Do You Still Take or Read a Newspaper?

Do you believe everything that is printed in your paper, or presented in the news as fact?

News with a grain of salt?

Many people have stopped taking a newspaper years ago. It seldom had accurate information, and many things which happened that should have been printed were either left untold, or were inaccurate. It's gotten so that you can seldom take the news a face value. Many formerly well respected newspapers are losing readers by the thousands and millions, and it has less to do with reading it online or watching it on TV than they would have you believe. More and more, the newspapers are slanted toward the side they want told, instead of telling the whole story. Newspapers lost readers also because they were printing more ads than actual news, as well. Of course now, even ads have fallen off. Our local radio station is offering more detailed, and more accurate reports of the events which they air, and they even complain about the largest paper who nearly always slants the news to mislead people. 


A few years ago, two young women were attacked and seriously injured by several minority teenaged young women, and were nearly killed. Yet, this particular newspaper slanted the story to make it appear that the women who were attacked had instigated the confrontation. Many eye witnesses were interviewed who were of the same ethnicity as the attackers, and even though they said that the women who were attacked had done nothing to provoke the attack, the paper still kept silent on that part of the story. A man who was of the same race as the attackers actually stopped the attackers from killing the women being attacked. Do you think that part of the story was told in the offending paper, NO WAY. This paper is, or was the largest paper in the entire west coast.  Several other papers and a few other news agencies did report the story more accurately, but that paper never did print a clarification of the actual events of that story, as they have also done in many other cases. 


Investigative reporting has pretty much vanished from the scene. For decades the news on TV has been presented in a slanted way, and they seem to make it into more of a talk show, with banter between the talking faces who are supposed to be reporting the news. 


Recently, in my area, there was a huge law enforcement dragnet and invasion, with several different branches of the law, ranging from the local Sheriff, FBI, etc. which took over an entire neighborhood. No one really knew who they were after, or what they wanted. Do you think that ever made it even to the local paper? No indeed. Nor did it make it to the internet log of the local law enforcement. 

Just a few days ago, some man was hit and killed along a main road just a few miles from my home. All that showed up in the paper was that they were looking for a Ford F-250, with a damaged right-front fender. There was no mention even of a light-colored or dark-colored vehicle. There was never any followup story, either. 


Over the past twenty or so years, just in the area I live in, there have been many things which remain untold. These were events which most of the people living in the area saw some pretty serious activity, and yet, it showed up no place, in the local paper, or news. It just happened, and was kept silent.  Many people I know don't just take the news for what is told. They actually check news sources from all over the world, and dig to find the truth on many subjects. 

If I Had the Attention of All Humanity on Earth for Just Two Minutes...

Wake up World!

If I had the attention of the earth's human population for two minutes, I would say the following: 

"Do unto others as you would have then do unto you." 


Stop eating processed and genetically modified foods, which include all boxed, prepackaged foods, such as nearly all cereals, cake mixes, anything which contains high fructose corn syrup, any grains which have the reproductive germ removed. There are many other things such as white rice, even oatmeal which is ready to add water and pop into your microwave, which is not a good source of nutrition either. 


The list is way too long to list, but do your homework folks. Do you have a clue how many food, vitamins and medications are loaded with petroleum products? Even most makeup, deodorant and shampoo is loaded with things which are toxic to the human body. 

Hair care products

Today, with so many huge corporations investing in oil and pharmaceuticals, have you even stopped to think about the possibility that they are more interested in their bottom line than how you and your family, friends and neighbors are affected by all the chemicals contained in practically everything you use in and around you home, including medications, foods, soap, and even the containers in which you store the very food you eat?  Most of these products contain petroleum products, from the clothes on your back, to the coloring added to your kid's treats.  Why even antifreeze is added to your soft and chewy candies, as well as many dog treats, and foods.  They claim that this is a safe form of antifreeze, but like so many other things, it is also dangerous over time.  

Even apparent  clean water
has added fluoride in most areas
of the country

What about the fluoride added to the public water supply, and added to your toothpaste and mouthwash?  Fluoride is toxic in even minute amounts, and the know it.  There are much safer alternatives to any toothpaste or mouthwashes which do not contain such harmful and toxic chemicals.  Try a little baking soda, or add a small amount of salt to the baking soda.  Did you know that if you stop eating sugar, that you no longer get plaque or cavities?  There are many simple and much safer alternatives available for so many things we have become accustomed to using around our homes, and purchase for our families and pets to use and consume.  You have certainly heard the expression, "You are what you eat."  Truer words were never spoken.  Does "Garbage in, garbage out," ring a bell?

A few Container grown
Strawberries.
©2011 PK Hawk

Fresh veggies and herbs

Even if you live in an apartment, you can at least have a small herb garden in your kitchen window, or maybe grow a few tomatoes or strawberries, even some peas in a window box, or a planter on your balcony or patio.  Eating healthy whole foods is essential for your body and for your overall health. 

And The Rains Came

Horse and Rider at One With Nature

Many people who live in Southern California are happily getting some much needed rain today.  Yesterday, in scattered areas we also got a few drops, though large, they only lasted a few minutes, and while some residents saw no sprinkles at all, in other nearby areas, it actually required turning on the wiper blades, if only for about five minutes.

Today however, it has actually gotten roofs and plants wet, and at the present time, there is still a gently falling, pleasant sounding pitter-patter on the awnings over my windows, and even the sound of water dripping from the tree which overhangs my skylights.  I don't know about you, but I love rain.  I like walking in the rain, listening to the pitter-pat on my umbrella as I walk along.  I enjoy skipping over puddles, unless I am wearing rain boots, in which case I gladly slop through the water.  Years ago, when I was able to ride my horse, we both loved sharing a wonderful ride in the mud and water.  Dusty didn't mind the water falling all over her, any more than I did.  A couple of times, my sister and I would even stop in at a local store, if it started raining, buy a small box of those heavy lawn and leaf bags, cut a hole just large enough for out head to fit through, mount our horses, and off we'd go again, happily riding along.  Since we were actually covered from head to knee in dark green plastic bags, it was so funny to watch people driving along, staring at two grown women covered in big plastic trash bags. They would open their car's window and make some really funny comments about us looking like "the Fruit of the Loom Guys," plodding along in pouring rain, just laughing and singing,  (No, we weren't drinking, either).  Dusty always traveled with more of a jogging gait when it was more exciting, such as the rain falling, or when she knew I was about to encourage her to run in areas which were safe to do so when it wasn't raining.

Tomorrow, the rain should fall heavier than today, and weather reports say it may even rain at least some the day after, as well.  Some heavy rain is expected tomorrow.  Oh, if only I could ride a horse today, I would certainly be out in that lovely cleansing rain.  It feels so wonderful even running down my face if it rains hard enough.  I really do miss riding.  Dusty is no longer living, as I had to have her put down about nine years ago, when she was twenty-seven and a half years old.  I had Dusty for seventeen years, and she was so special.  I am very grateful that I had some really wonderful horses over the years.  Each one was different in their own way, and each one had a really bad reputation when I got them.  I was determined that they would not end up being sold to horse killers, and with patience and determination, they overcame their "issues," and we had some really great times together.

Oh, I really feel like riding a horse out into the lake today, with rain falling all around.  This is so far, a pleasant rain, without gusty winds or lightning and thunder, just the sort of weather that is absolutely wonderful for horse and rider.

What I Would Have Done Differently About My Education

What would I have changed about my education if I could change the past? To change that, I would also have to change the health issues of my youth, as that is the primary cause of my not doing what I would have wanted to do about education.


First, I would have somehow prevented my becoming too ill to attend school. Being unable to attend  school on a regular basis, kept me from being advanced to a higher grade.  Even so, I maintained almost perfect grades all through school, so I would have advanced more quickly than only passing every year, except for first grade.  While in first grade, I became very ill, and had to drop out of school, spending nearly the entire year in bed, and having the doctor attend me at home.  I ended up having to take first grade over,  due to being bedridden and fending off death all along. Thanks to my parents more than due diligence, and penicillin, I made it through, though I still am dealing with the effects of chronic nephritis. Ever since then, I have had autoimmune problems, most likely also because of what taking so much penicillin does to a person's innards. But, it was yet unknown, so that is something which any antibiotic will do, killing off much needed enzymes and good bacteria in the intestinal tract. I hope I'm not being too graphic here, but things are what they are. The more people learn about these things, the better they can deal with it all. Had my parents not allowed me to be so medicated, I would not have lived, so I am grateful for what they and my doctors did to save my little six year old body from passing on. 

Woman Attorney
and the
Wheels of Justice

Woman Doctor

Now, about my education: I would have studied human and/or Veterinary Medicine, and law, and excelled at both, becoming most likely a good attorney, who used my medical knowledge along with my sense of fairness and decency to help others, along with being a prosecuting attorney to right many wrongs done to so many innocents. 


Now, what really happened? Unable to even quite finish school, I learned much about many things, and taught myself to read and develop engineering blueprints, as well as how to design and develop things from retaining walls, landscaping plans, landscape grading plans, commercial as well as residential irrigation systems, heavy, sturdy patio covers for all of the applications where they were needed or wanted by various clients. I also designed parking lots, per various cities regulations, for a few clients who were unable to get their plans passed and accepted by the city.  I also am self-taught in hydraulics, and used that to design landscape irrigation systems of varying capacities, from front lawns, to those necessary for proper irrigation of large complexes of commercial and multi-residential, parks, and hospitals, as well.  

Pondering Contract
Negotiations

While working along with my late husband, I managed our office, doing payroll, preparing bids for large commercial builders, as well as for custom landscape projects for homes, parks, malls, hospitals, schools, as well as for apartment complexes and condominiums which we landscaped, and coordinated all the sub contractors, which we had hired, as several of the builders we did work for, took a chance on us, to see if we actually could manage their job site better than they could. And we did a good and competent job of it. They liked the way my husband managed and coordinated the various subs, so the various trades actually worked smoothly, and the finished products were finished ahead of their scheduled completion dates, and they saved money paying their superintendent who was not able to coordinate things nearly as well. 

Professional Custom
Landscape Project

When we bid larger projects, we bid everything except for the swimming pools, and the actual buildings. We bid the finish grading, parking lots, walkways, pool decking, patio covers, and any fencing, in addition to the actual landscaping, irrigation, and drainage required for the project. We also bid and installed all exterior lighting, for the landscaped areas. Finally, we provided full maintenance, usually for the first six months to one year after completion, allowing all landscaping to become established. 

Garden Path

Our firm was almost never called back to repair things which we had installed, since it was done right to begin with, and nothing was haphazardly done. We cared, and it showed. 

Successful Contract Meeting

Managing several contracting trades can be challenging, as no one really understands or cares about what the other contractor needs or wants to accomplish on any given day. They usually fight over who gets to do what, since they are both fighting over getting their job done, while the other guy is in their way. When we managed it, my husband already was hands on, knowing each trade, and had already done most of them before, himself, so he knew better who to have come in at the right time, without overlapping trades. 

The Rains May Fall in Southern California

©2011 PK Hawk

Since it's finally the Autumn of the year of 2011, and even though our four or five year drought is officially over, the area in which I live, has been passed over even with a few rainstorms affecting several nearby counties.  Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 4th brings with it, a reasonable likelihood of at least some rain, increasing to 40% by evening, and 70 to 80% by Wednesday.

©2011 PK Hawk

I now need to get some very minor repairs done to the vent pipes on my roof.  They haven't leaked, at least so far, but the epoxy on them is showing signs of some slight shrinking.  I have the materials, just need to climb up there and get it done, today.  I also need to get my banking and shopping done today.  It looks like today is going to be a busy one for me, so I will sign off for now, and since it's already after 8:00 AM, I need to have breakfast and get ready to take care of business today.

Invaders of the Brain

The Human Brain

You may already read the last report regarding my friend, Colista finding out that she has two tumors which apparently have been in her brain for several years.  She has finally had the necessary tests performed to find out if they are cancerous or not, you may be relieved at least somewhat to learn that they are not cancer.

Colista has an appointment with her specialist tomorrow, Tuesday, October 4, 2011.  You see, as a person who thankfully survived a ruptured brain aneurysm in about 2003, Colista has already had at least two brain surgeries, and though she has some lingering physical disabilities from the damage done to several parts of her brain and nervous system, she is doing remarkable well.  Colista takes medication to help prevent small intermittent seizures which were not visible to the uninformed person, but were affecting her emotions and her personality.  Finally, she realized she was no longer her old self, as did I long before she did.   It was a case of being patient, and letting her realize something was not quite right, and that she would have to adjust and make allowances for the fact that she would have to learn how to compensate for now having a faulty memory, and needing help in controlling her impulses.  She now keeps notes to remind her of things which she really needs to do, and that she is not  indestructible.  We spent a few hours together yesterday, and had a chance to talk about her options.

Where things happen
in the brain

I am very proud of her, as she is one who will face her enemy head on, and learn all she can about what she is facing, and make a plan on how she will deal with it.  Colista found a book at CostCo, which is large, not unlike a coffee table book. Only this book is all about the brain, with pages and pages of photos of MRI slices of the brain, explaining the functions of the various sections.  She is taking that book with her tomorrow, and plans to have her doctor  explain exactly where the damage is, and what symptoms she may expect, and how to recognize when she needs to plan on any necessary surgeries, to help forestall the possible eventuality of more brain surgery.  Colista is already a person who eats good healthy food, and though as many people do, she occasionally does eat things which she may be better off not eating.  She will make all the necessary adjustments, believe me, as she is always striving to learn as much about health and nutrition as she possible can.


There are a couple of damaged areas in her brain from when she had the aneurysm, which contain scar tissue, and though the doctor explained that to her, she wants more detail, so she can understand better exactly how that affects, or will affect her in any way.

Look out tumors, Colista is out for damage control, and she won't quit until she knows she has done everything she can do to take care of her health, and will even be trying to see if changing her diet may possibly repair the affected areas, and maybe even kill and destroy the two enemies which she only recently discovered were stalking her, secretly and from within.


Colista already knows that keeping the body in an alkaline state will destroy most if not all invaders into the body of man and beast, so she is cutting back even more on such things as sugar, artificial sweeteners, and processed, prepackaged foods, as well as any grains which are not whole, and unprocessed.

California's counties brace for an influx of inmates

California's counties brace for an influx of inmates