Antoinette's Page

Vol. 2,  No. 27, November 27, 2011

TITLE: “CHRISTMAS DECORATION IDEAS: I enjoy the lights, tree, ornaments, wreaths, etc.!*”

INTRODUCTION
Christmas is coming …Christmas is coming!  It’s that time of the year again … the season that everybody looks forward to.
This week,  I will talk about Christmas decorations, the interior and exterior kind. This is another in the series about holidays and special dates. In today’s edition, I plan to discuss wreaths, lights, inflatables, etc. My book of the week is “Let There Be Lights!: A Beginner’s Guide to Outdoor Christmas Decorating” [Paperback] by Christopher M. Donnells (Author) My bonus book is “Decorating with Evergreens” [Hardcover] by Robert Waite (Author). Are you getting into the spirit?
 
PREVIEW: Attention Christmas Shoppers. Antoinette is in the building. Oh by the way, did you hear about that woman in the N.Y. department store who used mace on other shoppers competing with her for bargains. Can you believe that? I am now out and about in the stores. For next week, I will talk about shopping, no window lookers allowed here! This is another in the series about holidays and special dates.

MY LIFE & TIMES*

In my family, Christmas decorations are very important. It contributes to the magic of the season.

As a child, Chritsmas was a VERY big deal. My grandparents’ house was quite a sight. Oustide, I remember vividly that it was hugely decorated. Dangling from the railings, there were lines and lines of multi colour lights. There were white snowflakes and many stars. It could be seen from a distance and it looked a bit gaudy. It was nearly as much as the house in the Christmas vacation movie. My grandfather took great pleasure and pride with the lights. Inside, it was both festive and religious. There was a stable house with figurines.  The Christmas tree was always a fresh one covered with glitz and ornaments. Colourful streamers were hung everywhere. 

While less decorated, my parents’ house was also great.  Here too, I remember the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. There is nothing like it. Later when the artificial trees became popular, my mother bought one and then used it afterwards. It was nice, but where was the real tree smell?

In my home, we always decorated for Christmas.  For a while, I bought a fresh tree, but it was too much work.  When it was time to take it down, the mess that it made was tremendous. I then went artificial. The tree ornaments, which I bought or received as gifts throughout the years, are precious to me. Most are memorable.  One of my best items is a little house.When  lit up with white lights on my hall table, it’s sweet and special. 

This year, I plan to put some effort in the exterior decoration.  My neighbors on either side have done such a wonderful job with their Christmas lights and stuff, it has given me the initiative to do more than usual. I bought two little green trees. My mother gave me strands of white lights. I connected it all up. It looks great. I am in the spirit.   This coming weekend, I will put up the tree in my living room!   

THE AUTHOR:Christopher M. Donnells (Author)
Christopher Donnells has the Christmas spirit and lives in Milford, Connecticut, with his wife, Ann. His pets Peanut and Gorbachev are part of the family.  He has made Christmas lights a specialty   He is a Christmas light guru. If they gave an Oscar for Christmas lights, Donnells would be a a multi-year winner. His house is extraordinary. It has its own web site. Don’t believe me?…visit www.thathouseinmilford.com.
He does stuff with lights that you only dream about. He wrote a book. It is so appropriate for this blog post.

SERIES/COLLECTION

THE BOOK: Let There Be Lights!: A Beginner’s Guide to Outdoor Christmas Decorating [Paperback] by Christopher M. Donnells (Author)

I’m thinking about Christmas and this book hit the spot. This is a HOW-TO for Christmas lighting. Pictures are not its strength. Instead, it is the information, easy to follow, starting from the basics to elaborate Christmas displays of  hundreds and hundreds of lights. It explains the ways to: (a) Save money; (b) Use techniques and tools; (c) Fix lights; (d) Make homemade decor items; (e) Store holiday decorations; etc. If a lighting  director wannabee and you want to light up the sky and the holidays, check it out.

BONUS AUTHOR

Robert Waite has the Christmas spirit and is the owner of Designer Associates, a floral shop in Kaysville, Utah. Evergreens is his specialty. He has 30 years experience.  If they gave an Oscar for floral arangements with evergreens at Christmas, Waite would be a a multi-year winner.

BONUS BOOK:Decorating with Evergreens [Hardcover] by Robert Waite (Author)

I’m thinking about Christmas and this book also hit the spot  In contrast to the first book, this one is full of photos illustrating designs and techniques. It focues on holidays, fall and better. The artistic materials of choice are fresh flowers, fruit, and live greenery. He explains the national heritage background of evergreens. As a  canvas, he uses wreaths, swags, garlands, centerpieces, Christmas trees, and more. He deals in color and texture truly. Good ideas and practical advice live here. Get this book and feed your creative side.

CONCLUSION

Christmas decorations follow traditions and set warm tones, creating the atmosphere for a pleasant Christmas.  It captures the spirit of this wonderful time. 

Personal Comments

Tastefully decorating your home brings warmth and a whole new flavor to the Christmas season.  Although I appreciate tasteful decoration for the exterior, I don’t go out of my way to do it. 

By the beginning of December all my decorations and Christmas tree goes up.  It creates a holiday spirit and the excitement leading up to Christmas Day. I enjoy the decorations until New Year’s Day and then everything goes down. 

Putting up a Christmas tree adds a warm, pleasant effect. Decorating a tree with ornaments from years past continues traditions and adds to the enjoyment from generation to generation.

The Point

Christmas is fast approaching. If Christmas decoration dreaming, I suggest that you get to it asap.  
 
ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

Decorating the exterior of your house
1. Make lights a key part of your outside decoration; more,
1.1 Put it on the railings and around doors and windows;
1.2 Strive to create an overall theme;
1.3 Think about using a cluster of lights to illuminate Christmas characters or items; 
2, Use inflatables as they are very decorative and easy to store; however, there is a down side – a strong wind could blow them away. (It happened to my neighbour.)
3. Try illuminated stands – they are an easy way to decorate and they look great;
4. Put a wreath on your outside front door – evergreen is always a great choice!

Decorating the interior of your house
1. Start with a Christmas tree either fresh or artificial- it’s your choice;
2. Make it a tradition to decorate the Christmas tree with loved ones (your better half and kids);
3. Use ornaments that were bought or received over the years – usew the ones that have sentimental meaning or have become a tradition;
4. Include color with streamers (along railings or doors, etc.);
5. Put up a mistletoe over a door – this gives a romantic spin to the holiday;

Christmas is evergreen, don’t you agree?
Lights will make your Christmas shine, don’t you think?
I want your Christmas this year to be the best ever for you, don’t you?   

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit
www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit:
www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit 
www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
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ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1:Door to Door Salesman

While preparing for his bar mitzvah at the local Conservative synagogue, Michael Bloomberg went door to door to raise money for his summers at Boy Scout camp. What was he selling? Christmas wreaths!
(Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=11879

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2:Young Seth Green
“My friend Breckin Meyer and I were really bad kids,” Seth Green once recalled. “We drove past this tire store that had a 40-foot inflatable King Kong on the roof and said, ‘We gotta take him down.’ So one night we scaled the Blockbuster under construction next door, walked across to the roof on some planks, and sent Kong into the middle of the street. And once we had a taste for it, we refined our skills, put together a crack team, and started doing it all around the city. If anybody put up inflatables — a big pumpkin,
a snowman — it was coming down. Because nothing’s funnier than a giant snowman bouncing down Ventura Boulevard at 3 a.m.”
(Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6043)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: For Pete’s Sake
One Christmas in the early 1980s, KISS drummer Peter Criss got drunk and fired a pistol at the Christmas tree. Why the tree? His wife, it seems, had refused to let him be the one who put the star on top.
(Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4583)

S & R* QUOTE #1: Duane Elgin
Compassion will no longer be seen as a spiritual luxury for a contemplative few; rather it will be viewed as a social necessity for the entire human family.
(Source: Wisdom) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/)

S & R* QUOTE #2: Barry Neil Kaufman
Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside. No matter what is going on outside of us, there’s always something we could be grateful for.
(Source: Wisdom) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/)

S & R* QUOTE #3: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Spirituality is allowing compassion and love to flourish. When belongness begins, corruption ends.
(Source: Wisdom) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/)

ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”

“For today, my word/phrase(s) are:  “wreath”; “Christmas decorations”; “inflatable”

Wreath

A wreath is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs and/or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring. They are used typically as Christmas decorations to symbolize the coming of Christ, also known as the Advent season in Christianity.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Christmas decoration
Christmas decoration is any of several types of decorations used at Christmastime. The traditional colours of Christmas are pine green (evergreen), snow white, and heart red. Blue and white are often used to represent winter, or sometimes Hanukkah, which occurs around the same time. Gold and silver are also very common, as are just about any other metallic colour. Typical icons of the holiday include Baby Jesus, Santa Claus, and the star of Bethlehem. Typical winter icons include snowflakes, snowmen, icicles, and even penguins and polar bear.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_decoration

Inflatable
An inflatable[1] is an object that can be inflated with a gas, usually with air, but hydrogen, helium and nitrogen are also used. One of several advantages of an inflatable is that it can be stored in a small space when not inflated, since inflatables depend on the presence of a gas to maintain their size and shape.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflatable

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:

The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianization of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the winter solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship. Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage.
Wreaths are made from real or artificial conifer branches, or sometimes other broadleaf evergreens like magnolia (especially in the American South) or holly. In North and South America, Australia, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. In the Western world, rolls of brightly-colored paper with secular or religious Christmas/winter/Hanukkah motifs are manufactured for the purpose of giftwrapping presents. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. Christmas decorations are typically put up in early December. In the UK, Christmas lights on the high street are generally switched on in November.[7] In the U.S., the traditional start of Christmas time is Thanksgiving, but now begins on (or even before) November 1, the day after Halloween. Major retailers put their seasonal decorations out for sale after back to school sales, while smaller niche Christmas Stores sell Christmas decorations year round.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_decoration)

SCHEDULE III
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Deck the halls with crafty holiday decor
Fun, easy projects are a great way to spend quality time with family before holiday celebrations ensue and also make fantastic, thoughtful gifts for family and friends. The holiday décor team at Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse recommends the following DIY projects this year:

Fundamental Ornaments
Jazz up simple shatter-proof ornaments by using interior paint in a gloss or semi-gloss finish with fun holiday colours. First, paint with a primer and allow ample drying time. Paint stars, monogram your friend’s names or spatter the paint in wild colours to make a style statement. Wrap painter’s tape or place round self-stick felt pads around the ornament and paint over them for fun stripes and funky polka dots, and remove after paint has thoroughly dried for at least 24 hours.

Spectacular Wreaths
Turn a tired wreath into a show-stopper with a little TLC. Use an artificial wreath from seasons past, with no attached lighting and spray it with one coat of white paint. After it’s dry, spray it again with one to two coats of orange-peel ceiling texture paint for a flocked look. Add painted pinecones, ribbons and bows for a modern take on a traditional look. For a more vibrant décor option, use a wreath with battery-powered lights and attach brightly painted ornaments you just created with 22-gauge wire. Wrap the wire around the wreath’s metal frame to secure the ornaments and voilá  you have a fabulous decoration guests will ooh and ahh over.
Wrapping Wonders
Give mirrors a holiday makeover by wrapping them with Christmas ribbon. Measure the size of your mirror and cut two pieces of ribbon, per mirror, about four inches larger on all sides. Place the ribbon diagonally over the corners and tape it down. Tie a large bow and place in the corner similar to all the presents under the tree.
www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Outdoor décor essentials for creating a winter wonderland
While holiday decorating often begins with the Christmas tree, it doesn’t have to end there. As the importance of outdoor living space has increased, so too has the variety of holiday décor options.
Lights
Outdoor lights will help make your home the most festive house on the block.Insider Tip: A good rule of thumb is 100 lights for every foot and a half of tree or shrub you want to cover. Of course, if you love lights, add more. After you know how many lights you need, your biggest decision is the type of bulbs to use: LED lights are the newer option for outdoor decorating. They give off brilliant white light and remain cool to the touch, even after hours of use. Thanks to unbreakable plastic bulb covers in various shapes and colours, you’re sure to find a light that suits your style and needs. LEDs are up to 80 percent more energy efficient and last thousands of hours longer than comparable incandescent bulbs, saving you money.Specialty lights are good for decorating certain areas of the house: Shooting icicle lights or snowflake lights give the front of the house a magical look. Stand-alone shapes such as Lowe’s LED gumdrop tree and other mini trees, in addition to holiday-themed signs and figures, can be great additions to open spots in garden beds, lawns and porches.
Yard Art
For those wanting more than traditional lights, the options are endless. Let your personality shine through with the many inflatable and animated characters such as, the tinsel dog or velvet gecko available at Lowe’s. For a more sophisticated look, try tree or snowflake pathway markers that help illuminate walkways and create a welcoming ambience.Insider Tip: The more multifunctional, the better. Go for larger sizes, lights, sounds, movement. The intent of inflatables is to provide grand entertainment.
Natural Beauty
Live potted evergreen trees flanking the front entrance are inviting and a great way to add a different look to the exterior of your home. Tie the look together with a live wreath adorning the front door and draping the railing with fresh greenery. Add personal touches to the greenery by incorporating pinecones, berries, ribbon or burlap. Insider Tip: Natural and rustic decorating themes are popular, creating a holiday garden feel. Natural elements add earthy elegance: think natural greenery from rosemary or Norfolk pine, with a pop of colour by red poinsettia plants and amaryllis flowers.
www.newscanada.com

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

Vol. 2,  No. 26, November 20, 2011
TITLE: “THANKSGIVING DAY USA: I like dinner, sales,offers – don’t you*”
INTRODUCTION
 
Now in the bottom half of November, Americans are thinking about Thanksgiving. Turkey and stuffing are on their minds. It got me thinking as well. My book of the week is:  “Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday [Paperback] James W. Baker (Author), Peter J. Gomes (Contributor)”. Hence, my subject is Thnksgiving, the American day.  (Editor’s Note: This is another of a series on holidays and special dates.) 
 
PREVIEW: For next week, I am planning to discuss decorations ( inside and outside) : wreaths, lights, inflatables, etc.  This is another in the series about holidays and special dates.

The Point
 
Thanksgiving Day is an important day regardless where, why or how it’s celebrated.  Whererever you are join with family and make it memorable!

S & R* QUOTE #1: Mark Twain
“The perfection of wisdom, and the end of true philosophy is to proportion our wants to our possessions, our ambitions to our capacities, we will then be a happy and a virtuous people.”
(Source:  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/wisdom/index5.html)

S & R* QUOTE #2: Bo Lozoff
“The great teachings unanimously emphasize that all the peace, wisdom, and joy in the universe are already within us; we don’t have to gain, develop, or attain them. We’re like a child standing in a beautiful park with his eyes shut tight. We don’t need to imagine trees, flowers, deer, birds, and sky; we merely need to open our eyes and realize what is already here, who we really are — as soon as we quit pretending we’re small or unholy.”
(Source:  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/wisdom/index5.html)

S & R* QUOTE #3: Stephen Sigmund 
“Learn wisdom from the ways of a seedling. A seedling which is never hardened off through stressful situations will never become a strong productive plant.”
(Source:  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/wisdom/index4.html)
 
ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Thanksgiving Day”; “Black Friday”; etc.

Thanksgiving Day
“Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, has officially been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863, when during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26.[1] As a federal and popular holiday in the U.S., Thanksgiving is one of the “big six” major holidays of the year (along with Christmas, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day). Together with Christmas and the New Year, Thanksgiving is a part of the broader holiday season.”

Black Friday
“Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.”

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:

“The event that Americans commonly call the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated to give thanks to God for guiding them safely to the New World.[2] The first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days, providing enough food for 13 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.[3]The first documented thanksgiving feasts in territory currently belonging to the United States were conducted by Spaniards in the 16th century.[8][9][10] Thanksgiving services were routine in what was to become the Commonwealth of Virginia as early as 1607,[11] with the first permanent settlement of Jamestown, Virginia holding a thanksgiving in 1610.[8]On October 6, 1941, both houses of the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution fixing the traditionallast-Thursday date for the holiday beginning in 1942. However, in December of that year the Senate passed an amendment to the resolution that split the difference by requiring that Thanksgiving be observed annually on the fourth Thursday of November, which was sometimes the last Thursday and sometimes (less frequently) the next to
last.[27] On December 26, 1941 President Roosevelt signed this bill, for the first time making the date of Thanksgiving a matter of federal law.[28 On Thanksgiving Day, families and friends usually gather for a large meal or dinner. Consequently, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.[39 Since 1924, in New York City, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is held annually every Thanksgiving Day from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, and televised nationally by NBC.American football is an important part of many Thanksgiving celebrations in the United States. Professional football games are often held on Thanksgiving Day; until recently, these were the only games played during the week apart from Sunday or Monday night. The National Football League has played games on Thanksgiving every year since its creation; the tradition is referred to as the Thanksgiving Classic. The Detroit Lions have hosted a game every Thanksgiving Day since 1934, with the exception of 1939–1944 (due
to World War II).The day after Thanksgiving is a day off for some companies and many schools. It is popularly known as Black Friday, because of the heavy shopping that
day helps put retailers’ books back into black. Black Friday has been considered by retailers to be the start of the Christmas shopping season since as early as the 1930s.”

(Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States))
SCHEDULE III
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1:Giving thanks around the world
“Thanksgiving isn’t just a North American tradition. People around the world gather with friends and family to reflect on blessings and appreciate the good things in life. Whether you own a little or a lot, you can always find something to be grateful for, says Mark Lukowski, CEO, Christian Children’s Fund of Canada. And a successful harvest is definitely worth celebrating, as seen in many of the countries where we work.Here are some interesting harvest celebrations from around the world: In Ghana (Western Africa), tribes celebrate the Yam Festival with song and dance. Yams are a common food in many African countries and are the first crop harvested. The Yam Festival is usually held in the beginning of August at the end of the rainy season. Other African tribes celebrate the Homowo Festival which means hooting at hunger with parades to mark the ongoing fight against famine. In Northern India, wheat is harvested either in late February or early March. At this time, they celebrate the Holi Festival, which lasts five days. During this festival, people dress up and others play games like throwing coloured water and red powder at each other. People build bonfires and afterwards, the ashes are rubbed on people’s foreheads in order to bring good luck for the coming year.To celebrate Thanksgiving, you can help someone in a developing country build their harvest by purchasing garden tools, vegetable seeds, and fruit trees through Christian Children’s Fund of Canada’s gift catalogue at:
www.ccfcanada.ca. ”
www.newscanada.com
 
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2:Learn your personal exemptions for cross-border shopping
“Don’t spoil a cross-border shopping spree by finding out you have to pay unexpected duty at the border. One way to avoid such a surprise is getting to know your personal exemptions. These exemptions allow you to bring goods of a certain value back home to Canada without paying regular duty and taxes.Take note of these exemptions from the Canada Border Services Agency to save time and money at the Canadian border. After 24 hours – CAN$50, no alcoholic beverages or tobacco products (if more than $50, full duty and taxes are applicable);
After 48 hours – CAN$400;
After seven days – CAN$750.
You can bring one of the following amounts of alcoholic beverages free of duty and taxes as long as you are within the minimum ages, as prescribed by provincial or territorial authorities (18 years for the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 years for the remaining provinces and territories): 1.5 litres of wine;a total of 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages; orup to a maximum of 8.5 litres of beer or ale. If you’re 18 or over, you can bring all of these types of tobacco products free of duty and taxes within your personal exemption:
200 cigarettes;
50 cigars;
200 grams of manufactured tobacco; and 200 tobacco sticks.
Remember, there are no exemptions for same-day travel. Anything you buy is subject to applicable PST, GST and duty. Also, you must declare everything you buy, regardless if any of the exemptions apply.
There are more tips for travellers at www.cbsa.gc.ca/traveltips.
www.newscanada.com  ”
 *TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Vol. 2,  No. 25, November 13 2011

TITLE: “ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: I say fight it, with a donation, prevention & care giver support!*”

INTRODUCTION

I am again thinking about our Moms and Dads, the greatest generation according to Tom Brokaw. I am also thinking about those people, the elderly, who have Alzheimer’s disease.  And I am thinking about us Baby Boomers looking out for our parents. This is another with the  theme of family. I will do a mini series on this. Today’s edition is about love and this disease. My book of the week, a very fitting one I might add,  is “The Notebook” [Mass Market Paperback] by Nicholas Sparks (Author).

PREVIEW: Next week, in the continuing series on holidays and special dates, I will give you a post on Thanksgiving (U.S.)  …Gobble Gobble ,,, I’ll do the stuffing….but it’s BYOT: Bring your own turkey.

MY LIFE & TIMES*

My friend’s mother has Alzheimer’s disease. Her daughter quit her job to be the main caregiver. Her life is now very stressful and this has affected her health. The mother now doesn’t recognize her own daughter; the mother refers to her as “the nice lady who takes care of me”. It has come to the point that the mother does not remember how to swallow and this has led the daughter to put her in a residence. 

At a conference that I attended in early November 2011, a clinical psychologist lectured on the 65+ years. She noted that these are known as  “The Golden Years”. She rejected this label. She asked: “What’s so wonderful about these years?” According to her, a person is elderly and probably has health issues and less strength. Vitality diminishes –   no matter how healthy a person is, Many elderly also must deal with loneliness and in many cases less income. 

The other side of the coin – is well in mind but ill in body. My mother has a sharp mind, but her body is failing her. Physically, she has many serious maladies – she also has various aches and pains.  She is very well aware of what is happening to her -she is sad and depressed.  Is this better?  I don’t think so. In some ways, this is just as difficult.

THE AUTHOR:  Nicholas Sparks

On December 31, 1965, in the heartland – Omaha, Nebraska, Nicholas Sparks was born. His father was a professor and mother an optometrist employee and also a homemaker. His national origin was English-Irish plus a smattering of European. The family was Roman Catholic. He did well at university. He wrotes a few novels, never published. He bouinced aound jobs. He co-wrote another book – it was published and had moderate success. He wrote “The Notebook”. It found a big audience.  He is a very accomplished author.
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Sparks)

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books/Articles:

Some are:

• The Notebook (October 1996)
• Message in a Bottle (April 1998)
• A Walk to Remember (October 1999)
• The Rescue (September 2000)
• A Bend in the Road (September 2001)
• Nights in Rodanthe (September 2002)
• The Guardian (April 2003)
• The Wedding (September 2003)
• Three Weeks With My Brother (April 2004)
• True Believer (April 2005)
• At First Sight (October 2006)
• Dear John (October 2006)
• The Choice (September 2007)
• The Lucky One (October 2008)
• The Last Song (September 2009)
• Safe Haven (September 2010)
• The Best Of Me (October 11, 2011)

Film adaptations

Some are:

• Message in a Bottle (February 12, 1999)
• A Walk to Remember (January 25, 2002)
• The Notebook (June 25, 2004)
• Nights in Rodanthe (September 26, 2008)
• Dear John (February 5, 2010)
• The Last Song (March 31, 2010)
• The Lucky One (April 20, 2012)
• Safe Haven (film) Set to be released in 2012

THE MOVIE: The Notebook”
This was a solid romantic movie of 2004 with a twist, being Alzheimer’s. The artists include Nick Cassavetes, director and in the younger period, film stars, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams and the elder period, James Garner and Gena Rowlands. It struck a huge chord. I saw it with my daughters. I like it a lot.

THE BOOK:  “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks (Author)
The story is one summer, boy meets girl. He had big dreams. She saw something special in him.  But there was a catch – she was from money, he wasn’t. In the fall, she went back to reality. She was expected to marry a professional. Her mother encouraged her to follow her heart. She went back to honey boy. He received her with open arms. They married, had a family and a great life. Fade-out and Fade-in. The love story continues. But real life plays its cruel tricks. She is elderly now suffering from Alzheimers’s disease. He lovingly visits and cares for a wife truly loved. The readers cheer – this is what love is all about. This story sets the bar at love. We all, love-searchers, now  have something to shoot for. This story of the best of love is remarkable and exilerating. It shows that Alzheimer’s patients could live out their lives; and love does indeed, conquer all … even Alzheimer’s disease.     

CONCLUSION

Getting old can be the pits. Bad disease is really bad news. Alzheimer’s affects 35 million people worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of death among the elderly.

Personal Comments

 Scientists are working hard researching  Alzheimer’s disease. There is no cure for this terrible illness. I hope that it’ll be soon.

It is important to keep your brain active.  To keep learning and to read is very important. An idle brain is unhealthy.  

Alzheimer’s disease affects many people. Not recognizing a loved one must be devastating. The awareness of this illness in a family is a great tragedy. 

In many instances, the caregivers are the husband/wife or an adult child.               

Loving is good and it certainly makes the medicine go down easier.  

The Point

We must find a cure to Alzheimer’s disease.

Everyone can and must carry on their own personal fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

Caring for Alzheimer patients is JOB-#1 for each and every one of us.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

1. Give generously to continue the research of Alzheimer’s Disease – the scientists are hopefully close to a cure;
2. Rally lawmakers to do more for caregivers especially the primary care givers.  
3. Be there for a loved one if he or she has this illness; in this regard,
3.1 Keep in mind, always, that this is the same person who loved and cherished you before the illness even though, you may now be a stranger to them;
4. Keep an active mind; in this regard, 
4.1 Read every day … anything you enjoy is fine;
4.2  Keep learning; in this regard,
4.2.1 Take courses if you can;

Alzheimer’s disease hurts everyone – let’s beat it!*
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===================================================================================================
ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER?, TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Charlton Heston: Alzheimer’s & the NRA
“In August 2001, Charlton Heston announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and would soon be stepping down as president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). “If you see a little less spring to my step, if your name fails to leap to my lips,” he remarked, “you’ll know why. And if I tell you a funny story for the second time, please laugh anyway.” Shortly thereafter Details magazine’s Tony Hendra published a list of “questions no one asked but which should worry everyone who has all their marbles”: “Will Chuck still have 24-7 access to his arsenal?” he wondered. “And does the Second Amendment cover the right to bear arms when you’re directing traffic in your pajamas?”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=18585

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Ronald Reagan: Alzheimer’s Moment
“Some time after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Ronald Reagan was visited by biographer Edmund Morris in his office overlooking Century City: “I’m not on your list today, Mr. President. Just wanted to say hi — see how you are.” He [Reagan] rose with his usual air of gentle surprise, but I got the feeling that if I had come in through the window he would react no differently. As I made desperate small talk, he held on to the edge of his desk. “Sir, those lead soldiers make a great display! Like when you were sick with
pneumonia in 1915, and played with armies on the counterpane?” He smiled faintly, not remembering, and I noticed something unimaginable before: a patch of silvery stubble on his chin. It glowed incandescently as a sunbeam slanted across his face. “Uh — the fellow who made them, he—uh, came…” “Came and presented them to you?” “Yes. He — we — we had to make space, uh — move those trees.” Mystified, I followed his gaze, and saw only a red-bound set of “Public Papers of the Presidents: Ronald Reagan,” relegated to the shelf beneath the soldiers. Well, if a poet can compare stacked volumes to garners of grain, I guess a retired statesman can call his collected works trees if he wants. They do, after all, bear fruit, in a dry sort of way. And President Reagan did love to prune speech drafts and proclamations with his sharp pen, just as he pruned the live oaks and madronas at Rancho del Cielo. “See?” he would say, after having buzz-sawed this or that grove to a Seurat-like geometry. “See where the light comes through?”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=19154

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: 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.”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6503

S & R* QUOTE #1: Steve Jobs
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) –  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/

S & R* QUOTE #2: Steve Jobs
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/

S & R* QUOTE #3: Adrienne Rich
“We see daily that our lives are terrible and little, without continuity, buyable and salable at any moment, mere blips on a screen, that this is the way we live now. Memory marketed as nostalgia; terror reduced to mere suspense, to melodrama.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
—————————————————————–—————————————————-
ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Alzheimer’s disease (AD)”; “old age”; etc.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, simply Alzheimer’s (as astand-alone attributive adjective noun), and folk-etymological names such as “old-timers’ disease”, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which becomes worse as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him.[1] Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age,[2] although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer’s is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.[3]”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer’s_disease

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

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:

“Alzheimer’s is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.[3] Although Alzheimer’s disease develops differently for every individual, there are many common symptoms.[4] Early symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be ‘age-related’ concerns, or manifestations of stress.[5] In the early stages, the most common symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events.

As the disease advances, symptoms can include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, trouble with language, and long-term memory loss. As the sufferer declines they often withdraw from family and society.[5][7] Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death.[8]

The cause and progression of Alzheimer’s disease are not well understood. Research indicates that the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain.[11] Current treatments only help with the symptoms of the disease. There are no available treatments that stop or reverse the progression of the disease. As of 2008[update], more than 500 clinical trials have been conducted to find ways to treat the disease, but it is unknown if any of the tested treatments will work.[12] Mental stimulation, exercise, and a balanced diet have suggested as possible ways to delay symptoms in healthy older individuals, but they have not been been proven as effective.[13]”

SCHEDULE III

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Tips on caring for a relative affected by Alzheimer’s disease

“The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Canadian seniors is predicted to increase dramatically over the next 30 years, but the task of primary caregiver will likely still fall on close relatives. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada projects that the number of Alzheimer’s disease cases will nearly double in this time, putting long-term care beds in nursing facilities and hospitals in high demand. Experts note that, with the proper support, living at home and with relatives can help keep individuals affected by dementia in the best mental and physical health possible. It’s crucial that individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias remain in a familiar environment for as long as possible, said Anju Bunwait, a certified dementia practitioner and manager of clinical practice at Bayshore Home Health. The CDP designation is administered by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners an organization formed in 2001 to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimer’s education to professionals and other caregivers who provide services to dementia clients. Bunwait recommends that families follow the steps below to make educated decisions about caring for a loved one who is affected by Alzheimer’s disease.Learn about the disease. Educating yourself on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias can help you know what to expect in terms of the disease progression, methods of caregiving, as well as help you better understand and appreciate the your loved one.Communicate. Communication is key when it comes to understanding a person affected with Alzheimer’s disease and relieving their anxiety. For example asking questions using open and relaxed body language instead of correcting their mistakes will help them communicate with less distress and confusion.Work with a certified home care professional. All Bayshore Home Health clinical managers across the Lower Mainland and Victoria are certified dementia practitioners and can help with proper communication techniques, interventions for disruptive behaviours and tools for addressing concerns such as wandering, poor nutrition and sexuality. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. Family and friends can help in many ways, from spending time with the person affected by the Alzheimer’s to performing small tasks, like picking up groceries. Community support groups are also a good way to network, learn and get support from the people around you.”
www.newscanada.com
“News Canada” <article@newscanada.com>www.newscanada.com”

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Seniors shown how to prevent falls in the home
“The old line Help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up has become a TV cliché over the years, but for seniors, a fall can represent a serious and potentially fatal health risk. Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization among seniors and can be attributed to approximately 40 per cent of nursing home admissions, said Chris Clark, the Vancouver director of BayshoreHome Health, a company specializing in home care for seniors. Clark notes that his staff are working more and more with clients to safety proof their homes against potential fall hazards as they and their loved one move into old age. One in three seniors will experience a fall, but learning fall prevention strategies can vastly reduce the risk of fatality and the severity of an injury following an accident. Below Clark offers his top five tips to minimize the risk of falls. More information about fall prevention strategies is available online at www.bayshore.ca.Install safety bars. Clark highly recommends this precaution in the shower and bathtub area. A combined bathtub and shower is less likely to cause falls once slippery than a simple walk-in shower with no sitting area.Maintain an exercise regime. Bayshore Home Health’s caregivers recommend that seniors focus on exercises to strengthen their balance, in addition to hazard-proofing their home. Keep a clear line of sight at all times. Attention to detail and visibility can save a senior an unnecessary and trip to the hospital. Something as minor as a loose rug, a misplaced or hard-to-see object, or even poor lighting can trigger a fall. Avoid steep stairs wherever possible. If you’re in an apartment complex, the elevator is the safer choice, and some homes and buildings have motorized chair lifts installed that can take you up the stairs while you sit safely.Keep a phone nearby at all times. Being able to call for help should an accident occur while you are alone is an important safety measure. Having a phone near the bed, or carrying a cellular phone on you at all times can ensure that you get help quickly when it’s needed.”
www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #3: Sandwich generation healthier, wealthier but worried
“Canadian parents who also provide support to their own parents are in better physical, psychological and financial health than the average Canadian. But these members of the “sandwich generation” are also concerned about the impact that the eldercare is having on many aspects of their lives, according to the most recent health survey conducted by Desjardins Financial Security (DFS).”They seem ready to deal with the challenges of supporting both parents and children simultaneously,” says Nathalie Tremblay, health products manager at DFS. “But they know that this is going to affect their lives in many different ways.”In fact, this demographic totally or somewhat agree that this assistance impacts:

 Their mental health (67.3 percent)
 The well-being of their family (62.4 percent)
 Their physical health (60.1 percent)
 Their professional life (58.2 percent)

Close to 60 per cent of Canadians indicated that government-funded home care was one of the three most important resources to help them assist their parents’ daily activities. This reliance on the health care system was even higher among the sandwich generation with 68 per cent convinced that their parents could easily access publicly-funded home care in case of a critical illness.
“This is an alarming statistic,” says Bart Mindszenthy, co-author of the best seller Parenting Your Parents and expert in elderly family care giving. “It’s my feeling that the health care system simply can’t effectively cope with the number of people requiring care as our population ages.”

Opinions varied across the country

Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers were most confident in publicly-funded home care to meet their parents needs in the case of a critical illness; 71.4 and 71.2 agreed respectively, compared to 59.1 percent overall.Quebecers were least concerned about the impact of caring for their parents on their health and finances. In the case of finances, 45.4 percent totally or somewhat agreed that there would be an impact, compared to 60.9 percent overall. Ontarians were the most willing to make significant lifestyle changes (such as taking a leave of absence or turning down a promotion) to care for their parents. Saskatchewanians were least willing to make significant lifestyle changes (such as taking a leave of absence or turning down a promotion) to care for their parents. Manitobans would be least able to adapt to the loss of income if a leave of absence was necessary to take care of a parent. Albertans would be most able to adapt to the loss of income if a leave of absence was necessary to take care of a parent. British Columbians were most concerned about the impact on their physical health of caring for their parents.”
www.newscanada.com
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Vol. 2, No. 24, November 6, 2011

TITLE: “UPDATE 2011 – ON REMEMBRANCE DAY, VETERAN’S DAY & ARMISTICE DAY, I do remember!*”

INTRODUCTION

This is an update on a prior post commemorating November 11th – Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada, U.K., etc. (Commonwealth).

Each year at this time, on the occaison of Remembrance Day (in Canada, U.K., Australia, N.Z., etc.), Veterans’ Day (in the U.S.) & Armistice Day (in Europe, etc.), I remember!   My book of the week remains: “Patton, Montgomery, Rommel: Masters of War” by Terry Brighton. Hence my topic is war and remembrance.

PREVIEW: Next week, I will give you a new post about the elderly and Alzheimer’s disease. Don’t forget to come by.

MY LIFE & TIMES*

When I hear news on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, it brings to mind the war stories, I heard from my parents all my life.  I realize how fortunate I have been that I never experienced such horrors.  I repeatedly heard stories of my uncle serving in World War II.  My grandmother was overjoyed when my uncle returned home after the war, but not everybody was as lucky. 

In the Afghanistan war, there have been 158+ soldiers who died; in addition, there were further fatalities: 4+ Canadian civilians including one+ diplomat, one+ journalist and two+aid workers. There have been 2789 coalition deaths and the war is still on going.  At this point, I wish to make the point that too many brave soldiers have lost their lives.

THE AUTHOR: Terry Brighton
Brighton grew up in the U.K. during the sixties. He was anti-war. He studied theology and became an Anglican priest. He left the Church and became a curator in the 17th/21st Lancers Regimental Museum.  Brighton evolved into a historian. He was quoted as saying: ”I soon discovered that the truth about war was not reaching the history books.”

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books
His works include:
* “Hell Riders”;
* “Masters of Battle”;
* “Patton, Montgomery, Rommel: Masters of War” ; etc.

THE BOOK: “Patton, Montgomery, Rommel: Masters of War” by Terry Brighton
World War II was a VERY big war. It was a worldwide event involving many countries, impacting upon the global population, causing millions of fatalities. In this book, the war was recounted through the individual careers of three remarkable combatant generals: George S. Patton of the United States, Bernard (Monty) Montgomery of the U.K. and Erwin Rommel of Germany. This is quite the war story!

CONCLUSION
Generals are leaders. Their knowledge, skill and achievements are noteworthy. However, the officer corps and under them, the rank and file, are equally heroes. They are all the best of us.

Personal Comments

I consider myself lucky to be able to live in a great country where we have freedom.  Like other baby boomers, born following W.W. II, I owe an immense gratitude to our soldiers, who fought in past wars, (e.g., W.W.  I, W.W. II, Korea, etc.), for our country or our allies. These finest of the finest fought bravely out of a sense of duty, in service of country and countrymen and for freedom.  In  harm’s way, much too many were either seriously injured or killed.

I remember these heros from wars past, I thank them, acknowledging their character, courage, ideals and great sacrifice,  I honor them.

And for those fighting today, I also remember them, I thank them,  acknowledging their character,  courage, ideals and great sacrifice,  I honor all of them.

Last, watching a TV piece about soldiers who fought in Iraq, broadcast tonight on “60 Minutes”,  I was struck how so young these veterans are. It made me think of the immense impact, their service would have upon them and their families. 

The Point

The primary point is that we should never forget the bravery and the sacrifices of the soldiers who served in the armed services of our country and that of our allies, especially those who died in our service.  At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, no matter how busy we are, we must stop, give respect and reflect. 

I next want to make the point that this time of remembrance, while called a day….is now of a duration generally of a week or more. As a result, we now have more opportunity to show how much we care.   There are many activities, such as indoor ceremonies; flag raising ceremony. The libraries also have activities you may want to attend.  This year in the lead-up to November 11th, I encourage you to partcipate in at least one local activity to commemorate the veterans.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
November 11th is the day to take pause and do it.  It is really quite simple and easy. Everyone should:
1. Buy a poppy and wear it;
2. Check the department of Veterans Affairs or historical groups for ceremonies.
3. Stop everything you are doing on 11/11 at 11:00 a.m;
4. Stand up and be silent for 2 minutes;
5. Say a prayer for the fallen, our veterans from past wars and also our current servicemen and women;
6. Never forget what they did in the past and what they are doing at present;
7. Make a donation in care of your local legion or veterans group, to benefit these combatants and/or their families;
8. Thank a veteran you know personally;

This is really important – it’s the right thing to take the time to honor our veterans. Please do not miss out. I am sure that you will not let your country men and women down!

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===================================================================================================
ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER?, TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: God Bless America
“In early April 1968, at the age of 25, future U.S. Senator Max Cleland did a tour of duty in Vietnam. Shortly after jumping off a helicopter near Khe Sanh one day, a grenade exploded at his feet, blowing off his right forearm and both legs… “In an Irish pub in Washington a few years back, Cleland and his friends reminisced about the eight months he spent in a dim recuperation ward for the severely injured at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the nation’s capital. It was called the ‘snake pit.’ “As the lonely young combat veterans slowly healed, one of them who was ambulatory was sent out on a quiet evening to recruit a stripper from Washington’s risque district and sneak her back into the quiet and mostly unfuckingvised ward. “She arrived willing but flummoxed to find there was no music available. No radio. No record player. Can’t doff my clothes without music, she explained. The men suggested they sing. She said OK. But she was even younger, and her songs were not the ones they remembered from a few years back. Finally, they came up with one everybody knew, including the stripper. She took off her duds to ‘God Bless America.'”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=550

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Military Hero?
“Despite his recognition as a military hero, the legendary U.S. Marine Brigadier General Smedley Darlington Butler was ambivalent about his career accomplishments. “I helped to make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903,” he once told the Public Broadcasting Service. “I helped to make Mexico – and especially Tampico – safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I brought life to the Dominican Republic for American sugar in 1916. In China, in 1937, I helped see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested. I was rewarded with honors, medals, and promotions. Looking back on it, I feel I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three city districts. We Marines operated on three continents…”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=7805

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: John Kerry: Swift Boat Veteran
“While patrolling the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam war, John Kerry and his crewmates were ambushed by a Vietcong guerrilla firing rockets from the riverbank. Kerry made an instantaneous decision to turn his boat into enemy fire and beach it. He then leapt ashore, chased the man down, and killed him. “I didn’t want to let him get away,” he later recalled. “I didn’t want him to run away and turn around with an active B-40 [rocket-propelled grenade launcher] and take us out. There but for the grace of God… The guy could have pulled the trigger and I wouldn’t be here today.” Navy men were not supposed to leave their ships during combat, and his commanding officer later quipped that he was torn between recommending Kerry for the Silver Star and having him court-martialed for insubordination. Kerry got the Silver Star.”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=19558

S & R* QUOTE #1: Steve Jobs
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) –  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/

S & R* QUOTE #2: Annie Dillar
“Our life is a faint tracing on the surface of mystery, like the idle, curved tunnels of leaf miners on the surface of a leaf. We must somehow take a wider view, look at the whole landscape, really see it, and describe what’s going on here. Then we can at least wail the right question into the swaddling band of darkness, or, if it comes to that, choir the proper praise.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/

S & R* QUOTE #3: Henri-Frederic Amiel
“Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers.”
(Source:  Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/
*TM/© 2011 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
—————————————————————–——————————————————————————————————————
ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I

“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: ‘veteran”; “war”; “remembrance”; “soldier” and “general”.

Veteran
“A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning “old”)[1] is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; ” A veteran of …” .[2] This page refers to military veterans, i.e., a person who has served or is serving in the armed forces, and has direct exposure to acts of military conflict, commonly known as war veterans (although not all military conflicts, or areas in which armed combat takes place, are necessarily referred to as “wars”).”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veteran

War
“It is a phenomenon of organized violent conflict,[1][2] typified by extreme aggression, societal disruption and adaptation, and high mortality.[1] The objective of warfare differs in accord with a group’s role in a conflict: The goals of offensive warfare are typically the submission, assimilation or destruction of another group, while the goals of defensive warfare are simply the repulsion of the offensive force and, often, survival itself. Relative to each other, combatants in warfare are called enemies. The terms military, militant, and militarism each refer to fundamental aspects of war, i.e. the organized group, the combative individual, and the supportive ethos (respectively).”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War

Remembrance
“It is the act of remembering, the ability to remember or a memorial.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance

Soldier
“A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary.[1] In most languages, “soldier” includes commissioned and non-commissioned officers in national land forces.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier

General
“A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force.[1] The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_officer

SCHEDULE II

STUDY/STATISTICS:
“The number of Canadian Forces’ fatalities resulting from Canadian military activities in Afghanistan is the largest for any single Canadian military mission since the Korean War between 1950 and 1953. A total of 158 Canadian Forces personnel have been killed in the war since 2002.[1]”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Forces_casualties_in_Afghanistan)

WW I casualties
“The total number of casualties in World War I, both military and civilian, were about 37 million: 16 million deaths and 21 million wounded. The total number of deaths includes 9.7 million military personnel and about 6.8 million civilians. The Entente Powers (also known as the Allies) lost about 5.7 million soldiers while the Central Powers lost about 4 million.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_casualties

WW II casualties
“World War II casualty statistics vary greatly. Estimates of total dead range from 50 million to over 70 million.[1] The sources cited on this page document an estimated death toll in World War II of 62 to 78 million, making it the deadliest war ever. When scholarly sources differ on the number of deaths in a country, a range of war losses is given, in order to inform readers that the death toll is disputed. Civilians killed totaled from 40 to 52 million, including 13 to 20 million from war-related disease and famine. Total military dead: from 22 to 25 million, including deaths in captivity of about 5 million prisoners of war.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties

SCHEDULE III

“Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day honors living military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.”
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb10-ff21.html)

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Amnesty International turns 50
“Fifty years ago, Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, was outraged when he heard that two students had been thrown in jail for raising a toast to freedom. Benenson decided that he would publish a story. The Forgotten Prisoners about people whose human rights had been abused. In his story, he urged others to write letters on the prisoners’ behalf to use our freedom to free others. By using the power of the pen, you could help others. The idea caught on. From a small group of people, Amnesty International is now more than 3 million members striving to protect human rights.On December 10, it will be International Human Rights Day and Amnesty International will turn 50. We will be lighting up the world in Canada and around the world. We will also be taking part in the world’s largest letter-writing event.  Write for Rights and writing thousands of letters to help protect human rights. This year, Amnesty International is planning the biggest, most exciting, and most impactful Write for Rights event ever to mark the year’s most important date for human rights.Help others by writing lettersHow is this done? Simply by writing letters. Amnesty International chooses specific human rights cases you write letters to support them. Many Write for Rights participants gather with friends, family, and community to hold events in their homes, at school, at cafes, in their place of worship, at work on their lunch hour. At our web site www.writeathon.ca, you will find everything you need cases, event support, how to find an event near you. Canadians who participate in Write for Rights love the sense of solidarity of being part of a global movement of people who show they care by writing letters, signing petitions and sending text messages about human rights on December 10. Your letters can help give a person back their freedom. They can make demands for justice for survivors of torture. They can give hope to individuals at risk.Join usCelebrate 50 years of defending human rights and take a few minutes to help someone half a world away. When asked why they participated in Write for Rights, one person said: To defend those that can’t defend themselves. You can too. For more information go online to www.writeathon.ca or call toll-free 1-800-Amnesty (1-800-266-3789).www.newscanada.com ”
“News Canada” <article@newscanada.com>www.newscanada.com”

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Lessons kids can learn from Canadian troops By Melissa Yue
“A Remembrance Day school assembly is intended for teachers and students to pause and reflect on the many lives that were sacrificed in battles that continue to be fought today. But although adults are able to stand still in silence and focus on the fallen, children sometimes have difficulty grasping the significance of the moment. In addition to being a good example and honouring our troops by wearing a poppy, parents can do their part to teach children three lessons we can learn from soldiers: Take a stance. Whether serving overseas as peacekeepers or battling enemies on the front lines, our troops are taking a stand on behalf of Canada and following through on their goals. And though their stance may cause controversy, it is a good reminder to children that they may also have to make difficult decisions in their futures, but should always stand up for their beliefs despite how unpopular that may be.Be willing to sacrifice. Soldiers give up the comforts of a safe home, loved ones, and material possessions in order to serve their country for several months or years. It is no easy task to leave material comforts behind, but what troops miss the most are their relationships with loved ones. Children can learn to detach themselves from things and instead focus on sharing what they have with others. One way to do this is by giving to a charity like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, which helps children living in poverty overseas. Through the charity’s gift catalogue, your child can pick a meaningful gift like a clean water well or school supplies to help someone in need. Serve others. Our troops live a life of service as they protect each other, their country, and citizens in other countries. Considering other people’s needs above your own may not come naturally to both children and adults, but practicing that mindset will result in a better world. Make the most of November 11 by providing life lessons to your child as demonstrated by our troops and all the veterans who have gone before them. Thanks to their example, your child will be reminded of what it means to take a stand, be sacrificial, and live life in service to others.”
www.newscanada.com
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