Category: Celebrate Life

National Infertility Awareness Week (24 – 30 April)
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing

National Infertility Awareness Week (24 – 30 April)

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Let’s use NIAW to raise our voices, talk about the issues facing this community and make sure we continue to support those most in need. Anyone can be challenged to have a family. No matter what race, religion, sexuality or economic status. Change begins with being part of a national movement, National Infertility Awareness Week®. This week unites millions of Americans who want to remove the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families.

National Infertility Awareness Week®, (NIAW) is a movement, founded in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Its mission is to empower you and change the conversation around infertility.

Infertility impacts 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. today and 1 in 4 women physicians. Especially in medical communities, it’s time to share how #WeCanAll help others recognize the far-reaching effects of inadequate resources and support for family planning.

Here is how you  can get involved:

  1. Join the AMWA webinar Series – Turning Fertility Challenges Into Change: Creating a Reproductive Life Plan (April 25, 8pm ET)  
  1. Join the #WeCanAll social campaign with #NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek or #NIAW2022 and tag @AMWADoctors in your posts. Here are NIAW Social Media Images and NIAW facts you can use. Share your infertility story or participate in the 5-Day Photo Challenge (including #WearOrange day on Wednesday, April 27, 2022).
  1. If your employer doesn’t cover fertility benefits, send a friendly email to ask about coverage. Consider citing recent Fortune and CNBC articles about how employers are using fertility benefits as perks.
    • “This week is National Infertility Awareness Week and one of the discussion points is the fact that lack of insurance inhibits many people from being able to move forward to treatment. I’m wondering if ______ will be considering fertility coverage benefits?”
  1. Write a post for AMWA’s blog about physician infertility or your own personal experience.
  1. Write an Op-Ed about the importance of fertility benefits coverage using AMWA’s guideline and template.
  1. Talk to your employer about fertility benefits using the AMWA-RESOLVE Coverage-at-Work Toolkit.

Melinda

References:

https://infertilityawareness.org

How to Accept and Move Forward After Losing a Loved One
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

How to Accept and Move Forward After Losing a Loved One

Looking for the Light1 Comment

Experiencing grief is difficult for everyone. From losing pets to seeing parents or friends pass away, no one ever feels truly ready for it. Grief can manifest in a variety of ways. Some of these can be positive, but there are also negative reactions that can make things worse for you and those around you. While you shouldn’t forget about your loved one, it is still important to accept what has happened and find ways to move forward and continue your life, because that’s what they would have wanted. 

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

Accept Your Pain 

One of the most important steps to acceptance and moving forward is to understand your emotions, which can be difficult if you have never encountered grief before. You will have a myriad of conflicting feelings; you might wonder if there is anything you could have done to change things, or regret not making the most of your time together. This is all part of the grieving process, and the sooner you accept your pain, the sooner you can start to feel better. This is not always an easy fix, and you may need to speak with other people to come to terms with it, but finding acceptance and coping with it positively will make things easier. 

Celebrate Their Life 

You may feel like you didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye to your loved one, and this can raise several issues as you feel you’ve sorely missed out on something you’ll never get to do. If you are looking for ways to overcome these feelings, you can find ways to celebrate their life. Consider what they loved to do and do it yourself. You can throw a huge party or sit with your family and reminisce. Whatever you do, you will celebrate and honor their memory. 

Support Yourself 

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in grief that you completely ignore yourself. Some people can feel guilty that they are still alive when their loved one is not. But, it isn’t beneficial to ignore your well-being. Make sure you maintain a consistent sleep schedule, a good diet, and exercise, as these contribute to a better quality of life. They can also help release positive chemicals in your brain that allow you to cope with your grief. 

Consider The Next Steps 

As much as you don’t want to finalize your loss, you will need to think about the next steps. This could include the will or even selling their property and possessions. An estate sale can be difficult and even confusing, so working with companies like Clearly Quick Estate Liquidators can take the stress out of the entire process. You will get the chance to keep what matters to you, and the liquidators can do the rest of the work, so you don’t have to. 

Acceptance and Progress

The idea of moving forward can feel insensitive. But, these techniques do not mean you will ignore how your loved ones have influenced your life. You will still keep them in your thoughts whatever you do, but you will no longer allow the grief to impact your life. Instead, you can live the life the thief would have wanted you to, and you get the chance to make them proud. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Gardening Tips To Help You Grow The Perfect Yard
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Gardening Tips To Help You Grow The Perfect Yard

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Everyone should make it a goal to include nature in their lives, and anybody can grow a garden of their own. For example, your windowsill may be a great place to grow herbs and other oxygen-giving plants to keep your apartment vibrant and smelling good. If you have a lot of room, or perhaps a backyard, you can be more creative. You don’t need to employ a landscaper to create a tranquil haven in your yard. Here are a few pointers to help you get started on the path to a successful garden.

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

What Kind Of Garden? 

Before you can begin transforming your blank yard into a paradise, you must first have a general idea of how you want your garden to be when you’re done. Make a rough drawing of how you want your yard to look using ideas and inspiration you find online, on TV, or as you go around your neighborhood. The idea is to focus on the fundamentals so that you can improve your garden. 

Try not to over-plan the appearance of your garden – half the joy is developing how it looks as things start to grow; it really is an organic process a lot of the time, but a general idea to get you started is always useful. 

Do Your Research 

Every plant, whether it’s a flower, a shrub, a tree, or fruits and veggies, needs to be properly cared for. Before you add new vegetation to your garden, do some research since certain plants might take over and damage what you currently have. 

Most importantly, know how to care for your plants: you don’t want to kill them, thinking you’re doing the right thing. Vegetables, for example, necessitate special care and constant attention – as well as a lot of practice – in order to yield a good harvest. Some plants don’t need anything at all, so you might do more harm than good when you water them. Know what you’re planting and how to take the best care of it. 

Keep On Top Of Maintenance 

After doing your research, it’s time to put what you’ve learned to good use. A thriving garden requires regular maintenance. The seasons throw varying demands on you for plant management, ranging from trimming and tree removal to growing your seedlings inside during the winter to help optimize the summer months and feeding and watering during dry periods. Maintaining your plants will pay off in the future, giving you the most beautiful backyard that is a joy to behold and something you can be proud of. 

Add Decorations And Furniture 

Once you’ve established the foundation of your garden, you can next begin to add to it. Inspiration and spontaneity come into play here. This is true for both new plants and new décor and furnishings. Having a place to sit and relax in your garden is an essential part of the experience. If you have enough room, you can even turn that seating arrangement into a location to dine or hold gatherings.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

World Immunization Week (24 – 30 April)
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing

World Immunization Week (24 – 30 April)

Looking for the Light2 Comments

I can’t think of a better time than now to talk about immunizations. 

Long Life for All

In pursuit of a long life well lived

 

World Immunization Week, celebrated in the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.

A Long Life for All is not a promise, it’s an ambition.

Because everyone deserves a chance at a fulfilling life.​

One where we’re free to pursue happiness. ​

And look back without wondering “What if?”. ​

Vaccines have been indiscriminately saving lives since 1796.​

The first Smallpox immunization was a fight back against disease. ​

For the first time, it gave everyone a chance.​

And hundreds of vaccines later,​

Across two and a quarter centuries. ​

Billions of people have lived longer lives.​

Grown up to become firefighters. Doctors. Musicians. ​

Fathers. Mothers. Brothers. Sisters.​

Vaccines might not get credit for that first kiss.

That winning goal.​

That special day.​

That final hug.

But their worth isn’t just measured in doses given. ​

It’s in minutes given back.​

And lives prolonged.​

Vaccines provide opportunity and hope for all of us to enjoy ​a more fulfilling life. ​ And that’s something we should all be fighting for.​

Vaccines, in the pursuit of a long life well lived.​

Long Life for All.

Please make sure your and your children’s vaccines are up to date, it can mean life or death. 

Melinda

 

Reference:

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week/world-immunization-week-2022

IBS Awareness Month
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing

IBS Awareness Month

Looking for the Light1 Comment

According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, IBS affects nearly 45 million people in the U.S. and 10% to 15% of the global population. Although common, many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms can be managed. Further, patients are often stigmatized and misunderstood, creating a significant impact on their quality of life.

See the source image

While the exact pathogenesis of IBS remains largely unknown, scientific evidence points to disturbances in gut, brain and nervous system interaction that can cause changes to normal bowel function and produce symptoms ranging from mild inconvenience to severe debilitation.

“Though strategies for managing IBS have evolved, one guiding principle remains true: There is no one-size-fits-all treatment strategy. IBS care in 2022 and beyond no longer relies on just the GI doctor but is a ‘team sport’ that involves a multidisciplinary, integrative care team of dietitians, behavioral therapists and maybe even complimentary alternative medicine providers,” Chey said during his J. Edward Berk Distinguished Lecture at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting 2021.

Please see your Gastroenterologist if you have any questions or think you may have IBS or other gastric issues. 

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healio.com/news/gastroenterology/20220413/ibs-awareness-month-diagnostic-tips-treatment-options-multidisciplinary-care-and-more

 

Blogger Highlight-My Traumatic Secrets and Healing Journey
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Survivor

Blogger Highlight-My Traumatic Secrets and Healing Journey

Looking for the Light3 Comments

April is Sexual Assualt Awareness month and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to introduce you to a very brave woman and mother, Christine.

Keep your eyes peeled for a new Blogger Highlight next week.

My Trauma Secrets and Healing Journey

Telling my story while on my healing journey

Overactive brain

I can’t stop thinking about my sexual trauma without actually thinking about it. I feel the filth and pain from all of those events. I think it’s time to confront it. But I’m afraid of who I’ll be when I’m done.

Read the rest of the post here.

Sometimes life is messy, downright ugly and it happens to good people. I love the way Christine is so raw with her emotion and doesn’t edit herself. We see the authentic person.

Please check out her site for more great posts.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight

Today in History April 17, 2022
Celebrate Life · Fun

Today in History April 17, 2022

Looking for the Light1 Comment

Welcome to the Weekend Edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.

1970

Apollo 13 returns to Earth

With the world anxiously watching, Apollo 13, a U.S. lunar spacecraft that suffered a severe malfunction on its journey to the moon, safely returns to Earth on April 17, 1970.

On April 11, the third manned lunar landing mission was launched from Florida, carrying astronauts James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert and Fred W. Haise. The mission was headed for a landing on the Fra Mauro highlands of the moon. However, two days into the mission, disaster struck 200,000 miles from Earth when oxygen tank No. 2 blew up in the spacecraft. Swigert reported to mission control on Earth, “Houston, we’ve had a problem here,” and it was discovered that the normal supply of oxygen, electricity, light and water had been disrupted. 

1790

Benjamin Franklin dies

On April 17, 1790, American statesman, printer, scientist and writer Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84. Born in Boston in 1706, Franklin became at 12 years old an apprentice to his half brother James, a printer and publisher. He learned the printing trade and in …read more

2002

“General Hospital” airs 10,000th episode

On April 17, 2002, ABC airs the 10,000th episode of the daytime drama General Hospital, the network’s longest-running soap opera and the longest-running program ever produced in Hollywood. Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, General Hospital premiered on April 1, 1963. It was set …read more

1936

A single horsehair helps solve murder of Nancy Titterton

After a week of tracking down every conceivable lead, police finally find the evidence they need in order to break the case of Nancy Titterton’s rape-murder in New York City. Titterton, a novelist and the wife of NBC executive Lewis Titterton, was raped and strangled in her …read more

1964

Ford Mustang debuts at World’s Fair

The Ford Mustang is officially unveiled by Henry Ford II at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York, on April 17, 1964. That same day, the new car also debuted in Ford showrooms across America and almost 22,000 Mustangs were immediately snapped up by buyers. Named for a …read more

Enjoy!

Melinda

He Has Risen!
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

He Has Risen!

Looking for the Light11 Comments

Jesus has risen! 

I pray your day is filled with love and surrounded by the people you care about the most. 

                                                               

This photo was taken at the Church of the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia. You’ve probably seen it before, it’s one of my favorites. Jesus looks so real, you can reach out and touch him. You can also imagine his tremendous suffering.

No matter your religion you can celebrate the life of a great man and prophet. If you’re a Christain you can thank God for sending his only son to take away our sins.

Peace be with you.

Melinda

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “nose/noes/knows”
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “nose/noes/knows”

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Our prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “nose/noes/knows.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Have fun!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here to this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome Stream of Consciousness post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our beautiful SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

To start with I’m not sure what noes is so let’s look it up. As it turns out I knew that word well growing up. There were always lots of noes around our house and they meant no! No, you can’t have another piece of candy or dessert, no you can’t sleepover and another multiple no is can we have a dog? Noes!

I think people’s nose is an important characteristic of a person’s face and there are so many types. There are people I know who don’t like their noses but I think mine is ok. I’ve never had an aversion to noses, it what’s makes us all different.

What do I know? Well, it’s Saturday and I’ve been working in the garden. Planting more flowers for my Spring extravagaza! My husband and I planted a Mandeville on a trellis again this year and it turned out the prettiest flower in the whole garden last year. We planted our tomatoes except for the ones from seed, they’re not quite big enough yet.

What else do I know? I thank you for reading this post on your Saturday. I hope your day is filled with sunshine and love

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:

Linda G Hill

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

 

 

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You
Celebrate Life · Fun

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

Looking for the Light1 Comment
I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments! 

 

More people visit France than any other country (Spain is second; the US third). (e-unwto.org)

You can still stay at the world’s oldest hotel, Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan, which was founded in 705 AD. (guinnessworldrecord.com)

The longest place name in the word, at 85 letters, is “Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu,” New Zealand. Locals just call it Taumata Hill. (newzealand.com)

The coldest temperature ever recorded occurred in Antarctica, -144 Fahrenheit, as reported by researchers in a scientific journal in 2018.

 The hottest temperature ever recorded occurred in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California, at 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913

Enjoy! 

Melinda

 

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Selfie

Looking for the Light25 Comments

I have had an aversion to how I look in photos most of my life, it’s a body dysmorphic thing. This isn’t the worst shot but it makes me realize for the first time how thin my upper lip is. 

I’m smiling at you! Yes, you! Have a great weekend.

Melinda

#Weekend Music Share *Stevie Wonder – Superstition (1974) LIVE
Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share *Stevie Wonder – Superstition (1974) LIVE

Looking for the Light1 Comment

 

Stevie Wonder et Prince – Superstition – Paris Bercy 01 07 2010

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Animal Funnies
Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Animal Funnies

Looking for the Light1 Comment

I didn’t have a lot planned today since I had an appointment but wanted to bring you a laugh. Today is the first Therapy appointment I’ve had since the Pandemic started so I’m very excited. I thought animal videos would get a good laugh.

Funny Animals GIFs - 150 GIFs to Try Not to Laugh!

Funny Animals GIFs - 150 GIFs to Try Not to Laugh!

Funny Animals GIFs - 150 GIFs to Try Not to Laugh!

 

Depression: How To Cope When Everything Is Going Wrong
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Depression: How To Cope When Everything Is Going Wrong

Looking for the Light7 Comments

Things going wrong in life is a normal part of the journey. They aren’t always going to pan out how you hope. However, when you have depression, it can be more challenging to process. Even minor disruptions can feel like a disaster. 

Depression makes life harder. It can feel like an enormous effort just getting through the day. When something goes wrong, particularly if it is serious, then it can derail you entirely. 

Unfortunately, life will throw curveballs at you from time to time. Therefore, it’s critical to know how to respond if you are living with depression. Here are some tips. 

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

Breathe

Breathwork is something that yogis and sages have been doing for millennia, and for good reason: it really works. When you take time to do a series of deep breaths from the stomach, you’ll notice that it fundamentally changes how you feel. You go from feeling tense to a more relaxed state. 

Meditation practices that focus on breathing can help people get through stressful times. When things go wrong, just lying down, closing your eyes, and doing some deep breathing can really help. 

Tell Other People How You Feel

If you’ve never had depression before, it is hard to really understand the complexities of it. You have a lack of energy, fatigue, and disturbed sleep. It’s hard to just perform daily tasks. 

When things go wrong, it creates anger and frustration. Because your life is so difficult already, adding more hassle makes it feel even more unbearable. 

If you are struggling, tell other people how you feel. Explain what your symptoms mean and how they affect you. Get them to understand where you are coming from. 

Look For Help

When things go wrong in your life, you don’t necessarily have to live with it. In many cases, you can get help. 

For instance, if you get a citation, look for a traffic ticket fighter who can prevent money from draining your bank account. Or, if you have a problem with your boss, find an advocate who can make your case. 

When it comes to asking for help, be kind to yourself. Let other people give you support. In many cases, it’s something that they want to give to you. 

Seek Out The Positives In The Situation

Life might seem dreadfully serious all the time, but changing your perspective can help tremendously. Seeing the funny side of a situation can change how you feel in a profound way and actually lessen the suffering when things go wrong. Use bad times as a learning opportunity: a springboard for new things in your life. 

Do One Thing At A Time

Lastly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by things going wrong in your life, fix one thing at a time. Don’t attempt to do everything all at once. 

Take some time to prioritize what you can actually fix first and then move down the list. Do each task one step at a time. Break it up into chunks and get other people to help. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Blogger Highlight Peaceful Hearts Rise
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight Peaceful Hearts Rise

Looking for the Light11 Comments

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Peaceful Hearts Rise

Peaceful Hearts Rise

I am on a healing journey from childhood trauma, sexual abuse, and domestic violence in an intimate partner/long-term marriage.


If you are going through the same thing or know someone; I’m sorry…but…please know we have a voice, our story to tell, we will survive and we will thrive!


I hope that by sharing my story that someone out there will know he or she is not alone and that we can heal and become free as the butterfly and strong as the oak tree.

“I am here. You are here. We have a voice. Our story matters. Silent no more.”

“You are safe now. Be free.”
 
I love her raw poetry, it moves me. Please check out her site today. 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Book Review The Packing House by G. Donald Cribbs

Looking for the Light1 Comment

I want to say a special thank you to Managing Editor Soraya Nair of Trigger Publishing for sending me an advanced copy of The Packing House by G. Donald Cribbs for review.

About the Author

G. Donald Cribbs has written and published poetry and short stories since high school. Donald is a graduate of Messiah College in English and Education and has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

He is also a licensed professional counselor (LPC). He and his wife and four boys reside in central Pennsylvania where the author is hard at work on his next book, tentatively titled, UNPACKING THE PAST, the sequel to his debut novel, THE PACKING HOUSE (2022), by Cherish Editions.

Having lived and traveled abroad in England, France, Belgium, Germany, China, and Thailand (you can guess where he lived and where he visited), the author loves languages and how they connect us all. Coffee and Nutella are a close second.

Blurb

When 16-year-old Joel Scrivener has a raging nightmare in study hall and someone records it on their phone, he awakens to a living nightmare where everyone knows his secret, one that he’s suppressed for ten years. Reeling as the whole school finds out the truth, Joel takes to the woods, leaving the bullies and his broken home behind.

However, life as a runaway isn’t easy, as Joel’s hallucinations and nightmares follow him into the wilderness. To stop them once and for all, he pieces clues together with flashes of the images that play endlessly inside his head—will he figure out the identity of the person who caused his nightmare before it’s too late?

My Thoughts

“It has been said, “Time heals all wounds.” I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.
—Rose Kennedy”

Excerpt From
The Packing House

I have to agree with Rose Kennedy, time doesn’t heal all wounds. My upbringing involved growing up in a domestic violence household with an alcoholic step-father, I was abused by both parents, and became a became drug addict as a teen. The trauma of abuse especially sexual abuse stays with you. You push it to the back and move on. Move on is a relative term and certainly applies here. 

Repressed memories are traumatic and please seek therapy right away if you are dealing with repressed memories. You will need some guidance. 

What is your worst nightmare? For Joel Scrivener, it comes to life right in the middle of class with a room full of students. He fell asleep and during that time had a nightmare that was a repressed memory. Some even took their phones out to film him in the nightmare screaming for someone to get off of him! Now everyone knows. 

This is a story about survival, luck, and good endings. 

G. Donald Cribbs is a great storyteller, he keeps it moving and yet fills in all the blanks. The Packing House is a very fast read and keeps you eager to turn the next page. 

I would recommend this book to anyone but to all parents of teens for sure 

Trigger Publishing

TriggerHub.org is the first mental health organization of its kind. We are bringing mental health recovery and balance to millions of people worldwide through the power of our books.

We have built a first-class resource of curated books produced and published in-house to create a unique collection of mental health recovery titles unrivaled in quality and selection. We work with experts, psychologists, doctors, and coaches to produce our books, but we also work with real people looking to share their stories to reach out to others and provide hope, understanding, and compassion. These brave authors also aim to raise awareness of mental health’s “human” face and its impact on everyday lives. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@loookinglight

Today in History April 10, 2022
Celebrate Life · Fun

Today in History April 10, 2022

Looking for the Light3 Comments

Welcome to the Weekend Edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.

1866

ASPCA is founded

On April 10, 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is founded in New York City by philanthropist and diplomat Henry Bergh, 54.

In 1863, Bergh had been appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to a diplomatic post at the Russian court of Czar Alexander II. It was there that he was horrified to witness work horses beaten by their peasant drivers. En route back to America, a June 1865 visit to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in London awakened his determination to secure a charter not only to incorporate the ASPCA but to exercise the power to arrest and prosecute violators of the law.

1970

Paul McCartney announces the breakup of the Beatles

The legendary rock band the Beatles spent the better part of three years breaking up in the late 1960s, and even longer than that hashing out who did what and why. And by the spring of 1970, there was little more than a tangled set of business relationships keeping the group …read more

1941

Croatia declares independence

On April 10, 1941, the German and Italian invaders of Yugoslavia set up the Independent State of Croatia (also including Bosnia and Herzegovina) and place nationalist leader Ante Pavelic’s Ustase, pro-fascist insurgents, in control of what is no more than a puppet Axis regime. …read more

1971

U.S. table tennis team visits communist China

The U.S. table tennis team begins a weeklong visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) at the invitation of China’s communist government. The well-publicized trip was part of the PRC’s attempt to build closer diplomatic relations with the United States, and was the beginning …read more

1953

First color 3-D film opens

On April 10, 1953, the horror film The House of Wax, starring Vincent Price, opens at New York’s Paramount Theater. Released by Warner Brothers, it was the first movie from a major motion-picture studio to be shot using the three-dimensional, or stereoscopic, film process and one of the first horror films to be shot in color.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is How
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is How

Looking for the Light3 Comments

Our prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “how.” Use the word “how” in your post. Bonus points if you start your post with it. Enjoy! Thanks, Linda!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here to this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome Stream of Consciousness post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our beautiful SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

How in the world am I going to keep up with all the new plants in the garden?, as I brush the dirt off the computer. At least no replacing them next year. That is the objective. 

This year we decided to turn our flower pots to all Perrinialls and I bought all new plants.  Two roses, a Gardenia, two Hydrangeas, two verbenas, and I forget from there. I had to buy larger pots for a few plants. We also had to move the Peony to the east side of the house as the spot we had it in was too much sun. I look forward to its fragrant blooms. 

I’ve planted two of the four Rosemary plants and planted the Gardenia this morning. 

The watering has already started and it’s nowhere near summer but with new plants, you have to keep your eyes on them.

We lost all of our shrubs in the great storm of 2021 and so this year we have new scrubs, I can’t wait till they are a little larger It’s hard to see the effect I’m going for now. For the first time, we planted some bulbs that you leave in the ground, no digging up for me. They look like large purple balls. I can’t wait, they are peaking thru now. 

I’m eager, just four more plants to get in the pots and I’ll be Spring ready! 

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:

Linda G Hill

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

Looking for the Light3 Comments

The last time I did Fun Facts people raved about how informative and funny they were so I wanted to start a new weekend tradition.

At Medieval Times dinner attractions, you eat with your hands because people didn’t use utensils in the middle ages. (medievaltimes.com)

Freelancers originally referred to self-employed, sword-wielding mercenaries: literally “free lancers.” (merriam-webster.com)

We shake hands to show we’re unarmed. (bbc.co.uk)

Although no longer connected to the beer company, Guinness World Records was founded by the managing director of Guinness Brewery in the 1950s. (guinnessworldrecords.com).

Michelin stars are highly coveted by elite and upscale restaurants the world over—but they’re actually given out by the Michelin tire company, the same one whose mascot is the marshmallow-like Michelin Man. If you want to get fancy, pronounce it in the original French, “mich-LEH.” (michelin.com)

Enjoy!

Melinda

#Weekend Music Share *Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour: The Launch 
Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share *Elton John – Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour: The Launch 

Looking for the Light4 Comments

 

https://youtu.be/9r6NI9m_IxM
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Book Review for Understanding Human Nature by Richard Brook

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

A special thanks to Alice Rowe at The Book Publicist for providing a copy of Understanding Human Nature, A Users Guide To Life by Richard Brook for review.