Archive for May, 2011

RECIPE: OCTOPUS, ANTOINETTE’S WAY!*”

Antonietta’s Kitchen
Volume 2,  Number 1,  This 30th Day of May, 2011
CUCINA D’ANTONIETTA*
(Antonietta’s Kitchen*)
“the art of food, wine, family & more*”
By Antonietta La Posta

TITLE: RECIPE: OCTOPUS, ANTOINETTE’S WAY!*”

“VIVA POLPO DI ANTONIETTA*/VIVA ANTOINETTE’S OCTOPUS *”

INTRODUCTION

Seafood is one of my favourite foods.  Whenever I am served a delicious seafood dish, I always ask for the recipe.

MY LIFE & TIMES*

I must confess – I do not serve seafood very often. Years ago, I was invited for dinner at a friend’s house and the main dish was octopus. She is a Portuguese Canadian and they really know seafood. As I recall, it was her mother’s special dish. It was absolutely delicious.  While I make this dish only on rare occasions, I enjoy it tremendously.

SAVORY INGREDIENTS PLUS*

Octopus

“The octopus ( /ˈɒktəpʊs/) is a cephalopod mollusc of the
order Octopoda. “Octopuses have two eyes and four pairs of arms, and like other cephalopods they are bilaterally symmetric. An octopus has a hard beak, with its mouth at the center point of the arms. Octopuses have no internal or external skeleton (although some species have a vestigial remnant of a shell inside their mantle), allowing them to squeeze through tight places. Octopuses are among the most intelligent and behaviorally flexible of all invertebrates”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus

Onion

“The onion (Allium cepa), also known as the bulb onion,[1] and common onion.[2], is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium.[3] The genus  Allium also contains a number of other species variously referred to as onions and cultivated for food, such as the Japanese bunching onion (A. fistulosum), Egyptian onion (A. ×proliferum), and Canada onion (A. canadense).[2] The name “wild onion” is applied to a number of Allium species.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion

Garlic

“Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive,[1] and rakkyo.[2] Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe. It has been used throughout its history for both culinary and medicinal purposes.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic

Hot Pepper Paste

“Gochujang[1] (Korean: 고추장, IPA: [ko.tɕʰu.tɕaŋ]) is a savory and pungent fermented Korean condiment. Traditionally, it has been naturally fermented over years in large earthen pots outdoors, more often on an elevated stone platform, called jangdokdae (장독대) in the backyard. HS code: 2103.90.1030.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gochujang

HANDY APPLIANCES, UTENSILS, GADGETS, ETC.*

To make this dish you need a good-sized pot.

Why do I prefer this type of pot

It is convenient to use and you can stir the octopus easily.

ANTOINETTE’S RECIPE OF THE WEEK:”VIVA POLPO DI ANTONIETTA*/VIVA ANTOINETTE’S OCTOPUS *”

SPECIFICATIONS – INGREDIENTS
• 2 packs frozen octopus (800 g each)
• 2 chopped onions
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• ½ tbsp.. of pepper paste
• 1 cup water
• Oil
• Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS (this serves 15 people)
1. Defrost octopus;
2. Drop octopus in pot of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes;
3. Remove from heat and rinse with cold water;
4. Brush or scrub off all the black skin until the fish is a pinkish color all over
5. Cut octopus up in small pieces
6. Heat oil in a pan; and
6.1 Add the onions and cook a few minutes;
7. Mix in the octopus; and
7.1 Add the water, garlic and pepper;
8. Cook at medium heat until it starts to boil; and finally
9. Lower the heat, let it cook slowly for about 2 hours covered, mixing occasionally.

LAST BITE*

Viola that’s it!  Can’t you just taste it? Good eating!

Take this dish out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
And that’s my food favorite for the week – what’s yours? *
ALP
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com
The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Posted by on May 30th, 2011 Comments Off on RECIPE: OCTOPUS, ANTOINETTE’S WAY!*”

“OLD AGE: I declare that all is/will be well for those of us getting older (i.e., older people)!*”

Vol. 2,  No. 4, May 29th, 2011

TITLE: “OLD AGE: I declare that all is/will be well for those of us getting older (i.e., older people)!”*

INTRODUCTION 

My book of the week is: “Aging Social Policies: An International Perspective” [Paperback] by Robbyn R. Wacker (Author), Karen A. Roberto (Author). This is because May 2011 is “Older Americans Month”. Now that it is nearing its close, I thought it a good idea to share some of my thoughts about age, older age and aging.  This is my topic of today. 

MY LIFE & TIMES*

Like you, I am going through the life stages.  I aged through my childhood, teens, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood; and now, as I approach my sixties, I am middle -aged – for me, this is between the ages of 50 and 70. In my view, the senior period might start in my 70s while the elderly period will come much later. 

Through my 40-50 something eyes, I watched my parents grow older. My father – he was so handsome and a beautiful human being – has passed away. My mother – she continues to be a lovely lady – is a big part of my life. While aliling, she is valiantly living on, a shining example for me. They worked physically and this, in my mind, contributed to their aging harder. In her sixties, I remember my mother considering herself as being elderly. She is a noble person. She has a great expression in Italian, loosely translated, it is: “a beautiful shoe becomes an ugly slipper.” Dear Mom, I do not agree; in your case, the beautiful shoe has become a strappy (party) shoe, wearing the ‘wear and tear’ as medals of honour!

Through these same eyes, I look upon my daughters, two fine young adult women, moving down the road of life. I have great pride in who they are and what they are accomplishing. And with new life added to the family, I have become a young Grandma.

I have been told that I look younger than my years. I do not agree. But, if true, I would attribute this to my being active and taking care of myself. I look forward to staying this way in the future. I am on guard for the first hint of those dastardly wrinkles. I admit sometimes thinking about having a face lift.  When it comes to skin, I understand that one needs a very good moisturizer.  (I am aware of the commercials publicizing skin creams and the like; but I believe that these products do not bring back youth.) I always aim to look my best. Like the next gal, I am aware of my body, its positives and negatives. I am also conscious of body image through the media. I am a woman wanting, not to be young, but rather, to be youthful. I am intent on staying attractive inside and out and aging gracefully. I look back with nostalgia to the way I was when younger, but happy to be where I am today!

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
“To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/topicsage/

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Betty Friedan
“Older, we must move, and stay, and move again, to keep our life-giving ties alive, for this movement is our fountain of age. And there’s a freedom in realizing this, a new freedom to move or stay, new necessities and possibilities of choice.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/topicsage/

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*:Hosea Ballou
“Forty is the old age of youth, fifty is the youth of old age.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/topicsage/

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Sarah Bernhardt
“In her last years, Sarah Bernhardt lived on an upper level in a Paris apartment block. One day an admirer visited her, arriving at her door out of breath from having climbed several flights of steps. “Madame, why do you live so high up?” he asked. “My dear friend,” Bernhardt replied, “it is the only way I can still make the hearts of men beat faster.”
[Trivia: Bernhardt was obsessed with death. As a teenager, she made frequent visits to the Paris morgue to gape at corpses of derelicts dredged from the Seine. She begged her mother to buy her a rosewood coffin with white satin lining. This item – in which she often slept and was eventually buried – became part of the Bernhardt legend.]”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=716

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: George Burns: Burned Up?
“George Burns, famed for his love of fine cigars, was a longtime member of L.A.’s exclusive Hillcrest Country Club. When Burns complained one day about the club’s new ban on smoking, a special sign was posted for Burns’ benefit:
“Cigar smoking prohibited for anyone under 95.”
[“I got nervous when I was asked to play God,” Burns recalled of his role in Oh God. “We’re both around the same age but we grew up in different neighborhoods.”]
Burns, George [born Nathan Birnbaum] (1896-1996) American comedian and actor [noted for his role (as the endlessly patient husband half of the Burns & Allen comedy duo, 1923–58) in various films and television programs; for other roles in such later films as The Sunshine Boys (Oscar, 1975) and Oh God!; and for such books as Gracie: A Love Story (1988) and All My Best Friends (1989)]”
[Sources: US News and World Report, November 22, 1993, p. 25]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6503

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: Jack Benny: Thirty-Niner
“Well into his sunset years, Jack Benny often claimed to be thirty-nine years old. Frank Sinatra’s gift to Benny on his 80th birthday? Two copies of a book – entitled Life Begins at 40.
[School teams at Jack Benny Junior High (in Benny’s hometown of Waukegan, Illinois) are still nicknamed the 39ers.]
[Trivia: Brigham Young University sociologist Philip R. Kunz once examined a random sample of 747 obituaries published in Salt Lake City in 1975. Incredibly, he found that 46 percent of all deaths came within three months after a birthday (and 77 percent within six months). Only 8 percent came during the three months preceding a birthday.]
Sinatra, Frank [“Old Blue Eyes”] (1915-1999) American singer and actor [noted for his captivating voice; for his many musical recordings; and for his roles in such films as From Here to Eternity (1953, Academy Award), Guys and Dolls (1955), and The Manchurian Candidate (1962)]”
[Sources: M. Driscoll, ed., 5087 Trivia Questions & Answers; Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=7895

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #4: Rosalind Russell: Timeless Insult
“At a luncheon party one day, a snooty young actress fixed Rosalind Russell with an icy gaze and said, “I dread to think of life at forty-five.” “Why?” Russell replied. “What happened?”
[“Flops are part of a life’s menu,” Russell once remarked, “and I’ve never been a girl to miss out on any of the courses.”]”
[Sources: Reader’s Digest, June 1942]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4906

THE AUTHOR: Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D. & Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
These are two learned ladies.

Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D

Wacker is Assist. V.P. for Research, Dean of the Graduate School and International Admissions, and Professor of Gerontology at the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, Colorado. She is a researcher – her area of interest is international aging social policy and psychosocial predictors of community service use among older adults.  She rendered legal aid to seniors. She has published over 60 papers and presentations. She has received numerous awards.

Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.

Roberto is Prof./Dir. of the Center for Gerontology and the Institute for Society, Culture & Environment at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. She is a researcher – she looks at the more aged and the interplay between health and social support. She focused upon older women. She has published over 100 papers and presentations. She has received numerous awards. Dr. Roberto is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, serving as the 2009 chair of the Behavioral and Social Sciences section of this society.

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books: Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D
*Community Resources for Older Adults: Programs and Services in an Era of Change 3rd ed. by Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D. & Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
*Community Resources for Older Adults: Programs and Services in an Era of Change by Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D.
*Older Wards and Their Guardians by Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D.

Articles: Robbyn R. Wacker, Ph.D
*Juried publication and presentaions (See http://www.unco.edu/nhs/gerontology/vita/wacker.pdf)

Books :Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
* Aging Social Policies  An International Perspective
* Pathways of Human Development: Explorations of Change (with J. Mancini, 2009)

Articles: Karen A. Roberto, Ph.D.
*over 100 scholarly articles and 30 book chapters

THE BOOK: “Aging Social Policies: An International Perspective” 3rd ed. [Paperback] by Robbyn R. Wacker (Author), Karen A. Roberto (Author)

There is a trend in the demographics of western democracies: aging populations. This is  caused in part by the aging of Baby Boomers -those born after WWII, and their now reaching their sixties.  Births are also down. There are numerous concerns: the health, financial, and social needs of this aging segement of the population.  This book is comparative in the sense that it looks at U.S. policy in contrast with those of other nations. Furthermore, it is to bridge the divide between policy and real life and facilitate analysis. More precisely, it addresses:1. The context of aging social policy; 2.  Aging social policy comparisons: (a) Retirement   (b)  Employment; (c) Housing; (d) Health care; (e) Mental health; (f) Community support; etc. 3 Future of aging soiciety;  etc. They wrote. ” … We are indeed living through a unique period in history and a time in which governments willl be compelled to consider myriad aging social policy questions  ” (pg.3) They are right. Start here in your research project into your life, today, tomorrow and forever!

CONCLUSION

Like the United States, the people of Canada and the nations of Europe are getting older. Such is life; it is also due to the baby boom following WWII. Thinkers, researchers, scholars and also everyday people ponder much about the aging of our people. There are many problems and issues. Here’s a thought: we should celebrate our elders throughout the world. I vote that the United Nations proclaim May 2012 as Older WORLD CITIZENS MONTH.

My personal comments

Each person starts his or her life at their birth date.  From then on, we all age every minute of every day.  Just as it does to you, age touches me personally.

The point

Don’t worry about age – it is only a number. It does not define you. Instead, it is merely a guide to where you are on the life journey. Where you truly are is what you do with your day and how you live it!   

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
Everyone should:
1. Think positively;
2. Start each day with the desire to take advantage of your gifts, blessings and opportunities; and also make a memory that you will later, look back upon with nostalgia;
3. Don’t waste your time and energy fretting about aging and searching for the elixir to make you young again;

4.Recognize that the true fountain of youth is a combination of a state of mind and also, effort on your part; to this end, I encourage you to:

4.1 Eat right – from all food groups in moderate quantities and calorie intake; 
4.2 Live a healthy life style – this means being active, both mentally and physically;

4.2.1 Be aware that physical activity means exercizing regularly, having a program comprising both cardio and weight training. Who knows? You might become firm, fit and lean!
4.3 Use a quality moisturizer – this is both for women as well as men; 

5. Intend to retire happily; to this end,
5.1 Start each day with a sense of adventure and wonder, looking to: (a) Being productive always; (b) Living an active life, one of (i). Lifelong learning; (ii). Travel; (iii). Personal growth continually; and (iv) Being in the service of our fellow human beings.  

I look forward to family and friends singing my next year’s happy birthday song. Now please pass me my slice of cake. Thank you (in advance) , dear God,  for another year!

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com
The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Schedule I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
 
For today, my word/phrases are: “old age, etc.”;
Old age
“Old age (also referred to as one’s eld) consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage) and the elderly. As occurs with almost any definable group of humanity, some people will hold a prejudice against others—in this case, against old people. This is one form of ageism.

Old people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. For the biology of ageing, see senescence. The medical study of the aging process is gerontology, and the study of diseases that afflict the elderly is geriatrics.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Older_people

Bonus fact #1: Older Americans Act
“The Older Americans Act of 1965 (Pub.L. 89-73, 79 Stat. 218, July 14, 1965) was the first federal level initiative aimed at providing comprehensive services for older adults. It created the National Aging Network comprising the Administration on Aging on the federal level, State Units on Aging, and Area Agencies on Aging at the local level.[1] The network provides funding – based primarily on the percentage of an area’s population 60 and older – for nutrition and supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention/health promotion services, elder rights programs, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and the Native American Caregiver Support Program.[2]
In 2006 congress reauthorized the act in its entirety, effective through FY 2011.[3]”
(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) –  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Older_Americans_Act

Bonus fact #2: Older women
“Older Women” is a 1981 single written by Jamie O’Hara and recorded by Ronnie McDowell. “Older Women” would be Ronnie McDowell’s eleventh country hit and the first of two number one songs on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of ten weeks on the country chart [1].”
(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Older_Women

Schedule II 

STUDY/STATISTICS: Older Americans Month: May 2011
“A meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F. Kennedy designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to pay tribute in some way to older people across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter’s proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition.”

39.6 million
“The number of people 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2009. This age group accounted for 13 percent of the total population. Between 2008 and 2009, this age group increased by 770,699 people.”
(Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2009-sa.html>

88.5 million
“Projected population of people 65 and older in 2050. People in this age group would comprise 20 percent of the total population at that time.”
Source: Population projections <http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/summarytables.html>

545 million
“Projected 2011 midyear world population 65 and older. Projections indicate the number will increase to 1.55 billion by 2050. The percentage of the world’s population 65 and older would increase from about 8 percent to about 17 percent over the period.”
Source: International Data Base <http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/groups.php>
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau) –  http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-ff08.html

Schedule III

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Aging isn’t an option – being prepared is
“(NC)—This is the year when the first wave of Canada’s “boomer” generation turns 65, and chances are that retirement is one of the main things on their minds – but it’s also something “pre–retirees” should be thinking about too.

“Even if you’ve got decades to go before you reach this milestone birthday, it’s still a good idea for you to be considering how you want to spend your retirement years,” advises Lee Anne Davies, head of retirement strategies at RBC (www.rbc.com/yourfuture).

Your health is one thing you can focus on now. In fact, good health was selected as the “best outcome” for retirement by 28 per cent of Canadians about to turn 65, in the most recent RBC RRSP Poll.

Keeping your finances in good shape can also contribute to good health, by reducing or eliminating money–related stress. One way to improve your financial health is to ensure you have a formal written plan. In fact, another finding in the RBC RRSP Poll showed that, of those Canadians turning 65 this year with financial plans in hand, 71 per cent believe that they are better off financially as a result of their plans.

Another important step is creating a personal advisory team. You will likely have many formal and informal guides, such as financial advisors, clergy, and health professionals who assist you through the various stages of your life.

“Finding trusted guides to help you with your life planning is a key part of being prepared for whatever comes your way,” adds Davies. “Whether you want to create a written plan or continue to fine–tune the one you already have, an RBC financial planner can help you lay the foundation for a happy, healthy retirement.”
www.newscanada.comhttp://www.newscanada.com/print-june-aging-isnt-an-option—being-prepared-is-67951

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Put life back into living with chronic illness

“(NC)—No one likes getting older. With each passing year, life can bring with it new challenges, new ailments and new obstacles. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to slow down the progression of health conditions.

Although many older individuals live with chronic health conditions — in fact, 71 per cent of Canadians age 60 – 79 have at least one—there are many things they can do to maintain vital, active lives.

“Those afflicted with chronic health problems often feel as though they have little control over their life, but the truth is there are so many little things they can do that can make a big difference,” said Sue Kelly, a registered nurse and director of health and wellness for We Care Home Health Services. “There are numerous lifestyle choices elderly Canadians can make that will profoundly affect not only the quality of their life, but also their ability to be independent of others’ care.”

Taking a page out of We Care’s free Get Going to Keep GoingGuide, Kelly offers the following tips:

Get Eating: Eating a healthy balance of nutritious foods can be easy and fun by choosing a new fruit or vegetable to explore each week. A healthy diet promotes brain function and provides essential nutrients to the body’s most critical organs.

Get Active: If possible, get walking, stretching or doing simple exercises. Staying active not only helps mitigate the current symptoms of chronic pain, but can help generate additional energy and stave off other illnesses.

Get Involved: Getting involved in regular volunteer activities is a winning proposition for everyone: you, those you help, and the community around you. Doing so helps keep your mind sharp and induces confidence that, in turn, reduces stress.

Get Happy: As we age, it’s not uncommon to feel afraid, anxious, depressed or lonely. To help combat these feelings, try to stay socially active and don’t hesitate to talk about your feelings.

Get Help: Learn to identify new symptoms and act on them immediately by talking to your doctor, a telehealth line, a provincial home care agency, or a private home health care provider.

A free copy of the Get Going to Keep Going Guide is available online at www.wecare.ca/GetGoing.”

www.newscanada.comhttp://www.newscanada.com/print-june-put-life-back-into-living-with-chronic-illness-67553

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Posted by on May 29th, 2011 Comments Off on “OLD AGE: I declare that all is/will be well for those of us getting older (i.e., older people)!*”

“GARDENING: I think green – let’s all grow flowers, vegetables, herbs and more!*”

Vol. 2,  No.3, May 22nd, 2011

TITLE: “GARDENING:  I think green – let’s all grow flowers, vegetables, herbs and more!*”

INTRODUCTION

It’s that time of the year again.  By the end of May, gardening is on the agenda of most people.  My book of the week is: “ Gardening Basics For Canadians For Dummies” [Paperback] by Liz Primeau, Canadian Gardening, Steven A. Frowine and The National Gardening Association (Paperback – Jan 25 2008) . Hence my topic of the week is is gardening. (Editor’s Note: This is the second of a series of two blog posts on the subject of spring activities.)

MY LIFE & TIMES*

I love flowers – I enjoy their visual beauty along with their aromatic scents. I love visiting Ottawa, Canada  especially at the time of the tulip festival. I marvel at the perfection of a friend’s lilac tree. The colour purple is my granddaugter’s favorite. I appreciate rows of vegetable plants. I don’t have much time to make a garden or plant flowers, but I still like it.  I am a fan of lush green spaces. With my busy schedule, I just barely have time to maintain the lawn.  There is nothing as beautiful as a cultivated yard.  And I do love the smell of newly cut grass.

Growing up, my parents always reserved a strip at the end of their backyard to grow vegetables. My father had a green thumb and the passion for all things growing. Until the day he died, he loved his garden. He grew tomatoes, long string beans, eggplants, parsley, basil, etc.  My parents gave the bulk of  their harvest to their family, friends and neighbours. 

As a young married, our household had a garden. I also had the experience, as a couple going to the farm to pick rapini, a leafy green vegetable favoured by people of Italian descent. By the way, now with grandkids, I have been invited to go to a pick- your- own farm. I’ll let you know how that works out. I am really looking forward to it. 

My aunt, who lives across the street from my mother, grows a big garden every year.  She takes much pleasure in planting and growing vegetables, flowers and plants.  Her yard is very important to her.  She also gives most of her vegetables to others. 

A few years ago, I planted three red rose bushes in a line by the railing of my front stairs. Then a funny thing happened- the outward one with the best chance to get sunlight, died. The other two survived …go figure. This is how I have red roses all summer. 

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*:- Phyllis McGinley
“The trouble with gardening is that it does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) –http://www.wisdomquotes.com/quote/phyllis-mcginley-1.html

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*:Thomas Fuller

“Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there.” Gnomologia, 1732
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/garden/index2.html

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Lou Erickson
“Gardening requires lots of water — most of it in the form of perspiration.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/garden/index2.html

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Elizabeth Murray
“Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/authors/elizabeth-murray/

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Garden Party?
“One day while Groucho Marx was working in his garden (dressed in well-worn gardening attire), a wealthy woman pulled up in a Cadillac and attempted to persuade the “gardener” to come and work for her. “How much does the lady of the house pay you?” she asked. “Oh, I don’t get paid in dollars,” Groucho replied, looking up. “The lady of the house just a lets me sleep with her.”
[Sources: R. Kenin and J. Wintle, eds., Dictionary of Biographical Quotation]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6034

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Leacock’s Garden
“The eccentric Canadian writer Stephen Leacock, who fancied himself to be something of a gardener, was once asked whether he did the digging in his garden. “Dig it? No. I hire a man to do that. And a boy to do the planting. And a woman to do the weeding. Apart from that I do it all myself.”
[Sources: Discovery Channel]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=15567

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: Compost
“Author Brendan Gill reports that the poet Robert Graves, a devoted gardener, has long been in the habit of naming compost heaps after friends. ‘During my visit,’ writes Gill, ‘he honoured me by naming his latest compost heap after me. A friend that Graves and I have in common – the banker-scholar Gordon Wasson – has recently been honoured in a similar fashion, I was understandably proud when, some months after my visit, I received a letter from Graves in which he mentioned that, ‘the Gordon Wasson is something of a disappointment, but the Brendan Gill is rotting nicely.'”
[Sources: The New Yorker, 1978]
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=13166

THE AUTHOR: Liz Primeau

Liz Primeau was from Winnipeg, Canada. Her father had a vegetable garden. She was quoted as saying: “I quickly realized what a lot of city kids don’t, that gardens yield good things to eat.” Following the death of her father, her family moved to Paisley, Ontario. As a teenager, she became interested in flowers.  She explained that her uncle Ren, a school teacher -gardener became her mentor. He supplied her with unusual plants he’d grown from seed, and exotic mail-order bulbs like amaryllis and colchicum.  He even sent her home from weekend visits to Paisley with bushels of well-rotted manure in the trunk of the car.  “The poor kids had to hold their suitcases on their laps”, she chuckled.

She was highly visible in the neighbourhood working in her garden. In 1999, along with Kathy Atkins, she formed the Applewood Garden Club. She thinks back: “I wrote a small notice for The Apple Press asking if anyone was interested in forming a club, and 12 people responded,”  It combined community beautification projects together with educational and social activities  She explains: “I’m glad to see membership growing and more speakers at meetings” ….”And there’s nothing like a good party every now and then to keep a group together”.

She started writing magazine articles. In 1990, on the launch of Canadian Gardening magazine, she was hired as the founding editor of Canadian Gardening, the definitive magazine for Canadian gardeners. For three years, she was host of HGTV’s Canadian Gardening, She is the author of several gardening books.  A much-in-demand speaker, she frequently gives talks at horticultural society meetings and garden shows across Canada and the United States. She lives in Mississauga, Ontario.
(Fact source: Dianne Sciarra) – https://www.applewoodgardenclub.org/MM_Liz_Primeau.php

Steven A. Frowine: He is a professional horticulturist and a longtime avid gardener.

SERIES/COLLECTION

Series
* Canadian Gardening” on HGTV channel (host of)
Books
Some books by Liz Primeau are:

  • My Natural History, The Evolution of a Gardener
  • City Gardens
  •  Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass
  •  Favourite Plants
  • Gardening Basics For Canadians For Dummies” [Paperback] by Liz Primeau, Canadian Gardening, Steven A. Frowine and The National Gardening Association (Paperback – Jan 25 2008)

THE BOOK: “” Gardening Basics For Canadians For Dummies” [Paperback] by Liz Primeau, Canadian Gardening, Steven A. Frowine and The National Gardening Association (Paperback – Jan 25 2008)

This is a gardening manual, a gradening How-To, from A-to-Z.. It is start-up through to the tougher grows. It is really for beginners, but experts would find it a good reference book as well. It is like a garden- by- numbers. It is a great resource to create the ideal garden. It deals not only with the plants, but also the equipment. It covers flower beds, herbs, vegetables, trees, shrubs, lawns, etc. It is beautifully illustrated. It is a delightful read that will give you pleasure through the years.

CONCLUSION

Being a gardener is a state of mind and a way of life.

My personal comments

Being close to nature is a wonderful thing. There is nothing more positive than making things grow. And picking your own vegetables is great summer fun on a sunny day. The taste of freshly- picked vegetables washed in a water tub is a fine out-of-doors experience. Cooking up a batch of these juicy and/or crunchy all stars is an exquisite gourmet cooking experience. Eating the garden-to-table way is extremely rewarding.

The point

Gardening can be a great family outdoor activity. Do it and make it a favourite!

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

1. Recognize that there is a place for plants and a place for flowers; there is also the correct time for this.  
2. Learn about flowers, plants, trees, etc.; research thoroughly; 
3. Pick the best plants for your climate;
4. Plan your garden, part vegetables and part flowers (e.g. annuals & perennials);

5. Create unique water and container gardens;

6. Ensure that your gardening is eco-smart;
7. Prep your garden to this end, (a) Weed extensively; (b) Upturn the earth; (c) Add new black soil where needed;
8. Keep your plants healthy;
9. Troubleshoot common problems;
10. Enjoy…it takes time and hard work, but the rewards are at times breath-taking; 
11. Aspire to garden; if you make it an aim, and try it, you will like it – it will probably become a passion! 

Take a bite…wasn’t that really good…Oh shucks, you took too big a bite!*

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com
The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*”program.
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

——————————————————
Schedule 1
IT WORDS FOR ME!*
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “gardening”; perennials.

Gardening
“Gardening is the practice of growing plants. Ornamental plants are normally grown for their flowers, foliage, overall appearance, or for their dyes. Useful plants are grown for consumption (vegetables, fruits, herbs, and leaf vegetables) or for medicinal use. A gardener is someone who practices gardening.””
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardening

Perennial

“A perennial plant or simply perennial (Latin per, “through”, annus, “year”) is a plant that lives for more than two years.[1] The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. When used by gardeners or horticulturalists, perennial applies specifically to winter hardy herbaceous plants. Scientifically, woody plants like shrubs and trees are also perennial in their habit.

Perennials, especially small flowering plants, grow and bloom over the spring and summer and then die back every autumn and winter, then return in the spring from their root-stock rather than seeding themselves as an annual plant does. These are known as herbaceous perennials. However, depending on the rigors of local climate, a plant that is a perennial in its native habitat, or in a milder garden, may be treated by a gardener as an annual and planted out every year, from seed, from cuttings or from divisions.

The symbol for a perennial plant, based on Species Plantarum by Linnaeus, is , which is also the astronomical symbol for the planet Jupiter.[2]”

(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perennial_plant

Schedule 2

STUDY/STATISTICS: Facts for features – CB07-FF.03-January 4, 2007
“57%
Percentage of women who participated in gardening at least once in the past 12 months, compared with 37 percent of men. Women were also much more likely than men to have done charity work (32 percent versus 26 percent), attended arts and crafts fairs (39 percent versus 27 percent) and read literature (55 percent versus 38 percent).”
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb07-ff03.html

Schedule 3
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Gardening “ make it a family adventure!
“Summer is all about spending time outdoors and enjoying the warm weather. Gardening is a great way for families to spend time together away from television and video games, while learning about nature and getting in some great exercise. The President’s Choice brand’s garden guru Peter Cantley, “president, Floral and Garden at Loblaw Companies Limited, has more than 45 years of experience. Want to help get kids excited about gardening? Follow Peter’s simple tips for parents and soon your kids will have green thumbs of their own! Kids love getting dirty “ so let them! Weeding and planting is an easy activity to get kids started. Kids can join parents in the garden by digging in the soil with a small spade and finding roots and worms. Engage little ones in the responsibility. If your child is old enough, ask them to help water the lawn or plants. If your child is really taking an interest in helping out, why not give them their own section of the garden? Watching plants grow from seeds into flowers or vegetables is not only fun for kids, but a great learning
opportunity. To mark their special spot, have them make signs identifying each type of produce in their garden.Share your love of gardening with others! If the family is headed over to visit friends for Sunday night barbecue, pick some fresh tomatoes from your garden and bring them over as a thoughtful hostess gift the kids can be proud to give.Remember to have fun. Canadians only have the summer heat for a short time so make the most of it and start planting!For more tips on planning a garden and President’s Choice garden products visit pc.ca.”
www.newscanada.com
(www.newscanada.com)

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Follow the 4Rs to a Healthy Lawn
”Despite a slow start to the season, warmer temperatures and sunnier days mean one thing: the green of spring is not far away. And when it comes to lawns, a little care now will go a long way to ensuring plant health in the dog days of summer that lie ahead. The Urban Fertilizer Council suggests following the 4Rs to ensure your lawn is getting the nutrients it  needs to stay healthy from season to season:
Right Source: buy a fertilizer recommended for your lawn or garden
Right Rate: know the size of your lawn and only buy what you need. Apply at the application rate as recommended on the label, using a good quality fertilizer spreader
Right Time: apply fertilizer in the correct season. Spring and fall are the best times to fertilize. Don’t apply if heavy rain is expected, or on frozen ground;
Right Place: fertilizer can’t do its job if it’s not on your lawn or garden. Sweep on to the lawn any fertilizer that might land on hard surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways’
Don’t apply fertilizer near ponds, streams, rivers or lakes, or use a low phosphorus or phosphorus “free fertilizer on established lawns. New lawns (under two years old) will benefit greatly from a lawn fertilizer with phosphorus. Ideally, take a soil sample to determine if your lawn needs phosphorous, and if it does “ apply with care by following the 4Rs.
More fertilizer tips and best practices can be found online at www.GreenerWorld.ca (launching May 2011).
www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Posted by on May 22nd, 2011 Comments Off on “GARDENING: I think green – let’s all grow flowers, vegetables, herbs and more!*”

“SPRING CLEAN UP: I GIVE YOU CLEANING TRICKS AND TIPS*”

Vol. 2,  No.2, May 15th, 2011

TITLE: “Spring clean up : I give you cleaning tricks and tips*”

INTRODUCTION

It’s that time of the year again. When spring arrives on my calendar, it signals the start of my cleaning season. This covers such rooms as kitchen, laundry-bathroom,  bedrooms, living room/family room, etc. ; more specifically,  floors, windows, walls, cupboards, closets, appliances, electronics, furnititure, etc. It also includes the yard. To mark this auspicious occasion, my book of the week is: “Natural Stain Removal Secrets: Powerful, Safe Techniques for Removing Stubborn Stains from Anything” [Paperback] by Deborah L Martin (Author).  

MY LIFE & TIMES*

Spring cleaning at my house is an annual ritual. I expect that I am not the only one, who does it. I learned a great deal from my mother. She was a fanatic about her house. She scrubbed it up and down until it sparkled. I take after her. I decided to share with you some of my cleaning program and strategies.

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: : Guncotton
“Though strictly forbidden by his wife from conducting experiments in their home, the German chemist Christian F. Schonbein sometimes disobeyed her when she wasn’t around. While experimenting in the kitchen one day in 1845, Schonbein accidentally spilled a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids. In a panic, he grabbed his wife’s cotton apron and mopped up the mess. He then hung it over the stove to dry before its unsuspecting owner came home. Schonbein’s deception went unnoticed – until the apron spontaneously ignited and burned so quickly that virtually disappeared in a flash. Fortunately, his wife wasn’t wearing it at the time.”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4466

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Martha Stewart: Paper Money
“Martha Stewart earned $43 million today,” Conan O’Brien announced one day in November 2004, after Kmart merged with Sears to form America’s third-largest retailer. “And on top of that, Martha made two packs of cigarettes for cleaning another inmate’s toilet.”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=20625

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3:Young Madonna: Cleaning Lady
“Madonna was once asked to describe her worst high-school job. “I had to clean houses – it was gross,” she recalled. “I had to clean the toilet bowls of boys I went to school with. No, there’s nothing more degrading than being someone’s housekeeper. I mean, God bless my housekeeper and… well… all my housekeepers!”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=7172

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Erma Bombeck

“My second favorite household chore is ironing.  My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint. ”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.quotegarden.com/housework.html

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Joan Rivers
“Don’t cook.  Don’t clean.  No man will ever make love to a woman because she waxed the linoleum – “My God, the floor’s immaculate.  Lie down, you hot bitch.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.quotegarden.com/housework.html

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Nancie J. Carmody
“I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home…. I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.” 
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.quotegarden.com/housework.html

THE AUTHOR: Deborah L. Martin

In Indiana, where she is from, I understand that they have lots and lots of stains. She got down and dirty on her grandparents’ farm. She has lots of cleaning work with a husband and two sons. Deborah Martin is a graduate from Purdue University. She was an editor for Rodale’s Home and Garden Books. She is knowledgeable about keeping house. She is pro-clean. She wrote this book to help all of us on the front lines fighting dirt.

SERIES/COLLECTION

She has many books to her credit.

Books

Here are a few :

2008 – The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and … most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever. [Paperback]

1995 – Rodale’s Low-Maintenance Gardening Techniques: Shortcuts and Time-Saving Hints for Your Greatest Garden Ever [Hardcover]

1992 – The Rodale Book of Composting: Easy Methods for Every Gardener [Paperback]

THE BOOK: Natural Stain Removal Secrets: Powerful, Safe Techniques for Removing Stubborn Stains from Anything [Paperback] by Deborah L Martin (Author)

A stain is an unwanted substance on an item. There is a great variety of offending substances. Some heavyweights are red wine and  spaghetti sauce, ink and grease. It doesn’t have to be liquid – it could be a wad of chewing gum, It could be human like blood and perspiration. It could be pet materials like urine or vomit …uggh…  The anecdote is usually something also found in the home. Some examples are: lemon juice, vinegar, club soda, baking soda, salt, etc. There are some How-To application suggestions. The book is easy to use as there is a topical index.  The book will prove invaluable. It will save time and pay for itself. Buy it, keep it handy and come clean! 

CONCLUSION

Cleaning is a worthwhile practice. Living in clean quarters makes a person feel good about oneself and about life itself. Spring is a good time to do it. I encourage people to spring clean.

My personal comments

Cleanliness is next to godliness.  That is my motto.  I aspire to keep my house spotless. I have received some good -natured ribbing for this over the years. The cleanliness of a person’s home indicates certain characteristics about him or her.  Howver, I caution that you don’t go too far in this direction  – it might become a  compulsion.

The point

At the end of the spring clean-up, the house looks brighter.     A spring fresh and clean house feels good.  The weekly cleaning becomes much easier and quicker. This also fits in with my annual house maintenance activities – please note that upkeep is essential in keeping a house in a good state of repair.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

Every spring cleaner should:
1. Make spring cleaning an annual event at your house; in this way, the unwanted build-up doesn’t go too far;

2. Plan it out well; as for example,

2.1 Make early May the start date; do it as early in the season as you can rather than later when it gets too hot;
2.2 Set aside a certain length of time for spring cleaning; it takes the time it takes!
2.3 Try to have some the big work fall into your annual vacation period;

2.4 Start with the jobs, disliked the most. 

2.5 Make a“To Do List” (and a schedule) covering such rooms as:
(a) Kitchen:floors, windows, walls, drawers, cupboards, closets, appliances, furnititure, etc.;
Also clean the cutlery.

(b) Laundry-bathroom:floors, windows, walls, drawers, cupboards, closets, appliances, furnititure, etc.

(c) Bedrooms: floors, windows, walls, drawers, cupboards, closets, electronics, furnititure, etc.; do the annual closet switcheroo: winter clothes change places with summer garments.
(d) Living room/family room: floors, windows, walls, drawers, cupboards, closets, electronics, furnititure, etc.; don’t forget to pull out furniture and dust under beds, sofas, etc.  – dust bunnies beware”

3. Attack stains; to this end, 
3.1 Smell it especially if it is stubborn to figure out what it is; if you don’t sniff it, it sometimes will be difficult to clean it.
4. Engage men to:
4.1 Clean the windows inside and out;.
4.3 Clean/redo the ceramic grout;
5. Carry out some house repairs every year:  I concentrate on some basic maintenance that needs to be done … be it painting, redoing something that’s deteriorating, etc.
6. Leave the yard work until the end. (With the sunshine and warmer weather, one can get outside.) In this regard,

6.1 Wash down the garden furniture;
6.2  Trim the rose bushes, shrubs and the like;

6.3 Cut the grass. 

6.4 Prepare the garden soil, de-wead, plant seds and vegetable plants as wanted;

7. Do a big car wash in addition – this is a perfect time to get this done too;  to this end,

7.1 Do a good interior vacuum;
7.2 Do a good external wash, not forgetting the running boards, tire covers, grills, etc.;

 7.3 Wash the car inside: do an extra -special job on the windows, dash, trunk, etc.;
 7.4 Wash the floor mats; etc.
I want you and me to get to the point of being all washed up in a good way. Let’s clean up and make the world cleaner one house at a time. If you’re with me, please pass the mop and bucket!  

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com
The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*”
program.
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
 
——————————————————
Schedule 1
IT WORDS FOR ME!*
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Spring cleaning”.
“Spring cleaning is the period in spring time set aside for cleaning a house, normally applied in climates with a cold winter.The most common usage of spring cleaning refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring, hence the name. However it has also come to be synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise. A person who gets their affairs in order before an audit or inspection could be said to be doing some.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_cleaning

Bonus fact #1: Origin of spring cleaning
“It has been suggested that the origins of spring cleaning date back to the Iranian Norouz, the Persian new year, which falls on the first day of spring [citation needed]. Iranians continue the practice of “khooneh tekouni” which literally means “shaking the house” just before the new year. Everything in the house is thoroughly cleaned, from the drapes to the furniture. A similar tradition is the Scottish “New Year’s cleaning” on Hogmanay (December 31), a practice now also widespread in Ireland, New Zealand, and to some extent North America.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_cleaning

Another possibility of the origin of spring cleaning can be traced to the ancient Jewish practice of thoroughly cleansing the home in anticipation of the spring-time memorial feast of Passover (Hebrew: &#1508;&#1505;&#1495; pesach&#8206;). In remembrance of the Jews’ hasty flight from Egypt following their captivity there, during the seven-day observance of the Passover memorial or remembrance see in Wikipedia PASSOVER there is a strict prohibition against eating or drinking anything which may have been leavened or fermented with yeast (Exoduas 12:15, 19). Jews are not only supposed to refrain from leavened foodstuffs (known in Hebrew as &#1495;&#1502;&#1509; chametz), they are expressly commanded to rid their homes of even small remnants of chametz for the length of the holiday (Exodus 12:15). Therefore, observant Jews conducted a thorough “spring cleaning” of the house, followed by a traditional hunt for chametz crumbs by candlelight (called bedikat chametz [Hebrew: &#1489;&#1491;&#1497;&#1511;&#1514; &#1495;&#1502;&#1509;])
on the evening before the holiday begins. The word for “leaven: has Hebrew origin H7603 &#1513;&#1474;&#1488;&#1512; &#347;e’ôr seh-ore’From H7604; barm or yeast cake (as swelling by fermentation): – leaven.(STRONGS HEBREW GREEK DICTIONARY on leaven)NOTE: The Jewish Passover Feast of remembrance was superseded by the instituting of the Lord’s Supper memorial feast that was first introduced by Jesus Christ <Mark 14:14-23> and then observed on the first day of every week (Sunday <Acts 20:7> by the church after its establishment ( 1 Corinthians 11:24-26; Acts 20:7).”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_cleaningBonusIn North America and northern Europe, the custom found an especial practical value due to those regions’ continental and wet climates. During the 19th century in America, prior to the advent of the vacuum cleaner, March was often the best time for dusting because it was getting warm enough to open windows and doors (but not warm enough for insects to be a problem), and the high winds could carry the dust out of the house. For the same reason, modern rural households often use the month of March for cleaning projects involving the use of chemical products which generate fumes.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_cleaning
 
Schedule 2

STUDY/STATISTICS: 2011 Schedule B – Chapter 34

“Section VI – Chapter 34

Soap, Organic Surface-active Agents, Washing Preparations, Lubricating Preparations, Artificial Waxes, Prepared Waxes, Polishing or Scouring Preparations, Candles and Similar Articles, Modeling Pastes, “Dental Waxes” and Dental Preparations with a Basis of Plaster

Notes

1.  This chapter does not cover:

  (a). Edible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils of a kind used as mold release preparations (heading 1517);

  (b). Separate chemically defined compounds; or

  (c). Shampoos, dentifrices, shaving creams and foams, or bath preparations, containing soap or other organic surface-active agents (heading 3305, 3306 or 3307).

2.  For the purposes of heading 3401, the expression “soap” applies only to soap soluble in water.  Soap and the other products of heading 3401 may contain added substances (for
     example, disinfectants, abrasive powders, fillers or medicaments).  Products containing abrasive powders remain classified in heading 3401 only if in the form of bars, cakes or
     molded pieces or shapes.  In other forms they are to be classified in heading 3405 as “scouring powders and similar preparations”.

3.  For the purposes of heading 3402, “organic surface-active agents” are products which when mixed with water at a concentration of 0.5 percent at 20 degrees C and left to          stand for one hour at the same temperature:

  (a). Give a transparent or translucent liquid or stable emulsion without separation of insoluble matter; and

  (b). Reduce the surface tension of water to 4.5 x 10-2 N/m (45 dyne/cm) or less.

4.  In heading 3403 the expression “petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous mineral applies to the products defined in note 2 to chapter 27.

5.  In heading 3404, subject to the exclusions provided below, the expression “artificial waxes and prepared waxes” applies only to:

  (a). Chemically produced organic products of a waxy character, whether or not water-soluble;

  (b). Products obtained by mixing different waxes,

  (c). Products of a waxy character with a basis of one or more waxes and containing fats, resins, mineral substances or other materials.

    The heading does not apply to:

  (a). Goods of headings 1516, 3402 or 3823, even if having a waxy character;

  (b). Unmixed animal waxes and unmixed vegetable waxes, whether or not colored, of heading 1521;

  (c). Mineral waxes or similar products of heading 2712, whether or not intermixed or merely colored; or

  (d). Waxes mixed with, dispersed in or dissolved in a liquid medium (headings 3405, 3809, etc.).

3401        Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, molded pieces or shapes whether or not containing soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap; paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent: Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, molded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent:
3401110000       For toilet use (including medicated products) kg
3401190000       Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….kg
3401200000    Soap in other forms . . . . . . . . . . . . .kg
3401300000    Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap  . . . .kg
3402        Organic surface-active agents (other than soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations (including auxiliary washing preparations) and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap, other than those of heading 3401:Organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale:
3402110000       Anionic  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….kg
3402120000       Cationic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….kg
3402130000       Nonionic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……kg
340219           Other:
3402191000         Aromatic or modified aromatic  . . kg
3402195000         Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……. .kg
340220        Preparations put up for retail sale:
3402201100       Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent kg
3402205100       Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….kg
340290        Other:
3402901000       Synthetic detergents . . . . . . . . . . kg
                  Other:
3402903000         Containing any aromatic or modified aromatic surface-active agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . ………..kg
                    Other:
3402905010            Washing preparations  . . . . . . . kg
3402905030            Cleaning preparations . . . . . . . .kg
3402905050            Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……..kg
3403        Lubricating preparations (including cutting-oil preparations, bolt or nut release preparations, antirust or anticorrosion preparations and mold release preparations, based on lubricants) and preparations of a kind used for the oil or grease treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins or other materials, but excluding preparations containing, as basic constituents, 70 percent or more by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals: Containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous
minerals:
340311           Preparations for the treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins or other materials:
3403111000         Preparations for the treatment of textile materials kg
3403115000         Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……..kg
3403190000       Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……..kg
               Other:
3403910000       Preparations for the treatment of textile materials,
                   leather, furskins or other materials …….kg
3403990000       Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….. .kg
3404        Artificial waxes and prepared waxes:
3404200000    Of poly(oxyethylene) (polyethylene glycol)  .kg
340490        Other:
3404905110       Of chemically modified lignite . . . . kg
3404905160       Other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …….kg
3405        Polishes and creams, for footwear, furniture, floors, coachwork, glass or metal, scouring pastes and powders and similar preparations (whether or not in the form of paper, wadding, felt, nonwovens, cellular plastics or cellular rubber, impregnated, coated or covered with such preparations), excluding waxes of heading 3404:
3405100000    Polishes, creams and similar preparations, for footwear or leather  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
3405200000    Polishes, creams and similar preparations, for the maintenance of wooden furniture, floors or other woodworkX
3405300000    Polishes and similar preparations for coachwork, other than metal polishes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
3405400000    Scouring pastes and powders and other scouring preparations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kg
3405900000    Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
3406000000  Candles, tapers and the like  . . . . . . . . .kg
3407        Modeling pastes, including those put up for children’s  amusement; preparations known as “dental wax” or as “dental impression compounds”, put up in sets, in packings for retail sale or in plates, horseshoe shapes, sticks or similar forms; other preparations for use in dentistry, with a basis of plaster (of calcined gypsum or calcium sulfate):
3407002000    Modeling pastes, including those put up for children’s amusement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kg
3407004000    Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kg”
(Souce: U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/2011/c34.html

Schedule 3
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1:  What to do with all your spring cleaning items
“(NC)—”With the end of winter right around the corner, now is the time to start your spring cleaning. For months your closets and drawers have been accumulating junk. The time has come to purge those drawers of anything that has not been used or worn in the past year. So what can you do with all the items you no longer need? As the popular saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Why not use those treasures to do good for those in need? Try some of these simple ideas:
• Donate clothing – There are a number of different charities and organizations with drop boxes in parking lots or others that pick clothing up from your doorstep to sell or give to people in need.
• Host a garage sale – Collect all your new or gently used items cluttering your home and sell them with the purpose of donating all the funds raised to a charity. Organizations such as Christian Children’s Fund of Canada have environmentally–friendly items like fuel–efficient stoves and rainwater harvesting tanks, which you can purchase with your earnings. By picking a specific item or setting a goal for the amount of money you would like to raise, you will increase people’s enthusiasm to help you reach your goal. Not only will this sale create more room in your home, but by advertising that the money will go to charity, your sales will also set an example for others in your community.
• Recycle – Be sure that any items that cannot be donated or given away are disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way. Take left over items to your local dump where they will help you sort your items into recyclables and other waste.”
www.newscanada.com
S

 & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Gardening – make it a family adventure!
“(NC)—”Summer is all about spending time outdoors and enjoying the warm weather. Gardening is a great way for families to spend time together away from television and video games, while learning about nature and getting in some great exercise. The President’s Choice brand’s garden guru Peter Cantley, vice–president, Floral and Garden at Loblaw Companies Limited, has more than 45 years of experience. Want to help get kids excited about gardening? Follow Peter’s simple tips for parents and soon your kids will have green thumbs of their own!
Kids love getting dirty – so let them! Weeding and planting is an easy activity to get kids started. Kids can join parents in the garden by digging in the soil with a small spade and finding roots and worms.
Engage little ones in the responsibility. If your child is old enough, ask them to help water the lawn or plants.
If your child is really taking an interest in helping out, why not give them their own section of the garden? Watching plants grow from seeds into flowers or vegetables is not only fun for kids, but a great learning opportunity. To mark their special spot, have them make signs identifying each type of produce in their garden.
Share your love of gardening with others! If the family is headed over to visit friends for Sunday night barbecue, pick some fresh tomatoes from your garden and bring them over as a thoughtful hostess gift the kids can be proud to give.
Remember to have fun. Canadians only have the summer heat for a short time so make the most of it and start planting!
For more tips on planning a garden and President’s Choice garden products visit pc.ca.”
www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #3: Keeping your spring cleanup crew well fed and refreshed this Victoria Day weekend
(NC)—”Victoria Day weekend signals the (unofficial) start of summer and for those Canadians with cottages or cabins it time to open your summer sanctuary. There’s no reason the work has to take over the long weekend – this isn’t Labour Day. Molson M has some time saving tips so you can enjoy the weekend:
• Invite friends: the same crew that enjoys your dock all summer will be happy to pitch in
• Plan ahead: get everything you need for three days – remember, most stores will be closed Monday
• Cook in advance: one pot meals like chicken pot pie or lasagna can cut your clean up time
• It’s easy to be healthy: baskets of apples and oranges are a quick snack and require no preparation
• Keep the workers cheerful: are you asking friends to wade into the frigid lake to put in the dock? Make sure you have great drinks on hand to say thank you. New Molson M is an award winning lager and will be a hit with refined palates. Rickards taster pack features Rickards White, Red and Dark so everyone will have their favourite
• Double duty: Fill your cooler with ice, juice, pop and beer to manage overflow from the refrigerator.”
www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Posted by on May 15th, 2011 Comments Off on “SPRING CLEAN UP: I GIVE YOU CLEANING TRICKS AND TIPS*”

“FOR MOTHERS’ DAY, I SAY: GOD BLESS AND SAVE MOTHERS EVERYWHERE!*”

Vol. 2,  No.1, May 8th, 2011
TITLE: “FOR
MOTHERS’ DAY,  I SAY: GOD BLESS AND SAVE MOTHERS EVERYWHERE!*”

INTRODUCTION

My book of the week is: “The Mother’s Day Companion” [Paperback] by Martin H. Rots (Author). Hence my topic is Mothers’ Day.
(Editor’s Note: Antoinette took a little time off due to the holidays. She is now starting her second year. Watch this space in the coming months for new features and more.)

MY LIFE & TIMES*

Today is Mothers’ Day. It brings to mind a real life family story of about eight years ago. I want to share it with you. It was Mothers’ Day and my daughters invited my Mom and me for supper at a restaurant.  When my mother got the invitation, she asked if my father was invited as well. My daughters replied that it would only be the girls.  When we arrived at the restaurant, my daughter’s fiancee greeted us at the door and led us to the table.  There, his parents, brother and grandmother were seated, chatting and drinking wine.  We sat down and joined the conversation.  My mother was very quiet the entire evening.  When I drove her home, she asked me why the men were there when she was told it was only for the girls.  I explained that a possible reason was because of their mothers.  The next day, I went to visit my parents.  My mother didn t waste any time before she told me that the next time she would  be invited, she would not accept the invitation unless my father was also invited.  She continued to explain that she was sad because she had to leave my father behind. Not only did he have to take his dinner by himself, but he also spent the entire evening alone.  My first thought was WOW – this is a successful marriage.  Unfortunately, my father passed away the following year and there wasn’t an opportunity to do another Mothers’ Day evening dinner, this time inviting my Dad as well. As a result, this story is bitter sweet for me.

Mothers’ Day 2011 started with my visisting a greeting card store earlier in the week.  I found a perfect card – I always look for one that is sentimental.  

Today, I celebrated the day. I also want to share some of the moments and the sentiments.
In the morning,  we finished noting our personal wishes on my mother’s card. I went to church and the priest talked about mothers; he said that mothers are very important and he spoke about the Blessed Virgin Mary – she played a major role in the life of Jesus.

We were invited for lunch at the home of my eldest daughter.  A few months ago, she gave birth to her second child. She is a wonderful wife. She is a terrific Mom. She gives those kids 100 percent – her priority is her family. She wants the best for her children. She protects them. For example, she considers what they eat and what they watch on television. She is a GREAT Mom!

We were on time. Both my daughters greeted us. (By the way, my youngest daughter is sooooooooooooooo maternal – she is going to be a great Mom as well!) I was handed a card with beautiful words, a bouquet of yellow roses and also a gift. What a wonderful gesture! We sat down to a tasty BBQ lunch along with my son-in-law’s mother and  father also his brother and sister-in -law. More flowers and gifts were exchanged. My daughter – the hostess baked a cake from scratch. It was a vanilla cake with lemon creme and coconut. It got rave reviews. As a mother, I felt extremely proud.

At mid- afternoon, I went to visit my mother. I had already delivered a chocolate Black Forest type cake the day before. I gave her the card along with a gift. She was appreciative of everything especially the visit. The cake was taken out- it was a great hit. So you see, we were very caked out!     

S & R* QUOTE(S) OF THE WEEK*: Will Rogers

“Mother’s Day, it’s beautiful thought, but it’s somebody’s hurtin’ conscience that thought of the idea. It was someone who had neglected their mother for years, and then they figured out: I got to do something about Momma. And knowing Momma was that easy, they figured, “we’ll give her a day, and it will be all right with Momma.” Give her a day, and then in return Momma gives you the other 364. See?”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/quote/will-rogers-16.html

THE AUTHOR: Martin H. Rots 

Martin H. Rots (he goes by Marty) is a musician, author and blogger. He has a large collection of classic rock biographies. He founded Classic Rock Esoterica www.classicrockesoterica.com– it celebrates the  golden Rock Era of the sixties. For him, it starts with the arrival of the Beatles in America in February 1964 all the way to Woodstock in 1969. This website celebrates the music and the sub-culture.  He fondly remembers and treasures the youthful times growing up during those years.  He is a sensitive man. I like his tone.   
(Fact source: http://www.classicrockesoterica.com/Classic_Rock_Esoterica.html

SERIES/COLLECTION
Martin H Rots has written numerous blog posts. Check out http://blog.classicrockesoterica.com/ 

Books
Two books by Marty Rots are:
* The Woodstock Conspiracy
* The Mother’s Day Companion 

THE BOOK: The Mother’s Day Companion [Paperback] by Martin H. Rots (Author)

The Mother’s Day Companion is about …you guessed it – mothers. The author knows of whom he speaks. There is humour, sweetness and light. There is also dramatic tension from real life. It is like a encyclopedia of mothers, a variety of examples of motherhood. There are short profiles and stories about mothers, real and fictional.  The book is a balance of biographical extracts of notable women such as Rose Kennedy, Madonna and Hilary Clinton to name a few. Showing his age, he also writes about TV characters such as Harriet Nelson, June Cleaver,  Marie Cunningham and and Wilma Flintstone. He goes more current with Claire Huxtable and Peg Bundy. I admit that it is not a major work; but it is fun. Indeed, it is a great gift item. It will warm the hearts of mothers, particularly those in North America.

CONCLUSION

Mothers play the key role in a family. They do much for everybody. Mothers’ Day is important. First, it follows the commandment to honour one’s mother (and father).  Second, saying thank you in a special and meaningful way is a very satisfying gesture to a mother. I know. I am one.     

My personal comments

I want to remind you that you will not have your mother forever. You will then miss her dearly. Live the moments that you now can share. You will cherish the memories long afterwards.

The point

Being nice to your mother is good. Do it!

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
When it comes to your mother, everyone should: 
1. Think about her personality, qualities, unselfish acts, etc.; 
2. Be considerate of your mother and honour your mother today on Mothers’ Day and also everyday thereafter.

For more on mothers, and my suggested do’s and don’ts, please refer to ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET* at the end of the blog post entitled, “MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS – I ask: “Why the good, the bad and the ugly?” (Vol. 1,  No. 39, March 20th, 2011).

I think that it is great that Moms have their very own special day. Let’s enjoy it. We earned it! Happy Mothers Day to one and all.

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
 
——————————————————
Schedule 1
IT WORDS FOR ME!*

For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Mothers`Day”.

Mothers’ Day

“The modern Mother’s Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May as a day to honor mothers and motherhood.

Celebrations of mothers and motherhood occur throughout the world; many of these can be traced back to ancient festivals, like the Greek cult to Cybele or the Roman festival of Hilaria. The modern US-celebration of Mother’s Day is not directly related to these.[1][2][3]”

(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day

Bonus fact #1: Founding of Mothers`Day

“One of the early calls to celebrate a Mother’s Day in the United States was the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” by Julia Ward Howe. Written in 1870, it was a pacifist reaction to the carnage of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. The Proclamation was tied to Howe’s feminist belief that women had a responsibility to shape their societies at the political level.

In the years after the Mother’s Day Proclamation, Ann Jarvis founded five Mothers’ Day Work Clubs to improve sanitary and health conditions. In 1907, two years after Ann Jarvis’ death, her daughter Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother and began a campaign to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday in the US. Although she was successful in 1914, she was already disappointed with its commericalization by the 1920s.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day

Schedule 2
STUDY/STATISTICS

“How Many Mothers
85.4 million
Estimated number of mothers in the United States in 2008.
Source: Survey of Income and Program Participation, 2008 Panel Wave 2, unpublished tabulations.

How Many Children
2.6
The total fertility rate or number of births in 2008 per woman in Utah (based on current birth rates by age), which led the nation. At the other end of the spectrum is Vermont, with a total fertility rate of 1.7 births per woman.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr59/nvsr59_01.pdf>

Moms Who’ve Recently Given Birth
4.13 million
Number of births registered in the United States in 2009. Of this number, 409,840 were to teens 15 to 19 and 7,934 to mothers 45 to 54.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr59/nvsr59_03.pdf>

Mothers Remembered
18,509
Number of florist establishments nationwide in 2008. The 89,741 employees in floral shops across our nation will be especially busy preparing, selling and delivering floral arrangements for Mother’s Day.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2008 <http://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/>
The flowers bought for mom have a good chance of having been grown in California. Among the 15 surveyed states, California was the leading provider of cut flowers in 2009, accounting for 75 percent of domestic flower production ($269 million out of $359 million at wholesale value) in those states. (The data pertain only to operations with sales greater than or equal to $100,000.)”
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1072>

(Souce: U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-ff07.html

Schedule 3

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1:  What mothers don’t want this Mother’s Day

“(NC)—Shopping for a great Mother’s Day gift? Forget the dollar store brooch. Drop the new broom. What mothers really don’t want is a gift that lacks thought and care. According to a new Ipsos Reid poll, conducted on behalf of the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, some of the worst gifts mothers have received for Mother’s Day include: extra–extra–large track pants, a chocolate bar and a magazine from the corner store, a vacuum cleaner attachment, gardening tools, an electric broom, a toaster, an old sewing machine, fast food delivery (fried chicken), a clock with the price tag still left on the bottom, dish cloths, a promise that was never fulfilled, an ironing board, a bad DVD, a frying pan, a soccer ball, plus–sized pajamas, a frog, and a card that said “you’re just like a mother”.

Giving a gift that helps those who are less fortunate is becoming a more popular form of gift giving and solves the problem of trying to get a perfect gift for someone who has everything they need or want. In fact, eight in ten mothers say they’d be ‘pleased’ if someone bought them a gift in their name from a charitable gift catalogue for Mother’s Day.

You can visit www.ccfcanada.ca/Gifts to purchase a gift in your mother’s name to help young girls and women in developing countries. For $25, you can give a female hygiene kit to a young girl. For $50, you can provide health education to pregnant women.

Honour mom and make a difference with a gift that really matters.” (www.newscanada.com)

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Ways to make your mother smile

“(NC)—The beloved tradition of dedicating a day to officially honour mothers and grandmothers started back in May of 1908 – and the yearly tradition has gained momentum every since. Every spring now, hundreds of countries, from Canada to Kenya to Kuwait, celebrate their own version of Mother’s Day.

“We know people are eager to find meaningful ways to express their love, as well as commemorate special memories together,” said Amber Bonnell, marketing manager for Pandora Canada, a jewellery icon around the world. “We often suggest a charm bracelet for Mom, with charms specially chosen to celebrate moments from the past year, such as giving birth, buying a new house, a child’s first day of school, a graduation, a wedding, the arrival of a grandchild, and more.”

The best–selling Pandora Moments Collection offers nine styles of bracelets and includes more than 800 handcrafted charms in sterling silver, 14K gold and two–tone. In honour of mothers and mother figures everywhere – and to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its charm bracelet – Pandora offers 10 little tips to celebrate them in the most meaningful way:

10 Wonderful Ways to Charm Her

1. Make a photo collage of her favourite memories with you and your family.

2. If she’s an avid reader, start a personal tradition. At the beginning of every month send each other books you’ve just finished. Or take it a step further and start a virtual book club: buy two copies of any book and schedule a time on Skype to talk about each one.

3. If buying a gift, show some thought for her individuality. Whether it’s selecting a favourite game, or TV show on DVD, or finding just the right charm to symbolize a special moment, give something to honour her interests.

4. Assemble a basket of her favourite things to ensure rest and relaxation. You might include magazines, slippers, a scented candle or even an iPod already programmed with selections she likes.

5. Make a mosaic using some of old dishes that are chipped or cracked. It’s a great way to keep a pattern or the colour of china she loves within the house.

6. Give flowers that last. Potted blooms can be re–planted in her garden and will last through the summer. Consider colourful “floral gems” like earrings, pendants and charms as an alternative to cut flowers.

7. Prepare a home–cooked meal with an old family recipe. Scan or type up her favourite recipe cards and bind them together to make a family cookbook.

8. Plan a DIY spa day for two. Plan some “do it yourself’ pampering with natural ingredients from her kitchen. Think about inviting friends and family to join in the fun.

9. If you live close to Mom, make a standing date with her to catch up. Mark the time for dinners or movies right on her calendar.

10. If you live far away, use Skype to connect distances in a more personal way. You can share afternoon tea or chat together over lunch.” (www.newscanada.com)

*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Posted by on May 8th, 2011 Comments Off on “FOR MOTHERS’ DAY, I SAY: GOD BLESS AND SAVE MOTHERS EVERYWHERE!*”