Other people with whom I relate or associate, absolutely MUST, under practically all conditions and at all times, treat me nicely, considerately and fairly. Otherwise, it is terrible and they are rotten, bad, unworthy people who will always treat me badly and do not deserve a good life and should be severely punished for acting so abominably to me." "The conditions under which I live absolutely MUST, at practically all times, be favorable, safe, hassle-free, and quickly and easily enjoyable, and if they are not that way it's awful and horrible and I can't bear it. I can't ever enjoy myself at all. My life is impossible and hardly worth living." <br />Holding this belief when faced with adversity tends to contribute to feelings of anxiety, panic, depression, despair, and worthlessness. Holding this belief when faced with adversity tends to contribute to feelings of anger, rage, fury, and vindictiveness. Holding this belief when faced with adversity tends to contribute to frustration and discomfort, intolerance, self-pity, anger, depression, and to behaviors such as procrastination, avoidance, and inaction. <br /><br />REBT commonly posits that at the core of irrational beliefs there often are explicit or implicit rigid demands and commands, and that extreme derivatives like awfulizing, frustration intolerance, people deprecation and over-generalizations are accompanied by these.[4] According to REBT the core dysfunctional philosophies in a person's evaluative emotional and behavioral belief system, are also very likely to contribute to unrealistic, arbitrary and crooked inferences and distortions in thinking. REBT therefore first teaches that when people in an insensible and devout way overuse absolutistic, dogmatic and rigid "shoulds", "musts", and "oughts", they tend to disturb and upset themselves.<br /><br />Further REBT generally posits that disturbed evaluations to a large degree occur through over-generalization, wherein people exaggerate and globalize events or traits, usually unwanted events or traits or behavior, out of context, while almost always ignoring the positive events or traits or behaviors. For example, awfulizing is partly mental magnification of the importance of an unwanted situation to a catastrophe or horror, elevating the rating of something from bad to worse than it should be, to beyond totally bad, worse than bad to the intolerable and to a "holocaust". The same exaggeration and overgeneralizing occurs with human rating, wherein humans come to be arbitrarily and axiomatically defined by their perceived flaws or misdeeds. Frustration intolerance then occurs when a person perceives something to be too difficult, painful or tedious, and by doing so exaggerates these qualities beyond one's ability to cope with them.<br /><br />Essential to REBT theory is also the concept of secondary disturbances which people sometimes construct on top of their primary disturbance. As Ellis emphasizes:[7]<br /><br />"Because of their self-consciousness and their ability to think about their thinking, they can very easily disturb themselves about their disturbances and can also disturb themselves about their ineffective attempts to overcome their emotional disturbances."<br /><br />[edit] Mental wellness<br />As would be expected, REBT argues that mental wellness and mental health to a large degree results from a surfeit of self-helping, flexible, logico-empirical ways of thinking, emoting and behaving.[6] When a perceived undesired and stressful activating event occurs, and the individual is interpreting, evaluating and reacting to the situation rationally and self-helpingly, then the resulting consequence is, according to REBT, likely to be more healthy, constructive and functional. This does not by any means mean that a relatively un-disturbed person never experiences negative feelings, but REBT does hope to keep debilitating and un-healthy emotions and subsequent self-defeating behavior to a minimum. To do this REBT generally promotes a flexible, un-dogmatic, self-helping and efficient belief system and constructive life philosophy about adversities and human desires and preferences.<br /><br />REBT clearly acknowledges that people, in addition to disturbing themselves, also are innately constructivists. Because they largely upset themselves with their beliefs, emotions and behaviors, they can be helped to, in a multimodal manner, dispute and question these and develop a more workable, more self-helping set of constructs.<br /><br />REBT generally teaches and promotes:<br /><br />That the concepts and philosophies of life of unconditional self-acceptance, other-acceptance, and life-acceptance are effective philosophies of life in achieving mental wellness and mental health.<br />That human beings are inherently fallible and imperfect and that they had better accept their and other human being's totality and humanity, while at the same time not like some of their behaviors and characteristics. That they are better off not measuring their entire self or their "being" and give up the narrow, grandiose and ultimately destructive notion to give themselves any global rating or report card. This is partly because all humans are continually evolving and are far too complex to accurately rate; all humans do both self- and social-defeating and self- and social-helping deeds, and have both beneficial and un-beneficial attributes and traits at certain times and in certain conditions. REBT holds that ideas and feelings about self-worth are largely definitional and are not empirically confirmable or falsifiable.<br />That people had better accept life with its hassles and difficulties not always in accordance with their wants, while trying to change what they can change and live as elegantly as possible with what they can not change.<br />[edit] REBT Intervention<br />As explained, REBT is a therapeutic system of both theory and practices; generally one of the goals of REBT is to help clients see the ways in which they have learned how they often needlessly upset themselves, teach them how to un-upset themselves and then how to empower themselves to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.[3] The emphasis in therapy is generally to establish a successful collaborative therapeutic working alliance based on the REBT educational model. Although REBT teaches that the therapist or counsellor had better demonstrate unconditional other-acceptance or unconditional positive regard, the therapist is not necessarily always encouraged to build a warm and caring relationship with the client. The tasks of the therapist or counsellor include understanding the client’s concerns from his point of reference and work as a facilitator, teacher and encourager.<br /><br />In traditional REBT, the client together with the therapist, in a structured active-directive manner, often work through a set of target problems and establish a set of therapeutic goals. In these target problems, situational dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and beliefs are assessed in regards to the client's values and goals. After working through these problems, the client learns to generalize insights to other relevant situations. In many cases after going through a client's different target problems, the therapist is interested in examining possible core beliefs and more deep rooted philosophical evaluations and schemas that might account for a wider array of problematic emotions and behaviors.[4] Although REBT much of the time is used as a brief therapy, in deeper and more complex problems, longer therapy is promoted.<br /><br />In therapy, the first step often is that the client acknowledges the problems, accepts emotional responsibility for these and has willingness and determination to change. This normally requires a considerable amount of insight, but as originator Albert Ellis[7] explains:<br /><br />"Humans, unlike just about all the other animals on earth, create fairly sophisticated languages which not only enable them to think about their feeling, their actions, and the results they get from doing and not doing certain things, but they also are able to think about their thinking and even think about thinking about their thinking."<br /><br />Through the therapeutic process, REBT employs a wide array of forceful and active, meaning multimodal and disputing, methodologies. Central through these methods and techniques is the intent to help the client challenge, dispute and question their destructive and self-defeating cognitions, emotions and behaviors. The methods and techniques incorporate cognitive-philosophic, emotive-evocative-dramatic, and behavioral methods for disputation of the client's irrational and self-defeating constructs and helps the client come up with more rational and self-constructive ones. REBT seeks to acknowledge that understanding and insight are not enough; in order for clients to significantly change, they had better pinpoint their irrational and self-defeating constructs and work forcefully and actively at changing them to more functional and self-helping ones.<br /><br />REBT posits that the client must work hard to get better, and in therapy this normally includes a wide array of homework exercises in day-to-day life assigned by the therapist. The assignments may for example include desensitization tasks, i.e., by having the client confront the very thing he or she is afraid of. By doing so, the client is actively acting against the belief that often is contributing significantly to the disturbance.<br /><br />Another factor contributing to the brevity of REBT is that the therapist seeks to empower the client to help himself through future adversities. REBT only promotes temporary solutions if more fundamental solutions are not found. An ideal successful collaboration between the REBT therapist and a client results in changes to the client's philosophical way of evaluating him- or herself, others, and his or her life, which will likely yield effective results. The client then moves toward unconditional self-acceptance, other-acceptance and life-acceptance while striving to live a more self-fulfilling and happier life.<br /><br />[edit] Limitations and critique<br />REBT and CBT in general have a substantial and strong research base to verify and support both their psychotherapeutic efficiency and their theoretical underpinnings. A great quantity of scientific empirical studies have proven REBT to be an effective and efficient treatment for many kinds of psychopathology, conditions and problems[7][8].[9][10] A vast amount of outcome- and experimental studies support the effectiveness of REBT and CBT.[11][12] Recently, REBT randomized clinical trials have offered a positive view on the efficacy of REBT.[13]<br /><br />In general REBT is arguably one of the most investigated theories in the field of psychotherapy and a large amount of clinical experience and a substantial body of modern psychological research have validated and substantiated many of REBTs theoretical assumptions on personality and psychotherapy[14].[9][13] Some critiques have been given on some of the clinical research that has been done on REBT both from within and by others. For instance originator Albert Ellis has on occasions emphasized the difficulty and complexity of measuring psychotherapeutic effectiveness, since many studies only tend to measure whether clients merely feel better after therapy instead of them getting better and staying better.[6] Ellis has also criticized studies for having limited focus primarily to cognitive restructuring aspects, as opposed to the combination of cognitive, emotive and behavioral aspects of REBT.[9] As REBT has been subject to criticisms during its existence, especially in its early years, REBT theorists have a long history of publishing and addressing those concerns. It has also been argued by Ellis and by other clinicians that REBT theory on numerous occasions has been misunderstood and misconstrued both in research and in general.[13]<br /><br />Some have criticized REBT for being harsh, formulaic and failing to address deep underlying problems.[14] This has been cogently refuted by REBT theorists who have pointed out that a careful study of REBT shows that it is both philosophically deep, humanistic and individualized collaboratively working on the basis of the client’s point of reference.[3][14] They have further pointed out that REBT utilizes an integrated and interrelated methodology of cognitive, emotive-experiential and behavioral interventions.[3][9] Others have questioned REBTs view of rationality, both radical constructivists who have claimed that reason and logic are subjective properties and those who believe that reason can be objectively determined.[14] REBT theorists have refuted these claims by maintaining that REBT raises objections to clients irrational choices and conclusions as a working hypothesis and through collaborative efforts demonstrate the irrationality on practical, functional and social consensual grounds.[7][14] In 1998 when asked what the main criticism on REBT was, Albert Ellis replied that it was the claim that it was too rational and not dealing sufficiently enough with emotions. He repudiated the claim by saying that REBT on the contrary emphasized that thinking, feeling, and behaving are interrelated and integrated, and that it includes a vast amount of both emotional and behavioral methods in addition to cognitive ones.[15]<br /><br />Seen as a quite controversial figure in some camps, Ellis has also received criticism that has arguably been more directed at him than his psychotherapy. These include his use of four-letter words and confrontational attitude.[citation needed][who?] In addition Ellis has himself in very direct terms criticized opposing approaches such as psychoanalysis, transpersonal psychology and abreactive psychotherapies in addition to on several occasions questioning some of the doctrines in certain religious systems, spiritualism and mysticism. Many, including REBT practitioners, have warned against dogmatizing and sacredizing REBT as a supposedly perfect psychological cure-all and panacea. Prominent REBTers have promoted the importance of high quality and programmatic research, including originator Ellis, a self-proclaimed "passionate skeptic". He has on many occasions been open to challenges and acknowledged errors and inefficiencies in his approach and concurrently revised his theories and practices.[7][14] In general, with regard to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies' interventions, others have pointed out that as about 30-40% of people are still nonresponsive to interventions, that REBT could be a platform of reinvigorating empirical studies on the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral models of psychopathology and human functioning.[13]<br /><br />REBT has generally in quite many ways been developed, revised and augmented through the years as understanding, knowledge and science about psychology and psychotherapy have progressed. This includes both its theoretical concepts but also its practices and methodology. Inherent in REBT as an approach has been the teaching of scientific thinking, reasonableness and un-dogmatism and these ways of thinking have been part of REBT's empiricism and skepticism.<br /><br />[edit] Applications and interfaces<br />REBT is used with a broad range of clinical problems in traditional psychotherapeutic settings such as individual-, group- and family therapy. It is used as a general treatment for a vast number of different conditions and psychological problems normally associated with psychotherapy.<br /><br />In addition, REBT is used with non-clinical problems and problems of living through counselling, consultation and coaching settings dealing with problems including relationships, social skills, career changes, stress management, assertiveness training, grief, problems with aging, money, weight control etc.<br /><br />REBT also has many interfaces and applications through self-help resources, phone- and internet counseling, workshops & seminars, workplace and educational programmes, etc. This includes Rational Emotive Education (REE) where REBT is applied in education settings, Rational Effectiveness Training in business and work-settings and SMART Recovery (Self Management And Recovery Training) in supporting those in addiction recovery. In addition a wide variety of special treatment strategies and applications have been developed for different kinds of specialized groups.<br /><br />Albert Ellis consistently used hypnosis as an adjunct to REBT throughout his professional life. He acknowledged a number of similarities hypnosis shares with REBT. (1986; 1993) For example, both Hypnosis and REBT are active and directive in therapist style. Additionally most traditional approaches to Hypnosis help clients to develop powerful coping statements which can impact the client's life positively. REBT similarly helps clients to dispute their irrational self-defeating beliefs and to replace them with rational self-supporting and constructive beliefs. A number of therapeutic models have emerged which attempt to combine the two therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-4078610415176064072?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-2081909035532047422010-04-02T20:00:00.000-04:002010-04-02T20:00:46.273-04:00<b> How to Accomplish(Almost)Anything<br /></b><br /><b>6 Basic Human Needs</b><br /><br />1) Certainty<br /><br />2) Diversity<br /><br />3) Significance<br /><br />4) Connectiveness<br /><br />5) Growth<br /><br />6) Contribution<br /><br /><br /><b><br />4 Levels of Experience</b><br /><br />1) I like it, it Is Good for me and Helps Others<br /><br />2) I don’t like it, but it Is Good for me and helps others<br /><br />3) I like it, but it is Not Good for me, and does not help others<br /><br />4) I don’t like it, it is Not Good for me, and does not help others<br /><br /><b><br />7 methods to sabotage any process, DO the Reverse to Fix it</b><br /><br />1) Have a negative attitude towards the process<br /><br />2) Avoid an Abundant /Enthusiastic attitude/mentality<br /><br />3) Don’t have a Strategy<br /><br />4) Don’t follow that strategy thru<br /><br />5) Rely entirely on experts<br /><br />6) Fail to maintain a Vigil once successful<br /><br />7) Allow crisis to turn into catastrophe, a lack of resilience<br /><br /><br /><b>12 Methods to Solve any Problem</b><br /><br /><br />1 ) Manage your emotional state<br /><br />2) Focus, 20 % on the problem, 80 % on the solution<br /><br />3) Obtain and maintain momentum, write it down<br /><br />4) Analyze the issue<br /><br />5) Re assess, Redirect, your method/ solution<br /><br />6) Recruit Role models to assist, people who’ve been there ,negotiated a similar problem successfully before<br /><br />7) Reassess your relationship with this challenge<br /><br />8) Find out what is good about this challenge<br /><br />9) Find out what is not perfect yet, but could me<br /><br />10) Find out what are you willing to do , to solve this challenge<br /><br />11) Find out what you are no longer willing to do ,or continue doing to solve this challenge<br /><br />12) Find out how you can deal with this challenge and enjoy, learn ,grow from the process<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-208190903553204742?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-36898361503066988982010-03-19T21:14:00.000-04:002010-03-19T21:14:53.055-04:00The Iris, to me ,is one of my favorite flowers, <br /><br />exotic,sturdy,beautiful,returning every Spring,and So Lovely, like my wife.<br /><br /><b>My wife ,Soring,</b> for whom a genus of Iris should be named after, has <br /><br />planted hundreds,if not a thousand Irises. <br /><br /><b>She plants I take the pictures.</b><br /><br />Every Spring, I look forward to their arrival in our garden. <br /><br />Each with a scent,though some have little, the variation is amazing; <br /><br />Chocolate,BubbleGum,Vanilla,Cinamon,Sweet, Intoxicating fragrances.<br /><br />So,below is alittle bit of history.and some info on this lovely flower.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Meanings of Irises</b><br /><br />With striking uniqueness and beauty, irises have rich meanings, and when given as gifts, they can convey deep sentiments. With over 200 varieties in a wide spectrum of colors, the iris, which fittingly takes its name from the Greek word for <b>"rainbow,"</b> can be found in virtually every part of the world, growing both naturally and in farms. While garden irises can come in any of these many varieties, the flower's cut versions are mostly blue (the most popular type), white, and yellow.<br /><br /><br /><br />The iris's history is rich, dating back to Ancient Greek times when the <b>Greek Goddess Iris</b>, the messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow, acted as the link between heaven and earth. Purple irises were planted over the graves of women to summon the Goddess to guide the dead in their journey. Ancient Egyptian kings marveled in the iris’s exotic nature, and drawings have been found of the flower in a number of Egyptian palaces. During the Middle Ages, the meaning of irises became linked to the French monarchy, and the Fleur-de-lis eventually became the recognized national symbol of France. From their earliest years, irises were used to make perfume and as a medicinal remedy. Today, they are primarily seen in gardens, in bouquets, and in the wild all over the world.<br /><br /><br /><br />Through its intricate history, the meanings of the iris has come to include faith, hope, and wisdom. Depending on factors such as color and region, irises may bear additional meanings as well. In some parts of the world, the dark blue or purple iris can denote royalty, whereas the yellow iris can be a symbol of passion. Irises may also express courage and admiration. The many meanings of the iris makes the flower a great choice for an array of gift giving occasions: corporate, sympathy, get well, thinking of you, and birthday are just some of the occasions for which irises might be the perfect choice.<br /><br />Today, the iris is the state flower of Tennessee, and the Fleur-de-lis is the emblem for the city of New Orleans. <b>Irises</b> are cultivated all over the world, and they can be found naturally in Europe, the Middle East, northern Africa, Asia, and North America.<br /><br /><br />Iris (plant)<br />From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia<br />Jump to: navigation, search<br />Other plants named "iris" are found elsewhere in the Iridaceae.<br />Iris <br /><br />Blood Iris (Iris sanguinea),<br />known as ayame in Japan <br />Scientific classification <br />Kingdom: Plantae<br /><br />Division: Magnoliophyta<br /><br />(unranked): Monocots<br /><br />Order: Asparagales<br /><br />Family: Iridaceae<br /><br />Subfamily: Iridoideae<br /><b> <br />Tribe: Irideae</b><br /><br />Genus: Iris<br />L. <br />Type species <br />Iris germanica<br />L. <br />Subgenera <br />Hermodactyloides<br />Iris<br />Limniris<br />Nepalensis<br />Scorpiris<br />Xiphium<br /><br />Synonyms <br />Iridodictyum<br />Juno<br />Junopsis<br />Xiphion<br /><br /><br />Iris is a genus of between 200–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species.[1] As well as being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a common name; for one thing, it refers to all Iris species, though some plants called thus belong to other closely related genera. In North America, a common name for irises is 'flags', while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as 'junos', particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower in the United States.<br /><br />The genera Belamcanda (blackberry lily), Hermodactylus (snake's head iris), Neomarica (walking iris) and Pardanthopsis are sometimes included in Iris.<br /><br /><br /><br />Rhizomes of ornamental irises <br />Iris persica, a bulbous iris <br />Iris reichenbachii fruitThe genus is widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone. Their habitats are considerably varied, ranging from cold and montane regions to the grassy slopes, meadowlands and riverbanks of Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa, Asia and across North America.<br /><br />Irises are perennial herbs, growing from creeping rhizomes (rhizomatous irises), or, in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous irises). They have long, erect flowering stems, which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. The rhizomatous species usually have 3–10 basal, sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical, basal leaves.<br /><br />The inflorescences are fan-shaped and contain one or more symmetrical six-lobed flowers. These grow on a pedicel or lack a footstalk. The three sepals, which are spreading or droop downwards, are referred to as "falls". They expand from their narrow base, which in some of the rhizomatous irises has a "beard" (a tuft of short upright extensions growing in its midline), into a broader expanded portion ("limb"), often adorned with veining, lines or dots. The three, sometimes reduced, petals stand upright, partly behind the sepal bases. They are called "standards". Some smaller iris species have all six lobes pointing straight outwards, but generally, limb and standards differ markedly in appearance. They are united at their base into a floral tube that lies above the ovary (known as an inferior ovary). The styles divide towards the apex into petaloid branches; this is significant in pollination.<br /><br />The iris flower is of special interest as an example of the relation between flowering plants and pollinating insects. The shape of the flower and the position of the pollen-receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect, which in probing the perianth for nectar, will first come in contact of perianth, then with the stigmatic stamens in one whorled surface which is borne on an ovary formed of three carpels. The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner whorled underside of the stamens is beneath the over-arching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma; in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus, an insect bearing pollen from one flower will, in entering a second, deposit the pollen on the stigma; in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower.<br /><br />The iris fruit is a capsule which opens up in three parts to reveal the numerous seeds within. In some species, these bear an aril.<br /><br /><br />[edit] Systematics and taxonomy<br />Up to 300 species – many of them natural hybrids – have been placed in the genus Iris. Modern classifications, starting with W. R. Dykes' 1913 book, have subdivided them. Dykes referred to the major subgroupings as sections, but later authors have generally called them subgenera, while essentially retaining his groupings. Like some older sources, the influential classification by G. I. Rodionenko removed some groups (particularly the bulbous irises) to separate genera, but even if this is done the genus remains large and several subgenera, sections and/or subsections are recognised within it.[2]<br /><br />In general, modern classifications usually recognise six subgenera, of which five are restricted to the Old World; the sixth (subgenus Limniris) has a Holarctic distribution. The two largest subgenera are further divided into sections.<br /><br />[edit] Subgenus Iris<br />Bearded rhizomatous irises<br /><br /><br />Stool Iris (Iris aphylla) flower. Note prominent white "beard". <br />Iris reichenbachiiSection Iris<br /><br />Iris albertii<br />Iris albicans – White Cemetery Iris, White Flag Iris<br />Iris amoena DC. (= I. variegata?)<br />Iris aphylla L. – Stool Iris (including I. benacensis, I. nudicaulis)<br />Iris attica (Boiss. & Heldr.) Hayek<br />Iris × buriensis Lem.<br />Iris croatica<br />Iris cypriana Foster & Baker<br />Iris flavescens Delile – Lemon-yellow Iris (= I. variegata?)<br />Iris furcata Bieb.<br />Iris germanica L. – German Iris (includes I. × barbata) <br />Iris × germanica nothovar. florentina Dykes<br />Iris glaucescens Bunge<br />Iris glockiana O.Schwarz<br />Iris illyrica (often included in I. pallida)<br />Iris imbricata Lindl.<br />Iris junonia Schott ex Kotschy<br />Iris × lurida Aiton (I. pallida × I. variegata, including I. neglecta, I. squalens)<br />Iris lutescens Lam. (including I. italica)<br />Iris marsica I.Ricci & Colas.<br />Iris mesopotamica – Mesopotamian Iris<br />Iris orjenii – Orjen Iris<br />Iris pallida – Sweet Iris, Dalmatian Iris<br />Iris perrieri Simonet ex P.Fourn.<br />Iris pseudopumila Tineo<br />Iris pumila L.<br />Iris purpureobractea B.Mathew & T.Baytop<br />Iris reichenbachii Heuff. – Reichenbach's Iris<br />Iris sambucina L.<br />Iris scariosa Willd. ex Link<br />Iris schachtii Markgr.<br />Iris suaveolens Boiss. & Reut. (including I. iliensis)<br />Iris subbiflora Brot.<br />Iris taochia Woronow ex Grossh.<br />Iris timofejewii Woronow<br />Iris variegata L. – Hungarian Iris<br /><br /><br /><br />Nazareth Iris, Iris bismarckiana <br />Iris humilis ssp. arenariaSection Oncocyclus<br /><br />Iris acutiloba C.A.Mey. (including I. ewbankiana)<br />Iris assadiana Chaudhary, Kirkw. & C.Weymolauth<br />Iris atrofusca Bak.<br />Iris atropurpurea Bak.<br />Iris barnumae Bak. & Fost.<br />Iris bismarckiana Reg. – Nazareth Iris<br />Iris camillae Grossh.<br />Iris gatesii Foster<br />Iris haynei (Bak.) Mallet. – Gilboa Iris<br />Iris hermona Dinsmore – Hermon Iris<br />Iris iberica Hoffm.<br />Iris kirkwoodi (including I. calcarea)<br />Iris lortetii Barbey ex Boiss.<br />Iris mariae Barbey.<br />Iris meda Stapf<br />Iris paradoxa Steven<br />Iris petrana Dinsm.<br />Iris polakii Stapf<br />Iris sari Schott ex Bak.<br />Iris sofarana Fost.<br />Iris susiana L. – Mourning Iris<br />Section Hexapogon<br /><br />Iris falcifolia Bunge<br />Iris longiscapa Ledeb.<br />Section Psammiris<br /><br />Iris bloudowii Ledeb.<br />Iris humilis Georgi<br />Iris kamelinii Alexeeva<br />Iris mandschurica Maxim.<br />Iris potaninii Maxim.<br />Iris vorobievii N.S.Pavlova<br />Section Pseudoregelia<br /><br />Iris goniocarpa Bak.<br />Iris hookeriana Fost.<br />Iris kamaonensis Wall.<br />Iris sikkimensis Dykes<br />Iris tigrida Bunge ex Ledeb.<br />Section Regelia<br /><br />Iris hoogiana Dykes<br />Iris korolkowii Regel<br />Iris stolonifera Maxim.<br /><br /><br />[edit] Subgenus Limniris<br />Beardless rhizomatous irises<br /><br />Section Limniris<br /><br /><br />Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) or hanashōbu, cv. 'Kumoinogan' <br />Iris graminea <br />Yellow-banded Iris, Iris orientalis <br />Blood Iris (Iris sanguinea) or ayameIris acoroides Spach<br />Iris bracteata – Siskiyou Iris<br />Iris brevicaulis Raf. – Zigzag Iris<br />Iris bulleyana Dykes<br />Iris caespitosa Pall. & Link<br />Iris chrysographes – Black Iris<br />Iris chrysophylla – Yellow-leaved Iris<br />Iris clarkei Bak.<br />Iris crocea Jacquem. ex R.C.Foster (including I. aurea)<br />Iris delavayi Micheli<br />Iris demetrii Achv. & Mirzoeva<br />Iris douglasiana – Douglas Iris<br />Iris ensata Thunb. – Japanese Iris, hanashōbu (Japanese) (including I. kaempferi)<br />Iris fernaldii – Fernald's Iris<br />Iris foetidissima – Stinking Iris, Gladwin Iris, Stinking Gladwin, Gladdon, Roast-beef Plant<br />Iris forrestii Dykes<br />Iris fulva Ker-Gawl. – Copper Iris<br />Iris giganticaerulea – Giant Blue Iris, Giant Blue Flag<br />Iris graminea L.<br />Iris grant-duffii Bak.<br />Iris hartwegii – Hartweg's Iris, Rainbow Iris, Sierra Iris<br />Iris hexagona Walt. – Dixie Iris<br />Iris hookeri Penny – Hooker's Iris<br />Iris innominata – Del Norte Iris<br />Iris kerneriana Asch. & Sint.<br />Iris koreana Nakai<br />Iris lactea Pall.<br />Iris laevigata – Rabbitear Iris, Shallow-flowered Iris, kakitsubata (Japanese)<br />Iris lazica Albov<br />Iris loczyi Kanitz<br />Iris longipetala Herb.<br />Iris lorea Jank.<br />Iris ludwigii Maxim.<br />Iris maackii Maxim.<br />Iris macrosiphon – Bowltube Iris<br />Iris missouriensis – Rocky Mountain Iris, Western Blue Flag<br />Iris monnieri DC.<br />Iris munzii – Munz's Iris, Tulare Lavender Iris<br />Iris nelsonii Randolph – Abbeville Iris<br />Iris notha M.Bieb.<br />Iris orientalis Mill. – Yellow-banded Iris<br />Iris pontica Zapal.<br />Iris prismatica Pursh ex Ker-Gawl. – Slender Blue Flag<br />Iris pseudacorus – Yellow Iris, Yellow Flag<br />Iris purdyi – Purdy's Iris<br />Iris × robusta E.Anders. – Robust Iris (I. versicolor × I. virginica)<br />Iris ruthenica Ker-Gawl.<br />Iris × sancti-cyri Rouss. – Sanctimonious Iris[verification needed] (I. hookeri × I. versicolor)<br />Iris sanguinea Hornem. ex Donn – Blood Iris, ayame (Japanese)<br />Iris setosa Pallas ex Link – Beachhead Iris<br />Iris sibirica – Siberian Iris<br />Iris sintenisii Janka <br />Iris sintenisii ssp. brandzae Prodan<br />Iris songarica Schrenk<br />Iris spuria – Blue Iris <br />Iris spuria ssp. maritima – Seashore Iris<br />Iris tenax – Tough-leaved Iris, Oregon Iris<br />Iris tenuifolia Pall.<br />Iris tenuissima Dykes – Long-tubed Iris<br />Iris thompsonii R.C.Foster – Thompson's Iris (formerly in I. innominata)<br />Iris tridentata Pursh – Savanna Iris<br />Iris unguicularis Poir. (including I. speciosa, I. stylosa)<br />Iris uniflora Pall.<br />Iris ventricosa Pall.<br />Iris verna L. – Dwarf Violet Iris<br />Iris versicolor – Larger Blue Flag, Harlequin Blueflag<br />Iris × vinicolor Small – Vinicolor Iris, Wine-coloured Iris (I. fulva × I. giganticaerulea)<br />Iris virginica L. – Virginia Iris<br />Iris wilsonii C.H.Wright<br /><br /><br /><br />Iris wattiiSection Lophiris<br /><br />Iris confusa – Bamboo Iris<br />Iris cristata – Crested Iris<br />Iris gracilipes A.Gray<br />Iris japonica Thunb.<br />Iris lacustris – Dwarf Lake Iris<br />Iris milesii Foster <br /><br />Iris milesiiIris tectorum Maxim. – Wall Iris<br />Iris tenuis S.Wats. – Clackamas Iris<br />Iris wattii Baker ex Hook.f.<br />[edit] Subgenus Xiphium<br />Smooth-bulbed bulbous irises. Formerly genus Xiphion.<br /><br /><br />Yellow Spanish Iris, Iris xiphium var. lusitanicaSection Xiphium<br /><br />Iris boissieri Henriq<br />Iris filifolia Boiss.<br />Iris juncea Poir.<br />Iris latifolia – English Iris<br />Iris serotina Willk. in Willk. & Lange<br />Iris tingitana Boiss. & Reut. – Morocco Iris<br />Iris xiphium – Spanish Iris, Dutch Iris, Small Bulbous-rooted Iris<br />[edit] Subgenus Nepalensis<br />Bulbous irises. Formerly genus Junopsis.<br /><br />Section Nepalensis<br /><br />Iris collettii Hook.<br />Iris decora Wall.<br />[edit] Subgenus Scorpiris<br />Smooth-bulbed bulbous irises known as "junos". Formerly genus Juno.<br /><br /><br />Iris palaestinaSection Scorpiris<br /><br />Iris albomarginata R.C.Foster<br />Iris aucheri (Baker) Sealy (including I. sindjarensis)<br />Iris bucharica Foster<br />Iris caucasica Hoffm.<br />Iris cycloglossa Wendelbo<br />Iris fosteriana Aitch. & Baker<br />Iris graeberiana Tubergen ex Sealy<br />Iris magnifica Vved.<br />Iris narynensis O.Fedtsch.<br />Iris nusairiensis Monterode<br />Iris palaestina (Bak.) Boiss.<br />Iris persica L.<br />Iris planifolia (Mill.) Fiori & Paol.<br />Iris pseudocaucasica Grossh.<br />Iris regis-uzziae Feinbrun<br />Iris rosenbachiana Reg.<br />Iris vicaria Vved.<br /><br /><br />[edit] Subgenus Hermodactyloides<br /><br />Iris reticulataReticulate-bulbed bulbous irises. Formerly genus Iridodictyum.<br /><br />Section Hermodactyloides<br /><br />Iris bakeriana Foster<br />Iris danfordiae (Baker) Boiss.<br />Iris histrio Rchb.f.<br />Iris histrioides (G.F.Wilson) S.Arn.<br />Iris kolpakowskiana Regel<br />Iris pamphylica Hedge<br />Iris reticulata Bieb.<br />Iris vartanii Fost.<br />Iris winogradowii Fomin<br />[edit] Uses<br />[edit] In horticulture<br />Irises are extensively grown as ornamental plants in home and botanical gardens. Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in New Jersey, for example, is a living iris museum with over 10,000 plants, while in Europe the most famous iris garden is arguably the Giardino dell'Iris in Florence (Italy) which every year hosts one of the most famous iris breeders' competitions in the world.<br /><br />The most commonly found garden iris is the bearded German Iris (I. germanica), a hybridogenic species, and its numerous cultivars. Various wild forms and naturally occurring hybrids of the Sweet Iris (I. pallida) and the Hungarian Iris (I. variegata) form the basis of most all modern hybrid bearded irises. Median forms of bearded iris (intermediate bearded, or IB; miniature tall bearded, or MTB; etc.) are derived from crosses between tall and dwarf varieties.<br /><br />The bearded irises are easy to cultivate and propagate, and have become very popular in gardens. They grow in any good free garden soil, the smaller and more delicate species needing only the aid of turf ingredients, either peat or loam, to keep it light and open in texture. The earliest to bloom are species like I. junonia and I. reichenbachii, which flower as early as February and March, followed by the dwarf forms of I. pumila which blossom during March, April and May. During the latter month and the following one, most of the larger-growing "tall bearded" irises bloom, such as the German Iris and its variety florentina, Sweet Iris, Hungarian Iris, Lemon-yellow Iris (I. flavescens), Iris sambucina, I. amoena, and their natural and horticultural hybrids such as those described under names like I. neglecta or I. squalens and best united unter I. × lurida.<br /><br />The section Oncocyclus contains the cushion irises or royal irises, a group of plants noted for their large, strongly marked flowers. Between 30 and 60 species are classified in this section, depending on the authority. Compared with other irises the cushion varieties are scantily furnished with narrow sickle-shaped leaves and the flowers are usually borne singly on the stalks; they are often very dark and in some almost blackish. The cushion irises are somewhat fastidious growers, and to be successful with them they must be planted rather shallow in very gritty well-drained soil. They should not be disturbed in the autumn, and after the leaves have withered the roots should be protected from heavy rains until growth starts again naturally.<br /><br />The section Regelia, closely allied to the cushion irises, includes several garden hybrids with species in section Oncocyclus, known as Regelio-cyclus irises. They are best planted in September or October in warm sunny positions, the rhizomes being lifted the following July after the leaves have withered.<br /><br />A truly red bearded iris remains an unattained goal despite frequent hybridizing and selection. There are species and selections, most notably based on the beardless rhizomatous Copper Iris (I. fulva), which have a relatively pure red color. However, getting this color into a modern bearded iris breed has proven very difficult, and thus, the vast majority of irises are in the purple and blue range of the color spectrum, with yellow and whitish breeds also quite frequent.<br /><br />Other beardless rhizomatous iris types commonly found in garden are the Siberian Iris (I. sibirica) and its hybrids, and the Japanese Iris (I. ensata) and its hybrids. "Japanese iris" is also a catch-all term for the Japanese Iris proper (hanashōbu), the Blood Iris (I. sanguinea, ayame) and the Rabbitear Iris (I. laevigata, kakitsubata). I. unguicularis is a late-winter-flowering species from Algeria, with sky-blue flowers blotched with yellow, produced (in the Northern Hemisphere) from November to March or April. Yet another beardless rhizomatous iris popular in gardening is I. ruthenica, which has much the same requirements and characteristics as the "tall bearded" irises.<br /><br />Many of the smaller species of bulbous iris, being liable to perish from excess of moisture, should have a well-drained bed of good but porous soil made up for them, in some sunny spot, and in winter should be protected by a covering of half-decayed leaves or fresh cocos-fibre refuse. To this group belong the "reticulate" irises with their characteristic bulbs, including I. danfordiae, I. histrioides, I. reticulata and others, as well as the smmoth-bulbed I. filifolia, which flower as early as February and March<br /><br />Giardino dell'Iris in Florence<br />The bearded iris cultivar 'Mary Todd'<br />Chestnut cultivars like 'Samurai Warrior' are the closest breeder have been able to get to a "red" bearded iris<br />Iris atropurpurea, one of the dark-flowered Oncocyclus bearded irises<br /><br />Iris unguicularis flower<br />'Katharine Hodginkin', a bulbous iris cultivar, a hybrid between I. winogradowii and I. histrioides 'Major'.<br />Iris kemaonensis in Himalaya<br />Iris pseudacorus in Cheshire in England<br /><br /><br />[edit] Aromatic rhizomes<br /><br />Bombay Sapphire gin contains flavoring derived from particular bearded iris speciesRhizomes of the German Iris (I. germanica) and Sweet Iris (I. pallida) are traded as orris root and are used in perfume and medicine, though more common in ancient times than today. Today Iris essential oil (absolute) from flowers are sometimes used in aromatherapy as sedative medicines. The dried rhizomes are also given whole to babies to help in teething. Gin brands such as Bombay Sapphire and Magellan Gin use orris root and sometimes iris flowers for flavor and color.<br /><br />For orris root production, iris rhizomes are harvested, dried, and aged for up to 5 years. In this time, the fats and oils inside the roots undergo degradation and oxidation, which produces many fragrant compounds that are valuable in perfumery. The scent is said to be similar to violets. The aged rhizomes are steam-distilled which produces a thick oily compound, known in the perfume industry as "iris butter".<br /><br />Iris rhizomes also contain notable amounts of terpenes, and organic acids such as ascorbic acid, myristic acid, tridecylenic acid and undecylenic acid. Iris rhizomes can be toxic. Larger Blue Flag (I. versicolor) and other species often grown in gardens and widely hybridized contain elevated amounts of the toxic glycoside iridin. These rhizomes can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or skin irritation, but poisonings are not normally fatal. Irises should only be used medicinally under professional guidance.<br /><br />[edit] In water purification<br />Further information: Organisms_used_in_water_purification<br />Further information: Treatment_pond<br /><br />Flowering Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) at a treatment pondIn water purification, Yellow Iris (I. pseudacorus) is used. The roots are usually planted in a substrate (e.g. lava-stone) in a reedbed-setup. The roots then improve water quality by consuming nutrient pollutants, such as from agricultural runoff.<br /><br />[edit] In art and symbolism<br />The artist George Gessert has specialised in breeding irises.[3]<br /><br />The artist Vincent van Gogh painted several famous pictures of irises.[4]<br /><br />The American artist, Joseph Mason — a great friend of John James Audubon — painted a precise image of what was then known as the Lousianna Flag or Copper Iris (Iris cuprea) to which Audubon subsequently added two Northern Paraula birds (parula americana) for inclusion as Plate 15 in his Birds of America.<br /><br />The artist Philip Hermogenes Calderon painted an iris in his 1856 work Broken Vows; he followed the principles of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. An ancient belief is that the iris serves as a warning to be heeded, as it was named for the messenger of Olympus. It also conveys images of lost love and silent grief, for young girls were led into the afterlife by Iris. Broken Vows was accompanied with poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow when it was first exhibited.[5]<br /><br />The fleur-de-lis, a stylized iris, first occurs in its modern use as the emblem of the House of Capet. The fleur-de-lis has been associated with France as Louis VII adopted it as a symbol in the 12th Century. The yellow fleur-de-lis reflects the Yellow Iris (I. pseudacorus), common in Western Europe. Contemporary uses can be seen in the Quebec flag and the logo of the New Orleans Saints professional football team, and on the flag of Saint Louis, Missouri.<br /><br />The red fleur-de-lis in the coat-of-arms of Florence (Italy) descends from the white iris which is native to Florence and which grew even in its city walls. This white iris, displayed against a red background, became the symbol of Florence until the Medici family, to signal a change in political power, reversed the colors making the white one red and setting in motion a centuries-long breeding program to hybridize a red iris.<br /><br />Furthermore, the fleur-de-lis is the almost-universal symbol of Scouting and one of the symbols adopted by the sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma.<br /><br />A stylized Yellow Iris is the symbol of Brussels, since historically, the important Saint Gaugericus Island was carpeted in them.[6] The iris symbol is now the sole feature on the flag of the Brussels-Capital Region.<br /><br />An iris – species unspecified – is one of the state flowers of Tennessee. Tradition holds that the particular iris symbolizing Tennessee is a purple cultivar, to go alongside the wild-growing Purple Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) which is the state's other floral emblem.<br /><br />The provincial flower of Québec (Canada) is the Harlequin Blueflag (I. versicolor), called iris versicolore in French.<br /><br />Philip Hermogenes Calderon's Broken Vows with the iris at lower left<br />Coat-of-arms of the House of Capet<br />Coat-of-arms of Florence<br />Flag of the Brussels-Capital Region<br /><br />Coat of Arms of Ukraine is a stylized iris[verification needed], a symbol of the Perun (thunder god) from the pagan antiquity.<br /><br /><br />[edit] See also<br />List of early spring flowers<br />List of late spring flowers<br />List of early summer flowers<br />[edit] References<br />1.^ Manning, John; Goldblatt, Peter (2008). The Iris Family: Natural History & Classification. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. pp. 200–204. ISBN 0-88192-897-6. <br />2.^ Dyke (1913), Rodionenko (1961)<br />3.^ West [2008]<br />4.^ Pioch (2002)<br />5.^ Mancoff (2003): p.6,16<br />6.^ CPM-KB [2007]<br />Chancery of the Prime Minister, Kingdom of Belgium (CPM-KB) [2007]: Brussels Town Hall. Retrieved 2007-NOV-11.<br />Dykes, W.R. (1913): The genus Iris. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.<br />Mancoff, Debra N. (2003): Flora Symbolica: Flowers in Pre-Raphaelite Art. Prestel Publishing, New York, USA. ISBN 3-7913-2851-4<br />Pioch, Nicolas (2002): Gogh, Vincent van: Irises. Bersion of 2002-AUG-19. Retrieved 2008-DEC-10.<br />Rodionenko, G.I. (1961): The genus Iris L.. Moscow and Leningrad.<br />Species Group of the British Iris Society (1996): A Guide to Species Irises: Their Identification and Cultivation; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. ISBN 0-521-44074-2<br />West, Ruth [2008]: George Gessert. Retrieved 2008-DEC-10.<br />[edit] External links<br />Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Iris (Iridaceae) <br /><br />Joseph Mason's painting - Copper Iris Copper Iris / Lousianna Flag (Iris cuprea) from John James Audubon's Birds of America<br />Kew Checklist: Iris<br />Flora of North America: Iris<br />Flora of China: Iris<br />Flora of Pakistan: Iris<br />Flora of Nepal: Iris<br />Iris Species<br />A web site devoted to Irises, by David Payne-Joyce; includes plates from Dykes (1913).<br />The American Iris Society<br />Iris taxonomy in GBIF Biodiversity Data Portal<br />Historic Iris Preservation Society<br />Iris listings at Wild Flowers of Israel<br />Bearded Iris colors<br />Iris in Art and Culture<br />Gouvernement du Québec Emblèmes du Québec - Iris versicolor (french)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-3689836150306698898?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-77700500559434139442010-03-07T20:57:00.001-05:002010-03-07T21:08:38.960-05:00<b>Let me not pray to be sheltered from life's dangers,<br />but to be fearless in facing them.</b><br /><br /><b>Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,<br />but to have the heart to conquer it.</b><br /><br /><b>Let me not look for allies in life's battlefields,<br />but to my own strength.</b><br /><br /><b>Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,<br />but hope for the patience to win my own freedom.</b><br /><br /><b>Grant me that I may not be a coward,<br />feeling your mercy in my success alone,<br />but let my feel the grasp of your hand in failure.</b><br /><br /><br />This poem ,allegedly from "Fruit Gathering",though I could not find it,within it, is a favorite of mine. It's premise has seen me thru many a difficult time. On my Tomb Stone, I would like placed a very short Poem,by Rabindrath Tagore:<br /><br /><b>"Let these be my last words,<br />I Trust in your Love"</b><br /><br />Below is brief biography of this "Illuminare" a Lovely Man,a Bengali Poet.<br /><br /><b>Rabindranath Tagore</b><br />The Nobel Prize in Literature 1913 Biography<br />Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore, a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, which was a new religious sect in nineteenth-century Bengal and which attempted a revival of the ultimate monistic basis of Hinduism as laid down in the Upanishads. He was educated at home; and although at seventeen he was sent to England for formal schooling, he did not finish his studies there. In his mature years, in addition to his many-sided literary activities, he managed the family estates, a project which brought him into close touch with common humanity and increased his interest in social reforms. He also started an experimental school at Shantiniketan where he tried his Upanishadic ideals of education. From time to time he participated in the Indian nationalist movement, though in his own non-sentimental and visionary way; and Gandhi, the political father of modern India, was his devoted friend. Tagore was knighted by the ruling British Government in 1915, but within a few years he resigned the honour as a protest against British policies in India.<br /><br />Tagore had early success as a writer in his native Bengal. With his translations of some of his poems he became rapidly known in the West. In fact his fame attained a luminous height, taking him across continents on lecture tours and tours of friendship. For the world he became the voice of India's spiritual heritage; and for India, especially for Bengal, he became a great living institution.<br /><br />Although Tagore wrote successfully in all literary genres, he was first of all a poet. Among his fifty and odd volumes of poetry are Manasi (1890) [The Ideal One], Sonar Tari (1894) [The Golden Boat], Gitanjali (1910) [Song Offerings], Gitimalya (1914) [Wreath of Songs], and Balaka (1916) [The Flight of Cranes]. The English renderings of his poetry, which include The Gardener (1913), Fruit-Gathering (1916), and The Fugitive (1921), do not generally correspond to particular volumes in the original Bengali; and in spite of its title, Gitanjali: Song Offerings (1912), the most acclaimed of them, contains poems from other works besides its namesake. Tagore's major plays are Raja (1910) [The King of the Dark Chamber], Dakghar (1912) [The Post Office], Achalayatan (1912) [The Immovable], Muktadhara (1922) [The Waterfall], and Raktakaravi (1926) [Red Oleanders]. He is the author of several volumes of short stories and a number of novels, among them Gora (1910), Ghare-Baire (1916) [The Home and the World], and Yogayog (1929) [Crosscurrents]. Besides these, he wrote musical dramas, dance dramas, essays of all types, travel diaries, and two autobiographies, one in his middle years and the other shortly before his death in 1941. Tagore also left numerous drawings and paintings, and songs for which he wrote the music himself.<br /><br />From Nobel Lectures, Literature 1901-1967, Editor Horst Frenz, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1969 <br /><br />This autobiography/biography was written at the time of the award and first published in the book series Les Prix Nobel. It was later edited and republished in Nobel Lectures. To cite this document, always state the source as shown above.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Rabindranath Tagore died on August 7, 1941.</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-7770050055943413944?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-60430203063954697452010-03-01T05:29:00.000-05:002010-03-01T05:29:22.583-05:00<b><br />Question: What Is Clean Monday?<br /></b><br /><br />For Western Christians, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. For Eastern Rite Catholics, however, Lent has already begun by the time that Ash Wednesday comes around.<br />Answer: Clean Monday is the first day of Great Lent, as Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox refer to the Lenten season. For Eastern Catholics, it falls two days before the Western date of Ash Wednesday. (For Eastern Orthodox, the date is usually different, since the Orthodox figure the date of Easter using the Julian calendar. For more details, see How Is the Date of Easter Calculated?) <br />Clean Monday is a reminder that we should begin Lent with good intentions and a desire to clean our spiritual house. It is a day of strict fasting for Eastern Catholics, including abstinence not only from meat but from eggs and dairy products as well.<br />On Clean Monday and throughout Great Lent, Eastern Catholics frequently pray the Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian.<br /><br /><b>Question: What Are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?</b><br />We receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God within us—as, for example, when we receive a sacrament worthily. These seven gifts help us to live a Christian life.<br />Answer: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude (or courage), knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. You can find an in-depth discussion of each in The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. <br /><b>Question: What Are the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit?</b><br />The twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are works that we can perform only with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the performance of such works is an indication that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian believer.<br />Answer: The twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are charity (or love), joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or long suffering), mildness, faith, modesty, continency, and chastity. <br /><br /><br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian <br />A Lenten Prayer</b><br />The prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian is little known among Roman Catholics, but it is an important prayer for Eastern Rite and Eastern Orthodox during Lent (as well as on any day of fasting).<br />At the end of each verse, it is traditional to kneel or to make a prostration, which is when you kneel and then place your head to the floor. After the prostration, you should arise before reciting the next verse.<br />Eastern Christians say this prayer several times per day during Lent, and it is a good prayer for Roman Catholics to adopt as well.<br />The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian<br />O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter. [kneel/prostration] <br />Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love. [kneel/prostration]<br />O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are blessed now and ever and forever. Amen. [kneel/prostration]<br /><b>Question: Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?</b><br />Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church, and many Catholics attend Mass on Ash Wednesday to be marked with ashes as a sign of their own mortality. But is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?<br />Answer: While all Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on Ash Wednesday in order to begin the Lenten season with the proper attitude and reflection, Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation. It is, however, a day of fasting and abstinence. For the regulations on fasting and abstinence, see Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church.<br />The Sunday before Easter Sunday; see When Is Palm Sunday? for the date this year.<br /><b>Type of Feast:<br />Solemnity<br />History:</b><br /><b>Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entrance of Christ into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-9), </b>when palm branches were placed in His path, before His arrest on Holy Thursday and His Crucifixion on Good Friday. It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent, and the week in which Christians celebrate the mystery of their salvation through Christ's Death and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.<br />Beginning in the fourth century in Jerusalem, Palm Sunday was marked by a procession of the faithful carrying palm branches, representing the Jews who celebrated Christ's entrance into Jerusalem. In the early centuries, the procession began on the Mount of the Ascension and proceeded to the Church of the Holy Cross.<br />As the practice spread throughout the Christian world by the ninth century, the procession would begin in each church with the blessing of palms, proceed outside the church, and then return to the church for the reading of the Passion according to the Gospel of Matthew. The faithful would continue to hold the palms during the reading of the Passion. In this way, they would recall that many of the same people who greeted Christ with shouts of joy on Palm Sunday would call for His Death on Good Friday—a powerful reminder of our own weakness and the sinfulness that causes us to reject Christ.<br />In different parts of the Christian world, particularly where palms were historically hard to obtain, branches of other bushes and trees were used, including olive, box elder, spruce, and various willows. Perhaps best known is the Slavic custom of using pussy willows, which are among the earliest of plants to bud out in the spring.<br />The faithful have traditionally decorated their houses with the palms from Palm Sunday, and, in many countries, a custom developed of weaving the palms into crosses that were placed on home altars or other places of prayer. Since the palms have been blessed, they should not simply be discarded; rather, the faithful return them to their local parish in the weeks before Lent, to be burned and used as the ashes for Ash Wednesday.<br />The Thursday before Easter Sunday; see When Is Holy Thursday? for the date this year.<br /><b>Type of Feast:<br />Commemoration<br />Prayers:<br />Anima Christi; Thanksgiving After Communion<br />History:<br />Holy Thursday </b>is the day that Christ celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, four days after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Only hours after the Last Supper, Judas would betray Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, setting the stage for Christ's Crucifixion on Good Friday. <br />This feast, however, is more than just the lead-in to Good Friday; it is, in fact, the oldest of the celebrations of Holy Week. And with good reason: Holy Thursday is the day that Catholics commemorate the institution of three pillars of the Catholic Faith: the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood, and the Mass. During the Last Supper, Christ blessed the bread and wine with the very words that Catholic and Orthodox priests use today to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ during the Mass and the Divine Liturgy. In telling His disciples to "Do this in remembrance of Me," He instituted the Mass and made them the first priests.<br />Near the end of the Last Supper, after Judas had departed, Christ said to His disciples, "A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another." The Latin word for "commandment," mandatum became the source for another name for Holy Thursday: Maundy Thursday.<br /><b>On Holy Thursday</b>, the priests of each diocese gather with their bishop to consecrate holy oils, which are used throughout the year for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. This ancient practice, which goes back to the fifth century, is known as the Chrism Mass ("chrism" is a mixture of oil and balsam used for the holy oils) and stresses the role of the bishop as a successor to the apostles.<br />Except in very rare circumstances, there is only one Mass other than the Chrism Mass celebrated on Holy Thursday in each church: the Mass of the Lord's Supper, which is celebrated after sundown. It commemorates the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and it ends with the removal of the Body of Christ from the tabernacle in the main body of the church. The Eucharist is carried in procession to another place where it is kept overnight, to be distributed during the commemoration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday. After the procession, the altar is stripped bare, and all bells in the church are silent until the Gloria at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.<br />The Friday before Easter Sunday; see When Is Good Friday? for the date this year.<br /><b>Type of Feast:<br />Commemoration<br />Prayers:<br />The Litany of Humility; Prayer Before a Crucifix; Divine Mercy Novena<br />History:<br />Good Friday, </b>the Friday before Easter, commemorates the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. No Mass is celebrated on Good Friday; instead, the Church celebrates a special liturgy in which the account of the Passion according to the Gospel of John is read, a series of intercessory prayers (prayers for special intentions) are offered, and the faithful venerate the Cross by coming forward and kissing it. The liturgy concludes with the distribution of Holy Communion. Since there was no Mass, Hosts that were reserved from the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday are distributed instead. <br />Since the date of Good Friday is dependent on the date of Easter, it changes from year to year.<br /><b>Fasting and Abstinence:<br /><b>Good Friday is a day of strict fasting and abstinence.</b> Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between</b>. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Good Friday.<br /><b>The Greatest Christian Feast:<br />Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar</b>. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For Catholics, Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving known as Lent. Through spiritual struggle and self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to die spiritually with Christ on Good Friday, the day of his Crucifixion, so that we can rise again with him in new life on Easter.<br /><b>The Fulfillment of Our Faith:</b><br />Easter is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfillment of our faith as Christians. St. Paul wrote that, unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17). Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage to sin, and he destroyed the hold that death has on all of us; but it is his resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next.<br /><b>The Coming of the Kingdom:<br />That new life began on Easter Sunday.</b> In the Our Father, we pray that "Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven." And Christ told his disciples that some of them would not die until they saw the Kingdom of God "coming in power" (Mark 9:1). The early Christian Fathers saw Easter as the fulfillment of that promise. With the resurrection of Christ, God's Kingdom is established on earth, in the form of the Church.<br /><b>New Life in Christ:<br />That is why people who are converting to Catholicism traditionally are baptized at the Easter Vigil service, which takes place on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter), starting sometime after sunset.</b> They have usually undergone a long process of study and preparation known as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Their baptism parallels Christ's own death and resurrection, as they die to sin and rise to new life in the Kingdom of God.<br /><b>Communion - Our Easter Duty:</b><br />Because of the central importance of Easter to the Christian faith, the Catholic Church requires that all Catholics who have made their First Communion receive the Holy Eucharist sometime during the Easter season, which lasts through Pentecost, 50 days after Easter. (They should also take part in the Sacrament of Confession before receiving this Easter communion.) This reception of the Eucharist is a visible sign of our faith and our participation in the Kingdom of God. Of course, we should receive Communion as frequently as possible; this "Easter Duty" is simply the minimum requirement set by the Church.<br /><b>Sunday after Easter Sunday (See When Is Divine Mercy Sunday? for the date this year)<br />Type of Feast:<br />Feast<br />Prayers:<br />Divine Mercy Novena; Divine Mercy Chaplet</b><br />History:<br /><b>The Feast of Divine Mercy, </b>celebrated on the Octave of Easter (the Sunday after Easter Sunday), is a relatively new addition to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Celebrating the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ Himself to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, this feast was extended to the entire Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, the day that he canonized Saint Faustina. <br />A plenary indulgence (the forgiveness of all temporal punishment resulting from sins that have already been confessed) is granted on the Feast of Divine Mercy if to all the faithful who go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, and "in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honour of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. 'Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!')."<br />A partial indulgence (the remission of some temporal punishment from sin) is granted to the faithful "who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation."<br /><b>Forty days after Easter Sunday; see When Is Ascension? for the date this year.<br />Type of Feast:<br />Holy Day of Obligation<br />Prayers:<br />Collect for the Feast of the Ascension (from the Mass of St. Pius V)</b> <br />Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have this day ascended into heaven, may dwell in spirit amid heavenly things. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.<br />History:<br />The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, is the final act of our redemption that Christ began on Good Friday. On this day, the risen Christ, in the sight of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven (Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11). <br />The reality of the Ascension is so important that the creeds (the basic statements of belief) of Christianity all affirm, in the words of the Apostles' Creed, that "He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead." The denial of the Ascension is as grave a departure from Christian teaching as is denial of Christ's Resurrection.<br />Christ's bodily Ascension foreshadows our own entrance into Heaven not simply as souls, after our death, but as glorified bodies, after the resurrection of the dead at the Final Judgment. In redeeming mankind, Christ not only offered salvation to our souls but began the restoration of the material world itself to the glory that God intended before Adam's fall.<br /><b>The Feast of the Ascension marks the beginning of the first novena, or nine days of prayer.</b> Before His Ascension, Christ promised to send the Holy Spirt to His apostles. <b>Their prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which began on Ascension Thursday, ended with the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, ten days later.<br />Fifty days after Easter Sunday; see When Is Pentecost Sunday? for the date this year.<br />Type of Feast:<br />Solemnity</b><br />Prayers:<br />Novena to the Holy Ghost; Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit; Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit; Come Holy Spirit; Litany of the Holy Spirit<br /><br />Pentecost Sunday<br />ate:<br /><b>Fifty days after Easter Sunday; see When Is Pentecost Sunday? for the date this year.<br />Type of Feast:<br />Solemnity<br />Prayers:</b><br />Novena to the Holy Ghost; Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit; Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit; Come Holy Spirit; Litany of the Holy Spirit<br /><b>History:<br />Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles </b>(20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It is the 50th day after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost), and it supplants the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and which celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai. <br />The Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of the original Pentecost as well (Acts 2). Jews from all over were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast. On that Sunday, ten days after our Lord's Ascension, the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary were gathered in the Upper Room, where they had seen Christ after His Resurrection:<br />And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. [Acts 2:2-4]<br />Christ had promised His Apostles that He would sent His Holy Spirit, and, on Pentecost, they were granted the gifts of the Spirit. The Apostles began to preach the Gospel in all of the languages that the Jews who were gathered there spoke, and about 3,000 people were converted and baptized that day.<br />That is why Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Church." On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ's mission is completed, and the New Covenant is inaugurated. It's interesting to note that St. Peter, the first pope, was already the leader and spokesman for the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday (see Acts 2:14ff).<br />In years past, Pentecost was celebrated with greater solemnity than it is today. In fact, the entire period between Easter and Pentecost Sunday was known as Pentecost (and it still is called Pentecost in the Eastern churches, both Catholic and Orthodox). During those 50 days, both fasting and kneeling were strictly forbidden, because this period was supposed to give us a foretaste of the life of Heaven. In more recent times, parishes celebrated the approach of Pentecost with the public recitation of the Novena to the Holy Ghost<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />History:<br />Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (16:8). It is the 50th day after Easter (if we count both Easter and Pentecost), and it supplants the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and which celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai. <br />The Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of the original Pentecost as well (Acts 2). Jews from all over were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast. On that Sunday, ten days after our Lord's Ascension, the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary were gathered in the Upper Room, where they had seen Christ after His Resurrection:<br />And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. [Acts 2:2-4]<br />Christ had promised His Apostles that He would sent His Holy Spirit, and, on Pentecost, they were granted the gifts of the Spirit. The Apostles began to preach the Gospel in all of the languages that the Jews who were gathered there spoke, and about 3,000 people were converted and baptized that day.<br />That is why Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Church." On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ's mission is completed, and the New Covenant is inaugurated. It's interesting to note that St. Peter, the first pope, was already the leader and spokesman for the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday (see Acts 2:14ff).<br />In years past, Pentecost was celebrated with greater solemnity than it is today. In fact, the entire period between Easter and Pentecost Sunday was known as Pentecost (and it still is called Pentecost in the Eastern churches, both Catholic and Orthodox). During those 50 days, both fasting and kneeling were strictly forbidden, because this period was supposed to give us a foretaste of the life of Heaven. In more recent times, parishes celebrated the approach of Pentecost with the public recitation of the Novena to the Holy Ghost.<br />The Athanasian Creed is traditionally ascribed to Saint Athanasius (296-373), from whom it takes its name. (It is also called the "Quicumque," which is the first word of the creed in Latin.) Like other creeds, such as the Apostles' Creed, it is a profession of the Christian faith; but it is also a full-fledged theology lesson, which is why it is the longest of the standard Christian creeds.<br />Saint Athanasius spent his life combating the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ by denying that there are three Persons in one God. Thus, the Athanasian Creed is very much concerned with the doctrine of the Trinity. Traditionally, it has been recited in churches on Trinity Sunday, the Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, though it is rarely read today.<br />Reading the Athanasian Creed privately or with your family is a good way to bring the celebration of Trinity Sunday home and to gain a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Athanasian Creed<br />Whoever wishes to be saved, needs above all to hold the Catholic faith; unless each one preserves this whole and inviolate, he will without a doubt perish in eternity.<br />But the Catholic faith is this, that we venerate one God in the Trinity, and the Trinity in oneness; neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substance; for there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit; but the divine nature of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is one, their glory is equal, their majesty is coeternal.<br />Of such a nature as the Father is, so is the Son, so also is the Holy Spirit; the Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, and the Holy Spirit is uncreated; the Father is infinite, the Son is infinite, and the Holy Spirit is infinite; the Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, and the Holy Spirit is eternal; and nevertheless there are not three eternals but one eternal; just as there are not three uncreated beings, nor three infinite beings, but one uncreated, and one infinite; similarly the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, and the Holy Spirit is almighty; and yet there are not three almightys but one almighty; thus the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; and nevertheless there are not three gods, but there is one God; so the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is Lord; and yet there are not three lords, but there is one Lord; because just as we are compelled by Christian truth to confess singly each one person as God, and also Lord, so we are forbidden by the Catholic religion to say there are three gods or three Lords.<br />The Father was not made, nor created, nor begotten by anyone. The Son is from the Father alone, not made nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son, not made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.<br />There is, therefore, one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits; and in this Trinity there is nothing first or later, nothing greater or less, but all three Persons are coeternal and coequal with one another, so that in every respect, as has already been said above, both unity in Trinity, and Trinity in unity must be venerated. Therefore, let him who wishes to be saved, think thus concerning the Trinity.But it is necessary for eternal salvation that he faithfully believes also the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />Accordingly, it is the right faith, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God is God and man. He is God begotten of the substance of the Father before time, and He is man born of the substance of His mother in time: perfect God, perfect man, consisting of a rational soul and a human body, equal to the Father according to His Godhead, less than the Father according to humanity.<br />Although he is God and man, yet He is not two, but He is one Christ; one however, not by the conversion of the Divinity into a human body, but by the assumption of humanity in the Godhead; one absolutely not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person. For just as the rational soul and body are one man, so God and man are one Christ.He suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, on the third day arose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead; at His coming all men have to arise again with their bodies and will render an account of their own deeds: and those who have done good, will go into life everlasting, but those who have done evil, into eternal fire.<br />This is the Catholic faith; unless every one believes this faithfully and firmly, he cannot be saved. Amen.<br />The Sunday after Pentecost Sunday (See When Is Trinity Sunday? for the date this year)<br />Type of Feast:<br />Solemnity<br />Prayers:<br />The Sign of the Cross; The Glory Be; The Athanasian Creed<br />History:<br />Trinity Sunday, also known as Holy Trinity Sunday, is celebrated a week after Pentecost Sunday in honor of the most fundamental of Christian beliefs—belief in the Holy Trinity. We can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we can sum it up in the following formula: God is three Persons in one Nature. The three Persons of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are all equally God, and They cannot be divided. <br />As Fr. John Hardon points out in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, the origins of the celebration of Trinity Sunday goes all they way back to the Arian heresy of the fourth century, when Arius denied the divinity of Christ by denying that there are three Persons in God. To stress the doctrine of the Trinity, the Fathers of the Church composed prayers and hymns that were recited on Sundays as part of the Divine Office, the official prayer of the Church. Eventually, a special version of this office began to be celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost, and the Church in England, at the request of St. Thomas à Becket (1118-1170), was granted permission to celebrate Trinity Sunday. The celebration of Trinity Sunday was made universal by Pope John XXII (1316-34).<br />For many centuries, the Athanasian Creed was recited at Mass on Trinity Sunday. While seldom read today, the creed can be read privately or recited with your family to revive this ancient tradition.<br />This very short novena, or nine-day prayer, can be prayed at any time, but it is most appropriate in the nine days before or after the Feast of Corpus Christi. Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament of Holy Communion are our true food as Christians, giving us the strength to live our lives in union with God.<br />Short Novena for Corpus Christi<br />O Lord Jesus Christ, You who have given us Your precious Body and Blood to be our meat and drink, grant that through frequent reception of You in the Holy Eucharist, I may be strengthened in mind and body to do Your holy will. Amen.<br />Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.<br />The Thursday after Trinity Sunday (June 11, 2009; transferred, in the dioceses of the United States, to the following Sunday, June 14, 2009)<br />Type of Feast:<br />Solemnity<br />Prayers:<br />Short Novena for Corpus Christi; Anima Christi<br />History:<br />The Feast of Corpus Christi, or the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (as it is often called today), goes back to the 13th century, but it celebrates something far older: the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper. While Holy Thursday is also a celebration of this mystery, the solemn nature of Holy Week, and the focus on Christ's Passion on Good Friday, overshadows that aspect of Holy Thursday. <br />Thus, in 1246, Bishop Robert de Thorete of the Belgina diocese of Liège, at the suggestion of St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon (also in Belgium), convened a synod and instituted the celebration of the feast. From Liège, the celebration began to spread, and, on September 8, 1264, Pope Urban IV issued the papal bull "Transiturus," which established the Feast of Corpus Christi as a universal feast of the Church, to be celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday.<br />At the request of Pope Urban IV, St. Thomas Aquinas composed the office (the official prayers of the Church) for the feast. This office is widely considered one of the most beautiful in the traditional Roman Breviary (the official prayer book of the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours), and it is the source of the famous Eucharistic hymns "Pange Lingua Gloriosi" and "Tantum Ergo Sacramentum."<br />For centuries after the celebration was extended to the universal Church, the feast was also celebrated with a eucharistic procession, in which the Sacred Host was carried throughout the town, accompanied by hymns and litanies. The faithful would venerate the Body of Christ as the procession passed by. In recent years, this practice has almost disappeared, though some parishes still hold a brief procession around the outside of the parish church.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The following is a list of the dates of the Holy Days of Obligation in the United States for 2010, as well as the dates of moveable feasts (holy days whose dates change from year to year). Please note that only those days that have "Holy Day of Obligation" listed beneath their entries are Holy Days of Obligation; all others are moveable feasts.<br />• Mary, Mother of God (Friday, January 1, 2010)<br />Holy Day of Obligation<br />• Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 17, 2010)<br />• Palm Sunday (Sunday, March 28, 2010)<br />• Holy Thursday (Thursday, April 1, 2010)<br />• Good Friday (Friday, April 2, 2010)<br />• Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 3, 2010)<br />• Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 4, 2010)<br />• Divine Mercy Sunday (Sunday, April 11, 2010)<br />• Ascension (Thursday, May 13, 2010)<br />Holy Day of Obligation (transferred to Sunday, May 16, 2010 in most dioceses of the United States)<br />• Pentecost Sunday (Sunday, May 23, 2010)<br />• Trinity Sunday (Sunday, May 30, 2010)<br />• Corpus Christi (Thursday, June 3, 2010; transferred to Sunday, June 6, 2010)<br />• Assumption of Mary (Sunday, August 15, 2010)<br />Holy Day of Obligation<br />• All Saints Day (Monday, November 1, 2010)<br />Holy Day of Obligation (abrogated because it falls on a Monday)<br />• First Sunday of Advent (Sunday, November 28, 2010)<br />Complete Advent schedule<br />• Immaculate Conception (Wednesday, December 8, 2010)<br />Holy Day of Obligation<br />• Christmas (Saturday, December 25, 2010)<br />Holy Day of Obligation<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-6043020306395469745?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-62391540908065523232010-02-23T20:58:00.000-05:002010-02-23T20:58:16.971-05:00<b>Failing and Flying <br />by Jack Gilbert <br /></b><br /><br /><b>Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew.</b><br /><br />It's the same when love comes to an end,<br />or the marriage fails and people say<br />they knew it was a mistake, that everybody<br />said it would never work. That she was <br />old enough to know better. But anything<br />worth doing is worth doing badly.<br />Like being there by that summer ocean<br />on the other side of the island while<br />love was fading out of her, the stars <br />burning so extravagantly those nights that<br />anyone could tell you they would never last.<br />Every morning she was asleep in my bed<br />like a visitation, the gentleness in her<br />like antelope standing in the dawn mist.<br />Each afternoon I watched her coming back<br />through the hot stony field after swimming,<br />the sea light behind her and the huge sky<br />on the other side of that. Listened to her<br />while we ate lunch. How can they say <br />the marriage failed? Like the people who<br />came back from Provence (when it was Provence)<br />and said it was pretty but the food was greasy.<br /><br /><b>I believe Icarus was not failing as he fell,<br />but just coming to the end of his triumph.</b><br /><br /><br />So, is failure, just another Triumph that ended, or arived too soon?<br /><br />Success can often be Bland. Often our Failures are , can be, or have been, one of the most profound experiences of our lives.<b> So,Fail, with Dignity.</b><br /><br /><b>Bill</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-6239154090806552323?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-45565888097917717662010-02-14T09:32:00.000-05:002010-02-14T09:32:16.577-05:00<b>Six Admirable Traits & Year of the Metal Tiger Info and Predictions:</b><br /><br /><b>(Originally published on Sheer Balance)by another author</b><br /><br />I’ve written numerous articles and posts on difficult people, personalities and relationships: Everything from Manipulative Marys to Bullies in the workplace to people who break boundaries to toxic personalities. Let’s face it: In life, we come across all kinds! As humans, we often focus on those who are negative or toxic leaving it difficult to appreciate those who are positive and healthy. Seeking out individuals with healthy, positive traits, however, may do a lot of good. The more we can surround ourselves with those who are positive and healthy, the more we may model those positive behaviors. <br />If you really think about it, once in awhile you come across a person who knocks you off your socks…legitimately. Maybe they have a fantastic outlook on life, even during difficult times. Maybe they are really humble, although they are extremely gifted. Maybe they make you feel special. All of these are good.<br /><br />Below, I've listed some of the traits I admire most in people. Although I could probably list a dozen characteristics, I thought I’d list those that seem to be the rarest or most difficult to find.<br /><br /><b>Selflessness:</b> In a world where many people don’t have the time or the interest in others, selflessness is a quality that seems to be less and less common. People can be selfless in the time they give, the ability to listen, their level of patience and the love that they give. Those who are giving and generous in nature have the power to make others feel loved, appreciated and special. While those who are self-absorbed tend to do the exact opposite. <br /><br /><b>Tolerance:</b> Those people who are tolerant make us feel comfortable with who we are and special as individuals. All of us are different, and many of us have quirks and idiosyncrasies. After all, these differences make the world go round. Having the ability to accept people for who they are and not expect them to be who we want them to be is important in life, happiness and in the health of our relationships. <br /><b><br />Genuineness:</b> Having the ability to be real, authentic and honest is unique in a world where we put so much emphasis on the superficial. Feeling comfortable in one’s skin and being true to one’s self is one of the most beautiful traits one can possess. To have a REAL relationship with someone requires honesty…it requires hearing and giving input or feedback that may not always be popular…it means having the strength to tell it like it is and to not be afraid to face the consequences for doing so…it means loving people for who they really are…deep down…and not for what they appear to be. <br /><b><br />Sensitivity:</b> So often we are focused on what is important to ourselves that we can forget about those around us. Those who are sensitive are often thoughtful, appreciative and loving, in a way that makes you feel understood, valued and respected. Often, sensitive people are also self-aware, making them mindful of how they impact others with what they do and say. <br /><b><br />Integrity:</b> Call me cynical, but I think this characteristic is especially difficult to find. In a time when people will do things that are underhanded to make an extra buck (Bernie Madoff…can you hear me?), expose their personal lives to the public so they can be famous (balloon boy’s dad and any other reality TV mongers) and do what feels good in the moment without necessarily thinking of the consequences (Tiger Woods), integrity is a characteristic that is especially unique today. <br /><b><br />Humility:</b> Whether someone is super-smart, extremely talented or drop-dead gorgeous, there is something extra special about them if they don’t come across as though they know it all the time. Humility in those that possess extraordinary traits make others feel special too. <br />Oh boy the list could go on! What characteristics do you admire in others? Are there any that you want to cultivate?<br /><br /><b><br />The Chinese Zodiac</b><br /><br /><br />Cosmic energy flows change on Feb. 4. If your birthday falls before Feb. 4, you have the energy of the previous year.<br /><br />The Chincese Zodiac has a 60 year Cycle, made up of 5 (5 Elements) 12 year Cycles. They are: Water which begets Wood, Wood which begets Fire, Fire which begets Earth , Earth which begets Metal, then as the Dew (water) is found on the Metal Blade of a Sword, Water ,ect,ect.. Each year as its Protaganistic sign and Antagonistic sign . This Year of the Metal Tiger , in general, really generally, persons born under wood years will have a more challenging year,as Metal cuts wood. Those born under Earth signs, will fare a bit better, as earth begets metal. <br /><br /><b>A Caution, We all determine our destiny and course, but it helps to know which way the winds of destiny are blowing.</b><br /><br /><br /><b>Tiger</b> — 2010 Mtl, 1998 E, 1986 F, 1974 Wd, 1962 Wtr, 1950 M, 1938, 1926<br /><br /><br /><b>Rabbit</b> — 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927<br /><br /><br /><b>Dragon </b>— 2000 Mtl, 1988 E, 1976 F, 1964 Wd, 1952 Wtr, 1940 Mtl, 1928<br /><br /><b><br />Snake </b>— 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929<br /><br /><br /><b>Horse</b> — 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930<br /><br /><br /><b>Goat</b> — 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931<br /><br /><br /><b>Monkey </b>— 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920<br /><br /><br /><b>Rooster </b>— 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921<br /><br /><br /><b>Dog</b> — 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922<br /><br /><br /><b>Pig </b>— 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923<br /><br /><br /><b>Rat</b> — 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948 , 1936, 1924<br /><br /><br /><b>Ox </b>— 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925<br /><br /><br /><br />The Year of the Tiger begins on Feb. 14, which should mean good things for the world. In Chinese astrology, tigers are known as bold and independent, good luck against fire and thieves.<br /><br />But if the Year of the Tiger ends up being like every other year over the past few decades, it won't be very good for tigers themselves. The princely animals are among the most endangered species on the planet. In the wild, they number fewer than 3,000 around the world; their habitat, which once stretched in Asia from the Pacific Ocean to the Caspian Sea, has shrunk by more than 90% over the past century, and it's still shrinking. "We once had more than 100,000 of these animals," says Sybille Klenzendorf, the director of the World Wildlife Fund's U.S. Species Conservation Program. "There's a real chance that we will lose this animal in our own lifetime." <br />(See the top 10 invasive species.)<br /><br />Tigers are what is known as charismatic megafauna — the sort of big, well-known animal that tends to be good marker of a jungle's ecological health — and green groups are taking advantage of the Chinese new year to press for better protection. They face a battle on many fronts: tigers are threatened by deforestation, hunting and the illegal trade of their bones and other parts, which are used in some forms of traditional Chinese medicine, mostly for consumers in Asia.<br /><br />But one of the most unexpected threats to the tiger comes here in the U.S., where there are more tigers kept in private captivity then there are surviving wild animals left in the world. Few laws oversee the private ownership of tigers in the U.S., and conservationists worry that captive tigers could too easily end up fueling the illegal global wildlife trade. "There are significant loopholes in U.S. laws that can allow tigers to be exploited," says Crawford Allan, the director of TRAFFIC North America, which tracks the wildlife trade. "We don't know what's happening to them."<br /><br />In truth, conservationists aren't even sure exactly how many captive tigers there are in the U.S., although they estimate there are more than 5,000. That includes not just tigers in zoos and private wildlife reserves, but animals kept by private owners as pets, sometimes in terrible conditions. In 2003, a 31-year-old man in New York City was arrested after police discovered he was keeping an adult tiger (and an alligator) as pets in his Harlem apartment. Worse, in 2001, three tigers were found caged in the backyard of a Texas mobile home — authorities discovered the animals only after one escaped and killed a three-year-old boy. "There could be a tiger across the street from you and no one would know until something happened," says Allan. <br />(Read about Chinese tourists in Taiwan.)<br /><br />But the greater danger of captivity is to the animals themselves. Tiger cubs that are bought as pets — it can be done online, legally — are often abandoned once they get bigger and considerably less cute. Reserves and sanctuaries can take some of the unwanted tigers, but many refuges have been overwhelmed by demand.<br /><br />There are also real concerns among conservationists that some private parks in the U.S. are raising tigers specifically for the global wildlife trade. Along with bones, tiger skins are coveted as ceremonial garb in some cultures, or as decoration. (Although the international trade in tigers and tiger parts is illegal, few countries have taken steps to actually enforce the ban.) "Unless we can crack down on the illegal trade and on poachers in the wild, tigers have very little chance of survival," says Keshav Varma, the program director of the World Bank's global tiger initiative. <br /><br /><br />Although laws in 26 states in the U.S. ban the private ownership of tigers, conservationists would prefer stronger regulations that would allow the government to track the population of tigers kept in captivity and ensure they are being treated humanely and not being farmed for parts. Most of all, the regulations would actually need to be enforced; in Texas, for example, there are some laws governing the private ownership of tigers, but they're rarely used, and conservationists believe there are more than 3,000 captive tigers in the Lone Star state alone. "The government should be able to track the captive population better, to ensure they're not being put into the illegal wildlife trade," says Allan.<br /><br /><b>Protecting tigers in captivity is one thing, but the bigger challenge is restoring their numbers in the wild. Deforestation and the ballooning human populations in Asia have chased tigers out of their native habitat. Yet the health of the tiger means the health of the planet. "If there is a tiger in the forest, it's a sign that the forest and the other animals in it are healthy," says Varma. "Tigers are the face of biodiversity." Hopefully, then, 2010 will truly be the tiger's year.</b><br /><br /><br /><b><br /><br /><br />The Tiger's essence is that of Nobility. In life and in love, the Tiger personifies grandness. Loyal, humanitarianism and fierce protection of those entrusted to their care, Tigers will rule the jungle this year! </b><br /><br /><b>"The strong are expected to be strong... all of the time."<br />-a 1950 metal tiger- <br /><br /></b><b><br />2010 Year of the Metal Tiger (Geng Yin)<br />February 14, 2010 through February 13, 2011</b><br /><br /><br /><b><br />" To know the road ahead, ask those coming back. "<br />- Chinese proverb</b><br /><br /><br />Invest in a good pair of running shoes, and by all means get a daily organizer, as we can count on a busy year of non-stop activity in 2010!<br /><br /><br /><b><br />GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR</b><br /><br /><b><br />The Noble Tiger - The Go-Getter</b><br /><br /><b><br />Sign Order - Third</b><br /><br /><br />Element polarity of the year - Yang Metal (Geng), symbolized by raw iron ore, knives, metal weapons and sharp implements.<br /><br /><br />Symbolism: the respectful military salute of honor from subordinate to leader.<br /><br /><br />Colors for the year are purple, white and silver<br /><br /><br />Critical times occur in the Spring (Tiger) and Fall (Metal) seasons this year<br /><br /><br />Soulmate year to - Pig<br /><br /><br />Harmony year with - Horse, Dog<br /><br /><br />In Opposition with - Monkey<br /><br /><br />Karmic Combatant to the - Snake<br /><br /><br />Resolving karma & love plum with the - Rabbit<br /><br /><br />Steed (action) Monkey<br /><br /><br />Romance (peach blossom year) for: Rabbits, Roosters, Goats and Pigs<br /><br /><br />Best year for: Pigs, Horses, Goats, Oxen & Tigers<br /><br /><br />Mixed year for: Dogs, Rats<br /><br /><br />Challenging year for: Monkeys, Snakes & Dragons<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>This could be a difficult year for those born into Wood element years.</b> Wood element persons are cut down and conflict with this Metal element year (as Metal destroys Wood and is discordant.<br /><br /><br />A harmonious year for those born into the Fire element and 2010 could bring unexpected wealth your way (as Fire controls Metal making it your money $ element )<br /><br /><br />Earth element persons enjoy a parent relationship with this Metal year. 2010 is a nurturing year of "proper care" plenty of resources and happiness for you.<br /><br /><br /><br />Metal element persons could experience some competition or rivals from peers in 2010. Contenders as well as companions arrive when metal meets Metal.<br /><br /><br />Water is favored and in a harmonious relationship with this Metal element year. Water element souls should start new projects in 2010. You will experience gracious "output" or outpouring of your talents during this Metal element year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In 2010 we will all Want more: Activity, Independence <br /><br />However, In 2010 we will all Need more: REST and Control <br /><br />We will want to: Splurge, redecorate, travel<br /><br />We will NOT want to: Financially scrimp, be alone or lost in a crowd <br /><br />Turn-on's: Audience approval, Risks <br /><br />Turn-off's: Boredom <br /><br />Lucky year for: Action, activity, acquisitions, speculation <br /><br />Unlucky for: Sloth, inactivity, laziness<br /><br /><br /><br />Love, sexuality and romance are in the air this year, particularly for those born into Ox, Rooster, Pig and Rabbit (cat) years!<br /><br /><br />Magnetic, rebellious, and a risk-taker, Tiger years bring adventure, exploration and enthusiasm. The Metal Tiger year is glamorous and distinctive. It will encourage ambition, taking risks and leadership. The essence of the Tiger can best be described as nobility. High ideals, high moral character and impressive magnificence represent the Tiger?s most virtuous traits and in 2010 self-reliance, exciting activities, and passion take center stage. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Change will be the keyword this year.</b> All signs will feel the restlessness of the Tigers influence motivating changes in many key areas of life. Many may pick up and change residence or jobs or both (possibly more than once.) Tiger years are a time of commotion, uproar and bold new moves. An unusually charismatic influence, more action-oriented and more impulsive is active. Takeovers, marches and empowered forces will finally make their move. In all endeavors ask yourself the question, "Is this a rash decision?"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The hidden element in the sign of the Tiger is Wood which negatively clashes with the Metal stem of the year. This clash between Wood and Metal could indicate an explosive and difficult time. Tyrants, both on the home front and internationally, (empowered and made bold by the previous Ox year), could act out in rash, unpredictable ways. 2010 will be a year favoring action, and courageous movement. In addition, the Metal element combined with the Tiger will make 2010 an unbending, rigid time. The nature of Metal is to define and strengthen which brings structure to ones life. The Metal element symbolizes clear thinking, sincerity and accuracy. For greatest success, learn to compromise with those who are in a position to help you. <br /><br /><br />During the 1st moon of the year 2-14-10 to 3-15-10:<br />This will be a humanitarian time and charity for the masses will prevail. New, revolutionary concepts take form. This is a time of inventions and abstract thinking. Eccentricities abound, and lively debates are likely.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 2nd moon of this next Tiger year 3-16-10 to 4-13-10:<br />Imagination, feeling and intuition influence at this time. Melodramatic, impossible situations take center stage. Empathy and spiritually evolved thinking emerges. A mystical, visionary and compassionate time of the year. Beware escapism.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 3rd moon of this next Tiger year 4-14-10 to 5-13-10:<br />A Forceful, fierce and impulsive time. Even the most courageous must take care not to make rash, headstrong decisions. There will be many changes at this time. Passion, daring and generous times as well. The restless Tiger in the 3rd moon may provoke a major Change in living arrangements and employment.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 4th moon of this next Tiger year 5-14-10 to 6-11-10:<br />The sensuous Earth element of this Tiger year will prevail, motivating possessions, comfort and strong values. Marriages at this time should prosper and be happy and successful. This is a relatively stable and peaceful period of this turbulent year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 5th moon of this next Tiger year 6-12-10 to 7-11-10: An open optimistic period, filled with many social occasions and parties. Communication of all types, mental pursuits, and unexpected imaginative enterprises. All signs will feel more outgoing and gregarious.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 6th moon of this next Tiger year 7-12-10 to 8-09-10:<br />A Fiery, Kingly time of year with much pomp and circumstance. This self-confident and ego-centric period could bring world wide change in governments, leaders. Imposing, physically active and powerful forces at this time, will accentuate and personify this Tiger year of change, unrest and action.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 7th moon of this next Tiger year 8-10-10 to 9-7-10:<br />A time of multiple projects and activities. A detail-oriented time of observation and self-reflection. Also a time for some much needed rest, as we all will be exhausted from the Tiger years antics.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 8th moon of this next Tiger year 9-8-10 to 10-7-10:<br />Harmony, reconciliation and balance are restored. A charming, more diplomatic period, but decisions may be difficult. There will be many options open (perhaps too many) and home improvement and decorations are indicated. The Arts, especially dance and music will flourish at this time, as will rekindled social alliances. The Yin energy influences creativity and personal expression at this time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 9th moon of this next Tiger year 10-8-10 to 11-5-10:<br />An intense and deep time, with emphasis on sexuality, instinct, and covert behavior. Superficial concerns are tossed aside, and serious life-changing decisions could be made at this time. Vivid dreams and powerful emotions could take some of the more tranquil signs by surprise. Watch your back. A time of black/white thinking, without much gray to temper.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 10th moon of this next Tiger year 11-6-10 to 12-5-10:<br />Travel, philosophical discussion, and fun highlight this period. The desire of knowledge of different cultures and people will be sought. A new open-minded brotherhood will be felt by all. Some may lack tact and speak too freely, but the intent of the heart is good.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During the 11th moon of this next Tiger year 12-6-10 to 1-3-10:<br />Practical, ambitious and a bit over serious forces take over. Entrepreneurial efforts are successful, because of the hard work put into matters. Mastery is achieved and goals are met. A time reminiscent of the previous Ox year in the emphasis on ones family, homeland and plans for old age.<br /><br /><br /><br />During the 12th and last moon phase of this Metal Tiger year 1-4-10 to the new Cat/rabbit year which begins on 2-3-2011:<br />The aggressive Tiger energy, confident with the years great changes and achievements, prepares to enter the calm, reticent and well-mannered sign of the Cat/rabbit. The art of persuasion and diplomacy will flourish. The adventurous Tiger influence has prepared to settle in for a while, and pursue more aesthetic avenues. Treaties, talks by the fireside, and mended fences will be the order of the day.<br /><br /><b><br />Monthly Influences & Vibrations:</b><br /><br /><b>January 2010 - Endurance</b><br /><br />Best Days: 3, 7, 16, 20, 28, 31st<br /><br />High Risk Days: 9th & 21st<br /><br /><br /><b>February - Nobility</b><br /><br />Best Days: 3, 4, 10, 13, 22, 25, 28th<br /><br />High Risk Days: 1st, 14th, 26th<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>March - Detachment</b><br /><br />Best Days: 10, 13, 22, 25, 31st<br /><br />High Risk Days: 12th & 24th<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>April - Unpredictability</b><br /><br />Best Days: 7, 19, 25, 28, 29th<br /><br />High Risk Days: 6th, 18th, 30th<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>May - Slow accumulation</b><br />Best Days: 8, 12, 20, 23,26, 27th<br /><br />High Risk Days: 13th, 25th <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>June - Decisiveness</b><br />Best Days: 1, 4, 5, 14, 17, 20, 29, 30th<br /><br />High Risk Days: 7th, 19th<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>July - Propriety</b><br />Best Days: 2, 3, 5, 12, 15, 21, 27, 28th<br />High Risk Days: 1st & 14, 26th<br /><br /><br /><b>August - Humor</b><br />Best Days: 2, 5, 9, 12, 15, 18, 19, 27th 30th<br /><br />High Risk Days: 7th, 8th, 20th<br /><br /><br /><b>September - Application</b><br />Best Days: 2, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 21, 24,25, 27st<br /><br />High Risk Days: 1st, 14th, 26th<br /><br /><br /><b>October - Watchfulness</b><br />Best Days: 6,7, 10, 19, 20, 22, 28<br />High Risk Days: 8th, 9th, 21st<br /><br /><br /><b>November - Resignation</b><br />Best Days: 3, 4, 10, 16, 22, 25th<br /><br />High Risk Days: 2nd, 15th 27th <br /><br /><b>December - Concealment</b><br />Best Days: 7, 8, 9, 17, 20, 23, 29th<br /><br />High Risk Days: 10th, 22nd<br /><br /><b><br />Sign by sign forecasts for 2010 </b><br /><br /><br /><b>Rat </b><br /><br />1900 Jan 31 to Feb 18, 1901: Metal Rat<br />1912 Feb 18 to Feb 5, 1913: Water Rat<br /><br />1924 Feb 5 to Jan 24, 1925: Wood Rat<br />1936 Jan 24 to Feb 10, 1937: Fire Rat<br /><br />1948 Feb 10 to Jan 28, 1949: Earth Rat<br />1960 Jan 28 to Feb 14, 1961: Metal Rat<br /><br />1972 Feb 15 to Feb 2, 1973: Water Rat<br />1984 Feb 2 to Feb 19, 1985: Wood Rat<br /><br />1996 Feb 19 to Feb 6, 1997: Fire Rat<br />2008 Feb 7 to Jan 25, 2009: Earth Rat<br /><br />2010 is a shake up kind of year when many areas of your life will be turned upside down. 2010 is a steed year for Rat natives indicating that a great deal of movement and change will occur around you. The Tiger as your steed or movement year, could be exhausting, draining and depleting for you. When the dust settles, this year will be quite positive if used to resolve and work out problems or to make some useful changes. Healthy habits will have staying power if started this year. While the years energies may worsen your high-strung disposition, it should also boost your job productivity. Promotions are possible and money becomes more plentiful. Make certain that all business is kept scrupulously honest and be cautious of investing in the latest hot stock -- follow all rules, laws and guidelines. You may decide to pick up and change residence or jobs (possibly both) more than once. The fun part of your year revolves around your love life! Your Yang + essence take the lead in SEPT and you consider saying I-do with a home loving Ox, a forthright Dragon or a vivacious Monkey. Always plan for the future as this will allow you to relax and better enjoy the present moment.<br /><br />Best months: Jan, April, Aug, Dec. Challenging: June, July, and Oct. <br /><br /><b><br />Ox</b><br /><br />1901 Feb 19 to Feb 7, 1902: Metal Ox<br />1913 Feb 6 to Jan 25, 1914: Water Ox<br /><br />1925 Jan 25 to Feb 12, 1926: Wood Ox<br />1937 Feb 11 to Jan 30, 1938: Fire Ox<br /><br />1949 Jan 29 to Feb 16, 1950: Earth Ox<br />1961 Feb 15 to Feb 4, 1962: Metal Ox<br /><br />1973 Feb 3 to Jan 22, 1974: Water Ox<br />1985 Feb 20 to Feb 8, 1986: Wood Ox<br /><br />1997 Feb 7 to Jan 27, 1998: Fire Ox<br />2009 Jan 26 to Feb 13, 2010: Earth Ox<br /><br /><br />Wedding plans, love and romance are in the air this year for patient Oxen. If you feel that you have found your soulmate connection, then 2010 is a wonderful year to tie the knot. Settle down with a clever Rat, a seductive Snake or brassy Rooster. Married Oxen are in high spirits as well, and you may be thinking about adding additional members to your family (with Oxen this could also include a homeless pet or two). 2010 will be a particularly good one for Oxen. Your Yin essence harmonizes and balances well with the Yang Tiger energies. Family and security matters are high on your priority list this year and you may wish to expand or upgrade your home. Tiger year brings good financial luck for you, but be cautious not to overspend. You will attend many social events and have new opportunities offered to you now, but all of the socialization may take a toll on your health. 2010 will be a time of commotion, uproar and some bold new moves on your part. An unusually charismatic influence surrounds you this year and you will want to be more active, involved and on the go than usual. Plant a garden, knit a new sweater or carve a custom set of furniture. <br /><br />Best months: Mar, May, Sept, Dec. Challenging: June, July, Oct. <br /><br /><br /><b>Tiger</b><br /><br />1902 Feb 8 to Jan 28, 1903: Water Tiger<br />1914 Jan 26 to Feb 13, 1915: Wood Tiger<br /><br />1926 Feb 13 to Feb 1, 1927: Fire Tiger<br />1938 Jan 31 to Feb 18, 1939: Earth Tiger<br /><br />1950 Feb 17 to Feb 5, 1951: Metal Tiger<br />1962 Feb 5 to Jan 24, 1963: Water Tiger<br /><br />1974 Jan 23 to Feb 10, 1975: Wood Tiger<br />1986 Feb 9 to Jan 28, 1987: Fire Tiger<br /><br />1998 Jan 28 to Feb 15, 1999: Earth Tiger<br />2010 Feb 14 to Feb 2, 2011: Metal Tiger<br /><br /><br />Risky, exhausting, and strenuous - just the way you like it! Tiger years are busy ones for Tiger natives and this year you become immersed in a world of travel, change, and reevaluation - of everything. Wealth or, at the very least, dramatic financial recovery is within your grasp this year so be sure to have a well thought out financial plan and goals. Be careful as impetuous spending could drain your newly recovered bank account just as quickly as it was filled. Slow down and think all purchases through very carefully. Attending happy or joyful events such as weddings, reunions, celebrations and lively debates are likely, they improve your luck and brighten your mood. Romance and marriage feature prominently for Tigers in 2010 and love is in the air for you! Committed Tigers and Tigress should be conscious of romantic temptations which could affect your relationship health. A pivotal year for all Tigers and the decisions that you make now will steer your course over the next 3 years. You formulate new plans and strategies this year many proposals and opportunities will be offered to you, but always allow extra time and slow down in order to avoid accidents.<br /><br />Best months: June, Oct, Nov. Challenging: April, May, August. <br /><br /><br /><b><br />Rabbit</b><br /><br />1915 Feb 14 to Feb 2, 1916: Wood Rabbit<br />1903 Jan 29 to Feb 15, 1904: Water Rabbit<br /><br />1927 Feb 2 to Jan 22, 1928: Fire Rabbit<br />1939 Feb 19 to Feb 7, 1940: Earth Rabbit<br /><br />1951 Feb 6 to Jan 26, 1952: Metal Rabbit<br />1963 Jan 25 to Feb 12, 1964: Water Rabbit<br /><br />1975 Feb 11 to Jan 30, 1976: Wood Rabbit<br />1987 Jan 29 to Feb 16, 1988: Fire Rabbit<br /><br />1999 Feb 16 to Feb 4, 2000: Earth Rabbit<br />2011 Feb 3 to Jan 22, 2012: Metal Rabbit<br /><br /><br />The year of the Tiger and the Rabbit are in a Peach blossom or Love Plum relationship, responsible for romantic, scorching love affairs. You will be very attractive to the opposite sex and this year could be full of both passion and love scandals. Tiger years bring everything from memorable obsessions and attractions to soul mates and twin flames. Good news arrives, and the past few years of crisis and drudgery fade into the distant past. 2010 offers recognition for your efforts and talents - a hectic year when it is possible for you to achieve great success. Imagination, feeling and intuition flow freely from you now and influence everything from your dreams to your decisions about partnerships. Be cautious of co-mingling funds with or lending money to others this year as it could sour a friendship. If single, your partner may be hinting to you about wanting a permanent commitment. The timing may be off and as always the cautious one, you resist and will not be hurried by pressure. However, by years end don't be surprised if you become more of a faithful finance than an artful dodger in love. <br /><br />Best months: May, July, Oct, Nov. Challenging: April, Sept, Dec. <br /><br /><b>Dragon</b><br /><br />1904 Feb 16 to Feb 3, 1905: Wood Dragon<br />1916 Feb 3 to Jan 22, 1917: Fire Dragon<br /><br />1928 Jan 23 to Feb 9, 1929: Earth Dragon<br />1940 Feb 8 to Jan 26, 1941: Metal Dragon<br /><br />1952 Jan 27 to Feb 13, 1953: WaterDragon<br />1964 Feb 13 to Feb 1, 1965: WoodDragon<br /><br />1976 Jan 31 to Feb 17, 1977: Fire Dragon<br />1988 Feb 17 to Feb 5, 1989: Earth Dragon<br /><br />2000 Feb 5 to Jan 23, 2001: Metal Dragon<br />2012 Jan 23 to Feb 9, 2013: Water Dragon<br /><br /><br /><br />Theatrical Dragons will find they have a taste for novelty and everything new in 2010. Unpredictability, change and new explorations rule the year and you will feel like a new adventure could be just around the next corner. Enjoy this year of activity and personal transformations (your favorite!). Financially, assets increase, but lively debates could result in hurt feelings or misunderstandings. Candid, demanding and fond of being in the public eye, you continue to find yourself in high demand and will gladly take center stage during 2010. Plan an encore with a social Monkey, feisty Rooster, or eclectic Rat. Many of this years melodramatic situations will amuse you, but try to be sensitive to the suffering of the people involved (despite the self-perpetuated nature of their woes). Presence of mind and taking an extra measure of time to evaluate matters are the keys to negotiating this busy year. A time of great change - a forceful, fierce year when Dragons must take care not to be tricked into leaking or giving out information that could come back to haunt them. <br /><br />Best months: May, Aug, Sept. Challenging: March, Oct. <br /><br /><br /><b>Snake</b><br /><br />1905 Feb 4 to Jan 24, 1906: Wood Snake<br />1917 Jan 23 to Feb 10, 1918: Fire Snake<br /><br />1929 Feb 10 to Jan 29, 1930: Earth Snake<br />1941 Jan 27 to Feb 14, 1942: Metal Snake<br /><br />1953 Feb 14 to Feb 2, 1954: Water Snake<br />1965 Feb 2 to Jan 20, 1966: Wood Snake<br /><br />1977 Feb 18 to Feb 6, 1978: Fire Snake<br />1989 Feb 6 to Jan 26, 1990: Earth Snake<br /><br />2001 Jan 24 to Feb 11, 2002: Metal Snake<br />2013 Feb 10 to Jan 30, 2014: Water Snake<br /><br /><br />2010 could be a difficult year for sensual<b> Snakes</b>. You are a passionate lover and must take care this year not to become involved in scandals or love affairs this year. Focus the majority of your energy on your career or job and you will be handsomely rewarded financially. Money and wealth flows in generously, however expanding your social circle, networks and contacts, could lead to some dangerous liaisons or temptations. Know who your friends and enemies are as this will affect your future financial benefits. When it comes to lovemaking you are a master and virtuoso but marriage or commitment may be the last thing on your mind this year. Recognition by colleagues is your top priority and should make this a particularly enjoyable year. Despite your frazzled nerves you are a good sport and cheerfully come along for the ride in 2010. You find life and routines changing much too quickly for your tastes. Lingering restlessness may provoke a major change in living arrangements or employment. Use the sensual Earth element to sooth your stressed senses by indulging in some aromatherapy using lavender, sandalwood, jasmine or your favorite aromatic oil concoction.<br /><br />Best months: Aug, Sept, Jan. Challenging: Feb, June, Nov. <br /><br /><br /><b>Horse</b><br /><br /><br />1906 Jan 25 to Feb 12, 1907 : Fire Horse<br />1918 Feb 11 to Jan 31, 1919 : Earth Horse<br /><br />1930 Jan 30 to Feb 16, 1931 : Metal Horse<br />1942 Feb 15 to Feb 4, 1943 : Water Horse<br /><br />1954 Feb 3 to Jan 23, 1955 : Wood Horse<br />1966 Jan 21 to Feb 8, 1967 : Fire Horse<br /><br />1978 Feb 7 to Jan 27, 1979: Earth Horse<br />1990 Jan 27 to Feb 14, 1991: Metal Horse<br /><br />2002 Feb 12 to Jan 31, 2003: Water Horse<br />2014 Jan 31 to Feb 18, 2015: Wood Horse<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Horses</b> will enjoy being in the triangle of harmony with 2010s Tiger year. 2010 finds you in a very comfortable and prosperous position, but be discreet about your private life and selective in your social circles. It is a good year to vacation and take time for your physical, spiritual and mental health. A choice could be presented this year between your need for security and your need for independence. Never stop pursuing your dreams and ambitions, make time for the things you really love. Career matters look up and Horses finally find a good fit professionally speaking. This will be a time of recovery from the difficult past two years. You will be delightfully pleased in the activity level and adventures of 2012. An open optimistic period, filled with many social occasions and parties. Communications of all types, creative projects, mental pursuits, and exciting enterprises keeps you unaware of happily oblivious to petty problems. Horse year natives will feel more outgoing, gregarious and more like their cheerful selves again.<br /><br />Best months: Feb, July, Aug. Oct. Challenging: Sept, Dec, Jan 2011. <br /><br /><br /><b><br /><br />Goat<br /></b><br /><br />1907 Feb 13 to Feb 1, 1908 : Fire Goat<br />1919 Feb 1 to Feb 19, 1920 : Earth Goat<br /><br />1931 Feb 17 to Feb 5, 1932 : Metal Goat<br />1943 Feb 5 to Jan 24, 1944 : Water Goat<br /><br />1955 Jan 24 to Feb 11, 1956 : Wood Goat<br />1967 Feb 9 to Jan 29, 1968 : Fire Goat<br /><br />1979 Jan 28 to Feb 15, 1980 : Earth Goat<br />1991 Feb 15 to Feb 3, 1992 : Metal Goat<br /><br />2003 Feb 1 to Jan 21, 2004: Water Goat<br />2015 Feb 19 to Feb 7, 2016: Wood Goat<br /><br /><br /><b>Goats</b> may find themselves staring in a comedy of errors this year, with everything from schedule mix-ups to mis-communications possible. Most sticky situations can be overcome by your wit and good humor. By the time the leisurely Goat wakes-up to face the world, the conventional workforce has almost completed their day. When 2010’s full speed ahead Tiger year crashes into the apathy of the laid-back Goat, the results can be inharmonious to say the least. You could feel harried, hurried and hotheaded this year, frustrated that careful planning comes too late and cannot give you the edge. Journaling, writing poetry or putting pen to paper in any way will sooth your frazzled nerves. If you could focus all of that creative Goat energy, you could produce some memorable work this year. Harmony, beauty and balance are necessary for your mental and physical health. Social-loving Goats will have many opportunities to attend parties, get-togethers and other functions, but too many options may find you unable to choose. You will find yourself the center of attention and attraction this year. Single Goats could become married or engaged this year!<br /><br />Best months: March, June, July, Nov. Challenging: Jan 2010, Oct, Dec.<br /><br /><b><br />Monkey</b><br /><br />1908 Feb 2 to Jan 21, 1909: Earth Monkey<br />1920 Feb 20 to Feb 7, 1921 : Metal Monkey<br /><br />1932 Feb 6 to Jan 25, 1933: Water Monkey<br />1944 Jan 25 to Feb 12, 1945 : Wood Monkey<br /><br />1956 Feb 12 to Jan 30, 1957: Fire Monkey<br />1968 Jan 30 to Feb 16, 1969 : Earth Monkey<br /><br />1980 Feb 16 to Feb 4, 1981: Metal Monkey<br />1992 Feb 4 to Jan 22, 1993 : Water Monkey<br /><br />2004 Jan 22 to Feb 8, 2005: Wood Monkey<br />2016 Feb 8 to Jan 27, 2017: Fire Monkey<br /><br /><br />2010 ‘s Metal Tiger year is opposing and clashes with the sign of the Monkey bringing some obstacles and possible downturns. You may find yourself doing quite a bit of traveling this year and don’t be surprised if you re asked to relocate. This would prove beneficial in the long run. 2010 is a good time for you to take time to assess your physical, spiritual and mental health. Don’t let your emotions interfere with your rational judgment. Learn how to stay on a budget and watch your assets grow!. Never stop pursuing your dreams and ambitions, but keep everything status quo in 2010 and be especially cautious when driving. Wait for a more auspicious climate for any risky investments and be particularly cautious about anything that could cause problems with the law. Communications of all types, mental pursuits, and imaginative enterprises are the best avenues for your energies this year. Enjoy lovemaking with a sensual Snake, an intellectual conversation with an eclectic Rat or ruminate on the cosmos with an otherworldly Dragon.<br /><br />Best months: April, May, Dec. Challenging: Feb, Mar, June, Nov. <br /><br /><br /><b>Rooster</b><br /><br />1909 Jan 22 to Feb 9, 1910 : Earth Rooster<br />1921 Feb 8 to Jan 27, 1922 : Metal Rooster<br /><br />1933 Jan 26 to Feb 13, 1934 : Water Rooster<br />1945 Feb 13 to Feb 1, 1946 : Wood Rooster<br /><br />1957 Jan 31 to Feb 17, 1958 : Fire Rooster<br />1969 Feb 17 to Feb 5, 1970 : Earth Rooster<br /><br />1981 Feb 5 to Jan 24, 1982 : Metal Rooster<br />1993 Jan 23 to Feb 9, 1994 : Water Rooster<br /><br />2005 Feb 9 to Jan 28, 2006: Wood Rooster<br />2017 Jan 28 to Feb 15, 2018: Fire Rooster<br /><br /><br />2010 should be quite a prosperous and fortunate year for Roosters. Now is an ideal time to get married or to start or enlarge your family. There is no limit to what you can achieve this year if you stay on a steady course. This year is the right time to make investments of all types – both financial and relationship wise. Use your talent for managing money for yourself and others this year. Build a cozy nest with a home loving Ox, make love under the stars with a sage Snake or say “I do” with your soulmate, the powerful Dragon. Despite your all around good fortune, do be cautious of being pushed into physical exhaustion by other people’s schedules. Simplify if necessary, but by all means know where to set your boundaries. Good fortune, potential wealth and improvement in your social status is just around the corner. Enjoy!<br /><br />Best months: April, May, Dec, Jan 2011. Challenging: March, June, Oct. <br /><br /><br /><b>Dog</b><br /><br />1910 Feb 10 to Jan 29, 1911 : Metal Dog<br />1922 Jan 28 to Feb 15, 1923 : Water Dog<br /><br />1934 Feb 14 to Feb 3, 1935 : Wood Dog<br />1946 Feb 2 to Jan 21, 1947 : Fire Dog<br /><br />1958 Feb 18 to Feb 7, 1959 : Earth Dog<br />1970 Feb 6 to Jan 26, 1971 : Metal Dog<br /><br />1982 Jan 25 to Feb 12, 1983 : Water Dog<br />1994 Feb 10 to Jan 30, 1995 : Wood Dog<br /><br />2006 Jan 29 to Feb 3, 2007: Fire Dog<br />2018 Feb 16 to Feb 4, 2019: Earth Dog<br /><br /><br /><b><br />The Dog and the Tiger</b> are in a harmonious Trine relationship with each other and 2010 brings financial recovery for pessimistic Dogs. While there are no short cuts to any accomplishment this year, it should prove to be much better than the past 2 years have been. This is a good year to pay more attention to your physical and spiritual health. Take time to attend that healing seminar or soul retreat you have been thinking about. Be particularly cautious of injuries from sports or athletic activities during January, April and October. Work quietly behind the scenes, directing others with your encouragement and fresh ideas. Love is also in the air for you! Say “Yes” to a romantic getaway with a street-wise Rabbit, a hot blooded Tiger or a politically savvy Horse and you’ll be in fine spirits! Be realistic in your planning and avoid wishful thinking for best results. A new, open-minded and optimistic year for you! Seize the opportunity. <br /><br />Best months: Feb, June, Aug, Oct, and Nov. Challenging: Apr, July, and Sept.<br /><br /><b>Pig</b><br /><br />1911 Jan 30 to Feb 17, 1912 : Metal Pig<br />1923 Feb 16 to Feb 4, 1924 : Water Pig<br /><br />1935 Feb 4 to Jan 23, 1936 : Wood Pig<br />1947 Jan 22 to Feb 9, 1948 : Fire Pig<br /><br />1959 Feb 8 to Jan 27, 1960 : Earth Pig<br />1971 Jan 27 to Jan 15, 1972 : Metal Pig<br /><br />1983 Feb 13 to Feb 1, 1984 : Water Pig<br />1995 Jan 31 to Feb 18, 1996 : Wood Pig<br /><br />2007 Feb 18 to Feb 6, 2008: Fire Pig<br />2019 Feb 5 to Jan 24, 2020: Earth Pig<br /><br /><br />Being in a karmic “soulmate” connection with the Tiger year of 2010, a harmonious and successful year awaits Pigs! Easygoing, peaceful and trusting, there may well be a promotion (or two) in store for you this year! Your popularity grows and you could ace any exam or even win an election now. Hardworking, but also very fond of pleasure, sensual Pigs must be careful in matters with the opposite sex. In 2010you may have many opportunities for love affairs, scandals and emotionally charged scenes. Single Pig year natives find a ray of romantic hope and may experience a new level of enthusiasm and self-confidence. Happier times are ahead for you! Be caution in May and August not to become involved in any legal disputes or allow someone to pull you into their legal matters. Vivid dreams and powerful emotions could take your tranquil soul by surprise. <br /><br />Best months: Feb, Mar, April, July Challenging: May, August, Nov.<br /><br />Wishing you the 5 traditional Chinese blessings of Vital Health, Love of Virtue, Prosperity, Longevity and a Natural Ending.<br /><br /><b>by Shelly Wu</b><br /><br /><b>Well Have a Hapy Year of the Tiger and Happy Valentine's Day to All,<br /><br />May you All find Love in your LIfe and your Hearts!</b><br /><b><br />Bill Swann D.O.</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-4556588809791771766?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-12000870451947051242010-02-06T22:46:00.000-05:002010-02-06T22:46:33.609-05:00<b>A Happy Man </b><br /><br />When these graven lines you see, <br />Traveller, do not pity me; <br />Though I be among the dead, <br />Let no mournful word be said. <br /><br />Children that I leave behind, <br />And their children, all were kind; <br />Near to them and to my wife, <br />I was happy all my life. <br /><br />My three sons I married right, <br />And their sons I rocked at night; <br />Death nor sorrow never brought <br />Cause for one unhappy thought. <br /><br />Now, and with no need of tears, <br />Here they leave me, full of years,-- <br />Leave me to my quiet rest <br />In the region of the blest. <br /><br /><b>Edwin Arlington Robinson <br /></b><br /><br /><br /><b>What is a Happy Life? To me, For Me, A Happy Life ,is one Lived,<br />and Left , with No Regrets. Having forgiven and been forgiven all wrongs. Having Lived and Left a Life, having been in Love, and having been loved , having been able to receive love. That is a Happy Life , to me.</b><br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-1200087045194705124?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-52380647895073760042010-02-03T22:18:00.000-05:002010-02-03T22:18:31.839-05:0010 Days since my last post, There goes my Daily Graditude Journal, Well, I Do voice Pray , mention, have an attitude, thought of thanks of gratitude , at least daily. Any Hooo: What about those who work behind the scenes? Like it or not, Unsung Heroes, Villians, Normal Folk ,Mostly, at least from an ER and Internists perspective, have affected and effected history and Us, for our Lifetime, ever since we figured out we were Different, from someone else,some how,some way,for some reason.Who were they,they are,were,Spys. O Yeah!!Liek it or not,for thousands of years.!<br /><br />Here is a Modern version of the Impact, on a more personal level . Read On.<br /><br /><br /><b>Children of dead CIA officers</b> try to learn about their work<br />John F. Sullivan had always wondered about his mother, Leonor E. "Lee" Sullivan, a CIA secretary and translator who died in December at 70, and especially about the strange telephones in their Reston home in the late 1970s and '80s. The Spy Phones, as the family called them, looked like ordinary tan rotary phones, but the standing orders were clear: Those are Mommy's phones. Never pick them up if they ring.<br />Sullivan, 36, a Waldorf resident who works in Naval intelligence preparing SEALs for missions, has little idea whom his mother was talking to on those phones or what the precise nature of her work was. <br />"Mom said: 'Don't ever get on that phone. When I am on it, get away,' " said Sullivan, whose office staff greets callers with a chirpy "Hello, irregular warfare." "The notes my mom would keep, she kept in a safe. Now, the safe is gone." <br />His younger brother Jimmy Sullivan, however, recalled picking up the Spy Phone when playing video games with friends. "We'd be playing Atari, and we'd listen in," he said. "Or we'd pick up, and it'd be some dude in German ranting and raving." <br />When CIA employees are slain in action, as happened in Afghanistan in December, when a suicide bomber killed seven officers and contractors, relatives who live in the dark about their loved one's work often fall into confusion and a passion to know more. Now, as the agency's earliest generation of Cold Warriors fades away from old age or disease, grown children who might have known only that their parents were in the CIA are stumbling upon letters and other records that fill holes in their family's narrative. <br />As children, even if they grew up envisioning clandestine heroics, they knew not to ask many questions. As adults, they often didn't want to intrude. Now, they are learning that after a loved one's death, decades of unslaked curiosity can be only partially satisfied. <br />The first generation of employees of the secretive agency and its forerunner, the Office of Strategic Services (established in 1942), is dying off. In the past two years, more than 130 obituaries of retired or former CIA or OSS staff members have appeared in The Washington Post describing the employees as officer, spy or something blander yet tantalizing -- project director or analyst. <br />Even after employees die, the CIA generally does not disclose their former duties or involvement in history's major moments. CIA spokeswoman Marie E. Harf said many employees' successes from that first generation "can't be shared publicly even now." But unlike the families of the CIA officers killed in Afghanistan, relatives of deceased CIA employees contacted for this article said they have not been ordered to keep silent about their loved one's career or life. "In all cases, the judgment of the individual employee is key," Harf said, adding that time can ease the restrictions on some secrets: "Operational equities and sensitivities, of course, can lessen with the passage of time." <br />What did Mom really do?<br />The elder Sullivan brother remembers only a few details about his parents' lives in the agency. He recalls having to wait in the CIA's lobby in Langley on days that his parents dragged him along. But he has enough shreds of knowledge to tease him with dark possibilities. In college, he learned about the Phoenix program, the CIA's controversial counterinsurgency effort during the Vietnam War in which Americans trained South Vietnamese units to capture and interrogate Viet Cong targets. Some of those targets were killed, leading many Americans to think of Phoenix as an assassination program. Sullivan, born in 1973 in Vietnam, never knew much about what his parents did there at the tail end of the war. <br />So, one day in about 1993, as a third-class midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, he asked. <br />"I said: 'Were you involved in the Phoenix program? Can you tell me?' " Sullivan recalls. "She said, 'I was an administrative assistant.' That's all she said. Oh, and that she worked with Frank Snepp," referring to the CIA analyst and counterintelligence officer whose 1977 bestseller criticized the CIA for its role in Vietnam. "I never knew the exact details. She wasn't involved in pulling the trigger, but she may have been involved in administering the orders." <br />Theresa Kramer, a longtime Georgetown ballet instructor, still wonders about the mysteries cloaking the life of her dead father, a longtime federal intelligence operative. S. Paul Kramer died nearly two years ago at 93, but his daughter sees only etchings of his life's narrative<br />She has not willed herself to sift through all his papers. But last month, she found a 1943 letter from her father to his brother, dishing about his involvement in the arrest of a Nazi who had infiltrated the U.S. government: "They thought he was a spy [and] might lead them to other members of a ring. . . . He was watched night and day, and at one time it was suggested that I live with him."<br />The letter opened an intriguing window onto a man whom his only child considers something of a mystery. "I wanted to get to the core of the individual, to . . . his emotions and feelings," Kramer said, sitting at the Georgetown home she shared with the agent she knew as "Daddy." "Everything with him was just smacked lips and locked in. He was so tightly packaged. He was so secretive." <br />Close news relationships<br /><br />In Potomac, longtime CIA analyst John R. Mapother, 87, died two days before Christmas. Last week, after an inquiry from The Post, his children, Nancy Mapother of Germantown and John R. Mapother Jr. of Bowie, began plowing through some of his correspondence. (The family's association with clandestine activities runs deep: Nancy Mapother said they are distant relatives of the actor Tom Cruise, born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, whose feature films include the "Mission: Impossible" series.) <br />In their parents' darkened basement, the younger Mapothers delved into their father's desk, past books with titles such as "Spycatcher," "Spy Trader" and "Secret Agencies" and into stacks of yellowed correspondence, much of which revealed their father's close relationships with news reporters, especially during his long postings in Germany. Here, a letter from the New York Times' longtime editorial page editor, Max Frankel; there, a 1979 letter from Barry Bingham Jr., publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal. <br />"Oh, here's one from Craig Whitney of the New York Times," John Jr. said, holding up the reporter's letter, written in 1979 from Moscow. "I remember he would drop by for dinner with his wife." <br />"Dear Marge and John," the letter began. After friendly chat about summer vacation plans, the reporter asked "to make contact with whomever John will think appropriate at his outfit" now that Whitney was the Times' bureau chief in Moscow. Mapother Jr. said his father "provided background to several reporters, informally, off the record." <br /><br />Whitney, who recently retired from the Times, remembers Mapother as "a character. He spoke with a great Kentucky drawl and loved to talk and could spin a yarn. He was not your uptight secret agent spy. But I don't know what he was exactly. Did he run agents? He was probably just an analyst." <br />Nancy Mapother, 57, a part-time dance instructor, doesn't know for sure what her father did. As the siblings sat on their father's couch to reflect on his identity, they could only fill in margins. <br />"I have always wondered if Dad was an operative, if he went over to East Berlin and had contact with people trying to escape," she said. "I think he was interested in the housing of Russian troops." <br />"I think most of it was analytical," said John Jr. "He liked analyzing what the Russians were doing. He knew what the Germans were doing." <br />Suddenly, his sister remembered something. "He had a superior in Berlin, right? They didn't see eye to eye," she recalled. "I remember him talking at the dinner table about being overridden. I never knew enough to press him." <br />Her brother searched his memory and shrugged. "He didn't volunteer any information."<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA " rel=nofollow target=_blank<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-5238064789507376004?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-82595854226121274472010-01-24T21:05:00.002-05:002010-01-24T21:06:41.363-05:00So , this last Saturday I saw three things I'd never seen at the Races.<br /><br />I enjoy watching Horse Races, No Expert, I still have seen them as a natural,well almost, experential phenomena.<br /><br />well almost. Wes Snyder , who raced at Charlestown in the 30's, has his 97th birthday, and in one race, the horses placing second, ran a laser proved "deadheat". Then, Tragedy and Catastrophe.<br /><br /><br /><b>There are many dangers in horse racing for both horse and jockey: a horse can stumble and fall, or fall when jumping an obstacle, exposing both jockey and horse to the danger of being trampled and injured.<br /><br />Anna Waller, a member of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of North Carolina, co-authored a four-year long study of jockey injuries and stated to the New York Times that "For every 1,000 jockeys you have riding, over 600 will have medically treated injuries." She added that almost 20% of these were serious head or neck injuries. The study reported 6,545 injuries during the years 1993–1996.[40] More than 100 jockeys were killed in the US between 1950 and 1987.[41]<br /><br />Horses also face dangers in racing. 1.5 horses die out of every 1000 starts in the US. The U.S. Jockey Club in New York estimates that about 600 horses died at racetracks in 2006. The Jockey Club in Hong Kong reported a far lower figure of .58 horses per 1000 starts. There is speculation that drugs used in horse racing in the US which are banned elsewhere are responsible for the higher death rate in the US.[42]<br /></b><br /><br /><b><br />This was the 1st time I saw a horse Die, well have to be put down,for the Folly of Men. The Horse Fell on the Home Stretch, the Jockey took a Bad fall, but was able to get up and walk to the Ambulance. <br />This Exquisite Thoroughbred, however was Quietly Frantic, with it's Right Front Hoof/Ankle Dangling , a compound fracture, as it attempted to bolt.<br /><br />It took almost 15 miutes to get the vet ther,to put this Great Equine, down by injection, on the track. The Horse Suffered. <br />This may be my last horserace . </b><br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8259585422612127447?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-83123437064611621812010-01-14T03:33:00.000-05:002010-01-14T03:33:08.545-05:00<b>Tragedy</b><br /><br /><br /><b>When you see anyone weeping in grief because his son has gone abroad, or is dead, or because he has suffered in his affairs, be careful that the appearance may not misdirect you. Instead, distinguish within your own mind, and be prepared to say, "It's not the accident that distresses this person., because it doesn't distress another person; it is the judgment which he makes about it." As far as words go, however, don't reduce yourself to his level, and certainly do not moan with him. Do not moan inwardly either.</b><br /><br /><b>Epictetus's</b> admonition above ,from the <b>Enchiridion</b>,does usualy apply to daily affairs,<br /><br />However, in the tragedy which occurred recently in Haiti, one would be<br /><br />unkind to preach sucha perspective to those unfortunate people.<br /><br />So, Our perspective of Loss receives a desparate reality Check, <br /><br />when we even attempt to comprehend the nearly unfathomable loss which has <br /><br />occured in Haiti. Nearly Unfathomable,because we have seen even only<br /><br />a few years ago as similar tragedy in Indonesia withover 200,000 souls<br /><br />gone from this earth. Over the last 100 years ,perhaps over a million <br /><br />souls have been lost from this earth due to earthquakes alone.<br /><br />Events such as this are dangerous to humanity in that we are challenged to<br /><br />comprehend despair and loss at such a cosmic scale, which can trigger<br /><br />depression and mental illness in those unable or unprepared to <br /><br />compartmentalize or put such events into a mental locker that could <br /><br />and should be accessed in more tolerable degress,hopefully with others.<br /><br />For now, prayers, the sending of even small amounts of money to <br /><br />reputable agencies able to offer assistance is a good start.<br /><br />Later, as it sinks in, time initiates its march of healing,<br /><br />forgetfullness or complacency one can relfect, that Also,<br /><br />their are Billons of moments of Joy and Grace that occur daily.<br /><b><br />FOr this we should also be grateful.</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>When you are going about any action, remind yourself what nature the action is.</b> If you are going to bathe, picture to yourself the things which usually happen in the bath: some people splash the water, some push, some use abusive language, and others steal. Thus you will more safely go about this action if you say to yourself, "I will now go bathe, and keep my own mind in a state conformable to nature." And in the same manner with regard to every other action. For thus, if any hindrance arises in bathing, you will have it ready to say, "It was not only to bathe that I desired, but to keep my mind in a state conformable to nature; and I will not keep it if I am bothered at things that happen.<br />Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things. Death, for instance, is not terrible, else it would have appeared so to Socrates. But the terror consists in our notion of death that it is terrible. When therefore we are hindered, or disturbed, or grieved, let us never attribute it to others, but to ourselves; that is, to our own principles. An uninstructed person will lay the fault of his own bad condition upon others. Someone just starting instruction will lay the fault on himself. Some who is perfectly instructed will place blame neither on others nor on himself.<br /><br /><b>Don't demand that things happen as you wish</b>, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.<br />Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Lameness is a hindrance to the leg, but not to your ability to choose. Say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens, then you will see such obstacles as hindrances to something else, but not to yourself.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Thousands feared dead in Haiti earthquake </b><br />By JONATHAN M. KATZ, Associated Press Writer The Oklahoman Comments 82 Published: January 13, 2010<br /><br /><br />PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haitians piled bodies along the devastated streets of their capital Wednesday after a powerful earthquake flattened the president's palace, the cathedral, hospitals, schools, the main prison and whole neighborhoods. Officials feared thousands — perhaps more than 100,000 — may have perished but there was no firm count.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This photo provided by Carel Pedre shows people running past rubble of a damaged building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area shook Haiti on Tuesday, collapsing a hospital where people screamed for help. (AP Photo/Carel Pedre) <br /><br /><br />MultimediaVideo<br />view all videos<br />Haiti earthquake registers in Oklahoma<br /><br />Jan 13The largest earthquake ever recorded in Haiti registered on...<br /><br />Photo<br />view all photos <br />Related contentLinksData Watch: Finding earthquake data on the Web <br />Red Cross: How to help <br />AP Interactive: Haiti Earthquake <br />More InfoHOW TO HELP <br />To donate $10 to the American Red Cross to aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti, text Haiti 90999. <br /><br /><br />NewsOK Related ArticlesHaitian earthquake registers on Oklahoma equipment <br />01/13/2010 The largest earthquake ever recorded in Haiti registered on equipment managed by the Oklahoma Geological Survey, scientists said. Authorities said the... <br />Do you have any relatives in Haiti? <br />01/13/2010 Or do you know anyone that frequently visits the country? <br />Obama promises all-out relief effort in Haiti <br />01/13/2010 WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama promised an all-out rescue and humanitarian effort Wednesday to help Haiti overcome a "cruel and incomprehensible"... <br />Text of President Obama's statement on Haiti <br />01/13/2010 Text of president Barack Obama speaking about Haiti on Wednesday, as provided by the White House. ——— Good morning, everybody. This... <br />Haiti 'cursed' by pact with devil, says Pat Robertson <br />01/13/2010 Pat Robertson: Haiti 'cursed' by pact with devil <br />Death was everywhere in Port-au-Prince. Bodies of tiny children were piled next to schools. Corpses of women lay on the street with stunned expressions frozen on their faces as flies began to gather. Bodies of men were covered with plastic tarps or cotton sheets.<br /><br />President Rene Preval said he believes thousands were killed in Tuesday afternoon's magnitude-7.0 quake, and the scope of the destruction prompted other officials to give even higher estimates. Leading Sen. Youri Latortue told The Associated Press that 500,000 could be dead, although he acknowledged that nobody really knows.<br /><br />"Parliament has collapsed. The tax office has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed," Preval told the Miami Herald. "There are a lot of schools that have a lot of dead people in them."<br /><br />Even the main prison in the capital fell down, "and there are reports of escaped inmates," U.N. humanitarian spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said in Geneva.<br /><br />The head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission was missing and the Roman Catholic archbishop of Port-au-Prince was dead.<br /><br />"The cathedral, the archbishop's office, all the big churches, the seminaries have been reduced to rubble," Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the apostolic envoy to Haiti, told the Vatican news agency FIDES.<br /><br />The parking lot of the Hotel Villa Creole was a triage center. People sat with injuries and growing infections by the side of rubble-strewn roads, hoping that doctors and aid would come.<br /><br />The international Red Cross said a third of Haiti's 9 million people may need emergency aid and that it would take a day or two for a clear picture of the damage to emerge.<br /><br />At first light Wednesday, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter evacuated four critically injured U.S. Embassy staff to the hospital on the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the military has been detaining suspected terrorists.<br /><br />President Barack Obama promised an all-out rescue and humanitarian effort, adding that the U.S. commitment to its hemispheric neighbor will be unwavering.<br /><br />"We have to be there for them in their hour of need," Obama said.<br /><br />A small contingent of U.S. ground troops could be on their way soon, although it was unclear whether they would be used for security operations or humanitarian efforts. Gen. Douglas Fraser, commander of the U.S. Southern Command, said roughly 2,000 Marines as part of an expeditionary unit might be deployed aboard a large-deck amphibious ship. Fraser said the ship could provide medical help.<br /><br />Other nations — from Iceland to Venezuela — said they would start sending in aid workers and rescue teams. Cuba said its existing field hospitals in Haiti had already treated hundreds of victims. The United Nations said Port-au-Prince's main airport was "fully operational" and open to relief flights.<br /><br />The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson, is under way and expected to arrive off the coast of Haiti Thursday. Additional U.S. Navy ships are under way to Haiti, a statement from the Southern Command said.<br /><br />Aftershocks continued to rattle the capital of 2 million people as women covered in dust clawed out of debris, wailing. Stunned people wandered the streets holding hands. Thousands gathered in public squares to sing hymns.<br /><br />U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes said it was possible that the death toll "will be in the thousands."<br /><br />"Initial reports suggest a high number of casualties and, of course, widespread damage but I don't have any figure that I can give you with any reliability of what the number of casualties will be," Holmes said.<br /><br />People pulled bodies from collapsed homes, covering them with sheets by the side of the road. Passers-by lifted the sheets to see if loved ones were underneath. Outside a crumbled building, the bodies of five children and three adults lay in a pile.<br /><br />The prominent died along with the poor: the body of Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, 63, was found in the ruins of his office, said the Rev. Pierre Le Beller of the Saint Jacques Missionary Center in Landivisiau, France. He told The Associated Press by telephone that fellow missionaries in Haiti had told him they found Miot's body.<br /><br />Preval told the Herald that Haiti's Senate president was among those trapped alive inside the Parliament building. Much of the National Palace pancaked on itself.<br /><br />The international Red Cross and other aid groups announced plans for major relief operations in the Western Hemisphere's poorest country.<br /><br />Many will have to help their own staff as well as stricken Haitians. Taiwan said its embassy was destroyed and the ambassador hospitalized. Spain said its embassy was badly damaged and France said its embassy also suffered damage.<br /><br />Tens of thousands of people lost their homes as buildings that were flimsy and dangerous even under normal conditions collapsed. Nobody offered an estimate of the dead, but the numbers were clearly enormous.<br /><br />"The hospitals cannot handle all these victims," said Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles.<br /><br />American Red Cross spokesman Eric Porterfield said that the agency has already exhausted the small amount of medical equipment and medical supplies it had in Haiti and is sending more supplies, though it was not clear when they would arrive.<br /><br />Medical experts say disasters such as an earthquake generally do not lead to new outbreaks of infectious diseases, but they do tend to worsen existing health problems.<br /><br />Haiti's quake refugees likely will face an increased risk of dengue fever, malaria and measles — problems that plagued the impoverished country before, said Kimberley Shoaf, associate director of the UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters.<br /><br />Some of the biggest immediate health threats include respiratory disease from inhaling dust from collapsed buildings and diarrhea from drinking contaminated water.<br /><br />With hospitals and clinics severely damaged, Haiti will also face risks of secondary infections. People seeking medical attention for broken bones and other injuries may not be able to get the help they need and may develop complications.<br /><br />Dead bodies piled on the streets typically don't pose a public health risk. But for a country wracked by violence, seeing the dead will exact a psychological toll.<br /><br />An American aid worker was trapped for about 10 hours under the rubble of her mission house before she was rescued by her husband, who told CBS' "Early Show" that he drove 100 miles (160 kilometers) to Port-au-Prince to find her. Frank Thorp said he dug for more than an hour to free his wife, Jillian, and a co-worker, from under about a foot of concrete.<br /><br />An estimated 40,000-45,000 Americans live in Haiti, and the U.S. Embassy had no confirmed reports of deaths among its citizens. All but one American employed by the embassy have been accounted for, State Department officials said.<br /><br />Even relatively wealthy neighborhoods were devastated.<br /><br />An AP videographer saw a wrecked hospital where people screamed for help in Petionville, a hillside district that is home to many diplomats and wealthy Haitians as well as the poor.<br /><br />At a destroyed four-story apartment building, a girl of about 16 stood atop a car, trying to see inside while several men pulled at a foot sticking from rubble. She said her family was inside.<br /><br />"A school near here collapsed totally," Petionville resident Ken Michel said after surveying the damage. "We don't know if there were any children inside." He said many seemingly sturdy homes nearby were split apart.<br /><br />The U.N.'s 9,000 peacekeepers in Haiti, many of whom are from Brazil, were distracted from aid efforts by their own tragedy: Many spent the night hunting for survivors in the ruins of their headquarters.<br /><br />U.N. peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy said that at least 14 U.N. personnel were killed and 150 were still unaccounted for, including mission chief Hedi Annabi. Fifty-six others were injured, and seven of them were medically evacuated from the country.<br /><br />Le Roy said the fatalities include 13 peacekeepers — 10 Brazilians and three Jordanians — and a Haitian civilian working for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country.<br /><br />U.N. peacekeeping forces in Port-au-Prince are securing the airport, the port, main buildings and patrolling the streets, Le Roy said.<br /><br />Brazil's army said at least 11 of its peacekeepers were killed, while Jordan's official news agency said three of its peacekeepers were killed. A state newspaper in China said eight Chinese peacekeepers were known dead and 10 were missing — though officials later said the information was not confirmed.<br /><br />The quake struck at 4:53 p.m., and was centered 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince at a depth of only 5 miles (8 kilometers), the U.S. Geological Survey said. USGS geophysicist Kristin Marano called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now Haiti.<br /><br />Video obtained by the AP showed a huge dust cloud rising over Port-au-Prince shortly after the quake as buildings collapsed.<br /><br />Most Haitians are desperately poor, and after years of political instability the country has no real construction standards. In November 2008, following the collapse of a school in Petionville, the mayor of Port-au-Prince estimated about 60 percent of buildings were shoddily built and unsafe normally.<br /><br />The quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and in eastern Cuba, but no major damage was reported in either place.<br /><br />With electricity out in many places and phone service erratic, it was nearly impossible for Haitian or foreign officials to get full details of the devastation.<br /><br />"Everybody is just totally, totally freaked out and shaken," said Henry Bahn, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official in Port-au-Prince. "The sky is just gray with dust."<br /><br />Edwidge Danticat, an award-winning Haitian-American author was unable to contact relatives in Haiti. She sat with family and friends at her home in Miami, looking for news on the Internet and watching TV news reports.<br /><br />"You want to go there, but you just have to wait," she said. "Life is already so fragile in Haiti, and to have this on such a massive scale, it's unimaginable how the country will be able to recover from this."<br /><br /><br />Read more: http://newsok.com/quake-stunned-haitians-pile-bodies-by-fallen-homes/article/3431766?custom_click=lead_story_title#ixzz0cZUsRrIJ<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8312343706461162181?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-12500514804713656932010-01-10T21:51:00.000-05:002010-01-10T21:51:51.589-05:00<b>Helping Others, are you a "Good Samaritin"?, an enabler, a Patron,or ??</b><br /><br />I've been helping others for over 5 decades,I'd say, for a number of reasons,some gracious, some not, but have learned that the cynical adage,<br /><br /><b>" No Good deed Goes Unpunished" is on occassion ,a Truism.</b><br /><br />I often find my self helping out,with no forethought,which i,I guess is a good thing, but then ,there I am ,Obligated, or am I, and the Helpee,are they also,Obligated to ?Pass it On!/,? , or Reciprocate? It is Complex, and often as not, to have expectation of any kind,is unrealistic.<br /><br />Often , Not Helping, would'v ebeen the correct choice, as it turned ,out,the person needed a Life Lesson, an opportunity ,of which I essentially stole from them. I have done this many times for and to my children and possibly others. Again,It is Complex.<br /><br />In the parable of the Good Samaritin, Christ,never rebukes the Thieves.<br /><br />Thieves,do,what Thieves Do.However,he was pissed at those who had Agency,yet walked on by,or did little more than a pittance to help the<br />guy who'd ben beaten and robbed. Christ's ,premise,is ,if you've Agency,<br />you are Obligated to help,and not just a "Token"amount, but almost more than you could bear.<br /><br />It is a tough Row to Hoe, to help others bear thier Crosses,when you can bearly bear your own. I wonder ,thugh,if it should be that way.<br /><br />True Pilanthropists,have made millions, from others,are organized, yet<br />they help millions more,once they are successful. If they'd ?squandered"their emotinal energy,money,time, helping others,one,by one,<br />would Philanthroposts such as BIll and Melinda Gates be able to help the millions they are now helping? I do not know.<br /><br />It seems, one must reserve something ,not be a Martyr,to be successful at being a "Helper" a lesson I hope I have learned Not too late.<br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<br /><br /><b>Below is an article about this from another less cynical point of view.</b><br /><br /><br />helping OTHERS<br /><br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />To help others is to help ourselves. We should try to purify our mind at all times, give our love and kindness unconditionally, and not expect anything in return. This is the best way.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />We work and contribute only because there is a need at that moment. When there is a need for us to do, we do it. After we have done it, that's all. There are no other purposes to it. Of course, we should help those who need help. When others need help, we just help. Helping is like not helping at all. In the Diamond Sutra it is written: Give without giving is the true giving. When we help others, it is like eating food or washing our hands. We don't feel especially proud for washing our hands. That state of mind is just like that. Whatever we do, we do it as if for ourselves. It is very natural. If we don't practice spiritually, no matter how much goodwill we have, we still can not do it well.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />The more we work, the more we try to help other people, the more we grow.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />And whatever job we do we have to do it wholeheartedly. Moreover we still have to help our fellow beings in whatever way we can, make them happy, make them feel loved.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />When you are working not for reward but only from love, then everything will go very smoothly.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />We have to help also with social work. Whatever we can do to help lessen the suffering, that is the most noble work, which will not only be recognized in this world, but also praised by heaven.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />When a depressed person with a deep inferiority complex comes to seek our help, we should help him. Help him to become a high-spirited and self-confident person with an ideal; one who is no longer disappointed in himself or wants to jump off a building. This is our magical power; and this is "giving alms of fearlessness," just like the Quan Yin Bodhisattva.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />We help others, because when we observe others in distress, it is like we are in distress. This feeling should come genuinely from the heart. When we are cold, we immediately get a blanket, a meditation cloth or a hat to cover ourselves. When others are feeling cold, we also feel it. Even when we are warm and cozy, we cannot get to sleep if we think of the people suffering in the cold. First thing in the morning, we will try to help them quickly. When I help others, most of the time it is because I myself cannot sleep. So, I am also helping myself. If I don't help them, I will feel bad. To ease my distressful feeling, I have to help them, the faster the better. When it is done quickly, I am happy too! This is the natural way to help others.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />When we are thinking of serving others, we will somehow forget about ourselves.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />When we do good deeds the results would definitely be good. Even if the results were not good, we would be contented, would not feel guilty, and would not lose our self-confidence or our self-respect.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />When we serve the multitude, God also serves us. Such is the law on which the universe functions.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />We should do things without any purpose in mind. It applies to any job. Unconditional devotion is the best.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />We keep reminding ourselves what we have done for others, we will be merely doing business transactions like the worldly merchants, and not truly giving selflessly.<br /><br /><br />.....<br /><br />Do not always run around to take care of me. Take care of our guests, take care of our brothers and sisters or whoever needs to be taken care of. It is okay. Everyone likes to run around and take care of me, but you don't realise that I am in all of you. For you to take care of each other is like taking care of me. I only need a little amount of attention. I don't need all of you taking care of me, you will run over me! (laughter). You will overwhelm me with love and attention, and other brothers stand around and nobody takes care of them and it is me too, it is me who you left behind or didn't take care of. I feel the feelings of the person. You don't feel it, but I do. So if you don't take care of them, it means that you bother me, because I will know it, and I will be bothered.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-1250051480471365693?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-58619712824437063142010-01-03T19:36:00.000-05:002010-01-03T19:36:45.693-05:00<b>Can Peter Pan Love the Mother of His Child??</b><br /><br />So, as a Dad, A Husband and the Brother of 6 Sisters, All Who are,were,Moms,(3 are Dead,as is my Mom),I have a few thoughts about <br />Single Moms. Raising a Child takes at least 2, and often a Village.<br />When the Mom is not supported by the Father of her child, he dumps the work,the support obligations, onto the Village,the Family, if there is one.<br /><br />I know, Let me tell you,I do really know, women,are often tough to tolerate. It is this toleration, understanding,patience, that is a part of what is necessary to loving them,especially f they are the mother of one's children. Some women,yearn for a "Perfect " Guy, not a committed guy, some women are indeed crazy, but when there is a kid involved, you got obligations, life is not about you,Daddy. Oh,on that, any guy can be a Father, but not every guy can be a Daddy.Being a Dad, is the most important job a man willdo . We do our Best, and that includes Loving the mother, for better or for worse. I get one may not tolerate living with her, but , you now have obligations, so, it is ,what it is, So, time to Grow up,Dad.It is an issue a guy ,who is a Dad, must do, to be a Man.<br /><br />I Don't have all the answers,but, below are 2 articles, that disucss some of these issues. Read & Learn.<br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<br /><br /><br /><b>"The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother."</b><br />by Beth McHugh | More from this Blogger<br />25 OCT 2006 12:53 AM<br />I was talking recently to a very dear friend who dropped this pearl of wisdom into the conversation: "The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother."<br />The friend couldn't remember where she had heard this saying, but it didn't matter. The wisdom in these few words is both concise and profound. Think about that sentence again: "The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother."<br />Really, in terms of the bigger picture, this says it all. In loving the mother, he will, by definition, love the child. Yet in loving the mother, he also sets up a profound sense of peace and stability in the child that is irreplaceable. For children who come from a stable, loving background, this may not seem of fundamental importance. That is because they have experienced the deep peace that comes from having grown up in a loving environment and know of no other way of being. <br />But for adult children of difficult or fractured backgrounds, the head nods in agreement. There was little sense of peace in such an upbringing. This lack of security plays out in later life. It affects relationships at school, relationships at work and, most importantly, love relationships. Not having a sense of childhood stability makes the adolescent and adult individual needy and insecure, and effectively limits their choice of suitable partners. Often children of unstable parental relationships will go on unwittingly to provide unstable homes for their own children, thus repeating the pattern.<br />A father who loves his children's mother also sets up a valuable template for both his sons and his daughters. For his sons, he displays a role model which the growing male can take as his own model for treating all the women in his life, from his mother and sisters, to his ultimate life partner. <br />Such a father also provides a role model for his daughters. Here the impressionable young woman can witness in the comfort of their own home all that they should expect from the men in their lives. They also learn by definition what they should not have to put up with. Having a father who loves your mother makes you more likely to go on to choose a man who will truly love you. <br />Finally, in giving his children this great gift, he is also demonstrating the very opposite of what some parents believe is good parenting. He is giving the intangible gift of love, not toys, gifts, and endless monetary handouts. Intangible the gift of love may be, but children soak up this invisible commodity like candy. They love it, because they inherently know it is what they need to thrive. <br />So fathers, show your children that you love their mother. Be as demonstrative as you know how. Stand next to her as you journey through life. The trickle-down effect of loving your partner will envelop your children in a cloak of love that will shield them from much of the harshness of life and encourage them to make better life choices. <br /><b>There is no greater gift that you can give your children.</b><br /><br /><br />Male Socialization<br /><b>The Peter Pan Syndrome: Men's Failed Relationships </b><br />Dec 9, 2007 Candy Brown <br />This article examines the problems men have in their relationships, particularly with women because of society's perception of appropriate masculine behavior. <br /><br /><br /><br />Studies show that society holds basic generalities about young boys. Boys receive tools, bats, fishing rods, trucks and cars. They are cuddled less, and taught to repress their vulnerable feelings. Boys are encouraged to express aggression and expected to succeed in a profession, never admitting to any need for dependence (Dickstein, 1988).<br />Within the past 20 years, men have fallen apart emotionally due to broken relationships. The lack of socialization training has contributed to the deficient skills men have to communicate their feelings and express their anger constructively. Men often experience a sense of helplessness in their insufficient ability to cope and express vulnerable emotions; as a result, they become violent in how they communicate and in their behaviors.<br /><b>The Peter Pan Syndrome<br />“The little boy who does not want to grow up” <br /></b>Dan Kiley<br />Dan Kiley authored the book, The Peter Pan Syndrome (1983). Based on research of the effects of male socialization on relationships, Kiley developed the clinical diagnosis of the Peter Pan Syndrome. Males diagnosed with having this syndrome exhibit the following psychological traits:<br /><br />Emotions become paralyzed and exaggerated<br />• Anger turns into rage<br />• Joy turns into hysteria<br />• Disappointment develops into depression or self-pity <br /><b> How the Peter Pan Syndrome Affects Men’s Lives<br />Males diagnosed with this syndrome<br /></b>• Have difficulty expressing love <br />• Refuse to share their feelings<br />• Lose touch with their emotions and have no idea what they feel<br />• Procrastinate <br />• Feel guilt and have difficulty in relaxing <br />• Have no real connection with friends. Believes friends can only be bought<br />• Easily panic and feel desperately alone in their attempts to belong <br />The idea of apologizing for inappropriate behavior is not an option. Blame is placed on other’s shortcomings so they do not have to focus on their own limitations and vulnerabilities. Alcohol or drug abuse is used to get high in order to drown out the existence of daily life challenges.<br />Relationships with Parents<br /><b>Men suffering from the Peter Pan Syndrome have a<br /></b>• Hang up with their mother<br />• The anger and guilt they feel are interwoven, masking their conflicted feelings for the mother<br />• The relationship with the father is estranged<br />• They believe that the father’s love and approval are unobtainable <br />• Have problems with authority figures <br />• Tend to be emotionally immature<br />• Exhibit silly behavior<br />• Have a macho attitude that hides their deep inner insecurities in attempts to hide the fear of rejection<br /><b>Relationships with Women </b><br />When the male forms attachment with a woman they<br />• Become extremely jealous and exhibit violent outbursts<br />• Become easily provoked to fits of rage when a woman asserts any independence<br />A woman’s dependency is important for the male to feel protective of the woman. The fear of impotency and rejection contributes to verbally abusive behavior. The male strives to patronize the woman and appear strong and assertive when actually, feels threatened by the woman’s independence. The fear of appearing weak and unmanly in front of friends causes the male to deny any desire to share their own sensitivity with women.<br /><br /><br />Read more at Suite101: Male Socialization: The Peter Pan Syndrome: Men's Failed Relationships http://emotional-verbal-abuse.suite101.com/article.cfm/male_socialization#ixzz0bb5PV0Bx<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-5861971282443706314?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-42616696084484836072009-12-31T20:45:00.001-05:002009-12-31T20:47:54.338-05:00<b>Laugh,and the World Laughs With YOU,Cry,and YOu Cry Alone!</b><br /><br />SO, Don't Be Alone, <b>LAUGH,</b>,<b>Be STUPID</b>,<b>Breathe,Howl,Laugh!</b><br /><b> Tips for More laughter in Your Life</b><br /><br /><b>Practice laughing 5 min/day.</b> <br /><br /><b>Fake it till you make it.</b><br /><br />Look for humor around you--on signs, in people's behavior, on TV, in the newspaper, the things others say, the crazy things that happen to you.--Keep a journal.<br /><br />Share your embarrassing moments with other people.<br /><br />Learn to play with things that are serious like work, social issues, money, etc. For example, use word play, silly songs, or develop a comical view of the issue to help you laugh and cope.<br /><br />Laugh with other people when they laugh.<br /><br />Wear a smile. It puts you closer to laughing.<br /><br />Seek out entertainment which makes you laugh.<br /><br />Amuse yourself with your own sense of humor.<br /><br />Buy and listen daily to a tape of laughter, a laugh box, or a laughing toy.<br /><br />Buy mindless toys that make you laugh.<br /><br />Wear hats that make you laugh.<br /><br />Cultivate your innate playfulness.<br /><br />Be creative with fun.<br /><br />Make sure you have fun.<br /><br />Give yourself permission to laugh at anything you need to.<br /><br />Do at least one silly, non-conforming thing a day.<br /><br />ÓEnda Junkins, 3200 N. Macarthur Blvd., Ste. 106, Irving, Tx 752062, www.laughtertherapy.com. (972) ALL LAFF (255-5233)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-4261669608448483607?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-89525280595395794792009-12-28T20:53:00.000-05:002009-12-28T20:53:35.312-05:00<b> Limits </b><br /><br />Of all the streets that blur in to the sunset, <br />There must be one (which, I am not sure) <br />That I by now have walked for the last time <br />Without guessing it, the pawn of that Someone <br /><br />Who fixes in advance omnipotent laws, <br />Sets up a secret and unwavering scale <br />for all the shadows, dreams, and forms <br />Woven into the texture of this life. <br /><br />If there is a limit to all things and a measure <br />And a last time and nothing more and forgetfulness, <br />Who will tell us to whom in this house <br />We without knowing it have said farewell? <br /><br />Through the dawning window night withdraws <br />And among the stacked books which throw <br />Irregular shadows on the dim table, <br />There must be one which I will never read. <br /><br />There is in the South more than one worn gate, <br />With its cement urns and planted cactus, <br />Which is already forbidden to my entry, <br />Inaccessible, as in a lithograph. <br /><br />There is a door you have closed forever <br />And some mirror is expecting you in vain; <br />To you the crossroads seem wide open, <br />Yet watching you, four-faced, is a Janus. <br /><br />There is among all your memories one <br />Which has now been lost beyond recall. <br />You will not be seen going down to that fountain <br />Neither by white sun nor by yellow moon. <br /><br />You will never recapture what the Persian <br />Said in his language woven with birds and roses, <br />When, in the sunset, before the light disperses, <br />You wish to give words to unforgettable things. <br /><br />And the steadily flowing Rhone and the lake, <br />All that vast yesterday over which today I bend? <br />They will be as lost as Carthage, <br />Scourged by the Romans with fire and salt. <br /><br />At dawn I seem to hear the turbulent <br />Murmur of crowds milling and fading away; <br />They are all I have been loved by, forgotten by; <br />Space, time, and Borges now are leaving me. <br /><br /><b>Jorge Luis Borges </b><br /><br /><b>Limits</b>,<b> it is something we reqire, but usually would rather ,we be the one to set them, either on our ownselves, but usualy others.<br /><br />I take to heart Mr. Borges notion, and have for many years, that each moment,takes me to a direction , a place, a situation, an opportunity,to and from which , I will most likely never return or have. How and Why this occurs I do not know.<br />Perhaps I am a changed being who can never return, because of that change, better or for worse, to or from whence I came. My issue ,is the recurrence of situations,thoughts,that appear to have no better value for having repeated them. I suppose I did not learn my lesson? I do not know, but I accept and have gratitude for this ?phenomena?,as it make more precious any moment, a moment I never really experienced,knew existed,but the idea of not having it ,ever again,causes me to ponder, and appreciate the moments I do and have had.</b><br /><br /><b>Bill Swann D.O.</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8952528059539579479?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-59727432675785848842009-12-25T11:57:00.000-05:002009-12-25T11:57:41.134-05:00<b>The Tales of the Sands</b><br />Spiritual Story by Idries Shah<br /><br /><br />A stream, from its source in far-off mountains, passing through every kind and description of countryside, at last reached the sands of the desert. Just as it had crossed every other barrier, the stream tried to cross this one, but it found that as fast as it ran into the sand, its waters disappeared.<br /><br />It was convinced, however, that its destiny was to cross this desert, and yet there was no way. Now a hidden voice, coming from the desert itself, whispered: "The Wind crosses the desert, and so can the stream."<br /><br />The stream objected that it was dashing itself against the sand, and only getting absorbed: that the wind could fly, and this was why it could cross a desert.<br /><br />"By hurtling in your own accustomed way you cannot get across. You will either disappear or become a marsh. You must allow the wind to carry you over, to your destination."<br /><br />"But how could this happen?"<br /><br />"By allowing yourself to be absorbed in the wind."<br /><br />This idea was not acceptable to the stream. After all, it had never been absorbed before. It did not want to lose its individuality. And, once having lost it, how was one to know that it could ever be regained?<br /><br />"The wind," said the sand, "performs this function. It takes up water, carries it over the desert, and then lets it fall again. Falling as rain, the water again becomes a river."<br /><br />"How can I know that this is true?"<br /><br />"It is so, and if you do not believe it, you cannot become more than a quagmire, and even that could take many, many years; and it certainly is not the same as a stream."<br /><br />"But can I not remain the same stream that I am today?"<br /><br />"You cannot in either case remain so," the whisper said. "Your essential part is carried away and forms a stream again. You are called what you are even today because you do not know which part of you is the essential one."<br /><br /><br />This is the Story that lead to my ,changing my Life ,in a totally new direction.<br /><br />It was 1975, I met my wife at a Bday party, a broad faced Filipina,with Big Eyes.<br /><br />I asked to marry me,1st time I saw her. She did,the next day. That was 35 years ago<br /><br />I'd say ,our marriage is work in progress, still, yet I received 3 lovely children,2 lovely grandchildren,am part of a lovely Bicol family, my life was change for the better. <br /><br />Now, to surrender again,not to fate, but to ....<br /><br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-5972743267578584884?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-31417993420490890592009-12-23T01:18:00.000-05:002009-12-23T01:18:38.094-05:00<b>GrandParentHood</b><br /><br /><b>So,</b> <b>GrandParentHood,</b> <b>the Big Surprise</b>,<br /><br />we've , I've looked forward to, but..<br /><br />It is like having your cake ,and eating it Too!<br /><br />Like having Teenagers on the Night they get Busted, <br /><br />and call you in the middle of the night to Help,realizing that they,<br /><br />are still teenagers, Not quite ready for Natural Consequences, <br /><br />and that they are still Loved So Much and are still needed,<b>by you.</b><br /><br />It is , about getting, being Olde,Older, but ,Feeling ,So YOung again.<br /><br />It is about ,Age,having a Purpose, and your Children realizing that.<br /><br />It is about, compassion and Patience, Understanding and Fortitude.<br /><br />GrandParentHood is about All That, Love, and most of All,about Hope!<br /><br />(with a little Narcissm)but Oh,So ,Awesome and Humbling! I Love It!<br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-3141799342049089059?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-59490910359278273502009-12-20T21:26:00.003-05:002009-12-20T21:34:13.159-05:00<b>Simple Man </b><br />by Lynyrd Skynyrd(songwriters: Van Zant, Rossington<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQ_aTjXObs&feature=PlayList&p=E77689B4B7026047&index=87<br /><br />Mama Told Me When I Was Young<br />Come Sit beside Me, My Only Son<br />And Listen Closely To What I Say.<br />And if you do this<br />It'll Help You Some Sunny Day, Oh Yeah<br />, take your time... Don't live too fast,<br />Troubles Will Come and They Will Pass.<br />You'll Find the Woman, Yeah Yeah, You'll Find the One<br />And Don't Forget Son<br />There Is Someone up above, <br /><br />chorus<br />and be a simple, kind of man.<br />Will be something, you love and understand.<br />be a simple, kind of man. What will you do this for me son, if you can<br /><br />Forget your Lust , for the rich man's Gold<br />All That You Need, Is in Your Soul,<br />and You Can Do This, Oh Baby, If You Try.<br />All That I Want for You My Son,<br />Is to Be Satisfied.<br /><br />chorus<br />and be a simple, kind of man.<br />Will be something, you love and understand.<br />be a simple, kind of man. What will you do this for me son, if you can<br /><br />Baby be a simple, yet simple man.<br />Oh be something, You Love and Understand.<br />Baby be a simple, kind of man,.... <b>Be a simple, kind of man.</b><br /><br /><b>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQ_aTjXObs&feature=PlayList&p=E77689B4B7026047&index=87<b></b><br /></b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-5949091035927827350?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-83065225094523253972009-12-15T22:46:00.001-05:002009-12-15T22:49:22.701-05:00<b>NINE WORDS WOMEN USE & One Phrase a Man Should Use</b><br /><b>(1</b>) <b>Fine:</b>This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.<br /><b>(2)</b> <b>Five Minutes:</b>If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.<br /><b>(3)</b> <b>Nothing:</b>This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.<br /><b>(4)</b> <b>Go Ahead:</b>This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!<br /><b>(5)</b> <b>Loud Sigh:</b>This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)<br /><b>(6)</b> <b>That's Okay:</b>This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.<br /><b>(7)</b> <b>Thanks:</b>A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').<br /><b>(8)</b> <b>Whatever:</b>Is a woman's way of saying <b>F--YOU!</b><br /><b>(9)</b> <b>Don't worry about it, I got it:</b>Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.<br /><br /><b>10)</b> <b>Yes Dear</b> This is Why and What Men say,to get the Last Word, in Every Conversation with a Woman.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8306522509452325397?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-75669074613781033152009-12-14T20:57:00.000-05:002009-12-14T20:57:23.203-05:00<b>THE BULLMASTIFF<br /><br />THE GAMEKEEPERS NIGHT DOG</b><br /><br />By David Hancock (U.K.)<br /><br />"Mr. Burton of Thorneywood Kennels brought to the show one night a dog (not for competition) and offered one pound to any person who could escape from the securely muzzled dog. One of the spectators who had experience with dogs volunteered and amused a large assembly of sportsmen and keepers who had gathered there. The man was given a long start, and the muzzled dog slipped after him. The animal caught him immediately and knocked him down with the first spring.<br /><br />"The latter tried bravely to hold his own, but was floored every time he got to his feet, ultimately being kept to the ground until the owner of the dog released him. the man had three rounds with the powerful canine, but was beaten each time and was unable to escape."<br /><br /><br />This fascinating cameo of a man vs. dog contest appeared in The Field on August 20, 1901. With poaching (especially deer poaching) on the increase again, with human staff costing so much nowadays, and the law of the land almost favoring trespassers--especially those apprehended as poachers who plead "trespass" as their only offense--it is suprising that the "gamekeepers night dog" isn't more widely used.<br /><br />The "night dog" referred to is of course the Bullmastiff, the only British breed ever specifically produced for guard duties and from two of the oldest, purest and bravest breeds. Technically created in modem times, it existed for centuries in the form of the lighter Mastiff when used as a hunting dog, and then the bigger, faster Bulldog when used for bull-baiting. It can be argued that the Bullmastiff is a truer descendant of the original Bulldog than the modem breed of that very name. <br /><br />Not recognized by the Kennel Club as a breed until 1924--but used previously by gamekeepers--these dogs have the Mastiff instinct to pin their quarry rather than to bite, and to attack a man and throw him to the ground every time he tries to get to his feet--without ever using their teeth to savage him.<br /><br />Mr. S.Moseley, from his Farcroft kennels, stabilized the modern breed after many previous trial crosses of Bulldog and Mastiff. There are similarities with the French equivalent, the Dogue De Bordeaux and the Neapolitan Mastiff, indicating a breed type in history, perhaps together with the Brazilian Guard Dog, The Tosa--The Japanese Fighting Dog--and the new extinct German Bullenbeisser.<br /><br /><br />What was being sought was a "gamekeepers dog". Just as the poacher needed his "Lurcher" to locate, chase, kill and retrieve game silently and slickly, so the game-keeper required a powerful, well-disciplined dog to find, seize and detain the poacher. This was not a task for a light, nervous, noisy, fidgety, ill-disciplined dog, but for the strong, silent type, able on command to knock down then hold down a young, healthy countryman, possibly after tracking him or quietly observing his acting illegally.<br /><br />The requirement decided, the end product was then designed for the purpose in mind. Undoubtedly, more than two components were involved, the Great Dane and the yellow Labrador type of gun dog, which was beginning to emerge about that time, being likely ingredients. But in essence it was a cross between the Bulldog--tough, tenacious, fuss less, brave and with silent self-reliance- and the Mastiff--immensely powerful, trustworthy, fearsome in appearance but stable by nature, loyal and brave, which produced the Bullmastiff--27 inches at the withers, some ten stones of muscular guard dog.<br /><br />From these carefully selected ancestors -- specifically purpose bred -- came a strapping, fearless, superbly proportioned, imposing-looking animal, combining the massiveness and sheer pugnacity of appearance of the age-old beautifully natured Mastiff breed, with the famed courage and proven endurance of the renowned Bulldog.<br /><br />These two famous breeds gave the modern Bullmastiff three priceless qualities, ideal in combination for a guard dog; superb temperament --even tempered, level headed, magnanimous and never excitable; a silent, steadfast, almost arrogant bearing; and most importantly, the instinct to pin the quarry rather than to bite. The powerful Bullmastiff doesn’t savage its target or "worry" the arm of the standing "wanted" man. He has all the necessary strength to use his inherited impulse to pin his victim to the floor or a wall. But before the action even begins, there is the considerable deterrent value of the Bullmastiffs sheer physical size, pugnacious, black masked face and his impressive, almost regally impassive composure. He really looks the part.<br /><br />Capable of quite astounding speed off the mark, immensely strong and --although large and heavy-- an essentially active dog, the Bullmastiff has superb self-reliance. He stands as if he owns the ground he stands on, looks you in the eye as an equal and yields to no one. Don't expect subservience from this breed. However, gain the confidence of one, together with his respect, and you have the best guard-companion of all dogs.<br /><br />Not to be chained up in the backyard or confined to a small run, the Bullmastiff must be made a member of the household and ideally taken to a training class to get used to other dogs. Well-trained from young puppyhood, they are the most trustworthy. With his keen hard expression and well-arched neck, a young Bullmastiff is very proud and full of himself. This admirable self-assurance has to be utilized to good effect by firm, consistent training so that he becomes equally proud of his self restraint.<br /><br />This formidable dog is well-behaved with children, never loses his temper and tolerates endless teasing. He is responsive to training, intelligent and faithful by nature. Used as a guard dog in such widely separated situations as the Mau-Mau emergency in Kenya, in the Kimberley diamond mines in South Africa, and on John D. Rockefeller's huge country estate in New York State, the Bullmastiff is now used mainly by discerning private owners as companion/guard.<br /><br />The Bullmastiff doesn’t snap or nip and seldom barks. He can track as well as guard, is easy to train and control, and tolerates -- perhaps more than any other breed -- children. On duty, he does not savage his prey but silently and effectively detains it. That great, powerful head with the ferocious, scowling, black mask and the lasting impression of physical power, make the Bullmastiff a formidable, commanding figure for any wrongdoer to confront.<br /><br />A loyal, faithful, even-tempered, noble breed, Bullmastiffs make superb companion-guards and do not have that restless energy which demands a vast amount of exercise.<br /><br />When all is said and done about the various breeds available as guard dogs, the Bullmastiff is the professional. He was bred for the part. After all, who would employ a shepherd as a night watchman when a security guard is available? And which would you prefer to be guarded by, a lion or a wolf? The Bullmastiff is the lion of the dog world. He is massive, arrogant, powerful and brave--a truly underrated, undervalued king among dogs.<br /><br />THE BULLMASTIFF<br /><br />As with any "man-made" breed, the Bullmastiff did not emerge overnight. It took many long years and some very dedicated people to bring about the breed as it is today. Documented in England as early as 1860. The American Kennel Club acknowledged the breed in October 1933. In England, they were recognized in 1924. The breed originated from a need to protect gamekeepers estates from poachers, hence the name Gamekeepers Night Dog. <br /><br />Needed was a dog that could down and "hold" a man without injury. Punishment for poachers in those days was hanging in the town square, as a deterrent to others. After trying several breeds, they came up with a mixture of 60% old English Mastiff, for its courageousness and size and 40% Old English Bulldog, for its strength and agility. These traits are still very evident in todays Bullmastiff. <br /><br />Brindle was the original or preferred color for the Bullmastiff, although they came in a variety of hues from light fawn to deep rich reds. <br /><br />Bullmastiffs are extremely loving, giving animals. They will become totally loyal to those that love and care for them, and make excellent family dogs. Don’t be taken by their docile nature - a Bullmastiff, when alerted to danger, is one of the best guard dogs, and will protect their family and property without fear for themselves. They usually love to hunt and track, and we are pleased to see more in the obedience trials. Some are now being used as companion dogs. <br /><br />Each Bullmastiff has a distinct personality. Usually with very visible traits of its lineage. They will amuse you, love you, guard you and generally become "one of the family" - not just the family dog. Treat them with love and kindness and your reward will be overwhelming<br /><br /><br />I Agree ,We All Love "Shanti" our Bull Mastiff SweetHeart.<br /><br />Bill Swann D.O.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-7566907461378103315?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-83051035149510294112009-12-09T21:30:00.001-05:002009-12-09T21:31:10.213-05:00<b>Henry was born 06:57</b>,on the 9th of December. A bit earlier than 22 Jan, but APGARs of 5/5 despite being 6 weeks early. Von , worked thru most of her labor, went to the hospital after passing her mucous plug, and walked 2 blocks with Jody, arriving 9cm dilated. 6 hours later ,she delivered Henry William.<br /><br />Both are Well, but Henry has to stay in the hospital until he is 36 weeks old, on principle, Von leaves on Friday.<br /><br />Take Care.<br /><br />Bill<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8305103514951029411?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-9703159581832838132009-12-06T20:26:00.003-05:002009-12-06T20:27:43.810-05:00<b>So here is my Volcano story.</b> In 2002 a wife and I visited her home in the Philippines which hosts the most perfect home volcano in the world the <b>Mayan Volcano</b>. It happened be erupting a year which it does about every 5 to 10 years however this eruption was to be awesome. For almost 2 weeks and watched it billow and a lava flow. The lava flow from our perspective and according to thousands of other Filipinos mostly Catholic look like the Mother Mary. At one point when we were in Legaspi, a power classic cloud came hurtling down the mountain, Volcano side towards probable the home of my wife's mother. The sky turned dark -- filled the sky we race towards her home and thankfully the clock stopped like hitting a giant wall approximately 2 km from our home. Everyone was okay except that thousands of refugees who are fortunate to be on the western side of the Mayan Volcano. Thankfully I had several boxes of antibiotics have been given from drug let's and we were able to help treat their bronchitis that they receive from the inhalation of fashion the fumes. However nothing could be done for their homes and for their animals who were incinerate. A few days before we left for my most memorable times in my life was climbing up to the roof of a storage building at my mother-in-law, my wife's father's sister my wife and myself drinking and one from mixed in young coconut milk picked right from the tree and watching the volcano's light and light show and flow the same time being gifted with a meteor shower, a full moon and starlight. It was awesome with three of my favorite people in the world and nature at her finest, most awesome and most furious. A day or two before we left the volcano erupted by Krakatoa throwing out boulders the size of cars small earthquakes. That of course was a time when video camera ran out of batteries. The memory, the vision and sounds will always be mine. That's my Volcano story, and my Volcano eruption of 2000.<br />Bill Swann D.O.<br />I heard somewhere take care<br /><br />Written by Meg <br /><b>Sunday, 01 November 2009 14:40 <br />Today is a memorial service in New York, in honor of Craig Arnold, a man I never knew. Why then do I want to honor him? </b><br /><br />I think it is because he brushed my soul from afar. Craig was a poet and a pilgrim who was lost last summer hiking on a volcanic island in Japan. He wrote in his blog, The Volcano Pilgrim: "...thinking of Pompeii and Vesuvius, of cities and civilazations laid low by disaster, of the utter indifference of geology to humanity. The Volcano Pilgrim has dedicated the last three years to the belief that one need not shrink from the sublime. Nay, rather, one may seek it out, with a pack on your back and a stick in your hand, liberal applications of sunblock and when necessary a gas mask over your face. He recognizes that chasing this particular dragon may not strike some people as entirely healthy or balanced behavior, but the nature of that imbalance is one of the things he hopes in the course of the journey to understand." <br /><br />This is a journey I am following as well, in my own quest to feel the earth's power to transform and to heal, as well as to create and to destroy. I don't claim to understand what draws me to this particular form of fire, but I know that it gives me energy and passion. As the earth reveals its heart-blood lava, I am transfixed and transformed. I acknowledge a higher power, one that is indifferent to humanity and yet is the very earth that nourishes and sustains our existence. I will spend this day remembering a soul mate I have never met. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Ancient Volcano's Devastating Effects Confirmed</b><br /><br />A massive volcanic eruption that occurred in the distant past killed off much of central India's forests and may have pushed humans to the brink of extinction, according to a new study that adds evidence to a controversial topic. <br />The Toba eruption, which took place on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia about 73,000 years ago, released an estimated 800 cubic kilometers of ash into the atmosphere that blanketed the skies and blocked out sunlight for six years. In the aftermath, global temperatures dropped by as much as 16 degrees centigrade (28 degrees Fahrenheit) and life on Earth plunged deeper into an ice age that lasted around 1,800 years. <br />In 1998, Stanley Ambrose, an anthropology professor at the University of Illinois, proposed in the Journal of Human Evolution that the effects of the Toba eruption and the Ice Age that followed could explain the apparent bottleneck in human populations that geneticists believe occurred between 50,000 and 100,000 years ago. The lack of genetic diversity among humans alive today suggests that during this time period humans came very close to becoming extinct. <br />To test his theory, Ambrose and his research team analyzed pollen from a marine core in the Bay of Bengal that had a layer of ash from the Toba eruption. The researchers also compared carbon isotope ratios in fossil soil taken from directly above and below the Toba ash in three locations in central India - some 3,000 miles from the volcano - to pinpoint the type of vegetation that existed at various locations and time periods. <br />Heavily forested regions leave carbon isotope fingerprints that are distinct from those of grasses or grassy woodlands. <br />The tests revealed a distinct change in the type of vegetation in India immediately after the Toba eruption. The researchers write in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology that their analysis indicates a shift to a "more open vegetation cover and reduced representation of ferns," which grow in humid conditions, all of which "would suggest significantly drier conditions in this region for at least 1,000 years after the Toba eruption." <br />The dryness probably also indicates a drop in temperature "because when you turn down the temperature you also turn down the rainfall," Ambrose said. "This is unambiguous evidence that Toba caused deforestation in the tropics for a long time." <br /><b>He also concluded that the disaster may have forced the ancestors of modern humans to adopt new cooperative strategies for survival that eventually permitted them to replace Neanderthals and other archaic human species. </b><br />Although humans survived the event, researchers have detected increasing activity underneath a caldera at Yellowstone National Park, where some suspect another supervolcanic eruption will eventually take place. Though not expected to occur anytime soon, a Yellowstone eruption could coat half the United States in a layer of ash up to 3 feet (1 meter) deep.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-970315958183283813?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-42934565048321638232009-12-03T21:49:00.004-05:002009-12-03T22:34:23.209-05:00<b> Why I Love my Sky Deck and Tai Ji Studio</b><br /><br /><b>Proverbs 21:9 </b><br /><b><br />It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.</b> <br /><br /><br /><br />Why are some men always away from home? They hunt, work extra hours, golf, live in their workshop, manicure the lawn, stay in the basement, or listen to music with headphones. Why? They are avoiding the dreadful creature they foolishly married. <br /><br />God created Eve to be the perfect companion for Adam (Gen 2:18). Marriage gives a man his own wife for pleasant company, mutual help, and sexual pleasure. But sin corrupted God's design, and selfish women became yapping, nagging irritants at home. <br /><br />How did we corrupt God's creation (Eccl 7:29)? A man's greatest pleasure becomes his greatest pain! His greatest treasure his greatest loss! His best friend his worst enemy! His source of peace and comfort his endless misery (12:4)! See the comments on 19:13. When the victim realizes his grave error, his spirit is stricken, and he is forced to surrender and withdraw to find his only comfort in the quiet solitude of other pursuits. <br /><br />A brawling woman is a noisily quarrelsome, wrangling, clamorous, noisy, and bawling woman. You have mostly heard her - she is usually talking, correcting, debating, scolding, suggesting, reminding, and otherwise making herself an unbearable nuisance. Attempts to correct her meet with failure, for her unruly pride cannot submit or shut up. <br /><br />How widespread is the problem? Solomon warns us five other times with proverbs similar to this one (12:4; 19:13; 21:19; 25:24; 27:15-16). It is a common problem, especially in our rebellious age, when women no longer know their God-ordained place. <br /><br />It is better ... do you hear the Preacher? He gives one of the wise priorities of life. It is better to live on the roof than in a large house with such a woman. It is better to be single, alone and lonely, than to cohabit with this onerous wretch in a joyless marriage. <br /><br />The infinite God, who created the woman for the man, declared that a meek and quiet spirit is of great price, far more valuable than improvement in appearance (I Pet 3:3-4). External decorating can never cover the inward blemish of a contentious spirit (11:22; 27:15-16). He promised such a woman will be praised by husband and children (31:28). <br /><br />Young man, reject her! Thoughtless impulse, desperate need, or foolish infatuation will torment you fifty years. Let married men meet and test your prospect and her mother; let them check for a whiff of that odious spirit. Any character flaw you find before marriage will be ten times worse later (30:21-23). And this deformity does not improve with age! <br /><br />Henpecked husband, have you already married poorly? If she fears the LORD, take her to the tribunal of Scripture and let her read her Creator's orders. Find a church where the man of God will rebuke and instruct her for you. Expose her to gracious women. If she does not fear the Lord, pick the corner of the roof with the least exposure! <br />Graciousness will secure you perpetual respect (11:16); reverence will earn you everlasting esteem (Eph 5:33; I Pet 3:5-6); quiet reserve will exalt your spirit (17:27).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-4293456504832163823?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-18606224107771736632009-11-30T22:19:00.002-05:002009-11-30T22:24:46.926-05:00<b>5 Element Sword</b><br /><br /><br />SO, <br /><br />My Grandson and I are chillin out on a cool evening, with our bonfire.<br /><br />I show him how to fuel the fire, with air,from a small bellows.<br /><br />Then it occurs to me, he is a beginner Sword Master!.Why.?<br /><br />I explain to him, as I realize, the Sword requires the 5 Elements.<br /><br />Fire,Earth,Wood,Water and of course Metal.<br /><br />He is the apprentice, using his bellows to make the Fire Hot.<br /><br />From the Earth, and to the Earth comes the Metal and the Wood.<br /><br />Fire Like ourselves needs to Breathe, and he assists, with his Bellows.<br /><br />THe Sword is Molded,Tempered, but <br /><br />then Hardened,in the Water.Water So SOft, turns Metal So Soft, <b>Rigid.</b><br /><br />Then ,with Hammering,WIth Work,with Practice,the Sword ,like Ourselves,<br /><br />is Matured.<br /><br />After studying Tai Ji Sword since 1981, 28 years,<br /><br />I can still learn a lesson, thanks to my Grandson,Sword master Apprentice,<br /><br />now my Teacher. <br /><br />Now to Practice, a Beginner, An Apprentice,once again.<br /><br />Enjoy the "<b>Drunken Sword</b> "set ,by a Young Jet Li.<br /><br /><b>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km76MTTTkao</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-1860622410777173663?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-30863845937973366462009-11-29T01:21:00.001-05:002009-11-29T01:27:19.569-05:00<b>Half the Sky</b><br /><br />The Article below is from the NY Times. I watched the PBS special, and the mmetaphor is moving.<br /><br />I used it recently to assit a soldier in understnading that what happens to him, to his wife, happens to each of them,as they each own half teh sky,But,there is only One Sky. <br /><br />What follows below is a Plea and Message much more basic. We ,as Humans, Must Respect ,Nurture and Free Women, to be Human,Fully ,if we do indeed Love them.If not, We Lose half the sky, meaning Everything.<br /><br />Katy Grannan for The New York Times<br />Goretti Nyabenda of Burundi transformed her life with a $2 microloan that allowed her to build a small business. <br /><br /><br />Katy Grannan for The New York Times<br />Abbas Be was held captive in a Delhi brothel. After she was freed, she returned to her home city of Hyderabad, became a bookbinder and now puts her sisters through school. <br /><br />Enlarge This Image<br /><br />Katy Grannan for The New York Times<br />Claudine Mukakarisa, who survived the genocide in Rwanda, was paired with a donor who helped her educate her children. <br /><br />Enlarge This Image<br /><br />Katy Grannan for The New York Times<br />Edna Adan A former first lady of Somalia and World Health Organization official, she built her own maternity hospital in the enclave of Somaliland. <br />IN THE 19TH CENTURY, the paramount moral challenge was slavery. In the 20th century, it was totalitarianism. In this century, it is the brutality inflicted on so many women and girls around the globe: sex trafficking, acid attacks, bride burnings and mass rape. <br /><br />Yet if the injustices that women in poor countries suffer are of paramount importance, in an economic and geopolitical sense the opportunity they represent is even greater. “Women hold up half the sky,” in the words of a Chinese saying, yet that’s mostly an aspiration: in a large slice of the world, girls are uneducated and women marginalized, and it’s not an accident that those same countries are disproportionately mired in poverty and riven by fundamentalism and chaos. There’s a growing recognition among everyone from the World Bank to the U.S. military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff to aid organizations like CARE that focusing on women and girls is the most effective way to fight global poverty and extremism. That’s why foreign aid is increasingly directed to women. The world is awakening to a powerful truth: Women and girls aren’t the problem; they’re the solution.<br /><br />One place to observe this alchemy of gender is in the muddy back alleys of Pakistan. In a slum outside the grand old city of Lahore, a woman named Saima Muhammad used to dissolve into tears every evening. A round-faced woman with thick black hair tucked into a head scarf, Saima had barely a rupee, and her deadbeat husband was unemployed and not particularly employable. He was frustrated and angry, and he coped by beating Saima each afternoon. Their house was falling apart, and Saima had to send her young daughter to live with an aunt, because there wasn’t enough food to go around.<br /><br />“My sister-in-law made fun of me, saying, ‘You can’t even feed your children,’ ” recalled Saima when Nick met her two years ago on a trip to Pakistan. “My husband beat me up. My brother-in-law beat me up. I had an awful life.” Saima’s husband accumulated a debt of more than $3,000, and it seemed that these loans would hang over the family for generations. Then when Saima’s second child was born and turned out to be a girl as well, her mother-in-law, a harsh, blunt woman named Sharifa Bibi, raised the stakes.<br /><br />“She’s not going to have a son,” Sharifa told Saima’s husband, in front of her. “So you should marry again. Take a second wife.” Saima was shattered and ran off sobbing. Another wife would leave even less money to feed and educate the children. And Saima herself would be marginalized in the household, cast off like an old sock. For days Saima walked around in a daze, her eyes red; the slightest incident would send her collapsing into hysterical tears.<br /><br />It was at that point that Saima signed up with the Kashf Foundation, a Pakistani microfinance organization that lends tiny amounts of money to poor women to start businesses. Kashf is typical of microfinance institutions, in that it lends almost exclusively to women, in groups of 25. The women guarantee one another’s debts and meet every two weeks to make payments and discuss a social issue, like family planning or schooling for girls. A Pakistani woman is often forbidden to leave the house without her husband’s permission, but husbands tolerate these meetings because the women return with cash and investment ideas.<br /><br />Saima took out a $65 loan and used the money to buy beads and cloth, which she transformed into beautiful embroidery that she then sold to merchants in the markets of Lahore. She used the profit to buy more beads and cloth, and soon she had an embroidery business and was earning a solid income — the only one in her household to do so. Saima took her elder daughter back from the aunt and began paying off her husband’s debt.<br /><br />When merchants requested more embroidery than Saima could produce, she paid neighbors to assist her. Eventually 30 families were working for her, and she put her husband to work as well — “under my direction,” she explained with a twinkle in her eye. Saima became the tycoon of the neighborhood, and she was able to pay off her husband’s entire debt, keep her daughters in school, renovate the house, connect running water and buy a television.<br /><br />“Now everyone comes to me to borrow money, the same ones who used to criticize me,” Saima said, beaming in satisfaction. “And the children of those who used to criticize me now come to my house to watch TV.”<br /><br />Today, Saima is a bit plump and displays a gold nose ring as well as several other rings and bracelets on each wrist. She exudes self-confidence as she offers a grand tour of her home and work area, ostentatiously showing off the television and the new plumbing. She doesn’t even pretend to be subordinate to her husband. He spends his days mostly loafing around, occasionally helping with the work but always having to accept orders from his wife. He has become more impressed with females in general: Saima had a third child, also a girl, but now that’s not a problem. “Girls are just as good as boys,” he explained.<br /><br />Saima’s new prosperity has transformed the family’s educational prospects. She is planning to send all three of her daughters through high school and maybe to college as well. She brings in tutors to improve their schoolwork, and her oldest child, Javaria, is ranked first in her class. We asked Javaria what she wanted to be when she grew up, thinking she might aspire to be a doctor or lawyer. Javaria cocked her head. “I’d like to do embroidery,” she said. <br /><br />As for her husband, Saima said, “We have a good relationship now.” She explained, “We don’t fight, and he treats me well.” And what about finding another wife who might bear him a son? Saima chuckled at the question: “Now nobody says anything about that.” Sharifa Bibi, the mother-in-law, looked shocked when we asked whether she wanted her son to take a second wife to bear a son. “No, no,” she said. “Saima is bringing so much to this house. . . . She puts a roof over our heads and food on the table.”<br /><br />Sharifa even allows that Saima is now largely exempt from beatings by her husband. “A woman should know her limits, and if not, then it’s her husband’s right to beat her,” Sharifa said. “But if a woman earns more than her husband, it’s difficult for him to discipline her.”<br /><br />WHAT SHOULD we make of stories like Saima’s? Traditionally, the status of women was seen as a “soft” issue — worthy but marginal. We initially reflected that view ourselves in our work as journalists. We preferred to focus instead on the “serious” international issues, like trade disputes or arms proliferation. Our awakening came in China.<br /><br />After we married in 1988, we moved to Beijing to be correspondents for The New York Times. Seven months later we found ourselves standing on the edge of Tiananmen Square watching troops fire their automatic weapons at prodemocracy protesters. The massacre claimed between 400 and 800 lives and transfixed the world; wrenching images of the killings appeared constantly on the front page and on television screens.<br /><br />Yet the following year we came across an obscure but meticulous demographic study that outlined a human rights violation that had claimed tens of thousands more lives. This study found that 39,000 baby girls died annually in China because parents didn’t give them the same medical care and attention that boys received — and that was just in the first year of life. A result is that as many infant girls died unnecessarily every week in China as protesters died at Tiananmen Square. Those Chinese girls never received a column inch of news coverage, and we began to wonder if our journalistic priorities were skewed.<br /><br />A similar pattern emerged in other countries. In India, a “bride burning” takes place approximately once every two hours, to punish a woman for an inadequate dowry or to eliminate her so a man can remarry — but these rarely constitute news. When a prominent dissident was arrested in China, we would write a front-page article; when 100,000 girls were kidnapped and trafficked into brothels, we didn’t even consider it news.<br /><br />Amartya Sen, the ebullient Nobel Prize-winning economist, developed a gauge of gender inequality that is a striking reminder of the stakes involved. “More than 100 million women are missing,” Sen wrote in a classic essay in 1990 in The New York Review of Books, spurring a new field of research. Sen noted that in normal circumstances, women live longer than men, and so there are more females than males in much of the world. Yet in places where girls have a deeply unequal status, they vanish. China has 107 males for every 100 females in its overall population (and an even greater disproportion among newborns), and India has 108. The implication of the sex ratios, Sen later found, is that about 107 million females are missing from the globe today. Follow-up studies have calculated the number slightly differently, deriving alternative figures for “missing women” of between 60 million and 107 million.<br /><br />Girls vanish partly because they don’t get the same health care and food as boys. In India, for example, girls are less likely to be vaccinated than boys and are taken to the hospital only when they are sicker. A result is that girls in India from 1 to 5 years of age are 50 percent more likely to die than boys their age. In addition, ultrasound machines have allowed a pregnant woman to find out the sex of her fetus — and then get an abortion if it is female.<br /><br />The global statistics on the abuse of girls are numbing. It appears that more girls and women are now missing from the planet, precisely because they are female, than men were killed on the battlefield in all the wars of the 20th century. The number of victims of this routine “gendercide” far exceeds the number of people who were slaughtered in all the genocides of the 20th century.<br /><br />For those women who live, mistreatment is sometimes shockingly brutal. If you’re reading this article, the phrase “gender discrimination” might conjure thoughts of unequal pay, underfinanced sports teams or unwanted touching from a boss. In the developing world, meanwhile, millions of women and girls are actually enslaved. While a precise number is hard to pin down, the International Labor Organization, a U.N. agency, estimates that at any one time there are 12.3 million people engaged in forced labor of all kinds, including sexual servitude. In Asia alone about one million children working in the sex trade are held in conditions indistinguishable from slavery, according to a U.N. report. Girls and women are locked in brothels and beaten if they resist, fed just enough to be kept alive and often sedated with drugs — to pacify them and often to cultivate addiction. India probably has more modern slaves than any other country.<br /><br />Another huge burden for women in poor countries is maternal mortality, with one woman dying in childbirth around the world every minute. In the West African country Niger, a woman stands a one-in-seven chance of dying in childbirth at some point in her life. (These statistics are all somewhat dubious, because maternal mortality isn’t considered significant enough to require good data collection.) For all of India’s shiny new high-rises, a woman there still has a 1-in-70 lifetime chance of dying in childbirth. In contrast, the lifetime risk in the United States is 1 in 4,800; in Ireland, it is 1 in 47,600. The reason for the gap is not that we don’t know how to save lives of women in poor countries. It’s simply that poor, uneducated women in Africa and Asia have never been a priority either in their own countries or to donor nations.<br /><br />ABBAS BE, A BEAUTIFUL teenage girl in the Indian city of Hyderabad, has chocolate skin, black hair and gleaming white teeth — and a lovely smile, which made her all the more marketable.<br /><br />Money was tight in her family, so when she was about 14 she arranged to take a job as a maid in the capital, New Delhi. Instead, she was locked up in a brothel, beaten with a cricket bat, gang-raped and told that she would have to cater to customers. Three days after she arrived, Abbas and all 70 girls in the brothel were made to gather round and watch as the pimps made an example of one teenage girl who had fought customers. The troublesome girl was stripped naked, hogtied, humiliated and mocked, beaten savagely and then stabbed in the stomach until she bled to death in front of Abbas and the others.<br /><br />Abbas was never paid for her work. Any sign of dissatisfaction led to a beating or worse; two more times, she watched girls murdered by the brothel managers for resisting. Eventually Abbas was freed by police and taken back to Hyderabad. She found a home in a shelter run by Prajwala, an organization that takes in girls rescued from brothels and teaches them new skills. Abbas is acquiring an education and has learned to be a bookbinder; she also counsels other girls about how to avoid being trafficked. As a skilled bookbinder, Abbas is able to earn a decent living, and she is now helping to put her younger sisters through school as well. With an education, they will be far less vulnerable to being trafficked. Abbas has moved from being a slave to being a producer, contributing to India’s economic development and helping raise her family.<br /><br />Perhaps the lesson presented by both Abbas and Saima is the same: In many poor countries, the greatest unexploited resource isn’t oil fields or veins of gold; it is the women and girls who aren’t educated and never become a major presence in the formal economy. With education and with help starting businesses, impoverished women can earn money and support their countries as well as their families. They represent perhaps the best hope for fighting global poverty.<br /><br />In East Asia, as we saw in our years of reporting there, women have already benefited from deep social changes. In countries like South Korea and Malaysia, China and Thailand, rural girls who previously contributed negligibly to the economy have gone to school and received educations, giving them the autonomy to move to the city to hold factory jobs. This hugely increased the formal labor force; when the women then delayed childbearing, there was a demographic dividend to the country as well. In the 1990s, by our estimations, some 80 percent of the employees on the assembly lines in coastal China were female, and the proportion across the manufacturing belt of East Asia was at least 70 percent.<br /><br />The hours were long and the conditions wretched, just as in the sweatshops of the Industrial Revolution in the West. But peasant women were making money, sending it back home and sometimes becoming the breadwinners in their families. They gained new skills that elevated their status. Westerners encounter sweatshops and see exploitation, and indeed, many of these plants are just as bad as critics say. But it’s sometimes said in poor countries that the only thing worse than being exploited in a sweatshop is not being exploited in a sweatshop. Low-wage manufacturing jobs disproportionately benefited women in countries like China because these were jobs for which brute physical force was not necessary and women’s nimbleness gave them an advantage over men — which was not the case with agricultural labor or construction or other jobs typically available in poor countries. Strange as it may seem, sweatshops in Asia had the effect of empowering women. One hundred years ago, many women in China were still having their feet bound. Today, while discrimination and inequality and harassment persist, the culture has been transformed. In the major cities, we’ve found that Chinese men often do more domestic chores than American men typically do. And urban parents are often not only happy with an only daughter; they may even prefer one, under the belief that daughters are better than sons at looking after aging parents.<br /><br />WHY DO MICROFINANCE organizations usually focus their assistance on women? And why does everyone benefit when women enter the work force and bring home regular pay checks? One reason involves the dirty little secret of global poverty: some of the most wretched suffering is caused not just by low incomes but also by unwise spending by the poor — especially by men. Surprisingly frequently, we’ve come across a mother mourning a child who has just died of malaria for want of a $5 mosquito bed net; the mother says that the family couldn’t afford a bed net and she means it, but then we find the father at a nearby bar. He goes three evenings a week to the bar, spending $5 each week.<br /><br />Our interviews and perusal of the data available suggest that the poorest families in the world spend approximately 10 times as much (20 percent of their incomes on average) on a combination of alcohol, prostitution, candy, sugary drinks and lavish feasts as they do on educating their children (2 percent). If poor families spent only as much on educating their children as they do on beer and prostitutes, there would be a breakthrough in the prospects of poor countries. Girls, since they are the ones kept home from school now, would be the biggest beneficiaries. Moreover, one way to reallocate family expenditures in this way is to put more money in the hands of women. A series of studies has found that when women hold assets or gain incomes, family money is more likely to be spent on nutrition, medicine and housing, and consequently children are healthier.<br /><br />In Ivory Coast, one research project examined the different crops that men and women grow for their private kitties: men grow coffee, cocoa and pineapple, and women grow plantains, bananas, coconuts and vegetables. Some years the “men’s crops” have good harvests and the men are flush with cash, and other years it is the women who prosper. Money is to some extent shared. But even so, the economist Esther Duflo of M.I.T. found that when the men’s crops flourish, the household spends more money on alcohol and tobacco. When the women have a good crop, the households spend more money on food. “When women command greater power, child health and nutrition improves,” Duflo says.<br /><br />Such research has concrete implications: for example, donor countries should nudge poor countries to adjust their laws so that when a man dies, his property is passed on to his widow rather than to his brothers. Governments should make it easy for women to hold property and bank accounts — 1 percent of the world’s landowners are women — and they should make it much easier for microfinance institutions to start banks so that women can save money.<br /><br />OF COURSE, IT’S FAIR to ask: empowering women is well and good, but can one do this effectively? Does foreign aid really work? William Easterly, an economist at New York University, has argued powerfully that shoveling money at poor countries accomplishes little. Some Africans, including Dambisa Moyo, author of “Dead Aid,” have said the same thing. The critics note that there has been no correlation between amounts of aid going to countries and their economic growth rates.<br /><br />Our take is that, frankly, there is something to these criticisms. Helping people is far harder than it looks. Aid experiments often go awry, or small successes turn out to be difficult to replicate or scale up. Yet we’ve also seen, anecdotally and in the statistics, evidence that some kinds of aid have been enormously effective. The delivery of vaccinations and other kinds of health care has reduced the number of children who die every year before they reach the age of 5 to less than 10 million today from 20 million in 1960.<br /><br />In general, aid appears to work best when it is focused on health, education and microfinance (although microfinance has been somewhat less successful in Africa than in Asia). And in each case, crucially, aid has often been most effective when aimed at women and girls; when policy wonks do the math, they often find that these investments have a net economic return. Only a small proportion of aid specifically targets women or girls, but increasingly donors are recognizing that that is where they often get the most bang for the buck.<br /><br />In the early 1990s, the United Nations and the World Bank began to proclaim the potential resource that women and girls represent. “Investment in girls’ education may well be the highest-return investment available in the developing world,” Larry Summers wrote when he was chief economist of the World Bank. Private aid groups and foundations shifted gears as well. “Women are the key to ending hunger in Africa,” declared the Hunger Project. The Center for Global Development issued a major report explaining “why and how to put girls at the center of development.” CARE took women and girls as the centerpiece of its anti-poverty efforts. “Gender inequality hurts economic growth,” Goldman Sachs concluded in a 2008 research report that emphasized how much developing countries could improve their economic performance by educating girls.<br /><br />Bill Gates recalls once being invited to speak in Saudi Arabia and finding himself facing a segregated audience. Four-fifths of the listeners were men, on the left. The remaining one-fifth were women, all covered in black cloaks and veils, on the right. A partition separated the two groups. Toward the end, in the question-and-answer session, a member of the audience noted that Saudi Arabia aimed to be one of the Top 10 countries in the world in technology by 2010 and asked if that was realistic. “Well, if you’re not fully utilizing half the talent in the country,” Gates said, “you’re not going to get too close to the Top 10.” The small group on the right erupted in wild cheering.<br /><br />Policy makers have gotten the message as well. President Obama has appointed a new White House Council on Women and Girls. Perhaps he was indoctrinated by his mother, who was one of the early adopters of microloans to women when she worked to fight poverty in Indonesia. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is a member of the White House Council, and she has also selected a talented activist, Melanne Verveer, to direct a new State Department Office of Global Women’s Issues. On Capitol Hill, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has put Senator Barbara Boxer in charge of a new subcommittee that deals with women’s issues.<br /><br />Yet another reason to educate and empower women is that greater female involvement in society and the economy appears to undermine extremism and terrorism. It has long been known that a risk factor for turbulence and violence is the share of a country’s population made up of young people. Now it is emerging that male domination of society is also a risk factor; the reasons aren’t fully understood, but it may be that when women are marginalized the nation takes on the testosterone-laden culture of a military camp or a high-school boys’ locker room. That’s in part why the Joint Chiefs of Staff and international security specialists are puzzling over how to increase girls’ education in countries like Afghanistan — and why generals have gotten briefings from Greg Mortenson, who wrote about building girls’ schools in his best seller, “Three Cups of Tea.” Indeed, some scholars say they believe the reason Muslim countries have been disproportionately afflicted by terrorism is not Islamic teachings about infidels or violence but rather the low levels of female education and participation in the labor force.<br /><br />SO WHAT WOULD an agenda for fighting poverty through helping women look like? You might begin with the education of girls — which doesn’t just mean building schools. There are other innovative means at our disposal. A study in Kenya by Michael Kremer, a Harvard economist, examined six different approaches to improving educational performance, from providing free textbooks to child-sponsorship programs. The approach that raised student test scores the most was to offer girls who had scored in the top 15 percent of their class on sixth-grade tests a $19 scholarship for seventh and eighth grade (and the glory of recognition at an assembly). Boys also performed better, apparently because they were pushed by the girls or didn’t want to endure the embarrassment of being left behind. <br /><br />Another Kenyan study found that giving girls a new $6 school uniform every 18 months significantly reduced dropout rates and pregnancy rates. Likewise, there’s growing evidence that a cheap way to help keep high-school girls in school is to help them manage menstruation. For fear of embarrassing leaks and stains, girls sometimes stay home during their periods, and the absenteeism puts them behind and eventually leads them to drop out. Aid workers are experimenting with giving African teenage girls sanitary pads, along with access to a toilet where they can change them. The Campaign for Female Education, an organization devoted to getting more girls into school in Africa, helps girls with their periods, and a new group, Sustainable Health Enterprises, is trying to do the same.<br /><br />And so, if President Obama wanted to adopt a foreign-aid policy that built on insights into the role of women in development, he would do well to start with education. We would suggest a $10 billion effort over five years to educate girls around the world. This initiative would focus on Africa but would also support — and prod — Asian countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan to do better. This plan would also double as population policy, for it would significantly reduce birthrates — and thus help poor countries overcome the demographic obstacles to economic growth.<br /><br />But President Obama might consider two different proposals as well. We would recommend that the United States sponsor a global drive to eliminate iodine deficiency around the globe, by helping countries iodize salt. About a third of households in the developing world do not get enough iodine, and a result is often an impairment in brain formation in the fetal stages. For reasons that are unclear, this particularly affects female fetuses and typically costs children 10 to 15 I.Q. points. Research by Erica Field of Harvard found that daughters of women given iodine performed markedly better in school. Other research suggests that salt iodization would yield benefits worth nine times the cost.<br /><br />We would also recommend that the United States announce a 12-year, $1.6 billion program to eradicate obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that is one of the worst scourges of women in the developing world. An obstetric fistula, which is a hole created inside the body by a difficult childbirth, leaves a woman incontinent, smelly, often crippled and shunned by her village — yet it can be repaired for a few hundred dollars. Dr. Lewis Wall, president of the Worldwide Fistula Fund, and Michael Horowitz, a conservative agitator on humanitarian issues, have drafted the 12-year plan — and it’s eminently practical and built on proven methods. Evidence that fistulas can be prevented or repaired comes from impoverished Somaliland, a northern enclave of Somalia, where an extraordinary nurse-midwife named Edna Adan has built her own maternity hospital to save the lives of the women around her. A former first lady of Somalia and World Health Organization official, Adan used her savings to build the hospital, which is supported by a group of admirers in the U.S. who call themselves Friends of Edna Maternity Hospital.<br /><br />For all the legitimate concerns about how well humanitarian aid is spent, investments in education, iodizing salt and maternal health all have a proven record of success. And the sums are modest: all three components of our plan together amount to about what the U.S. has provided Pakistan since 9/11 — a sum that accomplished virtually nothing worthwhile either for Pakistanis or for Americans.<br /><br />ONE OF THE MANY aid groups that for pragmatic reasons has increasingly focused on women is Heifer International, a charitable organization based in Arkansas that has been around for decades. The organization gives cows, goats and chickens to farmers in poor countries. On assuming the presidency of Heifer in 1992, the activist Jo Luck traveled to Africa, where one day she found herself sitting on the ground with a group of young women in a Zimbabwean village. One of them was Tererai Trent.<br /><br />Tererai is a long-faced woman with high cheekbones and a medium brown complexion; she has a high forehead and tight cornrows. Like many women around the world, she doesn’t know when she was born and has no documentation of her birth. As a child, Tererai didn’t get much formal education, partly because she was a girl and was expected to do household chores. She herded cattle and looked after her younger siblings. Her father would say, Let’s send our sons to school, because they will be the breadwinners. Tererai’s brother, Tinashe, was forced to go to school, where he was an indifferent student. Tererai pleaded to be allowed to attend but wasn’t permitted to do so. Tinashe brought his books home each afternoon, and Tererai pored over them and taught herself to read and write. Soon she was doing her brother’s homework every evening.<br /><br />The teacher grew puzzled, for Tinashe was a poor student in class but always handed in exemplary homework. Finally, the teacher noticed that the handwriting was different for homework and for class assignments and whipped Tinashe until he confessed the truth. Then the teacher went to the father, told him that Tererai was a prodigy and begged that she be allowed to attend school. After much argument, the father allowed Tererai to attend school for a couple of terms, but then married her off at about age 11.<br /><br />Tererai’s husband barred her from attending school, resented her literacy and beat her whenever she tried to practice her reading by looking at a scrap of old newspaper. Indeed, he beat her for plenty more as well. She hated her marriage but had no way out. “If you’re a woman and you are not educated, what else?” she asks.<br /><br />Yet when Jo Luck came and talked to Tererai and other young women in her village, Luck kept insisting that things did not have to be this way. She kept saying that they could achieve their goals, repeatedly using the word “achievable.” The women caught the repetition and asked the interpreter to explain in detail what “achievable” meant. That gave Luck a chance to push forward. “What are your hopes?” she asked the women, through the interpreter. Tererai and the others were puzzled by the question, because they didn’t really have any hopes. But Luck pushed them to think about their dreams, and reluctantly, they began to think about what they wanted. <br /><br />Tererai timidly voiced hope of getting an education. Luck pounced and told her that she could do it, that she should write down her goals and methodically pursue them. After Luck and her entourage disappeared, Tererai began to study on her own, in hiding from her husband, while raising her five children. Painstakingly, with the help of friends, she wrote down her goals on a piece of paper: “One day I will go to the United States of America,” she began, for Goal 1. She added that she would earn a college degree, a master’s degree and a Ph.D. — all exquisitely absurd dreams for a married cattle herder in Zimbabwe who had less than one year’s formal education. But Tererai took the piece of paper and folded it inside three layers of plastic to protect it, and then placed it in an old can. She buried the can under a rock where she herded cattle.<br /><br />Then Tererai took correspondence classes and began saving money. Her self-confidence grew as she did brilliantly in her studies, and she became a community organizer for Heifer. She stunned everyone with superb schoolwork, and the Heifer aid workers encouraged her to think that she could study in America. One day in 1998, she received notice that she had been admitted to Oklahoma State University.<br /><br />Some of the neighbors thought that a woman should focus on educating her children, not herself. “I can’t talk about my children’s education when I’m not educated myself,” Tererai responded. “If I educate myself, then I can educate my children.” So she climbed into an airplane and flew to America.<br /><br />At Oklahoma State, Tererai took every credit she could and worked nights to make money. She earned her undergraduate degree, brought her five children to America and started her master’s, then returned to her village. She dug up the tin can under the rock and took out the paper on which she had scribbled her goals. She put check marks beside the goals she had fulfilled and buried the tin can again.<br /><br />In Arkansas, she took a job working for Heifer — while simultaneously earning a master’s degree part time. When she had her M.A., Tererai again returned to her village. After embracing her mother and sister, she dug up her tin can and checked off her next goal. Now she is working on her Ph.D. at Western Michigan University. <br /><br />Tererai has completed her course work and is completing a dissertation about AIDS programs among the poor in Africa. She will become a productive economic asset for Africa and a significant figure in the battle against AIDS. And when she has her doctorate, Tererai will go back to her village and, after hugging her loved ones, go out to the field and dig up her can again.<br /><br />There are many metaphors for the role of foreign assistance. For our part, we like to think of aid as a kind of lubricant, a few drops of oil in the crankcase of the developing world, so that gears move freely again on their own. That is what the assistance to Tererai amounted to: a bit of help where and when it counts most, which often means focusing on women like her. And now Tererai is gliding along freely on her own — truly able to hold up half the sky. <br /><br /><br />Nicholas D. Kristof is a New York Times Op-Ed columnist and Sheryl WuDunn is a former Times correspondent who works in finance and philanthropy. This essay is adapted from their book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” which will be published next month by Alfred A. Knopf. You can learn more about “Half the Sky” at nytimes.com/ontheground.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-3086384593797336646?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-88484877618581380012009-11-25T20:07:00.000-05:002009-11-25T20:07:34.068-05:00<b> <br />Hello, Rainbow! </b><br /><br /><b> Rainbow, Rainbow</b><br />that was her nickname.<br />A name she had obtained, <br />for all the colors she'd appreciate.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />that was her calling<br />to come out in style to show the worlds vibrant.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />they laughed at her colors<br />said she was different <br />not normal like others.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />they took her as a joke.<br />Just a mere girl looking for attention you know? <br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />lover of rain<br />not a care in the world of what other people say.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />she started too change<br />The world saw her brightly <br />now shes all black and grey.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />why goes this way.<br />We've all secretly loved you.<br />So why not stay the same! <br />Rainbow, Rainbow <br />you bring us joy<br />You shed light too our day.<br />So go back to your ways<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />we appreciate your love! <br />We see differently now<br />so stay who you are.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow! <br />That's who I am.<br />A girl of 14 <br />who is oddly at best.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow! <br />Everyone calls me that.<br />I'm just a use for you all<br />, but i don't mind that.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />A mirror image I am.<br />A reflection of colors<br />that most people don't understand.<br />Rainbow, Rainbow<br />you called my name? <br />Why hello I'm here.<br />To shed light to your day <br /><b><br />Michelle Mawyin </b> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><br />What is a rainbow?</b><br /><br />Author Donald Ahrens in his text Meteorology Today describes a rainbow as "one of the most spectacular light shows observed on earth". Indeed the traditional rainbow is sunlight spread out into its spectrum of colors and diverted to the eye of the observer by water droplets. The "bow" part of the word describes the fact that the rainbow is a group of nearly circular arcs of color all having a common center. <br />Where is the sun when you see a rainbow?<br />This is a good question to start thinking about the physical process that gives rise to a rainbow. Most people have never noticed that the sun is always behind you when you face a rainbow, and that the center of the circular arc of the rainbow is in the direction opposite to that of the sun. The rain, of course, is in the direction of the rainbow. <br />What makes the bow?<br />A question like this calls for a proper physical answer.<br />We will discuss the formation of a rainbow by raindrops. It is a problem in optics that was first clearly discussed by Rene Descartes in 1637. An interesting historical account of this is to be found in Carl Boyer's book, The Rainbow From Myth to Mathematics. Descartes simplified the study of the rainbow by reducing it to a study of one water droplet and how it interacts with light falling upon it. <br />He writes:"Considering that this bow appears not only in the sky, but also in the air near us, whenever there are drops of water illuminated by the sun, as we can see in certain fountains, I readily decided that it arose only from the way in which the rays of light act on these drops and pass from them to our eyes. Further, knowing that the drops are round, as has been formerly proved, and seeing that whether they are larger or smaller, the appearance of the bow is not changed in any way, I had the idea of making a very large one, so that I could examine it better. <br /><br />Descarte describes how he held up a large sphere in the sunlight and looked at the sunlight reflected in it. He wrote "I found that if the sunlight came, for example, from the part of the sky which is marked AFZ <br /><br />and my eye was at the point E, when I put the globe in position BCD, its part D appeared all red, and much more brilliant than the rest of it; and that whether I approached it or receded from it, or put it on my right or my left, or even turned it round about my head, provided that the line DE always made an angle of about forty-two degrees with the line EM, which we are to think of as drawn from the center of the sun to the eye, the part D appeared always similarly red; but that as soon as I made this angle DEM even a little larger, the red color disappeared; and if I made the angle a little smaller, the color did not disappear all at once, but divided itself first as if into two parts, less brilliant, and in which I could see yellow, blue, and other colors ... When I examined more particularly, in the globe BCD, what it was which made the part D appear red, I found that it was the rays of the sun which, coming from A to B, bend on entering the water at the point B, and to pass to C, where they are reflected to D, and bending there again as they pass out of the water, proceed to the point ". <br /><br />This quotation illustrates how the shape of the rainbow is explained. To simplify the analysis, consider the path of a ray of monochromatic light through a single spherical raindrop. Imagine how light is refracted as it enters the raindrop, then how it is reflected by the internal, curved, mirror-like surface of the raindrop, and finally how it is refracted as it emerges from the drop. If we then apply the results for a single raindrop to a whole collection of raindrops in the sky, we can visualize the shape of the bow. <br /><br />The traditional diagram to illustrate this is shown here as adapted from Humphreys, Physics of the Air. It represents the path of one light ray incident on a water droplet from the direction SA. As the light beam enters the surface of the drop at A, it is bent (refracted) a little and strikes the inside wall of the drop at B, where it is reflected back to C. As it emerges from the drop it is refracted (bent) again into the direction CE. The angle D represents a measure of the deviation of the emergent ray from its original direction. Descartes calculated this deviation for a ray of red light to be about 180 - 42 or 138 degrees. <br /><br />The ray drawn here is significant because it represents the ray that has the smallest angle of deviation of all the rays incident upon the raindrop. It is called the Descarte or rainbow ray and much of the sunlight as it is refracted and reflected through the raindrop is focused along this ray. Thus the reflected light is diffuse and weaker except near the direction of this rainbow ray. It is this concentration of rays near the minimum deviation that gives rise to the arc of rainbow. <br /><br />The sun is so far away that we can, to a good approximation, assume that sunlight can be represented by a set of parallel rays all falling on the water globule and being refracted, reflected internally, and refracted again on emergence from the droplet in a manner like the figure. Descartes writes <br /><br />I took my pen and made an accurate calculation of the paths of the rays which fall on the different points of a globe of water to determine at which angles, after two refractions and one or two reflections they will come to the eye, and I then found that after one reflection and two refractions there are many more rays which can be seen at an angle of from forty-one to forty-two degrees than at any smaller angle; and that there are none which can be seen at a larger angle" (the angle he is referring to is 180 - D). <br /><br />A typical raindrop is spherical and therefore its effect on sunlight is symmetrical about an axis through the center of the drop and the source of light (in this case the sun). Because of this symmetry, the two-dimensional illustration of the figure serves us well and the complete picture can be visualized by rotating the two dimensional illustration about the axis of symmetry. The symmetry of the focusing effect of each drop is such that whenever we view a raindrop along the line of sight defined by the rainbow ray, we will see a bright spot of reflected/refracted sunlight. Referring to the figure, we see that the rainbow ray for red light makes an angle of 42 degrees between the direction of the incident sunlight and the line of sight. Therefore, as long as the raindrop is viewed along a line of sight that makes this angle with the direction of incident light, we will see a brightening. The rainbow is thus a circle of angular radius 42 degrees, centered on the antisolar point, as shown schematically here. <br /><br />We don't see a full circle because the earth gets in the way. The lower the sun is to the horizon, the more of the circle we see -right at sunset, we would see a full semicircle of the rainbow with the top of the arch 42 degrees above the horizon. The higher the sun is in the sky, the smaller is the arch of the rainbow above the horizon. <br /><br />What makes the colors in the rainbow?<br />The traditional description of the rainbow is that it is made up of seven colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Actually, the rainbow is a whole continuum of colors from red to violet and even beyond the colors that the eye can see. <br />The colors of the rainbow arise from two basic facts: <br /><br />Sunlight is made up of the whole range of colors that the eye can detect. The range of sunlight colors, when combined, looks white to the eye. This property of sunlight was first demonstrated by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666. <br />Light of different colors is refracted by different amounts when it passes from one medium (air, for example) into another (water or glass, for example). <br />Descartes and Willebrord Snell had determined how a ray of light is bent, or refracted, as it traverses regions of different densities, such as air and water. When the light paths through a raindrop are traced for red and blue light, one finds that the angle of deviation is different for the two colors because blue light is bent or refracted more than is the red light. This implies that when we see a rainbow and its band of colors we are looking at light refracted and reflected from different raindrops, some viewed at an angle of 42 degrees; some, at an angle of 40 degrees, and some in between. This is illustrated in this drawing, adapted from Johnson's Physical Meteorology. This rainbow of two colors would have a width of almost 2 degrees (about four times larger than the angular size as the full moon). Note that even though blue light is refracted more than red light in a single drop, we see the blue light on the inner part of the arc because we are looking along a different line of sight that has a smaller angle (40 degrees) for the blue. <br />Ana excellent laboratory exercise on the mathematics of rainbows is here, and F. K. Hwang has produced a fine Java Applet illustrating this refraction, and Nigel Greenwood has written a program that operates in MS Excel that illustrates the way the angles change as a function of the sun's angle. <br /><br />What makes a double rainbow?<br />Sometimes we see two rainbows at once, what causes this? We have followed the path of a ray of sunlight as it enters and is reflected inside the raindrop. But not all of the energy of the ray escapes the raindrop after it is reflected once. A part of the ray is reflected again and travels along inside the drop to emerge from the drop. The rainbow we normally see is called the primary rainbow and is produced by one internal reflection; the secondary rainbow arises from two internal reflections and the rays exit the drop at an angle of 50 degrees° rather than the 42°degrees for the red primary bow. Blue light emerges at an even larger angle of 53 degrees°. his effect produces a secondary rainbow that has its colors reversed compared to the primary, as illustrated in the drawing, adapted from the Science Universe Series Sight, Light, and Color. <br />It is possible for light to be reflected more than twice within a raindrop, and one can calculate where the higher order rainbows might be seen; but these are never seen in normal circumstances. <br /><br />Why is the sky brighter inside a rainbow?<br />Notice the contrast between the sky inside the arc and outside it. When one studies the refraction of sunlight on a raindrop one finds that there are many rays emerging at angles smaller than the rainbow ray, but essentially no light from single internal reflections at angles greater than this ray. Thus there is a lot of light within the bow, and very little beyond it. Because this light is a mix of all the rainbow colors, it is white. In the case of the secondary rainbow, the rainbow ray is the smallest angle and there are many rays emerging at angles greater than this one. Therefore the two bows combine to define a dark region between them - called Alexander's Dark Band, in honor of Alexander of Aphrodisias who discussed it some 1800 years ago! <br />What are Supernumerary Arcs?<br />In some rainbows, faint arcs just inside and near the top of the primary bow can be seen. These are called supernumerary arcs and were explained by Thomas Young in 1804 as arising from the interference of light along certain rays within the drop. Young's work had a profound influence on theories of the physical nature of light and his studies of the rainbow were a fundamental element of this. Young interpreted light in terms of it being a wave of some sort and that when two rays are scattered in the same direction within a raindrop, they may interfere with each other. Depending on how the rays mesh together, the interference can be constructive, in which case the rays produce a brightening, or destructive, in which case there is a reduction in brightness. This phenomenon is clearly described in Nussenzveig's article "The Theory of the Rainbow" in which he writes: "At angles very close to the rainbow angle the two paths through the droplet differ only slightly, and so the two rays interfere constructively. As the angle increases, the two rays follow paths of substantially different lengths. When the difference equals half of the wavelength, the interference is completely destructive; at still greater angles the beams reinforce again. The result is a periodic variation in the intensity of the scattered light, a series of alternately bright and dark bands." <br />Mikolaj and Pawel Sawicki have posted several beautiful photographs of rainbows showing these arcs. <br /><br />The "purity" of the colors of the rainbow depends on the size of the raindrops. Large drops (diameters of a few millimeters) give bright rainbows with well defined colors; small droplets (diameters of about 0.01 mm) produce rainbows of overlapping colors that appear nearly white. And remember that the models that predict a rainbow arc all assume spherical shapes for raindrops.<br /><br />There is never a single size for water drops in rain but a mixture of many sizes and shapes. This results in a composite rainbow. Raindrops generally don't "grow" to radii larger than about 0.5 cm without breaking up because of collisions with other raindrops, although occasionally drops a few millimeters larger in radius have been observed when there are very few drops (and so few collisions between the drops) in a rainstorm. Bill Livingston suggests: " If you are brave enough, look up during a thunder shower at the falling drops. Some may hit your eye (or glasses), but this is not fatal. You will actually see that the drops are distorted and are oscillating." <br /><br />It is the surface tension of water that moulds raindrops into spherical shapes, if no other forces are acting on them. But as a drop falls in the air, the 'drag' causes a distortion in its shape, making it somewhat flattened. Deviations from a spherical shape have been measured by suspending drops in the air stream of a vertical wind tunnel (Pruppacher and Beard, 1970, and Pruppacher and Pitter, 1971). Small drops of radius less than 140 microns (0.014 cm) remain spherical, but as the size of the drop increases, the flattening becomes noticeable. For drops with a radius near 0.14 cm, the height/width ratio is 0.85. This flattening increases for larger drops. <br /><br />Spherical drops produce symmetrical rainbows, but rainbows seen when the sun is near the horizon are often observed to be brighter at their sides, the vertical part, than at their top. Alistair Fraser has explained this phenomenon as resulting from the complex mixture of size and shape of the raindrops. The reflection and refraction of light from a flattened water droplet is not symmetrical. For a flattened drop, some of the rainbow ray is lost at top and bottom of the drop. Therefore, we see the rays from these flattened drops only as we view them horizontally; thus the rainbow produced by the large drops is is bright at its base. Near the top of the arc only small spherical drops produce the fainter rainbow.<br /><br /><br />What does a rainbow look like through dark glasses?<br />This is a "trick" question because the answer depends on whether or not your glasses are Polaroid. When light is reflected at certain angles it becomes polarized (discussed again quite well in Nussenzveig's article), and it has been found that the rainbow angle is close to that angle of reflection at which incident, unpolarized light (sunlight) is almost completely polarized. So if you look at a rainbow with Polaroid sunglasses and rotate the lenses around the line of sight, part of the rainbow will disappear! <br />Other Questions about the Rainbow<br />Humphreys (Physics of the Air, p. 478) discusses several "popular" questions about the rainbow: <br />"What is the rainbow's distance?" It is nearby or far away, according to where the raindrops are, extending from the closest to the farthest illuminated drops along the elements of the rainbow cone. <br />Why is the rainbow so frequently seen during summer and so seldom during winter?" To see a rainbow, one has to have rain and sunshine. In the winter, water droplets freeze into ice particles that do not produce a rainbow but scatter light in other very interesting patterns. <br />"Why are rainbows so rarely seen at noon?" Remember that the center of the rainbow's circle is opposite the sun so that it is as far below the level of the observer as the sun is above it. <br />"Do two people ever see the same rainbow?" Humphreys points out that "since the rainbow is a special distribution of colors (produced in a particular way) with reference to a definite point - the eye of the observer - and as no single distribution can be the same for two separate points, it follows that two observers do not, and cannot, see the same rainbow." In fact, each eye sees its own rainbow!! <br />Of course, a camera lens will record an image of a rainbow which can then be seen my many people! (thanks to Tom and Rachel Ludovise for pointing this out!) <br />"Can the same rainbow be seen by reflection as seen directly?" On the basis of the arguments given in the preceding question, bows appropriate for two different points are produced by different drops; hence, a bow seen by reflection is not the same as the one seen directly". <br />What are Reflection Rainbows?<br />A reflection rainbow is defined as one produced by the reflection of the source of incident light (usually the sun). Photographs of them are perhaps the most impressive of rainbow photographs. The reflected rainbow may be considered as a combination of two rainbows produced by sunlight coming from two different directions - one directly from the sun, the other from the reflected image of the sun. The angles are quite different and therefore the elevation of the rainbow arcs will be correspondingly different. This is illustrated in a diagram adapted from Greenler"s Rainbows, Halos, and Glories. The rainbow produced by sunlight reflected from the water is higher in the sky than is the one produced by direct sunlight. <br />What is a Lunar Rainbow?<br />A full moon is bright enough to have its light refracted by raindrops just as is the case for the sun. Moonlight is much fainter, of course, so the lunar rainbow is not nearly as bright as one produced by sunlight. Lunar rainbows have infrequently been observed since the time of Aristotle or before. A graphic description of one was writen by Dr. Mikkelson. <br />Rainbows and Proverbs<br />There is a delightful book by Humphreys entitled Weather Proverbs and Paradoxes. In it, he discusses the meteorological justifications of some proverbs associated with rainbows, such as "Rainbow at night, shepherd's delight;Rainbow in morning, shepherds take warning,"If there be a rainbow in the eve,It will rain and leave; But if there be a rainbow in the morrow It will neither lend nor borrow", and Rainbow to windward, foul fall the day; Rainbow to leeward, damp runs away." <br />The meteorological discussion Humphreys presents is appropriate for the northern temperate zones that have a prevailing wind, and also for a normal diurnal change in the weather. <br /><br />Experiments<br />William Livingston, a solar astronomer who has also specialized in atmospheric optical phenomena suggests the following: "Try a hose spray yourself. As you produce a fine spray supernumeraries up to order three become nicely visible. "Try to estimate the size of these drops compared to a raindrop. ..."Another thing to try. View a water droplet on a leaf close-up - an inch from your eye. At the rainbow angle you may catch a nice bit of color!" <br />In Minnaert's excellent book Light and Colour in the Open Air you can find a number of experiments on how to study the nature of rainbows. Here is an illustration of one of his suggestions. Other demonstration projects are listed here . <br /><br />Meg Beal, while a seventh-grader, prepared a science fair project that illustrated the nature of rainbows. The Beal family provided a photograph (1MB) of her excellent demonstration<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-8848487761858138001?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-48787901784202279822009-11-23T00:54:00.000-05:002009-11-23T00:54:08.154-05:00So, We closed up the Tai Ji School for the Winter today. Today was the last class until Spring, unless I can find a venue , that is warmer than I keep the school ( 45 degrees) in the winter. 2 of my students ,who've with me for over 15 years, are over 83. <br /><br />The topic today was how and what to focus on,when studying on your own,Solo.<br /><br />It tough to go Rogue, to go Solo, I know! One needs guidance ,at any level.<br /><br />Competitions are good, but my last one ended inmy getting a Gold medal in Push Hands(Super Heavy Weight/that is what I get for being Fat) and a year of Pain from a ripped Rotator Cuff. Should've been Yin ,When I was Yang.<br />Competitions allow one to compare theirselves with their Peers.<br />Seminars/ Private lessons are easier but expensive.<br /><br /><b>Following a few set Rules of Thumb/Principles is the Best ,in my opinion.</b><br /><br />In Tai Ji & I guess QiQong, the most important thing is to keep it simple.<br /><br /><b>Finding a Litmus test,</b> such as the one Wing Lam gave me, to check on,<br />when practicing is good. His /Mine is to make sure theat your "Dan Dien"<br />is centered , and your source/focus of your energy, balance & resilance.<br /><b><br />Keep your armentarium simple,realistic,something you'll actually do</b>, and<br />if at all possible,practice daily. 10 minutes a day is better than 2 hours,<br />once a week, though occassional Immersion sets,bring up levels.<br /><br />So,what did we do today, well we reviewed<b>"12 Healing Sounds" </b>QiQong/Sitting.<br /><br /><b>Those sounds are 1) Sheee (Liver) 2) Haaa ( Heart) 3) Hoooo( Spleen)<br /><br />4) ShhHaah!! (Lung) 5) Tchweee (Kidney) 6) Cheee ( Triple Burner)<br /><br />7) Tanngg (up) 8) Dihee (Down) 9) Tzahnngg(Up&Down) 10) Dahow (Tao/Out)<br /><br />11) AhOhMmm (OM) & 12) Silence </b><br /><br />We reviewed "Tai J QiQong" a standing QiQong set.<br /><br />We reviewed,<b>5 Style Steps</b>, and practicing it with <b>"Morph Stepping"</b> and how to aplly the <b>"Relaxation Lever" </b>technique,<br />to the practice of one's forms , individual forms and push hands.<br /><br />We concluded my reviewing the 1st 17 moves of the <b>Yang Sword Set</b> and<br /><br />our Systems <b>"Internal Cane Set"</b> a variation of Wing Lam's<br />Dragon Head Walking Cane Shaolin form,which I internalized,and my students enjoy.<br /><br />Class was concluded by recognizing <b>my wife Soring</b> as a member of the<br /><br /><b>"Grey Tigyr Tai Ji Quan / QiQong Association"</b> by giving her the <br /><br /><b>Grey Tigyr Pendant/Amulet</b>.<br /><br />We'll see each other for Chinese New Year, 14 Feb 2010.<br /><br />Well, take care, for more info,and I need to update the Web site, visit, <b>www.greytigyr.com</b><br /><br /><b>Bill Swann D.O.</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-4878790178420227982?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-1615870167285795062009-11-21T22:29:00.000-05:002009-11-21T22:29:18.909-05:00http://www.howcast.com/videos/249-How-To-Do-a-Basic-Sun-Salutation<br /><b><br />The Sun Salutation</b><br /><br />There are several variations, some with Warrior I,II & III.<br /><br />My version has over 18 poses, but the Basic 12, breaking it down to mini poses, is a Good start. Having an experienced instructor correct and guide you is both Essential and Sane. Good Luck!<br /><br /><br /><b>Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) Step by Step</b><br /><br />Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) means a salute to the sun. It is a continuous series of 8 related Yoga postures, some done twice, in what totals 13 poses. It is designed to warm up your whole body and integrate the body, mind and breath. The Sun Salutation is a warm up or toning exercise and is considered the best of all Yoga exercises as it stretches, compresses, arches and reinforces all the major muscles of the body, as well as the digestive and respiratory organs. It also helps develop flexibility, strength, balance, concentration and focus. Sun Salutation is a great way to synchronize your breath and can be practised twice a day. Given below are the step by step instructions.<br /><b><br />Instructions for Sun Salutation</b><br /><br /><b>01 Namaskar (Salute)</b><br />Start in a standing position, facing the sun. Both your feet should touch each other, palms joined together, in prayer pose. <br /><b><br />02 Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) </b><br />With a deep inhalation, raise both arms above your head and tilt slightly backward arching your back. <br /><br /><b>03 Padangusthasana (Hand to Foot Pose)</b><br />With a deep exhalation, bend forward and touch the mat, both palms in line with your feet, forehead touching your knees.<br /><b> <br />04 Surya Darshan (Sun Sight Pose)</b><br />With a deep inhalation, take your right leg away from your body, in a big backward step. Both your hands should be firmly planted on your mat, your left foot between your hands, head tilted towards the ceiling. <br /><br /><b>05 Purvottanasana (Inclined Plane)</b><br />Hold your breath and take your right leg back to join your left leg. Now straighten both your hands, legs and back. Your neck spine, thighs and feet should be in a straight line. <br /><b><br />06 Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)</b><br />With a deep exhalation, shove your hips and butt up towards the ceiling, forming an upward arch. Your arms should be straight and aligned with your head. <br /><b><br />07 Sashtang Dandawat (Forehead, Chest, Knee to Floor Pose)</b><br />With a deep exhalation, lower your body down till your, forehead, chest, knees, hands and feet are touching the mat, your butt tilted up. Take a normal breath in this pose. <br /><br /><b>08 Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)</b><br />With a deep inhalation, slowly snake forward till your head is up, your back arched concave, as much as possible. <br /><br /><b>09 Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)</b><br />Exhaling deeply, again push your butt and hips up towards the ceiling as in position 6, arms aligned straight with your head. <br /><br /><b>10 Surya Darshan (Sun Sight Pose)</b><br />Inhaling deeply, bring your right foot in towards your body, in a big forward step. Both your hands should planted firmly on your mat, right foot between your hands, head tilted towards the ceiling. <br /><br /><b>11 Padangusthasana (Hand to Foot Pose)</b><br />Exhaling deeply, rise up and touch the mat, keeping both your palms in line with your feet, forehead touching your knees. <br /><b><br />12 Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)</b><br />Inhaling deeply, raise both your arms above your head and tilt slightly backward. <br /><br /><b>1) Again ,Repeat to other side,Again,10-11 Reps Namaskar (Salute)</b><br />Return to stand facing the sun, both feet touching, palms joined together, in prayer pose. <br /><b><br />Benefits of Sun Salutation</b><br />The practice of Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) increases strength, improves muscle tone and coordination and bestows good health upon the practitioner, while increasing body awareness. It helps burn body fat and combat obesity, helps balance and stimulate all the systems of the body particularly the circulatory, endocrine, digestive and respiratory systems. Regular practice of Sun Salutation aids the process of elimination, thereby ridding the body of toxins more effectively. The again, you should avoid practising without expert guidance.<br /><br /><b>Contraindications</b><br />Sun Salutation is best avoided by pregnant women, people suffering from high blood pressure, or those nursing back aches or injuries, chronic glaucoma, heart problems.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-161587016728579506?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-62540431375054802502009-11-17T23:05:00.000-05:002009-11-17T23:05:03.291-05:00http://aviary.owls.com/eagle_owl/eagleowl.html<br /><br />Owl<br />Fossil range: Late Paleocene–Recent <br />http://aviary.owls.com/eagle_owl/eagleowl.html<br /><br />Phylum: Chordata<br /><br />Class: Aves<br /><br />Subclass: Neornithes<br /><br />Infraclass: Neognathae<br /><br />Superorder: Neoaves<br /><br />Order: Strigiformes<br />Wagler, 1830 <br />Families <br />Strigidae<br />Tytonidae<br />Ogygoptyngidae (fossil)<br />Palaeoglaucidae (fossil)<br />Protostrigidae (fossil)<br />Sophiornithidae (fossil)<br /><br />Synonyms <br />Strigidae sensu Sibley & Ahlquist<br /><br /><br />The Owls are the order Strigiformes, comprising 200 extant birds of prey, species. Most are solitary, and nocturnal, with some exceptions (e.g. the Burrowing Owl). Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, though a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth except Antarctica, most of Greenland, and some remote islands. Though owls are typically solitary, the literary collective noun for a group of owls is a parliament.<br /><br />Living owls are divided into two families: the typical owls, Strigidae; and the barn-owls, Tytonidae.<br />Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ear-holes, a hawk-like beak, a flat face, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers -- a facial disc -- around each eye . Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, as with other birds, and they must turn their entire head to change views.<br /><br />Owls are far-sighted, and are unable to see anything clearly within a few inches of their eyes. Caught prey can be felt by owls with the use of filoplumes, which are small hair-like feathers on the beak and feet that act as "feelers". Their far vision, particularly in low light, is exceptionally good. Contrary to popular myth, owls cannot turn their heads completely backwards. They can turn their head 135 degrees in either direction; they can thus look behind their own shoulders, with a total 270 degree field of view.[1]<br /><br />The smallest owl is the Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi), at as little as 31 g (1.1 oz) and 13.5 cm (5.3 inches). Some of the pygmy owls are scarcely larger. The largest owls are two of the eagle owls -- the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) and Blakiston's Fish Owl (Bubo blakistoni) -- which may reach a size of 60 - 71 cm (28.4 in) long, have a wingspan of almost 2 m (6.6 ft), and an average weight of nearly 4.5 kg (10 lb).<br /><br />Different species of owls make different sounds; the wide range of calls aids owls in finding mates or announcing their presence to potential competitors, and also aids ornithologists and birders in locating these birds and recognizing species. The facial disc helps to funnel the sound of prey to their ears. In many species, these are placed asymmetrically, for better directional location.[2][verification needed]<br /><br />Owl eggs are usually white and almost spherical, and range in number from a few to a dozen, depending on species. The eggs are laid at intervals of 1 to 3 days and do not hatch at the same time. This accounts for the wide variation in the size of sibling nestlings. Owls do not construct nests, but rather look for a sheltered nesting site or an abandoned nest in trees, underground burrows, or in buildings, barns and caves.<br /><br />[edit] Behaviour<br />Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting for prey only under the cover of darkness. Several types of owl, however, are crepuscular, active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk; one example is the pygmy owl (Glaucidium). A few owls are also active during the day; examples are the Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia) and the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus).<br /><br /><br />The serrations on the leading edge of an owl's flight feathers reduce noise.Much of the owls' hunting strategy depends on stealth and surprise. Owls have at least two adaptations that aid them in achieving stealth. First, the dull coloration of owls' feathers can render them almost invisible under certain conditions. Secondly, serrated edges on the leading edge owls' remiges muffle an owl's wingbeats, allowing its flight to be practically silent. Some fish-eating owls, for which silence is of no evolutionary advantage, lack this adaptation.<br /><br />Once prey has been captured, an owl's sharp beak and powerful talons allow it to kill its prey before swallowing it whole (unless it is too big). Scientists studying the diets of owls are helped by their habit of regurgitating the indigestible parts of their prey (such as bones, scales and fur) in the form of pellets. These "owl pellets" -- which are plentiful and easy to interpret -- are often sold by companies to schools for dissection by students as a lesson in biology and ecology. [3]<br /><br />[edit] Evolution and systematics<br /><br />A Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) sleeping at daytime in a hollow tree.The systematic placement of owls is disputed. For example, the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy finds that, based on DNA-DNA hybridization, owls are more closely related to the nightjars and their allies (Caprimulgiformes) than to the diurnal predators in the order Falconiformes; consequently, the Caprimulgiformes are placed in the Strigiformes, and the owls in general become a family Strigidae. This is not supported by more recent research.[4] In any case, the relationships of the Caprimulgiformes, the owls, the falcons and the accipitrid raptors are not resolved to satisfaction; currently there is an increasing trend to consider each group (with the possible exception of the accipitrids) a distinct order.<br /><br />There are some 220 to 225 extant species of owls, subdivided into two families: typical owls (Strigidae) and barn-owls (Tytonidae). Some entirely extinct families have also been erected based on fossil remains; these differ much from modern owls in being less specialized or specialized in a very different way (such as the terrestrial Sophiornithidae). The Paleocene genera Berruornis and Ogygoptynx show that owls were already present as a distinct lineage some 60 - 57 mya (million years ago), and presumably also some 5 million years earlier, at the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs. This makes them one of the oldest known groups of non-Galloanserae landbirds. The supposed "Cretaceous owls" Bradycneme and Heptasteornis are apparently non-avialan maniraptors.[5]<br /><br />During the Paleogene, the Strigiformes radiated into ecological niches now mostly filled by other groups of birds. The owls as we know them today, on the other hand, evolved their characteristic morphology and adaptations during that time, too. By the early Neogene, the other lineages had been displaced by other bird orders, leaving only barn-owls and typical owls. The latter at that time were usually a fairly generic type of (probably earless) owl similar to today's North American Spotted Owl or the European Tawny Owl; the diversity in size and ecology found in typical owls today developed only subsequently.<br /><br />Around the Paleogene-Neogene boundary (some 25 mya), barn-owls were the dominant group of owls in southern Europe and adjacent Asia at least; the distribution of fossil and present-day owl lineages indicates that their decline is contemporary with the evolution of the different major lineages of typical owls, which for the most part seems to have taken place in Eurasia. In the Americas, there was rather an expansion of immigrant lineages of ancestral typical owls.<br /><br />The supposed fossil herons "Ardea" perplexa (Middle Miocene of Sansan, France) and "Ardea" lignitum (Late Pliocene of Germany) were more probably owls; the latter was apparently close to the modern genus Bubo. Judging from this, the Late Miocene remains from France described as "Ardea" aureliensis should also be restudied.[6] The Messelasturidae, some of which were initially believed to be basal Strigiformes, are now generally accepted to be diurnal birds of prey showing some convergent evolution towards owls. The taxa often united under Strigogyps[7] were formerly placed in part with the owls, specifically the Sophiornithidae; they appear to be Ameghinornithidae instead.[8]<br /><br />For fossil species and paleosubspecies of extant taxa, see the genus and species articles.<br /><br />Unresolved and basal forms (all fossil)<br /><br />Berruornis (Late Paleocene of France) - basal? Sophornithidae?<br />Strigiformes gen. et ap. indet. (Late Paleocene of Zhylga, Kazakhstan)<br />Palaeoglaux (Middle – Late Eocene of WC Europe) - own family Palaeoglaucidae or Strigidae?<br />Palaeobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Quercy, France) - Tytonidae? Sophiornithidae?<br />Palaeotyto (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Quercy, France) - Tytonidae? Sophiornithidae?<br />Strigiformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early Oligocene of Wyoming, USA)[9]<br />[edit] Ogygoptyngidae<br />Ogygoptynx (Middle/Late Paleocene of Colorado, USA)<br />[edit] Protostrigidae<br />Eostrix (Early Eocene of WC USA and England - Middle Eocene of WC USA)<br />Minerva (Middle – Late Eocene of W USA) - formerly Protostrix, includes "Aquila" ferox, "Aquila" lydekkeri, and "Bubo" leptosteus<br />Oligostrix (mid-Oligocene of Saxony, Germany)<br />[edit] Sophiornithidae<br />Sophiornis<br />[edit] Strigidae: Typical owls<br /><br />A Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, in erect pose.Aegolius: saw-whet owls, four species<br />Asio: eared owls, 6–7 species<br />Athene: 2–4 species (depending on whether Speotyto and Heteroglaux are included or not)<br />Bubo: horned owls, eagle-owls and fish-owls; paraphyletic with Nyctea, Ketupa and Scotopelia, some 25 species<br />Ciccaba: four species<br />Glaucidium: pygmy-owls, about 30–35 species<br />Gymnoglaux: Bare-legged Owl or Cuban Screech-owl<br />Jubula: Maned Owl<br />Lophostrix: Crested Owl<br />Megascops: screech-owls, some 20 species<br />Micrathene: Elf Owl<br />Mimizuku: Giant Scops-owl or Mindanao Eagle-owl<br />Ninox: Australasian hawk-owls, some 20 species<br />Nesasio - Fearful Owl<br />Otus: scops-owls; probably paraphyletic, about 45 species<br />Pseudoscops: Jamaican Owl and possibly Striped Owl<br />Ptilopsis: white-faced owls, two species<br />Pulsatrix: spectacled owls, three species<br />Pyrroglaux: Palau Owl<br />Strix: earless owls, about 15 species<br />Surnia: Northern Hawk-owl<br />Uroglaux: Papuan Hawk-owl<br />Xenoglaux: Long-whiskered Owlet<br />Mascarenotus: Mascarene owls, three species; extinct (c.1850)<br />Sceloglaux: Laughing Owl; extinct (1914?)<br />Grallistrix: stilt-owls, four species; prehistoric<br />Ornimegalonyx: Caribbean giant owls, 1–2 species; prehistoric<br />Fossil genera<br /><br />Mioglaux (Late Oligocene? - Early Miocene of WC Europe) - includes "Bubo" poirreiri<br />"Otus/Strix" wintershofensis: fossil (Early/Middle Miocene of Wintershof West, Germany) - may be close to extant genus Ninox[9]<br />Intutula (Early/Middle –? Late Miocene of C Europe) - includes "Strix/Ninox" brevis<br />Alasio (Middle Miocene of Vieux-Collonges, France) - includes "Strix" collongensis<br />Placement unresolved<br /><br /><br />Masked Owl, Tyto novaehollandiae."Strix" edwardsi: fossil (Middle Miocene)<br />"Asio" pygmaeus: fossil (Early Pliocene of Odessa, Ukraine)<br />Ibiza Owl, Strigidae gen. et sp. indet.: prehistoric[10]<br />[edit] Tytonidae: Barn-owls<br />Genus Tyto: typical barn-owls, stand up to 1⁄2 feet (0.15 m) tall some 15 species and possibly one recently extinct<br />Genus Phodilus: bay-owls, 1–2 extant species and possibly one recently extinct<br />Fossil genera<br /><br />Nocturnavis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) - includes "Bubo" incertus<br />Necrobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene - Late Miocene) - includes "Bubo" arvernensis and Paratyto<br />Selenornis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) - includes "Asio" henrici<br />Prosybris (Early Oligocene? - Early Miocene)<br />Placement unresolved<br /><br />Tytonidae gen. et sp. indet. "TMT 164" (Middle Miocene) - Prosybris?<br />[edit] Relationship with humans<br /><br />A Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia.Owls have been a feature of falconry for years. In recent years, many owls have moved from their previous rural habitats to start to inhabit urban areas. The Tawny Owl has been a common visitor to cities across the UK for about forty years, where it survives on a diet of pigeons and small birds.<br /><br />In many parts of the world, owls have been associated with death and misfortune, likely due to their nocturnal activity and common screeching call. However, owls have also been associated with wisdom and prosperity, frequently being companion animals for goddesses. In Hindu Mythology, the barn owl is considered to be the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and thus it is considered lucky if an owl resides near a house. The Greek goddess Athena was commonly depicted accompanied by an owl, and it has remained a common Western symbol of wisdom. This symbolism is evident in the frequent use of an owl in the logos of institutions such as universities and libraries.<br /><br />Henry David Thoreau summarized one perception of owls when he wrote in 1854's Walden, "I rejoice that there are owls. Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men. It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates, suggesting a vast and underdeveloped nature which men have not recognized. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all [men] have."<br /><br />[edit] Use as rodent control<br />Encouraging natural predators to control rodent population is a natural form of pest control, along with excluding food sources for rodents. Placing a new box for owls on a property can help control rodent populations (one family of hungry barn owls can consume more than 3,000 rodents in a nesting season) while maintaining the naturally balanced food chain.[11]<br /><br />Owls are also known to become victims of secondary poisoning by eating mice or rats that have previously been poisoned with rodenticides.<br /><br />[edit] Africa<br /><br /><br /><br />Ancient Egyptians used a representation of an owl for their hieroglyph for the sound m. They would often draw this hieroglyph with its legs broken to keep this bird of prey from coming to life.[citation needed].<br /><br />Among the Kikuyu of Kenya it was believed that owls were harbingers of death. If one saw an owl or heard its hoot, someone was going to die. In general, owls are viewed as harbingers of bad luck, ill health, or death. The belief is widespread even today. [12]<br /><br />[edit] The Americas<br /><br />Moche Owl, 200 A.D. Larco Museum Collection Lima, Peru.The feathers of owls are often used in connection with art and ritual. However, in the United States, as with eagle feathers, the possession of owl feathers as religious objects is regulated by federal law (e.g. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and Title 50 Part 22 Code of Federal Regulations).<br /><br />In the culture of the Uto-Aztec tribe, the Hopi, taboos surround owls, which are associated with sorcery and other evils. The Aztecs and Maya, along with other Natives of Mesoamerica, considered the owl a symbol of death and destruction. In fact, the Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, was often depicted with owls. There is an old saying in Mexico that is still in use[13]: Cuando el tecolote canta, el indio muere ("When the owl cries/sings, the Indian dies"). The Popol Vuh, a Mayan religious text, describes owls as messengers of Xibalba (the Mayan "Place of Fright").[14] The belief that owls are messengers and harbingers of the dark powers is also found among the Hočągara (Winnebago) of Wisconsin.[15] When in earlier days the Hočągara committed the sin of killing enemies while they were within the sanctuary of the chief's lodge, an owl appeared and spoke to them in the voice of a human, saying, "From now on the Hočągara will have no luck." This marked the beginning of the decline of their tribe.[16] An owl appeared to Glory of the Morning, the only female chief of the Hocak nation, and uttered her name. Soon afterwards she died.[17] People often allude to the reputation of owls as bearers of supernatural danger when they tell misbehaving children, "the owls will get you." [18]<br /><br />The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the animal and often depicted owls in their art.[19]<br />Asia<br />In Japanese culture, owls are seen as either negative or positive symbols depending on species. Sometimes owls are seen as divine messengers of the gods, while Barn or Horned owls are perceived as demonic figures.<br /><br />In India, a white owl is considered a companion and vāhana (Vehicle of god/goddess) of Lakṣmī, the goddess of wealth, and therefore a harbinger of prosperity.<br /><br />The demoness Lilith is thought to have been associated with (screech) owls as well, by way of the KJV translation of the passage in Isaiah 34:14. Prior to the rise of Islam, owls were considered bad omens and associated with evil spirits in most Middle Eastern pagan traditions. In modern times, although such superstitions are less prevalent, owls are still popularly considered "evil" because of their fierce appearance.<br /><br />Europe<br />In Greek mythology, the owl, and specifically the Little Owl, was often associated with the goddess Athena, a bird goddess who became associated with wisdom, the arts, and skills, and as a result, owls also became associated with wisdom. They are the unofficial mascot of the high-IQ society Mensa.<br /><br />The Romans, in addition to having borrowed the Greek associations of the owl (see Owl of Minerva), also considered owls to be funerary birds, due to their nocturnal activity and often having their nests in inaccessible places. As a result, seeing an owl in the daytime was considered a bad omen. For example, in Book 12 of Virgil's Aeneid, an owl appears before Turnus toward the end of his battle with Aeneas, prefiguring his death, and "a strange, numbing dread / Washed through Turnus' body; his hair / Bristled with fear; his voice stuck in his throat."[20] The vampiric strix of Roman mythology was in part based on the owl.<br /><br />In France, a difference is made between hiboux, eared owls, which are considered symbols of wisdom, and chouettes, earless owls, which are considered birds of ill omen.<br /><br />In the Welsh Cycles of the Mabinogion, the Owl is considered cursed - the first owl was Blodeuedd, a woman born of flowers to be the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes. Because she fell in love with another man and plotted to kill Lleu, Lleu's guardian Gwydion turned her into the first owl, saying "You are never to show your face to the light of day, rather you shall fear other birds; they will be hostile to you, and it will be their nature to maul and molest you wherever they find you. You will not lose your name but always be called Blodeuwedd." The addition of the w in her name changed her from a woman of flowers to an owl.<br /><br />In Finland the owl is paradoxically viewed as both a symbol of wisdom, and as a symbol of imbecility, presumably because of its "dumb stare".<br /><br />Owl conservation issues<br /><br />Laughing Owl (Sceloglaux albifacies)- last seen 1914Like most wildlife, owls are increasingly threatened by loss of habitat due to human activity or climate change. In tropical countries with high biodiversity, owls and other forest animals are hunted to supplement the diets or the income of impoverished families. The sale of bushmeat has risen sharply in recent decades. "Silent forest" is a familiar term describing forests that have been completely stripped of wildlife. Logging roads have increased access to previously inaccessible forest depths, and modern automatic weapons have made the shooting of wildlife much more efficient.<br /><br />All owls are listed in Appendix II of the international CITES treaty (the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Although owls have long been hunted, a 2008 news story from Malaysia indicates that the magnitude of owl poaching may be on the rise. In November 2008, TRAFFIC reported the seizure of 900 plucked and "oven-ready" owls in Peninsular Malaysia. Said Chris Shepherd, Senior Programme Officer for TRAFFIC's Southeast Asia office, "This is the first time we know of where 'ready-prepared' owls have been seized in Malaysia, and it may mark the start of a new trend in wild meat from the region. We will be monitoring developments closely." Traffic commended the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in Malaysia for the raid that exposed the huge haul of owls. Included in the seizure were dead and plucked Barn Owls, Spotted Wood Owls, Crested Serpent Eagles, Barred Eagles, and Brown Wood Owls, as well as 7,000 live lizards.[21]<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-6254043137505480250?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-52288323719339143172009-11-15T21:35:00.000-05:002009-11-15T21:35:43.357-05:00<b>So, About Rock & Roll and my Father</b><br /><br />I have Many, issues, traits, loves, hates, experiences, of My Own,<br /><br />and those I fortunately or unfortunatley Share with my Father.<br /><br />One I think , would of turned out good, but ,don't think I had, Was<br /><br /><b>Rock & Roll</b>. Fortunately, I Do, and Have Shared this Experience and Love,<br /><br />with my WIfe!, and more importantly, my Children & GrandChild(ren) !<br /><br />I Treaure this, as <b>Rock and Roll</b> is ,has and will Be ,the Unifying!<br /><br />experience, as is this Venue I am now communicating with,the Internet.<br /><br /><b>Long Live, Rock & ROll!</b> Below is a version of a History of<b> Rock & Roll</b>!<br /><br /><br /><br />Origins of rock and roll<br />The origins of rock and roll have been fiercely debated by commentators and historians of music.[15] There is general agreement that it arose in the southern United States of America - the region which would produce most of the major early rock and roll acts - through the meeting of the different musical traditions which had developed from transatlantic African slavery and largely European immigration in that region.[16] The migration of many freed slaves and their descendants to major urban centers like Memphis and north to New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and Buffalo meant that black and white residents were living in close proximity in larger numbers than ever before, and as a result heard each other's music and even began to emulate each others fashions.[17][18] Radio stations that made white and black forms of music available to other groups, the development and spread of the gramophone record, and musical styles such as jazz and swing which were taken up by both black and white musicians, aided this process of "cultural collision".[19]<br /><br />The immediate roots of rock and roll lay in the so-called "race music" and hillbilly music (later called rhythm and blues and country and western) of the 1940s and 1950s.[15] Particularly significant influences were jazz, blues, boogie woogie, country, folk and gospel music.[15] Commentators differ in their views of which of these forms were most important and the degree to which the new music was a re-branding of African American rhythm and blues for a white market, or a new hybrid of black and white forms.[20][21][22]<br /><br />In the 1930s jazz, and particularly swing, both in urban based dance bands and blues-influenced country swing, was among the first music to present African American sounds for a predominately white audience.[21][23] The 1940s saw the increased use of blaring horns (including saxophones), shouted lyrics and boogie woogie beats in jazz based music. During and immediately after World War II, with shortages of fuel and limitations on audiences and available personnel, large jazz bands were less economical and tended to be replaced by smaller combos, using guitars, bass and drums.[15][24] In the same period, particularly on the West Coast and in the Midwest, the development of jump blues, with its guitar riffs, prominent beats and shouted lyrics, prefigured many later developments.[15] Similarly, country boogie and Chicago electric blues supplied many of the elements that would be seen as characteristic of rock and roll.[15]<br /><br />Rock and roll arrived at time of considerable technological change, soon after the development of the electric guitar, amplifier and microphone, and the 45 rpm record.[15] There were also changes in the record industry, with the rise of independent labels like Atlantic, Sun and Chess servicing niche audiences and a similar rise of radio stations that played their music.[15] It was the realization that relatively affluent white teenagers were listening to this music that led to the development of what was to be defined as rock and roll as a distinct genre.[15]<br /><br />[edit] Origins of the phrase<br /><br />Alan Freed broadcasting in the early 1950sIn 1951, Cleveland, Ohio disc jockey Alan Freed began broadcasting rhythm and blues and country music for a multi-racial audience. Freed is often credited with first using the phrase "rock and roll" to describe the music he aired; its use is also credited to Freed's sponsor, record store owner Leo Mintz, who encouraged Freed to play the music on the radio.[25] However, the term had already been introduced to US audiences, particularly in the lyrics of many rhythm and blues records, like Bob Robinson's "Rock and Rolling" (1939), Buddy Jones's "Rock and Rolling Mamma" (1939) and Joe Turner's "Cherry Red" (1939).[26] Three different songs with the title "Rock and Roll" were recorded in the late 1940s; by Paul Bascomb in 1947, Wild Bill Moore in 1948, and by Doles Dickens in 1949, and the phrase was in constant use in the lyrics of R&B songs of the time.[26] One such record where the phrase was repeated throughout the song was "Rock and Roll Blues", recorded in 1949 by Erline "Rock and Roll" Harris.[27] The phrase was also included in advertisements for the film Wabash Avenue, starring Betty Grable and Victor Mature. An ad for the movie that ran April 12, 1950 billed Ms. Grable as "the first lady of rock and roll" and Wabash Avenue as "the roaring street she rocked to fame".[citation needed]<br /><br />Before then, the word "rock" had a long history in the English language as a metaphor for "to shake up, to disturb or to incite". "Rocking" was a term used by black gospel singers in the American South to mean something akin to spiritual rapture.[28] In 1916, the term "rocking and rolling" was used with a religious connotation, on the phonograph record "The Camp Meeting Jubilee" by an unnamed male "quartette".[29] In 1937, Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald recorded "Rock It for Me", which included the lyric, "So won't you satisfy my soul with the rock and roll".[30] The verb "roll" was a medieval metaphor which meant "having sex". Writers for hundreds of years have used the phrases "They had a roll in the hay" or "I rolled her in the clover".[31] The phrase "rocking and rolling" was secular black slang for dancing or sex by the early twentieth century,[32] appearing on record for the first time in 1922 on Trixie Smith's "My Man Rocks Me With One Steady Roll",[33] and as a double entendre, ostensibly referring to dancing, but with the subtextual meaning of sex, as in Roy Brown's "Good Rocking Tonight" (1948).[34]<br /><br />The terms were often used together ("rocking and rolling") to describe the motion of a ship at sea, for example as used in 1934 by the Boswell Sisters in their song "Rock and Roll",[35] which was featured in the 1934 film Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round,[36][37] and in Buddy Jones' "Rockin' Rollin' Mama" (1939). Country singer Tommy Scott was referring to the motion of a railroad train in the 1951 "Rockin and Rollin'".[38] An alternative claim is that the origins of "rocking and rolling" can be traced back to steel driving men working on the railroads in the Reconstruction South. These men would sing hammer songs to keep the pace of their hammer swings. At the end of each line in a song, the men would swing their hammers down to drill a hole into the rock. The shakers — the men who held the steel spikes that the hammer men drilled — would "rock" the spike back and forth to clear rock or "roll", twisting the spike to improve the "bite" of the drill.[39]<br /><br />[edit] Early rock and roll records<br /><br />Original 1954 Decca issue of Bill Haley's Rock Around the ClockMain article: First rock and roll record<br />There is much debate as to what should be considered the first rock & roll record. Big Joe Turner was one of many forerunners and his 1939 recording, "Roll 'Em Pete", is close to '50s rock and roll.[40] Sister Rosetta Tharpe was also recording shouting, stomping music in the 1930s and 1940s that in some ways contained major elements of mid-1950s rock and roll. She scored hits on the pop charts as far back as 1938 with her gospel songs, such as "This Train" and "Rock Me", and in the 1940s with "Strange Things Happenin' Every Day", "Up Above My Head", and "Down by the Riverside".[41] Other significant records of the 1940s and early 1950s included Roy Brown's "Good Rocking Tonight" (1947), Hank Williams' "Move It On Over" (1947), Amos Milburn's "Chicken Shack Boogie" (1947),[42] Jimmy Preston's "Rock the Joint" (1947),[43] Fats Domino's "The Fat Man" (1949),[44] and Les Paul and Mary Ford's "How High the Moon" (1951).[45]<br /><br />A leading contender as the first fully formed rock 'n' roll recording is "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats (which was, in fact, Ike Turner and his band The Kings of Rhythm recording under a different name), recorded by Sam Phillips for Sun Records in 1951.[40] Three years later the first rock and roll song to enter Billboard magazine's main sales and airplay charts was Bill Haley's "Crazy Man, Crazy" and the first to top the charts, in July 1955, was his "Rock Around the Clock" (recorded in 1954), opening the door worldwide for this new wave of popular culture.[40] Rolling Stone magazine argued in 2004 that "That's All Right (Mama)" (1954), Elvis Presley's first single for Sun Records in Memphis, was the first rock and roll record,[46] but, at the same time, Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle & Roll", later covered by Haley, was already at the top of the Billboard R&B charts.[47]<br /><br />Early rock and roll used the twelve-bar blues chord progression and shared with boogie woogie the four beats (usually broken down into eight eighth-notes/quavers) to a bar. Rock and roll however has a greater emphasis on the backbeat than boogie woogie.[48] Bo Diddley's 1955 hit "Bo Diddley", with its b-side "I'm A Man", introduced a new, pounding beat, and unique guitar playing that inspired many artists.[49]<br /><br />Also formative in the sound of rock and roll were Little Richard and Chuck Berry. From 1955, Little Richard combined gospel with New Orleans R&B, heavy backbeat,[50] pounding piano and wailing vocals.[51] His explosive music, with songs such as "Tutti Frutti" (1955), "Long Tall Sally" (1956) and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" (1958), has been seen as laying the foundation for rock and roll and influenced generations of rhythm and blues, rock and soul music artists.[52][53][54] Chuck Berry, between his cover of "Maybellene" in 1955, through hits including "Roll over Beethoven" (1956) and "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) to "Johnny B. Goode" (1958), refined and developed the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive, focusing on teen life and introducing guitar intros and lead breaks that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music.[53]<br /><br />Soon rock and roll was the major force in American record sales and crooners such as Eddie Fisher, Perry Como, and Patti Page, who had dominated the previous decade of popular music, found their access to the pop charts significantly curtailed.[55]<br /><br /><br />The cover of Elvis Presley's debut RCA Victor album. Photo taken on January 31, 1955[edit] Rockabilly<br />Main article: Rockabilly<br />"Rockabilly" usually (but not exclusively) refers to the type of rock and roll music which was played and recorded in the mid 1950s by white singers such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, who drew mainly on the country roots of the music.[56] Many other popular rock and roll singers of the time, such as Fats Domino and Little Richard, came out of the black rhythm and blues tradition, making the music attractive to white audiences, and are not usually classed as "rockabilly".<br /><br />In July 1954, Elvis Presley recorded the regional hit "That's All Right (Mama)" at Sam Phillips' Sun studios in Memphis.[57] Two months earlier in May 1954, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded "Rock Around the Clock". Although only a minor hit when first released, when used in the opening sequence of the movie Blackboard Jungle, a year later, it really set the rock and roll boom in motion. The song became one of the biggest hits in history, and frenzied teens flocked to see Haley and the Comets perform it, causing riots in some cities. "Rock Around the Clock" was a breakthrough for both the group and for all of rock and roll music. If everything that came before laid the groundwork, "Clock" introduced the music to a global audience.[57]<br /><br />In 1956 the arrival of rockabilly was underlined by the success of songs like "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash, "Blue Suede Shoes" by Perkins and "Heartbreak Hotel" by Presley.[58] For a few years it became the most commercially successful form of rock and roll. Later rockabilly acts, particularly performing songwriters like Buddy Holly, would be a major influence on British Invasion acts and particularly on the song writing of the Beatles and through them on the nature of later rock music.[59]<br /><br />[edit] Doo wop<br />Main article: Doo wop<br />Doo wop was one of the most popular forms of 1950s rock and roll, with an emphasis on multi-part vocal harmonies and meaningless backing lyrics (from which the genre later gained its name), which were usually supported with light instrumentation.[60] Its origins were in African American vocal groups of the 1930s and 40s, like the Inkspots and the Mills Brothers, who had enjoyed considerable commercial success with arrangements based around close harmonies.[61] They were followed by 1940s R&B vocal acts like The Orioles, The Ravens and The Clovers, who injected a strong element of traditional gospel and, increasingly, the energy of Jump blues.[61] By 1954, as rock and roll was beginning to emerge, a number of similar acts began to cross over from the R&B charts to mainstream success, often with added honking brass and saxophone, with The Crows, The Penguins, The El Dorados and The Turbans all scoring major hits.[61] Despite the subsequent explosion in records from doo wop acts in the later 50s, many failed to chart or were one-hit wonders. Exceptions included The Platters, with songs including "The Great Pretender" (1955) and The Coasters with humorous songs like "Yakety Yak" (1958), both of which ranked among the most successful rock and roll acts of the era.[61] Towards the end of the decade there were increasing numbers of white, particularly Italian American, singers taking up Doo Wop, creating all-white groups like The Mystics and Dion and the Belmonts and racially integrated groups like The Dell Vikings and The Impalas.[61] Doo wop would be a major influence on vocal surf music, soul and early Merseybeat, including the Beatles.[61]<br /><br />[edit] Cover versions<br />Main article: Cover version<br />Many of the earliest white rock and roll hits were covers or partial re-writes of earlier rhythm and blues or blues songs. Through the late 1940s and early 1950s, R&B music had been gaining a stronger beat and a wilder style, with artists such as Fats Domino and Johnny Otis speeding up the tempos and increasing the backbeat to great popularity on the juke joint circuit.[62] Before the efforts of Freed and others, black music was taboo on many white-owned radio outlets, but artists and producers quickly recognized the potential of rock and roll.[63] Most of Presley's early hits were covers, like "That's All Right" (a countrified arrangement of a blues number), its flip side "Blue Moon of Kentucky", "Baby, Let's Play House", "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" and "Hound Dog".[64]<br /><br /><br />Original rock'n'roller Little Richard performing in 2007Covers were customary in the music industry at the time; it was made particularly easy by the compulsory license provision of United States copyright law (still in effect).[65] One of the first successful rock and roll covers was Wynonie Harris's transformation of Roy Brown's "Good Rocking Tonight" from a jump blues to a showy rocker[66] and the Louis Prima rocker "Oh Babe" in 1950, as well as Amos Milburn's cover of what may have been the first white rock and roll record, Hardrock Gunter's "Birmingham Bounce" in 1949.[67] The most notable trend, however, was white pop covers of black R&B numbers. The more familiar sound of these covers may have been more palatable to white audiences, there may have been an element of prejudice, but labels aimed at the white market also had much better distribution networks and were generally much more profitable.[68] Most famously, Pat Boone recorded sanitized versions of Little Richard songs, though Boone found "Long Tall Sally" so intense that he couldn't cover it. Later, as those songs became popular, the original artists' recordings received radio play as well.[69]<br /><br />The cover versions were not necessarily straightforward imitations. For example, Bill Haley's incompletely bowdlerized cover of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" transformed Big Joe Turner's humorous and racy tale of adult love into an energetic teen dance number,[70] while Georgia Gibbs replaced Etta James's tough, sarcastic vocal in "Roll With Me, Henry" (covered as "Dance With Me, Henry") with a perkier vocal more appropriate for an audience unfamiliar with the song to which James's song was an answer, Hank Ballard's "Work With Me, Annie".[71] Elvis' rock and roll version of "Hound Dog" was very different from the blues shouter that Big Mama Thornton had recorded.[72]<br /><br />[edit] Decline<br />Commentators have traditionally perceived a decline of rock and roll in the late 1950s and early 1960s.[73][74] By 1959, the death of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens in a plane crash, the departure of Elvis for the army, the retirement of Little Richard to become a preacher, prosecutions of Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry and the breaking of the payola scandal (which implicated major figures, including Alan Freed, in bribery and corruption in promoting individual acts or songs), gave a sense that the initial rock and roll era had come to an end.[40] There was also a process that has been described as the "feminisation" of rock and roll, with the charts beginning to be dominated by love ballads, often aimed at a female audience, and the rise of girl groups like The Shirelles and The Crystals.[75] Some historians of music have pointed to important and innovative developments that built on rock and roll in this period, including multitrack recording, developed by Les Paul, the electronic treatment of sound by such innovators as Joe Meek, and the Wall of Sound productions of Phil Spector, continued desegregation of the charts, the rise of surf music, garage rock and the Twist dance craze.[76]<br /><br />[edit] British rock and roll<br />Main article: British rock and roll<br />In the 1950s, Britain was well placed to receive American rock and roll music and culture.[77] It shared a common language, had been exposed to American culture through the stationing of troops in the country, and shared many social developments, including the emergence of distinct youth sub-cultures, which in Britain included the Teddy Boys.[78] Trad Jazz became popular, and many of its musicians were influenced by related American styles, including boogie woogie and the blues.[79] The skiffle craze, led by Lonnie Donegan, utilised amateurish versions of American folk songs and encouraged many of the subsequent generation of rock and roll, folk, R&B and beat musicians to start performing.[80] At the same time British audiences were beginning to encounter American rock and roll, initially through films including Blackboard Jungle (1955) and Rock Around the Clock (1955).[81] Both films contained the Bill Haley & His Comets hit "Rock Around the Clock", which first entered the British charts in early 1955 - four months before it reached the US pop charts - topped the British charts later that year and again in 1956, and helped identify rock and roll with teenage delinquency.[82] American rock and roll acts such as Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Buddy Holly thereafter became major forces in the British charts.<br /><br />The initial response of the British music industry was to attempt to produce copies of American records, recorded with session musicians and often fronted by teen idols.[77] More grassroots British rock and rollers soon began to appear, including Wee Willie Harris and Tommy Steele.[77] During this period American Rock and Roll remained dominant, however, in 1958 Britain produced its first "authentic" rock and roll song and star, when Cliff Richard reached number 2 in the charts with "Move It".[83] At the same time, TV shows such as Six-Five Special and Oh Boy! promoted the careers of British rock and rollers like Marty Wilde and Adam Faith.[77] Cliff Richard and his backing band The Shadows, were the most successful home grown rock and roll based acts of the era.[84] Other leading acts included Billy Fury, Joe Brown, and Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, whose 1960 hit song "Shakin' All Over" became a rock and roll standard.[77]<br /><br />As interest in rock and roll was beginning to subside in America in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it was taken up by groups in major British urban centres like Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.[85] About the same time, a British blues scene developed, initially led by purist blues followers such as Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies who were directly inspired by American musicians such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.[86] Many groups moved towards the beat music of rock and roll and rhythm and blues from skiffle, like the Quarrymen who became The Beatles, producing a form of rock and roll revivalism that carried them and many other groups to national success from about 1963 and to international success from 1964, known in America as the British Invasion.[87] Groups that followed the Beatles included the beat influenced Freddie and the Dreamers, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Herman's Hermits and the Dave Clark Five, and the more blues influenced The Animals, The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds.[88] As the blues became an increasingly significant influence, leading to the creation of the blues-rock of groups like The Moody Blues, Small Faces, The Move, Traffic and Cream, and developing into rock music, the influence of early rock and roll began to subside.[87]<br /><br />[edit] Cultural impact<br />The social effects of rock and roll were worldwide and massive. Far beyond simply a musical style, rock and roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language.[89] In addition, rock and roll may have helped the cause of the civil rights movement because both African American teens and white American teens enjoyed the music.[90] It also gave rise to many other styles, including psychedelic rock, progressive rock, glam rock, alternative rock, punk and heavy metal.<br /><br />[edit] Race<br />Rock and roll appeared at a time when racial tensions in the United States were entering a new phase, with the beginnings of the civil rights movement for desegregation, leading to the Supreme Court ruling that abolished the policy of "separate but equal" in 1954, but leaving a policy which would be extremely difficult to enforce in parts of the United States.[91] The combination of elements of white and black music in rock and roll, inevitably provoked strong reactions within the US, with many condemning its breaking down of barriers based on colour.[90] On the other side of the argument rock and roll has been seen as both appropriating African American music for a white audience and white performers, and conversely, in opening the door for many black performers to reach a wider audience.[92] Many observers saw rock and roll as heralding the way for desegregation, in creating a new form of music that encouraged racial cooperation and shared experience.[93]<br /><br />[edit] Teen culture<br />Main article: Youth subculture<br />Rock and roll is often identified with the emergence of teen culture among the first baby boomer generation, who had both greater relative affluence, leisure and who adopted rock and roll as part of a distinct sub-culture.[94] This involved not just music, absorbed via radio, record buying, jukeboxes and T.V. programmes like American Bandstand, but it also extended to film, clothes, hair, cars and motorbikes, and distinctive language. The contrast between parental and youth culture exemplified by rock and roll was a recurring source of concern for older generations, who worried about juvenile delinquency and social rebellion, particularly as to a large extent rock and roll culture was shared by different racial and social groups.[94] In Britain, where post-war prosperity was more limited, rock and roll culture became attached pre-existing to the Teddy Boy movement, largely working class in origins, and eventually to the longer lasting rockers.[95] Rock and roll has been seen as reorientating popular music towards a teen market, often celebrating teen fashions, as in Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" (1956), or Dion and the Belmonts "Teenager in Love" (1960).[96]<br /><br />[edit] Dance styles<br />From its early-1950s inception through the early 1960s, rock and roll music spawned new dance crazes.[97] Teenagers found the irregular rhythm of the backbeat especially suited to reviving the jitterbug dancing of the big-band era. "Sock hops," gym dances, and home basement dance parties became the rage, and American teens watched Dick Clark's American Bandstand to keep up on the latest dance and fashion styles.[98] From the mid-1960s on, as "rock and roll" yielded gradually to "rock," later dance genres followed, starting with the twist, and leading up to funk, disco, house and techno.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-5228832371933914317?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-46962999278339818442009-11-10T22:20:00.001-05:002009-11-10T22:21:34.985-05:00<b>Autumn River Song </b><br /><br />The moon shimmers in green water. <br />White herons fly through the moonlight. <br /><br />The young man hears a girl gathering water-chestnuts: <br />into the night, singing, they paddle home together. <br /><b><br />Li T'ai-po </b><br /><b><br />Li Bai or Li Po (Chinese: 李白; pinyin: Lǐ Bái, or, Lǐ Bó) (701 – 762)</b> was a Chinese poet. He was part of the group of Chinese scholars called the "Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup" in a poem by fellow poet Du Fu. Li Bai is often regarded, along with Du Fu, as one of the two greatest poets in China's literary history. Approximately 1,100 of his poems remain today. The first translations in a Western language were published in 1862 by Marquis d'Hervey de Saint-Denys in his Poésies de l'Époque des Thang.[1] The English-speaking world was introduced to Li Bai's works by a Herbert Allen Giles publication History of Chinese Literature (1901) and through the liberal, but poetically influential, translations of Japanese versions of his poems made by Ezra Pound.[2]<br /><br />Li Bai is best known for the extravagant imagination and striking Taoist imagery in his poetry, as well as for his great love for liquor. Like Du Fu, he spent much of his life travelling, although in his case it was because his wealth allowed him to, rather than because his poverty forced him. <b>He is said, famously but untruly, to have drowned in the Yangtze River,<b> having fallen from his boat while drunkenly trying to embrace the reflection of the moon. ?? Perhaps the what was Natalie Wood was doing, </b><br /><br />Be Careful with Drunkeness as a Means to Understanding or effecting Art!</b> <b>Bill Swann D.O.</b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-4696299927833981844?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-27182300334596512992009-11-08T12:59:00.000-05:002009-11-08T12:59:49.694-05:00To All who've asked "How am I doing?, On this Beautiful end of Fall Day, <br /><br />I am doing OK, in fact, doing Great ,given the times. <br /><br />My job with the Army is ??Great, ??, because, it is a Great Job, Duty, Experience, Interesting,being in the Army,<br /><br />having my Weekends Off,my Warrior Transition Team,The Honor of it All,me being the Right person,is Great!,<br /><br />, BUT ,the drive(135 mi/day),the responsibility and Stress, of caring for 200 soldiers,<br /><br />the challenge to evolve this WTU from a Disability to an Ability focus'd WTU in the Army's buerucracy, <br /><br />the overall medical Complexity,the Soldiers PTSD, TBI, my having been falsely accused of a horrific charge,<br /><br />and now that finally thrown out and attempting to be ?Normal? Me?,dealing with the the Army, is Tough.<br /><br />This, along with the $200 K salary cut, going into a Chap 13, still being Fat,in pain,Yada Yada ,Yada,<br /><br />but my Knees and Back are So, Much Better, Thanks to Exercise,some weight loss,weight training,<br /><br />QiQong and Tai Ji ., and the encouragement of all my former collegues, and all my friend, Well,<br /><br />Some How, Life is still , !!"GREAT!!" I Hope We can All enjoy this ,as "Zorba" the Greek said<br /><br />"Full Catastrophe" of Life, and Live, be Happy , at least ever so often, and care for one another.<br /><br />Take Care, I may forward this response to all the others who've asked how I am, in a nutshell, Nuts & Great!<br /><br />Here is my Info as well, below:<br /><br />Bill & Rexie Swann <br /><br />11252 Putman Rd<br /><br />Thurmont, MD 21788<br /><br />240-409-3486 Cell/Home<br /><br />240-305-8917 Mil Blackbeery,No messages Please.<br /><br />swanndo52@yahoo.com eMail: <br /><br />www.swanndo52@blogspot.com Blog<br /><br />www.greytigyr.com Web Site.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3460184612156583360-2718230033459651299?l=swanndo.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Bill Swann D.O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11539429938949555172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3460184612156583360.post-75982046448027874752009-11-05T21:11:00.000-05:002009-11-05T21:11:15.015-05:00<i> To see the World in a grain of sand<b></b></i><br /><br />To see the World in a grain of sand<br />And heaven in a