These recent comments by clients were unsolicited:
"I wanted you know how much the work with you still impacts me so many years later. Your influence has even extended to others who I have urged to seek out professional help when facing situations similar to my own."
"You come to my mind so so many times that if I contacted you each time, you'd have to kindly ask me to desist… I'm still thriving and going strong, expanding on the foundation of self-care and self-esteem you so patiently helped me grasp, both by your insightful words and by your example. I learned A LOT from your example. I remember how adamantly I insisted that my views of myself are correct, that people in general think like me. You gave me space and time to change my outlook, you gave me the direction but you never rushed the process…. The feelings of gratitude just naturally resurface. I will be always grateful for what you have given me."
"After 2 years our time together is at its end. I write this note on the eve of our final meeting...
The flat is quiet and still. I feel calm and grounded. My surroundings these days feel a lot more like what is going on internally - less chaotic, happier, simpler. Maybe the better-put-together mind sees itself reflected outwardly, or maybe the better surroundings... allows our minds to follow suit. I think it's a bit of both; that's how my journey has felt. Making the unconscious conscious. The internal and external coming into balance.
I remember fearing early on in the process that undoing all that led me to therapy in the first place - everything that culminated in the somewhat functional but lost person you first saw two years ago - was too Herculean a task. I couldn't see how I could do that - it was too grueling, too difficult, surely I'm set in who I am. Though at least part of me was fighting that - fighting for me - else why would I have turned up at your door? You told me that these things are often a lot of effort to maintain (though I of course didn't know any different) and the process of undoing them would result in me expending far less energy and feeling much more connected to myself and whole. Wise words and beyond prophetic.
I used the word casually above, but I think that tiny word - lost - encapsulates where I was (or rather was not!) at the beginning of this journey. I had a sense that my life was happening to me, that I acted in the world (if I were even aware of it) in a way that was incongruous with what some deep part of me really wanted. I didn't know what the boundaries were of myself, others and - arguably most crucially - the sub-personalities that make up (the one and only) Me.
I was so wholly unaware of these things, aside from the very nebulous "I just don't feel as happy as I know I should". The fact that I "should"'d myself into therapy seems very circa-2019! Oh no, it wasn't that I wanted to be happier I should be happier.
Thankfully, through sheer luck of the universe, I landed myself in the very capable and caring hands of someone I honestly couldn't imagine doing this journey without: you.
With unwavering patience, care, and entirely without judgement you asked questions. You listened (really listened, not just heard the words) and you asked more questions, or you mined your vast knowledge and experience to give me a nugget of wisdom, that in my own time I could turn over and inspect (or question) and appreciate. In acting as my guide - by asking simple questions (though perhaps with complex answers), by imploring me to look deeper within at my feelings and motivations - you showed me the blueprint of what real, integrated self-love is. I may have gone on the journey (and proud I am of it), but you showed me how I could do it for myself, by doing exactly what you have done for me.
The difference between the lost lad who first came to you two years ago and the man I am now is staggering. Maybe the Herculean task wasn't so imposing, maybe there's more strength in me than I gave myself credit for. I'm not so sure about the former, but I'm pretty damn sure of the latter. If there's one thing this whole journey has shown me it's that I'm capable of so much more than I ever thought, and that really knowing one's value (truly knowing it, feeling it through real self-love) is a helluva thing to base this life on.
It's taken me a while to write this so now I've got a beautiful sunset. Seems even more appropriate. The idea of our journey ending fills me with real sorrow: I'm going to miss our weekly session (I'm still amazed I had anything to say after 6 weeks!) and the companionship I've had on this most incredible journey in my life. My ever-present guide helping me be a better [me] than yesterday. The solace I take is that all those wonderful qualities have left an imprint on my very soul and I know that your companionship will always be a part of me, in some form or another.
So with this I sign off, Dr D. Thank you for everything you have done for me. My life (and I really do think the world itself) is immeasurably better for it. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.Yours forever and always,
"I wanted to share this news with you because this chapter would not have been possible without the work that we did together. It brings tears to my eyes thinking of the journey we went on together and the tools I use to this day to take care of myself…. Thank you for helping me get to a place that exceeded my wildest expectations."
"Things are continuing to go incredibly well - amazingly so, on all levels - and I'm becoming more balanced, more self-assured, less anxious with each passing day. Sometimes I can scarcely believe it. I'm so grateful to you for - basically - changing my life. The twin gifts of sobriety and self esteem (which has finally, mirabile dictu, popped out at the end of the process, just as you said it would) have given me unthinkable power and self-assurance, and so much of the psychic weight around reponsibility for [my spouse] has been lifted..., so that [it] continues to improve, day by day, and has given me my [spouse] back, and my life back. I'm remembering to stay close to myself. And I'm always remembering to ask myself what [I'm] feeling, and why. And when I do that, it's in your voice. When my friends are down, or in the dumps, or right at the bottom, I always say they can borrow a cup of hope from me. The same cup that - almost two years ago, I first borrowed from you. You're a truly wonderful man, and I'll never forget how you've helped me."
"I also wanted to thank you for the past year of therapy. I can't believe how much progress I've made with my love life, work-life balance, self-image and confidence. Your sessions may be expensive but they were worth every penny :). I'm really glad that I kept coming back for as long as I have."
"You don't know how much of a force for good you are!"
I want to express my feelings of happiness, freedom and contentment… You have helped me to feel beautiful, calm and happy from within,. How?… Compassion, empathy, objectivity and knowledge… Thank you for your great work!
"With unwavering patience, care, and entirely without judgement you asked questions. You listened (really listened, not just heard the words) and you asked more questions, or you mined your vast knowledge and experience to give me a nugget of wisdom, that in my own time I could turn over and inspect (or question) and appreciate. In acting as my guide - by asking simple questions (though perhaps with complex answers), by imploring me to look deeper within at my feelings and motivations - you showed me the blueprint of what real, integrated self-love is. I may have gone on the journey (and proud I am of it), but you showed me how I could do it for myself, by doing exactly what you have done for me."
"You're a dedicated, kind and fantastic therapist."
"Your kind words and thoughtfulness in addressing both my immediate needs as well as greater issues in my self-image have helped tremendously in the last years. In terms of day to day life, you helped give me the tools I needed to manage stress, voice my limits, and recognize negative emotions. Doing so has helped me to overcome a fear of disappointment and I feel like I both freely pursue opportunities that are outside my comfort zone and show greater authenticity because I am less reliant on others to build my self-esteem. I do not shy away from discussing difficult topics. I am optimistic about the future and incredibly grateful to see how far I have come Thank you for being such an amazing ally and support. I am definitely a convert to therapy, and I appreciate how much working with you has put me in a mindset to enjoy my life more fully. "
"[T]hanks to some great therapy, I am doing pretty well myself…. You are always in my thinking, as part of my thinking every day, for which I will be forever grateful."
"I wanna say thank you so much for getting me through those times. I genuinely don't know where I'd be without you. You were the only person I could talk to openly and honestly at that point without any fear of judgement or repercussions."
"You have given me the gift of freedom to be myself, the ability to live (and soak up!) the moment, and most importantly, the opportunity to live a happy life.
I might have spent the rest of my time here in this world as I had before I met you— anxious, depressed, self-loathing and unbelievably lonely. For a long time, I found no joy in life. It was just something I endured. Coming to therapy was an act of desperation. I couldn't tolerate my life as it was anymore, but I didn't really expect it'd ever be good. I just wanted relief from the pain… At times I lost hope I could ever be happy and didn't want to carry on living at all… But today… I am so happy I am still here. That is in very large part thanks to you. Again, I'm not sure how I can ever really thank you for that.
[T]here have been a few things in particular that I have especially appreciated about you… You are consummately professional, which I needed in order to trust you and the process of therapy, You are endlessly empathetic, which meant I ultimately felt safe sharing things with you that I had never acknowledged to myself, let along told anyone else. Your love of literature and a good reference kept my intellect engaged and stimulated… [S]omething I think of most fondly is the warmth and kindness you radiate just by being in the room. You made me feel immediately comfortable and over time I learned from you how to be warm and kind to myself.
You have such a gift which really matters in this world and I can only imagine how much of yourself you must give to your work. All I can really say is that for what you have given me, I am eternally grateful."
"You helped me change my life and adapt my sails to the wind. I couldn't ask for more."
"I wanted to thank you again for all the support you've given me these past few sessions. I was pleasantly surprised that with only a few meetings I have learned so much. I really appreciated your willingness to connect with me."
"I just wanted to say thank you. I think about our time together and conversations often. They were so impactful and continue to help guide me when I'm feeling anxious or stressed. Because of that, I feel so much more empowered and in control of my thoughts and feelings. For that, I am so grateful."
"Lovely to talk to you and to find you every bit as warm and understanding as I'd been told."
"Kenneth, I felt I needed to share with you these highlights... [of my happy life]. I want you to know that you remain close to my heart. I am grateful for your tender loving care during times when I didn't know my own resources within. I needed your care and courage to hang in there...even when other[s]… weren't so keen on my abilities. You were such a professional… but you made room for me to be me."
"I spent two days locked in my room with dark thoughts. I packed most of my belongings and was ready to harm myself when I opened my drawer and saw your card with your number… I am so glad [we were able to meet.] You saved my life. Thank you very much."
"I am happier than I have ever been before. I want to thank you for your time and help. You have helped change my life and I will always be grateful."
"I would just like to say thank you for your help in turning my life around. And most of all helping me find ME !"
"I found you very easy to talk to you. I found a marked difference with my experience of [past therapists]. With them I felt I was just answering a series of set questions. With you it was more of a flowing conversation and I felt I could speak more freely."
"I am in a far better (more integrated) place internally and feel immeasurably stronger and more focused as a result of your guidance… I use the concepts you taught me on a daily basis, and cannot thank you enough for your astute and caring insight… I believe that my future will be brighter and that I now have the perspective to break some of my cyclical mistakes."
"I really enjoyed the session. I was worried that I would feel uncomfortable but I ended up really liking [your] communication style and left feeling mentally lighter. [You gave] me... some food for thought."
"You have been immensely helpful, and I cannot thank you enough. If, for any reason, I need your help in the future I will be in touch."
"I'm very pleased to say that I feel and have felt an entirely new person since our time together and am much more in control of my life, thoughts and feelings ! I feel its long overdue but thanks again for your wonderful impact on my life."
"Just a quick note to say a big thank you for our sessions last year....[T]ruthfully, the brief series had a real impact - something was definitely unblocked, and I feel so much more assertive and confident."
"I felt that I was really understood and was very much inspired by what you said… Your advice… resonates with me extremely... You helped me to see deeper into why I am acting and thinking the way I am. Thank you so much!"
"In my life I have struggled to believe that I can do things: get into … school, date, run a [marathon], climb a mountain. While some of the things …have [been] achieved and others are in the works, I now know I can do all of them because of what you helped me find in myself. You helped me realize that I [have] all the answers within myself. I stop to think about why I feel the way I do and then I go from there. I do not hide from my feelings, I take ownership [of] them. From the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you. Thank you for showing me that I can do just about anything and for helping me believe in myself. Thank you for taking a chance [on] me."
"It hasn't been easy at all but I do feel like things have turned a real corner. Again, thank you so very much for your great care and support. You really changed my life."
"I would just like to say how rewarding the experience was meeting you and it certainly stirred things up in a way I hadn't anticipated…"
"I really look forward to our next meeting and must thank you for your sensitivity while going over events in my life that were fairly emotional and not easy to express. Though I know this kind of thing is to be expected, I appreciated the warmth and kindness you showed."
"The time I came to you I was stuck knowing what I had to do but not knowing how to do it. Your words gave me the strength and I got through it. So, very many thanks. You're up there in lights amongst those who have helped me."
"I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to see the me that's already there... for your patience and guidance...Your kind words and humour with the addition of genuine care is much appreciated."
"I want to thank you again for meeting with [our student]. Your recommendation provided information that was valuable to all of us.... Thank you again for your very valuable help under especially stressful circumstances."
"The lessons I learned during our sessions were life-changing. I finally learned how to act in my own best interest and to get in touch with my [emotions]. I cannot thank you enough!!! You are a gifted psychologist and I feel very lucky to have worked with you!... I am generally happy—in large part due to the work we did together, and I look forward to a bright, happy future. Thanks again for all you’ve done for me."
"I am grateful for our sessions over the past few weeks and your advice has helped me get through a difficult time and enable me to look forward to the future. You helped me open up to long hidden feelings and a way of thinking that I will continue to use."
"I wanted you to know how much the work with you still impacts me so many years later."
"Just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for the...sessions.... [Your] advice gave me an entirely new perspective on my issues which has changed everything. I have kept your 'integration' philosophy at the core, and it has continued to work wonders for me when I apply it to different aspects of my life. Seems so simple now! I realise we didn't have many sessions, but the few we had were a 'eureka moment' for me."
"I'm not even sure where to start but thank you so very much for all your help over the past year. It has changed my life enormously and has really informed and changed the way I operate and ... feel!"
"Hey, I just wanted to let you know that you made a super unbelievable impact on my life. [You] knew I had it in me. [and you] guided me towards it. I was so impatient to learn the meaning of everything, so then I could sit back and relax and contemplate existence. I do not do that anymore. Each day is a gift. Life is an ever unfolding pattern that teaches us new stuff every single day."
"I've found the work you've done with me to be very valuable indeed, it's helped me make sense of a difficult phase in my life. Everyone I know who has seen you thinks very highly of you and the work you do. The help you offer seems to be second to none."
"Thank you so much for helping me and [my husband] through such a tough time. You were instrumental in showing me the situation wasn't so black and white. You were a huge reason why I didn't walk away... and I can't thank you enough for that. There was a lot of love left and I'm so glad I didn't throw that away. I'm sad to see our time spent has come to an end, but also feel so much has been accomplished."
"You have saved my life and I never thought it would be possible for me to feel "fixed"... yet somehow incrementally I feel things slotting into a place that feels natural, real and authentic. Im learning to feel my feelings and live one day at a time."
"I feel a lot has happened since our last meeting. Thanks to your advice, I feel for the first time in so many years that there is chance of a change in my life that I had come to think was not possible. Though only having had a couple of sessions with you, I feel [they] sowed the seed that gave me enough of an insight to look outside the world that I have in a way been locked into for so long, and resigned myself to not being able to change… I am afraid to hope for the impossible but can now at least see the possibility which I could never have seen before… Though for once I feel hopeful, I can see I need to build on a foundation different from the one I have been so used to."
"Thank you for your help in making my future a happier one."
"Very few people can get into my head the way you did and that's saying a lot… I am relieved and better centered for your kind advice. It was the way that you delivered it that got to me. No pressure, no criticisms, just an intellectual musing that on the surface seemed to glance off me but over time bored its way through my brain until I could resist it no longer. You are good!"
"It was a wonderful experience seeing you. I felt tremendous growth in such a short period of time."
"Thank you again for your help while I was in London… I seem to be a new man – more assertive, confident and not disassociating so much. I always remember what you said about doing what we wanted to do, not what was easy… I seem to have finally discovered what I was meant to do. Thanks again, and I will continue to “take care of myself"."
"I would really like to thank you for your help and
guidance... I can truly say that you have made us a better couple."
"I just wanted to thank you for believing in me from the start."
"Thank you for the thought provoking interview! It was appreciated and gave more to take away than anticipated."
"One gets what one pays for... With Kenneth it is quality time. He dug and rummaged a bit (for 6 months) and most of that was to strengthen me as I was in a rather weak condition. He did an admirable job of improving my capacity to face myself, for that I am ever indebted to him. I have been so much happier ever since!"
"...[a] more lovely, mild-mannered, considerate person you could hardly hope to meet."
"You know, you always say the nicest things. I wish I could talk to you everyday as you always find ways to boost my happiness. I will always be grateful to you for your kindness and assistance, they will not be forgotten."
"Thank you very much for your help this past week... You have gone far beyond
what most people would do and it’s very clear that you genuinely care about the people you help."
"Your help enabled me to take better control of my life and to make the decisions necessary for me to live the rest of my life."
"I hope you're.....still helping people live a better life just like you did for me."
"You are different from my previous therapists, which I personally feel is a great thing. I have never felt particulary comfortable talking to people about how I feel and you have given me the confidence to feel that I may be able to achieve that... I respected your decision to steer our session in such a way that it allowed me to think about options I had not assessed or thought may be possible... You are a great guy."
"I have seen many psychologists for depression, self-harm and anorexia, but [you were] the first and only one I was comfortable talking to."
"I really would like to thank you for the help you've given me up to now, though - for all it felt like an ordinary conversation at times it really seems to have made a difference. I suppose if anything that tells me you're good at your job :)"
"I wanted you know how much the work with you still impacts me so many years later. Your influence has even extended to others who I have urged to seek out professional help when facing situations similar to my own."


The 2015-2016 school year proved to be another successful year for the Fall Scholastic Book Fair. The theme was “Monsters” and the students and Mrs. Preston did a fantastic job of decorating the Fair with creative monsters they created by using recycled materials.
This year, our students and their families helped earn almost $2,000 in Scholastic Dollars. This money was then used to purchase books for both classrooms and the library, as well as furnish some classrooms with bean bag chairs, rugs, and other supplies.
In addition to the Fall Book Fair, this school year we added an additional Buy One Gift One Fair. Held in April, this fair benefited not only the students of St. Ambrose, but the children at the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton. For every book sold, a new book was donated to the library at the Children’s Home. Events such as this really showcase the generosity of the students and families at St. Ambrose School.
Theresa Medlock is the chairperson for Book Fair. If you are interested in donating your time and assistance, please reach out to Theresa via FastDirect.


The DiViNE FEMiNiNE
The divine feminine
The Divine Feminine is RiSiNG like a fire under the full moon night...she roars like the WiND as her juices begin to FLOW
washing away the ashes WAViNG goodbye - SALT into the dry encrusted up wounds from the old world of illusion.
She Floods out WIDE with pure joy HOLDiNG on.
Her being exists as the WHOLE ... HOLE HOLiNESS
Womb, Creator of all life.
autonomously ... Opening up to the shielding light of the SUN, only the strong and courageous errect into her.
SEEDS now co-create in that divinity of the DARKNESS as the SUN Shines. UNiFYIng into the highest power


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理论上来说，猪玉米型基础日粮中添加木聚糖酶可以改善营养及能量消化率、纤维发酵特性，但是改善的效果却不稳定。本试验的目的在于研究在猪日粮中含有高不可溶纤维（20%中性洗涤纤维）时，木聚糖酶对能量、养分消化率、食糜粘度、发酵特性的影响。试验日粮适应期为46天。将3组生长期的小母猪（每组20头）根据体重随机分至4个日粮处理，每头母猪单独饲养。试验处理包括：低纤维对照组（7.5%中性洗涤纤维）、高纤维对照组（30%玉米皮，21.9%中性洗涤纤维）、高纤维木聚糖酶组（高纤维对照组+100 mg/kg木聚糖酶）、木寡糖组（高纤维对照组+50 mg/kg阿拉伯木寡糖，3-7个木糖聚合）。小母猪自由采食处理日粮36天。第36天时，将猪饲喂于代谢笼中，持续10天，定量采食，收集粪便。第46天，屠宰试验猪，收集回肠、盲肠和结肠食糜。试验数据经线性混合模型进行统计分析，试验处理为固定效应，试验区组和重复为随机效应。
与低纤维组相比，高纤维处理降低了干物质、总能、粗蛋白、酸性洗涤纤维、中性洗涤纤维和半纤维素的回肠表观消化率、盲肠表观消化率、结肠表观消化率和全肠道表观消化率（P＜0.01）。与高纤维组相比，木聚糖酶的添加显著提高了总能、粗蛋白和中性洗涤纤维的回肠表观消化率（P＜0.05），并改善了干物质、总能、粗蛋白、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维和半纤维素盲肠表观消化率、结肠表观消化率和全肠道表观消化率（P < 0.05）。所有处理组中，高纤维日粮组后肠道干物质损失显著提高（P=0.031）。木聚糖酶的添加提高了干物质（162 VS 98g；P=0.008）和中性洗涤纤维（44 VS 13g，P＜0.01）在盲肠的消失量。木聚糖酶的添加提高了盲肠食糜中乙酸的比例和结肠食糜中丁酸的比例（P＜0.05）。与低纤维组相比，高纤维组回肠、盲肠和结肠食糜粘度显著提高，但是添加木聚糖酶后回肠食糜粘度显著下降（P＜0.001）。
The influence of xylanase on the fermentability, digestibility, and physicochemical properties of insoluble corn-based fiber along the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs
In theory, supplementing xylanase in corn-based swine diets should improve nutrient and energy digestibility and fiber fermentability, but its efficacy is inconsistent. The experimental objective was to investigate the impact of xylanase on energy and nutrient digestibility, digesta viscosity, and fermentation when pigs are fed a diet high in insoluble fiber (>20% neutral detergent fiber; NDF) and given a 46-d dietary adaptation period. A total of 3 replicates of 20 growing gilts were blocked by initial body weight, individually housed, and assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: a low-fiber control (LF) with 7.5% NDF, a 30% corn bran high-fiber control (HF; 21.9% NDF), HF + 100 mg xylanase/kg (HF + XY [Econase XT 25P; AB Vista, Marlborough, UK]) providing 16,000 birch xylan units/kg; and HF + 50 mg arabinoxylan-oligosaccharide (AXOS) product/kg (HF + AX [XOS 35A; Shandong Longlive Biotechnology, Shandong, China]) providing AXOS with 3–7 degrees of polymerization. Gilts were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 36-d. On d 36, pigs were housed in metabolism crates for a 10-d period, limit fed, and feces were collected. On d 46, pigs were euthanized and ileal, cecal, and colonic digesta were collected. Data were analyzed as a linear mixed model with block and replication as random effects, and treatment as a fixed effect. Compared with LF, HF reduced the apparent ileal digestibility (AID), apparent cecal digestibility (ACED), apparent colonic digestibility (ACOD), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), NDF, and hemicellulose (P < 0.01). Relative to HF, HF + XY improved the AID of GE, CP, and NDF (P < 0.05), and improved the ACED, ACOD, and ATTD of DM, GE, CP, NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose (P < 0.05). Among treatments, pigs fed HF had increased hindgut DM disappearance (P = 0.031). Relative to HF, HF + XY improved cecal disappearance of DM (162 vs. 98 g; P = 0.008) and NDF (44 vs. 13 g; P < 0.01). Pigs fed xylanase had a greater proportion of acetate in cecal digesta and butyrate in colonic digesta among treatments (P < 0.05). Compared with LF, HF increased ileal, cecal, and colonic viscosity, but HF + XY decreased ileal viscosity compared with HF (P < 0.001). In conclusion, increased insoluble corn-based fiber decreases digestibility, reduces cecal fermentation, and increases digesta viscosity, but supplementing xylanase partially mitigated that effect.


In every aspect of the term, fear causes us to react instead of living proactively. I was taught in martial arts that I have to move past my fear in order to be able to fight. When I was flinching, I was impulsively reacting- letting my fear burn my energy- rather than thinking, trusting my instincts and training and making a conscious choice about how I wanted to respond in an effective way. I was reactive and afraid, sometimes making a move that worked temporarily or, most often, reacting in a manner that was completely ineffective. I trained and I trained and I trained. At some point, and I am not even sure when that moment was, I stopped blinking. I stopped panicking. I stopped thinking. I was no longer afraid. Time slowed down and it felt as if I could see every move from a mile away. I did not plan, I let my body know what to do. At times I blocked a punch before my brain even knew what I had done. Flow state.
More fascinating to me than my ability to work at that speed and mental state in the ring was how it impacted my day to day life: My relationships, my routines, my work ethic, and my entire perspective on life. The relationship we have with ourselves permeates our relationships with everything else. Everything. When someone gave me attitude, it rolled off me like butter. I did not take it personally because it was not about me, and I did not make it such. Challenges felt like challenges, but did not impact my mood or attitude towards life. I saw people with more clarity, and I could empathize with others more easily. I felt stronger and more confident than ever. I was excited and curious about trying new things without fear of failure.
Then, I stopped training. You know, life happened. College, a few moves, job changes, graduate school and a couple of injuries that meant I needed to take a break from the daily grind of hitting the mats. What were the results–I felt the sensation of “dizziness” for the first time in my life. Seriously. After training since childhood, I did not know what “dizzy” felt like, and that was just one of the first physiological parts of not training that I notices. The dizziness permeated into other parts of my life- confusion over who I should spend my time with, what decisions I should make, conflict resolution, identity… I was dizzy, alright, in every sense of the word. I also started “flinching” again. The moment someone was on top of me (smothering my face…common in jiujitsu), I panicked. I became reactive, in training and with friends, family members, strangers and in making daily choices. I did not trust my judgment. I did not trust my ability to handle a situation. Everything got harder.
In order to get back on track, was my first job to train harder? To get stronger? To get faster? No. It was ACCEPTANCE.
My coach, when I first started boxing did not let me throw a punch for two months. TWO months! He knew what I needed- to take hits, accept the hits, and stop being afraid of the hits. I had to extinguish that fear of being hurt, my fear of losing, my fear of being embarrassed, my fear of being vulnerable…What did my training look like? 100% defense and looking square at the glove as it approached my jaw. I took hits- to the face, to the gut, leg checks, throws, take downs, chokes… What was my job? To remain calm and clear headed. To breath. To keep my heart-rate down. For at least a month, I thought, “This is bullshit. I came here to learn to fight.”
However, over time, guess what was happening? Those hits hurt less. I was deflecting more of them. I could see them coming from a mile away. I lost my fear of getting hit. I began CHOOSING which hits I would take and which hits I would block or avoid. I regained choice. I knew what I could now handle. THAT is where power is located. It is in our CHOICES.
When I began incorporating strikes again- throwing my own punches and kicks…you know what I discovered? It was not only so much easier but often unnecessary! I didn’t have to work so hard, because I had choice. I was calm. I was no longer defensive. I was no longer aggressive. I could just be. I would chose what hits to take, and I could chose just where I wanted to land that roundhouse kick and when…as opposed to my previous style of throwing a bunch of fancy strikes out there and hoping one of them would land. Instead of reacting and worrying about how I was going to block their strike, I was thinking about my next move. I was strategizing, and working towards my overall goal.
This is life. When we are focused on preventing pain, we are not opening our minds up to creativity, exploration, curiosity and strategy. Practice taking challenges, fears, struggles, rejection and pain…feeling it, experiencing it, learning from it and remembering what it feels like. Then, next time it comes your way you can say, “Oh, hi, I know you. I can handle you. Excuse me, I have other things to focus on…”
Speaking of…time to hit the mats!


So, Donald and his girl Jane are going to prom this Saturday. But, before they can go, Donald needs to make sure they have a perfect night.
So, Friday comes, and Donald goes out to get his tuxedo. When he gets to the tux rentaI store, there’s this ridicuIousIy Iong Iine. But he needs the tux, so Donald waits. And he waits, and waits untiI finaIIy, he has his tux.
Next, he needs a Iimo. So he goes to the Iimousine rentaI shop and finds that there’s an even Ionger Iine there. But he needs the Iimo, so he waits. And he waits, and waits, and waits, untiI finaIIy, he has the Iimo ordered.
Donald reaIizes he needs some new kicks, so he stops by a shoe store to get himseIf some nice shoes. When he goes to pay, he sees the Iongest Iine yet. But he needs the shoes, so he waits. And he waits, and waits, and waits, and waits, and waits, untiI finaIIy, he’s got his new shoes.
Saturday, Donald’s ready to pick up his girI. He drives over to her house, picks her up, and they head to prom. At the dance, they’re having a great time, dancing, pIaying at the casino, hanging out with friends. Soon, though, Jane gets thirsty, and asks Donald for a drink. Being the good guy he is, Donald obIiges.
So Donald waIks over to the punch tabIe, and what do you know… there’s no punch Iine.


Category: Crypto Ecosystems -> Docs
Science whitepaper with description of Avalanche blockchains consensus protocols in mathematical details. Contains performance comparison with Algorand, Conflux and Bitcoin. Description of evaluation methodology. "The paper describes the Snow protocol family, analyzes its guarantees, and describes how it can be used to construct the core of an internet-scale electronic payment system called Avalanche, which is evaluated in a large scale deployment. Experiments demonstrate that the system can achieve high throughput (3400 tps), provide low confirmation latency (1.35 sec), and scale well compared to existing systems that deliver similar functionality."


I have been keeping a gratitude diary for a month. This is one of the recommendations of Dr Ranjan Chatterjee in his book The Four Pillar Plan (Penguin 2018). He says it’s not enough just to think about it- you need to write down 10 things for which you are grateful every day. The first few are easy, but then you have to think back over your day and recognise small things. After a while, you start to be grateful for things as they happen.
Working at Knysna Sedgefield Hospice can be emotionally draining, but gratitude really buoys up one’s spirits. Recently I received a thank you note from the mother of a patient whom we cared for: “Words cannot say or at any stage repay the generous and selfless assistance towards our beloved T. and my family.”
I gave a talk to professional group in town and people expressed appreciation as they left, but what really moved me was a few hours after the talk, one of the participants (who knew I had been rather nervous) phoned me up to give her thanks and positive feedback about my talk.
We all recognise that when things go wrong, it’s usually about a problem of communication. Keeping gratitude in mind and taking the time to express it in a diary trains one’s mind to approach each day with gratitude. The next step for which this prepares one is to express gratitude in person. It does not take a lot of time, but it really lifts the spirits of the person who gives gratitude and the one who receives it.
Dr Janet Stanford


We see through you’re lies and we see you’re fakes and you’re fake laughs and sarcasm and you know why… cause you, I, we, both, See through bullshit, and we can smell a phony from a mile away.
Dani, you’re right. Clarissa was a whore. You’re right. But I just wanna say that I apologize for everything that I’ve said and ranted about you. I’m moving forward just like you. I was childish and stupid to carry that on. But I just want to say thank you for everything. I know what I did right and wrong with us.
Will I see you again.. who knows. But I just wanna say that I have become a better person and I have made the right decision with myself at that time because I finally see the person that you are and what you meant to me.
I know you don’t care or love me anymore because I can see it.
I’m letting it all go.. All my past mistakes and all the current mistakes and what the things people say, done and thought about me. I’m letting it all go. No reason to carry on grudges and no reason to hate and dislike. I am who I am.. The decisions that I make I live with them. Idc what anyone has to say about me because deep inside you’re either jealous, stupid, and don’t have enough time to be thinking about what you should be doing.
Looking on towards the future.
Never looking back and never thinking about anything or anyone that has made me upset and feel uncomfortable.


I saw something else on Facebook that made me pause and write stuff. It was this:
Before I begin, I should let you guys know how much I hate, hate, HATE writing about softball topics, even ones that directly benefit me, such as cops not getting away with shooting people who look like me in the face. It’s boring, doesn’t require much creativity or nuanced research, and is often deep rooted in paternalism and/or self-indulgence. I could stand on metaphorical soapboxes and write about how terrible ______ is when most normal, healthy humans already know how terrible it is and be a wildly successful blogger/internet personality/gasbag. And I’d never run out of material because clearly and obviously terrible things occur every single day! That’s way too easy. It’s like patting yourself on the back for beating the computer on Rookie: it’s a great start, but you won’t truly improve until you start playing on All-Pro and All-Madden.
With that said, society needs to start treating fat people better. That doesn’t mean that obesity should be encouraged, since it drastically lessens quality of life and life in general. It just means that people shouldn’t be solely defined by their obesity and subsequently judged/shamed/discouraged for their disability.
I think that people misunderstand the nuances of dietary disorders (whether they involve over or under eating) the same way they misunderstand people who become addicted to drugs. It’s really easy for people who are fortunate enough to not have gone through those issues to look down on them, saying stuff like, “if he really wanted to lose weight, he’d just do it like (insert totally different human with different circumstances). He’s just lazy.”
Many people see these addictions as the actual root of the problem instead of merely a symptom of a larger, deeply psychological issue. And guess what? The “tough love,” “real,” and “in your face” approach that I suspect the young lady is trying to use in that video (and many, many do this) is the absolute opposite approach someone should take if they’re actually trying to help and not compensating for their own unique insecurities by making someone else feel small.
The more society condemns overweight people, the more entrenched they become in their own “identity”. There’s a reason many overweight people attract each other the same way a group of drug addicts on Skid Row would hang out together: they feel like they’re the only ones who truly understand each other. It’s a unique brand of tribalism. It’s their way of saying, “No matter what the world thinks of me, these people are down for me and the only thing that matters.” If the world thinks that they should be marginalized because they’re overweight, they might as well double down, embrace their disability and indulge in it further as a middle finger to society at large. And that’s bad because, you know, obesity is bad, since it kills people before their time and prevents them from living fully during their time here.
Would you like to know the best way to approach people who are overweight if you’d like to actually help them? Treat them like people! Not some sort of sideshow or freak of nature. Actual, real life humans. Because that’s what they are. Humans. Talk to them nicely and respectfully, you know, the same way you would talk to any other human. You let them know that you love them for themselves and that obesity is what they have, not what they are.
After you gain their trust and they’re confident enough in the belief that you actually see them as a human, try to figure out what the real problem is. Chances are, those real problems have absolutely nothing to do with food. Once you figure out what the real issue is, whether it’s depression, insecurity, fear of failure or another deep-seeded issue that we compensate for in various ways, figure out the best way to solve it. It might require a shrink. But, it could also be as simple as someone finally caring for him enough to talk through the issue. Once they solve that issue, they’ll realize that they no longer need to overeat to compensate for said issue and they’ll slowly change their lifestyle accordingly. Simple stuff. Easy? No. But simple.
In an earlier post, I made a passing reference about having no idea how I finally quit smoking cold turkey after smoking for all of my 20s (I’m 29). That was a lie. I know exactly how it happened. I stopped caring about failing. Smoking for so long had nothing to do with the physical effects. It was just much easier to continue smoking than it was to potentially fail at quitting again. That stifling fear of failure manifested itself in many ways, and smoking was just one of them. I failed at my first attempt at college and didn’t try again until 8 years later because the thought of failing at it again terrified me. I didn’t stick to writing my original basketball blog, and it took me a solid three years to write anything for anyone because I was scared of failing at it again. I’ve scared myself out of God knows how many positive relationships and opportunities due to not wanting to repeat an interaction that didn’t go how I envisioned.
My friends meant well when they tried to get me to stop smoking, but they often went about it the wrong way, and it made me smoke even more. My wife was the first person who looked at all my shortcomings and basically said, “I love you regardless. It’s ok if you try and fail. I’ll be there either way.” It seems like a pretty simple statement that most people would say to someone they love, but it was the first time I’d ever heard it, and without it, I wouldn’t be writing this post right now. I’d be outside, sucking down my third straight cigarette, saying that I’d just quit tomorrow. Again.


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Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17


My grandmother passed away this week. Her name was Lucille, grandmother to 11, mother to 4, and loved by all. She passed away in her sleep at the blessed age of 98, it’s hard to ask for more.
I was closer to her than any of my other grandparents, and so the sobering call at 4:45am felt a bit like an unseen sucker punch. It has been several days and I still feel as though I’m in denial of the whole thing. Just a couple of the many things I will remember about her is that she taught me how to hold my silverware, when I’m traveling or having dinner with someone I’m trying to impress I’ve often remembered to when I was at my grandma’s house in Highland Park, Saint Paul as she taught me to hold my knife and fork properly.
She also always insisted that I eat my bread crusts, and promised that I’d gain curly hair if I ate my crusts. I’d often protest and say that I wanted straight hair and that curly hair was overrated. She then rebuttal and say, “Well all the men love a girl with curly hair.” At the age of 6 or 8 I wasn’t exactly interested in the attention of boys. Now that she’s gone and I treasure that story, it makes me want to eat my bread crusts in memoriam of her.
As someone with Aspergers, its hard to know how mourn and grieve properly. Am I just being an overbooked millennial where I don’t have the luxury of time to slow down, and reflect back on what I means to have lost someone that played such a fundamental role in my upbringing? Or do I simply not know how to empathize effectively to where I can engage with those difficult emotions?
It makes me think about a recent article I read in the New York Times about a well-known author that underwent a treatment that would allow him to empathize with others, a key challenge to those of us with ASD. What intrigued me most was that his life experienced such a paradigm shift that it kind of fell apart as a result. It makes me consider how my world might alter if given the opportunity to undergo a similar treatment, however when I reflect on it further, I have to say that I don’t want to change so dramatically that my whole life is different. I’m certainly in favor of getting better and improving as a person, but to take off the lenses through which I have always seen this world; it is just something I am not interested in. I love (most days) that I’m insensitive to social norms and I’m okay dancing in public, or through the Nordstrom Rack. The T.M.S treatment makes me wonder how different the upcoming funeral would be, its interesting to postulate.
So as far as things go for my grandmothers funeral, I’ll keep you posted as I attempt to engage in those difficult emotions, and work to empathize during this very grave loss in our family.
Update: The funeral went well, but it had all kinds of exhausting small talk. It was really hard to see her in the casket and later load it into the hearse. I’m not an emotional person by nature but I knew it was healthy to cry despite my pride fighting back those tears. Being with extended family helped to prevent me from becoming a total recluse that week and I was so grateful a number of them flew out for the funeral. God taught me that death makes no sense to those that are without hope for what happens after death. It was a great opportunity to share the faith I have with family members that no-longer believe in much of anything. My key take away is that death is excruciatingly difficult, but having friends, faith, and family to lean on, are what help us cope with a loved one’s passing.
See you later Big Lou!
Have you had to deal with the death of a loved one? How did or didn’t you cope with that loss? Share in the comments below.


Dr. Shiny Mathew
" Little stones make big mountains.....
Little steps can cover miles
Little acts of loving kindness
Give the world its biggest smiles....
I have titled my thought
“Small Bits Matter a Lot”
Have you ever watched an icicle form on a cold winter day?
Have you noticed how the dripping water froze, one drop at
a time, until the icicle was a foot long or more? If the water
was clean, the icicle remained clear and sparkled brightly
in the sun; but if the water was slightly muddy, the icicle
looked cloudy, its beauty spoiled.
We must remain concerned at all times about the ‘droplets’
that influence others. Each thought or feeling adds its
influence. Each decision we make, on matters great or small,
will contribute to our singular identity.
Encourage others to develop habits of love, truth and
goodness that will silently mould and fashion them into the
image of GOD and give them a firm foundation, building
the character like the crystal clear icicle.
Let me leave you with this little thought-
The LITTLE things in life matter-
Little words can soothe big troubles
Little hugs can dry big tears
Little candles light the darkness
Little dreams can lead to greatness
Ms. shiny Mathew "


New national mobility scooter fire safety guidance has now been published, following a sector led exercise to involve a range of stakeholders.
It is recognised that the use of mobility scooters can enhance the quality of life for many older or less mobile residents, who otherwise may be limited in their ability to access common facilities provided in the premises and also access facilities in the wider community.
With the increased use of mobility scooters comes the corresponding fire safety concern associated with their storage and charging. The design of many premises, particularly smaller and older premises, does not always lend itself easily to the safe storage and charging of mobility scooters.
The lack of space and the layout of the corridors, lifts and stairways in communal areas mean that individuals will often leave scooters adjacent to their front entrance doors on protected escape routes or within protected stairways. When a mobility scooter is involved in fire, the risk of harm is significant. In residential buildings, mobility scooter fires can pose a life safety risk to tenants, employees, firefighters and other relevant persons.
This guide therefore considers a range of relevant factors to enable responsible persons to develop proportionate and risk based policies that act as an enabler to prevent injury and reduce risk to all relevant persons in the event of a fire, to promote independence and to comply with all relevant fire safety and health and safety at work legislation. For new buildings the provision of suitable spaces for storage and charging of mobility scooters should be considered at the design stage.
For more information and to download the guide click here.


Disclaimer: All these stories I write are about MY life. Kind of an autobiography, but I have neither the talent nor the patience to actually write a real book.
And no one on Earth would ever, ever read it, much less, buy it!
My favorite books were usually a collection of short stories about a specific subject…each story would be able to stand on its own.
Yeah, there would always be a common theme interwoven throughout, kinda tying everything together, but I always liked the idea of accomplishing something so finishing a short story would often do the trick for me.
I wrote these stories here to entertain.
To teach, to possibly communicate something useful.
To stir up memories with those with whom I shared my life & my career.
It was NOT to brag or be boastful!
Honestly, it’s been a huge cathartic (< < < fancy word alert!) experience for me
Look, I was never really successful in life. Yes, I fully realize I had an incredible wife & an even more incredible daughter…and to me, that was “success”.
But I never climbed the corporate ladder like I knew that I could’ve & should’ve. Never accumulated any wealth whatsoever & I struggle today from a plethora of terrible (life) decisions, unwise investments & unbelievably bad luck!
No, this is NOT “Woe is me!” as I got what I most probably deserved.
But other than family & having unbelievable friends (in real life & yes, here on FB!), I feel “very successful” as I believe I made a positive impact on the “real bosses” of mine throughout my career.
My company’s shareholders.
And while I was definitely woefully short on “personal success” – – as loosely defined by 💰💰💰, possessions, position, power, social status & all the “material stuff” in life – – how “my people” felt about me & how my family/friends feel about me now is where I derive ALL the pleasure in my life!
Did I help them (even in the tiniest way imaginable) to somehow be/become successful themselves?
Did I provide them with the right advice ? Coaching? Teaching?
Did I push, incentivize, motivate them hard enough?
Did I provide a good example to them?
Did I protect them as I would my own flesh & blood?
It’s all about what others say & feel about you…in your business doings as well as your personal life…that should matter most.
At least they do to me.
Here are some things I’ve always kept over the years as they’ve meant SO VERY MUCH to me…
“As your teammate, I witnessed first hand your love of baseball. You played the game with such passion and your desire to win was second to none. Don’t know if you ever knew the positive influnce you were to many of us. Never too late to say so!”
“They would be so proud of the person you are. You are the most caring, loving, incredible person I know. You lift us all up in prayer and encouragement. I am so very proud to be your friend!”
“Aww, thank you very, very much as I can completely relate & understand that & how difficult it truly is. I appreciate, we appreciate you & your unconditional generosity, love, prayers, encouragement & support…always. We love you. It is way past my bedtime, but had been working on getting the finalization to the post for a very long time & now praying it is successful. Alright, will talk more soon & hope you have a blessed night. Our eternal gratitude to you once again. XOXO”
“Of course! You have the biggest heart, my friend. Miss you lots. Love ya!”
“Thank you for all you did for us. It did not go unnoticed or will we ever forget. You were the best at Citi and the best BOSS we had. Thank you for your wisdom, time and energy and sharing with our family, Laurie and Heather with us. I hope you are doing well. Love you too!”
“I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this, but you are a great leader. I have never worked for someone who had my back the way you had ours! You don’t give a shit about office politics and you do what’s right! There were 3 things you did for me when we worked together that I will never forget. 1) you let me go to my aunt’s funeral after she passed away from cancer. 2) you saw my potential. You had asked me one day why I wasn’t in the supervisor queue when I had been there for so long yet new hires were being put in it. Well, my supervisor had it out for me. Next thing I knew, I was in the supervisor queue. 3) when I was on an escalated call and my supervisor literally started yelling at me with the customer on the phone and in front of my team. You totally had my back with that. You truly are one of the greatest!”
“We loved you too! I was so sad not having you there anymore. I remember when you first came and we had that meeting on a Saturday. When you told us all we didn’t have to take the cursing and being called names from a client, I knew right there you were gonna rock! The higher-up management there was a joke, but not as bad as the people I work for now for sure.”
“Lol, no, thank you! You are so welcome! Thanks again for everything you did for me and every other employee you’ve had!”
“Mike, you’re a great person. I’ve always prayed for the best for you. You taught me more than you know. You’d be so proud of where I’m at in my career”
“Oh, and you’d be so proud of me, Mike. I’m now an assistant Vice President… And doing very well. I’ve grown so much over the past 10 years. It’s crazy to think about how I used to be.”
“That was the best thing you could have done for me, Mike. I was pigeonholed into a specific role for a while until someone was brave enough to change the way we were doing things, and WHO was doing certain things. It really made me realize my potential! I’m now leading the mortgage servicing team at First National Bank of XXXXX. I would have never had the confidence in myself had you not seen it in me first. ❤. I even got that corner office I never dreamed I’d have!”
“You have no idea of the impact you had on my life and career. You believed in me before I believed in myself. You were a stubborn ass sometimes, but I admire you still. I was just telling him how radical Scottsbluff thought you were. You really weren’t that radical. They just didn’t know what to do with all of your thoughts and innovation.”
“I think I told you before that I had a Mike LoRusso “Let’s Discuss” folder. I’d come into your office and go over all the things you said we should discuss. Not because I had to. I wanted to.. Most of the time
You fought hard for what made sense, but no one else saw it. That’s why I’m thoroughly convinced I wouldn’t be where I’m at in my career without my time with you. I may not have liked your approach all the time, but the point was made clear and I still appreciate everything you did for me. Because you believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.
That’s all I needed. Someone to believe in me. I never had that until you.”
Well, OK, maybe this IS bragging, but it’s all I got. I hope you understand.
While all my physical issues, I really don’t have much of a future ahead of me, but I’ve come to accept that reality.
Oh, how I’d love to go out again & golf & bowl & drive & work & even, walk like a normal person (even a normal 64 y/o), but I’ve learned to lower my expectations.
And I derive the absolute GREATEST pleasure in the world from the simple things in life…
…going to breakfast or dinner with Heather (and actually seeing other people)…
…being invited over to a Super Bowl party…
…petting someone’s dogs…
…living vicariously through others as I read all about all their escapades on FB…
…making new friends that I feel I’ve known my entire life.
I’m cool with all that…and I hope you’re cool with my “bragging”.
i originally wrote this story 1-2 years ago, but I just updated it today (Mon 2/8/21). Yes, the Super Bowl party was yesterday!
As always, I’m so very thankful for your having taken the time to read my stuff and being so tolerant, understanding & non-violent toward me! 😉


So you want to publish a graphic novel...So you want to publish a graphic novel...So you want to publish a graphic novel... by Josh-Finney
Okay. So I started this as an email to a fellow publisher in arms who is looking to jump into the graphic novel market, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized a lot of you out there might benefit from this information. So for anyone looking to publish stories told in sequential art, I offer the following insight...
So you want to publish a graphic novel? First the good news. There's never been a better time to do it. Printing has never been cheaper, interest in graphic novels is at an all time high, and thanks to online stores like Amazon.com publishers are no longer shackled to the narrow minded ordering habits of comic shop owners. Now the bad news, the comic industry is dead. No, let me rephrase that. The comic industry *should* be dead. Rather, it has become the monster that refuses to die. It's a rotted, bloated corpse, that's been shot thirty time, set on fire, and then shoved off a 12-story building, yet the damn thing gets
Definitions and AdviceFAQ||The Shortlist||The Wanted Ads||Latest Additions||Latest Updates||Upcoming OCTs:(A-M) (N-Z)||OC Leagues||OCTs in Progress:(A-M) (N-Z)||Completed OCTs:(#-H) (I-Q)Definitions and Advice by OCTFollowers
A Guide to OCTsOriginal Character Tournaments are all over deviantart and keep growing in popularity, but not everyone knows what they are or how to participate in them. Since they're hosted by individuals and not actually affiliated with the website itself, there are no guides available to help explain how they work. Hopefully, this FAQ will be helpful to anyone looking to get involved in OCTs.A Guide to OCTs by YamiRedPen
What is an OCT?
OCTs, or "Original Character Tournaments" are contests held here on deviantart in which you can pit your original characters against other people's characters in a comic-style battle-royale. To put it simply, it's a cross between an art competition and a storytelling contest.
OCTs can be hosted on someone's account, or they can have a tournament account of their own. OCTs are usually open to anyone with a deviantart account, although some are invite only. Information about who is eligible to audition will usually be clearly stated s
|Aspiring animator, wannabe character designer, enthusiastic (although rather sporadic) writer, and general lover of technology. I started playing around with digital art when I stumbled across a chainmaille site that used CG images in its tutorials... little did I know that I was about to discover a new passion! I'm on Twitter as @BuildCyberworld. Oh, and I like Legos.|


Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing. Why I’m doing this. And then I realize, I’m scared . Scared of being alone, scared of what will happen if I ever decide to do it. This has been all I have know for 5+ years. Everything has changed in such a short time. What has caused this change in you? You seem to think nothing has but subtly everything has. I notice it. You might not but I have. I don’t think I can trust you anymore, or ever again. This hurts. All I want is what I know back, this you is what I don’t know.


This is yet another New York bestseller, that was yet again an eye opener to me. I wrote before that I had a lot of gut problems since childhood and that later I found out that it all was because of the wheat (tarwe – Ned., kviečiai – Lt.). Well this book showed me much more what wheat does to our bodies. William Davis had done an excellent work of gathering the data and reasearch and all the knowledge he gained from his practice as MD. On the other hand I have found his writing style and the way he leads you to his main shattering points was a bit funny, I kept till he starts with the real facts instead of prolonged historical retoric about how wheat came to be what it is now and found the first chapter a bit too long, but that‘s just my 2 cents.
The author starts his book about the creation of wheat and how it has turned into totally something else than it originally was before. It was hybridisized into small dwarf with heavier heads and bigger easy to obtain grains for mass production and turned into this wonderfull substance that can be used to bind your soup or as this light crossaint or bread that you would eat for breakfast. It can be turned into anything you want. It is now literally everywhere too. I already wrote that sugar is very bad for you, but wheat turns out to be even worse, because it raises your blood sugar evels way more than sugar and it‘s a pure carbohydrate, what means that its in general an empty calorie. From my experience I‘d rather have a small amount of sugar as lesser evil than wheat/gluten/grain.
William Davis has gathered research and elaborates in his seconds chapter various deseases that wheat causes or/and is connected to, the list is quite extensive. Wheat is addictive first of all, it makes you want to eat more and still feel hungry afterwords, it gives only a short satisfaction and spike of energy to leave you empy afterwars. Its not all about gluten, but also other substances wheat has that are potentially harmfull to human body. Even the substances that are used to kick off of cocaine or heroin work on wheat addiction the same way in our brain. Furthermore, its closely tied to obesity, it causes celiag desease, irritable bowel syndrome and other intestine and gut problems (which I experienced personally and am very happy to report that since I‘m gluten and grain free I have no problems whatsoever). It is connected to liver desease, autoimmune deseases. Wheat has direct link to diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, it disrupts your body PH, causes cataracts, wrinkles, accelerates aging process and makes bone brake easier, makes your joints hurt or be swollen, gives Dowager‘s humps and various excema or general rashes and pimples. It is also one of the reasons you can get a heart desease, your cholesterol levels are high and quantities of small LDL particles are higher and it even affects our brain by passing through all it‘s protective barriers and influencing how we function. As you can see it sounds like its the worst you can put into your body. You might say that you are perfectly healthy eating whole grain and never had such problems in your life, but you can‘t really know if you don‘t eliminate wheat for one month to really see the difference, then again why would you? But even if it is a whole grain bread it is still a grain, whole or split.
The author is not one of those people who find some bad ingredient in our diet and sais to only eliminate it though. We hear a lot of things nowadays, like its the carbs, oh no its the meat, or no its the sugar, or no its processed food, and I think they all have good arguments, but William Davis does agree on that if you don‘t eliminate other bad stuff like sugar, dye, additives and other grains you still might end up on the less healthy part in the end (think of e-numbers and MSG, Aspartame and etc). He also provides in his 3rd chapter how to give up wheat, gives a lot of examples even from the baker, who‘s work is actually has everything to do with wheat. He includes some awesome recepies and daily tips. Recently he even published a cookbook where he has such great recepies as bread, pizza, cake and muffins. I think this book literally influenced 30% of American population to dump glutens and start a gluten free life, which is a lot! What dumping wheat or gluten and grain gave to those people? Weight loss in first few months, alleviation of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, recovery from intestinal woes, like ulcerative colitis and celiac disease, marked improvement in bone density, reversal of osteopenia, cessation of skin conditions to oral ulcers and hair loss, reduction of inflamation and rheumatoid arthritis pain, ditching the many pills that doctors so easily prescribe and many more benefits. The author even dares you to try wheat free life for a month, cause you don‘t really have what to loose and who knows maybe a lot to gain :)
Again this is another brief review of this great book and to understand it all in more depth you would have to read it. For those who know me personally, I‘m happy to lend it to you if you‘re intersted :P it should be really a food for thought book for all of us.


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History of Lahalamura
Lahalamura has evolved from saivathandava which appear due to angry of God Siva. The secret Vidyas of Thulunadan Kalari is lahalamura at initial stage which turns to Saivamura at higher levels Lahalamura Gives training to counter armed men with bare hand and the movements and manthravidyas.
The dangerous secret Lahalamura war advised to Nandikesh by Shiva for countering Asuras. Post victory on Darika, when Sreebhdrakali was still in anger, Siva give advise on Saivamura to Sree Bhadrakaali. While parvathy sought the specialty of Lahalamura from Shiva , the informed Parvathy that Saivamura the hard feeling of Lahalamura from the body


And at that time there will be no hunger or war, no jealousy or rivalry. For the good will be plentiful, and all delicacies available as dust. The entire occupation of the world will be only to know G-d... the people Israel will be of great wisdom; they will perceive the esoteric truths and comprehend their Creator's wisdom as is the capacity of man. As it is written (Isaiah 11:9): "For the earth shall be filed with the knowledge of G-d, as the waters cover the sea."
Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 12:5)
Dawn (Alot Hashachar)
Earliest Tallit and Tefillin (Misheyakir)
Sunrise (Hanetz Hachamah)
Midday (Chatzot Hayom)
Nightfall (Tzeit Hakochavim)
Midnight (Chatzot HaLailah)


I Am, Most Importantly, A Straightforward Young Lady
Nashik, it’s about time we were familiar. I’ll be visiting your beautiful city December fourth to the tenth and can hardly wait to make some enduring memories with you! Too bad, you can’t keep me, as my heart has a place with Mumbai, the sloping city I call home. So we should benefit as much as possible from each wonderful, transitory minute.
A tad about me:
Hi I am Aarshati. I am, most importantly, a straightforward young lady. Delicate and sweet. Delicate and kind. Your dream, partner, and companion.
I am the sort of young Nashik Call Girl who pours over books for a lot of time, who laughs with enjoyment at losing all sense of direction in another city, who gets unprecedented joy from the art of nestling. I am a young lady who years for experience. For the idyllic and exceptional snapshots of finish and articulate indulgence. Be it scholarly, aesthetic, or culinary, there is no type of liberality I won’t explore with the most extreme eagerness.
So for what reason am I here, you inquire? Indeed, in light of the fact that I hear you’re looking for a similar thing. It is my point in life to have whatever number of remarkable encounters as could reasonably be expected.
I am a young lady that lives for the occasion. Underneath my delicate, bashful outside is extreme interest, savage reliability, and profound sympathy for other kind spirits.
In case I seem like your sort of young lady, let me know. I’d love to begin another experience with you.


Welcome Into My World
“Made of dust, a moon fragment, millions stars and from the chaos. I reflect all the colors of a rainbow.
My mood changes like seasons do because Nature is like that, impermanent. While permanent into the flow of her cycles. I feel like a canal between the above and the below, daily tending to experience, trying to learn then grow, I’m just a flow-her, passionately turning my core to the light.
Trying to embody the values I received, trying to live in compassion with the outer World and my inner Universes. I love spending time scanning souls and embracing the most powerful energy: Love.
But don’t get me wrong... I’m not a lover of Love...
I’m not an activist, I belong to no church except the life one. I believe in empathy and injustice under any forms upset me but I don’t believe in reaction. I believe in actions...
Those take their roots in another field than the one that is already rotten.
I love seafood, the smell of fuel arouses me, when I see a white feather falling from the sky I see it like a validation message from my angels. I do believe that the voice of truth is plural. I do feel that everything in the Universe is made of multiple contrasts singing in harmony.
One morning, I decided to stop surviving but to live, by telling myself that life is a huge theater in which we can play whoever we dream to be.
I’m probably mainly an actress for all these reasons, to explore the different forms of what it’s like to be a human, what it’s like to be alive” - Phøenix


On the corner of 6th and University. Up the hill from the Stone Arch Bridge.
- 6am - 9pm Daily
January 10, 2013
Join us on Friday at 6pm for a book reading by authors featured in our shop and online at Coffee & Books. Hear acclaimed authors Janet Shawgo, Amalie Howard and Tim Forbes read from their recently published books. Where: Dunn Bros at 530 University Ave., Minneapolis When: Friday, January 11 – 6pm Price: FREE Book and Dunn Brothers gift card giveaways for present attendees. Read more
- University Ave


We’Moon: Gaia Rhythms for Womyn, the iconic astrological datebook, is a best-selling moon calendar, earth-spirited handbook in natural rhythms–, and visionary collection of women’s creative work, now in its 42nd year of publication! We’Moon has been the best daily astrology guide and a go-to moon calendar for over four decades! A perfect companion for tracking full and new moons, finding out what sign the moon is in, following the moon phases, daily astrological aspects and much more!
Whether you are new to astrology or a fluent astrologer, this lunar planner has in-depth articles, helpful tips for beginners, and wonderful art and writing to inspire you on your daily journey.
Each year We’Moon weaves threads of intention into this wonderful moon calendar. Each edition has a theme, and currently, our themes are based on one of the eight moon phase cycles! We’Moon 2023 is inspired by the Waxing Moon.
We’Moon 2023: Silver Lining draws inspiration from the first light of the Moon: The Waxing Crescent. There at the edge of night sky is a young crescent moon, a curl of promise, a hook on which to hang our imaginations. This bright spark sheds light on the careful work of nurturing new dreams, and our fragile, tender wishes. May the blessings of Silver Linings inspire you each and every day of the coming year!
Out of stock


A natural resources inventory (NRI) compiles
and describes important naturally occurring resources such as forests,
wetlands, surface and ground waters, and farmland within a given locality
(e.g., municipality, watershed, or region). Cultural resources, such as
historic sites, scenic vistas, and recreation areas, are often included in an
NRI, as well. Information is usually presented in a series of maps and an
accompanying report with narrative descriptions, supporting data tables, and
recommendations. An NRI is essential for comprehensive land-use planning that
proactively considers a community's land and water resources, and provides the
foundation for open space planning and protection, zoning
updates, conservation overlay districts, critical environmental areas, and
other municipal plans and policies.
Natural Resources Inventory: A Guide for Communities in the Hudson River
Estuary Watershed was written by the NYSDEC to help municipalities pursue an
NRI by suggesting an approach, recommending components to include, explaining
why they are important, and providing sources of data and assistance. Case
studies from the Hudson Valley and strategies for using the NRI in local
planning are included. The guide was designed for use by municipal and county
officials, (e.g., conservation advisory councils and planning boards),
conservation organizations, watershed associations, and interested citizens, and
may also be useful to professional planners, consultants, and developers.
Limited paper copies are available for municipalities.


Sometimes you hear things that make you absolutely ecstatic - other times you hear things that make you sad - and last you hear things that you are conflicted about. I have to say the latter comes to mind when I hear new news recently.
Have you ever tried to ask for something so dear to your heart and you continually get a no OR at least a not right now? And all the while people around you are getting the thing you want most. I have to cry out to the Lord where is the verse - I will give you the desires of your heart. God knows my heart best so I have to think maybe I'm not ready yet for this gift. Or maybe I need to be persistent.
I'm always reminded of the persistent neighbor. I guess I need to keep asking for bread from my neighbor. Until next time - may God bless you!


Cole Brown is a political commentator, writer, and author of the book, Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World. The book received praise from Diddy, Queen Latifah, The New York Times, Forbes, and others for its honest examination of an underexplored side of the Black experience: that of Black kids maturing in predominately white environments. Greyboy received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Literary Work — Debut Author and was selected for Steph Curry’s “Underrated” book club. It is currently in T.V. development with ABC Signature and Yara Shahidi's 7th Sun production company with Cole as Executive Producer.
Cole followed Greyboy up with First Impressions, a memoir co-authored with first Black Bachelor Matt James in 2022.
Cole is a 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree in Media.
In 2020, Cole was the leading commentator on U.S. politics in Australia. His opinion writing appears in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age and he appeared regularly on Australia’s TV networks, including primetime coverage of the U.S. election and the Capitol riots for Australia’s leading news network.
Domestically, Cole’s work has appeared in GQ, CNN, NBC, Departures Magazine, and Blavity discussing matters of race, politics, and culture.
Before writing and producing, Cole worked for Boston Consulting Group, where his casework included media due diligences, workforce management implementation, and strategic planning for COVID response measures.
Cole received a B.A. in Justice and Peace studies and Business Administration from Georgetown University.


“Hey there,” his voice cut through the silence. It had taken everything in his power to not grab her up the second she’d walked in the door but he had restrained himself. He smiled at her slowly, first with those dark brown eyes and then his lips twitching up in a trademark Tony grin. He held his arms out, wearing a simple black shirt and jeans, the glowing blue peeking from under the fabric that reminded him daily he had a heart, and now it was where it belonged again.
Whirling around at a certain billionaire’s voice, Sarah’s blue-grey eyes locked with his dark brown ones. Seeing his opened arms a lump formed in her throat. Taking a few steps towards him she shoved his chest, not touching his arc-reactor, causing him to stagger back a few steps.
“Where the hell have you been?” she almost yelled angrily, her voice cracking with emotion as tears filled her eyes. ”You drop off the face of the planet for what over 6 months and just waltz right back into my life like everything’s ok? You left Tony.” By this point tears were streaming down her face. ”Do you have any idea how much that hurt me?”
He staggered back a bit at the shove, swallowing hard when he realized that she was still mad. She had every right to be, honestly.. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a soft sigh before he opened them again. His gaze was now fixed on the floor and the warmth that was there was replaced with hurt and almost hate for himself for just leaving the woman he loved like that with no explanation or reason. he was a damned idiot for that and he knew it.
“You have every right to be mad at me and you also have every right to tell me to leave right now and never look back. But I really hope that you don’t because I’m not entirely sure how well Jarvis would take to having to redesign half of the tower.”
His eyes flicked back up to the blonde, trying to convey how sorry he truly was with his eyes. He didn’t know how to explain it or if he even could. This wasn’t even the first time he just fell off the face of the universe on people. He had months and, in one case, almost two years he’d just vanished. Private island, tropical cruises. whatever he needed to get away from a lifestyle he’d inadvertently created for himself. “There’s no way for me to tell you I’m sorry, at least not enough..”
Sarah let Tony speak and kept her blue-grey eyes fixed on him in a hard stare. Yes she was angry, but God help her if she still didn’t love him.
“You are such an idiot,” she choked out burying her face in the older male’s chest, her entire body trembling as she struggled to contain her sobs. ”A big stupid genius idiot.” Hands clutching his black shirt she clung to him like he was going to disappear again.
"Shhhh…" he murmured softly to her, his arms almost instantly snaking around her to pull her as close as he could. He didn’t want to leave her again if he could help it. He gently played with her hair, rubbing her back and rocking her a bit, trying to be as soothing as absolutely possible to her as he did so.
"I missed you so much, Sarah.."


Storytelling is at the very heart of our school. Children hear stories which are then learnt orally, deepened through a variety of creative activities, innovated upon and then have opportunities to invent their own. We ensure that all narrative plots are covered over the year and children use these to develop their narrative writing skills. Non-fiction text types are also learnt through this storytelling approach and are all mapped out on our curriculum overviews to ensure there is effective coverage across the school. Poetry is also included through the deepening activities and we feel that it is an essential part to language learning and playfulness.
Hooks into learning are always encouraged and these may be through school-based activities or class trips. Outcomes and purpose to learning and writing are always sought. Assemblies, book launches for parents, displays, publications on the website and blogs are used to highlight the classes’ fantastic learning.
We want the children at Mayflower to be excited about their writing and the opportunities through the speaking and listening skills learnt through storytelling has a fantastic impact on enjoyment and attainment. English Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation (EGPS) is covered creatively through shared writing opportunities to make it meaningful, as well as through discrete lessons linked into class topics.
We are extremely proud of our phonics learning at Mayflower and recently achieved over 97% pass rate in the Year 1 phonics screening. We work closely with an external advisor to ensure our methods in phonics are kept to the extremely high standards we expect.
Reading is taught through shared and guided reading sessions which occur daily. Key Stage 2 children are now involved in the Accelerated Reader programme to encourage them to read even more widely and challenge them appropriately. We have a peer mentoring programme set up with children in KS1 and LKS2 whereby the older children are listening to a child from a class 2 years below them and supporting them on their reading journey. Teachers, Teaching Assistants and local visiting business partners also give children 1:1 reading support.
We have two Reading Recovery teachers who run the very successful and intensive reading recovery programme, which runs daily for 20 weeks. This is available for those Year 1 children who find reading and writing challenging and enables them to catch up with their peers and become more independent.
An inviting, stimulating and topic related book corner can be found in every classroom and is just a part of what our school offers to encourage reading. All children are expected to read daily at home with their parents’ involvement and encouragement.
As well as reading books from the classroom selection, children can also find a huge collection of exciting new books in our delightful school library. There are also regular planned visits to our local Idea Store in Chrisp Street Market.
We want the children at Mayflower to develop a love for reading which follows them throughout life. Through our dedicated story times throughout the day, celebrations throughout the year (especially during World Book Week), book fairs and exciting rewards for resilient and fantastic readers, we hope we have created an environment for that love of literature to grow whilst they learn in our school.