text: Babies Baby Food Print How to Prepare Fruits and Veggies for Baby Food Fresh or cooked, skins off or on? By Jennifer White Updated May 09, 2018 Image Source/Stockbyte/Getty Images More in Babies Baby Food Baby's First Year Growth & Development Health & Safety Everyday Care Formula Breastfeeding Preemies Postpartum Care Gear and Products View All I am always thrilled to read of parents who've decided to make their own baby food. Cheap, nutritious, and simple – it's a great way to introduce your baby to a variety of textures and flavors that she wouldn't get from bottled baby food. Despite how easy of a process it is, often parents aren't sure of how to prepare these yummy first foods for their baby. Wondering which foods should be cooked and which foods can be eaten fresh? Here are your answers. How to Prepare 99% of Fruits and Veggies When preparing puréed baby foods, most of the resources I have found state that you should cook your fruits and vegetables first up until 8 months of age or so. Steaming the fruits and veggies is often the preferred method, but you can also boil or bake the foods in a small amount of water. The reason being is that cooking the foods helps make digesting them easier, and it allows your baby to process more of the vitamins and nutrients. That being said, it is quite doubtful that eating raw fruits and veggies before 8 months will harm her. It simply makes digesting the food easier and possibly prevents tummy aches. Peeling Fruits and Vegetables for Baby Food Whether you should peel the fruits and veggies first is often debates as well. One camp says to leave the skins on for a more nutrient-rich meal, the other says that the nutrient benefit is minimal and may actually cause tummy trouble. The choice is essentially yours, (as for me, skins off). Bananas and Avocados the Exception So that 1% that gets prepared differently is a pretty short list. You can put your steamer pot or bake pan away when fixing bananas and avocados. All you need to do is mash these up with a fork and add a splash of breastmilk or formula should you need a thinner consistency. Both of these foods are prone to preventable browning, but it does not affect their nutritional value or taste. So in a very little nutshell, that is some very basic information about how to prepare fruits and veggies for your little peach. Check out these additional tips for starting solids. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby's most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading


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Stocks made modest gains on Thursday as the market again turned higher late in the day.
Energy stocks led the way as investors continued to hope that oil prices have stabilized after almost two years of steep declines.
For the second day in a row, stocks opened with small losses and gradually rose in the afternoon. Energy companies surged and are now slightly higher for the year. Industrial companies like Caterpillar and Deere also rose. Drug companies led a decline in health care stocks.
The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index edged up 6.95 points, or 0.4 percent, to 1,993.40. Technology stocks lagged, and the Nasdaq composite index added 4 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,703.42.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 44.58 points, or 0.3 percent, to 16,943.90.
Stocks have eked out small gains over the last two days, aided by steady oil prices and reports showing the United States economy is on solid footing. The market is on target for its third consecutive weekly gain.
The price of American crude wavered between small gains and losses, finally closing down 9 cents at $34.57 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the benchmark for international oils, added 14 cents to $37.07 a barrel in London. The price of domestic oil has risen more than 30 percent in three weeks, and Brent crude has erased its losses for the year.
ConocoPhillips rose $2.07, or 5.7 percent, to $38.56 and Southwestern Energy jumped $1.13, or 18.2 percent, to $7.34.
Chesapeake Energy continued to skyrocket after it said it did not expect to be prosecuted or fined as part of a federal investigation into Aubrey McClendon, its founder and former chief, who died in a car accident on Wednesday. A federal grand jury had indicted Mr. McClendon on charges of rigging bids for gas leases.
Shares of Chesapeake jumped 23 percent on Wednesday and added 87 cents, or 25.6 percent, to close at $4.27 on Thursday.
JJ Kinahan, chief market strategist for TD Ameritrade, said investors seemed to be waiting for good news about the economy. That could come Friday morning, when the government reports its latest employment figures.
Mr. Kinahan said investors would be looking for signs of growth in better-paying jobs, possibly in manufacturing or health care, as opposed to restaurants and hotels.
"We know we're not going to be a manufacturing economy again," he said, but investors hope to see some growth in manufacturing jobs instead of losses.
The Commerce Department said factory orders grew 1.6 percent in January, the biggest gain in seven months. A category that measures business investment rose by the largest amount in 19 months.
Joy Global, a mining equipment maker, climbed $2.77, or 20.8 percent, to $16.09 after its first-quarter sales were stronger than expected. Stratasys, which makes 3-D printers, rose $3.64, or 17.4 percent, to $24.53. The company's fourth-quarter results were better than expected and it gave a strong forecast for 2016.
Kroger, a supermarket operator, dropped $2.85, or 7 percent, to $37.80 after investors were disappointed with its quarterly sales and forecasts.
Losses for biotech drug companies pulled health care stocks lower. Celgene, which makes cancer drugs, lost $2, to $102.73, and Gilead Sciences, which makes a drug for hepatitis C, fell 97 cents, to $87.83. Alexion Pharmaceuticals sank $5.74, or 3.8 percent, to $145.85.
The prices of gold, silver and copper each rose about 1 percent. Gold rose $16.30, to $1,257.40 an ounce, and silver closed up 12 cents, at $15.15 an ounce. Copper advanced 3 cents, to $2.21 a pound. The price of gold has climbed almost 19 percent this year, and silver has risen about 10 percent.
The FTSE 100 in Britain and DAX in Germany each fell 0.3 percent. In France, the CAC 40 declined 0.2 percent. Asian markets closed mostly higher. The Nikkei in Japan 225 rose 1.3 percent and the Kospi in South Korea gained 0.6 percent. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong fell 0.3 percent.
Chinese leaders were expected to lower their growth target at the gathering of the National People's Congress this week as China seeks more flexibility for structural changes for the slowing, state-dominated economy. The growth target to be announced on Saturday is expected to be a range of 6.5 to 7 percent, down from the 2015 goal of about 7 percent.
In other energy trading, wholesale gasoline lost 1 cent, to $1.30 a gallon. Heating oil rose 1 cent, to $1.12 a gallon. Natural gas, which is trading at 17-year lows, fell 4 cents, to $1.64 a gallon.
Bond prices edged higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note dipped to 1.83 percent, from 1.84 percent late Wednesday. The euro rose to $1.0961 from $1.0863, and the dollar edged up to 113.59 yen from 113.36 yen.

subset: commoncrawl


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A rich and zesty brew packed full of nutrients and antioxidants…
Contents (click to jump to section)
Disclaimer – Please be aware that any food related topics on this website are purely for general interest and are not to be considered as health advice. As an acupuncturist I may prescribe dietary advice from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view only, which I will always make very clear. You should consult your GP or specialist if you require specific dietary requirements.
This may be a great addition to your morning routine with heaps of health benefits and a zesty zing to get your day started – plus it's super easy to make! Both of these roots have thousands of years of history in health and Chinese herbal medicine across the world, and scientific research is now revealing the truth behind their potent healing powers.
Harnessing the wonders of these miraculous marvels of nature can be made easier with this tonic which captures the goodness of these roots in a lasting liquid form for you to savour at your convenience.
The amounts listed below for the ginger, turmeric and water are rough guides as you can change the amount as you see fit. I have a preference for high intensity so you may prefer to use less ginger and turmeric, or just water down the final product before consuming.
What You Will Need…
Ingredients for about a litre of tonic…
- 200g of ginger (preferably organic)
- 200g turmeric (preferably organic)
- 1.5L of water (preferably filtered)
- Measuring cup
- Stainless steel pot
- Cutting board
- Glass bottle for storing
- Strainer
- Kitchen mallet
- Funnel
If you have been to my clinic you will no doubt have noticed the garden where I grow a few fruits and veggies. While the ginger was not ready for picking at the time I made this post, I certainly had a good size yield of turmeric. Whenever any of my mini crops are not ready I usually get any organic produce I need from Market Organics, Rocklea.
Let's Get Started…
I have chosen to do this process similar to how I was taught how to cook medicinal Chinese herbs. This is a double boiling process, each taking around 20 minutes to simmer the herbs with the aiming of reducing the water contents and concentrating the final product. This gets the most out of the herbs while keeping the volume of what you need to drink to a minimum as sometimes Chinese herbs can be a little on the strong side for the palate. For this recipe however, there will be more water content as we want a large amount of tonic to store at the end.
First we need to pulverise the ginger and turmeric into a pulp…
To liberate all of the goodies from the roots we will need to break them down to prepare them for the boil. Use your kitchen mallet to pulverise the ginger and turmeric into a pulp. You don't need to go overboard and turn it into juice, just enough so that the bulk of the root is well broken up. You can do the ginger and the turmeric together too if you like as they end up in the same pot anyway.
It may be important to keep in mind that pretty much anything that the turmeric comes in contact with after it has been broken down is going to turn yellow. Stainless steel utensils are true to their name and usually won't be affected but any cutting board or plastic equipment probably will. Rubber gloves for yourself is also a good idea unless you want yellow hands for the next couple of days.
Safety goggles may be a good option while you're pulverising the roots. Not that it's dangerous to get either of these in your eyes, but I did find that ginger spraying in your eyes is not the most pleasant experience.
The Boiling Process…
Place the ginger and turmeric in your pot along with 750ml of water and place on high heat. When the water is boiling, reduce to medium heat and allow to boil for 20 minutes. During this time you will lose about 1/3 of the water by evaporation (250ml).
Remember, we'll be doing 2 boils so DO NOT throw the pulp out after the first time around. There's more good stuff left in there!
A larger pot may have been a brighter idea…
After 20 minutes is up, strain the contents of the pot into your storage bottle. I used an empty Bragg organic apple cider vinegar bottle which is 946ml. As you strain your finished tonic into the bottle you will notice that it should only fill up around half way (if you are using a 1 litre bottle) as there has been a reduction in liquid during the boiling process.
Make sure your bottle isn't too cold! It is advisable to warm your storage bottle first to prevent the risk of it cracking as you are putting near boiling liquid straight into it. Prevent cracking by:
- placing the glass bottle in the sink and running the tap over it, gradually increasing the temperature of the water until it is warm
- fill with warm water and let it sit for a while
- let the boiling mixture in the pot settle for a while before straining into the pot
After straining out the pulp, repeat the the boiling process one more time before disposing of it (works great as garden mulch/ compost). You will complete the boiling process 2 times in total, using 750ml of water each time which will provide you with around 1 litre of tonic for your final total.
Use and Storage
I have this each morning following my glass of lemon juice and water. After about 15 minutes following the lemon, I mix a small teaspoon of honey with some hot water to thin out the honey, then I mix this with about a shot (30ml) of the Kickstart Tonic. You can choose to have yours straight or it even works well as a spicy tea when mixed with hot water. The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, is best absorbed when consumed with black pepper, so adding some cracked peppercorns to the final mix will not only up the intensity but increase the overall health benefits as well.
Be sure to keep your golden tonic safe in the fridge for a longer life span. In saying that however, I am unsure exactly as to how long it will last. I can only assume that due to the high level of antioxidants and antibacterial properties it contains, plus the fact that it is already cooked, if kept in the fridge I am confident it should keep for some time. I usually get through a bottle within 2 weeks and it's still good then, but anything past this length I can't make any judgements.
The sediment will settle to the bottle after a while so make sure to give it a good shake before you pour.
Health Benefits
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Both ginger and turmeric have a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for herbal decoctions.
In TCM, ginger (Sheng Jiang) has a warming effect and aids in alleviating vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal fullness with pain due to cold in the stomach (1). It also helps to relieve some types of coughs, boosts the body's Qi (vital force), and reduces the toxicity of other herbs when used as part of a herbal formula (2).
In TCM, turmeric root (Yu Jin) helps to relieve a range of different types of pain such as pain due to trauma, painful and irregular menstruation as well as treating cirrhosis of the liver, and enlarged liver and spleen (3). It helps to relieve certain types of bleeding, as well as being used to help calm the mind of people who suffer from disorientation, epilepsy, mania, anxiety, agitation, seizures and derangement (4). Turmeric is also used in the treatment of jaundice and gall stones in TCM (5).
In TCM, yellow is the colour associated with the Stomach so any natural foods that have this colour are believed to be highly beneficial for our digestion. According to the Qi body clock, the Stomach is 'full of Qi' between 7 and 9am, making this the best time to have breakfast as your body is in the optimal state to receive all of the benefits of your nutritious breakfast. So while this tonic will be good for you any time of the day, all of the TCM signs point to this tonic being most beneficial at or around breakfast time.
Scientific Research
The active constituent in turmeric is curcumin which has been found to exhibit the following health benefits. Keep in mind that curcumin only makes up about 3% of the weight of turmeric (6) so extract supplements may be required to gain maximum benefits. The bioavailability of curcumin is also increased by up to 2000% when ingested with peperine, a constituent of black pepper (7).
- Antioxidant – protects against damage from free radicals
- Anti-inflammatory – reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels
- Hepatoprotective – protects the liver from a number of toxic compounds
- Antiplatelet aggregation – improves circulation
- Antimutagenic – potentially helps to prevent new cancers that are caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Antimicrobial – inhibits the growth of a variety of bacteria, parasites, and pathogenic fungi
- Cardiovascular effects – lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decreasing susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL)
- Gastric effects – helps to heal gastric ulcers
- Dental applications – reduces dental pain, relieves gingivitis and periodontitis
- Anticancer properties – curcumin can positively alter a variety of the biological pathways involved in mutagenesis, oncogene expression, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, tumorgenesis, and metastasis
(Reference here)
6-Gingerol is the pharmacologically-active component of ginger and is known to exhibit a variety of biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation (8). List of benefits found from using ginger or ginger extract:
- Treats nausea and vomiting, seasickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy-induced nausea (9)
- Improves symptoms of morning sickness (10)
- May potentially hold anti-cancer properties (11)
- Possesses effective antibacterial properties (12)
- Reduces knee osteoarthritis pain (13)
- Lowers fasting blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes (14)
- Promotes digestion and gastric motility (15)
- Found to be potentially as effective as certain medication for relieving period pain (16)
- Has a significant lipid lowering effect compared to placebo (17)
- Reduces muscles pain caused by eccentric exercise (18)


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Power of Choice
Power of Choice is a Government-led industry wide program with new rules providing customers more opportunities to use electricity products and services, primarily through allowing access to new digital (smart) meters. With digital (smart) meters, customers will be able to access more detailed electricity consumption data providing more information for better decision making about electricity use, products and services.
The new rules under Power of Choice mean that older-style meters will be phased out and replaced with digital (smart) meters for residential and small business customers.


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WHAT: Free Throw Competition
WHO: Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus
WHEN: Sunday, January 28th
TIME: Warm ups and registration begin at 12:30. Competition begins at 1:00.
WHERE: West Central Valley High School Gym
Open to all boys and girls age 9-14 of of January 1, 2018
NO ENTRY FEE – Must bring completed entry form with at least one parent or guardians signature. Entry forms can be picked up in the District Office at Earlham Schools. Entry forms will also be available at WCV on the day of the competition.
Winners Advance to the District Level Competition in Stuart on February 11th.


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Everson residents will see a new neighbor moving into the former dog food plant over the next several months.
Jimmy Jett, account manager for Magnablend Inc., attended the Everson Borough Council meeting this week to give members a little bit of history on the company and what it is they do.
The primary mission of the Texas-based company is to blend and package chemicals to their customers' specifications.
Jett said the company's two biggest industries they serve are agriculture companies and oil and gas companies, with some of their bigger customers including Halliburton, Dow Chemical and Dupont.
"We handle liquid and dry products and confidentiality is a big part of our business," Jett said.
Some of the chemicals that are mixed include fertilizers for farmers as well as other mixes that might include methanol, which is a freeze protectant heavily used in the agriculture industry in the north.
Jett said that while a chemical-mixing company might scare some people, he assured council that Magnablend is a good neighbor.
"Our company has always maintained a zero discharge," he said. "Everything we rinse and clean with is 100 percent contained and hauled off by a licensed hazardous materials disposal company."
Jett said their desire to locate to this area and the availability of this property made for a good match.
"We were looking for a facility that would match our needs and this was perfect," he said. "It has the easy east to west and north to south highway systems, easy rail access and high ceilings inside that will easily house our mixing machines."
For the next several months the company will be working toward outfitting the facility with its equipment. No actual mixing of chemicals will begin until this process is finished, he said. The most noticeable differences in the area will be an increase in rail and truck traffic in the beginning.
"We're anticipating about four rail cars of supplies a month for now and each rail car holds about four truckloads, so there will be about 16 trucks coming in and out of our facility each month at this point," Jett said.
The company plans to outsource trucking of its product to local companies and will look at hiring about five to eight individuals in the first year with plans of growing "significantly" from there.
Jett said there will be no dust, noise or smell coming from the plant.
Copyright ©2019— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)


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In July, we noted Adam Pesapane's efforts to raise funds on Kickstarter for a short film called "Submarine Sandwich". Pesapane, who goes by the moniker PES, had previously made a splash with "Fresh Guacamole", which holds the record as the shortest Academy Award-nominated film ever (it runs for just 100 seconds.)
PES ultimately received the $30,000 he asked for, and then some–by its conclusion, his Kickstarter campaign had raised more than $48,000. He quickly got to work on "Submarine Sandwich", and it can now be viewed on his YouTube channel.
"Submarine Sandwich" has much in common with other PES films. It's short (just under two minutes), it is animated in a stop-motion style, and it uses common household objects as stand-ins for food. This time, PES takes us to a deli, where sports equipment is put through the meat slicer and onto a literal submarine.
As we've come to expect from PES, this is great. You never know–perhaps we'll be hearing about "Submarine Sandwich" again during awards season.


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Regardless of how they are formed or how secluded their locations are, majestic caves can always catch your attention. Not only do they serve as the habitat of some strange creatures, but they also house some mysteries that are waiting to be solved. So, if you are up for any extremes, large caves will be something you need to add to your bucket list.
If you are now planning for your next adventure, below are just 10 of the most beautiful caves you might want to visit:
Scroll down for videos
Glowworms Cave, New Zealand
As the name suggests, Glowworms Cave in New Zealand is home to majority of the world's glow worm population. These odd creatures only live at the heart of the forests or in dark caves because other sorts of environment will not support their growth. Normally, they are seen hanging within the ceilings of caves and they create bioluminescent glows. These days, they are becoming among New Zealand's finest attractions.
Batu Caves, Malaysia
Somewhere in Gombak, Malaysia, a limestone hill houses several caves and temples. According to stories, the caves were formed some millions of years ago. They served as the shelter of one of the country's ancient tribes, the Temuan people. They were then named after the river that flows through it – Batu River.
Among all the caves here, the cave temple is the most popular. For the visitors to reach this place, they have to climb a total of 272 steps. This temple is quite complex as it involves three main caves with one featuring some Hindu shrines. The rest of the caves have been turned to museums and galleries, containing various statues and paintings.
Vatnajokull Glacier Cave, Iceland
Located in Vatnajokull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe, the Vatnajokull Glacier Cave was believed to have been formed when glacial ice water compressed and melted millions of years ago. Because of the ice crystals and the air bubbles, the cave got its attractive blue color. Most often, visitors visit the cave during the cold days as the summer season is considered unsafe. At that time, glacier movements take place.
Marble Caves, Patagonia
The Marble Caves are located in Carrera Lake, Patagonia, within the Chile-Argentina border. They have the world's largest marble deposit. Due to the continuous movement of waves for thousands of years, this stunning marble cave system was formed.
Whenever sunlight illuminates the water-filled caves, incredible visual effects take place. Also, the caves are becoming extremely popular due to the varying water levels at different time intervals.
Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
Located in Quang Binh Province of Vietnam, the Son Doong Cave, which means mountain river cave, is the world's largest and most amazing cave. It was formed by constant movement of river, which caused the lime stones from underneath the mountain to erode about two to five million of years ago.
Legends say that a man named Ho-Khanh first discovered the caved in 1191. The first survey was conducted by a British cave research team in 2009.
While this cave has a height of 150 meters and a length of 9 kilometers, the underground river that flows here has a length of 1.6 kilometers. As you travel the cave, you can hear the whistling sound of the river. Son Doong Cave links a total of 150 individual caves, lakes, an underground river, and dense jungles.
In order to explore the cave, the company called Oxalis asks tourists to pay $3,000. And, before you can reach its location, guests have to walk one and a half day across the jungle and pass through dense forest.
Cave System, Algarve, Portugal
Due to the continuous movement of sea waves over huge rocks, the Cave system in Algarve, Portugal was formed. The only way to reach this cave is by water travel. Although it has three main openings, its most attractive part is that within the coastline of Algarve, where the clear blue waters can be seen.
Tham Lod Cave, Thailand
The Tham Lod Cave is found in Mae Hong Son province of Northern Thailand. Locals say that the carvings within the cave are made by the ancient lawa people of Thailand, who are also believed to have lived here for a long time because of the clay pottery works and some other tools discovered by archaeologists. Aside from that, there are also ancient drawings found within the cave's walls.
Overall, the cave runs 1.6 kilometers longs, with plenty of stalagmites and stalactites. The whole area is surrounded by small passageways and forests. By the time visitors reach the interior of the cave, they will be welcomed by a variety of bird species.
Ice Cave, Mutnovsky Volcano, Russia
Located near Mutnovsky volcano in Russia, a beautiful ice cave was formed. This was created after a series of streams flow through glacier fields, near Mutnovsky volcano. Though this cave has a length of only 300 meters, it still features a variety of colors inside. During the hot summer days, the cave's roof becomes transparent.
Reed Flute Cave, China
The Reed Flute Cave is by far among the most attractive sites China has to offer. It was first discovered in 792 AD. The cave has since become very popular due to the varying rock formations and vast number of stalactites in the inner part of the cave.
Naica Mine, Mexico
Known for its beautiful selenite crystal deposits, the Naica Mine is home to the world's largest natural crystals. This cave was discovered accidentally during a mining process in 2000, about 1,000 feet below a limestone host rock. Because the cave is vulnerable to high heat, it has been closed for visitors.
Reports say that the largest crystal discovered here was about 500,000 years of age. The gigantic crystals, which are formed due to the heating and cooling from the depth of Earth, are believed to be softer than the finger nails of human beings. The crystal pillars of the cave is made of gypsum.


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This professional top handle chainsaw is perfect for arborists and one handed use. It is ultra lightweight, at only 2.9kg and features a 26.9cc 2-stroke engine for power and reliability and ECHO's unique 'ES' Starting System for reduced effort.
- Ultra lightweight for ease of use – the lightest saw in the ECHO range at only 2.9kg
- Digitally controlled C.D.I for reliable starting in all weather conditions
- ECHO 'ES' Easy Start System for effortless and comfortable engine starting
- Clutch Related Oil Pump that decreases chain oil consumption
- Optional Spike – Bumper spikes improve control for easier cutting
- G-FORCE Engine Air Pre-Cleaner increases engine life by spinning out dirt prior to filtration
- Choke with automatic fast idle for reliable and easier starting
- Side access chain tensioner for simple chain tensioning
- Belt hook facility


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TEL AVIV (MarketWatch) -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. TEVA, +6.28% said that it will be able to supply significantly more products to Allgemeinen Ortskrankenkassen, known as AOK, Germany's largest health insurer. The opportunity arises from the results of AOK's most recent tender for finished dosage pharmaceutical products, the Jerusalem drugmaker said. In a first tender earlier this year, Teva was awarded six products; a spokeswoman said that Teva will now be able to supply more than that, but she declined to specify a number. AOK represents 25 million of the 70 million publicly insured people in Germany, Teva said. Germany is Europe's largest generic market with 8 billion euros ($11.1 billion) of sales, Teva said, citing data from IMS, the Norwalk, Conn., drug- and health-care-research firm.
Teva to supply more products to German health fund AOK
Quote References
+0.44 +6.28%


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These two are just the sweetest. Flannery and I go way back. I think she was 9 months old when I first met her. And she is one of those kids that remembers EVERYTHING. She remembers that I used to have two dogs named LuLu and Chloe and she remembers that we took pictures in the leaves and that my baby is named Henry and that we've seen each other out and about at the Mexican restaurant. She misses nothing :-) So, we she told me that she was happy that the 'picture lady' (she used to call me that) was coming to take pics of her sister, Agnes, I was just thrilled!
Agnes was a treat. She was asleep enough to let me take sweet pics of her any which way, but then she woke up with bright, shiny eyes.
Flannery is 'almost' 5. Isn't she just the cutest thing? She's pictured here with Stripey.
This is one of my favorites. It's totally an unposed image. Just saw it and snapped :-)
Aren't these sweet? I just LOVED Agnes little outfit. I mean, how cute?
I mainly loved the light in this shot.
And since this post is supposed to be about Agnes, I'll close with one of my favorites!


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Nice. Had a brief rain storm and a high today in the upper 70's... I love it! :dizzy:
Type: Posts; User: Bishop1954
Nice. Had a brief rain storm and a high today in the upper 70's... I love it! :dizzy:
Doing fine. The work week is over and maybe I can kick back for today... :santasmile:
Sorry I missed it daisy, but I hope it was memorable... :presents1:
A whole bunch of visitors and... me!! :elf1:
I got the first of those. The next bunch is not until October... :tree1:
Yes it is at times. I guess the Facebook is more popular... but hey... Hello!! :tink:
Not as much heat these days... thankfully. We will get some evening storms, but at least I do not have to water the grass... :rain:
Rested now. Got back from my old Elite Guard (USAF) reunion. Lots of fun and good memories, but very little rest... lol :dizzy:
Yams (Candied of course)
Rain yesterday, but on the good side, I did not have to water my lawn and it brought a cooler Monday... :gelf:
Nope, I'm here as well...
Feeling pretty good. Got a few things done and a decent sleep. Now time for a couple of mid shifts before a mini vacation. :tree:
Getting more into CIJ and I love the snow melon idea... :elf1:
A tabletop snowman from Hobby Lobby last week... :snowman:
Got off early to take the wife to the airport and it has been hectic ever since. Tired, but I'll get through it... :sleeping:
The first of four days off it technically coming to a close, but I am wide awake now... :jumping:
Huge wind and rain storm this morning gave way to cooler temps. Probably won;t last more than a day or two, but I'll take it... :windy:
Tonight it is just me and 249 guests...
Greetings Mazzy. Doing well here also. Going through a lot of Christmas Stuff to see what all I have gathered over the years. Might be time to get rid of some and spread a little Christmas cheer as...
I did that once a long, long time ago. Surprised at the humidity there. Figured the ocean breeze would keep it in check
Dong very well as this year's CIJ has passed the halfway point... :presents3:
Craiglw76... Welcome to the site, this room and of course Christmas in July... :tree1:


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Breakfast & Dining
Cooked Breakfasts are served from 8:30am till 9:15am.
Earlier Continental Breakfasts can be made upon request.
Dining Out
Llandudno has a fantastic selection of great places to eat and many of these restaurants and pubs are situated just a short walk from The Del-Mar.
Llandudno is increasingly becoming known for its good food. Whether your preference is: fine dining, Italian cuisine, Indian cuisine or traditional pub food Llandudno will cater for you. When you are staying at The Del-Mar we recommend trying some of the following places:
Poolside Restaurant (Shelly's Choice)
Unrivalled value for money in opulent surroundings. £21.50 will get you a fabulous three course meal, wine, tea and/or coffee. The quality of the food and drink, the décor and the price will guarantee a night to remember.
The Cottage Loaf (Ian's Choice)
Traditional pub food but with added quality and a great atmosphere. Large portions, an excellent menu and very welcoming and relaxing atmosphere all with the added bonus of being less than 5 minutes' walk from our front door!
Home Cookin'
Modern style restaurant, traditional quality food. Del-Mar Guests exclusively receive 10% discount off their food bill here! (Ask Shelly or Ian for details).
Blue Elephant
Indian food at its finest. Del-Mar Guests exclusively receive discount off their food bill here! (Ask Shelly or Ian for details).
Other honorable mentions
Ristorante Romeo – Fabulous Italian food, excellent service and situated just around the corner from The Del-Mar, on Lloyd street.
The Albert – Extremely popular pub/restaurant.


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Solar-powered refrigerator
A solar-powered refrigerator is a refrigerator which runs on energy directly provided by sun, and may include photovoltaic or solar thermal energy.
Solar-powered refrigerators are able to keep perishable goods such as meat and dairy cool in hot climates, and are used to keep much needed vaccines at their appropriate temperature to avoid spoilage.
Solar-powered refrigerators are typically used in off-the-grid locations where utility provided AC power is not available.
In 1878, at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, Augustin Mouchot displayed Mouchot's engine and won a Gold Medal in Class 54 for his works, most notably the production of ice using concentrated solar heat.
"In developed countries, plug-in refrigerators with backup generators store vaccines safely, but in developing countries, where electricity supplies can be unreliable, alternative refrigeration technologies are required".[1] Solar fridges were introduced in the developing world to cut down on the use of kerosene or gas-powered absorption refrigerated coolers which are the most common alternatives. They are used for both vaccine storage and household applications in areas without reliable electrical supply because they have poor or no grid electricity at all.[2][3] They burn a liter of kerosene per day therefore requiring a constant supply of fuel which is costly and smelly, and are responsible for the production of large amounts of carbon dioxide.[1] They can also be difficult to adjust which can result in the freezing of medicine. The use of Kerosene as a fuel is now widely discouraged for three reasons: Recurrent cost of fuel, difficulty of maintaining accurate temperature and risk of causing fires.[3]
Solar powered refrigerators are characterized by thick insulation and the use of a DC (not AC) compressor. Traditionally solar-powered refrigerators and vaccine coolers use a combination of solar panels and lead batteries to store energy for cloudy days and at night in the absence of sunlight to keep their contents cool. These fridges are expensive and require heavy lead-acid batteries which tend to deteriorate, especially in hot climates, or are misused for other purposes.[1][3] In addition, the batteries require maintenance,[4] must be replaced approximately every three years, and must be disposed of as hazardous wastes possibly resulting in lead pollution.[1] These problems and the resulting higher costs have been an obstacle for the use of solar powered refrigerators in developing areas.[2][3]
In the mid-1990s NASA JSC began work on a solar powered refrigerator that used phase change material rather than battery to store thermal energy rather than chemical energy.[5] The resulting technology has been commercialized and is being used for storing food products and vaccines. Solar direct-drive refrigerators don't require batteries, instead using thermal energy to solar power. These refrigerators are increasingly being used to store vaccines in remote areas.[6]
Solar-powered refrigerators and other solar appliances are commonly used by individuals living off-the-grid. They provide a means for keeping food safe and preserved while avoiding a connection to utility-provided power. Solar refrigerators are also used in cottages and camps as an alternative to absorption refrigerators, as they can be safely left running year-round. Other uses include being used to keep medical supplies at proper temperatures in remote locations, and being used to temporarily store game at hunting camps.[7]
See also[edit]
- ^ a b c d Burton, A. "Solar thrill: using the sun to cool vaccines". Environ Health Perspect. 115: A208–11. doi:10.1289/ehp.115-a208. PMC 1852674. PMID 17450208.
- ^ a b "Pedersen, PH. Maté J. 2006. SolarChill vaccine cooler and refrigerator: a breakthrough technology. Industria Formazione. Special International Issue: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.No. 300, Suppl. 1(No. 6–2006):17–19" (PDF). Retrieved 24 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Pedersen, PH., Poulsen, S., Katic, I. (n.d.) SolarChill—a solar PV refrigerator without battery. Danish Technological Institute. Taastrup, Denmark: Solar Energy Centre, 1–4" (PDF). Retrieved 24 May 2019.
- ^ Solar-powered Refrigerator: Fridge Maintenance Tips
- ^ "Solar-Powered Refrigeration System". NASA. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
- ^ Ro, Christine (2018-10-26). ""Solar-Powered Fridges Make Vaccines Easier to Transport"". New York Magazine.
- ^ "5 Great Locations For a Solar Freezer - C4P Inc". C4P Inc. Solar Refrigerator & Freezer. Retrieved 2015-11-13.


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The Best Sellers CollectionShop All Best Sellers
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With a commitment to plant-sourced protection, our sunscreens offer broad spectrum coverage that's rich in antioxidants and other skin-loving ingredients.
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Anyone seeking soft, supple, sun-kissed skin.
An organic moisturizing self-tanner lotion with caffeine.
As often as you like! Use it as your daily body lotion to maintain a low-key tan year round.
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To perk up your skin when you're craving a little color.
Ease into a healthy, golden glow while nourishing your skin. Our organic Gradual Sunless Tan Firming Lotion is ultra-moisturizing and develops your tan subtly and beautifully as you continue using it.
The sunlight that reaches us is made up of two types of harmful rays: long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and short wave ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, the skin's thickest layer.
Unprotected exposure can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkling (photoaging), and suppression of the immune system. UVB rays will usually burn the superficial layers of your skin. It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer. The intensity of UVB rays vary by season, location and time of day, with 10AM to 4PM being the peak hours. Sunburned skin doesn't just feel awful, it can cause permanent damage over time.


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AFRICAN TRADE GROUP LLC is an Africa-Centric broker of industrial projects, commodities and Compensatory Trade (offsets, barter, parallel barter, compensation trade, evidence accounts, switch trade, etc.)
We are Exporters and Importers of general goods for commercial, industrial and consumer applications.
Industrial Conversion in African countries
We are promoting industrial conversion industries for African countries to convert raw materials to value added products for export
Cashew: packed raw whole and pieces; roasted canned or bagged; roasted flavored Cocoa: Chocolate derivative products
Coffee: Roasted and packed for whole and retail consumers
Timber: Milled products, furniture and sundry applications


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Hermanos Conde 2006 Flamenco Guitar (Signed by Conde) Madrid, Spain, Gravina 7 (Original Trademark Workshop)
The Famed Conde Flamenco Sound
This guitar is a true representation of the Conde Flamenco sound. Artists as: Leonard Cohen, Paco de Lucía, or Bob Dylan, have acquired their Conde guitars from this shop.
Selection process
I bought this guitar in the year 2006, while I was living in Barcelona, Spain.
I travelled to Madrid; where there were three guitar shops related to Conde Hermanos. All three were constructing guitars in the original tradition. There fore, I choose to go to the original workshop shop, where all the present also famed luthiers, as Faustina and Mariano Conde, descendants of the dynasty, had developed their trade.
I spent a full day with Faustino´s Conde widow. She carefuly took me through all the last guitars they had on sale in their historical shop.
"I choose the best"
I tried all the Hermanos Condes Guitars they had on sale. And as I always do, with out considering price! At the end of the day, I choose this one, so I now must find a careful new owner for it. That will enjoy it´s sound, play the guitar to keep it vibrant; to maintain this pure representation of flamenco tradition.
I choose this guitar because it had the best projection, attack, sustain and overall extremely balanced harmonic spectrum.
"The sound would just surround me in all directions. I felt that the music was really emanating from my body."
Used Guitar
- Yes the guitar is used, (a lot, as I have recorded over 15 albums with it )
- Yes there are scratches and dents. Consequence of years of playing. Remember, the sound only can get better by playing the guitar. The more you play, the more unique it becomes.
- Cracks. Yes it cracked once and now it is repaired. See pictures. The guitar was refurbished and repaired in Barcelona in 2017 by Luthiers Jean Pierre Sardin
Are cracks normal ?
Totally. Flamenco Guitars can and will crack. Changes in humidity, pressure can affect the wood. This is what happens when you travel and play the guitar professionally.
Does this affect the sound?
Yes it can. In this case it did not, as the small crack appeared on the side and the Luthier took care of it almost immediately.
You can find Hermanos Conde Guitars in better visual conditions, but not any that will sound better in this price range. I know because I have tried dozens.
Buy PayPal: $4630
Regular postage included only for Australia
( Includes Flight Case Pro 11 GC LL: valued at $360)
Book a Skype session or call me to try it out: 0448348701
Listen to the Guitar
About the Conde family
Domingo Esteso founded the Conde dynasty in Madrid in 1915.
When Esteso died in 1937, his nephews Mariano Conde Sr., Faustino Conde and Julio Conde ,who were trained by their uncle, continued working for their aunt under the name of "Viuda y Sobrinos de Esteso" until 1960. Julio Conde opened his own workshop in "Calle Atocha 53" in the early 1950's.
Mariano Conde Sr. and Faustino Conde took over Esteso's workshop from 1960 until 1988/1989 and changed their brand name to "Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso Conde Hermanos" or "Hermanos Conde Sobrinos de Domingo Esteso".
Domingo Esteso at the door of the workshop Calle Gravina 7, (1930s ?)
The dynasty continues with Faustino and Mariano Conde. (1970=
This guitar has a "Media Luna" headstock and one of the exclusive traditional rosette designs.The guitar is made from highest quality tone-woods that have matured for several decades.
The tuning machines are made by Fustero.
- Luthier: Conde Hermanos, Calle Gravina 7 ( orginal store)
- Construction year: 2006
- Finish: Laque
- Top: Spruce
- Back and sides: Cypress
- Scale: 665 mm
- Nut: 52 mm
Flight Case
Included in the price is the Hiscox Pro-GC-LL guitar case, (Valued at $360)
- Crush resistance rate greater than 500kg.
- Thermal insulation protecting
- Aluminium Valance ( almost waterproof)
- Internal guitar case dimensions:
Length 1028mm 40 1/2″ Lower Bout up to 380mm 15″ Upper Bout 279mm 11″ Body Length 495mm 19 1/2″ Body Depth 117mm 4 1/2 " Empty Weight 3.99kg 8.80lbs
Buy PayPal: $4630
Regular postage included only for Australia
( Includes Flight Case Pro 11 GC LL: valued at $360)
Book a Skype session or call me to try it out: 0448348701
Compare guitars
Refund and Return policy
You are entitled to a refund or repair or exchange or credit if the goods you have purchased are:
1. Faulty
2. Significantly different to those shown or described to you, or
3. Not doing what they are supposed to do
Please choose carefully when buying. You won't automatically get a refund for changing your mind, unless this was a condition of the sale. Please keep your receipt as proof of purchase
Book a Skype demonstration and stop by to choose the guitars. You must feel comfortable with the specific sound, string tension; you need to hear the uniqueness and feel how the generated harmonics interact with your body and room sound.


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Home > ACACIA PARQUET FLOORING
ACACIA Categories
Acacia parquet wood flooring comes in multi-layered structure with some specific geometric patterns carved from 2-4mm thickness acacia real wood veneer bonded onto the plywood block of size 450x450mm, 500x500mm,600x300mm etc,the cross dimensional CARB certified plybase contribute to the great stability after parquet installation.There are many pattern designs available for such modular acacia parquet thanks to our advanced CNC machines carving in accurate way to present an unique magnificiant flooring.
Each part of the patterned parquet with acacia comes in natural variations while the overall look display all features of the hardwood, it makes uniform beauty out of natural hardwood color variations. In the meantime, we can stain it with either lighter or darker color to suit your taste.Each unqiue geometric patterns transforming European Antique cultures into your room charming.
The parquet flooring manufacturing is a slow & hard job, which makes it much more costly than common engineered wood plank floors.But it really helps to build up luxry room, especially for the big halls of high end residential projects.
Displaying 1 to 3 ( of 3 products)


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remingtin, bergeron, the linear complex, discount, the spitvalves, leland plumbing, my ice and the lack have cancelled.
*reversal of man: tampa, fl
*milemarker: carrboro, nc
*portrait: atlanta, ga
*je-free: gainesville, fl
*the red scare: knoxville, tn
*day building: orlando, fl
*the spirit of versailles: sioux falls, sd
*the maccabees (ex-pohgoh): tampa, fl
*d.j. maaku: new york
*the runnamucks: orlando, fl
*saqqara: sioux falls, sd
*the forstella ford: racine, wi
*jackie carlson: tampa, fl
*hunter-gatherer: atlanta, ga
*versailles: tampa, fl
*spacious int'l: tampa, fl
*lauren cain: orlando, fl
*word play inc. (2 mc's) *s.f.t. (swift floor techniques) (breakers) *spitfire turntablists (2 dj's): miami, fl
*bloody fucking chum bucket: orlando, fl
*lars: gainesville, fl
*the florida arson project: orlando, fl
*against me: gainesville, fl
*juniper ruby: boston, ma
*bloody red velvet: boston, ma
*combat wounded veteran: tampa, fl (maybe)
there will be a 45 minute rule for bands. in this time frame, the bands will set up, play and break down. while another band is setting up, the band before will be breaking down, sharing 15 minutes of their 45 to do so. so every band will have 30 minutes to play.


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Anaheim Ducks (33-12-6) at Nashville Predators (33-11-6)
|Date & Time
|Thursday February 5, 2015, 8:00 PM (EST)
|The Line
The Line: Nashville Predators / Anaheim Ducks --- Over/Under:
|TV Channel
|Stream NHL games all season on ESPN+ for only $4.99 a month. Sign up now!
Two of the best teams in the National Hockey League get together on Thursday night in what should be the game of the night. The Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators are tied for the NHL and Western Conference lead with 72 points on the season with the Ducks having played one more game overall. Anaheim had lost two straight before rebounding on Tuesday night in a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes that proved to be much more difficult than expected. Trailing 4-2 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game the Ducks got some life when Devante Smith-Pelly scored his fifth goal of the season to cut the Hurricanes lead to a goal. Corey Perry would then tie the game with his 21st goal of the season and send it into overtime. In the extra session it was Perry setting up Ryan Getzlaf with a beautiful centering feed that he would bury into the back of the net for the game winner. Frederik Anderson picked up his 28th win of the year but he did allow four goals on 32 shots in the game. Perry gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead just 37 seconds into the second period before Carolina would rebound with two goals of their own to take the lead. Ryan Kesler also scored his 14th goal of the year on the power play. Anaheim out shot the Hurricanes 13-3 in the first period but they couldn't put one by Anton Khudobin. The Ducks rallied from two goals down in the third period despite being out shot 17-5 by the Hurricanes in the final 20 minutes.
Nashville enters Thursday night's contest winners of two straight games and they've managed to stay competitive despite the loss of Pekka Rinne last month. Carter Hutton hasn't been great by any stretch but he's done enough to keep the Predators in games and give them chances to win games that they should. Rinne appears to be making progress so expect to see him back between the pipes for the Predators soon. Tuesday night the Predators appeared to be in control of their match up with the Toronto Maple Leafs before watching their lead fall apart early in the third period. Toronto scored twice to grab a 3-2 lead before Mike Fisher would even things up with his 13th goal of the season. Colin Wilson would score the game winner at 11:18 to give the Predators the 4-3 win. Hutton stopped 25 of the 28 shots he faced to improve his record to 4-4-4 on the season.
This is a big game for the Predators to prove to a club like Anaheim that they're one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference this season. Anaheim has been here before and despite their shortcomings in the post season of late there's still a lot of belief in the Ducks organization. It's hard to predict which Anaheim club we'll see on a nightly basis right now. Nashville is playing well but Hutton in goal could be a big disadvantage against a club like this.


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Joe's Post # 23 — I got nuthin'. No words of wisdom. No amusing anecdotes. No tales of a hero overcoming obstacles. So, time for another journey into the bizarre world of spam. Here are the latest additions, all unaltered.
Spam #2
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Queries Written: 2
Queries Sent: 0
Synopsisesesess Written: 1
Synopsisesesess that suck: 1
Bios written: 1
Not the best week of my life. Need to do better.


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Dear new day, let me welcome your arrival
dear new day, im really depending on you for survival
Dear new day, have you come as a friend or my rival?
Dear new day, your presence here has already gone viral!
People are saying with you is coming a difference and hope
That i should make you my reference to cope
Because yesterday was a burden and nothing improved
My sorrows remained in vain with more pressure approved
I hope you are coming with you new ideas and new situations
Coz am tired of the same loop of sorrow and deep frustrations
That all these past days have fed me
Nothing change, since this kind of tranquility wed me
Please newday
Come with you new and honest leaders
For we are over satisfied with the calamities that these politicians feed us
They come humble to us when they need our vote
And quickly close their ears imediately they occupy the largest spot
Yesterdays scientists dedicate their time to erradicate fellow human beings
And spend massive time in labs manufacturing deadly inhuman things:
Dieseases, weapons, robbots, poisons and magic
They manipulate us, and basically the ending is always tragic
Dear New day
Please come with a difference
For the past days all came with arrogance!
Have mercy on the women and children who keep loosing their loved ones in war
Oh please new day, stay unique for your ancestors have been no different at all.


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22 Edwin Avenue, Guiseley
- Modern Semi Detached
- Three Double Bedrooms
- Fitted Breakfast Kitchen
- Sitting Room with Balcony
- Two En Suite Shower Rooms
- Attractive Low Maintenance Gardens
- Garage and Parking
- EPC Rating
- No Onward Chain
- Viewing Essential
Call our office on: 01943 873613 or:Enquire Now
A SPACIOUS SEMI DETACHED HOME OFFERING DELIGHTFUL ACCOMMODATION WITH THREE BEDROOMS, SITTING ROOM WITH BALCONY, TWO EN SUITE SHOWER ROOMS, PLEASANT GARDEN AND A GARAGE. This lovely family home is well placed in this popular area within reach of many local amenities including shops, schools and the nearby railway station. The accommodation briefly comprises: ground floor, entrance hall with internal access to the integral garage, utility room, double bedroom with en suite shower room, first floor, landing, sitting room with balcony to rear, breakfast kitchen, W.C, second floor, landing, master bedroom with en suite, third double bedroom, and the house bathroom. Externally the property has a driveway leading to the integral garage, enclosed rear gardens and also a balcony seating area.
- Modern Semi Detached
- Three Double Bedrooms
- Fitted Breakfast Kitchen
- Sitting Room with Balcony
- Two En Suite Shower Rooms
- Attractive Low Maintenance Gardens
- Garage and Parking
- EPC Rating
- No Onward Chain
- Viewing Essential
The property is well placed close to open countryside with many picturesque walks and there are also a variety of recreational facilities in the area. Guiseley town centre is within easy reach and provides a wide range of facilities including shops, cafes, restaurants and bars and there are also a number of schools throughout the area. In addition, Leeds and Bradford city centres together with many surrounding areas can be reached on a daily basis by either car or local bus and train services, Guiseley railway station being centrally located.
The accommodation with GAS FIRED CENTRAL HEATING, SEALED UNIT DOUBLE GLAZING and with approximate room sizes, comprises:
ENTRANCE HALL 17' 1" x 6' 5" (5.21m x 1.96m) A spacious hallway with stairs to the first floor, ceiling cornice, radiator, and door to integral garage.
UTILITY ROOM 6' 6" x 4' 0" max(1.98m x 1.22m) having a stainless steel sink unit with tiled splash backs, plumbing for washing machine, radiator, wall mounted central heating boiler, useful storage cupboard, and door to the rear.
BEDROOM 3 10' 1" x 10' 0" (3.07m x 3.05m) having a window to the rear, built in wardrobe with hanging rail, radiator and television point.
EN SUITE 7' 3" x 5' 1" (2.21m x 1.55m) Fitted with a three piece suite which comprises; shower cubicle, wash basin, low suite w.c, tiled walls, shaver point, radiator, and extractor fan.
LANDING having stairs to the second floor, ceiling cornice, and window to the side.
SITTING ROOM 17' 3" x 12' 6" narrowing to 9'10" (5.26m x 3.81m) A light and airy reception room with French doors to the balcony, window to the rear, ceiling cornice, feature gas fire, television and telephone points, and a radiator.
BALCONY 10' 10" x 8' 10" (3.3m x 2.69m) A pleasant additional outside space, enclosed with wrought iron railings.
BREAKFAST KITCHEN 10' 2" x 11' 5" (3.1m x 3.48m) Fitted with wall and base units with work surface over, tiled splash backs, one and a half bowl sink unit, integrated Bosch oven and grill, four ring gas hob with hood over, plumbing for a dishwasher, television point, and window to the front.
WC 6' 5" x 3' 9" (1.96m x 1.14m) Fitted with a pedestal wash basin with tiled splash backs, low suite w.c, radiator, and window to the front.
LANDING having a window to the side, radiator, access hatch to loft, and useful storage cupboard.
MASTER BEDROOM 11' 11" x 10' 0" (3.63m x 3.05m) having built in wardrobes with shelving and hanging rails, television and telephone point, and window to the rear.
EN SUITE 6' 10" x 5' 0" (2.08m x 1.52m) Fitted with a three piece suite which comprises; shower cubicle, pedestal wash basin, low suite w.c, radiator, shaver socket, and extractor fan.
BEDROOM 2 10' 6" x 9' 5" (3.2m x 2.87m) having a window to the front, radiator, and built in wardrobe with hanging rail and shelving.
BATHROOM 6' 8" x 6' 6" (2.03m x 1.98m) Fitted with a three piece suite which comprises; bath, wash basin, low suite w.c, part tiled walls, shaver socket, extractor fan, and window to the front.
GARDEN To the rear of the property is a low maintenance garden which has a pleasant decked seating area, outside tap, panelled fencing and a gate to the side.
GARAGE having an up and over door, light and power.
COUNCIL TAX Leeds City Council Tax Band E. For further details on Leeds Council Tax Charges please contact them direct.
TENURE We understand the property is freehold.
DIRECTIONS From Dale Eddisons office in central Guiseley, proceed along the A65 in the direction of White Cross. Turn left onto Renton Avenue and continue to the end. At the junction with Back Lane, turn right into Back Lane and then the next right again into Edwin Avenue. Continue up Edwin Avenue where the property can be found on the right hand side.
VIEWING Strictly by prior appointment with Dale Eddison's Guiseley office.
Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm
Saturdays 9am - 4pm
Sundays 11am - 3pm
GENERAL The extent of the property and its boundaries are subject to verification by inspection of the title deeds. The measurements in these particulars are approximate and have been provided for guidance purposes only. The fixtures, fittings and appliances have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. The internal photographs used in these particulars are reproduced for general information and it cannot be inferred that any item is included in the sale.
Money Laundering Regulations (Introduced June 2017). To enable us to comply with the expanded Money Laundering Regulations we are required to obtain identification from prospective buyers once a price and terms have been agreed on a purchase. Buyers are asked to please assist with this so that there is no delay in agreeing a sale.
Similar Properties


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IMCDA Race Report Part 3: A Runner Today/
Once I got off the bike, I had an eerie sense of deja-vu. I could feel the light heat of the afternoon, and I could feel my tight and slightly wobbly legs. Memories of Ironman Arizona crept into my head. Stomach cramps during the first mile of the run. IT bands locking up almost immediately. Med tent visits. Running alone. Darkness setting in. Goals slipping away with the moonrise. I walked into T2 unsure what to expect of myself, taking my time in transition to make sure I had everything I would need for what might become a long, long walk.
After the kindest trio of volunteers slathered me with sunblock, I exited T2 and walked along the crowd-infested corridor out to Sherman Avenue. The noise and energy was incredible. Everyone seemed to be imploring me to stop walking and to get a move-on. I noticed that the Timex official event clock struck 8:00 almost on the dot as I passed under it.
Breaking 12 hours was not meant to be today. But breaking 12:30:00 was a real possibility -- if I started running. Still, that would be a 30-minute personal best time if I could pull it off.
Thirty freaking minutes.
Like a jockey kicking the sides of a horse, I slapped my right thigh to pick up the pace. "Let's see how this goes," I thought, scared that my legs would lock up just like in Tempe.
I felt good?!
I exploded out onto Sherman Avenue to thunderous cheers for all the athletes. It didn't matter I was a middle-of-the-pack triathlete, the crowd didn't care. They just wanted me to believe in myself and smile. So I did, thanking people who called out my name because of my race bib and even high-fiving a few people along the way. This was glorious, what every weekend warrior dreams of. That one moment in time where you're not watching the Tour de France, you're riding in it. You're not watching the World Series, you're starting Game 1.
That is what Ironman is all about...one moment in time where it's your name on the back of the jersey, not MJ's, not LeBron's, not Jeter's, not Brady's.
I kept a strong pace through the first mile until I reached the Fortius team tent. Steph, Coach Gerardo and my teammates were all there to encourage me. I stopped to give Steph a brief kiss and told her I felt really good.
It was on.
Those first six miles, I assaulted the course. I ran motivated, fearless, and angry. See, my strength trainer told me weeks before the race that "my body simply isn't cut out for running" and that I should quit altogether after Ironman. Thanks to Steph's guidance, we came up with a mantra that funneled my resentment and hurt: "I may not be cut out to be a runner. But I'm a runner TODAY." I repeated that phrase out loud the first six miles, along with another choice statement: "I am fucking invincible today." I'm not sure where the latter one came from, but I know what sparked it. I knew my Fortius teammates and LA Tri Club buddies were behind me. I also knew they probably figured I'd do what I had done at Wildflower Long Course triathlon this past May -- bonk hard on the run after a hard bike.
Heck, I thought I was going to as well!
But I just couldn't let that happen. I couldn't stand the humiliation of proving once again that I'm all bike and no run. I needed to be more than that. I had set up my race all day for the run. I had stayed within myself on the bike, calculating my nutrition by feel and pace by instinct just so I would be in this position.
I was NOT letting go of my lead. Not today. Because today, I'm a runner. Plain and simple. Runners don't lose their lead.
I had no idea how fast I was running, but I knew I was following my walk-the-aid-station plan and running faster than I had during my training sessions. I felt amazing. Around mile 12, I found my buddy Chris, who kicked my ass on the bike by about six minutes. I gave up trying to catch him early in the bike race, hedging my bets for this moment.
When I ran alongside Chris, I told him to run-walk with me, that we could finish together if we did. I really meant it. Chris has been a good friend and training partner the past couple years. I didn't want to see him suffer, and he was clearly bonking. Chris gave it a valiant effort to keep the pace but fell back. I saw him once more as I started my second loop of the marathon at mile 13.5 and he was just starting his second loop. I didn't see him again.
This is where I got into trouble. I lost my head when I saw Team Fortius around mile 14. I was having the run of my life, or so it felt. I demanded that my teammates not tell me my pace or what time of the day it was. I didn't want to know! I was so locked into my own mental space that it didn't matter. I could feel my heart-rate rise though as I saw Steph, Gerardo and Christina. I started screaming, "I MAY NOT BE A RUNNER, BUT I AM TODAY!!!" Later, Christina would say her hand still hurt from my high-five as I rushed past.
That heart-rate and adrenaline surge would cost me a few miles later.
I started to bonk around mile 17, two miles more than my longest run of the past six months. There's a long half-mile uphill climb and it ate me alive. I had stopped repeating my mantra and was simply focused on reaching each aid station in the best condition possible. Stomach cramps started searing my midsection, though I had made a smart tactical gamble five miles prior when I picked up a Pepto Bismal tablet package that someone had dropped on the course. Just like at Ironman Arizona, I thought I might need it. I surely did.
Mile 18 came, and this is where it gets a little gross. I apologize in advance, but in the spirit of honesty and sharing what happens to the body during an Ironman, I pissed myself. I had to use the restroom, my brain was tired, I didn't want to stop moving and I didn't have the willpower to wait any longer. I walked through an aid station as urine poured down my leg. Nobody could tell as I took water sponges and drenched the back of my neck and head to make it look like water was soaking my whole body.
Sorry mom.
The next four miles were the hardest. The hills continued to whittle my legs out from under me, and the hamstring cramps kicked in. I remember running and looking at my shadow just as I pulled up lame with a shooting flame locking my right leg up. I limped for about 10 steps and continued to run while breathing straight to the pain. Cramp gone. This happened two or three times along the way. My strong pace had crumbled completely, going from what I later learned was a 9:36 pace to a 11:53/mile pace for those four miles. I had bonked HARD.
The drama and finality of finishing my second Ironman kicked in around the 24th mile. The crowds of neighbors peeking out from their homes in the residential neighborhood could tell who was on their second loop and which runners were starting their first. They seemed to pay special attention to those of us who looked the most wounded. That would be me. "Come on Ryan! Finish this! Don't stop!" One house had the Rocky Balboa theme song blasting from its driveway.
That's all I needed. I had worked this entire year for this moment. It was the 15th round. I had punched hard, been punched hard, knocked this race down and been knocked down by it. But now it was time to FINISH. No excuses. No pain.
Mile 25. One final round of cramps just for good measure on the final hill before reaching Coeur d'Alene City Hall. I ran through the parking lot, still oblivious to whatever my time and pace had been to this point. Then, I saw the City Hall clock before making the final turn onto Sherman Avenue and seeing the absolutely endless finisher's chute -- fortunately all downhill from there.
7:25 p.m.
I was going to break 4:30. I did it without a watch. I did it without a clue on timing.
I did it all on heart.
The final quarter-mile felt quite different from Ironman Arizona. I wasn't giddy this time. I was exhausted. I felt like the Memphis Belle from the 1980s movie with Matt Modine and Eric Stoltz. Landing gear gone. Wing shot up. No fuel in the tank. Gonna land on my belly, if I land at all.
Just. Get. Me. To. The. Finish.
Gerardo high-fived me. "You PR'd!" Too tired to acknowledge it. Just keep running, I thought.
The final chute. The cheering is actually a roar. Somehow, I spot Stephanie to my left. My arms raise, and I point to her emphatically.
This moment was for her as much as it was for me. WE did this. We did it!
I promised myself throughout my training that when I crossed the finish line of my second Ironman, I'd make the famous "V" sign with both hands to indicate two completed Ironmans. Oh it felt good to raise those arms!
"Ryan Schneider, from Sherman Oaks, California!"
"You're an Ironman!"
I predicted 12:26:00 or better in my pre-game mental strategy race document.
My race ended with me standing alone in the chilly lake waters, coaxing the lactic acid out of my legs. The water was calm and lapped around me so gently. The sun was nowhere near setting. The temperature was perfect, and if someone told me that this is what heaven would be like, I'd be quite content.
I wasn't really thinking anything in that moment. Just totally present. Totally at peace. Once again, I was thrown some pretty major curveballs on one of the toughest physical days of my life. I didn't panic. Instead, my attitude reflected the calmness in that lake at that very moment.
I couldn't help but beam.
I may not be a runner. But I was a runner that day.
And I was a two-time Ironman too.


text:
A Fake Card-Carrying Member/
Discussions about Lee Harvey Oswald often venture to speculation when seeking to provide a feasible motive for Oswald's purported actions. With scant time to prepare, without verifiable practice, some deem his alleged associations can explain what officials failed to repeatedly. Often the Fair Play for Cuba Committee (FPCC), an organization in the United States that promoted the interests Fidel Castro and by extension his Communist regime is attributed some blame. Others assert Oswald was a loyal and active member serving the Communist or Socialist factions within the group. This claim is followed by allegations that Oswald was a lone gunman or a creature of Cuban or Soviet intelligence. However, the FPCC was a loosely organized group that never directed Oswald to do anything.
"April 6, 1960...'The New York Times' paper contained a full-page advertisement captioned 'What Is Really Happening In Cuba,' placed by the Fair Play for Cuba Committee (FPCC). This advertisement announced the formation of the FPCC in New York City and declared the FPCC intended to promulgate 'the truth about revolutionary Cuba' to neutralize the distorted American press." This declaration largely alienated the FPCC with most American media and labeled it a possible subversive threat to some powerful American officials and organizations. The inflammatory opening press salvo was a seeming misstep and some were intent on manipulating or destroying the pro-Castro Committee.i The New York Times reports later that year in November that FPCC asserted having five thousand paid members in the United States.ii
The FBI was already investigating the FPCC by April 13, 1960 and tracing the origin of the Committee's initial advertisement. A confidential informant provided the Bureau data that led officials to request information regarding who paid for the FPCC advertisement in the New York Times.iii In March nineteen sixty-one, an unnamed Agency employee was seeking information from FPCC member Court Wood. They report, "Court seems to be extremely naive concerning my position with the Agency, and he is very open and frank with me in all areas. I am certain if given enough time I can obtain a great deal of information on the background and activities of his associates."iv Subsequently, investigation of the FPCC had spread to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. Senator Thomas J. Dodd was concerned with not only the loosely regulated distribution of mail order guns but also the FPCC as a potential domestic security threat.v
Some claim a person would have to be a formal participating member of the FPCC to affiliate with them; however, that was not the case. Harold Alderman was a graduate student at Tulane University and had participated in multiple FPCC events. In the past Alderman picked up literature for distribution and wore a lapel pin with the words "Hands Off Cuba". He also participated in a picket line the FPCC had sponsored near the prior CIA Washington D.C. headquarters and he participated in a separate protest of President John F. Kennedy as well. His public actions supporting the FPCC were seemingly as extensive as Lee Harvey Oswald's, yet Harold Alderman was never a member. After his arrival in New Orleans, Alderman claims he did not pursue the FPCC's agenda beyond debating anti-Communist writer Alexander Rorke in October of nineteen sixty-two.
Alderman confessed sympathy for the FPCC but stated he was "disappointed with the people who constituted the membership. He said...they are motivated emotionally rather than politically. He said he knows of no Fair Play for Cuba Committee organized activity in the New Orleans area, now or in the past." However, in the summer of nineteen sixty-three he learned about a fellow student Hugh Murray who received an FPCC handbill on campus. After obtaining a copy of the handbill, Alderman later discovered the name on this handbill was A.J. Hidell the alias officials allege Oswald used.vi Consequently, a person did not need to be a member to participate in the FPCC, someone who desired formal membership possibly had other reasons to want a demonstrable connection.
From Oswald's private writings we can demonstrate in some respects he was just as averse to Communism in the United States as he was Capitalism. In a handwritten speech, Oswald states, "The Communist Party of the United States has betrayed itself! It has turned itself into the traditional lever of a foreign power to overthrow the United States government; not in the name of freedom or high ideals, but in servile conformity to the wishes of the Soviet Union and in anticipation of Soviet Russia's complete domination of the American continent." His words are not a ringing endorsement of Communism, and seem to indicate Oswald was not just a mere tool of the Cubans or Soviets. Oswald would denounce the Soviet Union's tactics and American Communism multiple times. Additionally, he never attended a meeting of Communist Party in America or Russia and he never attended a meeting of the FPCC. Yet he feasibly tried to generate the appearance of association.
May 26, 1963 Lee Harvey Oswald writes a letter to V. T. Lee the National Director of the FPCC. His letter contains a few quite interesting requests; the first is seeking formal membership.vii As was demonstrated by the previous statement of Harold Alderman, one could work for the Committee without formal membership, unless they sought to be associated with subversive activities. Oswald also requests a membership charter purportedly to establish a New Orleans chapter, which he never does. In a response letter to an address change notice sent by Oswald, the National Director states they have no past mailing information regarding him. He refers to renewal of Oswald's subscription to FPCC literature, places him on the mailing list, sends a "replacement" membership card and thanks him for his reported efforts.viii Yet there is no proof Oswald had prior been an official member and the FPCC had also maintained non-member organizations that affiliated with it as well.ix
Oswald then wrote of desiring an office in the group and requested a chapter charter and additional materials. According to officials, Oswald has Marina forge the name of A.J. Hidell, his alleged alias, on his new membership card. The unknown Hidell on paper claimed to be leader of the new group, yet Hidell represents a fictional officer in the nonexistent New Orleans Chapter. Oswald had allegedly fabricated a chapter to aid in his public Communist veneer. During Oswald's later arrest in New Orleans connected to his FPCC related activities, he requests an FBI agent then proceeds to report all his subversive behavior. The interviewing Bureau agent believed Oswald possibly staged a public confrontation for unspecified reasons and was dishonest about his affiliations.
In a statement to officials V.T. Lee states, "...all of Oswald's activities on behalf of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee were taken on his own initiative without the consent and approval of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee headquarters. Lee advised that Oswald had never been granted a chapter, that the Fair Play for Cuba Committee does not maintain a membership list, that he had no recollection of granting membership to Oswald and that he was unable to locate a plate for Oswald on the mailing list." This lack of a membership list could prevent officials from targeting a list of subversive members. Yet like Alderman, Oswald is seemingly associated with but according to V.T. Lee's statement not an official member and never in a legitimate FPCC chapter.x
While Oswald indeed claimed to be a former member of the FPCC and to have chapter members in New Orleans, officials dealing with Oswald doubted his claims of a chapter but supported his claims of membership.xi "Vincent Ted Lee, National Chairman of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee was interviewed December 3, 1963. He stated he had no knowledge of a charter having been issued by or anyone else for a Committee Chapter in New Orleans."xii When Oswald's chapter card information was falsified, it ceased to be valid and Oswald's membership was feasibly compromised when the fraudulent card was reportedly created June 15, 1963.
In late September of nineteen sixty-three the Central Intelligence Agency desired information "...concerning the availability of samples of FPCC stationery and the current foreign mailing list in connection with their consideration of plans to counter the activities of the FPCC in foreign countries...".xiii Another FBI document states a confidential informant within the subversive group had provided a piece of FPCC stationery, one envelope, their foreign mailing list, and one membership card to the Bureau for official use. This would allow officials to study and feasibly recreate such materials for use in counterintelligence operations. Officials were later able to make exact reproductions and used them for study after President Kennedy's assassination.
Despite prior official claims, the FPCC leadership opposed becoming a mere proxy of other leftist groups. A Bureau official notes "...currently the FPCC is in a state of turmoil. Ted Lee has announced his intention of resigning as director of the FPCC within 30 to 60 days and apparently has made arrangements for the FPCC to be turned over to the CP (Communist Party). However, Lee is unpredictable and with the situation within the FPCC changing on an almost daily basis, it is difficult to predict the outcome of this current strife, which centers around Ted Lee who is 'fed up'. "xiv After President Kennedy's assassination, some claim that Oswald was an active member of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee.
Just days prior to nineteen sixty-four the New York World Telegram and Sun reported the FPCC sought to end its organization. Its swift end was attributed to the prior Senate investigation of its activities that revealed funding with links to Fidel Castro. The final nail in the FPCC's coffin was the deep connections officials alleged the group had with Lee Harvey Oswald. One Bureau informant stated in February of nineteen sixty-four "V.T. Lee had recently remarked that the FPCC was dead, and that there were no plans to organize another similar organization." The group Oswald sought to associate with largely perished a few months after he did. Yet the unproven allegations of those seeking to brand him a Communist live on.
C.A.A. Savastano
TPAAK Facebook
i. President's Commission Document 892, Federal Bureau of Investigation Letterhead Memorandum Re: Fair Play for Cuba, April 3, 1964
ii. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oswald Headquarters File 105-82555, Section 182, Fair Play for Cuba Committee Bay Area Chapter, June 1, 1964, p. 1
iii. House Select Committee on Assassinations, Segregated CIA Collection, Report of Investigation Fair Play for Cuba Committee, Box 41, April 13, 1960, pp. 3-4, 1993.08.10.17:48:36:340039
iv. HSCA, Seg. CIA Coll., Note Re: Fair Play for Cuba Committee, March 18, 1961, 104-10114-10152
v. Hearing of the U.S. Senate Judicial Subcommittee to Investigate the Administration of the Internal Security Act, Fair Play for Cuba Committee, June 13, 1961 p. 356-357, 1993.08.10.17:48:36:340039
vi. FBI, Ruby Headquarters File 44-24016, Section 14, Statement of Harold Gordon Alderman, November 26, 1963
vii. HSCA Report, Appendix Volume VIII, p. 337
viii. President Commission Document 1, FBI Summary Report, Letter from VT Lee to Lee Harvey Oswald, May 22, 1963
ix. FBI, Oswald HQ File 105-82555, Section 182, June 1, 1964, pp. 1-2
x. FBI, HSCA Administrative Folder-F8, Rough Draft Re Brief, Fair Play for Cuba Committee, p. 40
xi. Hearings of the President's Commission, Volume X, Testimony of Francis Martello, p. 57
xii. President's Commission Document 1, FBI Summary Report, p. 65
xiii. Central Intelligence Agency, Miscellaneous Series, Airtel- Fair Play for Cuba Committee, October 4, 1963, pp. 1-2, 104-10310-10070
xiv. Ibid
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Oswald in Mexico City


text:
[url=http://www.thecarrotbox.com/index.asp]The Carrotbox[/url] is an ecommerce shop for all those wonderful rings made of acrylic, lucite, resin, perspex, bakelite, glass and even stone ? anything, as long as it's not metal! The founder started the shop because she is allergic to metals ? can't wear gold, can't wear silver, definitely can't wear anything that only looks like gold or silver. She's become a fanatic about plastic rings. They're fun. And colorful. And inexpensive… usually. Plastic jewelry truly is allergy-safe jewelry. Why should your fingers go naked?
I love this [url=http://www.thecarrotbox.com/store/chunky.asp]"Jacquie" ring[/url]
— so cute with the lemon and lime colors of the moment.


text:
Blue Highways: Potlatch and Tensed, Idaho
Unfolding the Map
All I can say right now is wow. If you go to the map to identify Potlatch and Tensed, Idaho you'll see that Tensed is the 200th point we've marked on the Blue Highways reading journey. Pat yourselves on the back, Littourati! Since I've combined some map points into one post, I've done about 175 posts on Blue Highways, and we still have a long trip to go. I think we'll make 300 map points before the book is finished. In this post, William Least Heat-Moon (LHM) picks up a hitchhiker who happens to be an evangelist for the Seventh Day Adventists. Despite a rough start, LHM comes to like him. I'll reflect on what there is to admire in evangelists, even if you don't necessarily want, like or agree with their message.
Book Quote
"...he climbed in, smiling, introducing himself. His name was Arthur O. Bakke...
"Now the first question from a hitchhiker never varies: 'How far ya goin'?' ...Arthur O. Bakke's first question was, 'Do you want a free Bible course?' Oh, god, not this, I thought. 'Jesus is coming,' he said. Save me, I thought and started working on a reason to turn back and head the other way.
"'....The Spirit's moving in you, but never mind that.' He pulled out a palm-sized notebook made of two pieces of linoleum. 'Where did you pick me up?'
"'Near Potlatch, Idaho.'
"....When I pulled in for gas, he checked his watch and said aloud as he wrote: 'Fueling stop at Tensed, Idaho.'
"Tensed is on the Coeur d'Alene reservation. As a young Indian scrubbed the windshield, Bakke leaned out the window. 'Would you like a free Bible course?' The boy never stopped wiping, but he looked in at me. I shrugged. 'Jesus is coming soon,' Bakke chirped.
"The Coeur d'Alene said, faltering, 'No read white man word.'
"Bakke thought for a moment. The Indian finished wiping, and I followed him inside to sign the credit slip. Filling out the form in a precise hand, he said, 'What's wrong with your buddy?'
"'He's okay. Just a friendly fellow.'
"'That's what they say at the funny farm.'"
Blue Highways: Part 7, Chapter 2
Potlatch and Tensed, Idaho
What do you do when you're confronted by a person who wants to talk to you about God or Jesus? A person who fervently believes that by doing so, they will plant the seed to your salvation?
If you're like me, you probably close the door or walk away. You hang up the phone or you quickly change the channel from that religious station you accidently switched to when you dropped the remote.
When your own life is racked by doubts and fears, iffiness and uncertainties, and then someone tells you that the answer to everything is to simply let Jesus into your heart, is it surprising that many people feel like they are being exposed to a scam by some salesperson? I still go to a Catholic church relatively regularly, and I still sometimes feel that way after a sermon.
Perhaps you might think the person is a little bit crazy. Who in their right mind not only gives themselves over to the teachings of a person who lived over 2000 years ago, but also has based their daily life around that person and feels compelled to share their obsession with everyone else? Crazy, right?
Or, take my father's. When a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses came to our house and asked if he would be willing to talk about his salvation, my father did a masterful job of pretending that he was simple and only interested in the strawberries he was tending. Only later did I realize that as they were trying to point him toward the beauty of salvation, he was trying to point them toward the simple beauty of a garden of strawberries. My father was a damaged man which had major ramifications for me in my childhood, but that was one time that I was able to see some of his often hidden wisdom.
That's what I enjoy about these quotes from LHM - which I've culled from a much longer passage. We'll continue to ride along with LHM and Arthur O. Bakke, Seventh Day Adventist and earnest adherent of Christ, for a few more posts. From this dubious beginning, where LHM just wants to get him out of Ghost Dancing (his van) and where people, like the young Coeur d'Alene native man, smile and slowly back away from his offer of a free Bible class, LHM grows to like him and to admire him. In a way, I have also found admiration for these self-appointed messengers because I find that if you put aside religion, my thoughts and their beliefs can find common ground.
Evangelizers often preach that society is too materialistic. We focus on things rather than what's important. As I take in news reports this season of a woman pepper-spraying people in a store to get one of a dwindling supply of XBoxes on Black Friday, or mobs stampeding to grab two-dollar waffle irons at a Wal-Mart, I agree with those who would want to save me. We are too materialistic.
Evangelizers often preach that life has become too complicated, and that accepting Christ and putting our energies toward him will make things clearer. Currently, I am trying to slow my life down. I want to simplify and to de-clutter so that I can put my energies toward things that will lead to personal growth and happiness and which will make a positive influence in the world. I have no disagreement with making space in one's life for such meaningful things.
I often part ways with evangelizers, though. They often literalize the Bible and have an idea that they can slice through the mass of conflicting messages and know exactly what God and Christ intended for us. I am more aware of the conflicts inherent in the Bible, a document written by different people at different time periods and in different cultures that has been translated from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English with all kinds of meanings lost and new meanings added.
Like evangelizers, I also choose what I think are the true messages of the Bible. Do we, as the Old Testament says, take an eye for an eye, or do we, as Jesus in the New Testament commands, love our enemies and turn the other cheek? Do we condemn to Hell those who can't or won't accept Christ, or do we walk among the sinners, the poor and the outcast as Jesus did? I tend to be one who wants to love enemies and turn the other cheek in most cases. I'm the guy who wants to walk among the sinners, the outcast and the poor. Not only do I find them more interesting than most of the supposedly pious, but I also learn and grow from them and their experiences. I don't see the evangelizers as being open to all except in the context of getting people to renounce everything and accept their Christian beliefs. Otherwise, they have no time for you. This has been driven home to me by the actions of a local evangelical homeless shelter in Albuquerque which won't shelter people for the night unless they promise to accept Jesus into their hearts, and a local, wealthy, evangelical mega-church who, according to one woman my wife met, refused to help her when she was down and out and advised her to go see the Catholics instead.
There are times, however, when I think it is very attractive to be so certain - to be so sure of one's convictions that all of the cloudiness and uncertainty of life disappears and things become quite clear. That's why I sometimes envy the evangelizers. If I can gain just a little of that serenity and conviction in my own life, I think I would be a lot more satisfied. I don't see giving myself completely over to Christ as the answer for me. I'm perfectly happy with the level of my participation in my church. For me, the challenge is accepting and believing in myself. That's why to me the message of the evangelizers is so deceptive. If I did completely devote my life to Christ, I would be subsuming myself. I finally feel, at the age of 47, I'm just truly getting to know who I am and I don't want to lose myself again.
Musical Interlude
Evidently the great guitarist Ry Cooder is known for his rendition of Jesus on the Main Line. I found at least five or six of his renditions on YouTube and this one is from his younger days in the 1970s. It's a great song, even if you're not into the message.
If you want to know more about Potlatch and Tensed
City of Potlatch
Wikipedia: Potlatch
Wikipedia: Tensed
Next up: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho