Should Employers Be Able to Require Access to Your Social Networking Accounts?

I was having a discussion about this latest craze with a friend.  Apparently, even in our small town it is rearing its head.  The practice/trend?  Employers requiring the passwords and full  access to your social networking accounts;  most commonly Facebook.  Why?  To see if you're who you say you are.  To see if you might be a good or a bad employee.  To see if you are going to cause them embarrassment.  To SEE.  To Snoop.  To micromanage.

I was a little surprised that it is happening in our small town...in small, non-profits; those that would pride themselves on empowerment and equality.  I'm told, as we speak,it appears on at least one local agencie's job application and is required that you give the password information as a condition of hire.

Jobs are hard to find. Employers know this, and employees know this.  That doubly upsets the balance of power.  If you rock the boat you won't get hired or could get fired.  So employers push the envelope (some, certainly not all), and employees often knuckle under even if they aren't comfortable or don't think it's right.

In some instances, I don't think employers are thinking or realizing there are potential problems with this new "big brother" monitoring of people's private lives. They see it as the latest, greatest screening tool.  While I understand the strong desire to avoid problems, turnover and to hire the best employees one can, I don't think this is a good idea.

Some arguments can be "If you don't have anything to hide, why would you care?", and "People shouldn't post anything publicly that could get them in trouble, so they shouldn't object."  I sort of felt that way, until I started reading some of the implications, and now I feel differently.  In the back of my mind I just thought "Over my dead body will I give an employer access to my social networking pages."  I'm a rebel about intrusive authority.  I wouldn't let them listen to my private voice mail, look in my windows, read my mail, or let them have the passwords to my personal email accounts either.  Further, I am also interviewing my prospective employer.  Do I want to work for someone who thinks this is OK?  Nope, I do not.  It does not bode well for micromanagement in the work place, or fair and ethical treatment.  But I understand we are currently in a market of scarcity and I may not feel I have the power to let a job slip through my fingers...or don't have the luxury.

Why is it a potential "no-no" for employers?  I'll give you some links to dig deeper.  It appears it's not holding up in court. Some states are already making it illegal to require and it's only a matter of time before nobody can legally require, much less request it. Why?  Violation of privacy, for one.  It is a clear violation of Facebook Terms of Use to give out that information, for another.  Lastly, the biggest issue seems to be potential for discrimination.  I know, at first blush, you think, WHAT?  But here is a hypothetcal:

Here is a list of things it is illegal to ask on job applications and in interviews.  After you read that, ask yourself, how many of those things can be found on nearly everyone's social networking pages?

Let's say, as an employer, I'm of one religion and you are of a religion I find offensive (these days you could probably fill in the blank with Muslim or Wiccan).  I can't ask you about it as part of the interview or application process, but what if I see photos of you at a baptism or wedding where your religion is clear?  Or what if you're gay and I can't ask you that, but I see photos of your family?  Nothing X rated, just normal family photos.  And I can't ask you if you have children or what your marital status is, but I can easily glean it from the average, even most conservative of pages.  Potentially, I could look at your FB page, find things about you that are illegal to discriminate against you for, and do just that without ever having to prove it.  That's a problem.

Recently, in our small, rural community, the mayor made derogatory comments about gays on his FB page.  It wasn't completely clear if it was his private page or his personal page and he clearly had very little working knowledge of how to set his privacy settings.  Soon screen captures of his comments made it to some national publications.  Nobody was running against him but it sure was a bit sticky for him.  Electronic information is never fully private.

Where does an employer's right to monitor or direct behavior or morality end?  If I can do my job, and I have not violated any of the terms of employment in the company handbook, is what I do on my personal time the business of the employer?  Do we want to allow people to micromanage before an issue is even an issue?

I'm of the opinion that an employer gets enough of my time and energy and what I do when I leave my job is my business.  I think what employers need to do is to beef up their employee handbooks to spell out what behavior is and is not acceptable and it needs to all be legal and within the scope of the type of job, the moral environment etc.  If I agree to your LEGAL terms of conduct, and then violate them, THAT is when it is your business.  Not before and not just if you don't like this or that.

Should people avoid posting stupid things on their social networking sites?  Yes.  Should professionals have tighter privacy settings and limit access and be reasonable and careful?  Yes.  But is that all a personal choice or does my employer have a say?  If so, how much say?  Can he/she access my social networking sites to glean information that is part of a person's social life with friends and family but not legal for them to ask in job applications or interviews?  How could it be?

Here are a few interesting links that are discussing this very issue.  Employers:  if you are currently doing this, STOP.  It's only a matter of time before it is illegal, so WHY not just stop now?

Blumenthal, Schumer: Employer Demands For Facebook And Email Passwords As Precondition For Job Interviews May Be A Violation Of Federal Law; Senators Ask Feds To Investigate.

Asking job applicants for Facebook password, fair or legal?

Can We All Agree that Requiring Facebook Passwords Is a Bad Idea, and Move On?

Weigh in.  What do you think?  Make it a well-reasoned and respectful discussion or your comments will not be approved for post.  Would you feel pressured out of desperation and give in and give your social networking passwords to an employer or prospective employer?  What about your private email passwords?  Would you feel pressured to close your social networking account?  If your current employer looked at your account, what would they see that you would not want them to see?  Do you need to tighten up your privacy settings and become more discerning about who you approve to see your pages?  Are you truly aware that no matter how hard you may try, nothing posted electronically is now, or ever will be strictly private? How far would you go to defend your right to protect your information?  Do you want to work for someone who would require this access?  Why or why not?  Can the problems employers are trying to avoid with employees be addressed through the company handbook with violations dealt with as they arise or is this "back stage pass" necessary?

Vanishing Everyday Items

I actually have one of these rotary phones.  Mom was going to throw it out but it came from one of the houses I grew up in, and I love the way it sounds.  It still works.  I had to install a jack to it since back in the day they were hard wired in place.  It won't work if you get an automated system (you know...press one for this and two for that), but I really like it.

It's sad, tragic really that this post was inspired by an article I read in the AARP Magazine.  I know, right?  I'm getting to be that age.  In my defense, my mom gave me the article.  SHE has a subscription to the magazine.  I think, however, I could qualify for my own subscription.  But I don't want to talk about that.  Ever.

I was unable to find a link to this article because you have to pay to view it.  It is from the AARP Bulletin June 2012 issue, page 43 in a recurring section called "Power of 50" and the title is "Vanishing". It's a one page article about some of the everyday items that will soon fall by the wayside.  Sort of like this rotary phone...and cassettes, LPs, 8 Tracks, bag phones.  Some of these items I don't care about, but some I will miss, and I'm slow to adapt so change is a struggle for me.  I'm only now getting to where I am willing to use a debit card.  I never use my cell phone, and have never texted.  Obviously, I've embraced computers, email, blogging, internet research, social networking etc.  But most of the new technology is starting to pass me by.  I'm just not interested in being connected all the time...to anyone.  But I digress...as usual.

Here are some of the items the article says are vanishing:

• Postal delivery. or the U.S. Post office. Obviously certain things will have to be delivered.  I envision a time of more competitive businesses in the private sector taking over package and mail delivery of those things that can't be electronically sent (so far).  I'm already seeing fewer catalogs in my mailbox (thank goodness), but I really don't like online catalogs for the things I want to shop for.  I'm in transition.
• Analog clocks and watches.  Many people use their cell phones for timekeeping and alarms.  The modern timekeeping connects to satellite so the time is always correct and automatically changes time zones when traveling or with the seasonal change.  I haven't worn a watch in years.  Mostly because the world is obsessed with time, and I can just ask or look up...time is posted everywhere.  That and I'm not employed so I don't care what time it is.
• Toilet paper.  Really?  That's what the article says.  Smart toilets will have bidets that will both wash and dry your naughty bits.  Hmmm, what will that be like?
• Desktops.  I wasn't clear if they were referring to desktop computers or desks themselves.  At any rate, the article said everything will be paperless and all data saved to computers.  The issue I see with this is we will be so enslaved and dependent on the computers that we are then vulnerable to cyber terrorism.  If our computers to down, we're crippled.
• Home phones (aka "land lines").  This is already happening.  In part, as people are trying to pare down their expenses, they find it doesn't make sense to pay for two plans for the same thing.  Phone plans are not always cheap.  We still have a land line bundled with our internet access.  We rarely use our pay-as-you-go/prepaid cell phones.  I can see that changing, I suppose.  The I won't answer that one either.
• Glove box road maps.  Yeah, with GPS devices in cars and on phones, the paper versions are going away.  Implications?  What about the tactile, and clarity of vision for those with vision issues.  I can't see the freaking screen on my phone as it is.  I rather enjoy foldy maps.
• All forms of physical storage media.  This includes thumb drives, CD's DVDs, Blue Rays and all of the players.  Soon it will all be streamed from, stored to and purchased from the internet.  This is a world I could not even have imagined when I was a teenager.
• Language Barriers.  Phone aps will (or already are) offering the ability to speak in your language of origin and have it translated into whatever language you want and spoken out.  You can carry on a conversation anytime, anywhere, in any language.  Hmmmm...how can you trust the nuances?  Is it translating your tone as well as the words?  We've seen how "auto correct" has gotten some people into some fine pickles.  Plus, we will cease to have a reason to make the effort to learn some challenging new things.  I see both plus sides and minus sides to all of these potential vanishing acts.
• Gas Pumps.  Oh, we'll so miss that!  OK, maybe not?  Replaced with self serve alternative fuel and charging stations?
• Business Cards.  Yup...it's is and will be, all electronic.
• Coins and paper money.  Yup...electronic transactions.  It's insinuated that currently, cash is primarily used by criminals for transactions they don't want traced.  That may not be quite the case just yet, but imagine!
• Person driven vehicles.  Google has a robotic car.  Nevada will be the first state to issue permits for self-driving autos.
• Passwords.  Soon most electronic devices will recognize you via your face, a retina scan, or a fingerprint.
• Cursive Writing (or perhaps writing at ALL in physical form).  Four states have already dropped cursive writing from their curriculum.
• Answering machines
• Tube TVs
• Phone Books
• Bank Deposit Slips
• Subway Tokens
• Rolodexes
• Printed Encyclopedias (I actually thought those went away a long time ago).  What about books?  Do you think hard copy book will go by the wayside?
• Film
• Incandescent light bulbs
• What about paper checks?  Grocery store checkers?

As I look at this list, it almost looks like a world without tactile experiences and with one-dimensional visual experiences.  What are the implications for the elderly and those without resources to access the technology?

Things don't seem to be built to last.  Washing machines and such that used to last 25 or 30 years are pooping out with their plastic parts in just a few short years.  We want a "greener" world with less waste, but we are cranking out disposable electronic products with no place to pile up the refuse.   There sure are a lot of things to consider.  Balance and inclusion, and need.  Should we make ever increasing speeds and aps for every conceivable thing just because we can?  I'm really in a baby-boomer gap.  I'm sort of on the tail of baby boomer but not quite young enough to be a gen X er.  I use techology, but I can't or don't want to keep up because I don't want to be that "connected".  With limited income, I'm priced out of the market for many gadgets that I don't think I need.  But I can see that I'm falling behind, and what will that mean as I age?

Tomorrow I'm gong to explore a little the latest craze in employers demanding/requiring access to an employee's social networking sites.  Wow...now there's an issue.

Movie Review: Win Win

We rented Win Win from Netflix.  If you've read many of my reviews, I'm a tough sell and never jump up and down, even about movies I like.  I'm just not a jumper.

But I really enjoyed this off-beat flick.  It's got heart, it has ethical, and moral dilemmas.

The basic story is a lawyer find himself in financial straights and decides to become a legal guardian of a wealthy older man.  Enter the man's grandson...and later, daughter.  The kid ends up living with them and another interesting challenge arises;  the kid is wrestling star and the lawyer is a wrestling coach.  There are a lot of interesting lines crossed.

According to my husband, the kid...the wrestler, was a wrestler that they found for the part...he wasn't an actor.  I think he stole the show.  Sure it could be said he can't act and was dry and flat, but for me, that's what made it work.  He was a troubled kid and his flat personality felt genuinely appropriate.  I loved him.  Alex Shaffer is an understated doll.

Paul Giamatti plays coach/dad/lawyer who must face his questionable decisions.  Paul always does a great job.  Everyone does.  There isn't a bad role in the bunch.   It's rated R for the language (which does not seem gratuitous).  That's too bad because it's a good flick that older kids and teens will enjoy.  So if you're OK with language, I would give it a thumbs up for tweens and teens.

Movie Review: Brave by Disney Pixar

Hubby and I went to see this on its opening weekend.  I really enjoyed it. I liked the music, the animation, the story and the accents.  If for no other reason, go to see the amazing movement and texture in Merida's HAIR...WOW...Animation sure has come a long way!

It's a story about an independent, strong-willed princess who defies tradition by rebelling against the notion that she should be married off to one of the first born from three clans.  They are to compete in archery and whoever wins, wins her hand.  The tradition is in place to keep peace between previously warring clans.  Merida is in total opposition to this plan. So much so that she seeks out a spell from a witch to "change her fate".  Change it she does, but not really in the manner she expected.  That's all I'll tell you.  I'm not a spoiler.

I liked it.  The end.


The video is not yet available for preorder (as I write this), but here is the link to the soundtrack where you can listen to samples of the music from the movie

Book Review: Comanche Woman by Joan Johnston

My mom loaned this book to me.  As I started reading it, I realized I had read at least one other in the Sisters of the Lone Star Trilogy.  I just can't remember which one...and apparently I didn't review it.

It's a romance novel.  Set in the 1800's in Texas Territory.  There are historical tidbits woven throughout.  In the sister series, each book covers the story of one of three sisters.  Each is named for the son their father hoped for and raised like sons.  There is interplay between whites and Nativive Americans.

In this series "half-breed", Long Quiet is in search of one of the sisters (Bay) who was taken captive by Comanches three years earlier.  He has to negotiate her release.  Of course, they fall in love.

The book (and which ever one I read prior), are not bad reads.  I do have to say, though, that while I can appreciate a steamy, sexy romance novel as well as the next gal, the romance and sex in these books are predictable, and contrived.  They don't ring true.  You can see it all coming a mile away and the books would read just fine without the scenes.  Meaning, they don't add anything to the story.  It's as though the scenes are gratuitously shoved in and they seem out of place.  And holy cow, when was the last time you heard the term "man root"??  Some of the language and descriptors for body parts, acts, and physical descriptions made me laugh in a sort of embarrassed way.

The overall writing is excellent, the book was entertaining, but I give it a D- for how the romance and sex scenes were developed.  Most of it just isn't believable...that a romance and sexual relationship would have happened in the time frame or manner in which they are portrayed.  I enjoyed the primary story line but wouldn't go out of my way to read more of this author's works (unless my mom sends another my way) because of the out of place and awkward sex and romance scene development.

Movie Review: Winter's Bone

We rented Winter's Bone from Netflix.  It's based on a book by the same title.  It stars Jennifer Lawrence as Ree.  You'll remember Jennifer from the recent Hunger Games (Katniss).

Set in the Ozarks in the outlying communities of abject poverty and the meth trade, it is a bleak film about survival in a harsh environment.  It's the story of growing up too soon and of harsh realities.

Ree is caring for her mentally ill mother, her 12 year old brother and her 6 year old sister.  She is unable to attend school and has no visible means of support.  Her father was a meth cook and has disappeared.  She has less than a week to find him or they will lose the house they are living in.

In between trying to get the family fed and the kids to school, she tries to teach the younger ones how to hunt and cook so they can learn basic survival skills.  In her spare time, she is poking around trying to find her father.  She must ask questions of some very dangerous people, at great risk to her personal safety.

The acting is spectacular. The subject matter bleak, desperate and depressing.  Even the cinematography intentionally minimizes the use of color.  The film won several awards including some Academy award nominations.

As for if I "liked" it.  I was entertained and it was a very well done film.  I have a friend who grew up not far from this region.  She's seen it and says it is spot-on, and not an exaggeration of life for some people in this area.  Well, heck, that makes it even more depressing.  My maternal instincts ran wild and I felt angry and protective and uncomfortable.  I'm sure that's how we are meant to feel when we watch it.  I didn't find it a "feel good" or uplifting movie, but it was powerful.

I wonder what else Jennifer can play...her characters of Ree in this movie, and Katniss in The Hunger games are very similar (unavailable mom, dead/missing father, sibs to look after, survival, a bleak life of poverty, courage and a willingness to risk her life for her family, and a sober, non-smiling persona throughout).  She's a fine little actress.  I wonder if she can play "happy".  I hope so.

Product Review: Waterproof Passport Holder

I bought two of these for my August Cozumel trip.  One for me and one for "Thelma".  We were contemplating an easy way to get through airports without rummaging through our purses, and a way that we could be on the beach and in the water without having stuff stolen.

These little jobbies are like a heavy duty zip long with a hook and lanyard.  There is plenty of room in them to put your passport, your photo ID, credit card, a bit of cash and a room key.

Sold by StoreSMART via Amazon.com, they cost $5.99 each (plus s&h).

I looked at many options for waterproof passport holders and read a lot of online reviews.  This one was the choice I came up with that best fit our needs and my pocketbook.  It's not like we're frequent travelers, so why pay a lot for such a thing?

The reviews were overall, quite favorable.  Some reported that they were just as advertised and others said the zipper closure broke right away, or that it leaked.  So "Thelma's" suggestion was, when we actually take them to the beach and into the water, we could put stuff in another zip lock baggie inside of this one.

Some people reported putting a bit of air in them too so they floated.  Others said they tied them to their swim trunks and snorkeled or dove with them on, and certainly swam with them.  We're hoping it solves the problem of having to have someone always on the beach watching our gear.  With these on our body, the most they'll get is my fab Breakfast at Tiffany's tote and my beach towel.

These will also keep our ID handy in airports.  You can also put your smart phone in it, or your iPod.

Remind me if I forget, and I'll report back how they performed in action.

September 2012 Update:  Well, I'm back from my fantastic journey (Be sure to look up the posts in September for Thelma and Louise's Most Excellent Cozumel Adventure).  Oddly, I hardly used this item.  For moving quickly through security, it was a little hard to get open and closed and wiggle the passport out of in a hurry.  And on the airplane and in airports, it was a bit in my way dangling around my neck.  On the beach, we just didn't end up taking our passports.  We stayed on the hotel property and locked that stuff up in our hotel safe.  For our dolphin swim...same thing...we locked it up in a locker.  So I can't tell you about it's durability and waterproofness.  If I have occasion to try again, I'll update.  I'm glad I had it, but didn't really use it.

Movie Review: The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years

Recently, since I had missed the icon of The Thorn Birds, I read the book (reviewed it), and rented the 8 hour miniseries from Netflix (and reviewed it).  While I was at it, I rented this 3 hour follow-up, The Thorn Birds:  The missing years, which fills in the 19 years unaccounted for in the 1983 miniseries.  The Missing Years aired in 1996 and fell a bit flat.  Richard Chamberlain was the only returning cast member, and the follow-up did not stay true to the book or even make sense against the details of the original miniseries.

I can't say that I disagree with the critical response to this "sequel" or "midquel" as Wikipedia refers to it as.  I will say, that in all honesty, I think Amanda Donohoe did a far superior acting job over Rachel Ward in the role of Meggie.

All I can say is that I completed about all there is to complete with regards to The Thorn Birds.  I am now, well-versed in a story that was all the rage when it came out.  I missed it then, but I will miss it no more.  I'm sorta over it.  I wasn't able to find a trailer for this "midquel"...that's how popular it wasn't.

One question:  Where did that priest learn to kiss like that?

Children's Book Review: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

In November of last year, I wrote about having revisited the site of my childhood where Ivan Lee, a gorilla lived most of his life in a boxcar in a mall.  You can read about that.  The mall is still there, and Ivan's boxcar is in a back room and there are tidbits of new clippings here and there but the mall has seen better days.  Read about that in my previous post.

When I was writing up that post, I saw reference to this book that was not yet out on the market.  It is now available.  I wasn't paying very good attention and snapped it up without realizing it is fiction based loosely on Ivan's story, and it is primarily a grade school aged reading level/story.  It is written in the first person of Ivan and the animals in the mall.

So I have to admit, that based on my own preconceived idea that this might be a documentary sort of historical account, I was more than a little let down.  But that's my own fault.  Although it appears to be a very thick/large/long book, there is very little text per page so it is a very quick read (for a grown up).  I can also see the appeal for children.

The book takes a look at the life and projected feelings of the captive animals complete with the "good humans"/"bad humans" dilemma.  It ends with Ivan's relocation to the Zoo and reunification with other gorillas.  The good news for Ivan is, that he's about my age, still alive, thriving and in a much better "domain" than he had been in that mall.  He has even gone on to sire little gorillas.  I wish someone would do a thorough written compilation or documentary of his life.  It is a fascinating story and an important one, just like Keiko the killer whale of the controversy over captive animals.

On the one hand, captive animals have opened our minds and grown us all exponentially.  Things we never knew existed came to our attention long before the digital and computer ages.  With first hand, up close animal experiences with captives, we learned to care about their environments and vanishing habitats and we began pouring money and resources into programs and conservation/preservation efforts that might not have come about without the captive experience.

On the other hand, it is a rather dismal look into our human evolution and our slow process into even contemplating the plight of captive animals, their treatment, regulations about them.  Heck, it wasn't that long ago we had captive HUMANS and thought it was the "normal way of things".  Given that slavery wasn't that long ago (and in some places still in practice), it isn't too surprising that we are lagging with regard to concepts about keeping animals captive.

It raises some interesting thoughts as I read this book.  Baby animals were most popular for size/feeding/and crowd appeal.  They brought in the most money.  But they grow up, outgrow their "domain", outgrow their crowd appeal and are harder to handle, and more expensive to feed (diminishing returns).  Then what?  I wonder why that was so hard to think ahead to see the consequences of that short term thinking.

Certainly there have always been kind animal lovers and abusive "keepers".  The attitude and tolerance for holding animals captive for the entertainment, education and profit of humans is changing.  Do you foresee a time when there will be no zoos but eco-tourism will grow (for the wealthy)?

This summer I will be visiting Cozumel and paying for an experience with captive dolphins.  I feel conflicted about this but my thoughts spin around the ideas that the dolphins were captured while it was still legal to do so.  They cannot any longer survive on their own in the wild.  If we all refuse to patronize the business, there will be no money to feed the pod and that could result in their starvation or even euthanasia.  So what is the answer?  And what happens as they become to old to participate or they die off from natural causes or old age?  Those businesses will experience a painful decline that could result in the same situation.  The same holds true if everyone became up in arms and boycotted all zoos.  I don't know how that transition will come about, but I do foresee a time when we will no longer have captive animals.  In good zoos, these animals may thrive and live longer than they would in the wild.

Philosophically, I have a belief that all beings have a role in the universe.  I believe that some animals are born to be captive as ambassadors of animals and animal relations.  I think on some level all beings sort of volunteer for each life with a purpose for each.  I know that flies in the face of many beliefs and also borders on saying that some beings are meant to be oppressed and therefore it's OK to do so.  That's not it at all.

I don't know what the answer is, but despite this book not being what I expected or hoped it would be, it did get me thinking about some large issues.

For those who grew up visiting Ivan, I think the Mall could actually make some money if they fixed up his old habitat and created an Ivan museum out of the mall; to chronicle this issue.  It could be like an interpretive center.  They could include a live web feed of Ivan in his current home.  All news footage and all of those news clippings could be displayed with other items to give a feel for the way it used to be.  The experience of what was once "normal" and is now "abhorrent" is valuable education.  Retail stores will not save that place.  The B and I could be a circus mall again and an interpretive museum.  It could be a money maker without any captive animals.  It could house a book store with books that chronicle the stories of captive animals, and of educational materials about animals in general.  It could be a destination instead of a sad walk down memory lane.  The book states that the mall went bankrupt.  The B and I Circus store still exists but it has struggled with it's retail space ever since the captive animals left.  The old carosel is still there but only operates at certain times.  It's a bit of a ghost town.  It could be so much more.

So thank you Katherine Applegate, for making me think, and remember and ponder.  Here are some archived images and articles about Ivan.

Children's Book Review: I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer

This was one of my son's faves.  In the "Little Critter" series by Mercer Mayer.  The illustrations are awesome.  Published in 1983.

In this installment, Little Critter is super mad...about a variety of things.  That never happened to the "little critter" that I was raising...OK...it did...a lot.  So he rather appreciated knowing that other little critters got crabby and lost their tempers too, and that their critter moms still loved them.

Geared for kids ranging, I'll guess from 3-7 or so, it's short and sweet so makes a good bedtime story for tired critter moms.

Here is the text...but as always, you must see the illustrations because usually, even if the text seems typical, the illustrations are saying something else.  Have your little critter find the mouse on every page...he's easy to spot.

I wanted to keep some frogs in the bathtub, but Mom wouldn't let me.


I was so mad.


I wanted to play with my little sister's dollhouse but Dad wouldn't let me.


I was so mad.


I wanted to play hide-and-seek in the clean sheets but Grandma said, "No, you can't."


I was just so mad.


I wanted to water the garden but Grandpa said "No, you can't."


So I decided to decorate the house but Grandpa said "No, you can't do that, either."


Was I ever mad.


Dad said, "Why don't you play in the sandbox?"


I didn't want to do that.


Mom said "Why don't you play on the slide?"


I didn't want to do that, either.


I was too mad.


I wanted to practice my juggling show, instead.


But Mom said "No, you can't"


I wanted to tickle the goldfish but Mom said, "Leave the goldfish alone."


"You won't let me do anything I want to do," I said.  "I guess I'll run away."


That's how mad I was.


So I packed my wagon with my favorite toys.


And I packed a bag of cookies to eat on the way.


Then I walked out the front door.


But my friends were going to the park to play ball.  "Can you come, too?"  they asked.


Can I go?


And Mom said I could.


I'll run away tomorrow if I'm still so mad.

Product Review: Breakfast at Tiffany's Tote Bag

Oh yeah, baby, I bought this tote for the beach, for my upcoming trip with "Thelma" to Cozumel.  It goes with our glam theme.  Sold by a company named Vandor via Amazon.com, and costs $8.76.

I think it's Fabby-McFab.

So, the scoop:  It's sorta cheapy plasticy thin.  Pay attention that the front to back depth (see that pink strip along the side?), is only 4 inches...that's not very roomy in that direction.  But to throw a towel and a few odds and ends in to carry from the hotel to the beach, I think it will work fine.  Otherwise, it's 15 inches tall by 14 inches wide.  They also have a smaller version with a slightly different photo (12x10x4.5)

You just can't get more glam than Audrey Hepburn, right?  And once again...the price is right up my alley.  I'm glam, but I'm cheap glam.

September 2012 Update:  Well, I'm back from Cozumel Mexico and I used this bag nearly every day while there.  I DO wish it was a little wider front to back (know what I mean?), but overall, it was a good beach tote, and I took it with me to a dolphin swim and from there straight on to shopping.  It's cute.  It worked.  I liked it. It's not high quality material and I'm sure it won't last long but it's fun so far.

Movie Review: Rock of Ages

Despite the dismal reviews, I thought Rock of Ages, the movie, looked like a fun diversion.  Honestly, it was.

It's the story of a Sherri, a small town Oklahoman girl who strikes out to make it in the music buisness and hops a bus to L.A.  It's the story of Stacee Jaxx an aging rock star who has lost himself in the machine of fame and is barely functional as a raging alcoholic.  It's the story of Drew who is aching for fame, has talent but works as a bar back in the Bourbon Room.  How does Sherri find her place, Stacee find his soul, and Drew balance not taking the same road as Stacee?  To a lesser degree, it's the story of the owner of the Bourbon Room and his financial troubles (think Burlesque), and the slow transition of music from rock to pop in the late 80's.  There is a background story of a local mayor and his wife who want to shut down the Bourbon Room and clean up the strip in the name of Christian decency...or IS that why??  Hmmmm, could be a little twist there.

It's uber corny, but it's supposed to be.  It is like "Glee" meets "Grease".  Julianne Hough, who plays Sherri could just about BE "Sandy" from Grease she's so innocent and shiny, squeaky innocent.  The music is retro fun (albeit a little loud for me) and everyone gives good performances, including, surprisingly all of the singing performances.  The music tracks are obviously lip synced and cleaned up in the studio, but nobody is off key or sucks.

 My personal favorites were Russell Brand as "Lonnie", and Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx.  I'm not nearly as big a fan of Tom as I once was...something about the press and his personal conduct that sort of turned me off.  But honestly, he does a fantastic job and truly steals the show.

Note of warning from the prudish mom in me:  There is sexual content and I would not recommend this movie for kids under 13 (PG-13), and even then, consider your child and your values...if you are on the fence at all, wait till it comes out on video and preview it first.  Here's a link to some of those details.

This film is an adaptation from the stage musical by the same name. It is expected to be a box office bomb.  It is not getting good reviews.  Here is Rotten Tomatoes Review.  Looks like audiences like it about 20% more than reviewers...but it's still iffy.  I was just in the mood for it, I guess.

Oh, and ya know that clip in the previews where Stacee Jaxx signs that girl's boob and it makes that squeaky sound?  I didn't see that in the movie...did you?  Also, don't get too excited at the prospect of ever standing on a platform behind the Hollywood sign...it might have been possible in the 80's and before, but it isn't now.  It is surrounded by an electric fence, surveillance cameras and helicopter patrol.  Something about people jumping off of it and liability or some such.  Here is some info and photos about hiking to the sign.  "Thelma" and I took a similar route but didn't end up near this close.  Maybe on another trip.  We took similar trails/paths but I think missed where some of them diverged to go closer...plus it was getting dark...but I digress...again.


From this link you can listen to the sample of the music from the movie.

Recipe: Quick Edamame Soup

I saw this recipe posted from VegWeb via Facebook and thought it looked light, simple, and tasty.  Of course, I seem incapable of following a recipe to the letter.  That stems from a slight learning disability, and stubborn independence.  I'll list the recipe as written first, and then tell my modifications.

Quick Edamame Soup

Ingredients:

    1/2 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
    1/3 cup scallions, sliced
    1 1/2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
    1 teaspoon minced ginger, optional
    2 small carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal
    6 1/4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
    1 cup frozen edamame beans
    1-1 1/4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
    1/2-3/4 teaspoon chile garlic sauce
    1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
    5-6 ounces rice noodle pasta (I use 1/3 package of Thai Kitchen Brand)
    salt, to taste

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot or cauldron, place the oil and bring it to medium heat. Once hot, add the scallions and sauté for about 1 minute. Add the garlic, ginger, and carrots and allow to sizzle for about 15-20 seconds more.

2. Add the broth, put the lid on at an angle, and bring the heat up to reach a boil. Once boiling, add the edamame. This will cool the soup down again, so bring it back up to a boil and allow the edamame to boil with the lid at an angle for only 2 1/2 minutes.

3. Remove the lid, stir, and add the soy, chili garlic sauce, and sesame oil. Stir again and add the rice noodles.

4. Once the rice noodles have been added, immediately move the soup from the heat and allow it to stand off the heat for about 12-14 minutes stirring from time to time, until tender. Taste, and adjust seasoning, if needed.

Now for my modifications:
*  I used all toasted sesame oil for a more Asian flavor.
*  I used an entire small bunch of scallions (aka, green onions in our area)
*  I didn't measure the garlic, I guessed
*  I didn't measure the ginger, I guessed
*  I didn't use 2 small carrots, I used about 5 or 6 small ones
*  I'm not a huge fan of vegetable broth, so I used on box of veggie broth and one box of chicken broth (which adds up to about  cups vs the 6 1/4 cups (who makes a soup recipe that measures down to the quarter cup of broth???  Someone with OCD??)
*  Next time I'll add more Edamame
*  I didn't measure the soy sauce, I just guessed
* I didn't have chile garlic sauce so I used some homemade sweet chili sauce from a previous recipe experiment.
*  I couldn't find Thai Kitchen Brand (or any other brand) rice noodles at the one store I was willing to shop at that day, so I used Barilla Brand Orzo (rice sized pasta).
*  I had a left over brick of organic extra firm sprouted tofu in the fridge that needed to get used up.  So I cubed it small and threw it in.
*  In addition to course sea salt, and fresh ground pepper, I added some dashes of hot sauce and some red pepper flakes.  What can I say, I was cold the day I made it.

*  Then later that day, I had cooked a local, organic chicken in the crock pot and it made all this nice stock in the bottom, so I poured that into the soup pot.  I hate to see anything go to waste.  After it chilled, I scraped off the solid fats.  Sure that won't make it vegan or vegetarian (but neither did the box of free range, organic chicken stock).  I'm OK with that.  You'll make your own modifications.

Nothing like following a recipe to the letter, eh?

I like it.  It's different, it's light, it fills me up.

Movie Review: Larry Crown

When the previews for Larry Crown first came out, I thought it looked "quaint".  I love both Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks.  For whatever reason, we didn't make it to the theater when it came out.  The critic's reviews were dismal. While it did well at the box office on it's opening weekend, it topped out barely above all production and marketing costs (production, around 30 mil, marketing and other costs, around 32 mil, film grossed around 68 mil worldwide).

I hated to believe it.  I mean Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, people!  They can pick their projects and tend not to pick lemon projects.  So I eventually rented it from Netflix (by the way, don't you think Netflix should give me a free subscription for all my plugging?? I do).

Larry Crown is a divorced man, working at a big box store.  It's his life and he takes pride in it (winning employee of the month 9 times).  Due to corporate B.S., Larry is fired for not having a college education.  Enter community college classes, a new friend who is in a "biker gang" who gives him a new fashion look (Gugu Mbatha-Raw of the television series Touch) and Julia Roberts his new speech instructor.

Roberts is a burned out teacher who hates that apathy she sees in her students, her dwindling class sizes and responds by becoming even more apathetic than her students.  She drinks too much and is in an unhappy marriage.  George Takei (Sulu of Star Trek), plays and over the top, bizarrely strange economics instructor.

Larry Crown takes his school experience seriously and puts all of the information he learns in speech and economics to immediate use in his life.  As he takes it seriously, slowly so do the students and instructors.  And yes, a budding romance begins to develop between "Larry" and "Mercy".  Transformation is had by all and all live happily ever after.

So, um, yeah.  Sadly I think I have to agree with the critics on this.  Critic Roger Ebert said it lacked "a reason for being".  This may sum it all up.  I was left wondering what Julia and Tom were thinking. Maybe it looked like fun.  Maybe they wanted to work together.  Certainly neither of them need the money that badly.

To me, while the film had some entertainment value and Tom and Julie act the socks off their roles, the entire story was not believable. The characters were either cliche or over the top.  The community college setting and behavior was way too "Stand and Deliver".  None of it rang true, possible, plausible, or likely.  It fell a bit flat and that made me sad.  I didn't hate it, I didn't love it...I agree that it lacked a reason to be.

Book Review: Lethal by Sandra Brown

Lethal by Sandra Brown hits the ground running and I was interested right away...hooked, as the case may be.

A mass murder has just taken place and a killer is on the loose...but just WHO the killer is takes some time to unravel.  There is a crime to solve and a drug trafficking ring to shut down.  The book is well-written and captured my interest right away.

I DO have to confess one gripe...Sandra Brown, who I believe started out primarily as a romance novelist, crossed over into suspense thriller novels...and has tried to shove romance into them.  In the case of this book, the romance piece did not work for me at all.  I found it totally implausible, unlikely and awkward.  For me, it simply didn't fit, didn't belong and detracted from the story.  It just didn't need to be there.  It would have been a much better read without it.

That being said, the romance portion was minimal (almost like it was wedged in there gratuitously), so I sort of laughed and groaned when it came up, ignored it and moved on.

I enjoyed the book and it gets the stamp of "above beach read" status.   Sandra Brown, age 64 (give or take), who looks a bit like Mary Tyler Moore, has written over 70 books.  I previously reviewed her book "Rainwater", which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Toe Shoes. Vibram FiveFingers and Fila Skeletoes

Have y'all heard of this wave in fitness shoes?  It's the toe shoes.  Said to give greater comfort, a more barefoot feel (with protection and support), and to be overall, better for your feet and legs than most fitness shoes.

I don't know if all that's true, but they did catch my eye for their oddness, and innovation and the promise of comfort and "like barefoot" feel.

There are now at least two brands of these on the American market.  This first pair is the pair like what I just bought.  Made by Vibram and called FiveFingers.  They come in a variety of styles and colors with suggestions depending on your use (hiking, water aerobics, running, walking, yoga, etc).

Most typically, these will run you $100-120.  I found mine on sale for $50 which can be done with some looking and some limitation in style/color.  The style shown here is the Women's Sprint and it is suggested for running/walking/everyday stuff.  I used the sizing and measurement instructions on this site since the sizes are European.  It is also suggested that you visit a store and try them on vs mail order, and that you keep an eye open for copies/knock-offs.  Maybe mine are, maybe they aren't.  I bought mine online from The Sport Chalet.  I have no complaints with the shipping etc of this order and since my order met their minimum, the shipping was free.

I will post more as time progresses.  Right now, I'm a bit disappointed.  I followed the sizing chart and instructions carefully.  I think they fit.  I have plenty of toe room so I'm not smashed into the ends of it.  The issue I'm having at the moment is in the Achilles tendon area.  The back of the shoe digs in there something fierce and cause pain enough that I have been wearing them for only about 15 minute intervals so far.  I also noticed that I now have a small green bruise on the back of each tendon.

I see online that some people are reporting blisters and others are insinuating that they simply bought the wrong size.  There is also talk of using Glide, moleskin or wearing socks (which sort of defeats the purpose in my mind).  The company recommends breaking them in by wearing them for two hour intervals and taking a break, but their reasoning has to do with the cramping to the foot and calf muscles as they adjust to a different position vs a tightness or a rub.  I wouldn't even call it a rub as much as I would tight freaking elastic.  I'm hoping that the elastic will begin to give and get looser.  I really don't think it's a matter of length being too short.  If the heel portion was comfy, I think I would be grooving on these a lot.  Right now, I'm glad I didn't pay $100 or more for them.  My heels are super sensitive and prone to blistering so I'm being very careful.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

Otherwise, I don't find them to be that hard to put on  (another common complaint).  I run around barefoot all the time so my toes are not bent and crooked.  If yours are, it might be a bit more challenging.  They have a bacterial shield treatment and time will tell if this is sufficient to prevent stinkyness from a no sock shoe.  I do get sweaty feet as a general rule.  Other sites say they can be machine washed and air dried.

I like the connection of my feet to the ground and you do get good ground feel with these without having anything on the ground poke you.  They do NOT feel just like being barefoot as they are far more constricting than that.  It DOES feel a bit strange at first to have stuff between your toes, but I think this is something one would adjust to over time.  The placement of the seams could be bothersome depending on your feet.  It is a very individual thing because feet are all different.  Those that love them REALLY love them.  I did a little test today on the large, irregular gravel driveway we have.  If you hit this stuff running or even walking hard, you're gonna know it...I don't care who you are.  So I'm having a hard time seeing these as runners for all-terrain.  But in general, I can walk around on pretty much anything, and while I feel it, it typically doesn't hurt.  If I was running, I know it would.

There are a couple other styles I would like to try.  Anyone from Vibram want to give me a couple extra pairs to play around with?

If you have Vibrams, let me know what you think of yours.

Fila has entered the market with a comparable product.  They are not claiming to be copy-cats or knock offs, but rather a slightly different and less expensive alternative.  It's a free world right?

Fila has come out with the Skele-toes shoe.  I did some online research and it would appear that the Skeletoe is perhaps a tad stiffer in the sole, and the other major difference is price (around half the cost depending on if you find a sale).  Yet one more difference is that the two last toes (the piggy that "had none" and the one that cried "wee wee wee" all the way home) go in a single, shared toe slot instead of two separate ones.  The reason for this design is to make putting them on easier AND to reduce pinky toe injuries by catching that toe on something and breaking it.  Toe injury probably isn't super common, but can be with hiking or tough terrain jogging.

Otherwise, I think these appear very similar.  It would appear that the preferences you would be choose between would between the two brands are sole flexibility, shared or separated little toes, and price.

My son asked for a pair of these for his birthday and bought his at a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Los Angeles.  They were on sale for about $54.  So I'm not sure what they normally run, but it is said they are quite a bit less expensive than Vibram.  He called me a few minutes after putting them on and was super excited saying that they were EXTREMELY comfortable.  As far as I know, he's had no complaints.  He's also a sweaty-foot guy like his mother, so time will tell how they hold up and if they get stinky or bacteria-laden or contribute to athlete's foot.  His are a more closed in style than mine and I think are probably pretty close to what you see pictured.  He wanted a good pair of shoes for running.

I sort of dig the skeleton design on the bottom.  That's cleaver.

Hey Fila, do you want to send me a pair or two of women's Skele-toes to try out, compare/contrast and review?

Do you have a pair of Skele-toes?  What do you think of them.

One of the biggest "objections" many people have is they think they are ugly when they see them.  I rather like that they are interesting and different.  I far prefer comfort over style, but I would have my line drawn if I thought they were flat out ugly.  I'm not quite to the beige, Velcro strap old man shoes quite yet.  But I'm sure that day is coming.  I really don't like to be uncomfortable.

I also tend to prefer a quick in/quick out shoe for jumping in and out of at the door (since I don't wear ANY shoe any longer than necessary).  These take a little time, but honestly, not any more than a lace up shoe (which I tend to leave laced and tied and just yank on).

Oh, and both brands also make a toe sock that you could wear with your shoes.  I'm not sure if you would have to adjust your chosen size to make room for the socks?  I'm also not sure if they are seamless.  Off the top of my head, I would think if they have seams, those could cause pressure irritation when you wear the shoes because there is not a lot of extra space in your "toe pockets".  They WOULD help absorb sweat, however.  And...either or both companies...feel free to send me a pair of socks to try out.

As always, let me hear from you.  Thoughts?  Ideas?  Opinions?  Are you reading?

Book Review: Gardening Without Work by Ruth Stout

Gardening Without Work: For the Aging, the Lazy & the Indolent by Ruth Stout is a fun little gardening book that makes you feel like you're listing to your grandmother.

Ruth Stout, (June 14, 1884-August 22, 1980), became a famed garden expert and lecturer.  There are videos of her interviews.  She is quite the character, and maverick of her time when it comes to going against standard farming practices.

The book is long on quaint writing (that listening to your grandma stuff), but a tad short on usable content.  It is a delightful read if you just want to enjoy her, but if you want it for gardening information, I'll save you some time and money and tell you the basic jist that is repeated over and over again in this book:

MULCH with hay (she says hay but around here, straw seems to be more economical and easier to procure, so I'm not sure if one is preferable to another).

By mulching heavily in your garden you will retain moisture, minimize or eliminate weeding, discourage some types of insects, nourish the soil, encourage earthworm activity and keep the soil "friable" (ie, loose and workable).

For the most part, this is her message and her crusade.  She spends a lot of time in the book recounting stories about how people have told her this was not a viable method for this or that reason.  She's here to tell us that the proof is in the pudding.  It works because she'd done it for over 35 years.

She doesn't till the soil either.  She often throws her potatoes on the ground whole and then just covers them with mulch.

Another interesting tip she had for protecting maturing ears of corn from pests was to place a paper lunch bag and a rubber band over each one in the days just prior to harvest.  Of course this won't work in huge gardens, but for the average person with not very many ears of corn, it could be useful.

She was gardening organically before it was vogue to do so.  She never saw the reason to use poisons on her food.

She's a delight.  Or was.  R.I.P. Ruth.

Recipe: Jamaica Water or Hibiscus Tea

A while back...maybe even last summer, I remember seeing this recipe shown on OPB's, Create TV, Pati's Mexican Table.  Apparently, it's all the rage and always has been for summer refreshment in some Latin countries including Mexico.

I ordered dry organic whole hibiscus flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs and a one lb pkg of them is, at this moment, $7.50.  The bag is large, about the size of a gallon zip lock storage bag so there is more than enough in this bag to make 3 or more batches of the concentrate.  Pretty much, it's water, hibiscus flowers (simmered like tea), add lime juice and sugar and store in the fridge and use a ratio of about 1 part concentrate to 3-4 parts water.  The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups sugar or to taste.  Since I used the juice of a lime and the zest, I used 2 cups of organic sugar.  It still has a little zing to it.

I would say it most closely resembles cranberry juice.  And don't splatter this stuff on you or you will be challenged with getting it out.  It's deep in color like beet juice.  It might never come off until you die, or even not then.

Here is the recipe:

JAMAICA WATER Agua de Jamaica Makes 4 to 5 cups

INGREDIENTS
1 cup jamaica concentrate (see below)
3 to 4 cups water

TO PREPARE
When ready to serve, dilute 1 cup concentrate with 3 to 4 cups water, or to your liking, and some ice cubes.


JAMAICA CONCENTRATE
Makes about 5 cups

INGREDIENTS 8 cups water 6 oz dried hibiscus or jamaica flowers, about 2 cups 1 1/2 cups sugar, or to taste 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, or to taste
TO PREPARE In a saucepan, pour 8 cups of water and place over high heat.  Once it comes to a boil, add the jamaica flowers, simmer at medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes and turn off the heat.  Let it cool down and strain into a heat proof glass or plastic water jar.  Add the sugar and lime juice, mix well, cover and refrigerate.

It will keep in the refrigerator for at least 3 months. 

Note: to make by the glass, which is how I do it, I fill a 16-20 oz glass nearly half with ice, then about 3/4 with filtered ice water, then top it off with the chilled concentrate and stir.  Adjust according to your preference.

FYI, if you're wondering if there is any benefit to Hibiscus Flower, here is, quoted verbatum from Mountain Rose Herb's website, some info about the Hibiscus Flower (note to self, it is used for fat reduction/metabolism, not to mention high in antioxidants):

Hibiscus Flower Profile

Also known as

Hibiscus sabdariffa, red sorrel, African Mallow, Indian Sorrel, Jamaica Sorrel, Jamaica Tea Flower, and Roselle

Introduction

There are over 220 varieties of the Genus Hibiscus. It grows in most in tropical areas around the world, but certain hardy perennials can live anywhere, being able to weather freezing conditions and arising next year in bloom. Those found in the tropics cannot stand more than a few days of freezing weather and will die if such conditions persist. The flowers are of a magnificent variety of colors, some indicating their unique country of origin. There are many folk remedies attributed to hibiscus flowers, including help with stomach or digestive problems, and to help soothe the nerves. They are also the main ingredient in wonderfully refreshing teas made around the world, especially in Mexico, Latin America, and North Africa. Known as Agua de Jamaica, or simply Jamaica in Mexico, this tea is usually served chilled with copious amounts of sugar to sweeten the natural tartness of the hibiscus. Recently it has been added to many ready made teas due to its high levels of anti-oxidants, and has even become the main ingredient in certain sodas. The Journal of Human Hypertension published an article that showed that drinking hibiscus tea can reduce the blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes.

Constituents

The tart taste of hibiscus is due to is content of 15 to 30% plant acids, including citric, malic, and tartaric acids. The wine-red color of the tea is the to anthocyans, including delphinidins and cyanidins. In tea, the herb yields mucilage and pectins.

Parts Used

The flower, dried, cut, and powdered.

Typical Preparations

Hibiscus is available as a bulk tea and in tea bags, as well as an ingredient in tea mixtures. Can be used as a natural dye, and is incorporated in several cosmetics. Rarely found in capsule or extract form.

Summary

African folk medicine uses hibiscus as a diuretic, to relieve pressure in the gallbladder, and to relax the uterus. The mucliages in the herb make it a mild laxative, but they are also helpful when the herb is used as a wash to treat weeping eczema. Regular consumption of hibiscus teas often lowers blood pressure, typically 8 to 12 mm/Hg. Hibiscus is also the source of the hydroxycitric acid (HCA, or hydroxycut) used in many diet formulas. This compound has been long used to fight obesity. Scientific studies with lab animals find that it stops the conversion of carbs in food to body fat. It fights appetite and encourages weight loss not by increasing energy expenditure but by encouraging the "wasting" of carbohydrates. HCA does not enhance weight loss during low-carb or Atkins-style diets, but it does help weight loss when used with a program of general calorie restriction reducing consumption of carbs, protein, and fats equally. Hibiscus powder will have more of a laxative effect than other forms of the herb. It delivers more HCA. It is also more likely to help lower LDL cholesterol, although definitive research of the use of this herb for controlling high cholesterol has not been completed.

Precautions

Avoid if there are gallstones. Do not store hibiscus powder for more than six months after purchase. Keep in a cool, dry place.

Book Review: The Orchard; A Memoir by Theresa Weir

The Orchard; a Memoir by Theresa Weir is an autobiographical "novel" about a family and the apple growing business.  It chronicles the health issues plaguing the family as they seek to use ever harsher pesticides to fight coddling moth.  At stake is their livelihood, the land and their very lives.

In this, most recent generation, a slow realization is starting to take place about the errors of this approach to farming.

The book is entertaining and engaging, and I would give it an elevation slightly above "good beach read" because the subject matter is timely and thought-provoking.  Having just planted two little apple trees, it brought home both the devastation that the coddling moth can bring, and also the importance of battling it organically.  So I'm on the hunt for the proper way to take care of these new babies without any pesticide.

Energy Healing Session: The Matriarchs

Recently, I had the opportunity to provide energy healing for someone.  I'm a bit out of practice since I rarely do it anymore.  It sort of bombed as a business, and it just typically requires too much energy output to make it a free business...except for very special people.  Then it's an honor.

This client had been struggling for some time with a low-grade virus that was sapping her energy and causing pain in her ear, neck and making her feel very run-down.  I have had a similar issue with a low grade virus that is still running it's course some 7 months later.  So I could relate.

We set an appointment time and began.  We set a joint intention that we both receive healing as I worked to send/attract healing energy to her.  I welcomed and invited any ancestors or healers who wanted to assist us and had our best and highest good at heart.

It was a mostly silent session lasting approximately an hour.  I felt a lot of heat releases (that made us both sweat like mad), and lots of subtle thumping and popping under my fingertips even though I was barely making contact.  In terms of visions, I noticed energy cords and asked her to remove the energy cords that had been placed on her by others who wanted/needed her assistance/energy.  I could see it was sapping her own energy.

I noticed peripherally and quietly, the presence of both her mother and grandmother (who have passed).  They were less involved than standing by as silent witnesses and supporters.  I couldn't make them out beyond just that brief impression.  At one point I noticed one of the "healers" or "helpers" who have shown up before to assist me with clients.  I've written about them in an earlier post.  This time, true to form, and with the typical over the top humor they have sometimes shown me, I saw "him" (they are made of light so I only get an impression of gender), using what looked like an old fashioned hand drill in her troublesome ear.  It was over exaggerated and comical the way he drilled into that ear like he was clearing out something.

I just let "him" do his thing.  I've learned to have total faith in them and know that they are safe and tend to show up when something of a medical nature is needed.

After the session, she was quiet.  She was aware of the heat waves, and the popping in her head and sinuses, and of a feeling of expansion and pressure release as well as a sense of relaxation.  After she left I was STARVING (which happens a lot).

I checked in with her a few days later to see how she felt.  This was what she had to say:

The session was wonderful, more powerful than others we have done. My ear feels better today, neck still has a catch and periodically hurts. I appreciate you so much!

It often takes me a bit to process sessions, this is what I saw: My Grandmother standing behind you, she had large immense wings that were spread out over the two of us, she has one white glove on and held out her gloved hand near you. My mother stood at my feet with the same winged form, they watched as you described afterward. I don't know why its so hard for me to describe my thoughts and visions afterward, guess I need the blood flowing again!

Book Review: Mending the Past and Healing the Future with Soul Retrieval by Alberto Villoldo

Mending the Past and Healing the Future with Soul Retrieval by Albert Villoldo is a spiritual perspective on clearing old wounds that impair us and creating the type of future we were born to live.  That's the simple version.  He gets a bit more complicated with the material from there.

This is a very short book; 183 pages with larger print, and 12 chapters.  I gave you the basic overview of what the book is "about".  Alberto Villoldo is a PhD psychologist who has taught on the college level and has also spent time studying with indigenous healers around the world.  He brings a narrow and specific structure to methods for clearing your past and creating your future.

When I say "narrow and specific" I don't mean that in a negative light.  He outlines "journeying" to various spiritual levels to explore and correct what impedes your full development.   He is conveying or utilizing a method used by a specific cultural healing group.

He outlines, according to this healing tradition, a lower world and an upper world.  He describes 4 chambers with tasks for the lower world and some tasks for the upper world in a systematic progression one can follow on their own through "journeying" (or meditation, or prayer).

Lower World

Chamber of Wounds:  In this level, you will explore the wounds you have received in this or other lives and the ways they impede or influence you.  He outlines a process for clearing and releasing wounds and negative patterns that don't serve your higher good.  These are not "everyday slights" but deep, impactful wounds that are the major forces in your life, your past lives or the lives of your ancestors that you tend to play out over and over again...different scenario with the same theme.  The wound, of which there is typically just one major wound is the one that is identified as crucial to your own healing.

Chamber of Soul Contracts:  On this level, you explore the contracts you made or the agreements or statements you made and renegotiate any that are not helpful such as "I will never trust anyone again".

Chamber of Grace:  On this level you have the opportunity to retrieve a lost soul splinter (or in lay terms, when a part of you seemed to have died or separated from you).  This process sometimes requires negotiation and reinstalling the retrieved piece into the area from which it was lost (or into your heart center).

Chamber of Treasures:  Journey to this level in meditation to ask for and find your "tool".  Use it, maybe even locate a manifest representation of it in the physical world to carry with you, to discover its symbolism, message and utility for your life moving forward.

Upper World

Destiny or Calling:  Mapping your time line on three major themes (throughout your life or other lifetimes or in your family lineage):
1.  Love:  List the major beings you've loved
2.  Power:  List your emotional challenges
3.  Money:  List the jobs or careers you've had or tried or wanted
4.  Health:  List personal or family health histories/themes
Look for patterns

What are my limiting beliefs:  list them.  Such self statements like:
"I can't afford..."
"I don't have time..."
"I'm not enough"
"I should/should not..."

Five Planes of the Upper World (Spirit or "Heaven" levels where learning occurs)

What is your Calling or Sacred Soul Contract?
Retrieve your Destiny

Clearing the Momentum Tunnel
Drain the energy from each past lifetime focusing on the three major themes of
1.  A lifetime when you were harmed or suffered most.
2.  A lifetime when you used your gifts poorly but had the greatest knowledge and power.
3.  A lifetime when you used your gifts well and had the greatest wisdom.

Heal your former selves/lives and discover your original nature.

Grow a new body
"As we heal, the world will heal."
"As we change, the world will change."

This is just an overview and it may or may not make any sense to you out of the context of the book.  There are techniques and meditations to guide you through your process and it is recommended that you stay with one at a time, in order, until it feels completed.

I found many useful pearls of wisdom in this book.  When I was going energy healing on a more regular basis, I stumbled into soul retrieval work with clients as it arose.  Alberto is very quick to point out that it should only be done by a trained professional healer (of which he is paid to provide said training).  While I understand his warning against those who profess to have such skill and do not, I do not believe that unskilled practitioners will harm you in this process.  I think you'll just lose your money and not get what you were after.  I have more faith in our higher self or soul's ability to discern and protect us.  I believe that intention is paramount.  The times I have conducted soul retrieval work it came up spontaneously in session and I followed my intuition and the client and I co-created a process that worked for them.

I tend to call "bologna" on "methods" that give you the steps that must be followed to the letter, and in order and in a specific way lest you mess it up.  Each culture, each healing modality has it's own sets of guidelines.  They are just that.  Guidelines.  They are not hard fast rules and you don't have to be scared that you might mess it up.  Trust in yourself and in the higher healing potential of others.

You might also avoid a book like this if you adhere to a strict religious doctrine or dogma.  That's too bad because it is easily adaptable, with an open mind to still be a useful tool that you adapt to your own spiritual framework.  "Journeying" can be "meditation" or it can be "prayer".  The "gatekeeper" can be God, or Buddha, or anyone that fits your vision.  At it's base, the process seems sound and is very similar to what I've experienced working with clients.  I was never taught it.  It just came.  It doesn't follow the steps in this book but the similarities are astounding.  The world of spirit knows and has your best interest at heart, no matter what you call it or how you structure it.

I had a love-hate relationship with the book.  It was like seeing two things superimposed on the other:  A bla bla bla of dogma and ego, but an underlying truth that transcends all of it.  There IS some useful stuff in here.  I'll be passing the book on, while keeping the outline and notes I've written above to do some practice work on myself, and try with others if and when the opportunity arises.