Learn What Your Name Means

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By Diane Forrest

In January, Beyoncé and Jay Z, popular musicians and a married couple, gave birth to a baby girl.  She was given the name Blue Ivy.  Alot of eyebrows went up over that name, but lately there have been alot of strange names given to newborns.  Some names from other celebrities include:

Kal-El, son of Nicolas Cage

Pilot Inspektor, son of Jason Lee

Apple, daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow

Suri, Daughter of Tom Cruise

Sage Moonblood, son of Sylvester Stallone

There are many more, and every time I hear of a celebrity giving birth, I think to myself, are they trying to outdo each other on weird names?  Bestowing a name on a baby is an awesome responsibility.  I remember growing up listening to the story of the birth of Jesus, and the angel told Mary, his name will be Jesus.  All throughout the Bible, it mentions the naming of a baby, and the meaning of that name.  Names such as David, Beloved of God; or Mathew, meaning Gift of God;  John, meaning God is Gracious; Mary, meaning Wished for Child, Elizabeth, meaning God is Abundant.  There are some names that bring up bad memories or evil thoughts that aren't used regularly. A few I can think of are Lucifer and Delilah.  Lucifer, which actually means bringing light, was the name given to one of the angels.  It wasn’t until after he fell from God's graces that it became associated with evil.  Delilah means delicate and weak, however when the Delilah in the Bible cut Sampson's hair causing him to lose his strength, the name became associated with wickedness.

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I have been interested in the meaning of names from an early age, it was then that I learned my name, Diane, means Goddess of the Moon.  That name made me feel special especially paired with my middle name, Rene' meaning born again.  This name also peaked my interest in Mythology and caused me to read more about the mythological gods and goddesses.   I was named by my father because he just liked the name.  He insisted my name only had 1 n, and that the last e in Rene' had the apostrophe or "tildy" as he calls it, at the end.  That is also very special to me, knowing that he gave that much thought to naming me.

People have several reasons for choosing the names they bestow upon their children.  They maybe named after family members, named in remembrance of a particular place or event, or just named simply because of a fondness for the name.  When I was pregnant with my son, I assumed that he was a she.  I didn’t even have to think long about a name.  I had a favorite poem, called Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe.  It was about a man who loved a woman so much that even after she was taken away from him he kept on loving her.  Annabel was a bit "old fashioned" so I chose the name Amanda, meaning worthy of love, and Leigh.  It could also be changed to Mandy, another name I liked and would be cute with his last name.  Imagine my surprise when she turned out to be a he!  I had never even considered a boy's name, so I spent the next few days pouring over a baby name book trying to find the perfect name.  My favorite male name was Chris, however, he didn’t look like a Chris to me.  He was a beautiful boy with a sweet face; many thought he was a girl.  So, I combed through the book for a sweet name, and also had a good meaning.  I chose Jason, which means healer.  So far it has worked for him.

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Today is Learn what your name means.  If you don't already know the meaning, you can look it up on this site I have been using today, or check with your parents or other family members to see why you were given the name you have.  I’m sure you will learn some very interesting facts about your beginnings in the world.

http://www.behindthename.com/

Ten most Popular names:

Male	Female
Jacob	Isabella
Ethan	Sophia
Michael	Emma
Jayden	Olivia
William	Ava
Alexander	Emily
Noah	Abigail
Daniel	Madison
Aiden	Chloe
Anthony	Mia

March is Colorectal Cancer Month

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By Akindman

Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon, rectum, or appendix. Symptoms typically include rectal bleeding and anemia which are sometimes associated with weight loss and changes in bowel habits.

Most colorectal cancer occurs due to lifestyle and increasing age with only a minority of cases associated with underlying genetic disorders. It typically starts in the lining of the bowel and if left untreated, can grow into the muscle layers underneath, and then through the bowel wall. Screening is effective at decreasing the chance of dying from colorectal cancer and is recommended starting at the age of 50 and continuing until a person is 75 years old. Localized bowel cancer is usually diagnosed through sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

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Key Points:

• Colorectal cancer is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal and divide without control, forming a mass called a tumor;
• The exact causes of colorectal cancer are not known. However, studies show that certain factors increase a person's chance of developing colorectal cancer;
• Health care providers may suggest one or more tests for colorectal cancer screening, including a fecal occult blood test (FOBT); sigmoidoscopy; regular, or standard, colonoscopy; virtual colonoscopy; or double contrast barium enema (DCBE);
• People should talk with their health care provider about when to begin screening for colorectal cancer, what tests to have, the benefits and risks (potential harms) of each test, and how often to schedule appointments; and
• New methods, such as the genetic testing of stool samples, to screen for colorectal cancer are under study.

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What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?

While we do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancers, there are certain known risk factors. A risk factor is something that affects a person's chance of getting a disease. 

Some risk factors - like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as a person's age, can't be changed.

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Links:

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/OverviewGuide/colorectal-cancer-overview-what-is-colorectal-cancer

http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/default.htm

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/OverviewGuide/colorectal-cancer-overview-survival-rates

http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/tc/colorectal-cancer-symptoms

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/DetailedGuide/colorectal-cancer-staged

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/OverviewGuide/colorectal-cancer-overview-what-causes

National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/colorectal-screening

Our National Anthem

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

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By Diane Forrest

If there is anything taken more seriously than the US flag, it's possibly the national anthem. The Star-spangled Banner accompanies just about every major American function, and at major sporting events a significant honor is bestowed on those asked to sing what is probably the best known national anthem in the world.

Listen closely to the words and it tells of a highly emotional moment in US history when the war with the British was being fought and of one man's relief in seeing the US flag still flying after a vicious bombardment.

Before the Battle

The War of 1812 had been a particularly nasty conflict with the British. They had burned down the Capitol and the White House in Washington, and were set on taking the port of Baltimore, which was protected in part by Fort McHenry, just to the south.

On September 7th, 1814, during the build-up to the attack on Baltimore, two Americans, Colonel John Skinner and a lawyer and part-time poet by the name of Francis Scott Key, had gone out to one of the British ships. They had come to negotiate the release of Dr William Beanes, a friend of Key who had been seized following the attack on Washington. The British agreed, but all three had learned too much about the forthcoming attack on Baltimore and so were detained by the British on board the frigate Surprise until it was over.

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The Defense of Fort McHenry

The attack started on September 12th, 1814, and after an initial exchange of fire, the fleet withdrew to form an arc just outside the range of Fort McHenry's fire.

Skinner, Beanes and Key watched much of the bombardment from the British deck. The major attack started in heavy rain on the morning of September 13th. Just under three miles in the distance the three men caught glimpses of the star-shaped fort with its huge flag - 42ft long, with 8 red stripes, 7 white stripes and 15 white stars, and specially commissioned to be big enough that the British could not possibly fail to see it from a distance.

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In the dark of the night of the 13th, the shelling suddenly stopped. Through the darkness they couldn't tell whether the British forces had been defeated, or the fort had fallen.

As the rain cleared, and the sun began to rise, Key peered through the lifting darkness anxious to see if the flag they had seen the night before was still flying. And so it was that he scribbled on the back of an envelope the first lines of a poem he called Defense of Fort M'Henry:

O, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming

As the mist started to clear he was aware that there was a flag flying - but was it the British flag? It was difficult to tell:

What is that which the breeze o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

But finally the sun rose, and with intense relief and pride he saw that the fort had withstood the onslaught ...

'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

This song was originally written as a poem, but Key's words were later set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven," a popular English song, and it became our national anthem was adopted as such in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson.  In 1931, it was declared by law by President Herbert Hoover that the Star Spangled Banner become the National Anthem.

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The anthem is usually just sung at sporting events or government functions.  The past few years have been very frustrating since the performers have failed to remember the words to the song or tried to make new arrangements of it.   The recent passing of Whitney Houston reminded me of the year she sang the anthem at the Super Bowl.  It was the most memorable performance in the past 20 years, and listening to it brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes.

Today is National Anthem Day, below is the verse written by Francis Scott Key, as you read over it, say a prayer for those who fought for our freedoms and who are still fighting today.

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Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

A home and a country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,

Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Banana Cream Pie Day

By Chef Diane

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip,

That started from this tropic port, aboard this tiny ship.

The mate was a mighty sailin' man, the Skipper brave and sure.

Five passengers set sail that day for a three hour tour. A three hour tour.

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I remember coming home from school in the afternoons, turning on the tv to hear the theme song of Gilligan's Island playing.  No matter what type of crisis was going on that day, they always had pie, whether it was coconut or banana cream.  Gilligan's favorite was banana cream pie, and he would always ask Maryanne to make it for him.

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Since today is Banana Cream Pie day, I thought I would share an easy recipe for you to make one in honor of this day.  If you can't make a pie, turn the television on to TV land and see if you can catch some Gilligan Island reruns.

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Banana Cream Pie

Ingredients

• 9 inches pie shells , baked
• 3 cups whole milk
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 1⁄3; cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 bananas

Directions:

1. Have baked 9-inch pie shell ready.
2. In a large saucepan, scald the milk.
3. In another saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt; gradually stir in the scalded milk.
4. Over medium heat, stirring constantly, cook until thickened.
5. Cover and, stirring occasionally, cook for two minutes longer.
6. In a small bowl, have the 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten, ready; stir a small amount of the hot mixture into beaten yolks; when thoroughly combined, stir yolks into hot mixture.
7. Cook for one minute longer, stirring constantly.
8. Remove from heat and blend in the butter and vanilla.
9. Let sit until lukewarm.
10. When ready to pour, slice bananas and scatter in pie shell; pour warm mixture over bananas.
11. If desired, make a meringue (you'll have 3 leftover egg whites) to top the pie, or just let the pie cool until serving.

NEA's Read Across America

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By Akindman

National Education Association (NEA's) Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.  It is the nation’s largest reading event.

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NEA's Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.

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Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers.

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This year the book “The Lorax” by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, will take center stage with its message of the importance of preserving the environment. Global superstars Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, Danny DeVito and Ed Helms lend their vocal talents to Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment and are all co-chairs of this year’s Read Across America, a first for the NEA program.

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Links:

http://www.nea.org

http://neatoday.org/2012/02/15/march-2-read-across-america-day/

http://www.msuapa.org/?p=672

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/read-across-america-day

http://www.seussville.com/loraxproject/

National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week

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By Diane Forrest

Dear Lockridge Primary School,

God bless you for the beautiful radio I won at your recent Senior Citizens luncheon. I am 87 years old and live at the St Mary’s Nursing Home. All of my family has passed away so I am all alone.

My roommate is 95 and has always had her own radio; but, she would never let me listen to it. She said it belonged to her long dead husband, and understandably, wanted to keep it safe.

The other day her radio fell off the nightstand and broke into a dozen pieces. It was awful and she was in tears.

She asked if she could listen to mine, and I was overjoyed that I could tell her to piss off.

Thank you for that wonderful opportunity.

God bless you all.

Edna

Many years ago, before iPads, cell phones, or computers, people actually talked to each other, visited each other, and wrote letters.  Letter writing has become a lost art what with the electronic media available to us, and the increase of postage, however it is still one of the best forms of communication available.  They are so valuable in preserving memories as well as history.  Can you imagine what would have been lost if Anne Frank sent texts?  Or if the Presidents sent emails?

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When my father was away at boot camp, he wrote letters to my mother and she saved every one.  My Aunt and Uncle send letters of their family's activities every year, and I save each one.  Who knows?  Maybe years from now some historian will use these letters for educational purpose.

This week is National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week.  There are all kinds of people in your life you can write a letter to, and since it is a week-long event, you can write more than one.  You can write to your family, teachers, preachers, congressmen or women, mail carriers or newspaper carriers.  You can write to your local store managers, neighbors, friends or coworkers.   It doesn't have to be a long letter, just a few lines to let someone know that you appreciate them, and you are glad they are in your life.

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“Hey – Listen Up!”

I'm All Ears...
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By Akindman

How many of us are really good listeners?

Sadly, my hand remains lowered. While I try to be a listener – watch the body language, and to identify the important points – this is hard work for an ADD/ADHD person like me.  There have been many occasions that having audio/video captured of a conversation, meeting, conference and the like were made available to me.

March is International Listening Awareness Month

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The International Listening Association states that there:

The Purpose of the Association is to advance the practice, teaching, and research of listening throughout the world.

The purpose of the Association will be accomplished in the following ways:

1. The Association will establish a network of professionals committed to promoting the study and development of effective listening;
2. Members will exchange information by sharing teaching objectives, learning activities, promotional methods, materials and additional professional experiences;
3. Members are encouraged to pursue listening research as listening affects humanity on multiple levels of economic, educational, racial, cultural, and international relations; and
4. Members will pursue management strategies and efforts promoting effective listening in government and business.

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I for one like the words above and also wonder just where this is being practiced today?

How are our children/grandchildren being taught to be good listeners?

Children learn from watching others – so who are those others that practice these important skills?

How many parents, teachers, and or other adults really practice good listening skills?

What resources are available to the common person?

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Travis Bradberry, bestselling author of "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" offers the following:

No two people will have the same account of an event, no matter how much they were paying attention.

"When a bank robbery happens and there are five different folks on the witness stand, they all saw the same thing, but their description of what happened will not be the same," Bradberry explains. "This is because they all had different emotional states. We found in our research that if the event has less emotion, the results will be more similar, but if it's dangerous or highly emotional, the stories vary greatly."

In order to become a better listener, Bradberry says we need to increase our emotional intelligence. Here are five of Bradberry's essential strategies.

Don't take notes at meetings. Try watching who's speaking instead – pay attention to what you miss while you're usually looking down at your notebook.

Clear your mind. Focus when you're talking to others. Pay attention to what you're thinking when they're speaking; if you're planning out your response rather than listening to them, you need to work on your focus.

Absorb the feedback. Don't just react – be sure you are really taking in the information the other person is giving you. Ask questions or ask for specific examples if you still want clarification.

Don't argue, understand. Having a tough conversation? Don't just plan your rebuttal – really listen, then start with where you agree and move the discussion toward a solution by asking them to help you understand their point.

Body language is key. Study your conversation partner. Are they making hand gestures? Are they slouching or crossing their arms? Are they relaxed or uncomfortable? This can help you understand what they're not telling you as much as what they ARE telling you.

Just like building a muscle, Bradberry says with practice, even the terrible listeners can transform over time.

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7 Powerful Tips To Becoming a Better Listener (http://www.dumblittleman.com/2011/08/7-powerful-tips-to-becoming-better.html)

1. Remove All Distractions;
2. Be Present;
3. Wait for the Person to Finish Speaking (in the start);
4. Don’t Assume Anything;
5. Look at the Sub-Text;
6. Clarify to ensure you got what the person is saying; and
7. Ask Questions.

There are several good web/blog sites available to obtain ideas on how to become a better listener – do a little research, pick those points that make sense to you, try them, tweak them as necessary and practice, practice and practice.

Good luck and here’s to better listening this month and beyond.

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Links for more information about Listening:

http://www.listen.org/

http://www.job-interview-site.com/Job-Interviewing-tips/management-leadership-skills

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-21/features/ct-tribu-weigel-listening-20110321_1_emotional-intelligence-travis-bradberry-listeners

http://www.bookrags.com/articles/29.html

http://www.sitepoint.com/13-ways-to-become-a-better-listener/