A Poem for Independence Day

JULY 4th  mmxiv


that familiar pungent odor
is wafting in my window
over the cloying humid air

skunk

someone has found its sleeping lair
in the middle of the day


who needs firecrackers?


- j. khat o'brien

Motorcycle design inspires new patronage system

News story from NPR's Marketplace BUSINESS

Two Obsessed Guys and a Radical Motorcycle Design

MSG in Disguise - Read the Label Carefully!

From John Douillard's Life Spa website -

This article is very much worth a read through. There are many health issues that are exacerbated by eating MSG.  John Douillard explains what MSG is, how is affects our bodies, and just how much the use of MSG in its many forms is dangerously prevalent in many foods we would not think would contain MSG - why? because, as the title of his article explains - MSG has many sneaky names.

"Sneaky Names for MSG: Check Your Labels"

"The dangers and prevalence of MSG will shock you! This flavor enhancer is linked to a host of health issues, including fibromyalgia (1), obesity (2), fatty liver (3), high insulin and blood sugar (3), high cholesterol (3), liver toxicity (3), metabolic syndrome (4), high blood pressure, disturbance to the gut-brain connection (5), neurological and brain damage (6).
The danger lies in that MSG is almost impossible to avoid.

Why? The reason is twofold:
    1.    There are over 40 different ingredients that manufacturers use, that all have MSG.
    2.    It is not just a flavor enhancing additive – it is a natural by-product of processing proteins.

These MSG by-products are found in many of your favorite organic health foods. ... "

please read on

Ponder this - a view of the gut-brain connection

A slide show presentation by Todd R. LePine, MD, a graduate of Dartmouth Medical School, and interestingly he did practice at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires. The information on the nature of bacteria is absolutely fascinating, as well as all the other findings on the brain-gut connection.

The Gut-Brain Connection: An Inside Look at Depression from Augustin Bralley

Ad Madness

All right, I don't drink, have not had a drink in many years.

This is an ad for Southern Comfort - and the last time I had that, well ... let's just say ... I have not had a drop of it since then.

I just can't get this ad out of my mind. It is just so crazily funny that I have to go back and watch it and laugh. Laughter is a good thing. The song is also great, and even better juxtaposed with the wild video -
I'm a Fool to Care, by Les Paul and Mary Ford



 
 

Something Big | Gregg Braden

Some things to consider in these changing times ... a talk by Gregg Braden. He has a hopeful message, using science, the principles of ancient wisdom and many years of research in the world.


Something Big is About to Happen, Gregg Braden

Who is Gregg Braden?

from his website:

"New York Times best-selling author Gregg Braden is internationally renowned as a pioneer in bridging science, ancient wisdom, and the real world! Following a successful career as a computer geologist for Phillips Petroleum during the 1970's energy crisis, he worked as a Senior Computer Systems Designer with Martin Marietta Defense Systems during the final years of the Cold War. In 1991, he became the first Technical Operations Manager for Cisco Systems.

For more than 27 years Gregg has explored high mountain villages, remote monasteries, and forgotten texts to merge their timeless secrests with the best science of today. ..."

 
 

Pete Labonne, Baby!

finally getting a round tuit ...

this could have been added to my post Pajama Pants, however, I think it deserves its own post.

take a look at Pete Labonne's website, as he wrote Pajama Pants ... from the nav bar, ZOO CABINET, you'll be whisked away to a zone where you can listen to a Pete Labonne original recording of Pajama Pants.

For your further listening pleasure, Labonne at Cafe Lena ... especially for all those who "are just a little bit old"