Morning guys! Today I'm sharing one of my favourite go to mid week meals! Nothing beats pasta, especially pesto pasta! This ones a little more exciting as I've varied the nuts and I've added sundries tomatoes for more depth and flavour. Topped with more cheese and salty capers! A delicious, comforting and incredibly easy lunch! Great cold the next day too!
Blend the pesto in a food processor until combined and then add water to loosen and form a thick smooth paste.
Boil the pasta in water for 10 minutes or until cooked.
Drain and pour back into the pan.
Stir through the pesto and rocket until combined and wilted.
Divide the pasta between two bowls.
Top with the parmesan and capers.
So I had a super busy and packed long weekend! Thursday lunch time I caught a train to London for the blogger awards. I must admit I was feeling the worst I've felt in about 6 months! I just felt so emotional and I was finding it hard to hold back my tears. I just had a lot happen last week and it all just got on top of me! I was going to get off at Chesterfield but I'm glad I stayed on, even if I wasn't my usual bubbly self, I was better being cheered on and distracted by my girls. So Leila met me at the station in and we went back to hers for a cuppa and catch up before we headed out in the rain to get some soup as an early tea before we went to the awards. Me, Vanessa and Celine then went back to Leila's to get dressed up for the awards. When we got there we met Rebecca, Laura, Gemma, Lucy and Catrina! I also got to get to know some new faces which was lovely and catch up with Rachel too. Such a lovely evening congratulating people, catching up and of course eating all the samples and protein peanut butter chocolate porridge, biscuits, popcorn, chocolate and nut butter!! We also got the most incredible goody bag, packed full of everything!!! After the awards we went back to Leila's, got into our PJs and ate Leila's homemade carrot cake with almond butter, my new favourite – corn chips and hippeas! We talked away until about midnight and then headed to bed. In the morning we got dressed and ready and drove to Boys N' Berry for breakfast. I went for the mushroom and spinach tomato bake eggs with sourdough, incredible! We then waved bye to the lovely Leila and me and Celine went to drop off her suitcase and then to the Mae Deli to meet Gemma for lunch and try out the new menu. I went for the Middle Eastern bowl which was baked aubergine with dukkah and coconut labneh, peanut celeriac noodles and sage and sweet potato fritters. Truly delicious. Then we spent the afternoon shopping and getting bits and bobs. My suitcase decided to break on oxford street so I had to carry my bag round like a baby for 6 hours but you know!!! Then we went to planet organic for a drink and to pick up the essentials before catching the bus to kings cross to meet everyone at Mildreds for tea. We met Amy, Rebecca, Gemma and Julliete. We had to wait a while for a table but when the delicious food came we forgot about that! I went for the Mexican bowl which was black beans, quinoa, coriander, corn salsa, guacamole, corn chips (new fav), grilled pineapple and feta cheese! Incredible and deffo one I'll be recreating this week. Then me, Rebecca and Celine headed off to Rebeccas to spend the night. When we got back and settled it was quite late so we went straight to bed. Both Rebecca and Leila made us both feel so comfortable and we couldn't be more grateful. In the morning we were greeted with turmeric lattes and tea and then treated to one of Rebeccas incredible creations. Pink Pitaya and Maca chia porridge topped with deep roast manilife, mixed fruit cinnamon compote, chocolate, nuts, seeds, flowers and cacao nibs. Pure bliss. It was so lovely to see someone else taking time in the morning to get the perfect set up and photo too hahah! Can totally relate and it was lovely to have a calm chilled start to the day too. Rebecca and Celine then walked me to the station as I was off to meet one of my old friends from Sheffield for lunch. I went via Kings Cross to pick up my tickets and then I queued up for 30 minutes to get into Granger and Co! Good job I was early!! I went for the Aussie bowl which was hot smoked salmon, avocado, tomatoes, poached eggs, coriander, buttered greens and sourdough with a chai latte. We then walked across to Ella's uni accommodation to chill for an hour before I caught the train home. My Dad met me in the station to help me carry all my bits and bobs, he then dropped me back home as I needed a quick tea and change as I was off on a night out with the gym lot! I've lowered my tablets so I can now have a few drinks! I had a few tropical cocktails! Yummy! I had a good laugh and made some new friends too! Such a lovely evening! Then I headed home to bed and had the best sleep I've had in ages!! A good 9 hours!!! In the morning me and Mum had a chilled brunch before going out to look at some pots and then back home for homemade pizza and the usual sorting my room out for the week ahead whilst I listen to my favourite songs, sing along and eat chocolate. That evening we just caught up on TV and chilled out! Monday was the release of my NEW Autumn LeitchyCreates box. Follow the link to find out more! Also catching up on everything I've missed whilst I've been away!!
So as you may know if you've read my previous reviews, I'm a Rhythm 108 fan girl! I've already raved about their NEW share bags, biscuits and dessert bars and now I'm raving even more about their NEW chocolate bars!! These chocolate bars are like nothing I've ever tasted!! I'm going to go as far to say, they're my new favourite chocolate bars, healthy or not!!! Favourite has to be the salty and sweet as that combination is my all time favourite but they're all crazy good!
So as you know if you've read my previous reviews, I like to review as I nibble in a 'live' sort of way! So I don't change anything (other than my spellings) These are my first and truthful thoughts that came to mind as I gobbled.
Instant indulgence, a smooth shiny and silky bar with a nutty rich centre and hazelnuts scattered throughout to create a satisfying crunch which is then followed by creamy praline melting on your tongue. Heaven. It's absolutely bliss! They've got the balance of milk and dark just right to suit everyone's sweet tooth. I love the crack of the exterior chocolate followed by the creamy and silky exterior and the crispy and light crunch to the nuts! Again the crunch isn't hard or uncomfortable to bite, it's just a crisp like a rice crispy, soft and light yet you still hear and feel that crunch between your teeth. I love how they've used both quinoa and oats in the filling to create an extra nutty depth and variety of flavours as well as nutrients and fibre content. I'm also blown away with how low in sugar these bars are! 8g for the whole chocolate bar making these a suitable afternoon treat! Normally, even natural alternatives are still packed full of sugar making them an every so often snack! This bar has it all! I bet it would be incredible melted slightly and enjoyed as a dessert with ice cream and hazelnut butter or even just dunked in a good cup of tea! It reminds me of Nutella and kinder and Lindt truffles! Aka my favourite chocolate in the world! Give me a Lindt truffle and I'll love you forever and give me one of these bars and I'll love you more! Well done guys! Blown me away EVEN more!!
Sweet silky almond and grown up tastes! There's that sweet milky almond taste with a salted caramel like silkiness throughout, paired with small crunchy chunks of almond to create the most moreish and satisfying bar! I can't get over how the bar melts on your tongue, the comfort it brings and how the salt brings out and shouts about the flavours! Just lush! Chocolate, caramel, roasted depth of the nuts, the salty and sweet combination and the milkiness! What a bar! I think this is my favourite and maybe my favourite chocolate bar ever! Healthy or not! I've never had anything like it! The vanilla also adds a luxury depth to the bar and I like how they've used hazelnut in there too to create a proper chocolate taste! Pure bliss! I want 10 more!
Silky dark rich chocolate with a crisp, sweet and crunchy coconut and oat filling. The smooth melting chocolate on your tongue paired with the sweet and crisp texture and tropical feel of the filling is incredible! The chocolate is rich and bitter but when paired with the sweet filling they both level out create the perfect bar! I especially like the crisp filling! I was expected a drying coconut filling like a bounty but this is far from! It's more wafer like with creamy coconut in between the layers! Ummummm! Again, up there with one of my favourite ever chocolate bars! Also love the baby blue packaging and again how low in sugar it is! I have no complaints!
So Today I'm sharing a super comforting, weekend indulgence, Sunday morning PJ day porridge bowl. Sweet cinnamon spiced nutty porridge topped with sweet and sticky grilled banana, creamy yoghurt, silky caramel, melted chocolate and crunchy granola and seeds. Absolute perfection.
Mash the date in a small bowl until smooth, add the tahini and salt and stir to combine and then add a littlle milk at a time until a smooth caramel has formed.
Preheat the grill to high and line with foil. Pop the banana halves on the lined grill and grill until golden. Pop to one side.
Pour the porridge ingredients into a small pan over a low heat and stir until thickened.
Pour the porridge into a bowl.
Dollop the yoghurt, caramel and nut butter/chocolate on one side on the porridge and arrange the grilled banana halves on top.
Scatter the seeds and some chocolate granola down the centre of the porridge.
Morning my loves! A short but sweet post as I'm in London with my girlies!! I'll fill you in on my few days away on Wednesday!
Today I'm sharing a sausage curry! Like a British and Indian mash up!! Ummmumm a super easy mid week, cold and dark night dish!
Pop the sausages in a large pan and fry until golden, add the onions, celery and garlic and cook for 10 minutes to soften.
Stir through the spices, potato, cabbage and tomatoes.
Pour over the water, add the puree and half the coriander, including the stalks.
Bring to the boil and then a medium simmer for 20 – 30 minutes or until the potato is cooked through.
Divide the curry between four dishes, making sure everyone gets three sausage halves.
Serve with full fat live yoghurt or coconut yoghurt and kraut.
Morning guys! What a busy few weeks it has been!! Saturday was a little chilled, doing to odd job around the house and then I went shopping and to my Grandmas later in the day to wish her Happy Birthday! Saturday night we chilled in-front of the TV and made pizzas! Sunday I headed off to Manchester to see my gorgeous friend Yas! We met at the train station, we wondered round the shops, I got some jazzy red trousers and a small bag to use when I go out. We then went for lunch at a place called Federal. We had to que, one because it was super popular and two, it was quite small. The food was so reasonable and incredibly delicious. I went for the sourdough toast topped with tomato relish, poached eggs, halloumi, thyme and garlic mushrooms and rocket. Yas went for the sourdough topped with zesty avocado, tomatoes and mushrooms. Delicious! We nattered for hours and then went wondering again for some bits and bobs before heading home for another chilled night in! Monday was a busy one, making al my LeitchyCreates autumn range, taking pictures, sending off for labels and inserts, collecting packaging and stickers, getting admin done, recipes written up and emails sent!! Tuesday was pretty similar but I took the afternoon off to get some fresh air and chill out.
Today I'm sharing yesterdays delicious porridge bowl! So autumnal, comforting and flavoursome. Masala chai spiced oats topped with a sweet plum compote, crunchy roasted hazelnuts and ricotta for creaminess (this can be replaced with a dairy free alternative such as coconut yoghurt).
Pop the compote ingredients into a small pan and place over a low heat. Mash the plums with a fork to release the juices and then leave to thicken. Turn off when soft with a sauce.
Pour the porridge ingredients into another small pan and stir over a medium heat until thickened.
Dollop the ricotta on one side of the porridge and pour the compote over the other.
Scatter the hazelnuts down the middle and dig in!
Morning guys!! What a week!! I've not had a weekend for two weeks but I'm not complaining as I've had the best time!! However, I am looking forward to a weekend off!!
So on Sunday I was at Vegan Festival Sheffield with my LeitchyCreates as you probably know!! I was pretty anxious with how it was going to go down as I'm just used to my little stalls at Nuffield! But it couldn't of gone better!!! I got so much positive feedback and heard about so many others who too suffer with digestion and certain requirements. I was happy to be able to offer them so much and even happier when they came back for more!!! It seems if you had the pecan pie, the peanut butter millionaires or battenberg, you'd be back!! So so so overwhelmed and grateful! I left the day very tired but very very happy and I can't wait for the next one!! Sunday evening was cooking and packing ready for our long journey down to Southend on Sea!! We set off mid morning and it took about 4 or so hours to get there with train changes and tubes etc. When we got there, we dropped off our bags and headed out for a promenade stroll to breathe in the sea air, stretch our legs, take some photos and get our bearings!! Then back to the hotel for a refresh before we went out for a meal. We decided to stay in the hotel as the menu looked so so delicious!! I went for the pigeon with mushrooms, blueberry gel and artichokes to start and my Mum went for the crab and shrimp salad! Then we both went for the juniper crusted duck with blackberry mash, roast parsnips, pickled kohlrabi and tarragon cream. UMMMMUMMMM to say the least!!!
Tuesday morning we woke up, got ready and had the biggest breakfast ever as we new we wouldn't be eating until 3pm. I had a full english, fruit and nuts and then more bread topped with yoghurt, nuts, seeds and honey. We were ready!! We set off and battled against the wind for a good 45 minutes to meet the rest of the audience and the crew for Jamie and Jimmies Friday Night Feast! We are going to be in the audience and will be able to be seen on TV in January! But I'm afraid I cant say more than that due to legal requirements and papers etc. So you'll just have to wait and see! Don't worry you won't miss it, I'll be reminding you nearer the time haha! So yeah one of the best days of my life!!! That evening we headed back, watched the bake off and went to bed!
Wednesday we again, had a rather large breakfast and then went on another extremely windy walk! Like probably the windiest weather I've ever been in!! Haha anyway, we went on a challenging workout workout and then headed back to the hotel for some goo old pesto pasta before we headed back on a good 8 hour journey with all the waiting around, home. I got my Mum's birthday present though, some earnings and some delicious sushi for the journey back, oh and a nice coconut latte.. not all bad eh? Filled my time quite nicely.
Thursday was back to work and back to shipping chocolates and getting everything ready for my stall at Nuffield Health today! I'll be there from 9am until 1pm so come say hey and buy some treats for the weekend if you are around!!
Today I'm sharing a super simple and ever so comforting pasta dish that the whole family and friends and everyone you know will love!
Melt the butter in a large frying pan, add the onions and fry for 15 minutes over a low heat to soften.
Add the garlic, basil, a pinch of salt and pepper, chicken and lemon to the pan and cook for a further 15 minutes.
At this point put the pasta in a pan of boiling water.
In the last 5 minutes, stir the parmesan into the sauce.
Drain the pasta and pour into the sauce pan. Mix well to combine and coat in the cheesy sauce.
Put the spinach in three bowls, top with the pasta and sauce mix and then sprinkle over the toasted nuts and seeds.


Last week, President of the World Bank Group (WBG), Jim Yong Kim, conceded his organisation has wrongly advised African governments over the years about the ideal pathway to industrialisation. He noted that emphasising hard infrastructures like road, rails and energy backed by loans has not helped Africa industrialise. Unfortunately, this is the argument many critics have presented to the WBG for years, which it failed to heed.
But since the bank has finally realised how flawed some of its policies could be, and the possible consequences on economic development, here are three things it needs to consider if it genuinely wish to help with industrialisation efforts in Africa.
Despite the poor rankings of many African countries on economic and business indexes, the primary reason why people in the sub-Saharan region continue to survive without equitable government help, lies in the strength of the informal sector. As such, there is no greater way to usher Africa's industrialisation other than efficiently strengthening this sector.
It is currently the largest employer of labor – 66 percent of total employment in sub-Saharan Africa. And already, the WBG is doing well by changing its aid strategy with more interaction with people in need rather than governments, which of course, deserves commendation. However, the positive result of focusing assistance on people rather than governments underscore why it should switch policies to completely focus on individuals in terms of financial assistance.
Ordinarily, Africans should have no reason to look at the WBG for aid if the credit systems at home were good. Many of the street hawkers and roadside engineers that power this grey economy still heavily depend on the traditional revolving loan schemes that can only supply a fragment of capital required to do business. In a modern economy, small businesses need more than this.
Local commercial banks still offer high interest rates than most individual businesses can afford except in places like Zambia, Rwanda, Malawi and Nigeria, which deservedly, are ranked in the top 10 of Getting Credit Index. Again, it is not ideal to ask for financial aid but if the WBG appears to be filling the loan void well enough, maybe it could be a good alternative. This is also necessary since two of the key challenges to Africa's industrialisation – youth employment and women empowerment – have found refuge in the informal sector.
For instance, 74 percent of women employment (non-agricultural) is informal, and eight in every ten young persons in the sub-Saharan region are informally employed. These women occupy the local markets that sprouts in every African cities with their stalls and crafts, while the youth are mostly apprentices or small business owners. It should not take complicated economic calculations for anyone to know that the best way to address both challenges is to provide accessible soft loans and address other underlying issues like excessive regulations.
Regulations are eternal enemies of any effort on industrialisation and the WBG must echo this fact to African leaders. The idea that business owners, especially of larger corporations, should be subjected to strict state monitoring to guarantee commercial fairness, is vague. In fact, the more governments tend to constrict businesses to multiple regulations, the less innovative and productive they become. Even the small businesses are victims, too.
There are regulatory measures and unending bureaucracies usually created by local governments and trade unions that affect the growth capacity of these businesses. Prevalent among them are issues of business registration, tax and royalty payments, and quite often, land occupation. These have altered the growth of millions of small businesses and it is a reason only one African country ranks in the top 70 of the Ease of Doing Business Index.
The WBG as a key creditor to African governments, can be influential in changing this trend.
Perhaps, the one thing critics of the WBG has accepted, is that the bank will continue to give loans to governments so far they need them with less regard to their record on tolerance or human right. On the contrary, there cannot be a sustained effort towards industrialisation if the social and political substructures are tyrannical. Modern economics is more tied to politics and justice than ever – far tied than Adam Smith argued.
The Word Bank should not exclusively focus on giving out loans without making governments own-up to respect individual freedoms. Of course, the argument here is not about whether the bank's duty should be strictly financial or not. However, the reality of contemporary political economy demands a creditor ensure its monies are not spent on persecuting the targeted beneficiaries but efficiently used to help them. But in Africa, this is often the unfortunate reality.
The WBG has no option but to demand African leaders be more transparent and judicially responsible to their people. They must know that regardless of how perfect an economic plan may be, if the political system is not democratic with the rule of law respected, economic progresses would always be drawn aback. However, should any African leader not be willing to comply, then such leader deserves no help. It is that simple.


People on cholesterol-lowering statins may have a somewhat smaller risk of dying from pneumonia - but the link may be weaker than some studies have suggested, a new analysis finds.
A number of studies have found that statin users seem to have lower odds of developing or dying from pneumonia. But no one knows if the cholesterol drugs themselves should get the credit.
For the new analysis, researchers pulled together 13 past studies on the question.
When they combined all the results, they found that overall, statin users were one-third less likely than non-users to die of pneumonia.
But the connection got progressively weaker as other factors - like pneumonia severity and vaccinations - were taken into account.
"This shows us that there seems to be some effect at the 10,000-foot level, but when you get down on the ground and look deeper, you see a weakening in the supposed benefit," said lead researcher Dr. Vineet Chopra, of the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.
The findings, reported in the American Journal of Medicine, highlight the limits of "observational" studies.
All but one of the studies Chopra's team found were observational - meaning the researchers compared statin users with non-users, using sources like medical records.
Those studies can't prove cause-and-effect because people on statins may simply be healthier than non-users or have better access to preventive healthcare, like vaccinations.
"We're trying to understand whether this is a property of statins, or something about statin users," Chopra said in an interview.
For now, he said, "don't stop your statin if you're on one. But don't expect it to protect you from pneumonia."
There is cause for further study, though, according to Chopra. "The only way to move forward is to do a randomized controlled clinical trial," he said.
That would mean randomly assigning patients hospitalized for pneumonia to either receive a statin or have standard treatment only.
Only one of the studies in this analysis was a clinical trial: It involved 67 pneumonia patients who had developed sepsis, a life-threatening condition that usually results from an overwhelming immune response to an infection.
Statin treatment did nothing to improve their survival odds.
As for the dozen other studies, there was a lower risk of pneumonia death when all of the results were combined.
But when Chopra's team took a closer look, the potential benefit faded. In studies that accounted for pneumonia severity, for example, there was no significant difference in statin users' and non-users' risk of dying.
The same was true in studies that used "propensity scores" - which tried to estimate people's likelihood of receiving a statin based on their personal health.
A study released earlier this year found that people on statins did have a slightly lower risk of developing pneumonia. And those findings came from a clinical trial -- though the trial was not set up to specifically study the effects of statins on pneumonia risk.
But it's still not clear whether statins, themselves, have any effect on pneumonia risk, or the odds of dying from the disease.
And why would they? No one is sure.
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that usually arises after a bacterial infection or a viral infection, like the flu. Statins have mild effects on inflammation, immune system activity and cell death, and researchers have speculated that those effects could lessen the blow of pneumonia.
There is a need for new pneumonia treatments, according to Chopra.
In the U.S., the lung disease sends more than 1 million people to the hospital and kills nearly 51,000 each year - with the elderly and people with chronic health conditions, like heart or lung disease, at greatest risk.
And worldwide, pneumonia is the number-one killer of children younger than 5, according to the World Health Organization.
Chopra said he thinks it would be worthwhile to do a clinical trial testing statins as a pneumonia treatment. Even if there is just a small reduction in death risk, he said, that could save a lot of lives on the global scale.


This is the breakfast I got to have to reward myself for getting out to vote early enough to actually have time for breakfast afterward.
At Cafenation in Brighton. I ordered the Spanish Sunrise omelet, stuffed full of beans and cheese and a delicious salsa fresca. There was cilantro in my eggs! Perfect! It came with nicely ripe melon and a stack of buttered Iggy's toast. I was so happy about the toast–so often when your breakfast comes with toast, they fail both to avoid burning it and to put the butter on before it's cooled off too much to melt it. Cafenation, doing toast right! I almost never get to have this type of breakfast on a weekday.
And of course, an iced coffee because it's a hot day! I considered chai, but coffee mornings are most wonderful. But if you don't like coffee, Cafenation has really good iced tea, including one of their summer drinks, Thai iced tea (which I just have to get a few times every summer, it's delicious but very sweet).
They also had tons of day old bread available, so I got one bag of baked goods (the scone will be either a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack) and one of ciabatta rolls. They aren't hard at all! I love when the day old bread is still fresh and soft.
That's my breakfast spiel. Did you vote? Did you have a nice breakfast? Are you thinking about iced coffee and/or tea? I need to know!
**By the way, that out-of-place clothing tag on the table is actually my bookmark.
Like "Good evening." but with food.
This past weekend I had a nice little North End experience with my mom. We went full Italian. (She's half Italian… I'm 1/4.) I had a groupon for Piccola Venezia, where we had been once before. Of course we wanted to go to Little Venice! We were in Venice once about five years ago, and we both felt all nostalgic about it. Piccola Venezia has a great ambience, quite an authentic Italian family feeling. But also like a restaurant. You know what I mean… I had chicken and eggplant parmesan. SO GOOD.
Afterward we stopped at Mike's for cannoli, although we had them boxed up to take home, as we were extremely full. Then, for the last stop, we stepped into a little cafe called Thinking Cup. It was a little dark but with cool decor, and they were playing a silent movie in the background. Pretty lattes there. I am thinking I will go back there sometime when I can squeeze it in (and have the spending money) and do a more in-depth experience for you. For now I can definitely say that I recommend it, although I don't know what the crowds are like in general. Might be more crowded during the day.
I would like to close by saying that I've been getting SO sleepy by the end of the day lately… even during the afternoon sometimes. My desk chair at work is uncomfortable and it's hard to feel awake when I can barely manage to sit up straight. What do you think–do I just need a protein-rich snack?
*I'm just going to start off by saying: No, this is not a post about why you shouldn't eat sandwiches. The only reason I'd ever say that is because it would mean MORE FOR ME!! I love sandwiches and when people say they are just "not really a sandwich person," that's weirder to me than when people say "I'm not a dessert person." They just have to be crazy, right? Sandwiches are delicious. That's the only logical explanation for not liking them.
This is, in fact, simply about how much money it costs to buy a sandwich.
You used to be able to get a pretty good sandwich for about $5. I don't remember details, but I remember it happening. It was a really long time ago – which is my point, but we'll come back to that.
Add a beverage, and you had a meal for 6 or 7 bucks. Not bad, really. And, like I said, I love sandwiches, so for me it was GREAT!!
If you wanted a really fancy sandwich, the most you were likely to pay was 7 or 8 dollars. I never went to REALLY fancy places, so I don't know, could have been more there.
…Now, if I go out and buy a sandwich, it's usually closer to $7 for a basic one, more for a more complex one. So, add the price of a drink to that, and you're approaching $10.
Let's be honest here. A sandwich is only as good as its ingredients. Fresh meats and veggies and really good bread are the most significant aspects of this. Now, just think a minute. Usually, if you're ordering from a place that's using really top quality, fresh ingredients, All but the most simple sandwiches are going to be upwards of $8. Local businesses are often more expensive, presumably because they aren't getting super-bulk discounts on their ingredients… (you'd think buying locally would cost less, but for some reason it often seems to cost more.) And if you decide you want a latte or a fancy tea with that, that's $2-5 more. Get a smoothie as well, and congratulations, you just spent too much on lunch.
This is not laid out in the simplest way, so I'll just say it outright: when I go to some of my favorite cafes and delis for a sandwich meal, I'm spending almost $10 without any extras. Add a drink, it's about $11-12. Leave a tip in the jar, it's $12-14 (I usually give no more than a dollar for counter service: delivery guys and waitress/waiters get way more). That is approximately twice as much as what it used to cost.
I'm not including fast food in this account, because I really don't eat at fast food places much anymore. It wasn't even a conscious choice. More of a simple lack of desire to eat at places like McDonald's, Wendy's, Subway, etc. I know you can get pretty cheap meals at those places, but since I don't want to go there, I'm not even thinking of it as an option for anyone else. Just, ew.
Even at Au Bon Pain, which I still like, if you get a sandwich and a coffee it's usually $8 or 9. Not as high as the delicious places I like to go to, but still a few dollars more than what a meal used to be. It seems the only cheap sandwiches these days are breakfast sandwiches, which I tend to only want for breakfast.
There is still one option for cheap sandwich-based meals, of course – diners! And diner food is ok, often even good, but how many diners do you know that are using the best quality bread and all-local ingredients? …probably not many. If they are, their prices are probably higher.
The takeaway here, in case it's not clear, is that sandwiches cost more now. Deal with it.
First food reblog. Why this one? Because it looks like the bread is turning into an alien life form, and because the sandwich looks like it would be extremely tasty.
When I was younger (about 12) I was a bit obsessed with the cooking programme 'Two Fat Ladies'. For anyone not familiar with the show it was, well, two 60+ women who were fat and cooked recipes. As if that wasn't enough they travelled around on a Triumph bike – one of them driving and the other in a sidecar! They cooked a lot of traditional and forgotten recipes, many containing lard, and cooked with hands adorned with rings. They sang and drank wine while they cooked and went out for a cigarette break when they had something in the oven!
Anyway, they made quite an impression on me and one of their recipes has stuck in my mind for over 15 years and I finally decided to have a go at making it my own way.


text:
Home I Am the Blues - Blue coloured vinyl
I Am the Blues - Blue coloured vinyl
1 x LP 180grs 33⅓rpm blue coloured vinyl
1970-2020 EU reissue on 180g coloured vinyl LP-with 9 songs written by Willie Dixon and made famous by others, including "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man", "The Little Red Rooster", "Back Door Man" and "Spoonful"
Quantity: In Basket
Release date: 29-05-2020(orignally released in 1970)
2020 EU reissue on 180g blue vinyl LP- The songs of William James "Willie" Dixon (1915-1992) have been popularized by artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Eric Clapton, Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. And way before that, he's been responsible for many of the hit recordings by original blues icons like Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf.
A1. Back Door Man
A2. I Can't Quit You, Baby
A3. The Seventh Son
A4. Spoonful
B1. I Ain't Superstitious
B2. You Shook Me
B3. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man
B4. The Little Red Rooster
B5. The Same Thing
Chicago Bluesman Willie Dixon was perhaps best known for his songwriting. He wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs and his songs have been recorded by some of the best-known blues musicians of his era, including Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy Williamson. On top of that, he involved himself in the production of their records, selecting the songs and the musicians, overseeing the rehearsals, etc.
On this 1970 LP, the quintessential blues songwriter performs his own tunes - each one a classic: "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man", "The Little Red Rooster", " Spoonful" and of course "Back Door Man", to name but a few! Long overdue, the album was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1986, whereas Willie Dixon was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Finally receiving recognition for his huge role in shaping modern blues.
Available as a 50th-anniversary edition of 1500 individually numbered copies on transparent blue vinyl.
180 gram audiophile vinyl
9 songs written by Willie Dixon and made famous by others, including "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man", "The Little Red Rooster", "Back Door Man" and "Spoonful"
50th anniversary edition of 1500 individually numbered copies on transparent blue vinyl
Extra info: blue coloured vinyl
Muddy Waters Best of Muddy Waters=180g=
Howlin Wolf Moanin in the Moonlight - Coloured vinyl
VinylVinyl Vinyl LP Record Crate =Wood ( for 100 LPs)=
Santana Havana Moon
VinylVinyl 12inch Inner Sleeve for LP - Anti Static= 50pcs=
VinylVinyl 12inch Outer Sleeves( for LP)- 50pcs
Little Walter Best Of Little Walter =180g=
Muddy Waters At Newport 1960 =180g=

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Home Columns	Features: You Can't Go Home Again
Features: You Can't Go Home Again
by admin December 31, 2019 0 comment
You Can't Go Home Again, But Your Daughter Can
BY DOREEN MUNSIE
Growing up in Queens, New York, I spent many years taking the Flushing subway line, otherwise known as the No. 7 train. I've ridden many New York subways but none that had been selected by the White House as a National Millennium Trail, nicknamed the "International Express" for its interconnection of diverse immigrant neighborhoods. It joins an impressive list that includes notable trails such as the Underground Railroad and the Iditarod.
When I tell people I grew up in Queens, specifically Flushing, I suspect one look at my Chinese face and they think, sure, of course. Flushing's more like Chinatown these days than Chinatown — inhabited predominately by Asians and populated by storefronts that don't bother to translate their signs into English. But back then it was a neighborhood mix of immigrants, mostly Jews, Italians, and Greeks. More often than not, I was the only Asian person sitting in my subway car on the No. 7.
Last month, four decades after moving out of the borough, I stood at the Vernon Boulevard station entrance. I was visiting my older daughter who had recently moved to this area with her boyfriend. She carefully chose it after living in Manhattan's choicest zip codes, Tribeca, Nolita, and the West Village. A variety of practical, personal, and quality-of-life issues factored into her decision to land there.
The No. 7 train was my beeline from home to, well, life. For me, one end was Main Street, Flushing, Queens, and the other was Grand Central Station, Manhattan. After finishing high school, I commuted on this train to go into the city to navigate new neighborhoods, experience cultural institutions, explore new careers, and for higher education.
I knew the No. 7 stops by heart and Vernon Boulevard was the last station in Queens before Manhattan. I remember thinking, just one short ride and then Grand Central Station, New York City. I saw Long Island City strictly as a subway commuter or car passenger. It was a very industrial area recognizable only by its large, metal, neon, cursive Pepsi-Cola sign.
Move over Brooklyn, Long Island City has been discovered. First by artists looking for cheap studio space, followed by businesses and residents, along with shopkeepers and restaurateurs. A surprising transformation from an industrial area into a desirable residential neighborhood makes it one of the most vibrant in New York City today.
Specifically, Hunter's Point, the western Queens neighborhood directly across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, is rapidly growing. Never mind that the potential (then failed) Amazon deal put it officially on the map, young value-conscious New Yorkers started eying it ever since they realized that you could get more for your money by crossing the river. Real-sized rooms, amenities like a doorman, private green space, gym, and affordable parking, to name a few. Then, there are the views. Is that the United Nations? The Empire State Building? Yes and yes. All, four minutes from Grand Central station via that No. 7 line.
Take a quick stroll along the East River and you'll find, running along the waterfront promenade, Gantry Plaza State Park, named after the massive gantries that transferred cargo from ships to trains in the 19th century. Remnants of these docks remain as impressive "contemporary sculptures" to remind the neighborhood of its history. The park offers picnic tables, playgrounds, a beach-style volleyball court, a fenced-in dog play area, and plenty of field space. There is a NYC Ferry stop that can take you to nearby Williamsburg, Brooklyn in ten minutes, or across the river to Manhattan in under five. On my afternoon visit, a testament to the postcard views along the promenade, there were no fewer than three wedding parties with brides posing against the Manhattan skyline.
The area's high-rise residential buildings may lack some of the charm of brownstone neighborhoods, but they are supported by a focus on community development: ample green space, public schools, and an eye to serving a diverse population, as well as, young families and working professionals. There are plans for another elementary school and an upscale affordable housing project. It has thriving art destinations, (MoMA has an outpost in a converted public school there), an exploding restaurant scene, and a new public library that The New York Times called "one of the finest public buildings New York has produced this century."
So maybe home is not what it used to be. The house I grew up in is still there and has the same furniture in my cramped, old bedroom that I shared with my two sisters. But the neighborhood around it has dramatically changed over my lifetime. I'd also say that about me. While I'm not sure how long that brick row house will remain in our family to link me to my past, that same No. 7 train line my daughter now takes to Manhattan everyday, links us to the future.
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Rye Writes: The Stuff That Fantasies Are Made...
Northern Lights: Two Swedish Artists Light Up the...
Manhattan Museumgoing
One Word: Robotics
The Pressure To Perform In School
A Library Book That Remains Timeless and Timely
Pottery Barn's College Fantasy
Rye's Own IRONMAN Jim Irvine
AT THE MOVIES The Music Is the Message...
Letters & Opinions
Conduct Unbecoming of a School District December 23, 2020 Howard Husock
A Whole-Hearted Thank You to Mayor Cohn December 17, 2020 admin
Why I was removed from the Race, Inclusivity & Community Task Force December 17, 2020 admin
This Is Our Opportunity November 16, 2020 admin
Disappointed in Paper's One-Sided Reporting on School Task Force November 9, 2020 admin
Hockey Star Trevor Zegras Pulls Out a Junior World Championships Miracle
MESO, a Delicious Melting Pot
7 Sky Meadow Farm, Purchase: The Weekend's Featured Listing
Police Blotter 1/15
Putting COMPASS on the Map
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This page is dedicated to my husband, who showed me the true meaning of love, and continues to do so to this very day. I cannot imagine how my life would be now if he hadn't been with me to show me the way.
A great sense of humor, a winning smile, and the ability to give without expecting anything in return. A proud American, serving in Vietnam. A loving father to his son from his 1st marriage. The best friend a wife could ever have!
It didn't start out that way. It was a long journey. But we are proof that love can prevail.
Our first meeting was not indicative of how our lives would turn out. I attended a party, where I met my future husband. He was there with friends, and they were quite obnoxious! I asked who he was, only to learn he was the brother of the host. I kept my distance for quite some time.
Months later, his brother (the party host), died suddenly. I found myself at the wake sitting next to my future husband, and he showed me a totally different side that night. He was quite endearing, even in his grief. I spent the next few hours just sitting there, holding his hand.
He lived in small country town, about 4 hours from me. A couple of weeks later, he sent me a bus ticket, asking me to come stay for the weekend. Three weeks later, he asked me to marry him, and I said "No". But he was persistent, and 5 months later, we were married!
On May 14, 1983 in the chapel at my church, we became husband and wife. My parents were married at this church, and my grandfather had built the chapel, so it seemed the most appropriate place to hold the ceremony. We wanted a small, simple ceremony, so just a few were in attendance: my parents, brother & sister; his parents, son, and brother, and a couple of mutual friends.
After the ceremony, we held a reception for our friends at a local steakhouse, then headed to our new home in the city. We didn't have a honeymoon, because he had to be back at work. The first few weeks were really wonderful.
But then his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) kicked in, and it was something I didn't understand. He would hear a backfire, causing him to crouch on the floorboard of the pickup, screaming "Get Down! Get Down!". He crawled through bushes; he saw the enemy lurking outside the house.
We had to move out of the city. He explained that he couldn't be around so many people, because it triggered his PTSD. He was afraid he might end up shooting an innocent bystander. So two months after our marriage, he had his job transfer us out to the country.
We set up house in a mobile home on an acre of land. I was a city girl, and really didn't want to live in the country. I didn't know anyone, and for the first few months, didn't have a vehicle or telephone. But I loved and wanted to be with my husband, and I didn't want him to suffer in the city! Little did I know the suffering that Vietnam veterans deal with every day!
My husband was in charge of literally hundreds of pieces of off-road construction equipment on a lake construction project. The project ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so I hardly ever saw him. When he did have time off, he either wanted to go fishing - his greatest passion - or drink beer. I didn't mind having a cocktail occasionally, but would rather spend some time with him.
We compromised, and I ended up going fishing with him & his work buddies, or going to parties where there was actually a few wives. I made a few friends, got a vehicle, and finally got out of the house a bit. But my husband's long hours & beer drinking finally got the best of us.
One night, he came home and said "I love you, but think we should get a divorce." I was stunned! He explained that he couldn't be the husband that I deserved. We both cried a lot, hugged a lot, but I finally agreed.
We were apart for 21 years. I married someone else 3 years after our divorce, then moved back to the city. It was a really bad, abusive marriage, but I hung in there for 7 years. My husband finished the lake project, then moved to another small town. He also remarried, but his only lasted for a year and a half.
We spoke a few times over the years. There was no animosity between us. His mother sent me Christmas cards, and we still had friends in common.
I thought about him quite a bit over the years. It seemed that I was always attracted to the same kind of man. I finally decided that if I was going to be with someone like my 1st husband, that it should be him.
We spoke several times on the telephone. He wanted to come stay the weekend with me, but I was a bit nervous. So I suggested that we meet at his mother's house on Thanksgiving afternoon. I thought that having people around would help break the ice.
It was a bit awkward at first, but after we eased away from the family members, we got to talk a bit. He told me that he was sorry that he didn't try harder the first time around, and wanted to know if I'd give him another chance. I told him I felt the same way, and agreed to come stay the following weekend at his home.
We spent a year getting to know each other all over again. He still drank quite a lot, but he was much more attentive, and we spent a great deal of time together. He asked me if I would marry him again, and of course, I said "yes!". But with one stipulation: It would have to be forever.
I leased out my house in the city, packed up all my belongings, and on December 1st, 2006, we were back together for good.
To show me that he was serious, he entered alcohol rehab at the Veterans Medical Center in February 2007. He spent a week there, and came home a different person. It was good, for the most part. But without alcohol, his PTSD became worse, and he had horrific nightmares. His often dreamed of swimming in a river of fire, with bodies floating next to him.
But he was willing to stick it out. A couple of weeks later, he entered a month-long rehab program at the VA, where he learned how to live life without alcohol. It was tough having him gone for so long after we had just gotten back together, but it was worth it. I was so proud that he made the choice to become sober!
My husband told me that he would prove to me that he loved me, and did so on a daily basis. Each morning, the first thing he'd say was "Good morning, Sweetheart! I love you!". At night, he'd ask "Are you safe? Are you happy?" When I'd reply "yes", he say "That's all I care about. Good night, Honey. I love you".
If it was a work day, he'd call me at lunch, to tell me he loved me. If it was a day off, he'd find me several times a day to do the same. One night, he said "I'll prove to you that I love you. I'm going to stay up all night, and let you know". It was sweet for the first 3 or 4 minutes of him saying "I love you", then amusing. But after several hours, he was driving me crazy!
It wasn't just the words, however. He left notes to let me know that he was thinking about me. Occasionally, on his way home from work, he'd stop & pick wildflowers for me. When I'd talk to mutual friends, they'd remark "He certainly loves you! You wouldn't believe all the nice things he tells us about you!"
He always complimented me on everything I did, and always said "You're wonderful". Whether it was just a meal, or laundry, or me helping him with a project, he always said "Thank you".
I couldn't help but feel his love and appreciation, even when he wasn't around.
My husband had dreamed of driving a concrete truck since he was a child, so he decided to find a job driving one. The first place he applied hired him, and he soon drove all over the county. He was an extremely hard worker, and always volunteered to work overtime, or go in on his days off. Seldom did he take a vacation or sick day, because he loved to work so much.
But after 18 months on the truck, he began having problems with his back and legs. We went to a number of doctors; he had a series of X-rays and MRI's, and after a few months, finally learned he had sciatica. This started a long journey of pain killers, none of which seemed to get rid of the pain. He finally had steroid shots in his spine, which gave him some temporary relief.
However, by the end of August 2009, he couldn't take the pain anymore. Every time he crawled up into the truck, the pain was so intense he felt faint. He decided to retire.
Retirement was good for him, or at least for the pain. It subsided a bit, so he didn't have to take as many pain killers. He became a couch potato, watching game shows & soap operas. I was amused that he became so addicted to television. He had a friend who was also disabled, and they would discuss the soaps every afternoon.
He decided he needed a puppy. His last one had died several years ago, and he was finally ready for another. I eventually caved in, and said "why not!", knowing it would be me that would take care of it.
Charlie Watts became the newest addition to our family. He was quite a cute dog, who followed his daddy around all day. The puppy seemed to bring life back into my husband. They would go fishing together, and visit friends. I conceded it had been a good idea all along.
In early 2010, my husband began coughing up blood. Then, a large knot grew on the side of his neck. I begged him to go to the doctor, but he refused, saying "It's just the cost of Agent Orange". But he needed a prescription refilled, so while in the office, I told the doctor about the blood. He immediately ordered x-rays, blood tests and scans, and sent us to a pulmonary specialist.
The pulmonary specialists did a series of tests as well, then called 2 weeks later. She said "You have cancer. Someone from Oncology will call you soon to let you know what to do next." We were shocked! Mainly because of the way she delivered the news.
Two more weeks went by before we got into Oncology. The doctors there told us that he had cancer in his spine, lymph nodes, and lungs. The cancer was attributed to his Agent Orange exposure. It was incurable, and without chemo, he would probably only live about 6 months. With chemo, he'd probably have a year or so.
His pain was so terrible that he said "I wish they'd just put me in a medically-induced coma, or just kill me now!". However, he decided to go for chemo, and had it a week later. He handled it pretty well, and the swelling went down in his neck. After about a week, he seemed almost like his old self. He'd putter around in the yard, and friends would come to visit. He encouraged me to go back to work, and I started on May 28, 2010.
When I came home from my first day at work, my husband was sitting out in the yard, waiting for me. He was in a really good mood, and told me he felt the best he had in months. He gave me a big hug, and told me some friends were coming over to visit. It was such a beautiful, happy day!
My brother came by to visit as well, and we were visiting inside the house. My husband came in to tell me that he was going to put up new flags, since it was Memorial Day weekend. We always celebrated this holiday with friends & family.
The next thing I knew, my husband came back in the house, and slumped into the recliner. It was so hot outside that I thought he had heat stroke. I put a washcloth on his head, and tried to get him to drink some water. But he just sat there. He couldn't move nor speak, so I called 911.
The paramedics showed up in no time, and decided he must be having a stroke. They called the air ambulance, and it landed in our front yard just minutes later. Strangely enough, I took a picture of it when it landed. I told my brother that my husband would find it amusing that he got to ride in a helicopter after all these years.
The hospital was an hour and a half away, and I think I spent the entire trip on the phone calling all the family. The ER waiting room was filled with relatives by the time I arrived. The doctors let me know they had already given him a CT scan, and it showed a brain hemorrhage, probably caused by the chemo.
I stayed with him all night. He was finally admitted to ICU, where he spent the next 4 days.
I will never forget the doctor calling me aside and saying "It's time to decide what to do". I'm surprised that I can remember it, as so much was going on through this ordeal. The doctor told me that my husband was not going to recover; he would never speak or walk again. His right side was paralyzed, and he could not swallow on his own. He was literally trapped inside his cancer-riddled and pain-filled body.
I asked the doctor what he would do if it was his wife, and he replied "I love her, so I'd let her go". He told me that we could insert a feeding tube, that could keep him alive until the cancer killed him. This could be a few weeks, or possibly a year. The cancer would grow, and in turn, so would his pain.
My husband and I had discussed this in great depth a number of times. He wanted no part of a feeding tube, and he wanted to die with dignity, at home. I'd like to say that my decision was easy because of this, but it wasn't. It was heart-breaking. So I told the doctor, "I'm going to take him home."
It took a couple of more days before I located a hospice that would come out to our home in the country. The day before they came, I got the family together at the house, and we stripped the living room of all furniture, so his hospital bed could be set up. I thought the living room would be best, as we have a huge picture window facing outdoors. Plus, any company that he had would have room to sit & visit with him.
He came home on Monday, June 8th, and got settled in. My stepson (his son), and his girlfriend agreed to help me take care of him, as the hospice nurse came only once a day, for an hour at a time. We were instructed on medications and how to give them, how to work the oxygen machine, and how to care for him in general.
We took care of my husband in shifts; I usually took the night shift, as I had a lot to do during the day. Like visiting funeral homes, and talking to a minister about services. I quit eating for the most part, and developed insomnia. I worried about my husband, and I worried about my stepson. I was so stressed and exhausted that I didn't worry about myself. Time for that later!
My husband's hair finally fell out from the chemo, making him look much older than he was. Also, without food, he was losing a lot of weight, and seemed to be just fading away. Every once in a while he'd "come to", and smile a bit, and try to talk. Mostly, he just slept.
Friends & family came & went. Most of that is a blur. His old boss from the concrete company came by every evening. He'd prop my husband up, support him with an arm around his shoulder, and just talk away. It didn't matter that my husband couldn't talk back.
On Sunday, his father came over, as well as some close friends. We got my husband up out of his bed, took him outside to the picnic table, and let him enjoy the friendship & sunshine. He seemed pretty alert & happy that afternoon.
After we put him back to bed, just about everyone left. I got in my chair beside his bed, and rested my head on his pillow. He was still for a long time, so I was surprised when he reached over, and stroked my forehead. He grabbed my hand, and started whispering to me. I have no idea what he said, but it seemed he was trying to comfort me.
On Tuesday, June 15, a new hospice nurse came early in the day. She said she was there to give us some "relief", and would be there all day. I took the opportunity to go to the funeral home, then run a few errands. When I returned, I told my stepson to go do something fun. He decided to go fishing.
Visitors came & went all day. Around 8:30 in the evening, I came in and put my hand on his chest. He looked up at me, then closed his eyes & took his final breath. It sounded just like a sigh of relief.
The nurse said we needed to call out the medical examiner, but I wouldn't let her do it until my stepson came home. Instead, I contacted my husband's best friends, and they came over to say their goodbyes. We turned on the Rolling Stones - my husband's favorite band - and waited for my stepson. When he came home a little after 10 pm, he, in turn, made the nurse wait for the call.
Finally, a little before 11:00 pm, the medical examiner & funeral director arrived. We all said one last "Good-Bye", then the funeral director covered him in a quilt. I followed him out to the hearse, and watched them drive away into the night.
He wanted to be buried in the front yard, under the flagpole. While it could have been arranged, the minister talked me out of it. He told me that it would be too difficult for me to face each day. So instead, I made arrangements for him to be buried at DFW National Cemetery. It is such a gorgeous place, and he is surrounded by soldiers just like himself.
His memorial service was the day after the burial. It was at a small, country church near our house. The minister thought I'd gone crazy, because I told him he must wear overalls instead of a suit. I told all who were attending to wear Rolling Stones t-shirts, and many of them did. The Patriot Guard Riders came out to honor him, complete with US flags.
After the service, we released helium balloons into the air. It was such an awesome sight! It felt like we were sending our love out to him in the sky.
A few months after he passed on, I had the inside of my wedding ring engraved with "Love Like There Is No Tomorrow". I am so grateful that we got back together, and that I had the opportunity to share with him the last years of his life. Even with all the health issues, it was totally worth it. I treasure the memories of the times - and the love - we shared.
I miss his smile, his laugh, and his great sense of humor. Above all, I miss his love. I grieve for him, and for us. I re-live his final days almost every day. Almost everyone who knew him has "moved on", and I feel frozen in time.
Yet, I'm very grateful. We knew he was going to go, so we took the opportunity to love, because we knew there would be no tomorrow.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this story of our love! While our "forever" didn't last as long as we hoped, the "forever" we did have was so very, very good!
I hope you take the time to let the people you love know it. It is probably the best gift that you can give!
Today would have been my husband's 60th birthday. It's hard to believe he's been gone for 21 months! I've had a couple of people tell me today that they are "sorry".
While I appreciate the sentiment, I am not sorry. If he hadn't been born on this day 60 years ago, I wouldn't have enjoyed the times together with him, his enjoyment of life, and his love. I am grateful for today, because it is a day to celebrate his birth, and remember the life we had together.
The amazing and insensitive remarks that were said to me when I first became a widow.
A letter to my mom in Heaven.
what a nice love story ... losing someone we is like no getting over thing... we just move on with our lives but there is no getting over... they remained in our hearts.
We just finished work in Vietnam and our hotel is right beside Hanoi Hilton. Sometimes, I go in the garden there and just sit and pray that war be no more in our world. So many Cambodians and Vietnamese still suffer from Agent Orange. I am really sorry for your husband but I do love your story.
@gottaloveit2: The strength came from my heart and soul. When I wrote the story, the words flowed from within! I appreciate your multiple visits, and am glad the words have touched you in some way.
@Sylvestermouse: When I first penned our story, the tears rolled down my cheeks as the words flowed. When I've gone back to read it over the years, I smile more than weep, but I still feel the old "heart-strings" being tugged. I will always love and miss him, but I'm just grateful that we found each other again after 21 years. This story was more than just a tribute; instead, I wanted everyone to keep their hearts open to love.
Thank you for posting it on your blog, for your condolences and comments!
@DawnRae64: It has been 4 years, 1 month and 2 weeks since he passed, and I still expect him to walk in the door. I was blessed to have such a wonderful caring person in my life! If you keep your heart open to love, it will find a way in!
@Ruthi: Aw, thank you, Ruthi! I appreciate the comment, and glad that our story touched your heart!
Back for a second read. This is such an amazing love story. It's wonderful that you two had a second chance to share your love for each other.
Came by for another read - this is one of my top 10 articles here at Squidoo. So exquisitely written. I'm grateful that you had the strength to pen this one. I'm not sure I would have.
What a painful, beautiful, and loving story. We all hope for someone who loves us like that, and loves us to the end. I can't comment further because I can't stop crying yet.
I last visited this page (and left a message) 3.5 years ago and your 'Love Story' is just as special today as it was then. I, too, had a special 'forever' love and my hubby is still in my heart to this day more than 7 years after his death. I know yours is too.
What a treasure of a tribute to love you have shared here. Thank you for sharing the journey you and your husband took through life together. Your story brought tears to my eyes but a smile to my spirit.
I was here yesterday and I was so deeply moved by your love story that I dedicated my entire post to it today on Review This!
By the time I finished reading, I had tears dripping off my face. I am so very sorry for your lose. I am also glad you found each other again, remarried and experienced love the way it should be. Deep, abiding and selfless.
For myself, I appreciate the reminder to Live Like There is No Tomorrow.
Aww this is such a wonderful love story and I feel so sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your story with us, I almost cryed at the end.
The in law fathers of my brother and my sister died from cancer. It is the worst feeling see someone you love have so much pain. This is an amazing lens.
Oh, so beautiful happy and sad. I felt tears coming. So sorry for your loss. I am dreading that day but I will love my hubby to be so much. Thanks for making me see that little things don't matter. Like silly rows and silly things he does. :) Much love and Happy New Year.
This is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks for mustering courage to share all this. It is not so easy.
God Bless you! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
Your story gave me shivers. You are a blessed woman. I feel as though anything I could say would be contrite and belittle. Be blessed and know that one day you will see him again!
I cried reading this lens. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am so sorry for your loss, but I am happy that you were able to enjoy the time you did have with your husband.
This is so sad, truly feel for your loss, much of us have also gone through the pain of losing our brothers and sisters to agent orange. thanks again for sharing this.
Your love reminds me of my mom and dad's love they shared. My mom loves talking about my dad. Too many people are afraid talking about will only make her sadder. Thank you for sharing your love story with us. Beautiful. God Bless You.
CountrySunshine, I've been wanting to comment on this lens since I first read it four months ago, but I never could come up with the right words. I will just say that it was difficult to read and also such a blessing to me--bless you for loving him the way that you did.
True love story.. Felt like watching movie.. Great narration and feelings were seen in words.. Great..
What a touching story. I'm so happy that you found each other again, and gave it another try. I've never seen a lens with so many angel blessings, and this love story deserves every one. Thanks for sharing it.
What a moving and wonderful story, thanks for telling it.
This is such a beautiful story you have shared. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your very moving love story!
What a beautiful love story. Frankly, I am moved beyond words. Thank you for sharing this.
What a beautiful love story - full of love, tenderness, compassion and empathy. You are so courageous and open hearted to share your truth - Namaste. I have no doubt that your husband is with you always.
Your love story left me with moved heart and misty eyes. You are great you knew to forget and forgive as well as to remember and love. Yes you have taught me to love like there is no tomorrow. God bless you.
I am so moved by your story, your courage, and your love.
A love story like no other. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you for that wonderful love story. You've reminded me that nobody promises tomorrow - show the person you love how you feel. Your "forever" love is just that. It lives in you, and anyone who's read this. God Bless You!
A fantastic Valentine's story...thank you for sharing your love story.
soooooooooo romantic, congrats and love love love!
This really is a fairy tale as a fairy tale should be, except for the too soon passing away of the love of your life, but real life isn't always a fairy tale. A great tribute to the man who couldn't stop loving you. Thanks for sharing your story.
@earthybirthymum: It's much better to appreciate the moment, then have to look back at it! Thanks so much for taking the time to read my story!
@relish interiors: Thank you for the kind words, and the nomination. I do appreciate you taking the time to read our story!
Thank you for sharing your story. You've reminded me of how lucky I am to be in this moment.
Dropping back in with a Flyby Winging which can be found among the other blessed lenses for today at Have Wings Will Bless and I'm nominating it for the Valentiniest Lens Quest because a love like this is the most Valentiniest thing I've ever seen in my 504 months on this planet!
What a wonderful lens, though I have tears in my eyes now. What a big thing to share and what a way to remind many of us how lucky we are.
@PollyFreakingAnna: Exactly! I have much more compassion now for others who have gone through hospice care. Having to be the one to make all the difficult decisions - although they were the right ones - has change my life forever. I didn't expect things to change so much, especially with myself. I 'move on' but I don't, at the same time. Thanks so much for your understanding & kind words!
You tell a beautiful story. I laughed, I was angry at the doctor, and now I'm so sad. I understand about feeling stuck in time. It's hard to relate to other people now who haven't been through hospice care and the mixed moment at the end of heartbreak and relief. Everything else seems so trivial, and the experience alters every single event for the people who have to go on living. You're not alone.
You told your story so beautifully. The memories you shared at the end almost make me feel like I knew him. A very honest and loving tribute.
What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing your wonderful love with us. Blessed.
Wow. Your story is soooo very touching, it brought tears to my eyes. Such love is hard to find, but you two had something very special, you must be very proud! This lens has been blessed by many squid angels but I'm going to add one more. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt, precious story with us.
Lovely! I tried to skim, but couldn't. I especially like your *starred* things you did together at the end, Bless You!
Wow you'd found your soul mate. Thank you for sharing.
Very lovely, very sad story.
Well, I"m starting the morning with tears streaming down my face. What a beautiful love story. He truly love you, even through all his suffering. I have a friend who also suffers greatly from his experiences concerning Vietnam, though for him it was not the sniper job he had, it was what happened afterward. Your husband reminds me of him. So sweet, generous, kind, but on the inside - so much pain to deal with. The love he shared with you must have given him great healing. May you be blessed.
Such a lovely love story that is timeless. I could not stop reading. Thank you for sharing such a heartwarming story. Blessed by a Squid Angel.
@Country-Sunshine: Nah, those 'crazies' were tormenting us before my partner got sick. Needless to say, my partners ex-wife got thrown into jail for driving her car into a person's house that no longer wanted her living there, and for her trying to play "mind-games" ('somewhat cut-the-wrists-game' she tried playing on my partner so she could hope to get a "roof over her head" with him).
--- I thank you very much for replying. I really do hope you are doing ok these days.
What I learned from my relationship with my past partner is, I will never go out with another 'NorthEasterner' ever again. No more coastal cities, just 'midwestern or southern country' for me from now on.
Thank you for sharing your extremely touching story. It serves not only as a reminder to all of us that love is hard but worth the fight, as well as just the wonder that is life. May you find peace and happiness in his memory.
Such a heartwarming love storing. Thank you for sharing it. There are many of us still waiting for that true love.
Dropping by again to admire your love story once more.
It was a hard decision to make, but you gave him the gift of death with dignity. My father had a feeding tube and lay in a coma for 2 years. I know he would not have wanted that. I believe that death is not the end, just passing through the door to another part of life. Thank you for this heartfelt story.
Yours is truly a grand love story. Thank you for sharing your treasure. I add my blessings and a bit o' sunshine.
@ForestsOfTranqu: Ah, but I understand that part too. Death & grief do weird things to people. It can bring out the good, but it also brings out the bad. I've had a few experiences like yours, and I feel for you. It's hard to get through it all when there are crazies around messing with your head (and things!).
Thank you for your kind comment, and I hope you are doing good as well!
My partner of 7 years suffered with cancer and it took his life. I did "everything" I could to help him and make him feel better. In return I got abused mentally by his "money-obsessed-family-members", I got chased by his 'ex-wife' who followed me wanting to hit me with a baseball bat.
I got no 'thanks or appreciation' at all from his family, because where we grew up people were only interested in "controlling & using others" and trying to con money out of others. ------ What a beautiful story you wrote of your husband. I hope you are doing well these days.
@anonymous: Thank you, Tipi! I'm so humbled & awed that Our Love Story has touched so many people! Much appreciation to you and everyone else!
This is such a beautiful love story, and you are a wonderful writer. Thank you for sharing!
I was just here to like and bless your love story as LotD and am pleased to return with a congratulations for receiving Valentine's front page honors!
Very moving. Thanks for sharing your story of love.
Very touching. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
i am sorry about his passing but his love for you will last forever. he will always be with you and thru this lens, he will be unforgettable.
Thank you for sharing this, what a beautiful and touching story.
That's a forever love. Thanks so much for being brave enough to share.
Thank you for sharing so much in this beautiful lens.
He is watching over you, every day of your Life - there is no doubt of that.
Thank you for sharing such intimate moments of your life.
My tears were flowing throughout. Thanks for your wonderful story, told so well.
This story put me on the verge of tears! Very touching!
This is a wonderful story. Writing about it helps let the grief out. God Bless you and give you the strength to move forward with your life. Thank You for sharing, it was a great story.
Taking the time to let people know you love them is what I am going to take away from this. Thanks for the reminder. Your story has touched me.
Thank you for sharing this touching tale of true love. May God be with you and fill your heart!
Came back to google +1 this beautiful love story.


text:
The Heard
Devin Townsend Project: Expect the unexpected
Posted By Jason Ferguson on Tue, Sep 6, 2016 at 9:44 PM
Strapping Young Lad was a band formed, defined, and led by Devin Townsend between 1994 and 2007 (with a break between 1999 and 2002). It is a band that released exactly five studio albums. It is a band that has not performed live in more than a decade. And it is a band that Devin Townsend cannot escape: Despite the fact that he has released 18 studio albums under his own name, of which exactly zero sound like Strapping Young Lad, Townsend's work is consistently contextualized by its relationship to the work done by Strapping Young Lad. (Example: This very post!)
And while these are the expected trials of an artist who made his name initially in the tribal-loyalist world of heavy metal, they are trials that Townsend also seems utterly unconcerned with. In the same way that he initially firebombed genre norms with his early work by creating heavy metal that was nervously intense, densely chaotic, and supremely thematically challenging, he has continued his post-SYL journey by completely ignoring any expectations that anyone may have for his music. Comparisons to Frank Zappa are frequently thrown around, and they're not completely off the mark, due to Townsend's willingness – eagerness, actually – to indulge his creative curiosity by fucking with sounds with which he may not be expected to fuck. Progressive rock, Americana, ambient, blues rock, noise, melodic rock ... anything is fair game to Townsend, and none of it ever sounds like it's supposed to, and it also never sounds anything like the redlined wall of sound he crafted with SYL.
Currently, he's touring in support of the seventh (!) album by the Devin Townsend Project, Transcendence, which we haven't heard, so can't really tell you what to expect, but ... hell, even if we had heard it, we couldn't tell you what to expect. It's Devin Townsend. All we know is that it won't sound like Strapping Young Lad. And that it will be great.
The Devin Townsend Project plays the Plaza Live on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Tags: devin townsend project, plaza live, Image
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Intel and VUDU, Walmart's video service, have confirmed that the two companies are working together to deploy digital content ecosystem UltraViolet (UV) services that help simplify UV distribution, improve the video experience and reduce cost for the VUDU movie store.
The services support both streaming and video downloads for UV and are easily integrated into apps on Windows, Android, and iOS platforms. UV, supported across Intel product lines, allows people to access movies and TV shows across almost any device with a Common File Format (CFF) and a centralised ownership tracking system, explained Suzy Greenberg, Senior PR Manager at Intel Corporation in a blog post.


The Surge stands apart from other Souls-like games with its awesome sci-fi setting and deep variety of different weapons. But it's the slick combat that is its best feature, demanding plenty of skill from players to overcome the game's hardest enemies. Here's how beat the first boss (PAX) in The Surge.
What makes PAX a little tricky is its area of effect attacks. These are telegraphed fairly obviously, but it's the first enemy in the game to use them so it's easy to get caught out when you're not used to them.
What you'll want to do is immediately close the distance with PAX when the battle starts. You're basically wanting to get into striking range and continue circling the robot, waiting for it to telegraph the attack, dodging, and then nipping in to strike.
For every hit you land on PAX, it will fill an orange bar that, once full, will cause the robot to fall over. This is when you want to get in and hit PAX's head until he gets back up. You'll then want to rinse and repeat this tactic.
For our money, the best weapon-type to use versus PAX is anything that hits quickly. Speed is of the essence versus this boss. Just whittle him down and wait for him to fall over to inflict big damage on his head.
PAX has a few moves that cause heavy damage, so just make sure you respect his power and keep dodging whenever he starts attacking.
That's all the information you should need about how to beat the first boss in The Surge. For more useful tips and guides on the game, be sure to search Twinfinite.


text:
Pseudolithoxus anthrax is a species of armored catfish endemic to Venezuela where it is found in the Orinoco River basin.  This species grows to a length of  SL.

References

Ancistrini
Fish of Venezuela
Endemic fauna of Venezuela
Fish described in 2000
Taxa named by Jonathan W. Armbruster

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The European Environment Agency (EEA) is organising an open competition with a view to recruiting a contract agent to work as Project Manager within the area of chemicals, environment and human health and further with a view to establishing a reserve list.
The EEA is an Agency of the European Union (EU) and one of the decentralised Union bodies. The EEA aims to support sustainable development and to help achieve significant and measurable improvement inEurope's environment, through the provision of timely, targeted, relevant and reliable information to policy-making agents and the public.
Europe's chemical industry is growing faster than the economy as a whole, increasing the flows of chemicals through Europe's economy and releases to the environment – air, water and soil. Even small amounts of some chemicals can endanger human health. With such increasing impacts and improved scientific understanding of their effects on people and the ecosystems services that underpin human well-being, the challenge is to find the right balance between the societal benefits and societal risks and harm of chemicals.
Some chemicals, such as those containing heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, have been known to be dangerous for many years already, while fears have been raised about many others recently such as endocrine disrupting chemicals and how they interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system. For most of these chemicals, however, relatively little is known about how they pass through the environment, whether they are accumulated, dispersed or transformed and what their combined health effects are in cases of human exposure to complex mixtures.
There are also growing policy demands for life-cycle initiatives aimed at reducing these flows through actions that span the entire chain – the primary producers in the chemicals industry, all sectors of industry, individual consumers, and the waste disposal sector – and for increased substitution to less hazardous chemical products through upstream innovations.
The EEA is increasing its capacity to analyse the environmental pathways of chemicals and their impacts on human health, in particular via environmental exposure pathways. The focus is on improving the evidence base by identifying and linking relevant datasets, particularly regarding human health impacts and human bio-monitoring, and improving their accessibility. The work in this area also informs the development of more systematic approaches to risk governance.
Under the responsibility of the Head of Green Economy Group, reporting to the Head of Integrated Environmental Assessments Programme, the Project Manager shall be responsible for information support and analysis in these areas.
Represent the Agency through networking with relevant external partners and stakeholders, in particular with the EU institutions and EEA member countries (EIONET network), and relevant EU Agencies (e.g. ECHA and EFSA).