“The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness. Happiness is the goal of every other goal”

Deepak Chopra

Nadine Burke Harris gives a dynamic Ted Talk on How Childhood Trauma effects health across a lifetime. Her talk reinforces what many have thought for years.  XO  W

Ted.com offeres 1900+ talks to stir your mind. 

Many of you enjoyed the softer side last week. Let’s do a week on words. Each songs beauty is in the words. Clear your head.This week I want to show another side to a couple of my favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist. They are not “B Sides”, I hear gems without the radio overplay. Pull up a comfy seat, maybe lay on couch with Black Light on. What happens in your house stays there. I want to hear what you think!!! Shout it out!  XO W

Fighting to end trafficking is a complex issue. We may not see the change ourselves, we do have to start the ball rolling. We have to understand why trafficking is happening and widely excepted in many countries. I’ve included a link to original article.   XO  W

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rights4girls-jvta-marks-a-pivotal-step-forward-in-the-fight-against-trafficking-2015-05-19

I love you Gramps. The memories we made fill my heart with joy. Teaching me how to fish. The first fish I caught, standing up almost turning the boat over. At 13 you gave me a 16 gauge shot-gun, we went to the levees to practice. I shot a duck out of season, you were pretty cool about that. Laughing when I shot at dragonflies. I will always remember throwing trash cans in truck, heading to levy for driving lessons. He picked up more cans on parallel parking.

Gramps didn’t hear this song, he didn’t know Carrie Underwood. He would rather listen to Buck Owens or George Jones, old-time country. This song touched me deeply, I can’t listen to without crying. I’ll see you soon. I know this is my temporary home.  XO Melinda

Traveling to Russia was/is number one on my Bucket List, a trip of a life time. Traveling alone without knowing the language is true adventure for me! The hotel provided A+ support and everyone treated me like a Princess. I felt safe walking after dark, the hotel called letting them know I was leaving now. I would get to the restaurant and some one would great me. The Astoria see’s many Costa Nostra everyday. The Astoria is one of two five-star hotels, I can see why they like hanging around. I’m not blind, crime is hard to miss when they wear suits and walk tall like they own the house, right under your nose. The best way to find them is eat around 3:00PM, only two people and inquiring eyes. One day I stopped for a late lunch. Found couple alone, the guy would not take his eye of me, I knew right away. On the way out he came very close to the table and said “American? smiling, enjoy the rest your day”. I’m fascinated by the Mafia. I’ll share how the Mafia touched my life one day.

I fell in love with gypsy music, vodka with every meal, Cathedrals and caviar. Being a short-term Princess wasn’t bad either. I will make another trip to St. Petersburg, maybe a glimpse of Moscow. I was close to boarding the time The Towers fell. Airspace shut down for a week, I left when airspace lifted. Nothing could prepare me for people from many counties coming up telling me how terrible it was, hug me, cry, the beauty of traveling. You never know what’s in the Cracker Jack box.     XO Warrior

JESUS ON CROSS, CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD

 

CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD

CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD

THE RIVER RUNS THRU CITY

 GUARDIANS OF THE BRIDGE

LET’S GET HAPPY

I’m sending you fun, a big smile and inspiration. All you need is your dancing shoes. It’s nice to see celebrities passionate, invested and real without fluff. I love the song, it makes me happy. The inventive ways people included the song in tells me its universal.   XO Warrior

 

 

NAMI Advocacy Update

 NAMI Advocates works tirelessly to educate, their website is a great resource, most important is they are always working for us and injustices.   XO Warrior

21st Century Cures Bill Passes House Committee

The House Energy & Commerce Committee passed 21st Century Cures on May 21st— a bipartisan bill designed to push for the development of new therapies for diseases that are not being treated successfully. This bill includes new dollars for the National Institutes of Health Opportunity Fund totalling $10 billion over five years.

The bill does not target specific diseases or illnesses, but it does leave open the possibility of investments in new clinical trials or therapeutic interventions for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and other mental health conditions. The 21st Century Cures bill is expected to come to a vote in the full House of Representatives in June.

View NAMI’s letter of support for this important bill.

17 U.S. Senators Write Letter To HHS Citing NAMI Parity Report

In a first step to addressing some vital concerns in Affordable Care Act health plans, a group of U.S. Senators sent a letter to Secretary Sylvia Burwell (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) calling for action to ensure transparency and mental health parity. The letter cites NAMI’s report “A Long Road Ahead” noting, among other issues, that consumers cannot get the detailed information they need to make informed decisions when buying a health plan.

Read the letter.

Stepping Up To Reduce The Number of People With Mental Illness In Jails

NAMI helped jumpstart the Stepping Up Initiative on Capitol Hill this month as part of a national effort to divert people with mental illness from jails and into treatment. The campaign brings together a powerful coalition of national organizations, including NAMI, the Council of State Governments Justice Center, the National Association of Counties, the American Psychiatric Foundation and many law enforcement associations, mental health organizations, and substance abuse organizations.

The initiative will challenge counties and local communities to work together to find solutions that work for their local community.

See how you can step up.

Tell Congress To Help New Veterans Keep Their Mental Health Medications

The way things stand now, if you decide to transition out of military service and into veteran status, your medication might not transfer with you. This is unacceptable. Urge your member of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 2123 the Enhancing Veterans Access to Treatment Act.Tell them it is not ok to take away a medication that works for a service member simply because he or she transitioned out of service.

Email Congress.

Tweet Congress.

Bright Spot: NAMI Minnesota

This legislative session NAMI Minnesota led the Minnesota Mental Health Legislative Network to increase mental health funding in the 2016 state budget. Their motto, “We know what works; let’s build on it.” This coordinated campaign helped secure $46 million in new funding for mental health services and supports.

“It was the most new money invested in mental health in our state’s history. There was truly a recognition that there is no silver bullet for fixing the mental health system. Significant investments were made all up and down the continuum,” said Sue Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota.

 

Books Matter: An update from ADL
by the Change.org team

Jun 1, 2015 — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) would like you to support and share with others the launch of their exciting new education initiative for educators and parents which uses children’s books as a mechanism to discuss bias, prevent bullying and promote discussion and awareness of diversity and social justice. Anyone who has ever read to or with a child knows that books have the potential to create lasting impressions.

Beyond their educational benefits, books have the power to instill empathy, affirm a sense of self, teach about others, transport one to unfamiliar places and inspire action. “Books Matter: The Best Kid Lit on Bias, Diversity and Social Justice” is a bibliography of over 600 books organized into 11 categories and reviewed by ADL’s anti-bias education experts. The categories include anti-bias, bullying awareness, anti-Semitism, racism, religious bigotry, gender and sexism, genocide and the Holocaust, LGBT people and issues, and social justice. As part of the initiative, ADL is also featuring a series of podcasts including interviews with children’s authors whose works are highlighted in the Book of the Month.
http://www.adl.org/education-outreach/books-matter/#.VWzIH1xViko

Books Matter

“As far as your eyes can see, the universe can see farther”  Oprah

Survivors Blog Here http://survivorsbloghere.wp.com is breaking out the happy dance. We’re excited to announce Robert Goldstein has joined our team. Stop by, pull up a chair, his site http://artbyrobertmgoldstein engulfs you then pulls you back looking for another gem.

Robert is a strong advocate for mental illness, he supports the WP family by sharing personal experiences of his journey with mental illness. He is a multi-year member of Blog for Mental Illness.

Robert’s talent includes poetry, photo art, writing, art work and don’t forget to click on Flicker button. His skills as a photograph takes artistry to a new level. His site is laid out nicely, topics are easy to find. He’s an all around nice guy.

 What are you waiting for, you can catch his work at http://artbyrobertmgoldstein.com or http://survivorsbloghere.wp.com. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Welcome from the Survivors Blog Here team! 

 

Hope you like this weeks selection, For those not familiar with Orianthi, she will blow your mind. I do believe she’s one of the top female guitarist. She was Michael Jackson’s guitarist. Lyme has me around the neck this week. Time to kick back with a cold one or warm if you’re on other side of globe. This week you may not stay in chair, so get your dancing shoes.    XO  Warrior

 

FREEDOM FOR VETERANS’ ACCESS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Why are Veterans’ not allowed to discuss Medical Marijuana with VA doctor? How the next round of votes go, I can’t predict. If validation proves to help,Veterans/Supporters speak louder while momentum is growing. Freedom of Speech is the right to speak my mind.     XO Warrior

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Senate Committee Approves Historic Measure To Increase Veterans’ Access To Medical Marijuana
Posted: 05/21/2015 3:48 pm EDT Updated: 05/21/2015 3:59 pm EDT

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a historic bipartisan amendment Thursday that aims to increase veterans’ access to medical marijuana.

The Veterans Equal Access Amendment, added to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, passed the committee 18-12. The measure allows Department of Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend medical marijuana to their veteran patients.

Currently, the VA bans medical providers working with the agency from completing any forms brought by patients that seek marijuana recommendations or opinions in states where the drug’s medical use is legal. The amendment, sponsored by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) blocks the VA from using funds to enforce the ban on doctors.

“Veterans in medical marijuana states should be treated the same as any other resident, and should be able to discuss marijuana with their doctor and use it if it’s medically necessary,” said Michael Collins, policy manager for the Drug Policy Alliance, in a statement. “They have served this country valiantly, so the least we can do is allow them to have full and open discussions with their doctors.”

Nearly 30 percent of military veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, according to a 2012 VA report. Some research has suggested marijuana may help PTSD symptoms, which can include anxiety, flashbacks and depression. A recent study found that PTSD symptoms were significantly reduced in patients who used cannabis.

To date, 23 states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes and 14 others have legalized marijuana extracts for specific medical uses. The plant remains illegal under federal law.

While the bill still faces more votes in Congress before it comes close to becoming law, the amendment’s approval is a significant victory for marijuana policy reformers, coming less than a month after a similar amendment narrowly failed in the House. The same House amendment was also killed last year. The Senate amendment marks the first time in history Congress’ upper chamber has voted positively on marijuana reform legislation.

“Elected officials are finally starting to wake up to the fact that endorsing marijuana reform is good politics instead of the dangerous third rail they’ve long viewed it as, and that means a lot more victories are on the way soon,” said Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority.

 

“Great Beauty, Great Strength and Great Riches are Really and Truly of No Great Use;

A RIGHT HEART EXCEEDS ALL.” 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN  

Thank you for the courage to fight to keep America Home of the Free. America’s Military takes the call of duty to free others from repression, a better and safer life. I think about gramps every Military holiday. I know little about his war-time, he would say you can’t understand unless you were there. I now understand exactly what he meant. 

I love you gramps and thank you for contributing to the success in WWII.

XO Melinda

Help NAMI Tell Congress to Help New Veterans Keep the Mental Health Medications They Need!

When someone is in treatment for a mental illness, it is common to go through several different trials of medication until they find the one that helps them feel better. It can take time to find a medicine that works for you. The slightest change could set someone back or even cause further illness. Now imagine if you are a service member who has found that right combination. You are feeling better and your medication is working. The way things stand now, if you decide to transition out of service and into veteran status, your medication might not transfer with you.

This is unacceptable.

With an alarmingly high suicide rate of 22 veterans dying each day and countless others struggling, we simply cannot allow for delays in treatment, endless appeals or the risk of being switched away from a proven effective medication for serious conditions such as depression, anxiety or psychosis. Our veterans deserve better.

Write a letter to your congressman, ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 2123 the Enhancing Veterans Access to Treatment Act. Tell them it is not ok to take away a medication that works for a service member simply because they transitioned out of service.

Take Action

Thank you for advocating for passage of this important bill!

Dear Friend,

In October, we first told you about The Accountability Project, our initiative to uncover the extent of the rape kit backlog in cities across the United States. From the first four cities that provided data to us—obtained through public records requests—we discovered more than 12,000 untested rape kits sitting in storage facilities.

Today, we’ve expanded our knowledge about the rape kit crisis nationwide with the release of data on the number of untested kits from five additional cities:

Charlotte, North Carolina: 1,019 kits
Jacksonville, Florida: 1,943 kits
Kansas City, Missouri: 1,324 kits
Portland, Oregon: 1,931 kits
San Diego, California: 2,873 kits
In total, over 9,000 more kits.

We commend these cities for sharing their data with us. Transparency and yes, accountability, are the first steps toward reform. Survivors deserve the chance for justice. They deserve everything we can give to help them heal. Now that these jurisdictions have shared the number of untested rape kits in storage, we hope they will take the necessary steps to test these kits, investigate and prosecute these cases, engage survivors with care and compassion, and ensure the backlog never reoccurs.

The fact remains that there is more about the rape kit backlog that we don’t know than we do know. There is no comprehensive, national data on the nature and scope of the rape kit backlog. Few state governments and no federal agencies track this data. Across cities and counties, there are vast differences in the way law enforcement officials track and report rape kit data. These are some of the reasons we’ve undertaken The Accountability Project.

Tomorrow, Joyful Heart’s Managing Director, Sarah Haacke Byrd, will be testifying before Congress on the need for a continued national response to the backlog of thousands of rape kits. She will speak at the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution’s hearing, “Taking Sexual Assault Seriously: The Rape Kit Backlog and Human Rights.” You can watch live tomorrow starting at 2:30pm ET here.

This week is an important one in our work to ENDTHEBACKLOG. At this critical time, we ask you to join us in two ways:

Write to your elected officials.
Congress is currently considering whether to continue funding the Justice Department’s new $41 million program, which is helping communities end their backlogs with comprehensive reforms. More than 9,000 untested kits in five cities alone: it’s proof that jurisdictions need resources to end the backlog. Please take just a moment to urge your members of Congress to approve this critical funding.

Make a donation to our ENDTHEBACKLOG work.
Your donation is an investment in healing, justice and safety. Joyful Heart is at the forefront of reform efforts at the local, state and federal levels. We are uncovering backlogs and increasing transparency through initiatives like The Accountability Project. We are drawing attention to the backlog like never before. We need your help to do it all. Donate today to continue to support these efforts.

With gratitude,

Maile Zambuto
Chief Executive Officer
Joyful Heart Foundation

Ride on! Rough-Shod if need be, Smooth-Shod if that will do,but ride on.  -Charles Dickens-

My friend Randstien from Hyperion Strum https://hyperionsturm.wordpress.com Honored me with The No Strings Attached Award. Two in one week is awesome. I now get the pleasure of passing the award to other great blogs..

 The No Strings Attached Award designed on Alfreds Almanac using input from his readers. You can check out his original post by clicking  https://thenostringsattachedaward.wordpress.com .

It is with great pleasure to introduce  you to:

 http://myweb-municipality.com

https://beautifuliceland.wordpress.com

I enjoy both sites and look forward to their new post. Please visit both their sites, you’ll find two great site.

XO  Warrior

BRING CHANGE 2 MIND-END THE STIGMA

Dear Friend,

Every story shared brings change and helps to end stigma. Here’s mine:

I never aspired to be a mental health advocate. I’m an entrepreneur, a business guy, a creative type with an appreciation for the bottom line. If things don’t work, you fix them.

When one of my three beautiful children became sick with a mental illness, our family faced tremendous pain and confusion. Stigma kept our struggle private, fear kept us on heightened alert, and treatment options were hard to navigate. We were now on the front lines of mental illness, and experiencing stigma first hand.

My daughter, Emily, lost her courageous battle with a borderline personality disorder and depression on March 17, 2013. She is forever in our hearts.

In her honor, our family has vowed to end the terrible stigma that surrounds mental health challenges and to promote wellness. Our hope is that other families never confront such pain and loss.

As the Chairman of the Board of BC2M, I am humbled to see the number of people that we have touched through our website, PSAs, social media sites, and programs. We are creating change, and starting conversations where there once was silence.

To keep the conversation going, I am compelled to help raise funds to support BC2M. This month, my company, mybody Advanced Probiotic Skincare, will partner to support Bring Change 2 Mind by donating 20% of the proceeds from the sales of our best selling products. I hope you will consider purchasing a product or donating to support this mission. mybody skincare products use innovative probiotic technology to bring positive change to skin for better health and wellness, inside and out.

That’s my story, and one example of how I am going to fight stigma. What’s yours?

Join us. Help us. #StartTheConversation

Sincerely,
David Watson
Chair, Board of Directors

Bring Change 2 Mind
1265 Battery Street, Fifth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
415.814.8846

http://information@bringchange2mind.org 

 

 

Warhol Wall in my office

I have two rooms covered floor to ceiling in art. Next I’ll have to move to stairs. Art makes my life brighter and learning about artist is interesting. Very few pieces are expensive originals, no need with so many emerging artist. 

XO  Warrior

Change.org Update on Prison Reform Bill and Darren Rainey’s death.

Steven Wetstein
Miami, FL
Apr 22, 2015 — Friends,
I’m passing on a message from a George Mallinkcrodt, a member of Stop Prison Abuse Now who has advocated constantly for prison reform by speaking to Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones, to each legislator, and by testifying at legislative hearings, all in the search for justice for Darren Rainey.
We’ll be contacting you in the coming days as legislation on prison reform faces further votes. Many thanks to you all.

Thanks, Steve Wetstein

A Message From George Mallinckrodt:

For those who don’t know, I worked as a psychotherapist in the psychiatric ward where Darren Rainey was killed by guards. Since I came forward in a Miami Herald story in May 2014, I’ve been active as a full-time human rights activist and an advocate for the humane treatment of inmates in the Florida Department of Corrections.

I’d like to personally thank all who have signed Darren Rainey’s petition. June 23rd will be the three year anniversary of his death – still no arrests or coroners’ report. Be assured, we’re not giving up.

Of immediate concern is the passage of a meaningful prison reform bill by Florida lawmakers. Another thanks goes out to people who’ve called or emailed legislators. I’ve sent key Senators and Representatives suggestions that I posted on my blog. Please keep contacting them.

http://www.georgemallinckrodt.com/blog.htm

No matter what happens in the legislative session that ends May 1st, I am committed to taking Rainey’s story and Florida prison issues to the national level. I’m reaching out to anybody who can put me in touch with national TV, radio, and print outlets. Please contact me via my website contact page if you can help.

Thanks again to the over 205,397 who signed Rainey’s petition – I feel honored to be part of the team.

George Mallinckrodt

The world is in greater peril from those who tolerate or encourage evil than from those who actually commit it.

Albert Einstein

 

INFORMATION FROM CENTER OF DISEASE CONTROL ON POWASSAN VIRUS 

Symptoms
Many people who become infected with Powassan (POW) virus do not develop any symptoms.
The incubation period (time from tick bite to onset of illness) ranges from about 1 week to 1 month.
POW virus can infect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).
Symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coördination, speech difficulties, and seizures Approximately half of survivors have permanent neurological symptoms, such as recurrent headaches, muscle wasting and memory problems. Approximately 10% of POW Virus encephalitis cases are fatal.

Treatment
There are no vaccines or medications to treat or prevent Powassan Virus infection.
If you think you or a family member may have POW Virus disease, see your health care provider for evaluation and diagnosis.
Persons with severe POW illnesses often need to be hospitalized. Treatment may include respiratory support, intravenous fluids, and medications to reduce swelling in the brain.

What is the treatment for Powassan Virus disease?

There is no specific medicine to cure or treat POW virus disease. Treatment for severe illnesses may include hospitalization, respiratory support, and intravenous fluids.

How can I reduce chance of getting infected with Powassan Virus?
The best way to prevent POW virus disease is by protecting yourself from tick bites. There is no vaccine against POW virus.

Avoid contact with ticks by avoiding wooded and bushy areas with high grass.
Apply insect repellents to bare skin, according to label instructions.
Repellents containing DEET can be applied to exposed skin, but only last a few hours.
Clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin, which remains protective through several washings.
Find and remove ticks immediately before they have a chance to bite and attach.
Bathe or shower (preferably within 2 hours after being outdoors) to wash off and find ticks on your body.
Conduct a full-body tick check. Parents should thoroughly check children, especially in their hair.
Also check clothing, gear and pets.

ADVOCACY REPORT UPDATE

NAMI Report Finds There’s A Long Road To Go On Mental Health Parity

So, you have health insurance. What mental health and substance use care can you get? From which providers? At what cost? Do your benefits compare to coverage for other types of medical conditions? To answer these questions NAMI surveyed over 2,700 people nationwide given new protections under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the Affordable Care Act.

Read all about it in NAMI’s new report: A Long Road Ahead: Achieving True Parity in Mental Health and Substance Use Care. Our survey found that people with mental illness and substance use disorders have trouble getting mental health care even when they have health insurance coverage. Specific problems found include:

Significant difficulties in finding mental health providers in health plan networks;
Denials for mental health care at rates far higher than for other types of medical care;
Inadequate coverage of psychiatric medications in health insurance plans;
High out of pocket costs in health insurance plans that sometimes cause people with mental illness or substance use disorders to forego needed care;
Lack of transparency and information about health insurance plans that make it very difficult for consumers and families to make informed decisions about the plans that are best for them.
Read more.  http://www.nami.org/parityreport

NY Attorney General Scores Fifth Mental Health Parity Victory

In a mental health parity victory in New York, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman reached a settlement agreement with Excellus Health Plans in March. The investigation found that Excellus denied mental health claims at almost twice the rate of other medical-surgical claims. This settlement is the fifth settlement by the Attorney General’s office since last year. Other settlement agreements have involved: Cigna Corp., MVP Health Care, Emblem Health and Beacon Health Options, formerly known as Value Options. Read more:  http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/ag-schneiderman-announces-settlement-excellus-health-plan-end-wrongful-denial-mental

Learn More About Mental Health Parity!

After years of NAMI advocacy letters, making phone calls and visits to members of Congress mental health parity is finally the law of the land. Now it’s time to make sure that the law works to give people the treatment and supports they are entitled to. To help you understand and advocate, NAMI developed an infographic showing the basics of what mental health parity, how to tell wehther a given health plan has to follow this law, how plans are required to comply and what to do if the plan is not performing as required.

Bright Spot: NAMI Florida

After years of neglecting mental health services, over 100 mental health bills were filed this session in the Florida legislature. Many of those bills have been combined into omnibus legislation in the House (HB 7119) and Senate (SB 7070). NAMI Florida was there to advocate to strengthen these important bills.

Follow some of NAMI’s Policy Team on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what is going on in #MentalHealth Policy @NAMIPolicyWonk and @DarcyGrutt.

Thank you for your advocacy!

 

BRING CHANGE 2 MIND

Dear Friend,

I talk about mental health because stigma prevents too many people from seeking the help or support that they may need. At BC2M, we talk about this 365 days a year. And, each May, we talk about it with a wider audience reached through the increased media attention generated by Mental Health Awareness Month.

Are you talking about mental health? What are you saying? We want to know!

On May 1st, we are launching a new campaign, #ITalk, as a way to start and continue these conversations around the world. Throughout the month, we will be sharing stories, images, and reasons why members of the BC2M community are talking about mental health, and we hope that you will choose to join us. To share your #ITalk motivation, please send or post your photo with 5 to 7 words on why you talk about mental health.

Additionally, please continue to send us photos and messages when you see our latest PSA, #StrongerThanStigma. We love hearing from you about where this powerful piece is raising awareness around the unique challenges that men face when discussing mental health. During May, it will be in heavy rotation on television, in theaters, print, and outdoor placements, including on the big digital screens in New York City’s Times Square.

This month, and every month, we thank you for your incredible support, and for your continued efforts to help BC2M start the conversation and end the stigma. Let’s talk about mental health.

Sincerely,
Pamela Harrington
Executive Director

Bring Change 2 Mind
1265 Battery Street, Fifth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
415.814.8846 | information@bringchange2mind.org

Last week Randstein at http://hyperionsturm.wordpress.com. nominated me for the esteemed Blog Tour Award. Randstein is the most creative writer, he draws a picture in my mind with his words. I consider him a friend and mentor. No one can pull me into the story like he does. Even more if story line is wrapped with sex. He writes often about Mythology which I can not comprehend in a good way. He writes about life, love, loss, history and his life experiences. When he goes into Mythology or the universe, I have to ask what he means. I thank him for always taking the time to explain.You have to check out http://hyperionsturm.wordpress.com. Hyperion Strum is your new addiction. I hate to cheat on rules but Lyme Disease is holding me to the ground. My post is a reblog, it’s a story that’s funny after the fact.

The Rules:
Compose a one-time post on a specific Monday (date given from your nomination — Looking for the Light scheduled for release before April 27, 2015.
Give your nominees the rules and a specific Monday to post by – dear nominees, please post your story on Monday May 11, 2015 if you can or let your readers know when you can post so they will look for it.
Pass the blog tour to four other bloggers.
Answer four questions about your creative process which lets other bloggers and visitors know what inspires you to do what you do.

The Questions:

What are you working on at the moment?

How does your work differ from others in your genre?

Why do you write or create what you do?

How does your writing/creative process work?

The Nominees:

Better Not Broken   http://betternotbroken.com

Alygeorges       http://alygeorges.wordpress.com

DD Dangerous       http://dddangerous.com

From the Darkness into the Sunshine     http://fromthedarkintothesunshine42.wordpress.com

The Asp Wrangler For A Day

Summer and searing heat are just ahead, it’s time to introduce you to the Texas Asp.

One morning while pruning roses I noticed these furry cream-colored caterpillars. I grabbed my camera and started clicking. Something about them was familiar, I just could not put my finger on it. I had taken photos of critters all week so my husband was not surprised I discovered something new. Curiosity got the best of me, I had to see what kind of caterpillar they were. I had thoughts of beautiful butterflies flying around my yard. To my surprise and horror they were Asp! If you are not from the south you can not fully appreciate the terror that was growing within. It is close to impossible to kill them. When you get stung by an Asp it’s like having acid poured on you. Their hairs can get imbedded in the skin and every time you touch the area it’s like a new dose of acid. When I was a kid one fell from the porch ceiling at my grandparents house. It fell down the back of my shirt. I was screaming and crying so hard it was difficult to stop to tell granny something was on my back. They leave a mark that looks like a branding iron. My back looked like red tire tracks. With this memory I had to go out the next morning a find them not only for me but our pets. Like a scene from Mission Impossible, I found three. I had read how hard they are to kill so I carefully put them in a sealed plastic bag and let them bake in the Texas heat. This method worked beautifully. I knew there were at least two others and did find one the next day. I look everyday and can’t prune my favorite rose without thinking one is still on the loose. I was The Asp Wrangler.

If stung, take clear tape and carefully put over area.

Pull slowly the opposite direction of hair.

It will pull the hairs out. Make sure all are gone or you’ll get a reminder every time touched.

XO  Warrior

FUN REBLOG FROM 2009 

I want to give a big thanks to Blogger One Among Many for nominating me for The Versatile Blogger Award. I appreciate how you stop by often and leave comments. What makes your Blog interesting is your free form style and open conversation about just about everything. I urge everyone to visit https://oneamongmany.wordpress.com.

7 Things About Me

In my high school street racing days, I stood between cars to start race.

I raced our 76′ Camaro SS at Green Valley Raceway. My husband normally drove 13’s in quarter-mile. I drove 14’s even with mistake of throwing into neutral. Racing gets me high, high, high!  This is correct model yet not a racing car. Our car had no back or passenger seat. Super Hulk under the hood.

Driving in a NASCAR race is the pinnacle for me. I would wear my depends, you never know.

I love books, sometimes it’s nice to touch pages instead of a keyboard.

Once I am well, I plan to minister to sick/dying children, elderly and the homeless. I now know why I survived.

I love birds of prey. A Red Tail Hawk family stops by daily for a drink and bath. Highlight of my day.

I’m excited about starting The Pud’n Cup Charity. My gramps called me “Pud” all my life

Awards are time-consuming yet your Blogs are special and I want to let you know. I want the WP family to meet you and enjoy your site as much as I do. The nominations for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. It will not hurt my feelings on how you choose to bend the rules.

Putting My Feet In The Dirt   http://puttingmyfeetinthe.com

Better Not Broken   http://betternotbroken.com

Van By The River   http://vanbytheruver.wordpress.com

Bipolar for Life   http://bipolarforlife.me

Noir      http://sedge808.com

DDDangerous.com      http://dddangerous.com

Adoption   http://caseyalexanderblog.wordpress.co

**Guidelines**    

Thank the person who nominated you.

Display Badge on site.

Tell us 7 things about yourself.

Nominate 7-10 Blogs

SMILE REAL BIG! Each of you have inspired, educated and entertained me, Thank you. Have fun passing the award along to your inspiration.

XO Warrior

Published on Apr 16, 2015
Psychiatrist John Kane, M.D., discusses treating first episode psychosis using coördinated specialty care. Dr. Kane, of The Zucker Hillside Hospital and Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, is one of two lead investigators on the Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) research project. Designed to reduce the likelihood of long-term disability that people with schizophrenia often experience, RAISE is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).        XO  Warrior

For more information about RAISE see:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/raise