Ruling on B.C. Homeless....Bravo!

B.C. court rules homeless have right to camp on public property

The judge also rejected the city’s request for a permanent injunction against homeless camping.
Way to go British Columbia. Isn't that the least we can do ? 'God forbid' that we set up warm shelters so they don't freeze to death in the winter.



Food for Thought : Healthy Halloween

Do you think it is possible to have a "healthy Halloween" ? Many times  we allow  events , celebrations  or certain holidays  to wreck our  healthy  nutrition plans for the  sake of habit  or tradition . Halloween is usually  one of those times . We tend  to eat a lot  lot of  candy during this  time of  the  year . There are approximately  35 billion pounds  of  candy  corn produced each year  , and most is  consumed  during the fall . And that number is  just for candy corn , it  doesn't included  other sweets and chocolate ! According  to one  survey  , American households spend  44 dollars each  year on Halloween  candy which  can add  up to a lot  of unwanted  calories . Here  are  a few tips  to help you survive  the  holiday without  adding  unwanted pounds .

1.  Don't  buy more candy  than  you think  you will pass along  to "trick-or-treaters". Pass up the  urge  to buy candy  just because  it is on  sale  or  a good value .  Keep  candy  out of  sight  by putting  it into  the pantry  or  cabinet .

2 .  Don't  allow  your  children , or yourself  to go trick-or-treating on an empty stomach . You  will be more likely  to eat  more  candy than you  anticipated . Once  you get  home  , go through your candy  and  pick out  a few  favorites . Donate  the rest .

3 .  Look for  non-food treats  to give away  to loved ones  and  neighbors . Kids  love all sorts  of trinkets . You  can find  items  such as  sidewalk chalk , stickers  and  other  small items  at discount  and  dollar  stores .  Remember   to  check  all  candies  before  eating  .
                              CANDY CORN MILKSHAKE 

1     Quart Vanilla Ice Cream
1     Quart Orange Sherbet
Whipped Cream or Cool Whip
Yellow Food Coloring
Black, Yellow & Orange Sprinkles

1 .  Let your vanilla ice cream soften for about 25 minutes outside of the freezer. After the ice cream is softened take 1/3 of the ice cream and put it into a bowl and put the quart of vanilla ice cream back in the freezer. Add yellow food coloring to the ice cream in the bowl until the desired shade is obtained. Mix well.
2 .  Take your orange sherbet out of the freezer to allow it to start softening.
3 .  Get your mason jars, clear plastic cups, or glass drinking glasses and spoon yellow ice cream into the bottoms, filling the cups about 1/3 full. Smooth out the top as evenly as you can.   
4 .   Wipe down the inside of the cups with a paper towel to remove ice cream streaks. Place your cups in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to let the yellow layer harden a little.
5 .  Take your vanilla ice cream out of the freezer again to allow it to start softening.
6 .   Remove the cups from the freezer and carefully spoon in the orange sherbet now, filling the cups about 2/3 full, and again, smoothing out the top. Wipe the excess on the inside of the cups with a paper towel. Place the cups back in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.
7 .  Remove the cups from the freezer and add the final layer of vanilla ice cream, filling the cups within 1/2 inch from the top of the cup. Smooth out the tops again.
8 .  Top off your desserts with whipped cream or cool whip and sprinkles. Place in the freezer until they are ready to be served.
Yields about 10 milkshakes, depending on size of cups.

Words of Wisdom :

A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.

“When you judge you project your shadows onto others, when you love you project your light.” 

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

"In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger – something better, pushing right back." 

My grandkids  found  this  recipe  for  me   , I must say  it  is delightful  delicious . Karaspartyideas.com

A proud grand-poppa       G.

Strangers meet on a plane....And they are identical

THERE’S always a riskof being lumbered next to a nightmare of a passenger on a flight.
So imagine one man’s delight – and surprise – to find himself sitting next to, well, himself.
He looked to his right and saw the same ginger beard and short strawberry blond hairdo. It was like looking in a mirror. They were both stunned speechless. They were almost identical, even to their teeth. They were complete strangers, not related in any way.
And while folklore suggets meeting your doppelganger is a harbinger of doom, these two didn’t let that prospect get to them, and took this cheery selfie for posterity.


The image has been posted on Twitter by Lee Beattie, director of Wire Media based in London, Glasgow, Brighton. She tweeted: ‘Guy on right is the husband of my friend. Guy on left is a STRANGER he met on a flight last night!’
She later added: 'I can’t stop looking at it. They are the same man.’

Ciara Murphy and Cordelia Roberts

Previously,  Ciara Murphy, from Wexford in Ireland, and Cordelia Roberts, from Britain, met on a study program in Bremen – and discovered they look practically the same.

The pair are not related yet look almost exactly alike, causing them to be dubbed “the twins” among their fellow students.

 It's really true that somewhere in the world there is someone exactly like you. My double lives right here in my home town.... The Genie

How would you look if you had been born the opposite sex ??

This is me, apparently, if I were a man

How about you? Aren't you curious to see what you would have looked like ?

Go to link and find out

http://en.nametests.com/test/result/what-would-you-look-like-if-you-were-born-the-opposite-sex/4184143547/


You will have to log in with Facebook when you get there


The fastest Possible way to Peel an Egg

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
About four years ago, after 17 years of marriage (no children), working full time, having a part-time cleaning job , doing 90 percent of the housework and doing 80 percent of the yardwork , I asked my husband whether I could quit my part-time job .
I was 42 and in good shape but having painful back problems from the type of work I did . My husband had a good job, and with a little bit of corner cutting , we didn't need the money from my part-time job . He agreed, but after a while , he began to seem distant and started talking constantly about a girl at work --- how amazing she was because she worked full time and went to school while caring for her two children . 
After months of this , I thought a second job part-time job might make him treat me with more respect . Then my mother broke her arm and my father needed treatment for prostate cancer . So I helped them , along with working along with full time and a part-time job and doing the housework and yard-work . It didn't help . My husband hung out with that "amazing" girl . He also spent a lot of time with a guy that convinced him I was a freeloader .
After a horrible vacation where he bought earrings for Ms. Amazing and presents for her sons . I found emails between them . He admitted he was in love with her but said nothing had happened . He eventually moved out and filed for a divorce , but when he heard that I had moved to Hawaii , he tried to woo me back . After six months of promises that he had changed , I returned home . 
I recently found a text from this same girl , asking when he'll be working with her again so they can go to lunch . I left the house . He says the girl has a boyfriend and I'm overreacting . Am I ?
Hawaii Bound 
Dear Hawaii ,
You are/were in an abusive relationship. That doesn't mean your husband beats you. He is verbally and emotionally abusive. He does not love or respect you any more, if he ever did. And, unless you wish to live as miserably, as you were....until you have worked yourself to death, get far away from him. You have to give yourself a chance at happiness and see that there are people in the world who are not controlling, selfish and passive aggressive. Your husband is all of those.
The fact that he said he loved another woman is more than enough reason to leave.  It proves he has no respect for you because he was flaunting it in order to punish you for displeasing him, when you quit your part-time job. Please don't believe that any of this is your fault and that things will get better if you only do all the things he claims will make him happy. You will never be able to please him, no matter what, or how much you do. He has made you feel responsible for his happiness and you are not.
 When you left him, he realized his income had diminished, significantly, and he was used to having that money. And there was nobody to cook, clean, do his laundry and mow the lawn etc. All of a sudden he had to do these things for himself. And that, my dear, is the reason he would have told you anything in the world to get you back. He has no intention of giving up his girlfriend on the side. Or if he does, another one will come along.
You did the right thing, once, by leaving. Your instincts were correct. The only mistake you made is going back. 
If you would feel comfortable discussing this with a professional, relationship councilor to get your thoughts in order and move forward, you should do so.  Do it on your own. Your family physician can probably put you in touch with someone experienced in abusive marital situations. 
Take care of yourself.
Maxy

Dear Maxy , 
My co-workers and I have decided to be healthier and bring a potluck style lunch for everyone on Wednesdays as opposed to eating fast food . Most of these lunches have been great and they allow us to see what our co-workers eat at home . One of my co-workers brings hongeo , a fermented skate fish dish from Korea . This dish is on lists of the smelliest foods in the world --- I did my research ! No one ever eats it and it creates a general revulsion around the entire event , which used to be very pleasant . My co-worker does not seem to care that her contribution turns off everyone to the idea of eating . It seems to give her a pass to eat all the other food while not worrying if hers will be gone . Drawing rules around this event would single her out , but this stench is impossible to be around . Should I just send out a potluck email with some guidelines ?
Hating Hongeo
Dear Hating Hongeo ,
Why not start  by speaking  directly  to your co-worker ? Talk to her privately, thank her for her participation in the potluck. Then explain to her that the dish she has been bringing has not been a group  favorite . Explain  that you have observed  that people are not eating  it  and  that the dish's pungent smell  overtakes the rest of the food .
If that does not work, you might send out  a group email  about the potluck, asking participants to vary what they bring so that  the group can try other food choices .  Also suggest that they take note of what the popular favorites are with the group, so they can repeat them. You will end up with a menu with something for everyone.
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
At a dinner party I attended last weekend , the group had an honest conversation about money . There was 10 people sitting around the table lamenting about not being able to afford something .Then debts , loans , earnings and savings worked their way into the conversation . I was very surprised . 
I had grown up in a town where talking about money was considered extremely rude and a major faux pas . I stayed quiet for the conversation except for when I was asked what I was saving up for , I simply answered , "a nice vacation."
I feel as though excusing myself is too dramatic and I would like a polite or funny response for when I'm asked about my financial situation . Any tips ?
Mum about money , Biloxi , Mississippi 
Dear Mum About  Money,
While the conversation may be uncomfortable and you don't have to take part, I suggest  that you make use of the knowledge, listen closely and learn . It's true that most people don't talk about  money at a dinner party but it is an important topic in every one's life.  You may pick up some useful tips. This particular group of people is always going to discuss these matters. Until  you  find  your comfort zone, you can honestly say, when asked , that  you are listening and learning .

Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
My wife and I are in our mid-70s and have no children . However , we have had pets , mostly cats , for all our 50 years together . 
About 13 years ago , we bought an 8-week-old female Boston terrier pupy . A few months later a friend called us about a female Boston terrier that he could not keep and offered it to us . We took it on a trail basis and since it got along well with our dog (and our two cats ), we ended up keeping it . 
We loved them both like they were our children . They rarely barked , got along great with adult and child visitors and loved being in the car . They were the best pets we ever had . We loved them . Both dogs were under the regular care of a vet . About a month ago , Spunky died in her sleep . It was devastating to lose her . Then , two weeks later, Petunia died . We are truly heartbroken .
I want to get another puppy or young dog as soon as possible . However , the problem my wife . She misses these dogs as much as I do, but she feels we are too old to get another dog . What do you think we should do ? 

Grieving for Our Pets
Dear Grieving ,
My  condolences  on the loss  of  your beloved  dogs . I know it's like losing a family member or an old friend.
Multiple  studies  have shown that seniors  greatly benefit, emotionally, from having pets  to love and care for . It is also good for older people health-wise. Pets relieve stress, lower blood pressure, keep you walking and moving. But  do keep in mind  that puppies  are  generally more work than older  dogs . Your  wife  may  not  feel up  to the task . Please discuss  it with  her  and consider  the possibility  of adopting  an older  dog . You would also be rescuing a very grateful friend.  The dog would be less energetic and likely house broken.
You may  also want to take into account the likelihood
of your someday  moving into a senior  facility  that does not  allow animals . Some seniors  handle  this  by having a friend  or  relative agree  to take  the animals  when they can no longer care for them .
Share the love,
Maxy



Bus Driver Hero

A bus driver in China stopped his bus to save a woman who appeared to be about to jump off the Nanjin Yangtze River Bridge in the country's east.


It looks like she's a little P.O.'ed and not too grateful. But I bet she was relieved after she thought it through and thanked him appropriately.
 I love stories of working man heroes. They restore our faith in fellow humans.

Anti-Bullying Video Carries Empowering Message

There’s no shortage of social experiment videos with a focus on bullying. But a recent effort from 'Up TV', as part of an anti-bullying initiative, is picking up views this week thanks to its hopeful and empowering message. The short video shows two girls loudly bullying a younger girl. They repeated the experiment for several bystanders to get a cross-section of reactions to bullying. All of the observing bystanders admonished them in their own ways . The video was filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in late September, and shows organic reactions from concerned members of the public. Credit: YouTube/Bullying PSA

Food for Thought : October is Health Literacy

 Those involved in the health field spend many years educating themselves to learn the complex health related terminologies that are foreign to the average person. As a result, there is a large portion of the population who cannot comprehend what their doctors are telling them about their health. According to the U.S Department of Education, a little over sixty percent of the population can read instructions on a prescription label. 

This alarming statistic shows why health care professionals and educators need to be more conscientious when explaining health related matters to their patients. The importance of being health literate can be solved by having readily accessible information to health related matters so that the average person can understand and use to make informed decisions.
The Florida Literacy Coalition held a Health Literacy Summit last year which dealt with this same issue. Plain language is clear simplified wording that acts as an initiative that emphasizes the importance of using simple words that people can understand when communicating with patients. The importance of health care professionals communicating with their patients in plain language will ultimately help with the issue of doctor to patient miscommunication. The benefits of health care professionals using plain language will increase the percentage of people who have an intermediate or proficient health literacy level and decrease the amount of people that have a basic health literacy level.

Table 1. Descriptions of Health Literacy
Health Literacy Level Task Examples Percentage
Proficient Using a table, calculate an employee’s share of health insurance costs for a year. 12%
Intermediate Read instructions on a prescription label, and determine what time a person can take the medication. 53%
Basic Read a pamphlet, and give two reasons a person with no symptoms should be tested for a disease. 21%
Below Basic Read a set of short instructions, and identify what is permissible to drink before a medical test. 14%
Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy..

The following are ways to become more health literate:
1. Improve Communication With Your Doctors:
⦁ Ask your health care professional to use familiar language and write down their information. 
⦁ Ask questions if something is unclear. Ask for written information to take home.

1. Take action in your community:
⦁ Attend health education programs around your area. 
⦁ Request that local schools include health literacy in their adult education curriculum.
SOURCES
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. America’s Health Literacy: Why We Need Accessible Health Information. Available at: http://health.gov/communication/literacy/issuebrief/ (Accessed: 14 October 2015). Inline Citations: (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)

Why Plain Language is so Important to Health Literacy
Posted on October 14, 2015 by Florida Literacy Coalition 
Those involved in the health field spend many years educating themselves to learn the complex health related terminologies that are foreign to the average person. As a result, there is a large portion of the population who cannot comprehend what their doctors are telling them about their health. According to the U.S Department of Education, a little over sixty percent of the population can read instructions on a prescription label. This alarming statistic shows why health care professionals and educators need to be more conscientious when explaining health related matters to their patients. The importance of being health literate can be solved by having readily accessible information to health related matters so that the average person can understand and use to make informed decisions.
The Florida Literacy Coalition held a Health Literacy Summit last year which dealt with this same issue. Plain language is clear simplified wording that acts as an initiative that emphasizes the importance of using simple words that people can understand when communicating with patients. The importance of health care professionals communicating with their patients in plain language will ultimately help with the issue of doctor to patient miscommunication. The benefits of health care professionals using plain language will increase the percentage of people who have an intermediate or proficient health literacy level and decrease the amount of people that have a basic health literacy level.

Table 1. Descriptions of Health Literacy
Health Literacy Level Task Examples Percentage
Proficient Using a table, calculate an employee’s share of health insurance costs for a year. 12%
Intermediate Read instructions on a prescription label, and determine what time a person can take the medication. 53%
Basic Read a pamphlet, and give two reasons a person with no symptoms should be tested for a disease. 21%
Below Basic Read a set of short instructions, and identify what is permissible to drink before a medical test. 14%
Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy..
The following are ways to become more health literate:
1. Improve Communication With Your Doctors:
⦁ Ask your health care professional to use familiar language and write down their information. 
⦁ Ask questions if something is unclear. Ask for written information to take home.
1. Take action in your community:
⦁ Attend health education programs around your area. 
⦁ Request that local schools include health literacy in their adult education curriculum.
SOURCES
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. America’s Health Literacy: Why We Need Accessible Health Information. Available at: http://health.gov/communication/literacy/issuebrief/ (Accessed: 14 October 2015). Inline Citations: (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Back  in the  chair  again , will get back  to my  regular  posts   as  soon as  possible , (the words of  wisdom and  a recipe) . Been a little  hectic  here ,  hope  things are  going  well in your  corner of the world .

A proud  grand-poppa                   G.

Can Beavers Really Save the World ??

Scientists Acquire More Proof That Only Beavers Can Save the World

We’ve already seen how beavers can save California from its seemingly endless drought. Now it looks like they can save the world from industrial farming by changing the chemistry of the water, making them natural biochemists.

For quite some time, the world starved for nitrogen. It’s a necessary component for life, and essential for growing crops. Nitrogen makes up most of the atmosphere around us, but getting it out of the air and into the soil could only be done by certain plants and creatures. As nitrogen was sucked from the soil, crop land grew less and less productive and people went hungry. The discovery of nitrogen fixation — grabbing nitrogen from the air and putting it into fertilizers — has saved billions of people from starvation.

But every discovery has its drawbacks. Nitrogen fertilizers on farm land get washed into streams, where they fuel an algae population boom. The algae use up the oxygen in the streams, the rivers, and eventually parts of the ocean, leaving nothing for the fish and leading to large “dead zones.”

Biologists at the University of Rhode Island were studying the nitrogen content of streams and noticed something odd: whenever there were beaver ponds upstream, nitrogen levels dropped. Beaver ponds slow down river water, and they mix it with organic matter, which must have an effect on river chemistry, but scientists didn’t know exactly what was happening in that murky water.

So they made soda-bottle-sized “ponds” that let them study variations on the conditions the beavers set up in their real-life ponds. And they found a kind of reverse nitrogen fixation process was occurring — call it “denitrification.” Bacteria in the dirt and the plant debris turned nitrates into nitrogen gas. The gas bubbled up to the surface and mixed with the atmosphere once more. In some cases, the level of nitrogen in the water dropped 45%.

The effect was most pronounced in small streams, which lead to bigger rivers and eventually to the ocean. Beavers often set up their homes in these tiny streams—or they did before they were trapped or driven away. Re-introducing them might completely change downstream chemistry, make these environments more livable not just for the beavers, but for their fellow creatures, too.

So lets leave the beavers do what they were designed to do and help restore nature's balance

Bacon and sausages as big a cancer threat as cigarettes: World Health Organization



The World Health Organisation is planning to declare that bacon, sausages and other processed meats cause cancer. The announcement is expected to list the fry-up favourites in the same category as arsenic, asbestos and cigarettes.

Red meat will also be declared “probably carcinogenic to humans”, and will be ranked as only slightly less dangerous than preserved products, according to a Daily Mail source.
Processed meat, which include pastrami, salami, hot dogs and some types of sausages is made by smoking, curing, salting or adding preservatives.
The World Cancer Research Fund said: “There is strong evidence that eating a lot of these foods [red and processed meat] increases your risk of bowel cancer.”
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Europe and the third most common worldwide, according to Cancer Research UK.
It is also the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK, accounting for ten per cent of all deaths from cancer.
The NHS website says that evidence shows there is “probably a link between eating red and processed meat and the risk of bowel cancer”.
“People who eat a lot of these meats are at higher risk of bowel cancer than those who eat small amounts,” it adds.
According to the Mail, the decision by the WHO was made following a meeting and review of available evidence by scientists from ten nations including the UK.
But the decision, expected to be announced on Monday, could have a serious financial impact on farmers and the food industry.

Betsy Booren, of the North American Meat Institute, said recently: “If they determine that red and processed meat causes cancer – and I think they will – that moniker will stick. It could take decades and billions of dollars to change that.”

 Thank goodness spinach and broccoli are still safe.....Or are they????

Ask Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I met you through my uncle , he knew my problem and one day he told me he wanted me to tell you about my problem , my mother , his sister , said a dog could not help me , for nearly two weeks , my uncle told me to write . I did and Maxy you changed my life for the better . School started and this girl I wanted to meet , she is tall , about 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall and I am only 5 feet 5 inches , so you can see the problem . 
I went to my uncle and asked him what to do , he asked did I remember what Maxy's advice to me was , I carry a clipping of it in my wallet . My uncle said , take the bull by the horns and go for it . I did and she smiled and I was hooked . We talk , and I asked her to the movies the same day , she said with pleasure . We go lots of places together holding hands , met her family which all are taller than I am , they are very nice . 
There was a dance at the school last week , my girl and I did the Cha-Cha , the kids cleared the floor to watch us . It felt really good . Thank you Maxy for telling me I may be short but I stand tall among men . 
Too Small
Dear 'Too Small,'
You only needed  a nudge in the right direction  to gain the confidence  you needed  to  stand  tall among  your peers . 
Height is not the answer, it's all about how you feel about yourself . You  decided to  asked this  young lady out  and she accepted . She likes you for yourself, whether you are short or tall.  What's inside  you and  what  you do  with it decides your stature. I was very happy to hear from you. Your letters are always welcome. You are a winner
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I have been living with my husband for 12 years . He will be 50 in a few months and our daughter is only 11 . The problem is, my husband is ill and his doctor is predicting that he may be wheelchair bound and possibly completely paralyzed between now and early next year . I am afraid I may not be able to care for him when that time comes .
Since he is not a senior citizen, what places might accommodate him if he needs round-the-clock care ? Are there places like nursing homes and assisted living centers for someone who is only middle aged and wheelchair bound ? 
No Name USA
Dear No Name,
Absolutely . Most nursing homes  and assisted-living facilities that take senior  citizens  also take anyone who is disabled regardless of age . The only issue would be the cost . Does  your husband qualify for Medicaid ?You can find out at 
( medicaid-guide.org ) . You didn't specify  your husband's illness , but there may  be a support group  for people with his disability .
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I am preparing to move out of my parents place and be independent . I graduated from college a little less than two years ago and I know my dream job is in New York City . I have some money saved up from other jobs , but I am not sure what all of the steps are to getting my own place . My mom does not think I am ready to move out , but I know in order to get my career started , I need to be in the city that never sleeps . I have found a couple of apartments on line , but I know have a real  estate agent gets pricey . I will definitely have job interviews scheduled for myself once I get to New York City , but I just need to find a way to be there affordably first . How do I start this move out of the nest ? 
Breaking Free and Budgeting , Jackson , Mississippi 
Dear Breaking Free and Budgeting ,
Getting into the practice of saving and economy is essential . It's also important  to do your research . While you may not  find your dream job, it is smart  to line up a way to earn money  before you move to such an expensive city . Apartments are hugely expensive in New York, even tiny studio apartments. And they are scarce. The cost of living, in general, is also higher in a large metropolis. You need to make sure you have enough start-up money to last a while.
See if you can line up a few interviews and visit the city for a couple of days before committing yourself to it for good .
You also need to get online to real estate websites serving the NY area and look at available rentals. Also, go to NY newspaper websites and see what the classified ads offer to rent.
 Most people who move to New York City start by  having roommates to share expenses . You can find roommate opportunities  via the Internet on sites  such as ( craigslist. org ) and others. Be clear  about  your expectations  of a roommate  and  how much  you can afford when you list yourself . With strategic planning and careful research you can create a stable foundation for your new life .
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I believe that television is destroying my family life . Whenever my children and husband and I get home, we seem to automatically retreat into different rooms to watch whatever is is our favorite TV show . When I attempt to corral everybody into the same room, it works for a quick meal but then we invariably end up in our corners, so to speak . I want us to talk as a family and do other interactive things . I almost feel it's too late, though because we have been doing this for so long . How can I coax us out of our corners and into each others lives in real time? 
Competing With The Idiot Box 
Dear Competing With The Idiot Box ,
I think we all can relate to this problem. It so easy to fall into that rut and so hard to climb out of it.
If you feel strongly about this, talk to your husband about it . Ask him  if he will partner with you on limiting  TV time  in your  home . Come up with  a plan which includes TV time and a set time that the TV is off for an hour or two no matter what . 
 The best time to schedule  talk time is during meals and right after . Introduce a topic that will spark family interest ( maybe some exciting current event ) or ask them questions about what they did that day.  Another way to engage their interest is consulting them about family decisions and asking their opinions. Listening and being interested in what kids say is the best way to keep them talking.
 After dinner, depending on the kids' age, play a game of cards or whatever game they enjoy.  You can pushback or record favorite shows to watch during their private time.
Explain  that everyone is participating . This will not  work as well if  you don't have  full agreement, and that needs to start with the parents.
Maxy

Dear Maxy ,
I have recently been introduced to a funny and quirky guy . I enjoy spending time in his company --except for one habit of his : Whenever he does something feminine, he jokes he feels his "rights being taken away," like a woman's . Sometime he switches up the punch line and says that he feels himself "turning into a second-class citizen." Walter is gay , so he feels he can make these jokes because neither of us are "straight white men." I never consider making any sort of joke about how I feel gay and I feel myself gay , and I feel myself losing my rights .
Walter seems like a great friend if you overlook this comedic hiccup , and I don't want to have to shut down the mood when this happens . I haven't laughed at this joke and I need it to stop . Is it time for a quip back ? 
Over The Line
Dear Over The Line ,
I think your friend is not totally at ease with his sexuality. As a teen, when you discover your sexual identity, you know how hard it is to talk to anyone about it. You feel ashamed, insecure and lonely. With some people these feelings carry over into adulthood and they find it easier and more comfortable to make jokes about it, even though they may be inappropriate ones.
If this friend means something to you, then be a friend to him. For sure, tell him how you feel. But equally make it clear that you're absolutely willing to listen. Encourage him to express himself to you in a more appropriate way.
I think he needs some approval and support. You sound like a well adjusted, centered person. You can give him that.
Accepting and liking yourself is empowering. We all need that. Helping him with his insecurity can lead you  both to a richer place.
Maxy

Taylor Swift Reveals Her Outrageous NYC Apartment

Welcome to New York, where multi-million-dollar, completely unattainable penthouses are waiting for you. One of them, however, already belongs to Taylor Swift. 

New Yorkers are known to pay high rents for comparatively tiny apartments. And though Swift seems like the average girl next door, her apartment is anything but typical. The $20 million pad in NYC's Tribeca neighborhood is a dazzling dream to look at. 

Swift moved into her 7-bedroom, 5-and-a-half-bath escape last fall, and she's been making memories there ever since.

 If Taylor gets tired of the city, there is always her $17 million beachfront house on Rhode Island

Before they were Famous...Guess who they are

HOW MANY DID YOU GET RIGHT ???

1. Barack Obama - 2. Queen Elizabeth - 3. Steve Jobs - 4. Bill Gates -

5. Albert Einstein - 6. Oprah Winfrey - 7. Fidel Castro - 8. Joseph Stalin -

9. John F. Kennedy - 10. Angela Merkel - 11. Vladimir Putin - 12. Martin Luther King

13. Donald Trump - 14. Bill Clinton - 15. Hillary Clinton - 16. Mahatma Gandhi

17.  George W. Bush





President Obama’s Message at the 2015 GRAMMY Awards (Re: Domestic Violence)

"Artists have a unique power to change minds and attitudes -- and get us thinking and talking about what matters." 

Last night, some of the world's most talented and influential artists came together in Los Angeles to celebrate last year's most notable achievements in music at the 2015 GRAMMY awards. Along with the awards and performances, the night included an important appeal message from President Obama to all present: "It's on us to stop domestic violence and sexual assault." 

"It's on us, all of us, to create a culture where violence isn't tolerated, where survivors are supported, and where all our young people -- men and women -- can go as far as their talents and their dreams will take them." 

All of us have the power to set an example. Take the "It's On Us" pledge at www.itsonus.org to learn how you can help combat this problem by becoming part of the solution. 

Weird

Wolf sculpture made out of pipe cleaners

Ships stranded in the Bermuda Triangle

Ever wonder where Hitler got his infamous moustache?

He had to cut his handlebar moustache to fit into a gas mask

The wedding dresses that won the prize for most horrific bad taste

Don't do this to your eight year old

 

 

New species of giant jellyfish





Fire tornado Australia





Giant Earth Worms in Australia can grow to nine feet long