Vo-Thanhnut, an artist’s perception

I was watering my yard a few days ago and a very polite gentleman asked if I would like to look at copies of his artwork, and perhaps buy one. He was careful not to come on my property, but showed great respect of my “space”.

I did look and found two pieces I purchased. One was an angel with dragonfly wings. My girlfriend loves dragonflies so I got it for her. The other was just, to me, an interesting perception of current affairs.
Now remember - I am a political atheist - I think most lie and cheat, and we are lucky if an honest one is in the group at all. I hate war and believe it resolves nothing, and that it is manipulated by those money men who rule our lives.

This is Vo-thanhnut’s perception, not mine. He is half Vietnamese and half ? (I asked the about the history of his name.) Hope you find it interesting. I admire people who are talented in the area of drawing or painting. I have ZIP talent in those areas, so I enjoy other’s works.

Quiet your mind and enjoy nature

If you can’t find this kind of space near you, I hope you enjoy the photo and let it take you away for a moment. Take a breath or two and help your body, spirit, and mind begin to kick back and enjoy whatever you do! Remember, being alive can be a gift every day, if you just let it be so

Peace be upon you and yours.

See - Buck is really quite a nice dog!

He’s such a good dog he gets to go to the lake today for a swim! Have a wonderful day!

Do you love your dog? I love mine too!

This is my dog Buck. If his eyes look a bit freaky it’s because I tried to fix them in photo shop and did a terrible job. They were all weirded out before I worked on them. Not much better now!

I want to share something with you I found very informative and perhaps, life-saving. I KNOW IT WILL SOUND TOO STRANGE, but one of my best girlfriends has worked at a vet clinic for over 10 years, and this is what she told me:

“Guess what the number cause of a dog’s death is? Drowning. So many people think that just because dogs swim good that they can just keep on going. It’s just not true.”

“Loving pet owners go out on the lakes and think their dog is good to go without a life vest. I see more drowning deaths that those hit by cars and other accidents all together. Particularly on a lake where boats go fast. By the time you get back to where the dog fell off or was swimming - he may not be there! “

I can see how this could happen. I was kayaking a few days ago and I was close in to the shore line.
There was a group of people laughing and a bunch of boys sitting out of a long huge pipe. There was also
a little dog swimming around in circles.

The woman was calling the dog, but it looked confused to me. It just kept going around. Finally I yelled and said I think the dog is in trouble. Everybody was freaked by then, so I told one of the boys to grab the dog and then kayaked over and put him in my boat.

Poor little thing was scared to death. It was exhausted (12 years old), and just got tired and scared. I know that dog could have drown!

So please, they aren’t expensive, invest in the life of your dog by investing a little bit of cash - much less in the way of cost than a burial or cremation!

Alli

If you read that article posted on the miracle diet drug, you might want to check out my thoughts on it (or not:). I’ve been a personal trainer and health consultant for 20+ years. Check out the article I posted on June 13th entitled “Be careful about this over the counter drug” (or something like that:). I concur with the thoughts not to mess around with it!

http://stress-management-magic.blogspot.com/

The very best way to get your body in shape is the old fashioned way - eat a bit less, move, and drink lots of water (water weight is not fat weight) - actually helps to digest and keep your body working optimally. You don’t have to kill yourself by exercising hours either! Cut out a couple hundred calories a day, CONSISTENTLY walk or workout MINIMUM three days a week - as little as 30 minutes a day. EXERCISE your patience and remember: if you are doing the right things for your body it is a GUARANTEED win-win situation. This is the physiology of the body!

Have a fantastic day!

Male Climacteric

Hey guys (around age 35 +) notice ANY of these symptoms?

* Decreased mental quickness and sharpness
* Decreased energy, strength and endurance
* Less desire for activity and exercise
* Decreased muscle and increased body fat
* Mild to moderate depression and irritability
* Depression and/or loss of eagerness and enthusiasm for daily life
* Decreased sex drive
* Decreased sexual function and/or sensitivity

Before I continue I want to clarify something. This information is not to belittle or injury anyone! It is not shameful to experience NORMAL physiological changes- if we are lucky enough to age!

We’ve all heard of the menopause happening in women, but not too many of us have heard about a man’s challenge in facing this time.

All women hear is that men are scoundrels, screwed up, or just a mess all together. The reasons behind this (in most cases) are real, and they can be helped. That is why I want to share this with you.

The most happy men and women I know have “understanding” of each
other’s physical challenges. I say challenges because there is such a nasty misnomer about so many of the natural changes men and women see in a lifetime. Knowledge is power, and I hope to empower you with the means to greater understanding, patience and peace

For women, it is the menopause, and for men it is “climacteric” (or andropause) , the corresponding time in the life of men 35 and older. The word climacteric comes from the Greek word klimakter, which means literally a rung of a ladder, or figuratively a critical point.

Climacteric is the l physiological process that marks the end of maturation and the beginning of new stages in life. It’s defining point normally takes place without any external influences. The changes in personality and a man’s actions often reflect a decline in male hormones. There is life after the climacteric period!

There are some who feel that hormone replacement therapy helps. The body declines in testosterone, thyroid, human growth hormone, and DHEA. I also TRULY BELIEVE that when people (male or female) are aware
of what is happening to their bodies, it is much easier to find a plan
to help the scenario.

When I entered the menopause , younger than most at 34, my mama had told me all about it. She swore that much of it was “placed” in our heads by well meaning authorities that assume everyone will experience the same symptoms and problems. This is simply NOT TRUE!

We are all different, have different background, genes, health histories,
and face these things individually. I truly believe in the power of mind over matter, and know that the way we tackle a challenge depends on our mental state.

I knew a fellow once who was hurt in an accident. He kept thinking, “I’m really hurt. I won’t heal.” The doctor’s couldn’t find anything and attributed it to possible nerve damage. I think he “thought himself” permanently disabled, and is this way after 20 years.

I was in a serious accident and was told I wouldn’t heal and do the same work. Well, I believe in prayer, but I also refused to believe that I would be permanently kept from being me. It took time, but gratefully, everything healed and I kept on doing what I do!

Back to you guys. Don’t think, “I am getting old” , “there is nothing I can do, etc.” BS. Start thinking in positive terms and realizing that there are hormone treatments, natural therapies, and mind over matter works, if you work at it!

Besides, most older guys I know haven’t aged badly at all. In fact, it seems for men, that most men age beautifully and are still sexy and handsome - gray hair and all.

JUST BE AWARE THAT CHANGES YOU MAY BE FEELING MAY NOT BE BOREDOM IN A RELATIONSHIP, BEING WEARY OF A JOB, WANTING TO MOVE OR CHANGE SOMETHING……..You may simply be going through something that is very natural and happens to most men at this point in their life. Chin up! Knowledge is power!

As for the women folk, I think we need to keep these things in mind and be supportive of the guys….just like I hope they will be for us!

Happy Father’s Day for all you guys out there that take it seriously!

There are a lot of you guys out there who REALLY deserve special accolades for the work you are doing as Dads! Being a parent is the toughest job in the world, and being a good dad requires so much dedication and unconditional love!

I was blessed with a great father who loved me no matter what I did! He had a wonderful sense of humor and would fight to the death for me in necessary.

This was daddy. He worked on wooden oil wells, born in Taft - an oil town. He wild catted wells when I was a kid and his last job was as an oilfield consultant. NO. He didn’t own any of the oil he found, but he
made me proud because of all his hard work. I used to go out on the rigs with him, and to this day I love the smell of diesel and oil and don’t mind getting dirty at all!

I remember one time when I had gone through a nasty divorce and my ex-husband was stalking me. Dad
and I went to the grocery store. When we got out to the car dad pulled one of those grocery dividers - you know, the hard plastic ones - out of his sleeve. I said what in the world is that doing up your sleeve dad. His response: “Well, I may be 65, but if that SOB tries to put a hand on you, baby, this is my “equalizer”. What a guy. He’d have done it too!

My dad was the first example of what makes up a good man. I so admired him, and I actually believe that
the love of my life has many of my daddy’s qualities. To a son, a good father means the opportunity for a good life! He shows his sons how to be a real man, how to treat a woman, and how to guide his children
to direct their talents and explore their intellects.

So for all you guys who muster extra patience, all the money in the world, understanding, dedication, an open mind, actually a huge portion of your lives - GOD BLESS YOU ONE AND ALL!

Take someone you love out to play today!

“As ye give, so shall ye receive”

Thoughts of peace and joy

The morning mist softens the horizon. Mountain peaks hide beneath thick layers of transparent fog. Though the reoccurring and endless waves hit over and over on sandy beaches, only the sound of the pounding waves can be heard.

It is a mystery beyond the sandy reef. If it were not for the sound it would not be known that the waves break secretly only footsteps away.

Clusters of tiny morning birds sing praise to the day, swooping and darting in graceful patterns, then landing one by one. A game of follow the leader, it seems to be.
As the dampness lifts little yellow flowers poke through the now obvious hillside. The quiet enfolds me in a rush of peace and calm.

As the sun breaks into song the horizon is visible with the water’s movement. Shining like brilliant diamonds the waves break louder now against the shoreline.

How can we not be joyous when the beauty of this earth still can be seen. My friends, be mindful of this beauty and grateful to be able to enjoy it.

For those who are not able, for whatever reason, to seek this beauty, close your eyes and visualize it. Our minds can take us anywhere we choose.
Take a breath. I hope the photos transport you to a place of beauty and peace.

There is more than meets the eyes…..

The girl in the rock

The picture below is of a rock I found several years ago. At first I thought the girl was etched in it. Nope. Then I washed it with every cleaner known to man. Nope. Not any kind of paint, pen, ink, or even burned in….. I have no idea how she got there, and neither does anyone else I’ve ever shown it too. I was hiking (can’t remember where now) and her little face just popped into my vision.

Any ideas to roll by me on her beginning?