The Honey Bee Portrait - the book to honor the world's most valuable pollinator
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Islip Art Gallery at Brookwood Hall Mansion-A must see!
One of my favorite art galleries to visit is the Islip Art Museum located on 50 Irish Lane in East Islip, New York. The location is one of the many reasons why I am drawn to this art museum in addition to the incredible art exhibits. The art gallery is located in a section of a historical mansion called, “Brookwood Hall.” This landmark 41 room mansion is full of history. That alone makes the trip to the gallery even more appealing. It was built in 1903 by a very rich businessman from New York City that wanted a getaway for his family. Over the years it changed ownership several times and was even an orphanage for children. In 1967 it was sold to the town of Islip for only $385,000.00. The building is also the setting for municipal offices as well as the art gallery. From the large windows within the gallery, you look out to a lake and large grounds that families can enjoy a picnic and tour the estate....
"My Mother is Gone" but I still have her memories...
On June 23, 1980, my mother Beatrice was killed by a drunk driver. The man who killed her was a stranger who was "partying" in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York. He was from Switzerland and was working in New York City for his father. We never met. He came into our lives, took our Mother's life, and walked away, "free as a bird." Today I believe he is back in Switzerland living a productive life as though nothing ever happened. He never even said he was sorry. Her precious life was taken away because of a bad choice in judgment on the behalf of another individual. I have forgiven this stranger. However, I hope he never forgets the bad choice he made, the lives that he destroyed, and I hope that everyone who reads this remembers to never drink and drive. (A poem I wrote in June, 1980 after my Mother was killed.) WHY DID SHE GO? My mother is gone from my life and I miss her so. I wasn't ready to part...
Listen to the Honey Bees and Pollinators Before They Are Gone Forever
(This article I wrote is rather lengthy but it touches on a subject that everyone living on the planet should be concerned about.) “Warning, eating fresh fruits and vegetables may cause learning disabilities, cancer, many other severe health conditions, and even death, for you and your family.” I realize that sounds farfetched, but unfortunately it is true. A warning should appear on many foods consumed by the unsuspecting pub...
Wild Raccoons as Pets is Not a Good Idea...
This weekend a friend visited for two days and along with him came an adorable two-month-old raccoon abandoned by his mother. I must say I really enjoyed having the sweet little raccoon named “Baby” around for a few days. My five-year-old Bassett Hound “Opie” did not even seem to mind. For two days, she followed our every move, performed tricks in the trees and took long naps on the deck and in the bushes with Opie. She was very loveable and playful. I believe she did not even realize that she was a raccoon. I had almost forgotten as well until she followed me into the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and she spotted leftover hamburgers on a plate. As she went for the plate of burgers, I went to pick her up and stop her and I quickly saw the wild animal instinct come out in her. Soon after this episode, she went back to her sweet self as though nothing happened. I, however, was aware of the fact that as cute as she was, she was a wild animal that had no place being around humans...
Interesting...largest flower in the world, check it out!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/collections/p00hldcc#p004gx80
"Tell the EPA to ban Bayer's toxic pesticide clothianidin"
In an article in Honey-Bee News.com dated January 23, 2011 it states: "Remember the case of the leaked document showing that the EPA’s own scientists are concerned about a pesticide it approved that might harm fragile honeybee populations? Well, it turns that the EPA isn’t the only government agency whose researchers are worried about neonicotinoid pesticides. USDA researchers also have good evidence that these nicotine-derived chemicals, marketed by German agrichemical giant Bayer, could be playing a part in Colony Collapse Disorder—the mysterious massive honeybee die-offs that United States and Europe have been experiencing in recent years. So why on earth are they still in use on million of acres of American farmland?" (Source: http://www.honeybee-news.com/ ) The health of the honey bees effects each and every living creature, large and small, existing on the planet. Dangerous pesticides are still being used that are not only killing off the bee population, but cou...
Help Save the Honey Bees...Please sign the petition
"Honeybees are dying off at an alarming rate. And, if Americans don’t act now to deal with what is being called “Colony Collapse Disorder,” we risk devastating our domestic food supply. Yes, it’s that serious. According to American beekeepers, around one-third of the existing population of honeybees has died off every year since 2006 -- and scientists believe this year could be even worse. As more than 30% of our domestic food production depends on honey bee pollination, this crisis can’t be ignored. What is causing Colony Collapse Disorder? There are a number of reasons, but mounting evidence points to pesticides -- and three “neonicotinoid” pesticides in particular: clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiomethoxam. That’s why a coalition of nonprofits, beekeepers, and concerned citizens are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban these three pesticides. More than 1.2 million people have already signed onto the c...
Harmful Effects of Alcoholism, Cause & Effect
Harmful Effects of Alcoholism, Cause & Effect Take life one day at a time...........
Please sign the Farm Bill for Healthy Food
Congress writes a new Farm Bill every 5 years. Help the Environmental Working Group, EWG, to help us have healthier food. We can all help to make a difference. Click on the following link: http://www.ewg.org/farmtofood/?key=39391312
Please sign the Save the Bees Petition
"Quietly, billions of bees are being killed off across the country threatening our crops and food. But a ban of one group of pesticides could save bees from extinction. Four European countries have begun banning the poisons and bee populations are recovering. But chemical companies are lobbying hard to keep all killer pesticides on the market. A global outcry now for a ban in the US and EU, where debate is raging, could provoke a total ban and a ripple effect around the world. giant global buzz calling for these dangerous chemicals to be outlawed until and unless they are proved to be safe." Click on the following link....... http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees_usa/?copy
Where is your sense of humor?
People who can laugh at a good joke ( or even themselves), comedians, and people who have the good sense to utilize the benefits that humor has to offer, all have something in common. They all possess a “sense of humor.” According to Dictionary.com, a sense of humor is “the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous.” It is also a coping mechanism to deal with life’s absurdities, a physical and mental health aid, and a tool to strengthen your relationships (if used properly). There are certainly many things going on in our lives that we have to worry about and take seriously. As adults, we worry about job security, taxes, housing and feeding our families, crime, terrorists, the environment, illnesses, war, loss of loved ones, and the list goes on. Still, we wake up every morning to start a brand new day. Possessing a sense of humor means that you can allow yourself to add laughter to your life, it can help you to cope with whatever challenges and obstacles come...
Time Is All We Have Said Willie: Time to heal from the flu and how licorice helped....
Time Is All We Have Said Willie: Time to heal from the flu and how licorice helped.... : "I knew I should have gotten the flu vaccine. Every year I have been lucky enough to escape it but it got me good this year. How ..."
Thyme Essential Oil so you can breath....
One thing I always have on stock in my medicine cabinet all year long is thyme essential oil. Thyme is a common herb and is generally used as a condiment or spice. Thyme oil is extracted from steam distillation of dried or fresh leaves and also from flowering tops of the plant. This essential oil has many medicinal properties but in my home, we use it at the first signs of congestion. Great as an expectorant. It's lung stimulant properties help in easing bronchitis, asthma, colds and other problems with the lungs and the whole respiratory system. My children are grown but ever since they were little and they were not feeling good, they would ask for a thyme bath and then they would put thyme cream on their chest. It also provides a feeling of comfort, breaks up the congestion and helps you to breath. (It is so much better than the old Vicks vapor rub that would stick to your pajamas!!) http://susiedurrschmidt.swissjust-usa.com/Products/ProductDetails.asp...