It see s like every land mark along this road holds a memory for me. One spot is where we would swim in the summer as kids. Three mile is a place we would salmon fish in the fall when I was  a teen. One spot was where my mom liked to pick salmon berries. Our town has a gold mining history and there are three old dredges along our river. When I was young you could go in and explore them. Now they are too rotten to safely climb on. Behind one dredge me and a cousin climbed the hill looking for berries. My dad working in an old mining camp when i was young so we spent some time in the summer with him there. The camp is abandoned now. The first summer we were married my husband and i spent a lot of time going up and down that river just enjoying the scenery and looking for moose in the fall.

There is a grove of cottonwood near the second dredge. My mom told me once that someone is buried in the grove. It must have been fifty years ago and the cottonwood must have been saplings when the person requested to be buried there. Looking at it now I think it is an awesome grave marker to have. A patch of bright yellow in a sea of red and brown in the fall. I wish I remembered the name of the person buried there. I never was good with names.

Here are some pics my hubby took on one of his off road trips

In the world at large ,Gadaffi still trying to resist history and fate. Our national football team are playing this afternoon. A match against the Czech republic, a must win game as always for us. This game will determine whether or not we will be partisipating in the european championships.Tonight we will either be happy or not.

http://www.thegreenhead.com/imgs/miracle-berry-fruit-tablets-2.jpg

Raw lemons tasting like sweet lemonade, or vinegar smacking of sherry seem improbable, but these sensations can be very real, and look as if they might set the food world alight. The reason is found in the chemical contents of a small west African fruit bush, and the small yet potent berries produced by it. Japanese people apparently go mad to get their lips around these fruits, because sucking on the seeds inside makes everything taste sweet.

Miracle Fruits, as the berries are also known, were first discovered by a French Explorer in the early 18th century,  having been eaten by locals, before meals, foe centuries in attempts to make poor quality meals taste better. Science  know that the effect is due to the protein miraculin, found in the berries, which seems able to bond to taste buds, but exactly how it works is still a mystery.

Where goji and acai berries are hailed by many as super foods, miracle berry does not taste of much in itself, but the bright red berries contain that magical set of molecules, able to temporarily alter one’s perception of flavors, tricking the mind that whatever is being eaten is sweet, so that lemons and limes are delicious raw, all at once.

http://www.sadanapalli.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/goji_berries_1.jpg t’> 

According to world recognized authority, Japanese scientist Mitsuharu Shimamura, the real beauty of the Miracle berry lies in it being totally fat and calorie free. On UK television, co-host of the Richard & Judy show. Judy Finnigan, was seen  biting into a raw lemon, having consumed eating freeze-dried miracle berry powder on screen, and declaring it to be delicious

Only the size of small coins, with the Latin name Synsepalum dulcificum, these tiny fruits are quite incredible. Among the latest crazes in the west are so-called flavor tripping parties, when guests each receive a dose of Miracle Berry, before being given things to taste, rarely having a clue what it is they are actually consuming.

Though originating in Ghane, west Africa, these berry bushes are now grown in Thailand, Costa Rica and even in Dorset, England, and are widely available in freexe-dried powder form. When fresh, they have to be eaten very soon after picking, as the potency rapidly fades.

http://blog.miller-mccune.com.s72010.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mmw_miraclefruit.jpg

It is today believed that 1970s attempts at commercializing these berries was blocked by a worried sugar industry, and no wonder, because they are potentially a wonderful aid in the battle against obesity, because by using it, you can have healthy diets tasting like the wickedest of sweet treats, relieving the dieter of that craving for sugary things.

As a bonus, cancer patients can use it to make their chemo-therapy more bearable, and diabetes sufferers benefit as well, so the Miracle berry Truly is quite rightly so-called, and if you struggle with weight problems that seem insurmountable, could quite possibly change your life for the better.

Miracle Fruits, as the berries are also known, were first discovered by a French Explorer in the early 18th century,  having been eaten by locals, before meals, foe centuries in attempts to make poor quality meals taste better. Science  know that the effect is due to the protein miraculin, found in the berries, which seems able to bond to taste buds, but exactly how it works is still a mystery

 http://miracleberrydiet.com/MiracleFrooties.jpg

Where goji and acai berries are hailed by many as super foods, miracle berry does not taste of much in itself, but the bright red berries contain that magical set of molecules, able to temporarily alter one’s perception of flavors, tricking the mind that whatever is being eaten is sweet, so that lemons and limes are delicious raw, all at once

According to world recognized authority, Japanese scientist Mitsuharu Shimamura, the real beauty of the Miracle berry lies in it being totally fat and calorie free. On UK television, co-host of the Richard & Judy show. Judy Finnigan, was seen  biting into a raw lemon, having consumed eating freeze-dried miracle berry powder on screen, and declaring it to be delicious

http://www.prlog.org/10082162-miracle-berry.jpg

Only the size of small coins, with the Latin name Synsepalum dulcificum, these tiny fruits are quite incredible. Among the latest crazes in the west are so-called flavor tripping parties, when guests each receive a dose of Miracle Berry, before being given things to taste, rarely having a clue what it is they are actually consuming.

Though originating in Ghana, west Africa, these berry bushes are now grown in Thailand, Costa Rica and even in Dorset, England, and are widely available in freexe-dried powder form. When fresh, they have to be eaten very soon after picking, as the potency rapidly fades.

http://trendz.pl/files/imagecache/new_295_230/files/10593synsepal02copy.jpg 

It is today believed that 1970s attempts at commercializing these berries was blocked by a worried sugar industry, and no wonder, because they are potentially a wonderful aid in the battle against obesity, because by using it, you can have healthy diets tasting like the wickedest of sweet treats, relieving the dieter of that craving for sugary things.

As a bonus, cancer patients can use it to make their chemo-therapy more bearable, and diabetes sufferers benefit as well, so the Miracle berry Truly is quite rightly so-called, and if you struggle with weight problems that seem insurmountable, could quite possibly change your life for the better.

 http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/5/4/8/2/ar121364675928457.jpg

All images used with permission

There was a time when men in Turkey, convinced of the aphrodisiac qualities of coffee, would ensure that wives or girlfriends drank plenty of it, and studies conducted recently, into the sexual lives of elderly people, found that those who drank at least one cup daily, were significantly more sexually active than those who did not. A national survey, by an independent company, asked consumers which, of chocolate, internet access, sex or coffee they could go without for 30 days, not one picked coffee, as a first choice.

In all honesty, only sex rated higher, on any priority list for both sexes, than their coffee fix.  The majority selected chocolate, sex, and the Internet, in that order, before ever being willing to forego the most popular beverage on earth.  When it comes to voluntary consumption, and sexual connotations, alcohol and tea don’t even come close to being as popular as is the mug of coffee.

Discovered, legend tells, us, by Abyssinian goat-herder Khalid, who, in 850AD,  became aware that his goats had more energy, after wolfing down the red berries, that grew on an unknown bush, he took the offending berries to a holy man, who, calling them ‘the devil’s work’, hurled them into the flames of his camp fire. Within minutes, other holy men were flocking in, lured by the irresistible aroma of roasting coffee beans.

Wandering how to approach this situation, the holy man sank some roasted beans into a jug of water, and everyone drank a little, to test it. In just a few moments, all were feeling delighted, because the brew invigorated them so much, and they christened this new drink Mocha, in honor of the local holy city. Kiva Han was the name given to the very first coffee shop to open, back in 1457, in the city of Constantinople, after an Ethiopian chieftain had begun spreading word of the magical powers of the brew, several years before.

Over a century and a half passed, before Venetian Traders, in 1615, finally introduced Europe to the ‘Devil’s drink’, as Italian clergy had dubbed it, though after Pope Clement VIII had tasted it, he made it into a ‘True Christian Drink’ by baptizing the brew. Initially considered to be, and sold as an expensive medicinal beverage, it was to be over fifty years before the public got hold of it

The ‘Bottega Del Caffé,’, first coffee house of Venice, opened in 1683. ‘Café Florian’, still today one of the most expensive of such establishments on earth, opened in 1720. London  got the first of its many coffee houses  in 1652, most famous English venue being Mol’s Coffee House in Exeter, Devon, once patronized by Sir Walter Raleigh. America had to wait until the early 1700’s foe such places to open, including the infamous Green Dragon, in Boston, where the Boston Tea Party planning was carried out..

The active ingredient in coffee is caffeine, a known stimulant that, over the centuries come to be inextricably linked with sex, in ways that often defy description, the simple truth being that any kind of stimulation helps the sex life.  Couples on dates know exactly what it is, that’s really on the menu, when coffee gets mentioned, so bear in mind that, while you may only be on the receiving end of a hot drink, after saying accepting that invitation, there is always the tantalizing possibility that it could be so much more.

In an earlier writing, I mentioned the “SKY IS FALLING” again. Instead of trying to lift up the emotions of people, we have the same doom and gloom of yesteryear. A great leader does not play on the fears of people with the doom and gloom. A great leader tries to encourage people to look for the silver lining in the clouds. When everything is always easy, do you learn any lessons? How did this great nation get where it is today? We the people make this country what it is today. What do we want to leave to our children? Do we want to leave this country better? How long did it take this country to develop to the greatness it has today? If you do not know which country I am talking about, it is, the great U.S.A.

I was reared in a great, beautiful and wonderful part of the U.S.A. As a child, I would go out for hours with a brother searching for food. We would pick berries, apples and other items for food. We could even get bark off trees. Our mother would have us gather what is considered a weed. Dandelions. Could you do that today? NO! Why?

Children are not even safe in their own homes. Why? We use to use wheels from bicycles and a stick to have fun and swing from the grape vines hanging from trees in the woods on the mountains. Yes, sometimes a child would get hurt. Poor me! We played dodgeball. WOW! A no-no today. We played with ropes to see which one could jump the highest. TRIP! Ouch! Boo-hoo! I will never play that dangerous thing again. Are you kidding?

An idea occurred to me. Why are the games played when I was young off limits today? Should we not be more concerned with illegal drugs, teenage use of alcohol, abuse or the demoralizing of this great nation?

What kind of ideas are our leaders spewing out to the young people today? If we are to accept people, why is it okay for one side to say we need to be tolerant of everyone, but yet, if you are not of the same political persuasion, we do not accept you? Idea! Look up tolerance in the dictionary if you do not understand the meaning. Does it say I will be tolerant of you, but only if you agree with me? NO! I know my beliefs will not be as many of you. This tolerance issue reminds me of the torture of Christians. You can be of any religion today, but you better not practice Christianity.

I ask my mother many years ago, “If and I say, IF there were no GOD, what would be wrong with people just being considerate of others, respecting others, helping one another, not stealing, not killing, and not coveting what someone else has?” I have always believed in GOD and I know there are many versions of beliefs and who am I to say which one is right? I was always told to let my light shine so that others may want what I have. Being a preacher or even a teacher is not me. Many times I have been told that I should become a teacher but I would fail at being wrapped up in the system so tight I would suffocate. The idea I have of being a teacher is a lot different than what the teaching positions allow today.

Getting back to the beginning of doom and gloom. I have been watching the stock market, as many of you have. I never use to pay any attention to the stock market. One day my husband (may he rest in peace) told me he watched the stock market because it affected whether he would be working, how many hours he would be working or would be on lay-off. Since I did not have any idea about the stock market and what it meant at the time, I just went on about my own way. It did not take me long after that to understand what he meant by affecting his working status. He was offered stock in the company he worked for and I began to get an idea.

When I went back to work and the company I worked for wanted to invest some of my money I earned into a plan, then I really began to understand why I should be interested in the stock market. So many members of my family have been affected tremendously by the stock market and are worried about their pensions, deferred comp, IRA’s, 401-K’s, etc..

IDEA! Let the market work. If you have ever noticed, the market goes up and it goes down. Having jobs in this country, affects the markets. Did you hear that if you go to a drive-thru and order food, you may be speaking to someone in another country instead of at the ordering area at the drive-thru window? How does that make you feel? You say, “Outsourcing”? How is this possible? I order a meal and someone in a foreign country is taking my order and not my neighbors’ teenage son or daughter. WOW!

IDEA! Let the market work. All you bright young people out there, take back your future. Use your knowledge to improve your future. You do not need someone to teach you that does not have any experience and the ability to teach. You need experienced leaders that have lived through a bad economy and have survived. Someone who has survival experience and remembers the past and will lead us away from repeating the same mistakes.

I have an idea! Ask yourself these questions, What am I looking for in life? Do I ever want to become a responsible person? Will I just stay here in this school or college for the rest of my life? Do I want anyone to look up to me someday and say, I want to be like you when I grow up? Do I ever want to get involved in what is happening in this world? Do I want to make a difference? Do I want to become so greedy that I do not care who suffers? Do I want to be the answer and not the question? Do I respect myself? Do I make decisions that will affect my future by how beautiful someone can speak on a subject? Am I educated enough about a subject to make a commitment? Do I do my homework or do I let someone else give me the answers?Who suffers if I make the wrong decision when I do not do my own homework? What affects my likes or dislikes? Do I let others tell me what to think? Am I a follower or a leader? Do you care more about the outward appearance of an individual or the character of that person?

I have always informed my grandchildren that beauty is only skin deep. Can you really tell a book by its cover? My husband (may he rest in peace) was a people watcher. Sometimes when he would take me to a store before I started driving myself everywhere I needed to go, he would sit out in the parking lot and watch people. Have you ever watched people? Do you know you are being watched? I, usually, do not pay much attention to what others are doing because I keep my eyes pealed to the children I have with me when I am out, especially, the youngest one. Why do I mention this? It is about being able to determine who you want to be your leader into the future. Beauty is only skin deep and can be misleading.

Why do you not know that in the past, beautiful women were used to entice in the spy business and other fields? It goes on today, also. Have you ever had your goat gotten? My husband (may he rest in peace) use to be able to get a persons’ goat. Once he had that person, he knew which buttons to push to get what he wanted. If you do not understand that phrase, it is the ability to gain control of your emotions in order to get you to do what that person wants you to do.

Idea! Let the market work. We do not need the government to control the market just like they took control of the social security program. Our government needs oversite but not control. If you have a business, is the government hiring your staff for you? If we have a business, we need the ability to hire people we need to help our business grow. We need the ability to hire the best and the  brightest no matter what the color of the skin or whether that person is a male or female or whether that person is of a certain political persuasion. We must have people that care about making the business grow and increase productivity. We need to create a business that makes a person feel, as if, they are part of it and we care about their ideas and input.

Idea! Let the market work. Let us strive to grow this economy by becoming what we can become. Let us get back to the days that we make this government accountable to the people. Do we want to let others determine whether we are successful or not? Are we going to sit back and let ourselves be taken over by an outside force?

Idea! Young people, do you want your parents to control your lives? Do you want your parents to control your money and tell you how to spend it? If you want your parents to control your lives, then why do you rebel? Would it not be nice to just hang around the house and let mom and dad pay all the expenses so you did not have to ever go out into the world and have to make your own way? It can be scary out there in the real world. There’s the electric bill, water bill, sewer bill, rent or mortgage, gas bill, food bill, cable or satellite bill, telephone or cellphone bill, clothing bill, shoe bill, equipment bills (lawnmowers for mowing lawns if you have a lawn, etc.), repair bills and the list goes on. Do you not want to live your own life?

Idea! Let the market work. Let us start putting leaders in place that work for us and not for their own self interest. Let us not put ourselves first but work for a greater cause so that we can leave this world a better place than the way it was when we entered. Do you want to be remembered or just pass and no one take notice?

Idea! Let the market work but do not put on blinders. Let us hold those accountable for what is happening but do not let us fail to see that the government should not be in control of the free market. How can a free market be free if it is controlled by the government?