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SYTYCD - Oh My

The Olympics are possibly my favorite sporting event, but on this second night of competition, I must take a break to pay homage to So You Think You Can Dance.  Whether you like ballroom, Latin, ballet, hip-hop or jazz, this show has something for you.  The program joins amazing dancers with awe-inspiring choreographers to producer spectacular results.  (Apologies to all your writers out there—I know I’m going heavy on the adjectives, but watch the show and you’ll see why I babble).

SYTYCD had always been my favorite dance show, but this year (Season 9), the contestants are nothing less than magnificent.  The leaps are higher, the tricks are trickier, and the flexibility is jaw dropping.  Dancers who didn’t make the top twenty would have been in the finale in previous seasons. 

The show is a competition, so who’s going to win?  Who knows.  In past seasons, I’ve one or two favorites, but this year, I’m can’t narrow it down to five, but here my attempt:

COLE:  This hot shot from Honolulu combines excellent dance technique with Bruce Lee quickness.  He calls his style Martial Arts Fusion, aptly named since he’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.  IMHO, he’s the guy to watch.

WITNEY:  This sassy ballroom wonder has been dancing since the age of three and it shows.  She’s also beautiful—and only eighteen.  She’s excelled at all dance styles, as evidenced by her contemporary number choreographed to Whitney Houston’s,  I Will Always Love You—one of the best routines of the season.

MATTHEW:  This dancer is a Ryan Gosling look-a-like—need I saw more?  This twenty-one-year-old from Arizona is more than just a pretty face.  He’s has the moves to go far in the competition.

CHENON:  He earned a spot at the Royal Ballet School in London—at age 14!  Born in Chicago he’s lived in Sydney and Zurich.  His globe traveling seems to have given his dancing an other-worldly greatness.

ELIANA:  She’s not just another ballerina.  Her experience with Cirque Du Soleil adds an interesting quirkiness to technical perfection.  In the last show, she portrayed a music box ballerina come to live, one of my favorite performances and reminiscent of a Tim Burton movie—only with great dancing.

Amelia, Cyrus, and Will are also favs, but I promised you five.  If you like dance, don’t miss this show.  After the Olympics, you can catch the program Wednesday’s at 8:00 on Fox.  You can also watch past performances on www.Fox.com/dance.

I'M A SAP FOR A GOOD INSPIRATIONAL STORY

One of the many things I love about the Olympics include the personal stories. All the hardships the athletes have had to overcome to get there. A childhood illness, perhaps, or an injury. I also love seeing the stary-eyed expressions on the athletes, as well as their determination.

The majority of us love seeing others excell. When someone falls off the parallel bars or the pummel horse, the audience gives a collective gasp. When a diver makes a less-than-graceful dive into the water, we wince. Why? It's not happening to us. Nor do we personally know the athlete. As human beings, we just hate seeing others' hopes and hard work dashed, whether the athlete comes from USA, France, Croatia or Japan. We are uplifted by their competitive spirits and want the best for them.

Too bad they can't all win.

I'll be glued to the Olympics the next two weeks. Cheering, crying, and gasping. How about you. Can we get a gold medal for cheering them on?

BEST OF LUCK TO TEAM USA.

Unplugging

I'm in the middle of edits. Hopefully, I'll be back the 11th.  Be well in my absence.

The Draw of the Paranormal

Now, what is the draw of paranormal? Is it the fear of the unknown? The idea that in the paranormal world we can have something that we might not be able to have in our own lives?

I love paranormal, because sometimes real life has too many boundaries. I like to be able to make my own rules, find my own “mate” in a book. In another world, you can find the things don’t exist in our world and if you have a good imagination—mold them to what you desire most.

I like the fact that in paranormal, there is a draw between the heroine and hero that that brings them together on an inherent level. Vampires bite and turn to ash in the sunlight. Werewolves change at the full moon and growl at their displeasure. Mermen swim beneath the sea. Angels fly high above us.

Countless paranormals, and yet I need to know every single one of them. What makes each one tick? Every world is different – but you can find the one you want if you look hard enough. How did the author come up with that world?

Maybe the reason that we like reading about paranormal is that we wished the paranormal were part of our world. Some things are unexplained and mysterious, and rather than trying to break apart the science and realities, it would be nice to be able to think that there is something else out there. Now I'm not going to go into the methodologies and religious viewpoints, that isn't a place for here. But I will talk about the fact that as a romance reader who also loves the paranormal aspect of it I like knowing that there may be something else out there. Now I don't believe in aliens I don't believe in werewolves, but it would be nice if they were there. We all have answers to everything, we can't.

I grew up the scientist, I have my decrees and them, and I know we don't have the answer for every single little thing. So what if the paranormal was real? What if ghosts were real? What if the werewolves and vampires and everything that goes bump in the night were real? How would we cope smirk? Honestly I don't think we do too well. But, I'd like to think that those who delve into reading those paranormal aspects of watching this TV shows with the lease have somewhat of an idea of what to do. They may be completely off base of the characteristics of those terrible things, but it would be quite interesting to see how we would react.

I read and write paranormal romance because I like breaking open new things and seeing what would happen if everything wasn't so cut and dry. What about you? Do you read paranormal? Do you believe in it? Talk to me.

Bee-balm for What Ails You

Mondarda fistulosa

Bee-balm, horsemint, or botanically speaking, Monarda, is an exclusively North American plant containing about sixteen species. As part of the Laminaceae (mint) family, the plants bear both the square stems and the heavily scented leaves common among mints. I've tried growing the colorful species M. didyma whose cultivars are sold as garden plants, yet they don't do well in my often too dry garden. However, if you have a moist area in your garden that is shaded during the hottest part of the day, this plant might grow very well for you. It is amazing to me that I can't grow Mondarda without regular watering, but M. fistulosa, better known as wild mint, grows in my field along with M. punctata, or horsemint, which seems to grow in nearly inhabitable dry locations. If you look at different species of Mondarda you will see there are two distinctive stem styles. One has a stem that terminates in a single blossom as in M. didyma and fistulosa. The other type's stem pierces through several blossoms before ending in a terminal bloom as in M. punctata.

Mondarda punctata

Native Americans and colonists used Monarda as a medicinal plant, for example using M. punctata to cure colic. They also made Oswego tea from the M. fistulosa's leaves and flowers. I've tried it and conclude it is either an acquired taste or the bitter pill for what ails you — while not horrible, certainly an unusual fragrance and taste. According to Edwin Rollin Spencer's All About Weeds (Dover Publications, 1968, page 218) the Monarda name was given in 1574 by Nicolas Monardes, who never visited the New World, but as a doctor in France, worked on the medicinal properties of these plants. You can search the Internet to find how Mondarda was, and is still, used as a cure for many respiratory complaints. Recipes for tea are available.

I do enjoy all the wildflowers that inhabit my property. They create color interest in the wild areas and offer me the challenge of discovering information about them, even sometimes challenging me to use the what I've learned in a story.

Of the many problem of a country garden, one of the most difficult is how to successful move from the cultivated landscape into the wild without a sharp distinction. Another problem is researching what is a wildflower from an invasive species, and to encourage the right one. The Internet has made this process increasingly easy. State DNR offices and environmental groups offer other assets. At a recent garden club meeting I received a copy of A Field Identification Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan's Natural Communities. I thought I knew a lot, but I was certainly deluding myself.  One invasive plant is Centaurea stoebe or spotted knapweed, which could easily be confused with M. fistulosa.

That said, wildflowers help make that transition from garden to wild, and in summer and fall Monarda and Solidago (goldenrod) can do a spectacular job at this. In this endeavor I am also introducing other native wildflowers like coneflowers and black-eyed susans into my surrounding field. Since these already grown in my garden, it should help blend garden and wild.

That said, wildflowers help make that transition from garden to wild, and in summer and fall Monarda and Solidago (goldenrod) can do a spectacular job at this. In this effort I am also introducing other native wildflowers like coneflowers and into my surrounding field. Since these already grown in my garden, it should help blend garden and wild.

Centaurea stoebe

Anti-Procrastination

Flylady, Marla has anti-procrastination Wednesdays designated as the day to do all the stuff you've been putting off. She is a homemaking guru who has and is helping untold numbers of people worldwide take their homes back.

I've finally scheduled all of my preventative medical appointments, a couple of which I've skipped a year or years. I used to be good about staying on schedule, but life happened and then things just got put off. You know how it goes.

This week I made my final four phone calls I had been putting off/dreading/avoiding. Not for any particular reason. I spent forty minutes on the phone Thursday and accomplished the following:

1) The auto insurance company lowered our premium $8 a month with a good student discount.

2) The health insurance company explained to me that yes, our children can stay on my husband's insurance plan until they turn 26, even if they have health insurance through their own jobs.

3) The life insurance robot will send the form to cash out a life insurance policy my late father took out on me when I was little.

4) The natural gas supplier whom I had signed up with for a limited time guaranteed low gas supply rate (which long ago expired and I had been paying top dollar for gas for at least a year before I noticed) has terminated our agreement and I will now default back to our local gas company to purchase it from, at a savings of six bucks a month during the summer and hopefully more in the winter.

I now have nothing more to dread. Until the next thing...

Go ahead, do all of your stuff. You might save some money. And restore peace of mind.

Happy Moon Landing Day.

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong took “...one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Around the country that July night, hearts pounded a few extra beats, breaths were collectively held and for a moment the problems of the nation disappeared. It was also my fifth birthday.
“Hey, big bro. Happy Moon Landing Day!”
This was the birthday message I received from my little brother yesterday, July 20th. The way my siblings and I look at it, being born in 1964 means I had four regular Happy Birthdays, followed by 44 Happy Moon Landing Days. I don’t recall much from that night except a few grainy images on grandpa’s black and white TV (when I could fight for viewing space around the set), but those events of Apollo 11 made a tremendous impact on my life.
Because it happened on my birthday, I received a hodge-podge of Apollo 11 related material over the ensuing years. Poster, lunch box, folders, games, books, etc. Needless to say, I became fascinated with the space program. And on that July 20, 1969, I believe the science switch was clicked on inside my head, which started me on a path to be a scientist.
The moon landing also taught me to dream and think beyond current limitations. The fill dirt dumped on the vacant lot hillside was now the powdered surface of the moon. My feet landing in that dirt from a elevated jump at the top of the hill became like Neil Armstrong jumping off the ladder and into history. Our sofa forts in the basement  transformed from old west outposts to lunar modules and, let me tell you, the view was beautiful from those spaceships.
Happy Moon Landing Day!

So sad...

Blessings on the families in Aurora, Colorado.

anny

The Sky is Heating Up!

Feeling unappreciated?  Restless?  It may not be your fault…could be solar flares. . . or the stars. . .are messing with you.

I recently received an e-mail alert on solar flares and their affects on humans, written by James Tyberon.   The author says that solar flares, because of the magnetic waves contained within them, is influencing humans, and not necessarily in a good way.  Add in the Mercury and Uranus retrogrades, and all kind of hot heck is breaking loose.

Human auras, the ovid field that surrounds every living being, can be fractured when flares hit.  Fractured auras can lead to fatigue, emotional swings, lethargy, even depression.  (Auras can also be damaged by cuts, broken bones and the like.)  For more information on auras and how to heal them, check out Barbara Brennan’s work.  She is an amazing healer!

On top of the flares, Uranus turns retrograde (meaning it looks like it’s moving backwards) from now through December 13.  Uranus is a sort of rebel planet, and like many rebels, its effects are stronger when it isn’t following the rules. 

Uranus affects intuition, inventions and new ways of looking at traditions.  When it goes retrograde, you may be influenced toward investigation and analysis, causing you to ask “Why?” more often than normal.  Socially, we may see more people less satisfied with the status quo and willing to make big changes in their lives.  There may even be some rebellions popping up on the world stage.

What this means personally is that you can choose to allow the solar flares and astrological events to negatively affect you, or you can use the events to improve your life, simply by being aware of them.  If you find yourself sick of being in a rut, understand that your restlessness could be caused by planetary transits.  Instead of jumping out of your rut into something worse, use your knowledge to make plans for change.  Then when Uranus moves direct, make your move.

The solar flares can also be used to improve yourself.  Use some of Sherry’s wonderful meditation techniques to stay calm in the face of chaos.  Or choose another method to help you remain aware of the changes around you.  Remember, just because your friend is in crisis doesn’t mean you have to join her.  Do whatever it takes to “keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.”

Increased flare activity is predicted for the rest of the year and into 2013.  When you’re feeling frazzled, take care of yourself and fix your aura.  You’ll be glad you did!

The Black Death and The Vinegar of the Four Thieves

The Vinegar of the Four Thieves is a fascinating concoction, heavily embellished with legend, that supposedly warded off the bubonic plague.

I found this interesting snippet on a site that sells essential oils and herbs called Annie’s Remedy:

“Vinegar of the Four Thieves (Marseilles vinegar) There are many versions of this formula, which is often referenced in herbals dating from medieval times to the present. The French doctor Jean Valent including this one in his groundbreaking book on aromatherapy.

The story goes that this formula was revealed in the 17th century by four corpse-robbers caught red-handed during the time of the great plagues of Toulouse (1628-1631). Their disregard for the contagion thoroughly astonished the judges… The archives of the Parliament of Toulouse record that: “During the great plague, four robbers were convicted of going to the houses of plague-victims, strangling them in their beds and then looting their dwellings: for this they were condemned to be burned at the stake, and in order to have the sentence mitigated they revealed their secret preservative; after which they were hanged.”

***For  the list of ingredients in the recipe and brewing instructions please visit the above link.

From a fascinating, far more in-depth article: Four Thieves Vinegar: Evolution of a Medieval medicine:

“The bubonic plague wreaked havoc in Europe off and on for about 600 years before peaking in the 1300s. Century after century, as late as the 1700s, outbreaks claimed up to half the population. The plague had a big influence on the life of William Shakespeare, having claimed the lives of some of his siblings as well as causing his theater to be shut down during several especially nasty outbreaks in Londonbetween 1593 and 1608.

It is well know that the bubonic plague is a bite-based infection. A lesser known fact is that there were many more victims than those bitten by fleas. It turns out that the bubonic plague was often the first step of a progressive series of illnesses. Two other types were pneumonia and septicemia. The resulting pneumonic plague was also very infectious and allowed person-to-person transmission.

This is the period of time responsible for the bizarre images of physicians wearing dark robes, wide-brimmed hats, and masks with long beaks. There was actually method to the madness. These beaks held dried herbs, spices and essential oils which the physician breathed. The robe was doused with a similar fragrant concoction. Scientific evidence today is building support for this seemingly outrageous behavior… many harmful microbes can’t survive in the presence of certain essential oils.

Meanwhile in France another interesting aromatic legend developed around a horrid sounding witch’s brew known as “Marseilles Vinegar” or “Four Thieves Vinegar.” A variety of recipes floated around. One recalled by Scientific American in 1910 included things like dried rosemary tops, dried sage flowers, fresh rue, camphor, “spirit,” garlic cloves and vinegar which was to be taken internally for 7 or 8 days “with occasional agitation.” It was said that this “medicated vinegar was invented by four thieves of Marseilles who successfully employed it as a prophylactic during a visitation of pestilence.”

And that, dear readers, may or may not account for the origins of this herbal concoction, but for more on this bizarre time period, herbal medicines, and disease prevention please refer to the above link.

I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.  Strangely, or maybe not so strangely, the ultimate cure for the plague that killed masses of men, women, and children in England was the Great Fire of London.  It cleaned up better than anything.

For a more in-depth look into that visit: The Great Plague and Fire of London

***Post by Beth, who couldn't think of anything more upbeat to talk about. 

Corn Clicks

In previous posts here and here, I’ve discussed the intelligence of plants and communicating with aliens. In our changing world, this is a skill we might have to learn and could start by practicing on plants. Much to my amazement while reading The Week magazine, I discovered I’m not the only one who believes in plant intelligence. (Okay; I know this depends on your definition of intelligence, but this is also a matter of considering exactly what intelligence causes to happen. Do I know plants don't write fiction or contemplate philosophy -- yes, probably.) Their investigations show certain evidence that plants might not only be able to talk to each other, but also wage high-tech chemical warfare.

Three have researched how plants use sound. Botanists in Australia, Britain, and Italy confirmed that the “young roots of corn made regular clicking sounds. They also found that young corn roots suspended in water leaned toward the source of a continuous sound emitted in the region of 220Hz, which is within the frequency range the same roots emitted themselves.”  Though they don’t know how these sounds are made, or what they mean to the plants, they do acknowledge the plants respond. 

This proves plants not only respond to light, react to volatile chemicals, but now to sound. All this without recognizable eyes, noses, ears, nervous systems, or brains. One of these researchers, Dr Monica Gagliano, from the University of Western Australia, said, “It is very likely that some form of sensitivity to sound and vibrations plays an important role in the life of plants.” 

There is more, as I’ve found this old Internet article of 2007. Professor Stefano Mancuso is on a search for plant intelligence. He says, "If you define intelligence as the capacity to solve problems, plants have a lot to teach us," … "Not only are they 'smart' in how they grow, adapt and thrive, they do it without neuroses. Intelligence isn't only about having a brain."

So searching the web you might discover more facts besides the sonar leaves of the Cuban plant, Marcgravia eveni. For instance, when Giraffes eat the leaves of acacia trees, the leaves munched upon emit a volatile chemical that alters the chemical balance in other leaves that turns them poisonous and unpalatable. The Giraffes stop eating the leaves. Bracken fern, like the eucalyptus tree, have developed methods to survive wild fires, moreover they both also encourage those fires to get rid of their competition. How about some proof plants recognize their own species? Yep. Some seem to do so. And how about orchids that have altered their scent to that of the female sexual hormone of the pollinating insects? Yep. True. Smart? I think so, but there is so much more. So give a few snaps for those smart-pants corn seedlings!

Rocky Mountain Travel--A Glorious Journey

Something about the mountains intrigues me. Not just any mountains, but the Rocky Mountains.

When I was in graduate school at VCU studying painting, I created a whole series of work focusing on the Rocky Mountains. Most of the work was painted using aerial photographs as my resource materials.

We just returned home from 11 days in the Colorado mountains. Imagine how difficult it was for the early settlers to survive there. Until we visited a Colorado ski museum, I had no idea that many of the ski resort communities did not exist until well after World War II. I didn't know that a famous ski unit trained in the Leadville area. We watched a video telling of the work of that military division in the mountains of Italy near the end of World War II.

Before we left on our trip I worried that because of the wild fires, Colorado was not a good place to visit this summer. I was wrong. There were warnings about not using fireworks for July 4. There were signs everywhere about not setting fires, but we did not actually see a fire. We saw smoke and signs of where fires had been. Colorado is a vast state that depends on tourism. Communities like Avon and Breckenridge, the places we stayed, would be devastated if visitors stayed away. There are two seasons, we were told, the winter ski season and the summer season (July and August).

"Colorado Sunset" MMSikes

Something about the Rocky Mountains intrigues me. It always will. I look forward to a journey back to that special place that offers so much to explore.

For a post about the long journey home from this trip, please visit Notes Along the Way.


Mary Montague Sikes

A LOOK, A TOUCH OF INSPIRATION

For some, beauty is skin deep. For others, beauty radiates outward from the soul. Take Connor Bass, for example. She's a contestant in the Miss Florida USA beauty pageant. She's also legally blind. When she signed the registration sheet, Boss, with her nose almost touching the form became the first legally blind contestant to compete for the title.

Ten years ago, she was diagnosed with a hereditary eye disease that caused her vision to get progressively worse, affecting her retina and central vision, making focusing a real problem.

However, focusing is not a problem for Boss when it comes to her goals. A freshman at Florida State University, she graduated from high school with a 4.2 GPA. All of her tests were read to her, including the SAT's.

During the pageants, Connor is treated just like all other contestants, but she must rely on her other senses to compensate for her poor eyesight. In rehearsals, she pays close attention to where she needs to be on stage and counts her steps.

"She'll actually say 'four steps here, step down four steps, step down,' " explained Miss Florida USA Executive Producer Grant Gravitt. "She'll memorize it."

Connor said in a recent interview, "If I can inspire one person, especially someone with a disability, then I feel as if I've won already." She's a firm believer in giving help to others, but also in teacher others how to be self-sufficient.

It's human nature to want others to win, to watch in fascination as they rise above whatever obstacles made their winning a challenge. Remember the gymnast in the recent Olympic trials who fell flat on her face? The audience gave a collective gasp and then rose to their feet when she was able to stand up again.

Inspiration, that heart-warming exhilaration, that elevates our souls can be found in so many places. A song. A smile. A handicapped person's stuggle to stand. An athelete's desire to win. A friend who lays aside her troubles to praise your successes. May you be someone's inspiration today and a lifetime of tomorrows.

Huffington Post

Happy Friday the 13th! By the time this posts, I'll bet that's a twitter trending topic. :)

What do you guys think about the HuffPo? It's interesting to me because it's a really good example of social media meets journalism. It's a blog that thinks it's a newspaper. Or a newspaper that thinks it's a blog? I'm on the email list, and I often get emails for crazy articles that I wouldn't have heard about otherwise and check them out. They do "real" news stories, too. I find their content really interesting. I don't take HuffPo very seriously, but it's a fun way to waste time. (I guess some people take it seriously, though, as it won a Pulitzer apparently). And lots of people are more than happy to share their thoughts in the comments section. It provides a great sense of (online) community, I think. But that's part of what makes me hesitant to take it seriously. Anything with so much user-generated content makes me wary.

I've found articles on HuffPo written by professors in the past (back in my school days. *Sigh* Creating student loans is fun. Paying them off when you enter the real world? Not so much.) while doing research/looking for more material written by a certain person. Academics use it as a way to get the word out about their journal articles, books, etc. I guess. And I've seen novelists, agents, etc. post articles, too. I really do think it's an interesting online forum. And it's definitely popular/got the word of mouth thing going. It's the first news blog I ever heard of. I'm trying to remember how long ago that was. Maybe 2007? 2008? It's hard to remember when things became big anymore. Things that are so commonplace now. How long ago did blogging become a big thing? I honestly can't remember. I know it's been out there forever--probably since the internet began. I remember LiveJournal back in the day. And I think people used to blog on MySpace, too. But it seems like one day, blogging just exploded. And everyone was doing it and every topic was covered. Cooking blogs, photography blogs, and of course, my specialty--writing blogs, publishing blogs, book review blogs, etc.

But I digress. Back to HuffPo. I think Arianna Huffington is pretty fantastic, and I like that a woman is behind this HuffPo phenomenon. And I like the variety and interesting angles found in the HuffPo content. But I wonder. How far is too far when we talk about social media and journalism sharing the same space?

Meditation and panic attacks.

You could be forgiven for thinking that because I write about meditation, I live an exemplary life with no stress or aggrevation.

Wrong!

Just like everyone else my life has it's ups and downs.  Its highs and lows.  Do I deal with them any better than any one else, simply because I meditate?  Possibly.  I hope, probably, but sometimes it doesn't feel like that.

There will be times, regardless of how often you meditate, that life will simply take you down, cut your knees out from under you.  Are you going to sit there while shocked witless and say 'Now I must meditate myself out of this crisis/problem/trauma?  Of course not, but you can remember to stop and take deep slow breaths.

Perhaps, you find yourself faced with consequences of the shock and traumas, let's say the onslaught of panic attacks, before you've even had chance to really get your head round the rocks that life is hurling at you.

Slowing your breathing, giving yourself time to take stock of things, won't make everything magically disappear, but it will give you time.  Time to prevent yourself falling all the way down into those attacks, time to begin to tell yourself you *can* get through to the other side of what is happening in your life.

You might ask, "what difference will managing my breathing do?"  And I'll remind you of the very first meditation we ever did together.

While you force your mind to focus on your breathing, it's not sidetracking you to imagine even more dire consequences of what's going on in your life.

It may not seem like much, but it's enormous!
Why?
Because it puts the power over your life back in your court.

Breathing is not just a matter of life, it is also a matter of the quality of your life.

Can You Say Javenese?

How many off shoots of Siamese are there? I've lost count, but here's another...Javenese. The Javenese origins are actually the crossing of a Balinese with a Colorpoint Shorthair (other designer-type Siamese that have been previously mentioned.)  This breed did not originate in the Isle of Java as one would assume. The name was chosen because of its romantic sound.  Hmm, do you think a romance writer was involved with its naming?
The main difference between the Siamese and the Javanese is the length of its coat. The Javenese has medium-length fur. Even with the fur length, this kitty requires little grooming because it doesn't have the downy undercoat of many longhairs.
Another difference in the Siamese designers is their point colors.  Siamese breeders recognize the basic four: chocolate, blue, seal and lilac, while the designers have a wider variety of patterns and colors.

Like the Siamese, the Javenese is intellgent, has deep blue eyes, a wedge-head and large pointy ears.
This cat is not given to many health issues, though some do suffer from endocardial  fibroelastosis (congenital heart disease).
If you're thinking about getting a Javenese, keep in mind they're devoted and expect it to be returned. They won't deal well without attention from their owners. They're considered good cats for first time cat owners, seniors, and families with children and/or pets.
The average weight of a Javenese is from five to ten pounds. The females weight is on the lower end and the male's on the higher end.
CFA has officially recognized Javenese since 1979.

These kitties have some interesting human traits. They look you in the eye when they talk to you. And they love food. Without exercise they can plump up quickly.
The Javenese life expectancy is between nine and fifteen plus years.
Remember if you'd like to add one of these intelligent beauties to your family, save a life and try rescue first.

~*~
Shardai, the first of the Cats of Catarau Series is free this month at Smashwords. 
smashwords.com 

A Hello from a New Blogger

Hello there!

Today is the first time I’m blogging at Night Writers and I just wanted to say hello and thanks for having me! You may be asking yourself who I am, so let me tell you a bit about myself.

I’m a twenty-six year old bestselling paranormal romance writer who is happily married, a mom to two kittens and who is about to (THIS FRIDAY) retire from the teaching world and be a full time author. For the past four years, I’ve been an instructor of Chemistry at my local university. It is such a daunting process to be able to say that I won’t be doing that anymore. I graduated high school at 13 to end up earning 3 BS degrees, 3 MS degrees, and a PhD (all in the math and sciences)…and now I’m leaving it all to do something near and dear to my heart.

Writing.

I love writing and reading romance. I’ve been a romance junkie for about three years now. I picked up my first book while I was in chemo and needing something to read, and 5,000 books later, I don’t think I’ve put a book down.

I’ve always been a writer, it’s just recently—1 year ago July 6^th—that I decided to focus on romance and pave my way to publication. It’s been a crazy ride and I’m learning so much. But I love it.

So now, what will I be blogging about here? My title is Real Life, Writing, and the Paranormal. I’m a paranormal author, though a have a few contemporary series lined up in the next couple years, and I love everything paranormal. I’ll be talking about books that I’ve read, paranormal aspects in writing and real life, and just normal day-to-day aspects of becoming a writer. Since I’m starting a new journey of being a stay-at-home author and wife, I’m going to share my experiences and ask for your help! I’m going to be so lost not being in school. I’ve been taking or teaching classes in college for 13 years now…I may need some help. Plus, starting in 2013, my hubby and I will start trying to start a family. O_O

Writing used to be the way I could escape; now it’s a way for me to share my world. I hope you get a chance to visit and see what I have to offer and show me a way to live my new life.

Thank you so much for having me!

The Youthful Revolution

"His commitment to the Glorious Cause, as it was called, was total. And if his youth was obvious, the Glorious Cause was to a large degree a young man's cause. The commander in chief of the army, George Washington, was himself only forty-three. John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, was thirty-nine, John Adams, forty, Thomas Jefferson, thirty-two, younger even than the young Rhode Island general (Nathaniel Greene). In such times many were being cast in roles seemingly beyond their experience or capacities..."

Chapter Two: Rabble In Arms, an excerpt from 1776 by David McCullough

I find it absolutely amazing that right now, I am four years OLDER than General Washington was at the start of the Revolution. This group of amazing young minds and wills not only liberated a young America from then the greatest power on the face of the planet in England, they also dreamed, devised and implemented the greatest social-political system in the history of civilization. I guess it is past time for me to get to work. 
The power of youth is endless. The energy of youth is boundless. The potential of youth is immeasurable. I have worked with young athletes for over a decade and I have seen their potential, their energy and their power first hand. I believe in these young people. I believe they can do incredible things if and when they set their minds to it. I believe they will be able to rise to the occasion when their time arrives. I believe they will be able to solve the "big" problems. I believe they will pick up the balls we have dropped, clean up the messes we have made and ultimately save us  from ourselves. 
Have at it, kids!

Reality Set In

Yesterday while most folks were picnicking and stuff, I went to physical therapy. In the last week or so, I've been picking up marbles with my toes. The capturing and picking up part isn't difficult. But the lifting my leg to place the marble in a cup...well, that hip joint has been screaming.

So, yesterday the therapist started me on a new exercise. And started is the operative word. It sounds very simple. Stand against the wall with your feet about shoulder width apart. Now alternate lifting your legs until the thighs are level with the floor. Repeat thirty times.

Right. I thought this will be a piece of cake.

Not so fast.

First of all, every time I lifted a leg, I leaned in the opposite direction to compensate. Not good for the ankle. I was supposed to stand straight. Instead, I was swaying like a drunk sailor in a hurricane.

Then I discovered a serious fear of falling. I panicked and grabbed the back of a nearby chair, shocked that this simple exercise was so difficult. Surely, I couldn't be that badly out of shape!

Things went downhill from there. Sweat poured down my face. Twice my hip joints seemed to lock up and I couldn't even lift my legs. I couldn't seem to keep my feet apart as I kept compensating, trying to maintain my balance.

After struggling through about fifteen sets, trembling with effort, my therapist halted the exercise. Then she firmly pointed out the issues. At some point in my past, I started making my ankles do the work instead of my hips. No doubt a series of falls added to my issues.

But the main part...I'm woefully out of shape. If I want to be mobile in my immediate future, then I'm gonna have to do the exercises--including a few more tortuous ones--every day, twice a day.

Otherwise, it won't be just the ankles that suffer.

So. Marbles? Piece of cake.

Leg lifts? Murder.

And I have to confess I'm not real happy about that. It's easy to drift along, slowly sinking into every bad habit out there. Easy to say, "I'll worry about that tomorrow." But it's not so easy when you have it staring in your face.

If I'm not around so often, just bear with me. I'm off doing leg lifts, picking up marbles, trying to reclaim my life.

Sitting...is no longer an option.

anny

Independence Is A State of Mind

Happy Independence Day to all the US writers and readers!  That said, I'm not writing about the U.S. holiday.  Instead, this entry takes a look at independence from a different viewpoint – the personal one.

The American Heritage Dictionary gives one definition of “independent” as: "free from the influence, guidance or control of others; self-reliant."

In a society where form is more important than context, where advertising shows us the “right” way to dress, act, dance eat…you name it, and where reality television is the drug of choice, true personal independence is difficult to find or develop.  To stand alone, “free from the control of others” is often seen as a betrayal of the greater good.  Someone who wants to explore individualism can be labeled “selfish.”

 I live alone yet am influenced by friends, co-workers, family – not necessarily in that order - and the list isn’t complete. It's difficult to stand up for my beliefs, sometimes, because I don't want to anger anyone.  Then, of course, I have to deal with my anger about not being true to my beliefs!

A question I ask myself periodically is how can I find self-reliance and true independence in our out-of-control-I know-all-the-answers-listen-to-me-instead-of-yourself-world? 

How do we (because I invite you to join me in the quest) learn to understand our own needs and stand up for the right to nurture ourselves without being labeled selfish?  How do we discover true freedom?  There are as many replies to those questions as there are people in the world, because the answer can only come from within and takes introspection.

What works for me is to sit quietly and examine thoughts and actions which show independence.  If you'd like to join in, celebrate your self-reliance when you choose to make a simple repair yourself.  Push away the guilt that comes when you decide to relax instead of handling the chores you “should do” according to your mother’s teachings from twenty (or more) years ago.  Determine what you want to do in every moment and stick with your plans then congratulate yourself on a “job” well done.

Personal independence is not easy and doesn’t come quickly, but once you decide to follow the self-reliant path, life will help you along, lifting you into a new state of mind.  Freedom is a choice you make with every action you take.  Take the opportunity of this U.S. Independence Day to free yourself.  Fireworks, baby!  That sky-high bling is all for you!

The High Drama & Romance of the American Revolution!

In honor of the 4th of July and the American Revolution I'm departing from my herbal posts to feature my Colonial American Romance Novel ENEMY OF THE KING, a fast-paced Adventure Romance.

“AN AMAZING AND VIBRANT LOOK INTO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION…THIS SEXY HISTORICAL IS A MUST READ!”

~Five Cups From Coffee Time Romance & More!

1780 South Carolina, spies and intrigue, a vindictive ghost,  the battle of King’s Mountain, Patriots and Tories, pounding adventure, pulsing romance…ENEMY OF THE KING.

On The 2009 Publisher’s Weekly BHB Reader’s Choice Best Books and Best Romance Novel List at Buzzle!

***Banner and images by my talented daughter Elise!

Story blurb:

1780, South Carolina: While Loyalist Meriwether Steele recovers from illness in the stately home of her beloved guardian, Jeremiah Jordan, she senses the haunting presence of his late wife. When she learns that Jeremiah is a Patriot spy and shoots Captain Vaughan, the British officer sent to arrest him, she is caught up on a wild ride into Carolina back country, pursued both by the impassioned captain and the vindictive ghost.

Will she remain loyal to her king and Tory twin brother or risk a traitor’s death fighting for Jeremiah? If Captain Vaughan snatches her away, he won’t give her a choice.

Book Excerpt:

Captain Vaughan escorted Meriwether back over the path she and Jeremiah had walked not long ago. Yet everything changed.  Apart from the staggering disclosures Jeremiah had made and their impassioned encounter, dragoons and Loyalists now accompanied their return. She and Vaughan led the way. Jeremiah followed slightly behind them in the middle of the pack. The clink of swords and tread of boots betrayed her silent companions, as if she could forget they were there for an instant.

Meriwether hadn’t any idea what Jeremiah had in mind by way of escape, only that a way must be  found. Wild to reach the kitchen and the Daws family, especially Keith, she half-trotted at Vaughan’s side, her satin slippers wet and ruffled hem dipping in puddles along the path.

“Why the hurry, Miss Steele?” Vaughan asked as he slid his fingers up her bare arm.

She shrank from his touch and reined herself in.  “No reason,” she said and shivered.

“You’re covered in goosebumps. We can’t have  you taking a chill.” He stopped and the assembly halted as he removed his coat to drape the resplendent garment around her shoulders.

The wool was still warm from him and the tight weave had kept the rain from soaking through, but she had no wish to be so familiarly outfitted by the bold captain. “Thank you, sir,” she made herself reply.

Jeremiah said nothing. He didn’t need to. His anger radiated from behind her like a scorching hearth. “This way, Captain, please. I must speak with the cook,” she said.

“If you like. I’ve no objection to instructing cooks.”

She knew Vaughan wasn’t easily fooled, however. She must tread with care and refrained  from tugging at his sleeve as he walked with her over the brick path between the herb and vegetable beds in the kitchen garden. Ordinary things like beans and squash seemed out of place at such a dire time. It would be more fitting if the earth opened up and swallowed their most unwelcome visitors.

A gust of wind blew hair into her eyes, and she battled her flapping skirts down with her hands.’

Vaughan chuckled. “Would that it were not so dark and I could better see you, Miss Steele.”

“Would that I had a sword to better slay you,” Jeremiah growled.

“What makes you so certain you would triumph if you did?” Vaughan flung over his shoulder.

“Try me and see,” Jeremiah challenged in turn.

“Why bother? You’ll soon have Cornwallis to deal with.”

And you have me to battle before you take him, Captain, Meriwether vowed.

Tumultuous passion, pounding fear, and the urge to break free from Vaughan all seethed inside her. Like a hunted fox, her senses were heightened. The stars seemed brighter, the wind crisper, and the tang of smoke from the chimney sharper.  Pungent aroma rose from the feathery dill as the wet foliage spattered raindrops against her. Forever after, whenever she smelled dill, she would remember this night.~

***Intriguing ‘bad boy’ Captain Vaughan is the hero in the sequel to Enemy of the King I’m at work on entitled A Traitor’s Legacy.

***ENEMY OF THE KING is on a rare sale. Normally 4.99, the ebook will be .99 at Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s Nookbook, Fictionwise, and All Romance eBooks from July 3rd through the 17th! The Wild Rose Press has never put this novel on sale that I can remember, so it's 'kind of a big deal.'