Rare, Albino Dolphins seen off Newport Coast

I apologize that the video upload feature of blogger refuses to cooperate in posting this video of an extremely rare Albino or "Pink" Dolphin seen recently off the Newport Coast in Orange County, California, USA. If you would like to watch this enchanting 4 minute video of this pink calf and its' mom, please cut and paste the link below into a browser window. Thank you and hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhs_mH9v6pU

Howdy- Updates

Hi there and hope you had a restful long weekend. We've been busy this weekend tracking Hurrican Gustav, having great political discussions, and celebrating my husband's birthday.

We've been watching Hurricane Gustav closely because we have family in both Florida and New Orleans. (N'awlins). Our niece and her husband live in New Orleans and evacuated last week. They are staying with family and are waiting to go back to the city. They went through Hurricane Katrina 3 years ago and needless to say, this is getting old. Really old and tiresome for them, especially since they bought their first home a couple years ago. Alex, our niece's husband, is an editor and writer for a music magazine based in New Orleans and just returned from Denver, Colorado where he covered the Democratic Convention. He is an incredibly gifted writer and has interviewed some fantastic musicians; B.B.King, Harry Connick Jr, The Neville Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, and on and on. We are also so thankful for Alex, not only does he make our niece happy and is a true friend, he took us to see Terrance Simien and The Lost Bayou Ramblers at the performance of the Grammy nominees for the Cajun Zydeco category last February. It was "off the hook". I am so lucky, I adore my DH's niece and her husband, (and not because of the free concerts and all that). We so wish they didn't have to go through this stress.

The Presidential elections have really caught the interest of our 13 y/o son. He had to watch the speeches at the Democratic convention and write an essay for history class. He is now downright passionate and has said how much he wished he could vote this election. I invited him into the voting booth with me while I vote and told him we could volunteer for his candidate. He seems to have a better grasp on issues than some grown ups, listing the qualifications of both VP candidates very concisely and thoughtfully.

We celebrated my beloved's birthday this weekend with a BBQ at the pool and home made chocolate malt cake. (It's delicious, especially the frosting which is made with whipping cream, chocolate, malt powder, and cream cheese. Only downside, the frosting melts quickly in the 90 degree heat, so you have to eat up quickly.) Sunday, we went to Zuma Beach in Malibu and hung out with another family. My husband took the boys to a Dodgers Baseball game yesterday. All in all, a Great Birthday Weekend! We aim to please, well at least the one day a year. ;oD

Well, it's back to work today, solving problems one patient and family at a time. I wish you a great rest of your day and thanks for checking in.

Truths in My Life

I have bad check out line karma. Customers all over shared a sigh of relief when I started internet shopping. If you see me in a line, for your own well being, choose another line.

I am not as quirky as I would like to think I am. Being a chocoholic, having a cat with no tail, and practicing complementary healing does not make one quirky. Wow, that's kind of a drag in a way.

I am embracing not caring more about others' problems than they do. This can be a challenge with my family and patients, but it doesn't mean I'm not supportive or empathetic. Just the opposite actually, but I can't take my kid's science tests or my patient's insulin shots for them.

I am daily suprised and humbled that my husband and kids think I am worthy of their abiding love and affection.

I am proud of the fact I can live with ambivalence and for all my struggles, I have beautiful scars.

Thank you for the gift of your time by reading this and sharing your own truths if you wish. Best to you and yours for a restful Labor Day Weekend. (Hey, that's kind of an oxymoron, isn't it?) Also, if you're of a mind, please check below for "WTF Wednesday" contest for fun and prizes.

WTF Wednesdays with Prize Awarded

Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of "WTF Wednesday"! I am inspired today by Mrs.Spit and other bloggerinas who hold contests and class to keep all of us motivated and educated. Thank you all so much! I have a prize for anyone who can guess the location or details about the above picture. What is the prize you wonder? Is it worth your time or effort? Hmm, how about some Organic Shower Gel in your choice of Tuberose or Lavender? I thank you for your participation and hope you enjoy the picture. Best to you and yours, Martha

Fun uses for beer besides drinking it

I was reminded today (because my hair is especially cooperative) of all the fun uses for beer besides drinking it. Which I don't do because I don't like the taste and never have despite growing up in the great brewery city of Cincinnati, Ohio. Shout Out to Little Kings Cream Ale and Shimay Ale made by Trappist monks but that's another story. Bottom line, I used up my alcohol quota in high school and college and rarely imbibe.

So what do hair and beer have in common? If you use your clean stale beer as a finishing rinse after washing your hair, you will be "drunk with delight" at how shiny and manageable your locks are. Apparently it's the antioxidants from the yeast and hops and stuff. A new use for Old Bud, or Alaskan Winter Amber in my case.

Another fun use for beer is to add it to a batter recipe in place of all or part of the liquid in the recipe. Yummylicious for seafood and onion rings.

Of course, a perennial favorite is using stale beer in shallow cans in your garden to drown slugs. At least they die happy.

Thank you for stopping by and please let me know if you have any other suggestions. I apologize for the lameness of the post. I could of blogged about sports overload with the Olympics or the Democratic Convention. (Actually, that reminds me, I do have something to blog about with the Convention, something fun, I promise.) Best to you and yours and I hope if you enjoy beer, it doesn't get stale.

Obnoxious Door to Door Salesmen & Warning Politics Discussed

I live in a nice neighborhood except for one thing, occasionally we get a plague of door to door salespeople, selling everything from overpriced candy, real estate services, or God's love. We have all become quite adept at dealing with these folks. First, a disclaimer, I certainly do not mean to offend anyone who sells overpriced candy, real estate, or salvation, but Guess What? I will seek out your services If and When I desire them! And it's not in the middle of dinner! My husband loves to deal with these folks, but it's usually me who gets the pleasure. I live in jeans and tshirts (ah, the joys of telecommuting) so when I answer the door to a salesperson, I just tell them I'm the housekeeper or babysitter. (So Not A Lie, because well, I AM! At least somedays...) That's pretty painless for all parties involved. My favorite is telling the various missionaries who come to our door that I am a Zen Buddhist. I love to watch their reaction. Most recently, a man came to our door asking me to support Proposition 8 which would nullify California state law allowing marriage between same sex couples. I said, "Put the word - Jew, Muslim, Asian, or Black in that phrase, and tell me it's not a question of Civil Rights. I think we will look back on this in twenty years and say - What took so long?" Needless to say, he beat a hasty retreat, the look on his face, PRICELESS.

In both California and Massachusetts, the sun is still rising in the East and setting in the West, even with Gay marriage. I feel it is every state's right to set their own laws based on the will of the voters. So, now I am out of the closet, a Suburban Heterosexual Soccer Mom who thinks it's okay that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossi got married. I'm just bummed I wasn't invited.

Show and Tell:Fashion Inspiration from LA

"Who Inspires Your Style?" (from www.laist.com)

This lady looks like she can make a killer borscht. Not everyone can wear yellow (with matching kerchief) with such panache. The footwear totally completes this look with style. Hope you have a great weekend!