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We didn't get a chance to grow any sunflowers in our garden this year (something about my husband being home for three months with a recovering shoulder joint) but my uncle did and his sunflowers were enormous. When we visited my family for Victoria's birthday party he gave me one of the giant sunflower's heads, full of seeds and warped by the enormous weight of it, I wrapped it in a paper bag as best I could and Isobel and I plucked each seed from the prickly head when we returned home. She also insisted on gathering the sunny yellow petals.
I hope to plant some and grow them through the fall and into winter. They have a good change of survival, I think, as we normally don't get frost until after Christmas. The rest we are going to roast.
Isobel is already addicted to eating the seeds absolutely plain, uncooked, unsalted, and still in their shell. (She may have caught me eating a few handfuls this way.) But really I want to roast them. Now it had been years since I roasted my own seeds (our flowers from last year were all barren) so stopped by the National Sunflower Association to peek at their recommended oven temperature. I'm so glad I did because they presented a variation of roasted sunflowers that I can't wait to try.
- Sunflower seeds, still in their zebra shells
- Water
- Salt
- Butter
– Cover your seeds with an inch of water and add about 1/2 cup salt per quart of water used. I tend to just eyeball it.
– Soak the seeds in the brine overnight. Drain and pat or air dry.
– Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.
– Spread the seeds on an ungreased cookie sheet and roast for thirty to forty minutes, until golden brown. Cool completely before storing.
– Now, the variation I'm excited about, pour melted butter over the portion you are going to eat immediately. It's like popcorn sunflower seeds! So good.


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Last week, Myanmar confirmed in a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, J.V.R. Prasada Rao, that it will increase funding for domestic HIV programs by 5 million USD:
There were 190 000 people living with HIV and 6700 new HIV infections in Myanmar in 2013. More than 65 000 people were receiving HIV treatment in 2013 and the Ministry of Health estimates the new funding will enable 40 000 additional people living with HIV to access antiretroviral medicine and will increase the national HIV treatment target coverage to 85%. The Minister of Health has asked his staff to work with UNAIDS to determine the cost of reaching 100% coverage.Lovely. Now, if they could just quit throwing journalists in jail and repeal the law that was obviously designed to prevent opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running for president, that would be great.
The Minister of Health also pledged an additional US$ 1 million to further scale up opioid substitution therapy for 10 000 people by the end of 2016. Studies show that harm reduction programmes such as needle–syringe exchange programmes and opioid substitution therapy are effective in reducing the spread of HIV.
In Myanmar, key populations, including people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people, are at higher risk of HIV infection. Mr Rao urged the government to amend policies that violate the human rights of key populations and praised the country's draft intellectual property law, which will help protect access to affordable medicines.

subset: commoncrawl


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I've updated our photo gallery with 116 pictures of Annalise attended the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Expo Hall on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Make sure you check them out by clicking the thumbnails below. Thanks to AliKat who donated the pictures to me. Enjoy!
Public Appearances > Public Appearances from 2017 > January 29 | 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards


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The title is a little empty. Blame the WorldCup. I'm too caught up with it that I didn't make any ice cream for this week's P52 Ice Cream Monday. Oh boo hoo. I didn't even had much time to blog anyways if you've noticed, it's only 2 posts last week. But World Cup is now over and yup SPAIN is the winner!! Yay
For the first time of my entire football watching years (say 3 rounds of WC) I've finally predicted the winner right. 😉 I know.. I don't go with the usuals like Brazil, Germany, Italy or France. I somehow prefer to go for the underdogs and this time around, I knew Spain had a high chance of winning because the timing was just right and they just won Euro Cup in 2008 !! Their team had alot of goood players and they played tremendously well as a team, my faves were Casillas, Alonso, and David Villa, although hoping Torres would be the star, it was Iniesta that came out as rescuer. It was a rough game, LOADS of yellow cards, like Team Ned almost had bookings on all the players except the goalkeeper (which quite hopefully would join Man Utd next season) and maybe 2-3 more players. Rough and dirty.
Although their game against Germany was better, in terms of composure and stats, their perseverance paid eventually. Ok! I'm not going to babble so much, but here's one for the newly crowned World Cup Champion
Back to Ice Cream Monday, I didn't made any ice cream so obviously there's no ice cream from me. But Quinn, from The Perfect Scoop submitted to the Project 52 Ice Cream Mondays. It's a Nashi Pear and Sake Sorbet
Looks pretty and Japanese right!! It looks yum and I love the extra cream and cookie crumbs on top.
I do round ups every Monday if you'd like to submit to Project 52 Ice Cream Mondays. These are the stuffs u need to know if you want to submit for P52 Ice Cream Mondays 🙂
Project 52 Ice Cream Mondays mini rules
1. Entries to Project 52 Ice Cream Mondays must be posts written specifically for Project 52 Ice Cream Mondays. This means they cannot be cross-posted in other events. Photos used in the posts however can be submitted to photo events like DMBLGIT.
2. Project 52 Ice Cream Mondays entries should have the goal of easing Monday blues and quite possibly the rest of weekdays. Just as simple as that.
* Recipe posts of iced concoctions (Ice cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Sherbet, Shaved Ice, Granita, Semifreddo, Parfait or Frozen Yoghurt) will be accepted.
3. Posts must contain the phrase Project 52 Ice Cream Mondays with a link to this site.
4. The posts may be written anytime during the week but you must email me by Sunday 10pm (KL, Malaysia time)
You can use this converter to find out the corresponding time in your location.
5. In your email please include the following information:
- Your Name
- Your Blog Name/URL
- Your Post URL
- Your Location
- Attach a photo – 300px wide min
6. Roundups will be done on the next Monday.
7. You don't have to submit every week but I will do the round up every week nonetheless.


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Americana Classics
by Craig Duncan
Available at Amazon and iTunes
American popular music came into its own at the turn of the 20th century. The sounds of ragtime, Dixieland, and the Charleston were melding into a unique sound that defined a generation and the birth of a century where music would soar to phenomenal heights of originality.
Instruments: ragtime piano, guitar, accordion, clarinet, string bass, banjo


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Adel Melek
Global Vice Chairman Risk Advisory
Bay Adelaide East
8 Adelaide Street West, Suite 200
Adel Melek is Deloitte's Global Vice Chairman of Risk Advisory and Global Lead Client Service Partner for Royal Bank of Canada.
As part of the Deloitte Canada member firm, Adel has over 25 years of diversified professional services experience serving large and complex global organizations on matters related to strategic and operational risk, cyber security, IT controls, financial risk, large scale technology implementations and integration and regulatory compliance. Adel has authored and led a number of research publications, benchmarking studies and surveys, some of which were constantly referenced and used globally, and have been referenced in various high profile research and advisory work including for example the U.S. Presidential Committees on Cyber Security, and more recently in the President's Identity Theft Task Report, "Combating ID Theft; A Strategic Plan", and a Cyber Guide for Board of Directors.


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Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort
A hotel that spills out onto a private beach - sunbeds and umbrellas stubble the sand by blue water. You order a cocktail. Delicious. Might go paragliding later. Situated on Dubai's "golden mile" also known as "the walk" the local area is full of boutiques, bars and restaurants to visit.Read more


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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A garden of one's...
As I was landscaping today, the thought occurred to me that one of Virginia Woolf's contemporaries, Vita Sackville-West, would've really been amused by my garden.
I've always had a fascination for Vita, ever since the PBS special about her life, Portrait of a Marriage. I loved Orlando (the book that Woolf wrote about her), as well as the movie version. I also kind of liked Vita's own book, The Edwardians, although her life was much more scandalous and interesting than her books.
One thing that I've taken away from her life is her gardening philosophy: pick a color scheme and stick to it, and then work in three-dimensional levels. Most of all, make sure that your garden fits your surroundings.
It's autumn in Caledon, so I've made an autumnal garden. Wouldn't this be nice to have in real life?
Monday, September 10, 2007
Adventures in identity
As a mom and member of the Dave-Tanya-Alba family, there are certain things that it just isn't practical to do, like collect autumn-colored dresses (what's a dress?), or go on a trip to visit Ground Zero at the WTC. Yesterday in SL I got to do both. The gypsy dress is from Terry Lightfoot, and that's my squatter's tent in the background, on the right.
Later, I went to the SL WTC memorial. It was nicely done. It was a simple square edifice with the names of the dead sorted by where they died (airplane, building, street), with water in the middle (photo below). I like remembering 9/11 because the day touched me rather directly.
My stepdad was at the WTC train stop at 7 AM on 9/11. He worked a few blocks away, and saw the falling paper from the WTC towers as they fell apart. All that long, strange day, I kept calling and calling his cellphone (and my mother's) to see if they were okay. Cellphones were blocked due to too much traffic, however, and I wasn't able to get through until later that night. It was crazy and stressful and horrific, but what I've taken from it is gratefulness that my family is still with me.
I lit a few candles in memory.
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Lauren La Rose, The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, June 9, 2015 7:28AM EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, June 9, 2015 7:49AM EDT
With Canadian children still failing to meet key physical activity targets, a new report is stressing the benefits of outdoor play and urging adults to give kids more freedom.
The report card found that 70 per cent of three-to-four-year-olds met early years guidelines of at least 180 minutes of daily physical activity at any intensity.
Older children fared much worse. Only seven per cent of five- to 11-year-olds and five per cent of 12- to 17-year-olds met recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily. Walking quickly, skating and biking are examples of moderate activities, while running, basketball and soccer are considered vigorous activities.


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Membership Process
1. The National Honor Society is a society that invites membership to first-semester seniors, all juniors and second-semester sophomores and based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The Chancellor Chapter at STMA is comprised of students who excel in all four of these areas.
2. Students who qualify academically will receive a letter of invitation. Students who have a cumulative average of 93% are notified of their scholastic eligibility and are invited to complete and submit the Student Information Form.
3. Faculty members are invited to evaluate the scholastically eligible students on the basis of leadership, service, and character.
4. The Academic Affairs Committee of STMA serves as the NHS Screening Committee. It meets and reviews the following items in evaluating the applicants:
Student Information Forms
Faculty evaluations
Other verifiable information about each candidate.
5. Candidates receiving a majority vote of the NHS Screening Committee will be inducted into the chapter.
Membership Requirements
A student inducted into the Chancellor Chapter of the National Honor Society must:
1. Maintain academic standing (at least 93% academic average per quarter).
2. Present a verified service sheet indicating at least 10 hours of service per semester. These hours may be used mutually in fulfilling both the NHS service requirement and the STMA service requirement.
3. Attend regularly scheduled NHS meetings.
4. Participate in all activities sponsored by the Chapter and fulfill all responsibilities assigned to the Chancellor Chapter of the NHS.
5. Conduct oneself in a manner befitting an outstanding member of the student body.


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Meet Huemn of India
May 17, 2019 | By Anupreet Bhui
Dec 30, 2015
By WGSN Insider
If your earbuds are in desperate need of new music, then get ready because WGSN has your 2016 playlist sorted.
Our Youth Editors Sarah Owen and Shanu Walpita have scouted the hottest new music talent out there for the New Music 2016 report on WGSN. While all 12 rising stars should be added your playlist, we've chosen to spotlight Connie Constance here on WGSN Insider.
Who is she?
20-year-old Connie Constance from London is starting to steadily garner industry nods for her soulful sounds and head-turning look.
The Fashion: tomboy cool with touches of femininity via silky textures and soft silhouettes.
The Sound: dreamy, soulful R&B set against a gloomy sonic landscape laid out by producer Blue Daisy.
Essential Track: Stars
And new single Lose My Mind
Where you can listen to more: itsconniesworld.com
For the full New Music 2016 report, visit WGSN.
Know what's next. Become a WGSN member today to benefit from our daily trend intelligence, retail analytics, consumer insights and bespoke consultancy services.


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I'm sure by now many of you will be familiar with Karie Westermann's fascinating Kickstarter project, This Thing of Paper. Before the blog tour to support the project even started, the kickstarter was fully funded and the amount pledged continues to climb, and that's testament to the amazing support of knitters for this intriguing project. The fundraiser is open for two more weeks, finishing June 22nd, and every penny raised will be appreciated and put to very good use in bringing this book to print.
Karie's project will be a beautiful book of knitting patterns inspired by the age of Gutenberg.
Text and textiles are inexplicably linked. They both tell stories, fact or fiction, and it only seems fitting then that Karie should bring these subjects together again in this way. The knitting patterns will be accompanied by essays, and the book will be divided into 3 main areas:
Story 1: Manuscript. The story of handmade manuscripts and the people who worked on making them. This story features one garment and two accessories.
Story 2: Invention. The story of the period in which Johannes Gutenberg transformed book production. This story features one garment and three accessories.
Story 3: Printed. The story of when printed matter became more commonplace and helped spread information across Europe. This story features one garment and two accessories.
It goes without saying that I'm curious about the Hat projects that will be part of the 10 patterns! Naturally Karie wants to keep details under wraps, so as to not spoil the big reveal upon publication. She was though happy to talk about one of the Hats in the collection (there will be two) and her inspiration behind it.
Stitches as words, as characters. Mixing and matching them to create different expressions, different pieces of code, each combination resulting in a different outcome. Something that's always fascinated me from a design perspective is how changing one thing, one simple component of a design can result in an entirely different new design. By switching the direction of a twisted stitch, or it's occurrence, you change the narrative. I'm absolutely fascinated to see what Karie does with this Hat design!
As we talked, Karie explained a little about her design process. She tells me she works heavily on paper, starting with the story and concept before any swatching occurs. This is rather different to my process, whereby yes, I'll have a concept, usually structural, but I'll generally work on the needles and let the story develop organically, and it got me thinking again about not only how we tell our stories as designers/artists/writers/creators, but the value in knowing and understanding our different voices. Karie's voice is strong in this project; the concept is undoubtedly hers.
This Thing of Paper is due to be published in spring 2017, and it will be an interesting journey to watch. I do hope Karie keeps us all updated through her blog as she explores bringing this book together and working through the many challenges a project like this will present! In the meantime, the next stop on the tour is Tom of Holland. You can catch the full list of blog tour participants here, and it's a wonderful collection of different voices, each offering their own perspective into the project - very much worth a read.


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Through extra-curricular activities, youth build stronger relationships not only with their peers but also with adults who supervise them and act as positive role models aside from their parents.
Just as students learn how to read from their teachers at school, how to make friends from their peers on the playground, and how to swing a bat from their coaches on the field, they can learn how to be involved, upstanding young citizens from their local law enforcement officers.
If they've never interacted with a law enforcement officer, the deputy walking around in a pressed green uniform with a badge on his chest and a gun on his hip might seem intimidating or even threatening.
But the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office wants young people to know that not every interaction with law enforcement has to be a bad one. Instilling in children a comfortable familiarity with and understanding about the local organizations that work to keep them safe can steer them toward the path to a bright future.
To that end, the Sheriff's Office offers a wide variety of extra-curricular programs for its youth, including the Sheriff's Teen Citizens Academy.
The Sheriff's Teen Citizens Academy is a 6-week program that allows Pinellas County teens the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at the Sheriff's Office.
The program, a modified version of the Sheriff's Citizens Academy for adults, is geared toward teens between ages 15 and 18 who have an interest in law enforcement but aren't able to commit to a long-term educational program or a law enforcement explorer program.
Although dragging a teenager out of bed on Saturday mornings can be a struggle, after the first week, Teen Citizens Academy students will be so ready for the next tour, hands-on training, or demonstration that they'll beat you to the car.
Whether they're weaving through cones behind the wheel of a patrol cruiser, being guided down the halls of the Pinellas County Jail, or learning how to shoot the same guns Sheriff's Office deputies are issued, students learn the agency's ins and outs from more than what they see in movies, on television, or in the news.
At the conclusion of the academy, students attend a graduation ceremony with Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and several agency members at the Sheriff's Administration Building.
Registration for the next Sheriff's Teen Citizens Academy class (scheduled for Saturdays from February 3 through March 10) is due January 19, so complete your teens' applications today!
For the full Sheriff's Teen Citizens Academy schedule, an application, or to learn more about the course in general, visit www.pcsoweb.com/sheriffs-teen-citizens-academy, or contact Community Programs at 727-582-6612 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
As we broach the pinnacle of the holiday season and count down the final days of 2017, we look forward to social celebrations and new years' resolutions with high expectations. But during a busy season of festivities and driving, plans for the future can plummet as quickly as the ball in Times Square if you don't take the proper precautions.
In 2015, 10,265 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, which accounts for 29 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States, according to the Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
One death due to impaired driving is too many, let alone one every 51 minutes, and it is not always the irresponsibly impaired driver whose life is lost. In 2015, 181 children – occupants of vehicles with impaired drivers, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians/bicyclists, etc. – died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the NHTSA.
If potential lives lost aren't enough motivation to stay away from the driver's seat after drinking alcohol or taking other impairing drugs and medications, consider the tremendous financial burden that comes with a driving while impaired (DWI) charge.
According to the NHTSA, DWI costs range from $5,000 to $20,000, with the national average at $10,000. If you cause a crash, injury, or death, the costs are even higher – not to mention the incalculable value of a lost life.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office conducts several DUI Wolf Pack operations throughout the county year-round to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage associated with traffic crashes related to impaired driving, and the holiday season is no exception.
Fortunately, drug- and alcohol-impaired driving are easily preventable.
The obvious – and only – option for people who, for whatever reason, must drive, is to abstain from consuming mind-altering substances. However, if you are of legal drinking age, there are several alternative transportation options available.
Designating a responsible driver whom you can trust to abstain from drugs and alcohol to drive you is likely the cheapest option. Taxi services and ride-share programs like Uber and Lyft are also excellent options to get you home safely at relatively low costs – especially when compared to a $10,000 DWI.
In this busy season of parties, travel, and often drinking, holiday plans could end in tragedy if you don't take the proper safety precautions. I urge you to be responsible, plan ahead, and DON'T drive while impaired – now, or at any time of year.
With November's arrival comes a year's worth of holiday anticipation and anxious preparation.
As we begin fighting the crowds at shopping malls and filling our calendars with decadent family meals and holiday events, it can be easy to forget that some families struggle to provide even the most basic necessities.
Although several organizations coordinate holiday fundraisers and charity events, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has the unique opportunity to give back to children and families with whom they have met and interacted, sometimes on multiple occasions.
Putting names and faces to the recipients of our holiday giving is added incentive to PCSO members who dedicate additional time and effort to benefitting the less fortunate during the season.
For the 14th consecutive year, this month, the Sheriff's Office will kick off the holiday giving season through a partnership with the Indian Rocks Beach Rotary Club, Beach Community Food Pantry at Calvary Episcopal Church, Pinellas Suncoast Fire Rescue District, and Publix.
The partnership aims to limit the number of families who go hungry by delivering food to families who otherwise could not afford traditional holiday meals around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Volunteers load patrol cars with hearty Publix meals, including items like fully cooked turkeys, cornbread, mashed potatoes, green beans, loaves of bread, and more, and deputies deliver them to families whom they have identified in their daily work within the community.
Once we finish off the pumpkin pie and pack up the cornucopia, the PCSO sets its sights on hosting the largest law enforcement-organized holiday charity fundraiser in the Tampa Bay Area, which has raised more than $500,000 in donations and proceeds since its inception 24 years ago.
Ride & Run With The Stars, which this year will be Saturday, December 2nd, is a day's worth of family activity including a 5K chipped race, 10K and 25-mile bike rides, a "Challenge" 5K run and 25-mile bike ride combination, and a "Family Fun" 1-mile walk or skate.
Post-race activities include the opportunity to refuel with food truck fare, a Kids Zone with arts and crafts and a climbing wall, a fly-in visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Sheriff's Office helicopter, and a silent auction with tables full of gift baskets, vacation tickets, gift certificates, and more.
The only thing more rewarding than a day of family exercise and activity is knowing that the proceeds support the Sheriff's Christmas Sharing Project, through which PCSO members use the money raised to shop for holiday gifts, clothing, food, and other necessities for families in need.
Like the food drive partnership, the gift packages assembled during Ride & Run With The Stars' shopping day are hand-delivered by familiar-faced deputies.
If you are interested in getting involved with Ride & Run With The Stars, whether by registering for a race, ordering a t-shirt, sponsoring the event, or making a donation, contact Lieutenant Joe Gerretz at 727-582-5960, and visit www.rideandrunwiththestars.com for more information.
In the meantime, let me be the first to wish you a happy thanksgiving, happy holidays, and happy giving!
This month, the witches, zombies, and ghouls will come knocking on your door in celebration of Halloween. Although, as always, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office will be on the lookout, there are a number of precautions you and your families can take to ensure everyone comes home safely.
As you prepare for the spookiest night of the year, be deliberate with every decision. When you're setting up your haunted house with cotton cobwebs, cardboard tombstones, and plastic spiders, be mindful of your visitors' safety. Establish a clear walkway free of tripping hazards (whether they are leashes and hoses or rubber snakes and eyeballs), and keep flammable materials away from fire. You can avoid fire by lighting your jack-o-lanterns with holiday lights instead of candles.
As important as it is to WOW 'em with your clever ingenuity, costumes should also be sensible: If your children are planning to wear masks, make sure they can see clearly while wearing them. Even if it doesn't fit their characters, ensure your children travel with flashlights so they can see where they're going, and attach reflective tape to their costumes so that vehicles can see them coming.
Always accompany young children as they trick-or-treat, and keep them in your sight at all times. Remember, they might not be the only little zombies running around! If you decide that your children are responsible enough to trick-or-treat without supervision, have a serious conversation to establish who they will walk with, what route they will take, what they should do in an emergency, and what time they should return home.
Whether or not you plan to chaperone this year's trick-or-treating excursion, review basic Halloween do's and don'ts with your children: Cross the street only at crosswalks and corners; don't approach houses that are unlit or appear to be empty; don't enter a stranger's house; and only eat individually wrapped candy - leave the loose treats or baked goods for the ghosts and goblins.
Likewise, instruct Halloween enthusiasts to keep the "tricks" to knock-knock jokes. Vandalism is a serious crime. Talk to your children about proper trick-or-treating behavior and manners, the consequences of their actions, and saying no to peer pressure. We'd hate for his/her jailbird costume to go from fun to functional.
Last but not least: Don't eat too much candy - you'll thank us later!
Since 2015, there have been 392 opioid-related deaths in Pinellas County. Unfortunately, the numbers are rising.
The average 9.7 deaths-per-month in 2015 has almost doubled to 17 deaths-per-month in 2016 and so far in 2017, which means a 78-percent increase in opioid-related deaths from 2015 to 2016.
This information, obtained from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office, albeit staggering, does not reflect the average 150.3, 186.3, and 209.7 patients-per-month in 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively, whom Pinellas County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has treated with Naloxone.
Naloxone, commonly referred to as "Narcan," is an "opioid antagonist." The nasal spray, once administered, counters the effects of overdose and puts patients into immediate opioid withdrawal.
Sometimes referred to as the "miracle drug," Narcan has, arguably, prevented another 5,296 overdose deaths since 2015.
The question: Why has the number of overdoses increased so drastically during the past few years?
The answer: fentanyl
Fentanyl, which hit the Pinellas County drug scene in the early 2000s but has become prevalent within the last six to eight months, is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to, but 80- to 100-times stronger than, morphine. To put this in perspective, the estimated lethal dose of fentanyl in humans is 2 milligrams. A one-gram sugar packet would contain up to 500 lethal doses.
When law enforcement eradicated the rampant "pill mills" that distributed drugs like oxycodone a few years ago, addicts turned to heroin - and now, fentanyl - to satisfy their addictions.
Although some drug-users choose to take fentanyl due to its accessibility - available for purchase on the dark web - and its cheaper, "cleaner" high, as described by informants, many addicts ingest the drug unintentionally.
"I think the biggest thing is that dealers are cutting their illegal drugs with the fentanyl to create more product at a cheaper price," said Narcotics Division Sergeant Jose Camacho. "That affects the addicts, because they're taking the same amount they usually take, but now with the fentanyl added, it creates a deadly cocktail, and they overdose and die."
This clandestine mixture puts at risk not only drug-users, but also deputies. When undercover detectives purchase narcotics - be they cocaine, heroin, Xanax, etc. - there is no longer a guarantee that is all they receive. Because fentanyl is transdermal, even touching the substance can result in dangerous side effects.
"The biggest thing for us is evidence collection," said Narcotics Division Sergeant Matthew McLane. "The testing, how it's packaged, and how it's dealt with out there is where we're making changes."
Likewise, patrol deputies who pull over drivers for as minimal an offense as a traffic stop could potentially come into contact with airborne powder containing the drug.
"We don't have an opioid tolerance," said Narcotics Division Sergeant Joleen Bowman. "So it takes such a small amount for us to have a chemical, lethal reaction."
Aside from staying informed and raising awareness about the issue, there is little community members can do to help eliminate the epidemic.
If citizens know friends or family members who purchase any type of drug off the streets, they should warn them about the potential dangers of fentanyl inclusion.
Citizens must be even more cautious around any white, powdery substances they encounter and should call law enforcement immediately if they do.
Simply put, the best thing the community can do to help the problem is "just say 'NO' to drugs."
Even from law enforcement's perspective, attacking the fentanyl epidemic is different from taking down its predecessors.
"From a Narcotics (Division) standpoint, if we hear or get results back from things saying they're fentanyl, we try to attack those as hard as we can right away, because we know that this is going to kill people, and it's going to kill them fast if we don't do our best to get the source," Sergeant Camacho said.
Because the drug is primarily shipped from overseas, there are no "fentanyl mills" to target.
K9s are unable to detect the drug, because it is equally lethal to them.
"There is no hub. We have to figure out how and where it's coming in, and that's always going to change." Sergeant Bowman said. "So it's going to be a process to learn how to get one step ahead on this one, but we're definitely trying to get there."
It's back-to-school time, so get ready for your first lesson of the school year: traffic safety.
The streets on which you transport your children to school or they travel to the bus stop are populated by drivers on their cell phones, putting on their makeup, and eating breakfast as they rush to make it to work or drop off their own kids on time.
In addition to average pedestrians' usual dangers, like drivers' blind spots and violations, young children's slower walking speeds, small stature, minimal traffic experience, still-developing cognitive abilities, and general impulsiveness increase the threat of an accident.
So whether you drive your children to school or you send them to the bus stop, we've got some back-to-school traffic safety tips for you and your students.
For you
For your kids
So as you ease back into the school year, make sure that with alarm clocks, homework, and afterschool activities, you add everyday traffic safety to your weekday routine.
Click below to watch our new Back-to-School Traffic Safety PSA.
The Alzheimer's Association estimates that there are 450,000 people in Florida with Alzheimer's disease.
In 2016, Florida issued 245 statewide Silver Alerts, called when a senior suffering from irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties, like Alzheimer's, goes missing while driving a motor vehicle – and that number doesn't include local alerts for cases not involving vehicles.
In 2010 (the most recent statistics available), there were 94,909 cases of endangered or disabled missing persons, according to the National Crime Information Center's (NCIC) Active/Expired Missing and Unidentified Analysis Reports.
A lot goes into locating a missing senior citizen. An average case can involve multiple law enforcement and public safety agencies, several outside community resources, hundreds of officers, countless man-hours, and sometimes thousands of dollars – not to mention the extreme emotional distress on family members and caregivers.
To ease this strain on resources and loved ones and protect our most vulnerable citizens, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has partnered with SafetyNET Tracking Systems.
Citizens enrolled in the SafetyNET program are equipped with a personalized tracking wristband. If the citizen goes missing, the caregiver contacts SafetyNET and law enforcement, who can log into the tracking portal, obtain critical information about the citizen and track the radio frequency signal emitted from the wristband to locate him/her.
The SafetyNET program, which can also be used for people with autism or similar special needs who have a tendency to wander, boasts an average rescue time of less than 30 minutes.
The lightweight, waterproof wristbands can be purchased or leased and are available with a variety of strap choices and optional add-ons like alarms, replacement batteries, transmitter testers, etc.
To qualify, the person receiving the band must live in a SafetyNET coverage zone, be diagnosed with a cognitive impairment, not drive a motor vehicle or take public transportation without supervision, and be under constant supervision and monitoring.
The SafetyNET website, www.safetynettracking.com, provides caregivers a host of resources ranging from program fact sheets and testimonials to FAQs and a blog that covers relevant topics and stories in the news.
Although SafetyNET is new to Pinellas County, the program's concept is not. For years, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has sponsored Project Lifesaver, which offered the same style of wristband-tracking system. Although Project Lifesaver members must re-register with SafetyNET, the agency's transition will save community money, time, and resources.
For more information and to enroll, visit www.safetynettracking.com or call 877-434-6384.
All citizens who wish to legally operate a motor vehicle on the road must possess a valid driver's license or learner's permit. However, the same cannot be said about citizens on the water.
Although Florida law now requires boat-operators born after January 1, 1988, to complete an approved boater education course and receive a "Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card," there are exceptions.
This means responsible vessel operators should arm themselves with boating knowledge and rules of the water, as well as remain alert for the many other boaters who don't.
To help prepare citizens and encourage safe, responsible boating, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office sponsors programs like "Operation Kid-Float," a boating safety education and personal flotation device (PFD) loaner program.
Florida law requires that one PFD, or "lifejacket," per passenger be readily accessible on the vessel at all times, and children under age 6 must wear PFDs while underway.
Through Operation Kid-Float, boaters can pick up available PCSO-owned PFDs at popular boat ramps throughout the county, including Dunedin City Marina, John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor, and Fort De Soto Boat Ramp in Tierra Verde. The PCSO Marine Facility in Indian Shores is also available for drop off only.
In addition to the operation's message board kiosk locations, marine deputies carry loaner PFDs onboard to distribute as necessary during boat safety equipment inspections.
When marine deputies are patrolling Pinellas County's nearly 588 coastal miles on busy holiday weekends, they also keep an eye out for children who are already sporting their PFDs and reward them with Operation Kid-Float t-shirts.
Although Operation Kid-Float has seen great success since its implementation through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) grant funds in 2011, PFD possession is only one way to stay safe on the water. Before you boat, adhere to these key safety tips:
For more boating safety tips, visit the FWC, National Boating Safety Council, and the BoatUS Foundation websites.
And, of course, don't forget the sunscreen!
What's one penny to you?
If you are a Pinellas County resident, it is thousands of capital projects ranging from enhanced flood control and natural resource protection to rebuilt bridges and new emergency facilities – including our Sheriff's Administration Building in Largo.
The "Penny for Pinellas," initiated in 1989 and subsequently reapproved in 1997 and 2007, is up for renewal November 7th, when residents will vote on whether to sustain it from 2020 to 2030.
A 1-percent sales tax paid by everyone who spends money in the county, the Penny has supported investments in the areas that matter most to citizens without relying on property taxes. In fact, one-third of revenue has been contributed by the county's six million annual tourists and seasonal visitors, which provides citizens tangible cost savings.
Since 1990, the Penny has generated more than $3 billion for investments by the county and its 24 cities, which – aside from court and jail facilities – is allocated according to a population-based formula aligning with state statutes.
Previous Penny-funded projects include the widening of Keystone Road, Curlew Creek erosion control, additional hurricane shelter space, the Bayside Bridge, new public safety equipment, and more. The Penny covers the cost of more than 70 percent of local government capital projects such as these and attracts funds from other sources, like state and federal agencies.
As a sales tax, the Penny is not collected on groceries or medications, and it is only collected on the first $5,000 on a purchase.
Before each vote on the Penny's renewal, county and city officials set priorities based on identified needs in the community, feedback from citizens, results from the annual Citizen Values Survey, and long-term goals outlined in the Pinellas County Strategic Plan.
These priorities are evaluated at least once a year as part of the budget development process to ensure they remain aligned with community needs and available funds.
In March, Pinellas County Government hosted three open house meetings throughout the county to answer citizens' questions and to hear their feedback on previous and potential Penny projects.
But it's not too late to educate yourself. Learn about previous Penny-funded projects with an interactive "Accomplishments Map," see what approving the Penny really means for you, and find out how you can get involved by visiting www.pinellascounty.org/penny.
Every strawberry, zucchini, and tomato that ripens to its fullest potential at First Fruit Hydroponic Farm helps the children of Pinellas PAL do the same.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit "u-pick" farm tucked inconspicuously behind Kellogs Kennel in St. Petersburg, Pinellas PAL First Fruit Hydroponic Farm organically grows a variety of crops for patrons to browse and pluck from the stems themselves, with all profits benefitting the at-risk youth of Pinellas County through the Police Athletic League (PAL).
As many as 200 people – parents, children, church groups, and garden clubs alike – flock to First Fruit every Wednesday and Saturday to pick St. Petersburg's freshest crops, ranging from cucumbers, squash, green beans, and snap peas, to lesser-known kohlrabi, and most-popular strawberries.
An auto-feed drip system that uses "media" instead of soil, hydroponics is a simple, fruitful method of farming in Florida's harsh, growth-restrictive climate that is often inhospitable to plant life.
"It's a simple way to grow a lot of vegetables in a small space, but you have to put work into it," said First Fruit farmer, Steve Endrodi. "Yes, it will auto-feed, but you still have to weed a little bit, plant, and of course, talk to your vegetables – some things never change."
Endrodi, who grew up in New Jersey, learned about farming from his father, a produce broker whom he accompanied on several business trips to Maine and New York.
Although he served in the Navy for four years and had a thriving – albeit stressful – career in software tech support, gardening and farming were his constant escape from life's pressures.
"This is my wheelhouse," said Endrodi, now a vegetarian who lives off his personal hydroponic farm. "So, this was just a natural way to go."
PAL leases the about 1/3-acre farm and the 500 hydroponic stackers it houses with $35,000 in grant funds. Since its opening in March 2016, First Fruit has brought in $12,000 in sales.
The profits, however, are secondary.
"No. 1, it's about the kids – about educating kids," Endrodi said. "And no. 2, it's about fresh food for the community, especially Lealman, which is a food desert."
Throughout the week, First Fruit hosts groups of all types, from adults who are interested in starting their own gardens to children learning about sustainable farming, nutritious food choices, and how to incorporate them into their diets.
Fifteen-year-old PAL student Isaiah said he has only been working at First Fruit for a little more than a week, but he has already learned a lot: about pruning, about planting, and about life.
"What I've been doing is basically managing the plants and making sure there are no dead leaves or roots, so they look appealing," Isaiah said. "But it's also about being kind to people and always smiling, because first impressions are important."
Together, Steve and Isaiah strive to create a fun, friendly, and inviting atmosphere with produce aisles as clean and stocked as the grocery store, but instead of off the shelves, visitors pick produce off the plants.
"Parents will come up, worried their son or daughter ate four or five strawberries, but I say that's part of the fun!" Endrodi said. "If they have a smile on their face, it's worth it."
Pinellas PAL First Fruit Hydroponic Farm, 3215 46th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, sells its produce from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Visit its Facebook page for a list of available produce and upcoming events, and visit www.pinellaspalfirstfruithydroponics.com to learn more and donate.
Non Emergency Line: (727) 582-6200 | In an Emergency call 911ADA info


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Clifford Smith
Clifford Smith, 82, of Lone Tree, passed away on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011, at his home in Lone Tree. Funeral services were held on Friday, Dec. 23, at the Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Lone Tree. Burial was at the Lone Tree Cemetery, with full military honors.
Clifford Henry Smith, Jr. was born April 17, 1929, in Iowa City, the son of Clifford Henry and Velma Margaret (Hartsock) Smith. Clifford served the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. On October 23, 1951, Clifford was united in marriage to Mary Margaret Forwald in Lone Tree.
Local survivors include Tom Smith (Jennifer) of North Liberty and grandchildren Rachel and Maggie Smith of North Liberty.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary, four sisters and several nephews.
Memorials for Clifford may be directed to the Arthritis Association. Online condolences may be sent to the Smith family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.


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Tuesday, 19 December 2017
19th December - Brick Hut 1a
Tonight was the only time this year that we get to use one of the more luxurious brick built huts. These have electricity and running water and are slightly more spacious than the simple wooden hut constructions that make up the vast majority of the beach huts along Hove seafront.
The facilities available allowed the Kidz Klub to go all out on the installation of technology and not only had Christmas lights but lasers as part of the installation.
These lit up a pile of enormous gifts which surrounded and almost dwarfed the baby Jesus lying centre stage.
Ironically all these beautifully wrapped gift boxes were empty as a symbol of the emptiness of a purely commercial view of Christmas.
The true gift at Christmas is that of God himself in the form of the baby Jesus, a gift that transcends the glitter and glitz that makes up so much of this season of the year.
As if to emphasise this crass commercialisation of Christmas, a giant blow up/light up Santa lurked just around the corner from the hut, reminding us of the usual imagery associated with Christmas which so many seek to escape when they come to the Beach Hut Advent Calendar.
We were also blessed this evening by a choir of folk who had offered to come along and sing Christmas carols for the event. They sang beautifully, as you would expect of a group who were used to singing in a church on a regular basis and really helped to add to the occasion.
In the midst of it all lay baby Jesus, serene and peaceful, untroubled by the gaudy, flashing lights and the false jollity of the blow up Santa, reminding us to think about the truth behind gift giving at this season of the year.
In this final week of advent beach huts we head to number 189 for our next installation.
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Year 1 - Year 6
(5 to 11 years old)
The primary department is committed to ensuring that the children embark on their learning journey in an environment that provides stimulating and exciting experiences, and where the strong pastoral ethos helps the children feel safe, secure and happy to learn. We have well established systems in place for welcoming and supporting children to settle into their new learning environment. We value each child as an individual and work hard to nurture his or her personal strengths and interests.
Children typically start school in Year 1, at 5 years of age (one year earlier than in the Danish school system), through to the completion of primary school, Year 6, at around 10-11 years of age.
As the children progress from Year 1 through the first primary years, emphasis is especially placed on the acquisition of skills and understanding in literacy and numeracy. Cross-curricular links are made, where appropriate, to make the learning meaningful and relevant. A wealth of special days, events and field trips extend and enhance the classroom activities, and often act as a catalyst for new learning. Teaching strategies are varied according to the purpose of a task and personalised to reflect the needs of each child. In our primary department, we creatively nurture each individual and our teaching reflects our belief that happy and confident children learn most effectively.
Our integrated curriculum is underpinned by a structured approach to teaching the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. Towards the end of the primary section, the children will be prepared for their secondary school education. While standards are benchmarked against the very best, our curriculum reflects our international setting and celebrates diversity. We are particularly proud of the breadth of our provision and the many opportunities for children to achieve.
Primary subjects and reports
English, Mathematics, Science, Global Perspectives, Religion, Physical Education, Arts & Crafts, Performing Arts/Music, PSHE, Danish Core and Top*, and Swimming in Year 4.
*Danish: We offer two weekly lessons of Danish at both core and top levels in Year 1 & 2. In Year 3-6, we offer two Danish lessons at core and three Danish lessons at top level.
Students will be assessed continually on a formative basis through the day-to-day teaching and learning process. Formal assessment can take place in the form of Cambridge Progression Tests from Year 3 to Year 6.
There are three reporting periods throughout the year. A Progress Report is provided twice a year, one in autumn and the other in spring. These Progress Reports are accompanied with a parent-student-teacher conference, where learning, progress and ways to move forward are discussed. The final report is the End-of-Year report, a more formal, written report including grades and comments from each teacher.
Parent information
- Parents' meetings are held at the beginning of the new school year. Parents, without their children, are invited to come along to information meetings. The topics cover everything from social to practical aspects of school life such as the school year, the curriculum and important dates. This is an opportunity to ask any questions you might have.
- Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice a year. Parents are allocated a time slot when they and the student can come and talk with their subject teachers.


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Hi Supermoms,
Many of us start our day with a steaming hot cup of coffee. A strong filter coffee usually makes my day brighter and happier. Apart from Coffee having various health benefits, it also tastes delicious. There are so different methods to brew a coffee. A huge subject by itself. Today, I am going to share about the popular 'Kumbakonam Degree Coffee'.
You must be wondering what is so special about the Kumbakonam Degree coffee ? Well, the coffee is strong in the terms of the coffee decoction and is prepared using full cream milk, which helps to froth more than skimmed milk. 'Degree Paal' means fresh undiluted cowmilk. As this milk is used to make coffee , so the name 'Degree' Coffee .
To get a good colour in your coffee, you can use coffee:chickory = 70:30 ratio while grinding the coffee powder .
Though in olden days, bronze filters were used to brew coffee, nowadays, Stainless Steel Filter with two compartments is used to brew the coffee.The upper compartment has perforation or small holes where we add the coffee powder and then pour hot water over it. An umbrella is used to gently press the coffee powder before adding hot water. When you use the umbrella, the decoction collected is much stronger and more flavourful , though it takes a longer time . It is best to brew the coffee at night so that you wake up to fresh decoction , first thing in the morning ! Drinking coffee in the traditional 'Dabara -Tumbler' is just amazing !!
Kumbakonam Degree Coffee | How to make Kumbakonam Degree Coffee at Home:
Preparation time : 5 minutes
Cooking time : 25-30 minutes
Serves : 4-6
1 cup =250 ml cup
4 tablespoons Filter Coffee Powder
1 cup Water
3 cups Milk
Sugar (to taste)
To prepare the coffee decoction:-
- Remove the umbrella from the filter (percolator)
- Add the coffee powder into the upper compartment
- Place the umbrella gently
- Heat water till it starts boiling. Switch off.
- Pour it slowly over the umbrella till the brim of the top compartment of the filter
- Close the lid and allow the 'decoction' to collect in the botton compartment
To prepare the coffee:-
Add sugar to the decoction and froth it well by pouring it between tumblers.
Boil milk and froth it by pouring it between tumblers 2-3 times.
Now add the required decoction for one coffee in every tumbler and add the milk slowly and from a height.
Top the tumbler with the remaining froth and serve.
Add sugar to the decoction and froth it well by pouring it between tumblers.
Boil milk and froth it by pouring it between tumblers 2-3 times.
Now add the required decoction for one coffee in every tumbler and add the milk slowly and from a height.
Top the tumbler with the remaining froth and serve.
Serve it steaming hot. Kumbakonam Degree Coffee is ready!
1. The quantity of coffee powder will differ depending upon the size of the filter used. You can use ready made packed filter coffee powder or get a personalised fresh coffee powder ground in the shop
2. The milk has to be boiling hot.
Happy Cooking !
With love,


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Hilton Grand Vacations Club is an innovative, point-based reservation and exchange system, affording members extraordinary flexibility and leisure-travel opportunities.
New Mobile Era,
New Problems
Hilton Grand Resorts noticed an increase of mobile and tablet visitors to their existing website. Mobile and tablet visitors were in need of an easy way to browse resorts on their devices without frustration. It was important that the new mobile site provide the ability to filter through hotel features in order to find the resort that best fit their needs, quickly.
It's All In The Details
Arrow Consulting & Design worked closely with Hilton to establish the information architecture for the site, including process flows, sitemaps, and wireframes. The mobile site also integrated with Hilton Grand Vacations Club's custom resort management tool, which made updates and changes a breeze.
The Visual Direction
Combining DNN with modern web standards, Arrow built a website that allows mobile users to browse and interact with a gallery of available resorts from Hilton Grand Vacations in a way that is simple, accessible and informative. The mobile website features resort details featured by
Photo Galleries
The Outcome
Since the launch of their mobile site, Hilton Grand Vacations Club has seen less mobile visitors abandon due to poor usability. Now that customers can find what they are looking for quicker, they can reserve the resort they want with ease and less frustration.
The mobile site was praised for its easy to use navigation and simple design. The site was so well received by the DNN Community that it won DNN Site of the Year at DNN World.


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No on A and B, Yes on L
The latest from ENUF:
Our official ENUF platform is: Vote NO on A and B (No money without accountability) and YES on L. Or as some like to say, "L YEAH!"
Please help us get the word out to people about Prop L. We need to pass this policy declaration to prove SFMTA is not doing its job. The more votes we get the harder it is for SFMTA to claim they have the support of the citizens to continue raiding Muni operations and disrupting the traffic on our city streets.
Contact me with any questions, comments, or to sign up to volunteer: firstname.lastname@example.com
Labels: Anti-Car, Muni, Parking, Traffic in SF


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We are pleased to offer this unique and relevant Eco-dharma
weekend non-residential workshop with David Loy:
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
Lunch provided
Cost: $150
The weekend is preceded by…
Free Public Lecture, Friday May 18, 6pm
Dana gratefully accepted
Join David to explore these questions…
Does Buddhism provide any special insight into the ecological challenge?
Do its teachings imply a different way of understanding the biosphere, and our relationship to it, which can really help us at this critical time in history, when we are doing so much to destroy it?
And what does the ecological crisis imply about how we have been understanding and practicing Buddhism?
David Robert Loy is a professor, writer, and Zen teacher in the Sanbo Zeb tradition. His many essays and books have been translated into numerous languages. His articles appear regularly in the pages of major journals such as Tikkun and Buddhist magazines including Tricycle, Turning Wheel, Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma, as well as in a variety of scholarly journals. Many of his writings, as well as audio and video talks and interviews, are available on the web.
David is especially concerned about social and ecological issues. A popular recent lecture is "Healing Ecology: A Buddhist Perspective on the Eco-crisis", which argues that there is an important parallel between what Buddhism says about our personal predicament and our collective predicament today in relation to the rest of the biosphere. David Loy is one of the founding members of the new Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center, near Boulder, Colorado. Please visit the website at rockymountainecodharmaretreat.org for more information.


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Other available options
This stunning 9ct white gold ring features a deep blue sapphire accented with a diamond on either side. Sapphire is the birthstone for September so this makes the perfect gift for a woman born in that month.
Elegant diamond jewellery with a statement companion.
Normally available in sizes I to S
- Birthstone
- September
- Brand
- Ernest Jones Gemstone Collection
- Diamond
- 0.1 carat
- Material
- 9ct White Gold
- Stone colour
- Blue
- Stone shape
- Oval
- Stone type
- Sapphire
Delivery & Returns
At Ernest Jones we provide the following range of delivery options:
- Free Standard Delivery available on orders over £100.
- Free Next Day Delivery available on selected orders over £499.
- Free Click & Collect to any Ernest Jones store in the UK.
For more Delivery Information click here.
Returns policy: you can return items to us by post or in store within 30 days for a full refund or exchange.*
*We cannot refund or exchange pierced jewellery, e.g. earrings, if they have been removed from the original sealed packaging due to hygiene reasons.
Help Centre
There are a number of different ways to contact us if you need help or advice with your purchase.
How to contact us


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By +kreg Mosier
From the "About" section of the website:
"If you can imagine it spray painted on the side of a van, its Kartharka.
If you can put it on the front of any Heavy Metal album cover it's Kartharka.
If you cast it in pewter and glued a marble to it and sold it at a flea market it's Kartharka.
If you can draw it proudly on your notebook cover in math class it's Kartharka.
If you'd wear it on a patch on your jacket it's Kartharka.
Kartharka is metal, steel, gold and iron, Kartharka is mystery, doom and high adventure."
OK, time to talk about Lair of Sword & Sorcery by Spooky Room Productions...which is +Ripley Stonebrook to be exact. He is a one-man show, doing all Art, Writing, Sacrificial Offering, and whatever else is required. There currently exist 2 issues (the aptly named "Issue 1: Demonboard" and "Issue 2: Combat") which are like $6 each. You can purchase them online at:http://lairofswordandsorcery.blogspot.com/
First of all, lets get this right out of the way: Lair of Sword & Sorcery(hereafter LoSS) is not a Retroclone, and that's OK by me. It shares a lot of the same aesthetic and has definitely been influenced by the classics, but that's where the similarity ends. LoSS is more so informed by lowbrow (in a good way) media, Heavy Metal magazines, Hard rock, and a return to a more "Play"-focused activity, resplendent with plastic Dinosaurs and Fantasy Army Men on a homemade playmat. There are no dry erase leatherette roll-up mats, no Reaper Bones, no trees made with the exacting detail of a HO train enthusiast. This is like a fantasy game by a kid in the early 80s who maybe heard cool stories about D&D, but was so cut off from consumer culture that his only hope of playing was to make everything up top to bottom by himself. Ripley's excitement is infectious, and it flows through both Issues. And by "Issues", I mean comic book-style issues. LoSS has cleverly chosen the comic book/zine format for each rulebook, with a promise of a third underway and more to come. In this way, the rules are modular and can build off each other, with each issue adding more details and rules. They are well put together, but I did receive them folded in half. I understand they were certainly easier to ship that way, but the OCD part of me started eye-twitching until I could flatten them out to get rid of the creases. ;)
So begins Issue #1. With only 7 or 8 pages of lore about the world of Kartharka, the bulk of the issue is all about making our "Demonboard" and accessories. The Demonboard is your play space and consists of a black bristol board with 1" squares and awesome brick patterns, created with your very own stamper that Ripley shows you how to make! We're then told how to make the walls to create our underworld, which can be arranged however the adventure requires, as well as Demonblocks which are cool baked bricks that can be arranged as walls or terrain features. (again, full instructions are given to make your own.) You get the sense that you NEED to do this before going on...like getting the right ingredients before using a new recipe. Without the Demonboard, it just won't be LoSS.
You're not going to believe it, but thus ends Issue #1. Nary a rule in sight, which may leave some gamers perplexed and shaken to their very core. I'm exaggerating of course, but god knows someone somewhere will be incensed by this fact, so I'm declaring it right here. You'd think you don't need Issue #1 if that was the case, but you'd be WRONG. You need Issue #1 because I say you do, and because the DIY bits are just plain cool, and I guarantee that at the very least you'll get some ideas to use at your own table. (DEMONBOARD, Son!)
Issue #2 begins with additional lore about the setting: the Winterlands, the mining capital Stroh-Branoch, and a leading bit about what it means to be a Hero in Kartharka. All are chock-full of flavor and provide just enough details to give you something to start with, then fill in the blanks yourself later on.
After this, we get to character creation and combat, which is essentially high roll wins, loser takes damage. It's simple as all get out, and the totality of the rules as presented herein basically present you with a Skirmish game. Ripley even says as much later, including a section on SOTA, or doing "Something Other Than Attacking". (an equally simple affair of roll dice, beat a difficult level)
The maps included are well done, and the Art is serviceable. Nothing in these books is going to make you jump out of your chair and declare a new paradigm in game design evolution. This isn't the detailed campaign publication of an OSR luminary, it's not the delicately bound gold thread-stitched latest in vanity press. This is a spiral bound notebook of a highschool madman, or group of Scrapbooking moms high off their glue who are really into Game of Thrones. I shit you not, it's also probably one of the most refreshing game books I've read in a good long while. This by no means diminishes the quality of anything else I've purchased, but LoSS is a whole 'nother thing. It's a one-man labor of love...with ringmail and a bloody axe and like, a crazy helmet with just a slit for eyes and ram horns and a damn pentagram.
My final verdict? If the scale was from one Krull Glaive made from cardboard and thrown at your cousin, to a Crown Royal bag of ninja stars made in Coach Nelson's Shop class, I would have to give this thing an oversized novelty Viking Helmet with a KEEP ON TRUCKIN'bumpersticker on the back. I know, right? It's that good.
(FULL DISCLOSURE: I had zero contact with Ripley beyond the cursory "hey dude, sent you $12 LET'S DO THIS", and I paid for the things myself. I wasn't asked to write about it, but figured that like me, most of you had never heard of it and might be curious. Also, I'm not a writer and don't pretend to be, so un-grit your teeth because the bad man is going to stop writing now.)


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We've discussed on this blog how genealogy databases like GEDmatch warehouse the DNA results of huge numbers of people who have taken part in genetic testing for genealogy purposes.
2018's exonerees lost 1,639 years to wrongful convictions
According to the National Registry of Exonerations' annual report, 151 people were exonerated in the U.S. in 2018. Together, they spent 1,639 years behind bars for crimes they didn't commit -- an average of about 11 years each.
SCOTUS: Can prosecutors withhold evidence before guilty pleas?
In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Brady v. Maryland that police and prosecutors are legally bound to turn over so-called "exculpatory" evidence to the defense before trial. Exculpatory evidence is most anything favorable to the defense. It can be evidence that the defendant is innocent, that someone else could be guilty, or that there were mitigating circumstances. Or, it can cast doubt on the reliability of prosecution witnesses.
When will we see reforms in forensic evidence?
"Some experts extrapolate far beyond what can be supported," reads a 2009 National Academy of Sciences report about bloodstain pattern analysis. It adds, "The uncertainties associated with bloodstain-pattern analysis are enormous."
Why should sentences after trials be longer than pled sentences?
In the criminal justice world, there is something we refer to as the "trial penalty." It is a penalty, in the form of a harsher sentence, for anyone who demands a trial and is then found guilty. In almost every case, defendants convicted at trial are sentenced to far longer than people who accept plea bargains.
How common are wrongful misdemeanor convictions?
If you were charged with a misdemeanor, you might decide to plead guilty just to get out of jail and go home. By definition, the penalty for a misdemeanor must be less than a year behind bars, and most people receive far less than that. In many cases, a guilty plea results in no jail time at all.
State law enforcement works to improve eyewitness identifications
Imagine how you would feel if you were sent to prison for a crime you didn't commit. Now, imagine how the victim would feel upon learning the wrong person was put behind bars and the real perpetrator is free.
Milwaukee to pay $3.4 million over stop-and-frisk race profiling
Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Wisconsin and a law firm filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Milwaukee Police department of operating a "vast and unconstitutional stop-and-frisk program" that targeted African-Americans and Latinos. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of six plaintiffs who had been stopped, sometimes multiple times, by officers with no reasonable suspicion that they were involved in criminal behavior.
Both Johnson brothers were innocent. Why did one plead guilty?
Many people have reservations when they hear criminal defendants claim to be innocent even though they pled guilty. Some can't imagine anything that could convince them to plead guilty to a crime they didn't commit.
A Junction City, Wisconsin, man has been free on bail since a Dane County judge overturned his conviction 11 months ago. Richard Beranek, now 59, was convicted in 1990 on charges of rape, battery and burglary, even though six witnesses testified that he was in North Dakota when the crime took place. He was sentenced to 243 years in prison and served 29 years.


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The Exorcist: A True Story
The most horrifying movie ever made 'The Exorcist (1973)' which broke the box office records was inspired by a true story of a 13 year old boy who was believed to be possessed by a devil in 1949. His exorcism was recorded in a diary by the father who conducted his exorcism. About 26 people witnessed about the events which was said to be caused by the demonic forces.
Till today people believe that Satan walks among us but the scientists say that the explanation does not lies in the supernatural. The boy has never spoken publicly about his experience, but the family, neighbours and the church witnessed about the events.
The name used for the boy to refer him is Robbie Mannheim in several books.
It all started with fun!
The events of the story took place in the Cottage city, Maryland. The boy was very much like an ordinary boy. He was quite, not very active and a little more studious. His family was like all the other casual families. But they didn't knew that their lives were going to change in the summer of 1948, when the boy's aunt taught him how to use an Ouiji board. At first it seemed like harmless fun but then a few weeks later the aunt died unexpectedly of some natural cause. After a short period of time the family started to hear unusual sound of scratching and knocking. They blamed mice for these events and called the pest control but nothing was found. They then thought that the dead aunt is trying to contact them. So they ignored. But the noises increased nights after nights.
Then one day the boy's mother discovered that his bed was shaking violently. And then soon other furniture began to move of their own. It was reported that a person sitting on the chair was thrown to the floor. This was witnessed by the neighbours. Soon many marks and scratches appeared on his body and his behaviour at night was becoming worst. Seeing his condition, the family contacted a local mental hygiene clinic for help. But the psychiatrist was unable to find anything wrong with the boy.
When no options were left, the family contacted the local church. The church advised them to contact a catholic priest, father Albert Hughes. He died in 1980. Father Hughes met the boy in February 1949. Soon after meeting the boy, Father Hughes realized that it wasn't going to be easy, as he was thrown away when the boy simply looked at his chair.
Then he started conversing with the boy. Father asked him in Latin "what is your name?". He replied "I am legions" indicating that there was more than one demon in him. All the ongoing events made father Hughes believe that the boy was possessed by not only one but many demons and the way to get rid of them was to perform an exorcism.
Almost all religion believes on the possession by the demons. But exorcism is mainly associated with the Christians (especially catholic Christians). The priest needs to conduct some specific prayers in Latin. This evokes the power of god against the demonic entities. However, it was a great challenge for father Hughes who was going to perform an exorcism for the very first time on a 13 year old boy.
The boy was admitted to a hospital in Washington D.C. The boy was shaking, screaming and spitting; so his wrist was tied. Father Hughes recited the prayers for 3 nights but there was no improvement in his condition. The boy became even more violent. One night, the boy just broke the restrainer, put his hand under the bed, took a spring and cut Father's hand right from the wrist to elbow. This forced Father Hughes to stop the exorcism, and the boy returned to his home.
This wasn't going to stop easily!
Same kind of events continued to happen- scratching sound, things moving on their own, cut marks appearing on the boy's body etc. Then one day a word 'Louis' appeared on his chest. Seeing it as a sign, other family members living in the same city decided to move in their house. Soon they shifted to St. Louis. There too, no mental doctor could give an explanation to the ongoing events. Hopeless, his family contacted Father William Bowdern, who died in 1983.
Father Bowdern also concluded that the boy was possessed. One exorcism had failed and now it was his responsibility to free the boy from the demons. Father Bowdern recorded the events of exorcism performed in next 6 weeks. The pages of the diary were published for the first time by the author Thomas .B. Allen in his book "possessed".
Father Bowdern chose some other priests to help him. This time Father conducted prayers every night for 3 weeks. But the boy grew more violent. Father thought that it would not be safe for the family to live with the boy. So he shifted the boy to a hospital run by the catholic monks. The exorcism continued over there. He was struggling, screaming and one night violently broke the nose of a catholic priest, Halloran, who at the age of 26 helped Father Bowdern in Robbie's exorcism. The exorcism was now at an impasse. Seeking a solution, Bowdern plunged into literature regarding possession. He learned of an 1870 case that took place in Wisconsin that seemed similar to Robbie's plight and he devised a new strategy.
At night, the ritual resumed. Bowdern forced Robbie to wear a chain of religious medals and to hold a crucifix in his hands. Suddenly, Robbie became strangely contrite and he began to ask questions about the meaning of certain Latin prayers. Bowdern ignored him, and instead demanded to know the name of the demon, and when he would depart. The boy exploded in rage. Five witnesses held him down while he screamed that he was a "fallen angel".
There are instructions in the ritual that commands the exorcist to "pronounce the exorcism in a commanding and authoritative voice." The Roman Ritual of Christian Exorcism reads: "I cast thee out, thou unclean spirit, along with the least encroachment of the wicked enemy and every phantom and diabolical legion. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, depart and vanish from this creature of God…." He recited it incessantly for hours until the boy suddenly interrupted in a loud, masculine voice, identifying himself as "St. Michael the Archangel". The voice ordered the demon to depart. The boy's body then went into violent contortions and spasms. Then, he fell quiet. A moment later, he sat up, and spoke in a normal voice. The devil had left his body. According to Christian beliefs, St. Michael is the archangel who holds the control over Satan. It is believed that St. Michael himself forced Satan to leave the boy's body.
Few days later, the family returned to Maryland. The boy joined a new school. His troubling behaviour never came back. After leaving school, he worked for NASA. He chose to keep his identity hidden but said that he doesn't remember whatever happened to him.
This story was published in the newspapers. But in 1973 the whole story was again filled with life in the big screen when the movie 'The Exorcist' was released, when only a few knew the meaning of the term "exorcism". The movie brought the power of demonic forces in front of the modern world. The movie was an adaptation of the bestselling book of the author William Peter Blatty with the same title. The movie left people shocked.
What science says about this story?
With science now developed more than before, scientists say something else about the story of Robbie. According to science, the roots of all religious experience do not come from the god but from the most complex creation of the nature, the human brain. Our brain generates all the behaviours whether normal or mysterious.
Psychiatrists say that the primary experiences are psychological. People can hear voices, experience ritual phenomena etc. They believe this can also explain the boy's condition. When his aunt died he was just 13 years old, the time when the human brain undergoes many serious changes and is extremely vulnerable to dramatic events. His aunt's death might have pushed him into stress. The secretion of stress hormones could have triggered many brain seizures in his right temporal lobe, a highly creative area responsible for vision and emotions. Later on the initiation of the exorcism could have worked as an final catalyst to the highly vulnerable boy. They say, "If you harass a person with full intension with same repetitions again and again with such a vulnerable brain, you can make the brain believe that all the things going on is true hence making the condition even worse". This might have happened with the boy as his condition worsen with the onset of the exorcism. As a result his muscles might have become stronger, electric discharges would be intense, change in voice occurred etc. These intense electrical discharges would have triggered muscle spasm which can possibly give the explanation for the shaking of the bed. Later on he became normal because the brain was developing. When the structure of the brain changes, the function also changes.
The God Helmet
The Experiment
Science believes that the diary recorded the superhuman strengths. And to prove this, a device was developed named 'The God Helmet'. The helmet passes strong electromagnetic waves straight to the right temporal lobe of the brain and aims to trigger the sensation of the supernatural entity. It worked! 80% of the people reported that they have experienced godly or spiritual presence. In fact they believed on what they saw.
Witnesses reported that many scratches appeared on his body. Scientist said, "It might have caused due to the priest trying to restrain him down to the bed. Psychiatrists says that "a mental phenomena called 'Pareidolia' involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant, common examples include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon or the moon rabbit, and hearing hidden messages on records played in reverse, has also played a role. People relate everything happening in the surrounding with them. So in this case whenever something moved they thought that it is due to possession. Hence the boy saw that the things are moving which might have moved due to some other reasons.
Now the question is, was it really Pareidolia that made things move? His family too saw things moving, so were they all suffering from Pareidolia? What about the appearance of the particular word "Louis" on the chest of the boy? Was it a result of restraining? Did the boy really knew Latin to reply the father in Latin when he asked him questions? Could muscle spasm strong enough to shake a bed violently?
Maybe or maybe not. You decide.
You believe in the explanation given by science or religion about exorcism?
(Edited and Updated Comments on the 1949 St. Louis Possession Case)
Steve Erdmann
The outreach to darken and besmirch this man's character, family history, innocence - not just in his adulthood but also as a child - continued with innuendo and incantations.
Do you believe that the boy in the book and the movie 'The Exorcist' was possessed? I understand his real name was mentioned on the Net and that he later worked for the space program. What do you hear?
My history on this case goes back much earlier when I first discovered the case around 1973. The late Father Eugene Gallagher of Georgetown University sent me a copy of an original "The Exorcist Diary". Consequently, I wrote about three articles (One article: "The Truth behind the Exorcist," FATE Magazine, January, 1975) and one booklet ("Anatomy of a Demon Possession": available from Luminist Publications, P.O. Box 20256, Minneapolis, MN, 55420. info @ luminist.org) based on my initial encounter with the environment back in the 1970s. Through the years, I attempted to be impartial as I could, though I had previous knowledge of poltergeist and other paranormal incidents which tended to sway my sympathies. Later scientific findings seemed to confirm these feelings. Two books, among a few, have stood out in the library: People of the Lie, M. Scott Peck, M.D., 1983 and Evil: Satan, Sin, and Psychology, Cooper and Epperson, 2008.
(An aside: words in 'quotations' may be for journalistic 'emphasis,' and may not be a direct quote; in another case, we are talking about a paraphrase of the critic's quote, i.e., about the relatives' 'chatting' on an Internet blog. This would have been an "unofficial" remark from my [poor] memory. [The direct quote will be forthcoming].)
I had personal experience with a male nurse from Alexian Brother's Hospital psychiatric ward who worked around the 'boy' in 1949; I will go into that briefly.
The remainder of my comments would center around the media, in general, but also concern a few selected media "hounds" that had ulterior and hidden agendas in tracing down and, more or less, 'intruding and almost badgering' the 'victim' in the possession case. There are some investigators that fell into a "Good, The Bad and the Ugly" ranking, in as much as some media comments have been fair and sober and even scientific. Others were suspect because of certain inherent treatments and fallacious attitudes that actually meant (despite their outward structure) the 1949 "victim" psychological and emotional harm.
My experiences in this case were similar to what you had heard in the media. The case had been fairly well covered; and "some" of the press had torn into this man's private life like alley-dogs fighting over trashed meat. Do 'I' believe in demon-possession? It depends on several factors. I have known the 'boy's' name for some time. In the earlier years, many writers refrained from openly mentioning the "victim's" name out of some respect or humility concerning his privacy. What bothers me are the wide-eyed 'investigators' that just want to hound him to death and try to get bits and pieces of dirty little secrets about his past and present life. They appeared to view him as a criminal or a dirty little lab specimen (I noted one writer's attitude and comments meandered from outright accusatory hostility towards the 'victim,' on the one hand, and seeming placation and conciliation, on the other). The lyrics of Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry" can be good background music. (The fact that our "victim" has not [as far as I know, to date] come out with a tell-all book to gain some monetary goal, might be considered interesting.)
While many people exhilarated beneath the on-going discovery of sensational and personal facts in the life of "the boy" and his family, the public should be equally aware, or, at least contemplate, some of the hardships this mongering may have created for the family.
(I will be alternating between speaking of some skeptics collectively and specifically of one particular skeptic as a special example.)
I actually started out with one of these 'hounds' on an investigation of 'the boy' because I thought the investigator was sincerely objective. I thought he wanted to conduct a 'scientific' investigation - only to find out he was a classical debunker who wanted to make a name for himself and replicate another debunker who made a name for himself - which will probably lead to another (on and on)...he sort of tricked me somewhat. He later vacillated between remarks that he might get the man to "confess" and somehow acknowledge that the "victim" was influenced by his relatives (to fabricate), or that he was a teenage hoaxer (or some confused combination of the above). Nice.
I did not gather the "full" status of this critic's cynical approach and background until, up unto, and more recent when I examined the various stages of his career and his inquiry into this and other matters.
I did not "refuse" to work with him, rather, I let my somewhat sympathetic views on demons, and my realization as to what Christ said on that matter, be known to him (which he resented somewhat, as it was not part of his 'mission'), and that led to a gulf in cooperation. I did suggest a committee or panel of "experts" or "professionals" get together and plan a trek to Maryland and various connected sites to investigate.
However, I also suggested that this investigation be done in a rather objective and impartial way (having read and being concerned about the mentality of die-hard debunkers); that idea did not go over so well, to say the least, as that did not fit into his pattern of inquiry.
(It was no wonder this critic had a hard time working with me, in as much as I was not a dedicated cynic and debunker in matters parapsychological, paranormal or religious [it worried me some times that he referred to me as a 'partner' in his research, in as much as I could not endorse his entire approach]. I had no radio show promoting ridicule of various religious ideas. More recently, this critic had visited almost every name connected with the case, often, I suspect, in hopes of gleaning pieces and comments of information that he could use to bolster his cynical premise [probably unbeknownst to his interviewees].)
His latest pieces on the topic were a long list (a composite of other 'hounds' who searched out the victim and contributed gossip and pulp) of 'dirty laundry' about the man (once the 'boy'), prying into the man's girlfriend's life, relatives' lives, parents' secrets and besmirching him and his family; Innocent until proven guilty? These skeptics shrouded themselves beneath descriptions of being "scientific" investigators, "skeptical" rectifiers, or some other type of lone wolf private eyes. In addition, there were a few other media tormentors in which I had to question their intentions (the heralding of the Constitution, as some did, as to its allowing, those to rampage about in the private lives of individuals, did not seem correct; and what if their privacy became obtusely invaded?). Were these "'investigators''' backgrounds were so pristine, holy and perfect that they could set themselves up as Papal authorities to judge this man and his family? Sounded like evil intentions also.
The other problem or area was the question: what 'is' EVIL? These debunkers said the kid was just a mean, snotty, bully of a kid who hoaxed it: but by their very descriptions of him, they described someone that was mentally ill, sadistic, cruel and---evil. It seemed like the pot calling the kettle 'black'.
I suggested to this 'researcher' that an independent, open, scientific, objective and impartial panel - not a monger-headlines-group - be set up to check out the facts. He said he did not want to set around with a bunch of psychic mumbo-jumbo. That kind of talk sounded more dark than light to me; I had in the past (p
Very interesting, never knew that The Exorcists was inspired by a real incident!
Wow! I could not forget how scary the film was. Thanks for this very interesting read. Good story.
give pictures of it.
i've always thought there was a scientific explantheation behind the true story. i've never read about it until this article which was entertaining and insightful. i'm just left with a question of how the boy would've know so many names relating to the Bible. to even use the name "legion"
I do believe in this things is not like I encounter it but I do have an openmind .i have to say to those people that have trouble in excepting this type of cases that they should think about this things do exist and no matter what conclusions they end up with they should beware cuz who knows they could experience it as well.well I believe now these days we should be more of believers in our crist and hope this things won't occur to us .
I thought I was reading some expert's idea on exorcism. Upon reading and finding no evidence of it having been proofread by someone, I realized it is someone's retelling of a story.
Interesting. I do believe in Jesus and He says we will have spiritual warfare.
Nice story. Really enjoyed it. My opinion, science isn't perfect, you can't believe everything that scientists explain. Of course, there are many things in Religion that are unbelievable also. :)
Very interesting! I was not familiar with this original story. I love the movie, The Exorcist! Unfortunately, I think it has had a negative effect on a lot of people in the U.S. I see a big difference between the U.K. and the U.S. with regard to their fears about Ouija boards and such. The Brits are much more open and commonsensical about it. I believe it is because they were considerably less influenced by the The Exorcist movie and subsequent fallout in the popular culture.
I think the orthodox scientists are not completely capable of understanding what is going on. The explanation is scientific, but the orthodox scientists are not capable of fully understanding it because the don't recognize anything outside of their own dogma. (Modern science is more like a relgion, itself.)
I like the Catholic approach to things. The Golden Dawn, also, has very powerful methods for controlling spirits. Early western occultists (and many modern ones) are exorcists and a few purposely interface with these beings. These people are definitely not Christians - more like Luciferians, Gnostics and magicians.
This is a truly fascinating and well-done hub!
Voted up and accolades!
Wow, what an intriguing read. I will Never forget watching the Exorcist as a kid and it freaked me out for weeks and weeks. I would get scared if I was getting cold, thinking I was getting possessed. Great hub. Voted up and hit all buttons except funny.
My favorite movie too. Even I am a big follower of horror flicks. I have a collection of around 100 horror movies. Good hub. Voted up
Science would have to have another explanation since demons, thus God cannot be. Good story, I enjoyed that.


text:
This is the time to see these Symphyotrichum asters. Above is a low-growing, smaller flowered version called "October Sky."Here's one of the bigger ones, both taller and larger-flowered. And there are still pollinators — bumblebees, honeybees, and some flies — working them over for the last of the nectar and pollen. The bumblebees are slow and groggy.
These were in the Native Flora Garden, but if you look you can see them all over.


text:
"All I think about are metaphors and cats," as Taylor Swift so wisely said.
Because there were not enough important things going on in the world, a writer at the New York Post has decided to point out that catcalls are flattering. I would be more convinced of this if catcalls did not come when I was shambling down the sidewalk in a hooded sweatshirt with toilet paper clinging to the back of my shoe, blowing my nose and coughing, but maybe this was an indication of my fitness in an evolutionary sense since I was giving evidence of being able to fight off infection, dress warmly and have a regular metabolism.
This is probably just an instance of moderate-level trolling. Moderate-level trolling is the kind where you're serious enough to make a case but not serious enough to make a good case.
But I think we're all confused here. You wouldn't catcall if you wanted a woman to answer. This person clearly has something else in mind. We are not responding correctly at all. Here's how.
- Hiss.
- Hairball.
- Claw through his favorite settee.
- Catch and eat a bird, never breaking eye contact.
- Eat a fern he particularly cared for.
- Leave the scene and spend several hours mesmerized by the water dripping from a faucet.
- Climb onto his pillow at 5 a.m. demanding food.
- Drag a dead rodent to his home late at night and leave it on the doorstep (this, too, seen from a certain angle is a compliment).
- Definitely don't come.
- They cat-call? You cat-response.


text:
If there is one thing that is true about families, it is that families, all families, are constantly in transition. They are changing all the time.
And family is always family. No matter what it looks like.
Some families have two parents, a mom and a dad, and everyone lives together in one house. Some families have two moms or two dads, or one mom and no dad, or one dad and no mom. Some families have two parents who live in different houses. Some have parents and grandparents in the same house, and some kids live with grandparents. Sometimes two families with kids and parents join together to form a whole new family.
And family is always family. No matter what it looks like.
Sometimes families start out one way, and change into something that looks pretty different.
Even if families don't look like they are changing, they are. As kids get older their relationships change. Rhythms and traditions and schedules change. Some relationships get deeper and closer, some grow more distant. New siblings are born. Older siblings move out. Relationships with extended family members change as new cousins and nephews and nieces are born and grandparents, aunts or uncle die. Life changes and families change.
And family is always family. No matter what it looks like.
When a new baby is born, everyone in the family has to shift around and find their places within the dynamics and structure of the changing family system. When parents divorce, shifting and reorganizing the family is one of the biggest challenges. When two families come together to form one, each person has to figure out their new role within both their old family structure and the new blended one. It's like a thousand rays of light, all intersecting.
Life is tricky. Parenting is tricky. And change may be the trickiest of all. Put them all together, and it's no wonder we struggle. We are worried about the unknown. When we can't see the path ahead, we tend to assume it must be dark. But just because we don't know what it looks like, doesn't mean it has to be bad. Change brings growth. Growth brings new possibilities. New possibilities bring beauty we never expected. As long as we embrace the change.
So how do we help our children embrace the change in their families, whatever that looks like?
1) We have to trust the change ourselves. We have to believe in it and move forward with love and light and trust that the path, although unknown to us, is the right path to be on. We can communicate with our children that we don't have all the answers yet, but that this path (whether it is the path of divorce, or blending two families, or moving in with grandma, or having a new baby) is the right path for our family right now.
2) We have to honor each person's relationship with every other person in the family. Relationship dynamics are multifaceted and boundless. Each child should feel safe and supported to interact with each of their family members in the way that is healthiest for them. So, mom and dad may work better if they live in separate houses, but they are still mom and dad and they are still the center points in the child's family. Over time, as the child's relationship with each parent changes and morphs, these relationships should be cherished, nurtured and supported by everyone. In the same way, two families coming together need to remember that this same thing is true, but times three or four or ten! Each relationship is different and separate, and at the same time connected to each of the other relationships. Make time and space for each to be honored, nurtured and supported.
3) We have to maintain old traditions and build new ones. With all the change that happens in families, how is it that we can feel so stable? Traditions, routines, habits. As families change we can find comfort in our traditions. Our family may look really different now, but Sunday is still always blueberry pancake day. And, embracing change can allow for new traditions to be built on top of old ones. Blended families can share traditions, allowing each core family group to bring something special to the table. Honoring these types of traditions, while building new ones, is a great way for families who are moving into two separate households to bridge the change, too. These traditions, patterns, habits and routines tell the story about who our family is.
Family is about relationships. Some relationships are formed through genetics, some through choice and some through the choices of others. Regardless of how a family comes to be formed, one thing is true: It is always changing. Families that thrive do so, not because they look a certain way, or because they stay the same, but because they embrace change and the relationship growth that can happen when change is allowed to occur. Our children are not just along for the ride, they are active participants, in relationships with every family member. When we remember this, we can embrace our changing families and, as a result, find a deep level of stability within a constantly changing world.
How is your family changing? How do you talk about it?