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Laura Hulthen Thomas heads the undergraduate creative writing program at the University of Michigan's Residential College. Her short fiction has appeared in a number of journals, including The Cimarron Review, Nimrod International Journal, and Witness. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee and received an honorable mention in the 2009 Nimrod Literary Awards. She is a contributor to Ghost Writers: Us Haunting Them, a collection of ghost stories by noted Michigan authors published by Wayne State.
This interview was conducted by email.
Willard Cook: When did you first start to write fiction? What inspired you?
Laura Hulthen Thomas: I was first inspired to write fiction by my parents' liberal and reverent view of storytelling. My parents filled every room in the house with books, all stored on low shelves within a child's reach. They had a wonderfully haphazard approach to book organization. Will and Ariel Durant's The Story of Civilization flanked Woody Allen's Getting Even, Gore Vidal's Myra Breckenridge, Joseph Heller's Catch-22, and Bel Kaufman's Up the Down Staircase. History and literature stood shoulder to shoulder with popular and even sensational books, so I got the message early that compelling fiction embraced all levels of art and audience. In my parents' library, "serious" fiction and "popular" fiction coexisted dynamically on the same shelf. The ability to just grab the next book without regard to category or judgment inspired me to begin writing fiction as a kid.
"Sex on Celexa" has a loosely autobiographical inspiration, but not the elements that might seem most obvious to the reader. I rarely write directly about personal matters in fiction. However, I wrote the first draft of the story just prior to a shocking discovery that in hindsight the story seemed to anticipate. I've always been drawn to write about characters who, by accident of circumstance and temperament, are unable to nurture a full sense of self. Somewhere along the way the flow of the developing person is interrupted, brutalized even, and forced to change course; it's the consequences of the interruption I am most interested in depicting. "Sex on Celexa" was initially intended as a study of the narrator's inability to locate her emotional and sexual self. I realized early on that I didn't really know this character, or understand the motivations for her destructive impulses. The revelation of a painful family secret happened to erupt right around the time I was re-drafting the story. I'm going to keep the nature of the revelation private, but in coping with this secret and its consequences, I finally understood what had made this character, and from there it was a matter of simply listening to her.
Willard Cook: What kind of stories did you write as a kid? Was there any one writer or writers who you loved? Did you like English in school?
Laura Hulthen Thomas: Love of English classes, writers, and writing are all connected!
I was the typical English "junkie", one of those nerds who actually found memorizing the prepositions soothing and engaged a bit too actively with the rules of comma placement and sentence structure. I was lucky to have some committed and very entertaining English teachers. My eighth grade English teacher read aloud Poe stories and reveled in telling us how the various writers of the "canon" had met their untimely ends, so I was as knowledgeable about how a dedication to writing had killed these folks as I was about their actual stories.
I loved all the books girls typically loved then -Louise Fitzhugh's Harriet the Spy, the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Because of my parents' eclectic tastes, I was reading Little House on the Prairie and Myra Breckenridge at roughly the same time, certainly a provocative pairing. I wrote a lot as a kid, mostly trying to emulate the writers I admired. My first story was "The Thursday Elephant", about an elephant that only woke up on Thursdays. Don't remember how that one ended.
Willard Cook: Do you think you would have dealt with the secret if you weren't writing about it? Do you think writers writer from a wounded part of themselves?
Laura Hulthen Thomas: Well, when writers aren't writing from their own wounds, they're borrowing others' wounds. "Sex on Celexa" is a borrowed wound, one I wanted to honor with a portrait of pain that doesn't necessarily lead to healing or redemption, as is, sadly, often the case in life. Sometimes the things that happen are so awful, and so lopsided in terms of power dynamics, that
suffering continues to infect the present and the future despite the messaging of our self-help, just-deal-with-it culture. I wanted to present the portrait of trauma's legacy from the perspective of a woman who does want to deal, and to feel, but turns to all the wrong people and all the wrong mechanisms for help.
As far as whether I personally have dealt with the secret that inspired the story, I wouldn't say that I have, but writing the story granted me a measure of emotional access, if that makes any sense.
Willard Cook: Is it difficult to write about sex? Is this your first sex story? Any women writers you admire who handle this well?
Laura Hulthen Thomas: When I write about sex I'm usually really writing about passion's absence. I'm interested in the ways sex substitutes for other physical and emotional desires that are too scary to locate, or are, for whatever reason specific to the character, out of reach. I'm drawn to investigate how lonely physical connections can be when these other desires are unattainable, especially if the character is mistaken in what they think they desire, or mistaken in the ways they go about getting what they want. The intimacy of isolation interests me. "Sex on Celexa" makes these connections more explicitly than some of my other stories, but no, it's not my first sexual story. Not my last either! Writers whose writing I admire for the many layers the explicit unveils include Sarah Waters, particularly in her novel Fingersmith; Laura Kasischke's novels; and Katherine Dunn, particularly in the novel Geek Love.
Willard Cook: What do you think about the idea fiction writers should lie when they are telling the truth--that is we should make up stories in order to reveal what we might otherwise be afraid to say openly?
Laura Hulthen Thomas: I think fiction reveals truth openly and deeply by the very nature of the art of storytelling. Through stories, both writer and reader follow arcs of events that in the end have to make some sort of sense. Even the most avant-garde story demands the achievement of some form of closure.
Events that make sense and people that serve an inevitable and right purpose are not always a part of our real life experience, as much as we may crave to craft
these meanings.
I'm definitely in Tim O'Brien's camp, that "story-truth" reveals emotional layers and access points that "happening-truth" can't always get at. Fiction can enter in a direct, visceral way the psychological and physical experiences of the things that happen, or the things we do. Especially in the case of trauma, where one's natural defenses default to psychic distance or even suppression, good fiction doesn't allow this default. The visceral experience is the real experience. Fiction at its best can close the gap of defensive distance for both the reader and the writer.
One of my favorite Hemingway quotes sums it up: "You have the sheet of blank paper, the pencil, and the obligation to invent truer than things can be true." I like the word "obligation" here; and also the combination of "invent" and "truer", which would seem to be a contradiction but in fact reinforces that good fiction is about getting at the agate of the authentic. "Truer than things can be true" maybe restates the observation of your question, that in fiction the unsaid can at last be said.
Willard Cook: How do you know if you have a character right?
Laura Hulthen Thomas: I don't really know if I have a character right until a reader tells me that she/he connected with that character on some level of experience or feeling.
Until that point, I find everything about fiction a leap of faith. When I'm writing a character, I want to follow, not lead; and I want to fall in love. When my relationship with a character touches a reader, I feel honored, and lucky.
Willard Cook: Thanks for the interview.
May 14, 2012


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We've all seen that Instagram caption that spread like wildfire over the festive period. "Temporarily closed for spiritual maintenance". It's a goodie. To those who took its message on board and stepped away from social media to enjoy precious moments with family and loved ones, I salute you. I'm sure both you and they benefited from the lack of phone interference. Given how beneficial this little caption was, I want to introduce an equally important one…
No one wants to be ill. But fit people especially loathe the lethargy and inevitable lull in training that comes with contracting any illness. I'm a prime example. I've come back from Cape Town with sinusitis. Sure, it's not the dreaded Ozzy flu but it's still knocked me for six and it's hanging around like a very unwelcome guest. Just as I announce I'm training like a fiend for the marathon in April and climbing Kilimanjaro in October – some sneaky strain of destruction has crept its way into my sinuses and it ain't in a hurry to leave. Try as I did to ignore it and "carry on" no amount of caffeine or stiff upper lip cured it. It's time now to not carry on and rest the hell up!
When you have a specific fitness goal you're training to achieve, any detour from your regime can seem like a defeat. I know that the last few days I've felt like a phoney – resting up when I'm "supposed to be" training for smashing out 26 miles in April. But this is when I have to give myself a reality check and if you're experiencing the same kind of feelings from your sick (or maybe even injury) bed – you should too.
We all get sick. We all have to stop and rest. And the sooner we accept this and let ourselves recover, the sooner we can come back stronger and smash some PB's! I've been enjoying this quieter, slower time with no training. I've been nourishing my body with home cooked organic food full of herbs and spices, colourful fruit and veg, bone broths, fresh fish, fermented foods and drinks and supplementing it with vitamins and minerals. Instead of running I'm walking around the Royal Parks (please click here to help me raise money for them for my marathon) and I'm enjoying the level of mindfulness which comes with this slower pace. I'm allowing my body to regenerate and when I come back – you guys are gonna know about it! 😉
So if you're feeling fatigued – rest. If you're feeling unwell, rest up well. Then come back and smash it! But until then, tell em you're "temporarily resting for health maintenance".
Images by Anna Rach Photography

subset: commoncrawl


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This plugin integrates Shopp with Zendesk.
After checkout, a customer's email, name, and phone number will be added to your Zendesk.
This process occurs in the background without needing action from the user.
With Shopp + Zendesk you no longer need to enter this information in manually. It is done automatically with each order.
- Need help with your Shopp ecommerce store? Hire a Shopp developer today.
- View additional WordPress plugins for Shopp by Lorenzo Orlando Caum, Enzo12 LLC
- Follow Lorenzo on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Quora, and Github
Credit to Adam Sewell who wrote the original code that allowed data to be transferred from Shopp after checkout. This code has been extended for several other services.
Credit to Brian Hartvigsen who created the a PHP API Wrapper for the Zendesk API.
Recommended Links
Need a Shopp developer to help you with your Shopp? Hire a Shopp consultant today.
What do you think about video tutorials for Shopp? Online training for Shopp from Shopp 101
- You'll need to have an account with Zendesk.
- Ensure that your Shopp is activated and up-to-date.
- Download Shopp + Zendesk. Unzip the
- Upload the
shopp-zendeskfolder to the
- Activate Shopp + Zendesk through the Plugins menu in the WordPress admin.
- Go to Shopp 101 → + Zendesk.
- Enter your Account URL, Username, and Password for Zendesk and click Save Settings.
- How do I get a Zendesk account?
Visit zendesk.com to register for an account.
- What is Shopp and how do I get it?
Shopp is an ecommerce plugin for WordPress. Learn more about Shopp.
- Are there any other extensions available for Shopp?
Yes, there are different extensions available including emailing marketing, short message service (sms) notifications, forms & reporting, help desk, and more. Please visit Shopp 101.
Contributors & Developers
"Shopp + Zendesk" is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.Contributors
Translate "Shopp + Zendesk" into your language.
Interested in development?
Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.
- Changed name of menu from + Extensions to Shopp 101
- Verified support for WP 3.9.2
- Verified support for Shopp 1.3.5
- Removed links to old domain name
- Only load CSS on WP admin screen
- Moved to new menu
- Verified support for Shopp 1.2.4 and 1.2.5
- Removed social sharing
- Verified support for WordPress 3.5
- Fixed broken links
- Corrected grammar errors
- Verified support for WordPress 3.4.2
- Added notice for Shopp 188.8.131.52 and prior (no longer supported)
- Added links to Amazon Wishlist
- Corrected html syntax
- Fixed CSS date format
- Corrected errors from array(&$this
- Verified support for WordPress 3.4.1
- Verified support through Shopp 1.2.3
- Added support to extend plugin further
- Removed unneeded styling in css file
- Minor updates to admin page content and layout
- Corrected html syntax
- Removed referral links
- Fixed a PHP Notice that was appearing in the Shopp debug log
- Reduced overall size of plugin
- New plugin interface screenshots
- Removed references to images removed in the prior release
- Added Other Notes
- Removed banner ad (WordPress Plugin Guidelines) and replaced with links to http://optimizemyshopp.com
- CSS improvements
- License is now GPLv2
- Fixed spelling and grammar errors
- Fixed CSS border issue
- Added option to donate through the Shopp Help Desk
- Added RSS Feed
- First version!


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Hi, my name is Arkadiusz Kondas and I am a professional Code Craftsman from Poland. My main skills revolve around PHP and Machine Learning.
I am a open-source evangelist, an passionate programmer, a pragmatist and a good teacher.
In my free time I run in mountain ultramarathons.
I want to create software that allows you to change the world.
Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do.


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After-School Groups
We source funding to deliver groups to young people who might not otherwise access music, art, films, good food, mentoring and sports.
Currently we have a girls group on Wednesday afternoons and are looking to continue this and develop a mixed activities group as well.
We have also delivered many of our music, domestic violence, anti-bullying and other film projects after school. And of course Kandu Kicks.


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Your Custom Text Here
Dunford's artwork invites viewers to ponder; his imagery sparks further investigation. And if his paintings seem to hint at an underlying narrative, that's because Dunford is first and foremost a storyteller - no matter which medium he decides to use.
While most artists pick one material to explore, Dunford has a more varied repertoire. He draws, paints, prints and sculpts - but he also is an actor, director, scenic painter, carpenter, prop builder and puppeteer.


text: Kieran completed his first degree in Psychology at the Queens University of Belfast, before moving to Leicester to do an MSc in Criminology at the Scarman centre, and a PhD in the Department of Psychology. He has a track record of public, academic and professional engagement on criminological issues, including the origins and causes of sex offending, and societal responses to sex offenders. He has developed a wide ranging, multi-disciplinary network around sex offender management and reintegration. He has experience of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research from funders including Ministry of Justice, ESRC, Bristol City Council & Wiltshire probation. He is currently co-leading an ESRC Knowledge Exchange Network on the limited disclosure of sex offender information and a visiting Scholar at the University of Minnesota (Spring 2013).


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It warms our hearts to announce that Jeremy Schifeling, founder of Break Into Tech and Product Manager for Growth at Udacity, is the latest professional to join our Board of Advisors. Jeremy's edtech experience at companies like LinkedIn, Fidelis, and Udacity certainly made him a great candidate for the Advisory Board, but it was the Sea Change Mentoring CEO's experience … Read More
Expert in International Community Building Joins our Board of Advisors
Sea Change Mentoring has created its first Board of Advisors. Made up of visionary international school leaders; entrepreneurs in education and technology; and one of the most respected youth mentoring researchers in the world, this group is pretty spectacular. With the Council of International Schools adding transitions support to their 2016 accreditation requirements, the growing interest in both mentoring and … Read More


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Born on December 30, 1865 in Bombay, India, Rudyard Kipling was one of the United Kingdom's most versatile and popular writers. The English author, poet, short-story writer and novelist was an imaginative storyteller whose beloved works included the children's classics The Jungle Book, Kim, and Just So Stories.
Kipling was educated in England and later returned to India. He was awarded the 1907 Nobel Prize in Literature. He married Caroline Balestier and lived for a period in Brattleboro, Vermont, where he wrote The Jungle Book in 1894. Kipling died in Janaury 1836. He was 71.
See our Jungle Book merchandise, including tees, tank tops and posters.
Happy Birthday Rudyard!


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Queemo! (Queen + Emo)
by Purple Wyrm on November 23, 2006
Emos and nuclear reactors and card games oh my!
In Soviet Russia, Disco Dances YOU!!
by Purple Wyrm on November 11, 2006
For many years now (mostly thanks to listenin to RTR FM in the early 90's) I've been vaguely aware o…


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Magical Disney Engagement Session at Magic Kingdom | Magic Kingdom Engagement photos | Disney engagement photographer | Peggy and Jared from Canada | Destination Orlando Wedding Photographer
There is something just so wonderful about a magical Disney Engagement session at Magic Kingdom, that I find it difficult to even describe it. A Magic Kingdom Engagement photo shoot is like being in your favorite place with your favorite person, surrounded by loads of fun! A Disney Engagement Session is filled with lots of laughs and cuddles - book one today!
Whenever a couple comes to visit Orlando and they schedule some time at the Disney parks like the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom, their time to enjoy everything is typically pretty quick - no more than 2 weeks. So, when they schedule a family or couple's session, I'm able to spread that time out a little bit for them. Since they booked a Disney session, they are able to have gorgeous photos to keep forever and share with all of their family and friends!
Peggy and Jared came all of the way from Canada to enjoy Disney together - so they wanted to have some Disney Engagement Photos taken while they were at the Magic Kingdom and they reached out to me, since I'm a Disney Engagement Photographer. Yay!! Just like most of my families and couples, they had never met me before, so I made sure to give them tons of tips and tricks for their session as well as made sure that we had the plan of meeting spot and details figured out well before their trip - stress free is the name of the game. Peggy and I messaged each other throughout the months before their session. She wanted to make sure that she and Jared had the perfect outfits - and I think that they did an awesome job choosing them! Peggy created all of her dresses for her trip to Orlando, and they were simply amazing - she has awesome talent! This little mint dress had tiny flamingos all over it - so freakin' adorable! I love when my clients find a way to make their session even more special and super personal by adding their own touch of creativeness.


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It's a minefield of messages in the American culture of dieting, "clean eating," food rules, marketing myths, superfood hype, health gurus, and #instafood perfection.
Be a rebel and think #outsidethebox
In the Mediterranean, there are no "forbidden" foods or "clean" foods. Each bite is not scrutinized or judged through the lens of virtue or vice.
This guide offers an alternative to the dieting and perfection mindset. . . from the perspective of an American mom living in Barcelona, Spain.
Discover how to:> Let go of the food guilt > Find freedom in choosing the foods you love> Set up a simple system for your kitchen and pantry> Focus on the small changes in how you feel, instead of the numbers or the benchmarks
Download your beginner's guide!


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"Better than 1,000 days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.." - Japanese proverb.
Jon Stetson passed through Houston for a private engagement. While here, we met for some serious steak and serious conversation. The conversation starts off with a little noise in the background but that diminishes after about 20 minutes so please be patient. We talk about the importance of being yourself and finding magic/mentalism that is right for you. He also talks about the three most important "self" awards: self-reliance, self-respect, and self-awareness (know who you are). These are some important points that every one of us can benefit from and put into practice. He gives us some solid, real life examples and great stories.
Jon quotes Dai Vernon who said: "the greatest travesty in magic in the past century is the trivialization of magic based on contrived presentations." We discuss the meaning and impact of that quote. Among the many subjects, Jon also talks about why he attends select magic conventions, how he transmogrified from magic to mentalism, restructuring mentalism shows from looking like one prediction after another prediction, Tuesday Night Magic which he helped co-found, and he talks about one of his heroes, Ross Johnson, ethics in magic (buying versus stealing), among so many other topics.
During our chat, Jon talked about teaming up with Bob Kohler to present a Mentalism Performance Workshop after the MINDvention in Las Vegas in November. This Workshop will cover intensive Q&A training, new market opportunities, character development, unpublished routines, and more. This workshop will be presented on November 13-15, 2013. For more information, Click Here.
Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here.


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Learn how to finance your innovative idea!
March 14, 2010 Leave a comment
Join Dr. Jom Aw, the Biosciences Business Entrepreneur-In-Residence, and Jamie Stiff, partner with Genesys Capital for a 2 hour workshop designed for researchers and students who want to learn how to commercialise an idea. The focus will be on financing in the life science sector, however individuals from any sector are welcome, and will take away valuable insight on raising cash to commercialise a technology based opportunity. Read more of this post


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SpotOnTM Case Study #X that Includes Your Dog's Symptom(s)Case Study #XAsk Our Vets < Back to Search Results< Back
Dog Lump/Tumor on Hind Foot
by Wendy
(Indiana, USA)
I have a 4 year old, 9 lb, female Jack Russell with a quick growing lump on her right hind foot near the toes. It is oval-shaped and the skin has changed color in the last couple of days.
My local vet (and I) assumed it was an abscess, but when he opened it up this morning, he found that it was not. It is a tissue growth he has not seen before, doesn't involve the bone and has what looks like joint fluid in it.
He is shipping a sample off, but I'm hoping to find someone who has seen this before. Thanks...
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Kurgo replacement discs for Winga gameYour dog is a strong biter? In this case, you need a sturdy toy that lasts long. Winga by Kurgo, our chosen game of disc toss-and-fetch, comes with a sling and two discs. We have replacement models in stock. Two violet discs are included in the scope of supply. They are as soft and easy-to-catch as the discs which you order alongside the sling.
Waterproof floating discsBy designing these discs, Kurgo has created an enjoyable toy for dogs. The discs are waterproof and even float on the surface. This way, the both of you will have a lot of fun on trips to the lake. Look out for a large open space, since the plastic discs have a flying radius of up to 60 meters.
Sizes - Kurgo Winga Additional Discs:
|Pulley diameter:
|Scope of delivery:
|One Size
|11 cm / 4 in
|2 pieces


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Every so often, time slips sideways. One week it's May, and the next week July scrolls into August. I have photos and bills to prove that June actually happened, but it happened in a blur of travel, home repairs, and unhoarding.
My unhoarding saga began after Mother died, when the extent of her hoarding (and mine) could no longer be overlooked.
Mother's hoard was generational. Parts of it accreted as she raised five children, other parts were passed down from two much-loved grandmothers, a formidable mother, a pair of admired aunts, and a somewhat difficult mother-in-law. With each obituary and burial came new photos, letters, books, furniture, glassware, doilies, and quilts.
The women who raised Mother had filled their homes with small treasures, and, because each of them had very real memories of hard, empty years, they treasured everything. Everything held a story, and all of the stories were passed to Mother (who had no siblings) for safe-keeping.
Fighting her own memories of hard, empty years, Mother made room for everything, stuffing her house to the eaves with family history. She made room in her heart, too, and genuinely loved this patchwork collection of heirlooms.
She loved it, that is, until it overwhelmed her.
The hoard took over Mother's house, just as my hoard was taking over mine. In her house, as in mine, cabinets were jammed full, drawers wouldn't close, shelves bowed under their burdens, one entire room was given over to storage.
In the wake of Mother's car accident and death, as I helped my siblings sort and pack five generations of Mother's belongings, I resolved to make a change. I didn't want to carry on this tradition, the death ritual of dividing the hoard. Treasures or not, I no longer needed or wanted most of the stuff I had been hoarding.
Resolve is one thing, doing is another. And unhoarding is ridiculously hard work. It got even harder after I scraped off the easiest layers — books I was never going to read, clothes I was never going to wear, dishes I was never going to use. Then came the emotional stuff. Tattered childhood books. Scarred toys and threadbare stuffed animals. Memory-laden trinkets and gifts that warmed my hoarder's heart.
I spent hours and days and weeks putting off decisions, moving containers from one room to another, painting around them as I dithered. Some days I was tempted to ship them all off to thrift stores, unopened and unsorted. Other days I fought an urge to unpack everything, to binge on dusty memories.
But I don't want to live in a box of memory. To be owned by the past. So this summer I've been cleaning and repairing toys and stuffed animals. Some few will stay with me, others will go to thrift stores. What can't be salvaged will be recycled or sent to the landfill. (After being photographed, of course.) I've also been cutting up old books, calendars, and posters for use in current and future art projects.
Some memories I'm voluntarily discarding, others have been lost in the commotion. But the house gets lighter and brighter with each newly emptied container, with each completed project.
And it feels like an even exchange — memories for light. Time for time.
I think Mother would approve. I think all of them would approve.
A few weekends ago, I had another chance to photograph the Yellow-crowned Night Herons that are nesting in my friend's yard. It was a rainy, gray day. Perfect weather for foraging herons.
Fortunately, the herons aren't shy.
Well, most of them aren't shy.
The rainy day suited other foragers, too.
I'm hoping to visit again soon. In the meantime, yesterday morning I met two friends at Pleasure House Point, where we enjoyed a walk that started in fog and ended in sunshine.
This was my first visit to Pleasure House Point, but it won't be my last. As the fog lifted, I fell more and more in love with the mixed terrain.
And with the wildlife. Here again, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons were the stars of the show.
There were plenty of other attractions, all equally beautiful.
We even caught a glimpse of a Clapper Rail, a new bird for me. (I sent one of the photos to our local wildlife columnist for identification, because I couldn't convince myself that it really was a Clapper Rail.)
I'm eager to return to Pleasure House Point, and to see my friend's heron nest again. But first on my list are unfinished projects in the house and yard. Then I have a couple of short stories to write. And poems to submit. And manuscripts to revise.
The list goes on, as lists tend to do.
Northern Cardinal
In 2012 I wrote a blog post about the Unknown Birds folder in my photography archive. The folder was over-full and impossible to navigate.
American Robin
I needed a better system.
Common Grackle
The obvious solution was to separate my Unknown Birds folder into a series of known bird folders.
Brown Thrasher
At first I tackled the problem in my usual way, with books and bookmarked websites and a notebook to keep track of everything.
Carolina Wren
Over time, I found that Cornell Lab of Ornithology's All About Birds site was often the only resource I needed. Their "Browse by Name or Shape" page suits my learning style.
Chipping Sparrow?
I still find sparrows, warblers, and chickadees endlessly confusing.
Blackpoll Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet?
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
But my Unknown Birds folder is almost empty.
Still unknown. Probably a warbler, possibly a Tennessee Warbler?
Almost. The above bird has defied all of my attempts to identify it. (It also defied most of my attempts to photograph it, which is why my best photo from the encounter is poorly lit and out of focus.) So I'm asking for help. Can you identify my unknown warbler? Is there enough information in the photo for a definitive identification? Please comment, especially if you can correct or confirm any of my other identifications!
Finally, the following photos are evidence of what happens when I get over-excited about a visitor in the yard and forget to check my camera settings…
There's more wrong than right in these photos, but I kind of love them anyway.
Cooper's Hawk?
I visited with friends last Saturday, sampling dishes of couscous and sweet potato frittata and chia seed pudding. After eating, we took a stroll around my friend's yard, which slopes down to a watery area. A watery area with a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron!
My friend has seen these birds in her yard several times in the past, so we weren't caught completely by surprise. Even so, I was very excited. (And very grateful that she had suggested I bring my camera.)
We watched for a while as the heron hunted in the shallows.
Then we wandered on, exploring more of the yard.
When I was leaving, as we all stopped on the driveway to say our goodbyes, the heron flew into a pine tree in front of the house. To our amazement, it crept out onto a branch and settled into its nest! Right in the front yard!
I've already packed my tripod in the car, so I won't forget it next time I visit. The nest is too high for steady video, without a tripod…
Publication Note: My poem "Roads" posted at one of my favorite poetry sites, Poetry Breakfast, on May 9. Many thanks to editor Ann Kestner!
I spent much of Tuesday dodging rain, popping in and out of the house with my camera, hoping to catch a photo of our returning hummingbirds. The hummingbirds didn't cooperate, but the yard's other birds were quite willing to pose.
During one session of waiting and watching, a brief disturbance in the pear tree was followed by a grackle landing in the grass.
Just before I snapped the above photo, I caught a glimpse of what looked to be a rather large moth disappearing down the grackle's throat. See all the fuzz on its beak? That's moth fur. A few moments later an intact wing (and parts of other wings) drifted out of the tree's upper branches.
After I finished photographing the wing, I noticed something else in the grass. Another moth!
I haven't seen a Polyphemus moth up close since I was a child. This one seemed stunned, letting me take photos with my macro lens from every angle. I have a suspicion that the grackle had just eaten her mate.
She didn't have any visible wounds, but she was clearly unable to fly. I let her climb onto my hand, then snipped a twig from the pear tree–something familiar for her to rest on as she recovered from whatever shock had knocked her to the ground. While she rested, I took a few more photos…
The Polyphemus Moth page at the University of Florida's Featured Creatures site explains the origin of the moth's name: "It is named after Polyphemus, the giant cyclops from Greek mythology who had a single large, round, eye in the middle of his forehead (Himmelman 2002). The name is because of the large eyespots in the middle of the hind wings."
When it became apparent that my moth wasn't interested in leaving her new perch, I propped the twig in my butterfly box and moved her into the garage.
I meant only to keep her safe until an approaching storm had passed, and planned to release her after dark. (Polyphemus moths are nocturnal. Also, they don't feed as adults. Their sole occupation after emerging is to mate and, in the case of females, lay eggs.) But my moth had plans of her own. By the time the weather cleared, she had begun laying eggs.
I didn't want to disturb her during such important work, so I left her to it. By morning, I was the stunned one. So many eggs!
I'm planning to put most of the eggs back in the pear tree, when she's finished laying.
Most, but not all. I can't resist keeping a few. For documentary blog purposes…
Stay tuned!
As spring accelerates toward summer, everything is growing and blooming and nesting.
Sun is the catalyst, speeding life along.
Sometimes a shadow overhead interrupts the yard's chirrup and flutter.
But spring resumes when the danger has passed.
Some afternoons turn sleepy with increasing heat.
But evenings are cool and mosquito-free, perfect for exploring.
Perfect for sitting outside with a book, too. I haven't been doing much writing, but I've been reading a lot, working my way through a stack of nonfiction, historical fiction, classic sci-fi, and poetry. Now I want to add a few graphic novels to my shelf. Any suggestions?
After our successful Monarch Butterfly experience in 2014, I spent much of last summer eagerly anticipating a new crop of caterpillars. Late in September, they arrived.
Despite the fact that the milkweed was beginning to die back in anticipation of fall, the caterpillars molted through multiple instars.
Unfortunately, none of the caterpillars survived to maturity. Over a period of three or four days, I found a few caterpillar bodies curled under the milkweed, but most simply disappeared.
Frustrated by this failure, I moved the milkweed into what I hope will be a healthier location. I also added seeds given to me by a friend. The seeds haven't sprouted yet, but the yard's old milkweed seems happy in its new surroundings. So I am once again eagerly anticipating a new crop of caterpillars.
According to the Journey North tracking map, Monarch Butterflies have been sighted in South Carolina and Tennessee. Hopefully, by the time they get to Virginia, the yard will be ready!
Publication note: My poem "Metamorphosis" (inspired by our 2014 Monarchs) posted at Poetry Breakfast on April 12th. Many thanks to editor Ann Kestner!


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"Awakening" movements across Iraq are helping to rid Sunni neighbourhoods of extremist influence, writes Colin Freeman
Khalil Mohammed Abbas, a haggard, chainsmoking ex-Iraqi army officer, has good reason to puff on every cigarette as if it were his last.
After helping his neighbours in Baghdad rise up against the al-Qa'eda thugs who have terrorised them, he lives in constant expectation that the threats text-messaged to his mobile phone may one day come real.
"They are from al-Qa'eda, and they tell me I am a mercenary," he says, reading out the latest missive to bleep into his inbox.
"They ask how I would feel if they kidnapped my wife and children and kill and rape them. But I am not worried about those bastards. I know they could kill me at any moment, but if we do not fight them we will all die anyway."
The man al-Qa'eda describe as a mercenary is indeed a hired gun of sorts, however - as a leader of the so-called Sunni Muslim "Awakening", he is one of around 500 residents in his neighbourhood paid by US forces to help drive al-Qa'eda from their midst.
Many of his comrades previously saw the Americans as their enemies, but their decision to change sides is not just for the money: after two years of al-Qa'eda violence, their hatred of the terrorist group outweighs any lingering dislike of the US "occupiers".
Mr Abbas, 42, is typical. He was one of hundreds of thousands of men left jobless after the Americans disbanded Saddam's Sunni-dominated armies five years ago, a move that drove many Sunnis into the embrace of the anti-US insurgency and its allies of convenience in al-Qa'eda.
But as the group slowly took over Mr Abbas's home neighbourhood, what first appealed to many as a movement to defend Sunni Muslims soon revealed itself as a brutal, bigoted cause.
First, he says, they kidnapped and killed his brother for refusing to join their ranks and wage sectarian war against Iraq's Shia Muslims.
Then, a few days later, a roadside bomb planted by the group to kill Americans killed two of his brother's children.
"Al Qa'eda came here saying they would give freedom," said Mr Abbas. "But they killed the innocent people and made problems between the Sunni and Shia. They are liars and terrorists, not resistance fighters."
For all that they despised the group, for a long time Mr Abbas and his neighbours in Jamia, a once-prosperous middle-class neighbourhood of west Baghdad, were simply too scared to defy them openly.
That changed six months ago, though, when the presence of extra US soldiers in the district as part of the "troop surge" gave them the confidence to start their own rebellion.
Today, Mr Abbas's group is one of around 50 so-called "Awakening" movements across Iraq helping to rid Sunni neighbourhoods of extremist influence.
Effectively armed neighbourhood watch groups, they patrol their fiefdoms under a variety of colourful names: Mr Abbas's group style themselves the Sons of Iraq; others include the nearby Guardians of Ghazaliya, the Ameriya Freedom Fighters, and The Knights of the Two Rivers All are improvisations on the US military's own term of "concerned local citizens", which, in Arabic, translated into the rather uninspiring "worried citizens".
For all their macho names, though, they can often look at first glance more like a Dad's Army than a group of hardened ex-insurgents.
The turmoil of the last few years in Iraq has meant many of its military age men are either dead, in jail, in exile or already enlisted: many of the Sons of Iraq, for example, either old and greying or young with whispy adolescent moustaches.
But their local knowledge is credited with giving the US military a large proportion of the tip-offs that have put al-Qa'eda on the back foot in recent months.
"These guys want to do their job because they are defending their own territory," said Sgt Joshua Holland, 26, of 1/64 Armoured Regiment, which is now training Mr Abbas's men to become fully-fledged policemen. "It's not just about picking up a paycheck."
The Sunday Telegraph joined Mr Abbas on a joint patrol with the US military around Jamia, a neighbourhood this newspaper first visited at the start of the troop surge last year.
Then it was a virtual ghost town, the streets often littered with bodies. Today, by contrast, many shops have reopened and families are returning; locals have even set up a swing park for children to play in.
The Sons of Iraq are not without their critics, not least the Shia-dominated Iraqi government, which claims that many are simply insurgents who have swapped the al-Qa'eda coin for the American one.
Captain Mark Battjes, a senior officer within the 1/64 who helped get them onside, concedes that many are probably "not angels", but says claims that "hard-core" elements have been taken on are exaggerated.
"There might be a few guys among them who were shooting at us before, but I would say that for most, the worst thing they might have done is maybe made the odd phone call on behalf of the insurgents," he said.
"But compare it to Northern Ireland. Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness were terrorists, but now they're part of the legitimate government."
Arguably the best indicator of their good intentions is the effort which al-Qa'eda has devoted to killing them.
Mr Abbas, who holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Sons of Iraq, stepped into his current role after his predecessor was shot dead outside a mosque in December.
His current deputy, Major Mohammed, survived an assassination attempt in January when two gunmen opened fire on him and a colleague in a restaurant. Despite wounded in the arm and face, he was back at work within weeks.
"The people who shot me are monsters in human bodies," he said. "They are not true Iraqis."
The patrol heads back to base, where, the night before, one of Mr Abbas's informants had rung the incident room with reports of two men robbing people at gunpoint.
It was the first recorded robbery Capt Battjes could recall since arriving here back in June, and the fact that the muggers now felt safe to come out brought a wry smile to his face.
"It sounds terrible, but maybe this is a sign that things are getting back to normal," he said. "That's not terrorism, that's just Detroit-style crime."


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By Ygal Kaufman
We've come a long way as a species and civilization in the last 200,000 years. But even though we've since discovered Reddit, there is one major societal practice that has held over since the time of the Neanderthals: burying the dead.
One of the most common societal imperatives is to protect and respect the bodies of the departed. Everyone from Og the caveman (a person I made up) to Joan Rivers (a made-up person) has ended up underground after eventful lives. But as technology and social mores change, so do a person's post-mortem options. For this Halloween, it seemed appropriate to mark a day that celebrates the dead with some new and improved options.
Get Planted
On its face, this may not seem like such a leap from traditional burial. And getting planted in some way or other is actually not that new. Spiritree is a company that will let your remains be intermixed with a new plant so your soul—or whatever—can grow into a tree… which presumably will be cut down some day and used to make inexpensive furniture for Costco. So if your wishes for the great beyond involved being sat on by (statistically speaking) the overweight and under-literate, this is an option. An easier way would be to just scatter your ashes on a theater seat before the premier of the next Transformers movie.
Oregon's own Natural Burial Company provides more options in the category of "sort of like burial, but with a twist." You can peruse their catalog at www.naturalburialcompany.com.
Sort of Like Cremation
Everyone knows the oldest alternative to burial (no, not leaving the body out for the animals, though that is an incredibly "green" option), cremation. What most people don't know is that burning is no longer the only option in pulverizing a corpse to dust. Resomation and promession are two of the more popular cremation alternatives. Resomation involves using a high-temperature mixture of water and potassium hydroxide to melt away the body, leaving only the bones, while promession uses freeze-drying to turn the corpse into powder. Both of these methods are on the rise, and there are a few different options in Oregon City and Portland if this is your method of choice for riding into the sunset.
Become an Item on a Scuba Scavenger Hunt
Eternal Reefs, a Georgia-based company, has a unique process where they first cremate the body, then mix it with concrete to create an artificial reef which is then dropped in the water in areas where reefs need restoration. Your new reef grave then feeds and nurtures fish and local organisms, creating a new habitat. The endgame here is to have a tourist who doesn't pay attention to the snorkeling tour guide sit on you and break pieces off in an attempt to get a good underwater selfie.
Time to Get Sci-Fi with It
As Ted Williams, Walt Disney, and John Wayne ought to be able to advise you, freezing yourself doesn't work. In fact, the only person for who this post-death state of denial has ever turned out well is Austin Powers. The idea of freezing oneself in the hopes that we might someday be able to cure death is a fascinating one with tons of upside. And crazily enough, new research is finally starting to knock on the door of curing things like cancer, old age, and bad taste in sitcoms. So the idea that you might freeze yourself and then someday be cured of whatever was on the verge of killing you doesn't sound that stupid.
Until you realize we're still not any closer to solving the pesky you're-a-block-of-ice part. We may be able to freeze you while you're knocking on death's door, but that's the same as killing you. Also, there's not much oversight governing the minimum-wage employees who may or may not play soccer with your frozen head during their graveyard shift break. If all this sounds great to you—and why wouldn't it—you can contact Oregon Cryonics (www.oregoncryo.com) for your local freezing needs.
Double Down on Sci-Fi-ness
Celestis is a company that will do a modern take on an age-old tradition. Ever since Poseidon first allowed man to cross bodies of water on boats, people with a love for the big drink have been having their ashes scattered in the water after death. Celestis will let you do this with the biggest ocean there is: the vast depths of space. For roughly $5,000 you can get your ashes launched into orbit. For $12,500 your remains can get launched into what Gene Rodenberry referred to as the final frontier: deep space, baby. But be careful out there. In space, nobody can hear you decompose (I'm pretty sure there's a good Victor Borge joke to make here…).
Go Imhotep
For fans of classic horror, there are really only two after-death options worth discussing: zombification and mummification. One of these has never been more popular and is on the tip of everybody's tongues. The other is an actual thing that exists. I'll let you figure out which is which. Mummification, though it does not guarantee reanimation and superhuman powers, is an increasingly popular option to keep a body preserved for generations to enjoy. You can get mummified in the traditional way, or in the newer method, known as plastination. The technique was pioneered by Gunther Von Hagens and involves replacing your fluids with plastic. You may recognize the technique from Hagens' globetrotting Bodyworlds art exhibits, or from my nightmares. Either way, it's awesome and you can have it done after death by donating your body to Hagens. Visit his website at www.bodyworlds.com, and bear in mind, he makes no guarantees that he won't pose your plastinated body in an embarrassing way. So have fun picking your nose in front of audiences all over the world—er, I mean, rest in peace.


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If a Real Estate Agents client (seller) is in foreclosure and the property is owned by military personnel and the mortgage payments are not made, then this relief act may stop foreclosure based on certain criteria. The person has to be on active duty in order to qualify. The mortgage loan had to be established before the soldier was called out to active duty. Not only will this stop foreclosure, but it will stop seizure of any personal property while the soldier is actively serving. This is one tool that can allow a Realtor as well as the client buy a little more time to make a productive deal rather than have to take the first offer. This will also allow more time in escrow. If this is a married couple, this will relieve a great deal of stress on the serviceman and the spouse. We all know a reprieve is conducive to clear thinking and decision making skills by all parties.
Norma Hoag, Escrow Officer


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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lubeck
(619) 234-8484
Welcome to our first Board Member Spotlight. Every week, we'll be introducing you to a new EDC board member, so you can learn about the people that are helping support and drive our organization forward. Meet Tom Turner, commercial real estate attorney turned vice president of CBRE. After a 35-year career in law, the last 25 with the firm of Procopio Cory Hargreaves & Savitch, Tom has joined CBRE as vice president and will fill the firm's seat on our board. We caught up with Tom to learn more about this unique career transition, and here is what we learned:
What is your "day job"?
As a member of the CBRE tenant representation team, I specialize in helping secure favorable real estate deals for law firms, technology companies, and other commercial real estate users throughout Southern California, with a focus on San Diego. I joined CBRE after a 35-year career in law, the last 25 with the firm of Procopio Cory Hargreaves & Savitch, where I was managing partner and a trusted commercial real estate advisor to countless local companies. I am excited to step into the brokerage world and combine my real estate law insight, deal-making skills, and business perspective to create successful outcomes for my clients.
Of all the boards in San Diego, why EDC?
EDC's board is a cross-section of executives from every part of the region, and nearly every industry, as well as nonprofit leaders and elected officials, making it possible to hear from diverse stakeholders on a broad spectrum of economic development issues. I find direct value from EDC's work helping businesses expand their presence in the region and raising the region's profile to attract investment. Our respective research teams partner on products like The Economic Pulse and studies such as a recent project about precision health. We're also proud sponsors of the EDC's Annual Dinner at SeaWorld every year –our signs are as big as billboards!
Favorite quote?
"Reject the tyranny of the 'or.' Embrace the genius of the 'and.'" - Jim Collins, Good to Great.
We know San Diego is a life changing place, what was your life changing moment?
Summer Soltice of 1980, the day I married my beautiful and amazing wife Jennifer, the mother of our three wonderful kids and the best Nana our grandkids could ever hope for.
In late November 2018, EDC released a new study, "San Diego's Precision HealthEcosystem," which explores the impact of the region's precision health cluster and quantifies the number of firms, venture capital, and patents, as well the broader cluster across California. The web-based study – precisionhealthSD.org – includes a historic timeline, cluster map, local and state overviews, and a series of video testimonials from local business leaders at CBRE and Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine.
Hear how precision medicine changed the lives of Baby Maverick and Bill Bacon below:
Precision Health: Baby Maverick's Story from San Diego Regional EDC on Vimeo.
Precision Health: Bill Bacon's Story from San Diego Regional EDC on Vimeo.
Learn more at precisionhealthSD.org and #precisionhealthSD. Executive summary available here.


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When? Daily at 10:30 am;
Additional old town tour every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 03:30 pm;
Where? Starts in front of the monument of Gediminas at Cathedral square;
How much? Based on tips, that means that if you like the tour you can evaluate the guides job by giving him some tips;
Duration ~2,5 hours;
Registration: Fill up the booking form or simply show up at the meeting point on time.
Note! Wear comfortable shoes, cause we will walk about 4 km!
The Vilnius Free Old Town Tour is the best way to get a perfect introduction to the city and its many years of powerful history. This tour includes both well-known sites that every tourist has to see and hidden corners that would be hard for a traveler to discover alone.
During the tour, we will tell you the main things about Lithuania and Vilnius, the history, architecture, economy, politics, education, and people. We strongly believe that this will help you to have a better understanding of our beloved city.
Wear comfortable shoes; Get in a good mood; Turn your camera on, AND JOIN our daily tours!
What will you see during the free walking tour?
- Cathedral square and its surroundings – the area around which the first inhabitants of Vilnius settled;
- Vilnius University that is the oldest and the biggest in Lithuania;
- The presidential palace, the gleaming, white ceremonial building where the President works today;
- The Town Hall and its surroundings;
- The Republic of Užupis that is the "separate country" close to the Old Town;
- St Anne's and Bernardine churches, the gothic corner of Vilnius;
- All this and much more…
P.S For the detailed description of Vilnius Free Old Town Tour, click here.


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The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) has recognized Hollins golfers Elizabeth Cheng '14 and Shannon Ciccarello '17 with two of the league's highest honors in women's golf.
Cheng, who hails from Virginia Beach, won her second straight ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award from the league's sports information directors. She maintains a 3.91 grade point average as a chemistry major and biochemistry minor. A member of the ODAC All-Academic Team, she is a three-time NGCA All-American Scholar as well as an honor student at Hollins. She won both the Chemical Society Award and the Judith Gregory Smith Award in 2012.
On the golf course, Cheng placed second in the ODAC Tournament and finished the season leading the ODAC with a 78.5 average. She competed in seven events with six top-ten and five top-five showings. She posted three runner-up performances in addition to the ODAC Tournament, including the Preview at the Barn, Generals Invitational, and Bridgewater Invitational. She is currently rated #21 by Golfstat.
Cheng is the second Hollins student-athlete this spring to win the ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award. In April, Cecelia Parks '14 received the honor for equestrians.
Ciccerello, from Stafford, Virginia, won the ODAC Rookie of the Year Award, capping a strong first year at Hollins. Her season average of 85.6 is seventh in the conference. She competed in seven events this season, posting three top-ten finishes. Sixth place was her high finish in three different events: the Preview at the Barn, Bridgewater Invitational, and ODAC Tournament.
Cheng was also named All-ODAC First Team, while Ciccarello made All-ODAC Second Team.


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I need at least 100 more answers in order to have sufficient data for my analyses. It is VERY important to complete the ENTIRE survey.( I have had many respondents skip the culture topics, which avoids me from exploring my intended topic .)
Participants also have the option to be entered to win one of five $10 Amazon gift cards!
I would appreciate all the help I can get!
http :// lasalle.co1. qualtrics.com/ jfe/ sort/ SV_8uMQo 2D6QCPedlX


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Why stress out over capturing beautiful portraits on your wedding day? Let us capture your gorgeousness in our trendy loft studio, before or after your big day. Our bridal session includes the services of our fabulous team of hair and makeup professionals.
Why not make it an opportunity to "reveal" your beauty to the groom first?!


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Euro Countertop Banana Holder
Item #: 010591003038 Stock Status: In Stock - Order Now Only 1 Left
Euro Kitchen Collection
Shop by Collection
Click Add to Cart in the next to ensure your order ships by 9/23.
Need it faster? Overnight shipping delivers by 9/24.
Give your kitchen a sleek and modern look with the Euro Countertop Banana Holder. By suspending your fruit, you can keep it from bruising and help it ripen evenly, resulting in beautiful and delicious fruit. The Euro Countertop Banana Holder can be used to hold bananas or bunches of grapes, and looks great on your countertops.
Gift wrapping available for this item
Product Dimensions Additional Product Info
- Euro Countertop Banana Holder Features
- Constructed from steel wire for a lifetime of use.
- Finished with a stylish satin nickel for a modern look.
- Heavy round base keeps the stand from tipping under the weight of the fruit.
- Holds bunches of bananas or grapes.
Gift wrapping available for this item
Product Dimensions Additional Product Info


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As I have mentioned before, my editor and I cut a whopping 50,000 words from A Year of Biblical Womanhood. This was a painful process indeed, but one that ultimately made the book leaner and cleaner. Casualties included a story about practicing the Sabbath, an account of the Puritan ducking chair, an interview with a courtship couple, an in-depth look at the it-couple of the Early Church (Priscilla and Aquilla), and and a far too detailed description of the beautiful grotto at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama
Another casualty was my interview with Mary Kassian and my experience at the True Woman conference. Mary and I disagree on a lot of things, but we respect and like one another despite those differences. Mary has expressed disappointment that her organization's vision of biblical womanhood was not presented alongside some of the other complementarian groups I feature in the book, like The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, The Vision Forum, The Danvers Statement, Debi Pearl, Dorothy Patterson, John Piper, Wayne Grudem, the contributors to Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and others.
My book was never intended to be a polemic against complementarianism, (the word is only used once in its 315 pages), so I don't spend a great deal of time fleshing out all the nuances and differences of the movement, though conversations in response to the book have revealed these nuances and differences to be many. (I was under the impression that the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood was considered a mainstream representation of complementarianism, but perhaps I am mistaken.)
Still, I take the responsibility of accurately representing other people's views seriously, so in hindsight, I probably should have made space for this enlightening interview with Mary Kassian. So I've decided to share that in the first link below, along with links some of the other material that ultimately got cut from the book. Perhaps in future editions, I'll get the chance to include more of these!
Tomorrow I'll be sharing some of my favorite pictures, tweets, reviews, and responses to A Year of Biblical Womanhood, as we finally WRAP UP the launch!
Biblical Ways to Lose A Body Part
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Self Catering in Lincolnshire - Burgh-le-Marsh
Old Foundry Cottage
Old Foundry Cottage
Booking through:
Sleeps a maximum of: 4
Pricing From: £360.00
A really lovely property with contemporary style and beautiful furnishings set in a private enclosed garden on the edge of the village enjoying views over gardens to countryside. 4 miles from Skegness with all the fun of the fair cinema nature park at Gibraltar Point and lovely sandy beach. Gunby Hall (NT) is 3 miles and Lincoln is a scenic drive across the Wolds. Brewery tours in Wainfleet are 4 miles Horncastles antique emporiums and walking in Tennyson Country within easy reach. Golf course and horse riding is within 5 miles. Fishing 1 mile. Shop pub and restaurant within 0.25 miles.
All on ground floor: Living/dining room/kitchen area with beams and tiled floors. 2 bedrooms: 1 double (5ft) 1 twin. Bathroom with bath shower cubicle and toilet.
Get an Ordnance Survey map covering the Burgh-le-Marsh area.
Nearest AttractionsHeritage Rated from 1- 5 (low-exceptional) on historic interest
Gunby, St Peter's Church - 2.5 miles (Historic Church)
Gunby Hall - 2.5 miles (Historic House)
Monksthorpe Chapel - 3.8 miles (Historic Church)
Great Steeping, All Saints Church - 4.3 miles (Historic Church)
Spilsby, St James' Church - 6.5 miles (Historic Church)
Alford, St Wilfrid's Church - 7.4 miles (Historic Church)
Alford Manor House Museum - 7.4 miles (Museum)
Bolingbroke Castle - 9.7 miles (Castle)
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre - 10.5 miles (Museum)
Burwell, St Michael's Church - 12.9 miles (Historic Church)
Nearest Alternative Cottages
Burgh-le-Marsh, Lincolnshire
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £174.00 - 884.00
Burgh-le-Marsh, Lincolnshire
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £158.00 - 752.00
Burgh-le-Marsh, Lincolnshire
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £199.00 - 1066.00
Details of facilities are believed correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change by the cottage proprietor. Up-to-the-minute facility listings will be always presented during the booking process for your approval.
UK Self Catering
England - Scotland - Wales
Popular Locations
Devon - Cornwall - Lake District - Highlands - North Wales - South West Wales


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Make your own laundry bag
Difficulty rating: 3
- Piece of cotton fabric measuring 102x30cm (40x30in)
- 117cm (46in) cord for the drawstring
- Scraps of coloured fabric for the appliqué
- Spray fabric adhesive
- Large safety pin
- Sewing machine
- Cut out little shapes for clothes from the scraps of fabric. They should measure around 7.5cm (3in) high.
- Spray the backs of them with the glue, and position across the fabric.
- Put a little mark on each side of the fabric, about 20.3cm (8in) from the top. Drop the feed dogs on your sewing machine and use the free motion embroidery foot to stitch a washing line across the tops of the garments, beginning and ending at your marks. Go over the line a couple of times to make the stitching stand out. Sew round each of the garments to hold them in place, and stitch pegs.
- Zigzag stitch all the way round the raw edges of the main fabric to prevent fraying. Starting about 12.7cm (5in) from the top, sew the two side edges together, right sides together, with a wide seam allowance of 3.8cm (1½in).
- Open out the base of the bag so that the seam is central, and sew straight across the bottom.
- Fold over the top edge of the fabric twice to make a hem around 2.5cm (1in) deep. Top stitch the hem.
- Turn the right way round and press. Place the safety pin on the end of the cord and thread through the top hem. Tie the two ends together.
Yours tip: You could make smaller versions of this bag to store shoes in.
Project taken from Sew Useful by Debbie Shore, published by Search press, £9.99.


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More and more divorced parents share physical custody of their children, moving them between households every few days or every other week. But many divorcing couples decide—or the court orders—that one parent should have sole physical custody (that is, the child lives with just one parent) and that the other should have regular visitation rights. Here are some basic questions about visitation arrangements.
A noncustodial parent has a right to reasonable visitation with the children. What's reasonable depends on the circumstances, including the children's ages. The custodial parent can get a court to restrict the other parent's visitation rights only by showing that it's necessary for the child's well-being. Even in cases of serious abuse, the court is likely to permit some visitation, although it may order supervision or other restrictions to ensure the child's safety.
Later, the court may modify the terms of visitation if a parent shows that circumstances have changed and that an alteration is in the child's best interests—for example, a noncustodial parent who moves farther away from the child might request less frequent but longer visits.
Visitation isn't for the parents, it's for the children, and the court's primary concern is their welfare. Courts start with the assumption that normally, the best interests of the child are fostered by having a healthy and close relationship with both parents. As a result, Illinois law provides that a court may restrict a noncustodial parent's visitation rights only if the court finds, after a hearing, that visitation would seriously endanger the child's physical, mental, moral, or emotional health.
The custodial parent must prove to the court that the proposed visitation with the noncustodial parent will endanger the child's welfare. Even if one parent doesn't like the other's behavior, the court won't take that into account, unless the behavior is shown to have an adverse effect on the child. If, however, the court finds that the child's well-being may be endangered because of the parent's behavior, it may restrict or prohibit visitation. For example, a parent may be denied the right to overnight visitation in the presence of one parent's paramour if the court is concerned that the child's moral development could be influenced by the parent's choice of living arrangements. In such a case, overnight visitation might be allowed at the home of the child's grandparent.
Only extreme circumstances justify permanently depriving a parent of visitation. For example, mental illness or substance abuse is not, by itself, enough to restrict a parent's visitation rights, but must be considered along with all other relevant factors. Courts have preserved the visitation rights of a mother confined in a penitentiary for murdering her husband, and of a mother who had been arrested for disorderly conduct (in the presence of her children) and restrained for her own protection while hospitalized for psychiatric treatment.
If the court decides visitation should be restricted, it will tailor the restriction to the particular problem it has identified. For example, a court might:
Unlike parents, grandparents do not have a legal right to visitation. But under certain circumstances, a grandparent, great-grandparent, or sibling who has been denied reasonable visitation may file a request with the court asking for a visitation order. They can make such a request if:
The court will issue a visitation order if it determines that visitation is in the best interests of the child.
Other relatives, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins, do not have any legal right to visitation, even if the child has lived with them or been very close to them.
Denial of visitation alone does not guarantee that a court will change custody of the children. Generally, courts don't like to change custody because it can be so disruptive to children. If the custodial parent refuses, without justification, to let the other parent have court-ordered visitation, the court may order the custodial parent to comply with the terms of the visitation order.
If, however, the custodial parent interferes with visitation and takes other actions that appear to be intended to keep the child from having a relationship with the noncustodial parent, the court might alter the custody arrangement. For example, a custodial mother could lose sole custody if she denied the father the right to visit, sought to change the child's surname, and refused to let the child talk on the phone with the father.
Child support and visitation rights are separate things, and even a parent who doesn't pay his or her child support obligations is still entitled to regular visits with the child. Again, it's all about the children, and courts presume, unless there's evidence to the contrary, that children do better when they see both parents regularly. If you aren't receiving court-ordered child support from your child's other parent (the paying parent), contact Illinois Child Support Services or consult an attorney for help.


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Tom Shepstone
Shepstone Management Company, Inc.
The Energy Information Administration reports record natural gas production and record natural gas consumption. The game is all but over for fractivists.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) just released its Natural Gas Annual report and it demonstrates the game is all but over for fractivists. Natural gas production is up, natural gas consumption is up, exports have increased more than imports and Pennsylvania is setting new records. It's just one page of good data after another.
The EIA's 2015 Natural Gas Annual is full of fantastic data showing just how far shale revolution has taken us. For those of us too close to the trees to see the forest, it's one big eye-opener. Take the data on natural gas production from shale gas wells, for example.
Natural gas production from shale wells in the US has increased by 82% over five short years. Moreover, shale production as a share of total natural gas production has grown from 30% to 47%. That's a revolution. Total natural gas production has grown by 16% over the same period. Natural gas consumption, while it didn't quite pace production (hence the price declines) was also up a healthy 12%.
Comparing these two charts, it becomes quite obvious why fractivists are putting so much effort into stopping pipelines. They view stopping the flow as the only way to choke off the revolution. They aim to keep prices so low as to be unprofitable, but industry innovation is constantly lowering the production cost per cubic foot of gas. They can't win.
They're also losing in another way. We are increasing exports faster while imports decline.
Yes, imports are down 22% and exports are up 18% since 2011. This positive set of trends can be expected to continue as more Marcellus Shale and other LNG makes it's way to Europe. Most of those imports, come from Canada, which is a favored trading partner, but the imports from places such as Trinidad, Tobago and Yemen are only sustained by the obstinacy of politically correct New York and New England pols. They'd rather Boston would be dependent on foreign sources of gas than have an innocuous pipeline or two. Such is the idiocy of Northeast politics. This imports map from EIA explains:
One really cold winter in the Northeast when there are both natural gas and propane shortages and spot prices spike to new highs is likely to change that, too. Pols now demagoguing against pipelines will quickly pivot, of course, and blame someone else. That's the way of Northeast politics, after all. Meanwhile, though, the data speaks for itself. The shale revolution has conquered. Fractivism might as well be dead.


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Get in touch
Tiny Toronto would love to hear from you!
What we do here at Tiny Toronto!
Tiny Toronto supports financially attainable and environmentally sustainable lifestyles through its projects. It's housing project will create attainable small dwellings that can be produced off site in order to reduce the amount of disturbance to the landowner during the building process. It's car docs will increase the usability of publicly rent-able cars. Its neighborhood produce food share project will reduce the time and cost needed for residents to access the food they need. And its experiential learning program presents the opportunity to advance one's academic credits while earning capital. These services are still in development. As of now we have only facilitated experiential learning projects. If you would like to ask us any questions or contact us for a discussion feel free to drop by our office or send us a message!
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If you have any questions about partnering with us, or if you just want to be added to our news mailing list, fill out this quick form
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August Lesson #2
This Power Point Covers:
Why Is Temple Marriage Important?
Another wonderful lesson on the importance of temple marriage and how it affects us eternally.
I found a New Era article from 2013 entitled "Why Temple Marriage?" I loved the language of the article. The author did a great job of talking to the youth on a level they can understand. I mixed information from this article with quotes from Russell M. Nelson's talk called "Celestial Marriage" from the lesson outline.
As I prepare lessons like this I always think about the sensitive topic that it is. Some of the youth may not have families who are sealed. They may have parents who are divorced. I just think its so important to be aware of these things and to make sure the young women leave feeling hopeful, not discouraged.
The handout idea came from a Mormon Ad from 2004 called "Dream Date." Such a great visual for the girls. Hopefully they can make this eternally important goal now!
Have a great lesson!
Comments are closed.
**Please Note: Due to different versions of power point the slides may need to be adjusted after you download them. Please go through the power point before your lesson to make sure the pictures and the text are formatted correctly! I just opened a file I made using my laptop with my iPad and the font was different, colors were different and some of the pictures were in the wrong place. It may take a little tweeking! :)**
I'm a 36 year old Mom of 4 kiddos, 3 boys (12, 4 & 2 years old) and one little princess (9). I have an awesome hubby who puts up with my craziness...He supports me when I spend way too much time on my YW lessons. I started this blog for fun and have been so excited to watch it grow and watch others being able to use the Power Point lessons, handouts and other ideas I have posted. Thank you for stopping by!
October 2017
**My Disclaimer**
Any ads appearing on this website are randomly chosen by Amazon and/or Google. Ads are supposed to be placed on this site based on the content of my website. That doesn't always happen. I have blocked all categories of ads that are the least bit questionable. However, sometimes I still see ads that I DO NOT want on this site. Please understand I do my very best to block them ASAP...:)**


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Meet Monique Balas!
Dignified Pet Services presents 'People in the Neighborhood'
As a writer, Oregonian Pet Columnist Monique Balas isn't as comfortable having questions directed the other way.
"I'm an introvert, so it's weird for me to be on the other end of this," Monique laughs. "I'm definitely not used to being the interviewee."
Monique has been asking questions about pets in the Pacific Northwest since she joined The Oregonian in 2010. After writing about various subjects for news organizations across the country, she believes she's finally found her niche.
"I'd done some beats that just didn't feel right," Monique says. "But [The Oregonian pet column] really resonated with me. I felt like I'd found something that I could really put passion into, because I do love animals. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I don't have that capability. Writing about animals is a way to be creative and hopefully learn something while educating people about caring for animals."
Monique lived in various cities before finding her true home in Portland. Born in the small town of Canfield, Ohio, she moved to Virginia for college. Sadly, her father passed away while she was there.
"I had some emotional things that I went through when my father died," she admits. "I knew I didn't want to live in Ohio, because I don't really like it there, but I also didn't want to stay in Virginia. I wound up backpacking around Europe for a couple of months, which was so much fun."
While in Switzerland, Monique befriended a Portlander who recommended she try the city when she moved back to the states. She took his advice and came out to visit in 1999. "I fell in love with it," she says. "So I just randomly moved here without knowing anybody."
Much of what struck Monique about Portland was how different it was from her hometown.
"I thought it was so beautiful," she remembers. "All of the houses and shops had so much character, and it had the best diversity in terms of the climate and geography. There's the coast, the mountains, the gorge, I mean, it was so different from Ohio in a lot of positive ways, and it just felt inspiring."
One of Monique's' favorite things to do in the city that she loves so much is run. In fact, she recently completed the Great Columbia Crossing, a 10k across Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River.
"It was a really incredible and beautiful experience," Monique says. "Definitely one of the coolest races I've ever done."
Monique also enjoys a decidedly more sedate pastime: she's a bookworm. "I know I sound like kind of a dork," Monique laughs, "but I really love reading." Favorites include Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist and Gamache series by Louise Penny.
Monique has even considered writing a book herself. "I've definitely given it a lot of thought, but it's a daunting process," she says. But that book wouldn't be about pets or animals. "The other type of writing that I like to do is more personal essays. I'm really into psychology, so I think it'd be more about self-development."
That said, Monique admits she does still find writing inspiration in the two cats that share her Northeast Portland home. Louie and a "tripod" named Espie (short for Esperanza), were both adopted from the Oregon Humane Society four years ago.
"They definitely give me story ideas," Monique says. "A few months ago, I wrote about what to do when your pets fight. The picture I used was of the two of them snuggling together, but they definitely get into little scuffles every now and then."
When she's not running, refereeing cats, or getting lost in a good book, Monique is making music. The multi-talented writer recently joined the handbell choir at a church near her home — it's one of three instruments she plays in addition to clarinet and the piano. She was on a handbell team in high school — "Yes, you read that right," laughs Monique — and the choir is a fun way for her to continue playing music today.
As for her favorite shoes? Well, both choices are perfect for the city she calls home.
"Cowboy boots or some hiking shoes," Monique says. "Because they get great views and exercise and probably get to see some cool scenery."
About our Sponsor
Dignified Pet Services has served the Portland-area community for 13 years. In addition to their core business of cremation and memorial services, Dignified co-sponsors the beloved annual Service of Remembrance at The Old Church in downtown Portland, as well as serving as wonderful supporters and friends of pets and those working in animal welfare. Proprietors Michael, Randy and Avani live in Sherwood.
Jane Alexander is a promotions coordinator and junior copywriter at Entercom Radio in Portland as well as a freelance writer.


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|You are in: Asia-Pacific
Tuesday, 24 September, 2002, 09:36 GMT 10:36 UK
HK unveils anti-subversion law plan
The Hong Kong government has unveiled its proposals for a controversial anti-subversion law, which China supports but democracy activists fear could stifle free speech.
The government released its proposals on Tuesday at the start of a three-month public consultation period, after which it will finalise draft legislation.
The Basic Law - Hong Kong's mini-constitution which has governed the territory since its 1997 return to Chinese sovereignty - required an anti-subversion bill to be passed under article 23.
But the government, aware of the disquiet it could cause in the sensitive years following the territory's handover, delayed its proposal until now.
The proposal says:
Chief Executive Tung sought to calm those who fear for the territory's autonomy, telling reporters:
"Our proposal would not undermine in any way the existing human rights and civil liberties enjoyed by Hong Kong people, nor will our existing ways of life be affected."
But rights activists fear the proposal, if passed into law, could be used against anyone China or Hong Kong objects to, including political dissidents or religious groups such as Falun Gong - already outlawed on mainland China.
"If someone should continually criticise the central government or seek for a vindication of the 1989 pro-democracy movement [Tiananmen Square], would officials interpret it as violating the law?" said Rose Wu of the Hong Kong Christian Institute.
See also:
12 Jul 02 | Asia-Pacific
17 Jun 02 | Asia-Pacific
01 Jul 02 | Asia-Pacific
24 Jun 02 | Asia-Pacific
19 Feb 02 | Asia-Pacific
15 Apr 02 | Asia-Pacific
12 Jul 01 | Asia-Pacific
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Top Asia-Pacific stories now:
Links to more Asia-Pacific stories are at the foot of the page.
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Is there any tools out there to customize the interface of SPS v2?
the only one available is FrontPage 2003. Enjoy with that limitation.
You can use notepad to edit the files in the 60 hive.
I wish sharepoint had better naming conventions.
Actually, you can use Front Page 2003 to customize the interface of yourorganization's sharepoint presence. If you plan to custumize your siteplease evaluate the ghosting versus unghosting risks. There is quite abit of documentation out on the web that would assist you with thecustomization.


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Fresh, fast, and always crafted with care.
A daily dose of life's simple pleasures
We believe in enjoying food and drinks that are made fresh and delicious, no matter where you are or what time of the day. After all, we deserve a little comfort in our lives to help us get through the busy days. Whether it is that "wake me up" cup of coffee and a piece of freshly baked croissant in the morning, or a light and delicious smoked salmon toast and a bowl of soup for lunch!
With the support of the established Roast Team, Daily Roast aims to serve the same quality products as Roast but in a more casual and quick way. With the same philosophy, all our products are made in house, from freshly roasted coffee beans to daily baked bread. We do not compromise on quality and freshness here. Try it and you'll taste the difference!
Eat. Fresh. Daily.
M Floor
Bhiraj Tower
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Mon-Fri 8am–6:30pm
Sat-Sun & Public Holidays closed


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2015 Season Review - A Year to Remember
First and foremost I can't thank everyone enough for all of their support this past year. Without it, none of the below would have been possible. As 2015 comes to a close, I would like to share with everyone my journey from sitting in the hospital at the end of 2013 to becoming a Mazda Motorsports Scholarship Driver. The actual catalyst to our transition from karts to cars was a major injury caused by an accident during a SKUSA Pro Kart event at the Streets of Lancaster. After 4 hours of reconstructive surgery on my arm and 4 months of not being able to race was very difficult and during that time I was able to do a bit of thinking about where I wanted to go in motorsports. Little did I know that that accident would prove to be the key event to launching my car racing career!
Major Accomplishments in 2015
- Skip Barber Karts to Cars shootout – 2nd Place Overall
- Inaugural Bryan Herta Career Enhancement Scholarship winner
- Team USA Scholarship - representing the United States in the United Kingdom
- Skip Barber Summer Series – 4th place in the drivers' championship
- Winner of the Skip Barber Championship Shootout
- Otis Hurley III Cal Club - Rookie of the Year
Spec Miata – SCCA and NASA
My first real step into a monthly training program came at the start of 2015. I became a driver for Louis Thibaut at RM Autosports and began the process of learning to race the Mazda Spec Miata. After obtaining my competition license with both SCCA and NASA, I competed in my first race at the SCCA Double Majors held at AutoClub Speedway with top level drivers. We finished 5th and 7th and knew there was much to be learned. Over the next several months, I dedicated myself to practice days with the intent of increasing my race craft. The effort was met with rewarding results. By the end of the season we also set two track records, one at Buttonwillow Raceway and one at Willow Springs International Raceway.
All of this would not have been possible without the support of: Louis Thibaut at RM Autosports, Clement Lee at RM Autosports (teammate), Hoosier Tires, and Crow Enterprizes.
Team USA Scholarship – Formula Ford Festival and the Walter Hayes Trophy
During the mid-point of the 2015 race season I was invited as one of 12 candidates to vie for a slot in the Team USA Scholarship program run by Jeremy Shaw. This prestigious award is by invitation only and nominations come from much respected individuals and organizations in the racing industry. I was honored to have been recognized as a deserving candidate which took me to Road America during the IMSA Tudor race weekend for a series of intense interviews. I made the cut to round two which narrowed the field to 6 drivers. Another round of eliminations occurred at AutoClub Speedway with another set of interviews as well as an on track portion. In the end, I was selected as one of two drivers to receive the scholarship which took me to the UK for 4 weeks to live and race with Cliff Dempsey Racing. With two weeks of practice we headed to the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch where we placed 5th overall out of 70 drivers. That was immediately followed by the Walter Hayes Trophy race at Silverstone where we placed 13th overall out of 115 competitors from all over the world.
All of this would not have been possible without the support of: Jeremy Shaw of the Team USA Scholarship, SafeisFast, Doug Mockett and Company, Molecule Motorsports, Racer Magazine, RaceCraft1 and all of the other Team USA Scholarship supporters
Skip Barber Summer Series
After placing 2nd in the Karts to Cars shootout with Skip Barber Racing School and winning the Bryan Herta Career Development Scholarship I was set to compete in a very competitive 16 race series with Skip Barber Racing School. This series brings some of the best racers from around the country to compete on some of the most iconic tracks in North America such as Lime Rock, Road America, VIR, and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The top 5 finishers from both the winter and summer series earn a spot in the 2015 Skip Barber Championship Shootout where the winner receives $200,000 courtesy of Mazda Motorsports to help kick start a career in the Mazda Road to Indy. Constant battles throughout the season with competitors made for a close championship season. In the last race of the season coming into Road Atlanta the top three were separated by less than 10 points and I had an excellent chance of winning it all sitting at a solid 3rd place. As fate would have it, my most challenging results came in the last set of races relegating me to 4th overall in the championship. Twenty four hours later I had to refocus and zero out everything in the past as the Championship Shootout was on. After three solid days of competition which included 5 heat races, business plans, media interviews, and instructor evaluations, I was in the zone. We ended the shootout with 3 wins and 1 third place finish (allowing for one drop) and scoring 149 out of a possible 155 points. It was an amazing way to end the year and now we are preparing to enter the 2016 Cooper Tires USF2000 series running alongside the Verizon Indy Car Series.
All of this would not have been possible without the support of: Mazda Motorsports, Skip Barber Racing School, Bryan Herta Autosport, and RaceCraft1.


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Top ten female tennis players of Wimbledon
by MairaS on December 10, 2010
in Grand Slam: Wimbledon
Generally, Wimbledon tournament matches are played after the well-known hard court Australian Open Championship and the clay court French Open Championship tournaments. Wimbledon is one of the major tennis tournament played in the year. Wimbledon tournament bears with itself classiness and the noble patronage. The grass court is the perfect spot where the Wimbledon tournament takes place each year. Wimbledon is a principal game in tennis and looked upon with great expectation by every single tennis fan. The game has amassed a lot of interest and fame. Wimbledon is one tennis tournament which has got a huge fan group throughout the world. It is not an astonishing fact that the Champions of Wimbledon benefit from a unique attention among the tennis supporters in link with all other form of tournaments in tennis. Wimbledon Championships are measured as the perfect win in the game of tennis and hence every single tennis player will struggle to get it in their lifetime. It is a dream for many tennis aspirants which have been achieved by few talented and greatest female tennis players who top the list of the top ten champions who have proved to be masters in tennis by showcasing to the world some of the stunning performances of all time. These famous female tennis players have come to be known as the peak performers of all time with their record feat that has swept the audience completely. The top ten best female tennis players in Wimbledon Champions are listed below:
- Martina Navratilova
- Helen Wills Moody
- Dorothea Douglass Lambert Chambers
- Steffi Graf
- Blanche Bingley
- Billie Jean King
- Suzanne Lenglen
- Charlotte Cooper Sterry
- Lottie Dod
- Venus Williams
These famous female tennis players are certainly the masters of the tennis world. Each of them has their own approach and control on the game and it is hard to overlook the fantastic games these dazzlers have played so far.
Master's Series in Tennis
The tennis tournament played at the end of each year to determine the best of the lot from the top ranked 8 players is called the Masters Tennis Series. In this series, the top 8 players in the calendar year are divided into 2 groups of 4 players each. There takes place 3 round robin matches in which each player from both the groups plays against all the other 3 players. The top two players from each of the group go onto the semi-finals and then the finals.
The Masters Tennis tournament is a third generation evolution of the original format which was initiated in 1970. In the beginning, it was simply called the Masters tournament. Though the same format of matches between the top ranked tennis players was followed in the initial stages, it did not have any effect on the world rankings. But as time progressed, the format changed and the rankings of the players got a boost or a downfall depending on their performance in this tournament too. There are further changes going to be made in the 2009 edition of the Masters Tennis tournament with the name being changed to ATP World Tour Finals. From 2009-12 it will be played at the O2 in London.