One of the ships I worked on had a cook everyone called Spice. One day I got a chance to ask him how he ended up as Spice. He told me that he was nicknamed Spice because he’s from the Spice Island. Well, I had never heard of that particular island except for the brand name of herbs and spices that my father liked best. I had never heard of it because that’s not really it’s name. He was from the island of Grenada in the West Indies.
Eventually, I signed on a ship that had St George, Grenada as one of it’s regular ports of call. The ship was too large to dock in St. George’s horseshoe shaped harbor, so we were tendered in by the Rhum Runner boats. Once on the island, I would walk around the harbor into the downtown shopping district, nearly always stopping on the way for a delicious island breakfast and coffee. Then I would proceed on around and up the hill through town. Often I would just keep walking up that hill until I got to the top where there was a mental health facility and a terrific view of the harbor and of my ship farther out at anchor. After enjoying the view for awhile, it was time to head back into town. I stopped by the bank, changed dollars into EC and then stopped by the shops. Sometimes I would need a spool of thread or just want to browse a bit. Then I would stop by the market for provisions before heading back towards the Rhum Runners.
My last stop was the little place that sold Ting. Actually, it was my first stop before going on into town, as well. I would be returning my Ting bottles from the previous week’s purchases. I have to tell you that Ting is a great drink on it’s own, but when you live on a ship, someone will find a way to put alcohol in just about anything. One night during an illegal popcorn party (popcorn poppers were not allowed because of safety issues), someone came up with the idea of putting vodka in Ting. That was Ting with a zing! Everyone knew I wasn’t very good at the drinking thing, but that I was good for one zingy Ting.
After awhile I got to know all the crew on the Rhum Runners and got invited on one of their outings for snorkelers. I wasn’t prepared to snorkel, or even swim for that matter, but got the opportunity to enjoy a nice little beach away from the tourist crowd downtown. That was the day I met my good friend, George. You can meet him, too. Just go to Grenada Broadcast.
There’s so much to say about this island that it really isn’t going to fit in one post. I’ll take you back again next week. While you’re waiting, spend a little time with George. I’ll be there, too.
I just read an interesting article at TechCult titled “Microsoft Admits Defeat On Vista.” You have to admit that when Microsoft’s top guys can’t even get Vista to function properly, there are some problems. I wrote an article about Vista on June 24th. This article follows up on why I was whining in my article. Good News. Microsoft has decided not to cram Vista down the throats of businesses. Instead, they are now encouraging users to “fix” Vista PCs by installing XP. You heard me right. Businesses can now fix their problems by installing XP. They’ve now promised support for Windows XP until 2014. Windows 7 is slated for 2011. Don’t get too excited. Bad news. The rest of us are going to be stuck with the Vista rejects. As of July first, individuals can no longer buy an XP PC. Go on over to TechCult and read the entire article.
I recently discovered a new science magazine. Well, new to me at least. It’s been in print since November, 2001 and is published bimonthly. The name of this magazine is Seed, subtitled “science is culture.” Before beginning to read this magazine one notices a difference in the size, quality of paper and quality of photography in each issue. Another noticeable difference is the spine of the magazine. Each issue highlights one of the elements. The July/August is of chlorine (Cl 35.453). The magazine has a unique contributors page. Instead of photographs, one finds drawings in the pen and ink style of the major contributors for that issue.
The July/August issue of Seed hits on a good variety of subjects. One article, “Green Revolution 2.0” advocates genetically modified crops. “Wind of Bat & Mouse’s Leg is about how a paw becomes a wing. There’s a very interesting article about “The Shape of Music.” You will also find an interview with Michael Gazzaniga, the father of cognitive neuroscience. “Where I Do Science” takes one into the various laboratories of the scientist. When one hears the word laboratory, visions of beakers, test tubes, Bunsen burners and chemicals come to mind. That’s one type of laboratory. The laboratories include Egypt’s Western Desert, the Sinai Desert, the Utah Station operated by the Mars Society, virtual reality, robotics laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center. And that’s only a few of the different places where scientists work.
There’s a long article called “A New State of Mind.” This talks about research into dopamine and what it reveals about how different brain processes work. Another article is about five researchers who combined unlikely fields of science, thereby developing new fields. These include neuroarchaeology, immunocomputing and astronomical medicine.
The scope of this magazine is wide. It even includes a review of the Gallery of Botanical Art at Kew Gardens in London, the world’s first gallery dedicated entirely to botanical art. So, you can see that this magazine has a little something for everyone. Or nearly everyone. It goes against my value system. I’m definitely not in favor of messing around with our food supply. I don’t want my food altered. I’m interested in natural foods and a greener lifestyle. Chemistry is not assisting us in this. Also, this magazine is built on the assumption that evolution is a fact even though no one has been able to scientifically prove it. It just takes too big a leap of faith for me to believe in the theory of evolution, the big bang and other theories which can’t be backed up by science.
I just read an article at Natural News.com that goes along with yesterday’s post, NASA’s Secret Weapon. It’s titled “Offices With Live Plants Make Employees Happier and Healthier.” Recent research published in the American Society for Horticultural Science journal HortScience found that the workplace can become more humane and healthier with the addition of live plants to the setting.
The article lists fifteen of the plants NASA has documented as being especially good at improving indoor air quality. Read the article for this listing and more regarding improving indoor air quality with plants.
Did you know that your indoor air can be more polluted than the air outside your home or work place? The Environmental Protection Agency says it often is. We work hard to make sure our houses are tightly sealed to keep the cold air out and the warm air in or vice versa in the summer. It is because of this and the fact that our homes contain a larger percentage of synthetic materials and products that our indoor air has become so polluted.
NASA’s secret weapon can help eliminate this pollution. In the early 80’s, NASA researched the ability of plants to remove chemicals from the air. Study results showed that houseplants metabolized the chemicals such as benzene, ammonia and formaldehyde and used them as sources of food and energy. Of course, one lonely houseplant won’t do the job. Make a nice little haven of greenery in your house or at work. You also need to make sure your home is well ventilated, keep down the humidity and use fewer chemicals.
Choose your plants carefully as some prefer low light and others prefer direct sunlight. The Encyclopedia of House Plants lists over 300 plants with descriptions and photos. You will also find instructions on the care of these plants. Bring the outside in and clean your air while enjoying the “greening” of your home.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
There’s been a lot of mittnz whipped up for the reservation since my initial post about the mittnz blitz this coming fall. A rough tally stands at 482 pairs. Some of the support group have completed over 50 pairs each. Wow! That’s a lot of knitting and crocheting. Check out Knitting Nonni for a picture of her 7th set of 8. Do the math. That’s 56 pairs. There are prizes involved, too. You can read a bit about them over at Sheep Shots. Scroll down towards the end of the June 21st post. One of the members of our Native American Support group shared a fast and easy mitten pattern with us. Thank you, Panda Man. If you would like to join in our challenge, let me know. In the mean time, here are some more mitten patterns:
I went to CVS today and made out like a bandit. I’m not going to tell you about all the super bargains I got. You can read about the CVS bargains at Coupon Cravings, “Cent”sible Sawyer and Deal Seeking Mom. I’m going to tell you about a very patient young man at the check out. He rang up all my purchases and coupons, but missed my extra bucks coupon and two other CVS coupons. He had to void the whole thing and ring it all up again. By the time he realized he had missed those coupons, the transaction had already gone onto my debit card. When the receipt printed out, he tore off all the extra bucks coupons and handed them to me. After that was all voided and put through the cash register a second time, another batch of extra bucks coupons printed out. I ended up with a total of $38.98 of EB’s. I spent $38.19. That means CVS paid me 79 cents to take home a bunch of their stuff. I don’t like to shop, but I think shopping would be a whole lot more tolerable if everyone paid me to take stuff home.
This was a good news, bad news week. The good news is the tax stimulus rebate check really did show up. Half of the $1200 went into the emergency fund and half on the car debt which is almost gone. I had hopes of finishing that off by the end of July, but now am not so sure. I had a small geyser under my bathroom sink a couple days ago. I couldn’t find the shut off valve, so called Joe, my super duper handyman. He told me to go turn it off at the outside hook up and would come over right away. He found the problem, did a temporary repair and left me with a list of things to buy – two steel water hook up lines and a new shut off valve and the specifications for them. The next morning I took my list to Home Depot, found someone in the plumbing department who understood what I needed and sent me on my way with my supplies. That afternoon Joe came and repaired the problem. Good news, Joe didn’t charge me for any of it. Bad news, the bottom of the cabinet is crumbling away and under the bottom of the sink where it connects to the drain pipe is almost eaten away. Which means another trip to Home Depot next week to buy a new bathroom cabinet and sink. Good news, I’ve really wanted to replace that ugly sink since the day I moved in here. Bad news, I didn’t really want to put out the money for it this soon. That just wasn’t very high on my priority list. I have a Home Depot credit card that I only use if I’ll be able to pay it all off when I receive the statement. I think I’ll be able to save enough without touching the emergency fund. If not, I guess that’s why I have that fund. So, the week after the fourth Joe will be replacing my bathroom sink setup. This one won’t be free. I know where every water turn off valve in my house is located now. Do you know where to find yours?
Ben at Money Smart Life has announced the second winner of $50. Congratulations, Rita and thank you, Ben. As a result of his reader survey, he learned that many of the people who are newer to reading about personal finance wanted to learn more about stocks and investing. He started a new series on how the stock market works. You can begin learning today by reading about “How Can Stocks Make You Money?” I’ll be reading the series right along with you.
