Update...

Jackie and I were given about two cords of dry firewood by our next door neighbor (a lovely lady named Phyllis), so I spent the last couple of mornings taking the wheelbarrow over and "fetching" it. It was quite the workout!

We still need more wood -- free, if at all possible. We're going to borrow John Adams truck in a few weeks and go cut up three fallen trees that are also on Phyllis's property, but I don't think that will be enough to get us through the winter. The stuff I just hauled over had been laying in a wood stack for ten or twenty years so it's either very, very dry (feels almost as light as balsa wood!) and will burn pretty much like paper (quickly) or it's been lying at the bottom of the stack atop and in wet ground and needs to dry out before it'll burn -- at which time it, too, will probably burn pretty fast. I just don't know how long it will take to dry out now that it's above ground in a major way and sitting in an open shed with a waterproof roof.

Last weekend I taught PR writing at church to the Writer's Edge gang; today we were back again to hear Christian singer/songwriter Kim Walling (formerly from Tacoma but now living outside Nashville, where her career carried her almost seven years ago). She told us about her writers' journey and gave us some pointers on writing songs. Great stuff!

Kim has three terrific CD's of songs she has written or co-written. Her newest is "Where Do We Go From Here?" Her earlier CDs are "A Dream and a Prayer" and "Beyond What I Can See." You can get the CDs at www.kimwalling.com or at Amazon (but why pay a middleman?).

Kim's music spans different genres -- contemporary, chorale, southern gospel, contemporary Christian, and Country. She's very talented and a very kind soul. She just got married in April and is expecting her first child in late March or early April next year. She'll find out on Thursday whether it's a boy or a girl...

I gave my clunker Saturn to a friend to find a home for, which he did (with a dealer he knows; I think they'll be parting it out since the transmission is hosed). He also got me $100 for the almost-brand-new tires that are on it. He made out pretty well and I did okay, too...

What else? I've been watching Dr Oz and trying out some of his ideas for getting healthier. Of course, I've been walking all along -- 32 to 62 blocks daily. Yesterday I took Jackie's wee dog (and I mean WEE -- she can't weigh two pounds) on the walk using a GUINEA PIG -sized halter and lead. She had an absolute blast, so I'll probably do it again sometime. That was a first. I didn't know if she was even trained to walk -- and she wasn't -- but she caught on immediately.

I gave all my leftover garage sale stuff to Jackie for her Altrusa Int'l charity sale, which they're having today. What doesn't go will be given to a women's shelter so they can offer it at their upcoming garage sale and make some money. No, I didn't give up any of my STAR TREK stuff. I still have it. I think Daryl Frazetti and a few of his friends are going to get what I have left (of what I'm willing to give up, that is). We had to clean out the garage because we need to start parking the vehicles in there again. It's getting fall-ish/wintery around here...

I tweaked my right elbow somehow-- don't know if it happened yesterday while I was transporting firewood or last night when I slept on it, but it feels arthritic today, a bit swollen. Weird.

I got a flu shot yesterday (in the other arm). It isn't even remotely sore today.

What else? Guess that's about all for now. Guess I'll jump back into the Mark Twain book I bought (by Ron Powers) and see if I can finish it off by this evening. I'm a little more than halfway through.

Ciao for now!

Cast of Departed Loved Ones...

I don't know what I ate last night, but whatever it was... THE DREAMS I HAD WENT ON AND ON AND ON LAST NIGHT!

The cast of characters in the dreams consisted of deceased loves ones -- De, Mom, Dad, Deaken.

De was back and wanted to go to a function but didn't think he could get through it without being overcome by emotion, so instead he decided to go to dinner with me and send a message to the other function. The other function had something to do with Leonard Nimoy, but I don't recall what any more. (I was half-scared I would wake up this morning and learn that LN had passed away overnight!)

De looked and acted great -- very healthy, he grinned a lot, and I got to see him throw his head back and laugh again in the unique way he did when very tickled about something.

After that, I found myself frantically gathering food and water for Deaken (the serval cat I was Mom-cat to for over seventeen years) and crying in desperation because I couldn't gather it fast enough. I was embarrassed to tell anyone -- including Mom and Dad -- why I was so upset, but the reason was because I hadn't fed or watered him, or cleaned his enclosure, in YEARS and I knew the chances were very good that when I finally got back to him he would either be dead or very, very thirsty and hungry! (DUH!) (Dreams are nutty things, aren't they? If I had ever forgotten to feed, water and keep Deaken clean during his lifetime, my house and yard would have reeked and he would have been all over me, probably chewing on my ankle or one of his domestic kitty brothers and sisters! HA HA HA)

Mom was so concerned by my frantic upset that she implored me to tell her what was the matter, and I finally blurted out to her that I had neglected Deaken. She assured me that she had been taking care of him all the while and that he was fine! I looked at her and asked, "Does he have fresh straw?" She said, "Piles and piles of it." I ran out to the enclosure and Deaken chirped at me and came running to me as though he hadn't seen me in years. I opened the gate, went in, and ran my fingers through his fur, laughing and crying all at the same time.

Then I began to realize that I must be dreaming and I almost cried over that, still asleep... got all choked up as I realized the symbolism of all of the dreams: Mom is, indeed, taking care of Deaken until I get across Rainbow Bridge, too, and De was stopping by to have dinner even though there are a lot of other people he "should" be having dinner with! (If they're as lucky as I am, they are having dinner with him again in their dreams!)

I got very misty and overcome... still sleeping!!! ... and felt so lucky to be interacting with my "four D's" again: De, Dad, Deaken and Mom (Dorothea).

When I told Jackie about the dreams this morning, she said she has similar dreams at times and then reminded me that it was about this time in 1996 that I had Deaken put to sleep... and a month from now, eleven years ago, is when Mom passed away from brain cancer. Although these dates hadn't occurred to me (Sept 11th means Ground Zero in NY, the Pentagon and a field in PA to me more than it means the day Deaken was put to sleep 9/11/96 these days), I'm guessing that's exactly why I dreamed this way during this time of year. The weather is changing and it's probably keying my brain to remember earlier times when I was interacting with my four D's before they passed away.

I've been feeling lucky all day, to have spent the evening with four of my long-lost loved ones. It feels like I was with them last night in real life. Priceless!

Romanian Article About 9/11 and America - Thanks, Melody and Sue for Sending This to Me!

We rarely get a chance to see another country's editorial about the USA.

Read this excerpt from a Romanian newspaper. The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title 'C'ntarea Americii (meaning 'Ode To America ') in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentulzilei 'The Daily Event' or 'News of the Day'.

~An Ode to America ~

Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs.

On 9/ll, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart. Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the Army, or the Secret Service that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts. Nobody rushed out onto the streets to gape.

Instead the Americans volunteered to donate blood and give a helping hand. After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing. On every occasion, they started singing: 'God Bless America !'

I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the California hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or thousands of people.

How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put into collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy.

What on earth can unite the Americans in such way? Their land? Their history? Their economic Power? Money?

I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace. I thought things over, I reached but only one conclusion...

Only freedom can work such miracles.

Cornel Nistorescu

(This deserves to be passed around forever.)

It took a person on the outside - looking in - to see what we take for granted !

GOD BLESS AMERICA

What Saddens Me Most About the Current Political Climate...

I've just uncovered what distresses me most about the current political climate. Here in the United States of America tens of millions of citizens have distrusted our government (for good reason in many circumstances) for so many decades that they no longer feel affectionate toward it or safe from it. How sad is that?

The GOP and, to a much lesser extent, the Dems have created such a vicious circus maximus atmosphere that we now seem to be in ideological camps with vitriol our most potent offensive/defensive weapon. No one is listening to anyone anymore. It's just verbal fisticuffs at the top of our considerable lungs. Too few folks are acting civilized anymore. More than half of the talking heads on TV sound like hysterical women -- and most of them are still men!

But here's what saddens me most and makes me feel extra blessed: What saddens me most is that more people are afraid of their government than ever before. Now, I've been afraid of the GOP for many, many years but at no time did I consider them the Great Satan. I just disagreed with their perspective and most of their policies. It wasn't anything personal. It was just a philosophical difference.

The reason I feel extra blessed is that there is finally, once again, an Administration in place that I know, down deep to the core of my being, is trying to do something to help and bless all of its citizens... not just its well-to-do citizens, but its struggling, two and three job-holding folks, and its disabled folks, and its old folks, and its youngest citizens. I think the DEM party still has not during my lifetime, until this past election, been given the chance, the amount of time, or the clout it needed to truly bless all of us in ways that would make us realize they really are acting to HELP us, not to harm us or to take advantage of us to line "big government's pockets."

Yeah, I know: they had to recently bail us out of catastrophic situations on numerous fronts, and the job of returning us to sound footing is still a way off. I get that. I never expected the Obama administration to fly in like Superman and make all of Wall Street's and the banking industries' excesses go away in nine months. I have never lived in Fantasyland.

But I do know they're doing what they can -- what we'll allow them to do -- to help us get past this dark period of time and come out victorious. I know that health care reform MUST be a part of the equation or we'll come out of the downward spiral just in time to have our health care system descend into the pit (at enormous expense to all of us) and be unable to help ANYBODY.

Whether you are or were a Kennedy "fan," one thing was for certain about that family: they made strides for people at every turn. They helped create a more level playing field for folks, until the reform got hijacked and run off the road by subsequent administrations.

I'm not saying the subsequent administrations weren't legitimately elected or following their own compasses, but we haven't even given the Kennedy compass a serious chance to succeed, and yet it has in so many ways. I think if we'd elect to follow this leader -- Obama -- for a time, we will discover that he's taking us not into socialism or worse, but into the stated creed and goals of our great republic. The Democrat Party is the party of the common man and woman, and its focus in on treating all America's citizens with respect, honor and compassion.

I hate it when the DEMS spout vitriol and try to demonize others every bit as much as I hate it when the GOP does it. But a fringe percentage -- the most-often-reported -- of the GOP has elevated (I should say sunk, not elevated) the tactic to ridiculous heights, equating Obama with Satan and Nazi leaders. It makes me want to vomit; it affects me physically.

Probably the most level-headed, least creepy guy ever to hold the office of President holds it right now. When I see people demonizing him, questioning his faith, citizenry, and his love for America, I feel very, very sorry for them. They are utterly delusional.

So that's why I feel blessed. The opposition seems scared spitless by their government as it now stands. I feel renewed and hopeful for the first time in forty years.

I don't think anything that Ted Kennedy wanted done (health care among the many things he worked so hard to accomplish during his 47 years as a Senator) or helped become law was in any way designed to harm or hurt anyone. I think it was all designed to bless American citizens. I feel the same way about Obama's ideas, or I wouldn't have voted at all in '08 for the first time in decades.

I do wish I could say that about previous administrations, but alas... I can understand why so many people distrust the government, especially if they're under 50 years of age! But this is one time when I feel fully justified in believing that our national government truly has our best interests at heart.

Obama has a lot to "prove" to a lot of people, as our first African American President. If you doubt for one second that he doesn't want to do everything he can to become a stellar President, you need to re-think the matter. He's in it to make a difference that will be trumpeted by the angels in heaven and the citizenry here on earth.

His bacon is on the line. Anyone who wants to see him lose does not have America's best interests at heart. The President has our best interests at heart. I have never been more convinced of a politican's good heart since RFK.

I know, I know. To many of you, the Kennedy name is anathema. Read a few of the pro-Kennedy books. I've read them -- and I've also read the anti-Kennedy books. Get outside your comfort zone for once in your life and read about what they tried to do, and about what they accomplished during very short life spans. They were into public service, not into public sabotage. So is Obama.

I hope everyone who fears our government and the current health care reform bill will do this, dial back the paranoia and vitriol, and realize that patriotic, loyal Americans come from all political parties.

I really would love to see us talking to each other again, understanding each other, and -- when we disagree -- agreeing to disagree agreeably.

I am so sick of the hatred and vitriol I see every time I turn on the cable news channels or read the commentary on the Internet. It makes me intolerant! I want to knock heads together! And that's not like me at all!

What we're doing to each other now is no way to honor our nation, the people who fought and died to establish it, or the people who have worked so hard to keep it going, of all parties.

We're all in this together. We don't all have to agree, but if we want America to survive, we do need to listen to and honor each other. Let's stop trying to annoy each other and start electing to reason together...

This One Will Slay You...

I don't know if this is a true story, but it certainly is a tear-jerker, and symbolic of what's going on for so many...

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They told me the big black Lab's lying in his pen was named Reggie. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to.

And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys, almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner.

Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. But it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me, well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice..."

To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls, the more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has>two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours, they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be
around people and me most especially.

This means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine.

But if someone else is readingit, well... well ,it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems.

His real name is Tank. Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq , that they make one phone call: the shelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you,
Paul Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.>.

"Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again. "Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.

And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Ted Kenendy's Memoir a Treasure...

True Compass, Ted Kennedy's final book (autobiography and memoir) is... in a word...

amazing

heart-rending

fabulous

unforgettable

magnificent

(Sorry... I couldn't limit it to just one word!)

If you read just one book this year, make sure it's TRUE COMPASS.

I saw his sons on Larry King Live tonight. They were terrific.

This coming Sunday I'll be across the street from the Puyallup Fair for 2-3 hours to hand out material about the Congressional health care reform bill. It's time! It was Ted Kennedy's lifelong goal to reform health care and make sure even "the least of these" (from the gospel of Matthew) has affordable full coverage (no pre-existing conditions clauses that eliminate people who need coverage) so that no American ever has to go bankrupt because they fall ill. He was a true Christian (not a perfect Christian -- there never has been a perfect Christian.) ( There has been only one perfect human being: Jesus! And He was -- still is, I reckon -- Jewish!)

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Sad to learn of Patrick Swayze's passing today. His family is in my prayers, as is the Kennedy family.

What a Hoot! Happy, Happy Bride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clw7SAJs_6w

From Someone Who Was There on Sept 11th, 2001

http://mjs911store.blogspot.com/2009/09/on-sept-11-2001.html

Please become a follower of this intrepid gentleman and spread the word about his blog and online emergency services stores to anyone you know who is involved as a first responder in any way (parent, Red Cross volunteer, FEMA or Homeland Security worker, police officer, EMT, nurse, etc.)

Let's get the word out about this gent and his passion to help first responders so they can help US when we need them.

Thanks so much!!

Meet Obama's Heckler in Congress...

Joe Wilson is the liar...

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2009/09/09/joe-wilson-obama-heckler-health-care.aspx?GT1=43002

.. and he has a lot of GOP friends who are in the same category, unhappily...

Its' hard for me to take seriously (or as truth) anything the GOP says anymore. Every time I've looked up their "facts" at snopes.com or factcheck.org, the response has been, "False."

Prosecutor Obama Scores!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32773941/ns/politics-health_care_reform


In case you missed the address, you can see and hear it here:

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8531733

Listen In Tonight at 7pm Pacific Time as Noriega Radio Celebrates 43 years of STAR TREK

Here's the link:


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/NoriegaDOTBiz/2009/09/09/Noriega-Radio-Episode-50-43rd-Anniversary-of-Star-Trek

If you don't see this till after the fact, you'll still be able to hear the show. It'll remain at this link in perpetuity, I believe...

President Obama's School Speech -- Scandalous or Splendid?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32735374#32735374

I vote "Splendid."

Thanks, Phil! Sonny Starr Interview with Me Now Available Here

My nephew Phil just came by and upgraded my PC a wee bit, and I asked him to transfer the Sonny Starr radio interview I did (about the new STAR TREK movie and the newest De book, ENDURING LEGACY, and my association with De) from a CD to a wma file so I could share it with y'all at long last. So here it is. Enjoy! (Select Download or Copy from the menu and take it from there.)

http://cid-6fb921adf044f220.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Sonny%20Starr%20Interview%20with%20Kris%20Smith%7C_2009.wma

The interview is about ten minutes long. Sonny very kindly gave me permission to use it in any way I see fit... so if you'd like to disseminate this to other TREK/Kelley sites, feel free. The more people who hear it, the better for both Sonny Starr (Starr Talk Radio, available via the Internet every Sunday night; he interviews golden oldie stars. It's a delightful program every single week!) and book sales.

Thanks for you help! Let me know if you place it anywhere else.

Update on Shambala!

WOO HOO!

http://www.shambala.org/

Our prayers were answered. Thanks to all who prayed a hedge of protection around the Preserve!

Asparagus a Potential Cure for Some Deadly Cancers?

Checked with Snopes.com for this info and they state "Mixture" (of true and false):

For what it's worth...

Asparagus: My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week. Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3 months.

THE ARTICLE: Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of an article, entitled, `Asparagus for Cancer' printed in Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: I am a biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet to health for over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number of favorable case histories. Here are a few examples:

Case No. 1, a man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2, a successful businessman 68 years old who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After ye ars of medical treatments, including radiation without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the asparagus therapy and immediately started taking it. By August, x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared... He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She finally developed different skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The Elements of Materia Medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739,on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates!

We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy.

For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.

Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening.

Patients usually show some improvement in from 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases.

As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent'. Based on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink...

As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic.

In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from using it and it may do you much good.

It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Please spread the news... the most unselfish act one can ever do is paying forward all the kindness one has received.

Remarkable Michael Jackson YouTube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvYygjcMDdQ

Frightening, Frightening! We Need to Address This!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/18/Robert-F-Kennedy-Jr-Explains-the-Autism-Coverup.aspx

Michal Jackson is Buried Today

In his memory, I want him to "tell the tale" as only he can!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ_l_o-53nI&feature=PlayList&p=1B2E9096CCE41E4F&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1

Ooh-Whee! Our Neighborhood Just Had a Scare!

Jackie and I were outside gardening when two boys came by to ask if we had seen a young blonde-haired boy walking by himself. When we said, "No," they told us that a lady not far from us had told them her son was missing and they said they'd walk around the block and look for him.

That put Jackie and me into "Let's help this mom find her wee one!" so we both jumped into vehicles and headed in different directions. Every time I saw someone outside, I let them know the situation so they'd be on the lookout for a little boy.

I drove about five miles down various roads, letting people know all along the way, and then decided I needed to talk to the mom and get some more information on the boy -- age, height -- and to see if she had notified police yet.

The boys had told us that the mom drove a bright yellow vehicle and lived in a cul de sac between 48th Avenue East and Canyon Road, so I went down 96th Street slowly between 48th and Canyon looking for a bright yellow vehicle. BINGO! Spotted one in a cul de sac, so I stopped and went to the front door. It was open except for a screen door -- and there, behind the screen door stood a young boy with blonde hair. "Jesus," I prayed silently, "let this be the right house and let that be the missing boy!"

I asked the young man, "Hi, is your mommy home?" He said, "Yes," and at that moment she came around the corner. I asked her, "Are you the lady who's looking for a lost little boy?"

She said, "Oh, yes, I was, but he's here now!"

I said, "Thank God!" I said, "Two boys came by and told everyone they could that a lady was looking for her little boy, so you have a lot of people looking for him right now."

She said, "Oh, my God! I'm so sorry!"

I said, "Don't be sorry! It's great you found him. I'll let everybody I told about him know that he's back home."

She said, "God bless those two boys.." Then she said, "He's just in kindergarten and was supposed to get off the school bus at a certain time, but he didn't. When I called the school, I was told he had been let off on 48th Street -- but that wasn't right -- he actually stayed on the bus but it didn't stop at his stop... so the bus driver called them to let them know she would bring him by later than usual."

I said, "Fantastic. I love happy endings, and I can't wait to tell the others!"

She said, "Thank you so much!!"

I said, "We were all happy to help -- we were all very worried for you and about him."

So then I retraced my routes and let everybody know he had been found and was fine.

It turns out we have an unofficial Neighborhood Watch that works GREAT when there's an emergency. People turned out at a moment's notice to help look for a little boy none of us knew.

Fabulous!

Compelling Letter from Kerry Kennedy...

I think continually of those who were truly great.

Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history ...

The names of those who in their lives fought for life

Who wore at their hearts the fire's center.

Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,

And left the vivid air signed with their honor.

-Stephen Spender Senator

Edward Kennedy served on the Board of Directors of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights from 1968 until his passing last week. Witnessing the outpouring of love for him over the past week has been deeply moving and a source of strength and inspiration.

It was heartrending seeing those crowds lining the streets from Hyannis Port to Boston, from the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to Hanscom Field, and from Andrews Air Force Base to Arlington Cemetery – often ten deep. --

People held placards, waved American flags, and saluted. I shook hands with several thousand of the 50,000 mourners who came to the viewing at the JFK Library, each with her or his own story of being touched by Teddy's vision, spirit, and love.

People came because they appreciated his courageous stances on civil rights, health care, minimum wage, his support in multiple forms for the oppressed and dispossessed, and more. But most didn't know his record on these issues. They came because they knew he loved people – not the people, but actual, living, human beings.

Teddy called every one of my cousins, each of their spouses, and their kids, 119 of us in all, on every birthday and anniversary. He regularly rented a bus and took us on trips to visit battlefields with the greatest historians in the country. He took us skiing, rafting, and sailing. Every time he won a race and received a trophy, he had a replica of the trophy made and sent to every member of his crew.

He made politics come alive, not with esoteric policy discussions, but by telling wonderfully engaging stories about the senators with whom he worked -- their bravery, their foibles, and, to our great delight, always, their accents.

Sailing on the Mya last summer, he talked about his first days as a senator. He watched in awe as an impassioned colleague from Virginia railed against the evils of a particular bill and then saw that very same senator vote yea at roll call. When Teddy expressed his bewilderment, the senator explained "Well son, it's like this, to those who are for the bill, I send my vote, and to those against, I send my speech." Teddy roared with laughter and shook his head.

One of the most memorable trips I took with Teddy was a family visit to Poland in 1986. Lech Walesa had been organizing strikes in the Gdansk shipyards, martial law had been declared, and tension was high. We had gone to Poland to present the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award to Adam Michnik -- known as the intellectual force behind Solidarity -- and Zbigniew Bujak, the leader of the Warsaw underground.

The night we arrived, Teddy hosted a dinner, and it was the first time the Solidarity activists were able to communicate openly and in person. That, in and of itself, was a major victory. Formal greetings led to intense discussions, and those in turn gave way to stories, laughter, and a rousing exchange of Polish and Irish folk songs.

The next morning came far too early, and I sat in awe at a conference table as Teddy dueled with General Jaruzelski, pressing him on basic rights -- to form a union, free expression, and democratic elections. Watching Teddy assert moral authority with such a depth of emotion and intellectual might was a breathtaking experience. I learned a lot from him on that trip about advancing the cause of human rights and loving democracy.

My work means spending time urging lawmakers to do the right thing on human rights issues. But Teddy is the person I always called not to seek support but to help formulate our political strategy and to find out what he was already doing. He was my "go to" guy. I'm not alone, and it wasn't just about being family.

For 30 years, Senator Kennedy was the human rights movement's strongest ally and its soul on Capitol Hill. When Haitian refugees were being detained and deported, Ted Kennedy stood with us and with Haitian activists like Ray Joseph to demand an end to arbitrary detentions and sham legal proceedings. Ray, whose life was literally saved by Teddy, is now Haiti's Ambassador to the United States.

When asylum seekers were denied legal standing, Ted Kennedy authored and engineered the passage of the Refugee Act of 1980, helping to create a legal right to asylum.

When the U.S. government turned a blind eye to South Africa's State of Emergency and torture of young children, Ted Kennedy led the fight to pass the Anti-Apartheid Act of 1985, bringing U.S. policy into alignment with our values.

Wherever freedom's sons and daughters have been on the march for liberty -- from the Soviet Gulag to the streets of Central America, from Marcos' Philippines to the killing fields of Cambodia, Uganda, and now Darfur, Senator Ted Kennedy was their drum major for justice.

Here in the United States, he inspired, guided, and most importantly helped us provide protection and relief to some of the most vulnerable people on this planet.

There is simply no one else like him. Throughout my life, strangers have told me how Teddy was there when a child was diagnosed with cancer, when a father lost a job or had a blow to his reputation, when a wedding was to be celebrated.

Over the last year, particularly these past few days, everywhere I have gone, people told stories about how Teddy changed their lives. Heraldo Munoz told me how, as a young dissident in Chile under Pinochet, one night visiting his mother's house he heard sirens. He looked out the window and saw a military battalion blocking the street. There was no escape. He saw his two best friends having already been captured, in the back of a pick up, blind folded and manacled. He turned to his wife and said, "They are coming to take me. Just be sure to call Ted Kennedy in Washington. He will save my life."

Today, Heraldo Munoz is the Chilean Ambassador to the United Nations.

Last June, I was at a fundraiser at Hickory Hill for major supporters of the Obama campaign. There was a couple with a distinctive accent, and I was not expecting such a dramatic response when I asked what brought them to the event that evening. They said they'd met in Washington, D.C. as college students at American University. At the time, militants went on a rampage in Ethiopia and slaughtered every member of both of their families. The I.N.S. denied their asylum claims, saying there was no evidence that this young couple was at risk should they attempt to return home.

Desperate, they went to the Senate, found Teddy's office, told him their story, and he went to work. They received asylum, started a business, and raised a son. Their son became the field organizer for Obama in northern Virginia, and they came that night to Hickory Hill, to express their gratitude to Ted Kennedy.

When Teddy saw an injustice happening in Guantanamo, he demanded an investigation. In the fall of 2003, James Yee was known as the Muslim chaplain who had betrayed America. Accused of espionage, Army Captain James Yee saw his notoriety bloom overnight. According to USA Today, "He was vilified on the airwaves and on the Internet as an operative in a supposed spy ring that aimed to pass secrets to al-Qaeda from suspected terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where Yee ministered to them. After his arrest, Yee was blindfolded, placed in manacles and taken to a Navy brig, where he spent 76 days in solitary confinement." Meanwhile, his name was released to the press and became synonymous with traitor.

Eight months later, thanks to Teddy's demands for justice, the criminal charges against the 36-year-old West Point graduate melted away. A subsequent reprimand was removed from his record, and he left the military with an honorable discharge in January 2005.

I love Teddy, and I will miss him with all my heart. He was truly great.

Peace,

Kerry Kennedy