Six Weeks Till Costa Rica

In six weeks I'll be in Costa Rica. As the time has inched toward that day, I've been reading books on natural areas of Costa Rica that I would like to visit and I've been studying Spanish. The more I know before I go, the further I'll get in my Spanish classes. I'm not sure why I'm taking Spanish classes. But that's the essence of this entire trip.

My neighbor will be flying out with me and will be spending 4 weeks at the Costa Rica Language Academy. Our classes will be Monday through Thursday. I'll need the other 3 days of the week to absorb the 4 days of class material and practice it. Class is 9 to 2 with a one-hour lunch break. That's 16 hours a week of class. The class size averages 3-4 students, so they will keep me moving so I'm continually learning.

After that we'll have 2 hours of Latin dance classes. As if all the walking I'll be doing won't be enough exercise. I'm expecting a lot out of this body and these joints, and ya know what!? I think it will respond positively since I have loved Latin music for many years and I have a background in dance that's been buried away since Randal is not a dancer (not considered a loss since he's got so many other grand qualities).

For the first time in my life I will be doing a homestay, which means living with a family. It's included in the price of the school, along with two meals a day and laundry service. I've been informed that vegetarian meals won't be a problem. The school provides all the coffee (yuk) and fruit (yea) you want while at class, so my lunch is taken care of also. My favorite food is fruit and especially tropical ones.

Buses will be my mode of transportation from home to school. When in Costa Rica, live as the Ticos do (what Costa Ricans call themselves). Bus fare is a quarter. It will feel like I'll be going back in time. I used public buses to attend grades 8-12. Maybe if I close my eyes I can imagine myself at that age and my body will begin to agree with me.

I don't have a clue where I will be for the other 4 weeks but I am hoping to spend it in the rainforest. To me that is Heaven on earth. I love forests since I haven't been able to be a sun person since 1976 when I found out I had vitiligo. Fortunately I'm so fair-skinned it's not very noticeable, but if I tanned it would be, so I avoid the sun for several reasons. The density and diversity of a rainforest just thrills my heart. The Garden of Eve must've been a rainforest.

My typical way to plan a trip is to have every detail on paper, time schedules and reservations booked and activities planned. This whole trip has come about in strange ways, so I guess the rest of it is going to be the same. Every time I think about booking something beyond the school, I get that "nah" feeling, ya know! Gut reaction, whatever you want to call it. I just know that it's not time yet. Makes me wonder what surprises lie ahead. That's not the kind of surprises I enjoy. It's so much better when you get can all your ducks in a row to waddle with, but ....

I think it's another one of those "trust me classes" that God enjoys tossing my way. I've not even taken a seat in most of those classes, but I think it's time. After all, it is said that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. Since I've chosen to simplify life and buckle down to get over this rheumatoid arthritis that wants to control my body, I figure I need some education in trust since I'm way behind.

I've never packed for 9 weeks before and with the hot and cold climate in Costa Rica it will be a real challenge to get it all in one bag that I can manage alone. My handsome hunk will not be there to fuss over me and not let me carry anything.

There's a lot of fears I could list for this trip - they all fall under the category of "unknowns." I like having control over my environment ... don't you? There are too many unknowns beginning with the language, but one by one I'll get through them.

I hope I can keep that attitude as I walk through this adventure. I'll just pretend you are walking with me and encouraging me all the way.

Using Christmas Cards Received

We all get a bunch of holiday greetings that are very special to us and we set them back for a few years until space limits us from "keeping them all" and it's time to go through and find a use for them. Here's a few things I've done with them over the years:

• Cut out a cute part of the scene, punch a hole in the corner, and use it for a gift tag. Some can be used on gifts other than Christmas depending on the scene.

• Cut out scenes and use in scrapbooks to surround your photos.

• Use them for notes around the holidays as you leave messages for family members or neighbors.

• For the most savings of all! Make them postcards with your own Christmas greeting. This will save buying cards, save trees since you won't need an envelope, provide a reuse instead of recycling option, and on top of all of that, you'll save postage compared to the cost of sending a greeting card.

Reuse Paper For Holidays

Trees have it rough this time of year. Not only are they cut down to decorate for Christmas, it's also the prime time for paper use: Christmas cards and wrapping paper. Here's some green tips for cutting down on your contribution to a sea of crumpled red and green.

1. Make home-made cards from cereal boxes and decorate with collages from catalogs that you haven't yet called to have them stop sending.

2. Wrap gifts in newspaper and grocery bags. Dress them up with raffia or some real mistletoe, holly or evergreen clippings.

3. Use real dishes for your holiday events and cloth napkins. You'll impress your friends and family and have some good memories from gathering around the kitchen sink to clean up. Some of my fondest holiday memories are from the kitchen clean-up time.

4. Save wrapping paper and gift bags when you get gifts and reuse it.

5. Make postcards out of the front of greeting cards received.

Search The Frugal Life Forum for answers to your questions or to share tips with other frugal folks.

Aromatherapy For Wild Animals & Pets

I discovered a website in the UK that has animal case studies using essential oils for behavior, temperament and health problems. The only down side is that most of the animals are in zoos. I just cry at the thought of wild animals being confined, but if essential oils helps to make a better life for them by taking away fear and anxiety and aggression, then they at least have a better chance of enjoying life.

Begin with the story of a Siberian Tiger and then click on "Case Studies" if you want to read more.

There's also stories on cats and dogs which were helpful.

If you're looking for a pure source of essential oils, I use Nature's Sunshine pure oils.

Forest Floor In The Rainforest

I am fascinated with the relationships that occur in the rainforest. It seems that every single act represents something sharing part of its life with something else. It puts a whole new light on the word "community" and "sacrifice."

I've been reading, "Journey Through A Tropical Jungle," by Adrian Forsyth. I would like to share this segment with you. It paints such an incredible picture of how important rainforests are not only to the wilder side of life, but to us. What happens in the rainforest affects us all because many of our North American species winter over there and depend on its habitat to survive. The medicinal plants there that are yet to be discovered must not be lost.

Forsyth writes, "Careful to keep out of their path (one army ant sting was more than enough), I gazed at the spectacle unfolding before me. The army of ants surged forward. It was a tremendous feat of chemical coordination and communication among tens of thousands of individuals. Somehow all those ants, working without language or leaders, had managed to organize an effective hunt.

The impact of the hunt could be clearly heard and seen. The forest floor was crackling with activity as insects hopped and lizards scuttled away, trying to flee the ants. I watched the ants mass-attack a scorpion. It struggled briefly, but the ants soon pinned it down securely and cut it to pieces. This was a hungry army.

I noticed that some insects and birds were actually following the ants. When katydids leaped up in the air to avoid the ants, large hairy tacinid flies, which had been swarming around, swooped in. Having spotted the katydids, they tried to lay their eggs on them. The fly maggots could then burrow in and feed on the katydids - that is, if the ants didn't find them first.

Birds were using the same technique, swooping down to pick off insects scared up by the ants. They reminded me of seagulls following behind a tractor for worms.

Trailing the birds were hovering butterflies, delicate slow-flying varieties with long narrow wings. Some had glistening transparent wings like shining stained glass, and others were tiger-striped in orange and black. They were visiting leaves where birds had left droppings and sipping up the nutrients they needed to make butterfly eggs.

So the legion of ants was not only eating its way through the forest, it was feeding another crowd of organisms as it went .....

I had seen yet again how the relationship among different plants and animals were vital strands woven together in a living forest."

WOW! I just want to plant myself on the forest floor and enjoy seemingly simple things of life.

When Change Happens To You

From NIV Seniors' Devotional Bible
by Winfield Arn and Charles Arn

We can expect change. Change is sometimes welcome sometimes dreaded But healthy senior adults realize that it is inevitable.

We may not know why, but we do know this: an optimistic, forward-looking, courageous attitude toward the future is the secret to dealing with change. By contrast, when people begin looking backward to their life before the change, it is the beginning of the end.

Keep searching for the good. Do you see the cup half-full or half-empty? People who see the cup half-full are able to handle change much better. They have a positive mental attitude. The apostle Paul, says we saw earlier, believed that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Work on developing an outlook on life that says, "The best is yet to come."

I urge you to look at the changes that happen and ask, Can I see the possibilities and opportunities in my new situation? Those people who live long and love it search out the riches made possible by change.

Dog-Lover Learns Cats Make Ideal Pet

Conquered by a Kitten

Up until recently, you couldn't have paid me to keep a cat in the house. So darned independent. Eats and sleeps and that's it. They only want to play when they decide it's playtime. They break stuff. Nope, for me it was dogs all the way, baby. Dogs are pretty much perennially happy. You can wrestle with them, run on the beach with them. I swear there are times when I've talked with my dog and it knew exactly what I was saying. But cats? Come on. A cat could care less what your problems are. And it sure won't go for a walk with you. Read about the transformation.

Essential Oil Recipes Newsletter

Here's a recipe from the latest issue of Essential Oil Recipes and More. This email newsletter that arrives twice a month is published by Christina Tarman Bethke.

Dry Cough Recipe

Drink Method:
Mix 2 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil and 2 drops of Lemon Essential Oil with 2 tablespoons honey. Take 1 teaspoon of this and dilute in a wine glass of warm water. Sip it slowly.

Massage Method:
Mix 3 drops Eucalyptus with 2 drops of Thyme. Diluted in 1 teaspoon massage oil and massage over back and chest in lung area.

Steam Inhalation:
Use 3 drops of Lavender in steaming water. Inhale deeply through mouth.

View newsletter archives and/or subscribe.

FDA In The Dark On Tainted Food Imports

With all of the numerous recalls on human food, pet food, and other products, one would think that the FDA would not permit any loopholes to allow contaminated products into our food supply. But, five lab operators told USA Today that this is not true.

At labs that test imported food, five lab operators said the FDA gets the favorable test results, but the negative test results are not sent to the FDA if importers tell the labs not to send them.

At least 10% of the time, the lab finds contaminated shipments. There is no regulation that requires labs to send all of their tests to the FDA. Read the entire article.

FDA Has New Warning On Tamiflu

The FDA panel recommended yesterday that Roche change the warning label for Tamiflu, which has been used by 48 million patients since its launch in 1999.

The drug's label already mentions reports of delirium and self-injury, primarily among children in Japan, but some of the FDA's experts suggested the language should mention that several patients have died as a result of these abnormal behaviors.

Read the entire article.

Top Mistakes When Getting A New Cat

Adopting your first cat is a huge step, not to be taken lightly. Although cats have a reputation for taking care of themselves, that fact does not equal "no care is necessary."

Before rushing in to buy that darling kitten in the pet store window, take the time to do your homework, so you can avoid these common mistakes made by new cat owners. The result will be a happier and healthier cat and a long-term companionship with another living being, the like of which you never dreamed.

Read the entire article at About.com: Cats.

Singing Helped Alzheimer's Patient

As Bill Bundock's Alzheimer's progressed he became more and more locked into his own world. Bill lost his motivation, and his desire and ability to hold conversations, but all this changed when the couple started attending a local sing-song group, aimed especially for people with dementia.

His wife, Jean, said Singing for the Brain had unlocked Bill's communication block. Read the entire article.

New Method To Avoid Birds Hiting Windows

On David Sibley's blog, there is information on using markers on the windows that are visible to birds but not to human eyes. These marks in grid format can keep the birds away from trying to fly through the windows. Read the blog.

Is Happiness A Choice?

by Donna L. Watkins

© 2007 Donna L. Watkins -
Revisiting Apartment Building Where I Grew Up
Is happiness a choice? I remember almost feeling anger when I saw a book many years back with the title of, "Happiness Is A Choice." I thought it was surely written by some happy-go-lucky, head-in-the-ground, Pollyanna (with a bit of bitterness towards that kind of personality, which has since turned into envy).

Surely for those who think a lot and live life in touch with the world around them, it's not possible to choose happiness every day. The world holds a lot of horrors and many times they are in our own personal lives, so how could you make a choice for happiness when so much and so many are suffering?

"Life Is A Challenge" held much more meaning and understanding to me, but what if happiness were simply a matter of looking at your world differently? What would life be like to look out and have that really good "spring fever" feeling that all is right in the world and life is delicious?

The more I work at it the more I realize that happiness is a choice. It seems like so much work to believe the best, to stand on the Word, to trust in God's promises, to see His love converting horrible situations into good (as Romans 8:28 promises) and to think about my blessings rather than what I call "reality."

That message that I hear saying, it's too laborsome and tiresome to do those things is the Enemy that wants to see me in the black hole that I would sink into if I didn't choose happiness (and joy) that I can have because of the promises of God and what Jesus did on the cross to allow me to find joy in each day and to live in peace of mind.

Yes, it's a continual choice to convert those negative thoughts that we can become addicted to and that come so instantly to mind because we've trained our minds to replay them over and over. The more we choose happiness, the easier it gets.

When I began this process, I would go through days of "the black hole" as I call it where life is hopeless, worthless, miserable, awful, evil and just too much to bear. As I began to take those thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) years ago I began to notice bad thoughts so much quicker. I was feeding my mind good thoughts and my body likes good thoughts, so as time passed it was easier.

Actually I was so shocked to realize how much bad thinking I really had and that in itself made me more determined to be obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) than to the devil. Now, I can catch it seconds after I think something and choose whether or not to turn it around. Do I want joy or do I want to wallow?

Consider these thoughts of James Allen from his free e-book, As A Man Thinketh:

"A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thoughts. An ignoble and bestial character, by the same process, is the result of the continued harboring of groveling thoughts.

Man is made or unmade by himself. In the armory of thoughts, he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself. He also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy and strength and peace."

The promise in all of this? You will find that happiness is a choice. You can choose to see joy in every situation and I can tell you I still have a lot of situations that the devil uses to try to get me to wallow. All of the health challenges that I have gives him plenty of room, and my compassion for wildlife and suffering people and children of the world could easily take me down if I didn't know that My God has a plan in it all.

I can trust His plan, or I can see life with a very limited view and believe that's all there is to it. Knowing that God truly has the best for me and the world even though it doesn't look right with my finite and limited mind, allows me to move beyond my short vision into realms of joy in the midst of awful circumstances.

This world is only a drop in the bucket compared to the length of eternity, which actually has no length since it has no end. So ... what happens on this earth is to be used by us to make us more like Christ and to build our faith because we'll still be having a life in Heaven and although there will be no more tears and sorrow there, there will be rewards based on our life here.

So ... choose to be happy! It will bring more peace and joy into your life than you can imagine. We make ourselves miserable by believing the lies of the devil about who God is and isn't. Remember that was his method in the Garden of Eden when he told Eve that God didn't have her best interests in mind. Do not allow him to deceive you also.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.thenatureinus.com

Duckweed Takes Over Our Pond

I just discovered that what we thought was water lettuce in our pond the past couple of years, is actually duckweed. What a relief to at least have some new information on this plant that dominates our pond all summer long.

Maybe you've been wondering what your green plant is that devours the surface area of your pond also.

The small "seedlings" of the water lettuce plant look very similar to this duckweed so we just assumed that the water lettuce had returned even though we were told it does not survive the winters here in Virginia. Water lettuce does not bloom and the frogs really enjoyed the plants for perches.

Duckweed is usually introduced to ponds by traveling waterfowl. Since we have a 5 foot x 10 foot (approximate) pond, you would think that wouldn't be a problem. However, on Mother's Day in 2006, we had a pair of Mallard Ducks visit. We were thrilled and enjoyed every minute of the show .... but now I believe they are the ones to have delivered our gift of duckweed.

As you can see from the photo of a frog above in the duckweed, it's prolific. Duckweed is believed to be the world's fastest growing plant, doubling itself every 10 days. It grows 20 times faster than corn and produces as much protein as soybeans, so it is being considered as feed for fish and pigs. Quite a bit of research is being done to see if this potential can be used beneficially.

It grows so fast because it consumes nutrients from the water, especially phosphorus and nitrogen. These nutrients are an environmental problem in many bodies of water (even our garden ponds), so there is some benefits for its boisterous growth habit. Experiments are being done using ducked to treat human sewage.

The frogs don't seem to mind at all. As you can see this male Green Frog thought it would help him to win the females with some duckweed ornamentation worn while courting. The article referenced below mentions that long roots indicate a healthy pond. That's good news for us.

The young snails are always in the roots which makes me think it's food for them. Given free rein, this plant continues to grow and gets deeper and deeper in the pond. Taking it out in handfuls, removing the baby snails and dragonfly larvae, is a time-consuming task with a short-lived reward factor since two weeks later the pond will be covered again.

There's always a blessing in the blackest cloud. We don't have any algae blooms or bad smells in our pond since we've had the duckweed.

In an article, Living With Duckweed, by Richard Burkmar, I found this helpful advice for keeping the plant under control:

I've found a better method is to float a piece of wood in the pond and slowly move it over the area I want cleared. Most of the duckweed collects against the wood which, once brought to the side of the pond, can be cleared out using your hands. You must check it for wildlife as you remove it though; particularly during spring and early summer when you are liable to sweep up a lot of tadpoles too. Even after you have rescued any animals you find, you should still leave the removed duckweed at the edge of the pond for a day or so: this gives any animals you missed the chance to make their own way back. This is true when you are clearing excess vegetation of any kind from a pond.

Read his entire excellent article.

Superbug MRSA: What You Need To Know

The head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls MRSA the "cockroach of bacteria." It's omnipresent, tough and adaptable.

This fall, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus suddenly went from a festering public-health issue to the top of the national news on word that it's worse than previously thought.

Last month, a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that in 2005, some 94,000 people were infected by the most serious form of MRSA infections, and one in five died.

Read the entire article.

Although this information is very sobering, what is more sad is that information is not getting out there about a patented colloidal silver solution that destroys the MRSA germ, along with many others.

There's no hype about this Silver Shield. The research is recorded in the US Patent Office and Homeland Security has been discussing it.

More info in this previous post.

Ginger For Deadly Infant Diarrhea

The popular spice ginger shows promise as a treatment for bacteria-induced diarrhea, the leading cause of infant death in developing countries.

An extract of ginger blocked the toxin responsible for diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E. coli), which accounts for 210 million cases of diarrhea worldwide and causes 380,000 deaths yearly.

Read the entire article.

How To Pray When You're Worried

From "The Word For You Today" - October 2007

Are you worried today? Have you lost your peace of mind? Begin to pray this prayer until it takes root in your heart and becomes your fixed attitude:

"Father, You told me not to be afraid because You are with me, You will uphold me, and those who come against me will not succeed (Is. 41:10-11). You said no evil would come upon me, nor any plague touch my home for You have ordered Your angels to protect me (Ps. 91:10-11).

You said when I walk through rivers of difficulty (when I'm in over my head) You won't let me drown, and when I walk through fires of adversity (when the heat is on) You won't allow me to get burned for You are watching over me (Is. 43:2-3).

You said no weapon formed against me shall prosper (Is. 54:17). I cannot keep the enemy's weapons from being formed, but I know You will keep them from prospering. You said if I ask anything according to Your will, You would grant my request (IJohn 5:14-15).

You said when I walk in obedience before You I will be blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out, blessed when I lie down and blessed when I get up (Dt. 28:6)

You told me to give all my troubles to You and You would take care of me (I Pet. 5:7). So here they are! Today I'm standing on Your Word. You said it! I believe it! That settles it! Amen."

Migraine Brains Are Different

Scientists have discovered differences in the sensory areas of the brains of people who develop migraines.

They found a part of the cortex is thicker than in people who are free from the debilitating headaches.

What is not clear is whether the difference causes, or is the result of migraine attacks. Read the entire article.

How Much Chocolate Is Too Much For Your Dog?

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is a stimulant found in cocoa beans. In dogs it can cause vomiting, heart problems, seizures, and even death!

National Geographic has a way to determine how much chocolate is too much for your dog. It depends on the kind of chocolate and the weight of the dog.

Divine Intervention

by Donna L. Watkins

© Photo: Female Deer - Donna L. Watkins
Don't you want it? Divine intervention! A miracle! An answer to prayer!

I've got my own sketch of how I want God to intervene in my life. It's all laid out in visual detail because I've spent plenty of time designing the idea of it all. We want to draw life on a board to have it the way we see it, but life doesn't happen that way. The Master Architect has the final plans. However, as contractor's over our own lives, we can mess things up real good if we want to.

One of the way to do that is to not look for the blessings in things we do not understand. A contractor follows the plans before him, regardless of whether it's the way he would've built the house or not. There is somebody in charge above him, and that's the one who is building the house. The owner is paying the price for it. If we gave our lives over to the Lord, then Jesus paid the price for us, and we have to look at God's plans or we'll never be satisfied with what's being built.

I find the story of Joseph incredible. God gives him a dream of ruling over his brothers and shortly thereafter, they sell him into slavery. He has years of that and is then accused of something he didn't do and goes to prison, seemingly forgotten by all. Do you think he wondered about that vision?

Have you wondered about the visions and dreams that God has given you? Are you doubting them while you sit in the cell of your own prison? Have you given up because it's not on your time schedule? I'm sure Satan bombarded Joseph with thoughts such as, "So your dream was to be on a throne and here you are in prison. Worthless you. God has totally forgotten you." But Satan was wrong. The prison was only the birthplace of purpose and promise.

When you buy a piece of land to build a home on, it doesn't look anything like a home, does it? There's a lot of work to be done before you can even begin building the home. The foundation is the most important part of it all. As evidenced by the story of "The Three Little Pigs" and the man in the Bible that build his house upon the rock.

God has not changed His mind about those visions and dreams. DO NOT change yours! It's been said that our attitude determines our altitude. When God's going to do something great, He takes extra time to build a strong foundation. Many times there are long delays because we chose to whine and complain rather than keep the vision and believe in faith.

Sometimes it feels lonely, but those are the best times to make a smooth foundation. You can't lay a foundation on a home site with a bunch of people and equipment sitting all around. You have to clear the area. God seeks to clear the area of our lives from distractions so we can focus on who He is, become more like Him, and be prepared for the vision and dream that we know in our hearts is supposed to happen.

Have you given up on that dream? You can't get rid of a dream entirely. There's always a remnant there planted solidly in your soul and heart. Grab hold of it and go to God and believe again. God may not work on your schedule, but He'll always be on time if you wait for Him.

I've been tempted to bury my dreams because of the delays, and in a sense I did bury them in busyness. Molding my life in a manner so that I wouldn't have to think about them. But not showing up on the job site is not the way to get a home built. I thought leaving my job would only produce more fear since I'd have all that "extra time" to think about what I didn't want to think about.

It wasn't making sense to me that God wanted me to let go and let Him show me the way to my dreams. You can't serve two masters. I had to choose whether I was going to give more of my time to God so I could get this house (body) built, or continue on the path that has certainly not been fulfilling my dreams.

"More time to myself" didn't produce more fear once I stepped into the water. It has produced more faith and excitement and hope and joy and peace. It's about obedience which will always produce these things. God is so faithful if we open the door to His plans for our life and are willing to be used in the building process.

His delays are not denials. He's never said anything that He hasn't fulfilled and delivered. Forget the circumstances and events of the past. Stand on the Word of God and move forward in thought and in faith.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Cat Scratch Disease

Sometimes called "cat scratch fever," cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection that typically causes swelling of the lymph nodes. It usually results from the scratch, lick, or bite of a cat — more than 90% of people with the illness have had some kind of contact with cats, often with kittens. Cats less than one year old are more likely to have it. It's more likely to occur in the fall and winter.

Bartonella henselae is the bacterium that causes cat scratch disease, and it's found in all parts of the world. Fleas spread the bacteria between cats, although currently there is no evidence that fleas can transmit the disease to humans.

Usually within a couple of weeks of a scratch or bite, one or more lymph nodes close to the area of the inoculation lesion will swell and become tender.

Children are more susceptible. No reason to get rid of the cat though. The illness is relatively rare and usually mild, and a few steps can go a long way toward limiting your child's chances of contracting the disease.

Read the entire article.

I've had cats as pets for 37 years and I grew up allergic to everything, so when I got a scratch it would swell and itch and get very red if I didn't do something about it right away.

That still happens, but since we keep Tea Tree Oil in our Herbal Medicine Chest, I just apply some any time our kitty uses my legs as a launching pad for a leap. Tea Tree Oil has many uses.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens - Durham, NC

© Donna L. Watkins - Duke Gardens Lake
The gardens have original terraces, a garden of native plants, and an area of eastern Asia plants. There are 5 miles of walks and pathways. The lake had plenty of unusual waterfowl which made for great photos. The Autumn colors and all the different style bridges made the morning a great delight. View the photo album.

Museum of Life & Science - Durham, NC

© Donna L. Watkins - Ring-tailed Lemur
After beginning our tour with some fun in the children's area, we enjoyed the forested wildlife area with non-releasable wildlife. I was pleased to see the large natural habitats with woods, streams, waterfalls and no signs of stress. This 6-acre outdoor exhibit was proclaimed a "national model" by the National Science Foundation.

The lemur exhibit is part of a study by Duke University and I had to dig more into that before deciding whether to visit this place since I don't feel like a university should "own" lemurs.

I found an article that made some sense of it all. I feel strongly that we should not allow something to become extinct if we can intervene and save an animal from the results of our own destruction of this planet. However, within that context there needs to be a stress-free environment or we're not doing the animals any good.

We enjoyed the farmyard area where we got to touch the animals. Then we journeyed into the Butterfly House with exotic butterflies, tropical plants and some close-up views of insects from around the world.

Inside the main museum area were exhibits on aerospace, geology, weather, and other science subjects. Visit the museum's website.

View the photo album of our five-hour visit.

Duke University - Durham, NC

On Thanksgiving morning we visited the campus and chapel of Duke University. It was a beautiful and colorful Fall day. The architecture was incredible and the chapel stained glass was awesome.

I even took some time to allow Randal to take a few photographs of me. There was one tree that I just hugged on. Guess that's why I'm called a tree hugger, eh?

View photo album.

Imaginations Are Not Reality - Stop Worrying

by Donna L. Watkins

©Donna L. Watkins - Passion Flower
It's quite a challenge to stand in faith on something for a period of time. Satan tries every trick in the book to get you distracted and back into fear on the matter. He'll bring back all the old issues so you can rehearse them again until there's not an ounce of faith left within you.

Then you begin to worry over those thoughts. They are not facts - you can't really know they are true at this very moment. The more you think on evil things the more you believe them to be true. It doesn't take much time to be convinced that all the faith in the world will not change life as it is. That's where the devil wants you. Trapped in the fear that nothing will change.

God says, "Cast down imaginations and take every thought captive." (2 Corinthians 10:5) That means to take control of your thoughts before they take control of you. How many times did Jesus say things like, "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29)? We are created in the image of God. What we believe truly makes our world.

It's not about what has been "done to us." The rage should be against ourselves allowing it to affect our days. We can't change the past, but we can forgive and release it to change the future. To change today! We can be who we want to be today, not what the past tried to make us.

Renew your mind with what God says about you -- who He says you are. That is the Truth, not what you remember from the past. Take the Word and use it.

Cut the devil's head off so he can't say anything else to you! He can't stand in the presence of you speaking the Word in faith. It only seems easier to think bad thoughts than good ones. We are alive in Christ and we can choose whether to operate in the 'old flesh' or live in the power of the what Jesus died to give us.

Cast down those imaginations. Grab hold of the Word that means faith to you and stand with it and use it as a sword against those evil thoughts. You can win this battle! You just need to step out and God will fight with you!

Remember Philipians 4:8 and be obedient to it.:

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." (New Amer. Standard)

Memorize Scripture so you have it always ready to use. You will find great joy, victory, excitement and faith in it.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.thenatureinus.com

Drug Companies Accused Of Biased Doctor Training

Pharmaceutical firms spend over $1 billion a year to fund more than half of the continuing medical education (CME) courses that qualified physicians are required to take in the United States.

Although drug firms say that they are scrupulous about separating their CME involvement from promotional activities, some may be influencing doctors, intentionally or not, and may even be putting patients' health at risk. Read the entire article.

Canine Cappuccino

© Robin Sockness - Her Dog KaeJae
With the coffee craze still going wild with humans, a Phoenix-based company has come out with a unique form of Doggy Java.

This is healthy canine cafe! It's caffeine-free and actually a vitamin and antioxidant drink. There's even a cup to serve it in and a Bonescotti on the side.

Check it out.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

We received a letter from Target Earth, an organization we have been a part of since the 80's. The letters we receive are always inspiring. I wanted to share part of the most recent one for those who share concern about the earth and the poor:

"During this season of Thanksgiving we are mindful of all the goodness and all the gifts God provides us in the work of Target Earth. In our efforts we are often humbled by the spirit of the poorest of the poor.

We are aware of the material goods we can bring into their communities to lessen the burden of poverty, but we are not always ready for the direct, grounded way they give back to us.

'If you have lost your heart of gratitude, you have lost everything,' a village mother recently told us while we ate rice and beans under her rickety lean-to.

Indeed. The clutter of so much can suffocate a heart."

That just stirred my soul so much! Proverbs 19:27 says, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." What an incredible investment. 100% return!

More about Target Earth.

Surviving Lemurs Celebrate

© Donna L. Watkins - Ring-tailed Lemur
Yesterday we visited the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC. After studying it online to find they had lemurs, I decided I didn't want to go, fearing it would be a zoo environment which I can't handle.

With a bit more study I found that they provided great natural habitats for the animals (non-releasable wildlife). I also happened up on this news story about lemurs which came from Duke University (also in Durham), just as the lemurs did that were at the museum we visited.

Science Daily reported that Sarph, a lemur, that lives in native Madagascar is nearly 15 years old and knows where the predators lurk, where to find food, and how to make a baby with his wild-born mate.

Seven-year-old brothers Tany and Masoandro are there too, in the steep and steamy rainforest of the Betampona Reserve in northeastern Madagascar, a large island off the southeast coast of the African continent.

They're perfectly at home in the wild now, but these three black and white ruffed lemurs were born in not-so-wild at the Duke University Lemur Center.

Read the entire article.

Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival-Charlottesville, VA

Historical Courthouse Square battle reenactment, period people, and walk around downtown Charlottesville historical areas.

View the photo album.

Wild Turkeys Invading Suburban U.S.

© Photo: Wild Turkey - Donna L. Watkins
By the 1930s wild turkeys had been hunted to near extinction in North America. Today, thanks to reintroduction efforts, there are about 7 million wild turkeys and they're thriving in an urban America.

The turkeys' ability to take to these urban environments was a surprise to biologists. Michael Gregonis, a wildlife biologist with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection says, "Turkeys are pretty adaptable. As long as they have some cover and some trees that they can get up into at night to roost, they can do pretty well." Read the entire article.

God's Natural Pest Control: Stink Bugs

From Creation Moments

The world originally created by God was perfect in every respect. However, among the consequences of sin mentioned in Genesis 3, are the thorns and thistles, which make man's agriculture more difficult. We could certainly classify insect pests in the same category as noxious weeds.

However, God did not leave us without earthly solutions to these problems. Modern agriculture has relied largely on powerful herbicides and insecticides to protect crops from pests. At the same time, God's design of nature has always included more natural, less toxic ways of controlling pests. Modern science is learning how to use the same methods God uses to control insects.

The spined soldier bug, also known as the stink bug, is one of God's natural controllers of insect pests. The stink bug eats over a hundred different kinds of insect pests, including some of the worst such as the cotton boll worm and the gypsy moth.

Researchers have found that spraying a crop with natural attractant, produced by the stink bug, serves as a call to dinner. Stink bugs naturally move in and begin devouring harmful pests without damaging the crop. Since the stink bug attractant is a naturally-produced chemical, it does no harm to nature before it breaks down.

Our Creator's solutions to problems are always better than ours.

Listen to an audio version at Creation Moments.

Video: Cats Talking To Each Other