Amy's Place ... Poetry and Potpourri ... August, 2008

August 1, 2008 | JustAmy; St.Louie1; MamaBear; Billie

[JustAmy]

Welcome To....


'Amy's Place' welcomes all poets
and those who enjoy poetry.
'Amy's Place' is more than just about poetry.
Come in, relax, and share with fellow FReepers
your thoughts about any of the things on the *Menu*.

Enjoy! :)











Never Forget!





Bad Penny



Amy's personal guardian ~
the ever charming, lovable, huggable,
LouieWolf




Many thanks for stopping by. : )

[JustAmy]

Prior Threads ~~~~~
July, 2005, Closing Thread
February, 2008
March, 2008
April, 2008
May, 2008
June, 2008
July, 2008


Please FReepmail me to be added or removed from my ping list. Thank you.

[JustAmy]

Graphic by Billie

Online Friendship...

The true friends who we meet online
are a very special kind
They pierce your shields and see within
the corners of your mind.

They’re always there when you’re in need
with their power to discern.
They feel your pain.........they offer hope
and genuine concern.

We bare our souls, expose our hearts
and show our inner fears,
and then before you know it
the keyboard’s stained with tears.

And if we could see them through that screen
then no one could deny
that to be a TRUE online friend
they too must surely cry.

(unknown)

[Diver Dave]

Roll Call!

DD’s here.

Nice poem, friend.

[JustAmy]

Holidays to celebrate on August 1st are ......
Francis Scott Key's Birthday, 1779
Sport's Day
Switzerland Founded in 1291
Girlfriend's Day
Pie Day in Minnesota
Raspberry Cream Pie Day
Respect For Parent's Day
Work Like A Dog Day

Happy Work Like A Dog Day! Happy Girlfriend's Day!

[JustAmy]

Good evening, DD. Thank you.

It’s nice to start a new month but ...... what has happened to our Summer? School starts August 20th.

[JustAmy]

By Billie

[Diver Dave]

...what has happened to our Summer?

I dunno... I put it back when I got done playin' with it.

I'm not sure when the pub schools open up here, but #1 grandson starts on the 11th (pvt school).

We've only had a week of HOT weather, but Aug and Sept will likely bring a few more... along with more wild fires. Yosemite has quite a haze from the nearby fires.

[JustAmy]

Happy Girlfriend's Day!

[JustAmy]

I keep expecting another week of 110+ but so far our weather has been bearable.

Sure hope the week of hot weather does not decide to make an appearance on our Annual Picnic weekend.

Private schools start that early? When do they start their summer vacation?

[jaycee]

Amy, that is the cutest graphic and sweetest poem! I have met the kindest, nicest people in the world online here. And you do get to feeling they’re your best friends! Thanks on this first day of August!

[DollyCali]

LOVE THAT DARK CHOCOLATE

Al Sears, MD
11903 Southern Blvd., Ste. 208
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411

July 31, 2008

I just read something that made me reminisce about the cup of hot cocoa my mom made for me on cold winter days…

The list of the humble cocoa bean’s remarkable health-promoting powers just keeps growing as we learn more about it. Research has shown how its active ingredients can reduce the risk for a host of serious illnesses, including:

* Heart disease
* Stroke
* High blood pressure
* Clogged arteries
* Prostate and lung cancer
* Dementia
* Infectious diseases
* Blood clotting
* Asthma
* Allergies
* Inflammation
* Cirrhosis of the liver

Now you can add another benefit to the list: it reverses one of diabetes’s most dangerous effects.

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that cocoa significantly improves blood flow in people suffering from type 2 diabetes.1 Blood flow problems are some of the most serious health hazards that diabetics face. Left unchecked, their circulation can get so bad that their extremities have to be amputated—and even cause heart attack.

Researchers divided diabetics into two groups. The first consumed about 1000 mg of cocoa per day in three doses for a month, the second only 25 mg.

By the end of the month, the higher-cocoa group’s circulation improved from “severely impaired” to normal, while the low-cocoa group’s blood flow remained unchanged.

Cocoa’s power to improve blood flow lies in its ability to kick production of nitric oxide (NO) into high gear. Pharmaceutical and other drugs work the same way for male performance. NO causes the linings of your blood vessels to relax and open up, improving circulation, lowering blood pressure, and helping your body to deliver oxygen and other nutrients in the blood more efficiently.

Another reason cocoa’s so good for you has to do with a class of chemicals called “flavonoids.” They’re abundant in fruits and vegetables as well as coffee, tea, beer, and red wine. But cocoa has them in the highest concentration.2

Flavonoids are actually poisonous anti-microbials. Plants make them to guard against attack from microbes and insects. They also give fruits and vegetables their color, making lemons yellow and some apples red.

For years we thought they were potent antioxidants. But the latest research shows that’s not true.3 They’re actually poorly absorbed because your body treats them like toxins and tries to get rid of them. This response activates the genes that make something called “Phase II enzymes.” Your body also ramps up production of uric acid.

Together these compounds modify your body’s response to allergens, disable cancer cells and cancer-causing agents, and eliminate other dangerous substances in addition to flushing the flavonoids out of your system.

As far back as the 1600's, people began to notice cocoa’s medicinal properties. They not only enjoyed its flavor—they used it to treat angina and heart pain. It turns out they were onto something.

More good news: you don’t need a lot of flavonoids to get the benefit. Five to nine servings of fruits and vegetable a day will do the trick.

As for cocoa, don’t reach for regular commercial brands. They’re usually packed with bad fat and artificial sugar that cancel out the health benefit. Dark chocolate bars, with 70-80 percent cocoa, are the best sources of flavonoids (go for organic brands if you can; you can find them in most health food stores). They can be a little bitter but have a rich chocolate taste and contain healthy fat.

I recommend enjoying about 2 to 3 ounces about 3 times a week.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD

[OESY]

.

[jaycee]

~Happy Girlfriend's Day~
~Guys are welcome too!~

[jaycee]

Very good, Dolly, I remember my mama’s hot chocolate, too! It was just sweeter in those days even though we didn’t realize its values. We only knew it made us ‘feel better”.

[jaycee]

Hi Oesy, you always give us something unique! I prefer pie over pi~~~LOL~~

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

August 1, 2008

The Midwife’s Tale

ODB RADIO: Listen Now |  Download
READ: John 3:1-8

The wind blows where it wishes . . . . So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. —John 3:8

Historian Laurel Ulrich received a Pulitzer Prize for her book The Midwife’s Tale. The book was based on the diary of Martha Ballard, who lived during the American Revolution. Martha was a midwife who traveled by canoe, horse, or sometimes on foot to assist women in delivering their babies. At a time when many women died in childbirth, Martha’s track record was extraordinary. In more than 1,000 deliveries, she never lost a mother in childbirth.

In God’s kingdom, there is a spiritual Helper who produces new life. But His role is to bring about “second birth” (John 3:5-8). The Holy Spirit uses a variety of ways to accomplish this. He convicts the world of sin (John 16:8), empowers the gospel (1 Thess. 1:5), regenerates us from within (Titus 3:5), and places believers into eternal union with Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13). Though He is invisible, His life-changing activity can be clearly seen.

Jesus said of the Holy Spirit: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

The Spirit desires to use us in sharing the gospel so others can experience that second birth.

God sent the Holy Spirit after
Christ ascended from this earth,
And this we know—He’s left us here
To share good news of second birth. —Hess

The Holy Spirit is the Christian’s source of power.

Bible in One Year: Job 7–9; Proverbs 11:22-31

[MEG33]

To AMY's Place
What an adorable graphic and poem!
WOO HOO! We had a thunderstorm last night.
HAPPY FRIDAY (((HUGS)))

[GodBlessUSA]

This is such a lovely opening, Amy! :)
This is so very true about our on line friends!

How are you today? How did Missy enjoy golfing? I've been thinking of her. I hope she had a great time! Booboo has one more day today.

[OESY]

Thanks. I’ll have to work on my spelling.

[Billie]

Rain or shine - let's go shopping! (Look how perfectly your graphic matches mine!)

[MEG33]

OVER HERE New Thread!

[MEG33]

;o)

I was so excited about the rain and just found mine recently..You made yours.
I always enjoy your magic.

[JustAmy]

Come join us in August! :)

[OESY]

Working like a dog

.

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Friends.

I’ll be right back. I need to get some clothes out of the dryer. It’s always something.

[jaycee]

Funnnnneeeeee!

[fewz]

So it's work like a dog day.

workin' dogs

sled dogs workin'

workin' like dogs

[Cardhu]

PowerPoint Presentation with music.

BEAUTIFUL DANCERS ON THE TOWN


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PowerPoint Presentation with music.

BEAUTIFUL DANCERS ON THE TOWN


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For those of you that do not have PowerPoint
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[jaycee]

A darling graphic! So happy to hear you got some rain. We had it off and on all day yesterday! But it helps in cooling down the hot temps!

I had some swim pictures to post from my new camera and had several ready to go and the computer hung up on me. Maybe I can do it later when my back stops hurting. Been working on Red Hat Luncheon for next Friday! Since I am in charge, I chose the Red Lobster! Love it!

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Jaycee. Thank you.

Billie made that darling graphic
and after I told her I was looking for a poem, she found a poem for me.
Thanks, Billie.

FReepers are the kindest, nicest people.
FReepers at Amy's Place are special.

Thanks.

[jaycee]

Hello G. B. know you're not here at the moment but you will be later! Have a good 'golf' day with BooBoo! Here's a little critter for BooBoo!

[jaycee]

Your graphic and Meg’s looks plum purty together~~

[yorkie]

Swiss National Day - Fireworks and Bonfires

A Little History on this very special day in Switzerland

[JustAmy]

That's great news, Dolly. Thank you.

I don't get to a health food store,
but I will get some dark chocolate.
I guess that I should quit using Nestles and
make Marissa's chocolate milk from old fashion baking cocoa.

Hope you are having a great day.

[Cardhu]

PowerPoint Presentation.

CHEESE MARKETS


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the FREE Microsoft PowerPoint Reader can be downloaded from Here or HERE


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[jaycee]

Thank you, Amy! I need to get busy on laundry too. Whewww!
Always something~~

[yorkie]

Space Shuttle and Earth

This is an incredible Flash display with breathtaking pictures of Earth and NASA shuttle. (And the music is haunting.)

I hope you all enjoy it.

[JustAmy]

Chilled Raspberry Cream Pie

Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup sugar
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
One 10-ounce package frozen raspberries
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
One 9-inch piecrust, baked and cooled

Directions:
1. Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the cream and almond extract until stiff peaks form.

2. In a saucepan, over medium heat, bring the sugar, gelatin and 1/2 cup water to a simmer and stir until the sugar and gelatin dissolve. Remove from the heat, add the berries and lemon juice and stir until the mixture begins to thicken.

3. Fold the whipped cream into the berry mixture and spread in the piecrust. Refrigerate until set, a few hours or overnight.

Happy Raspberry Cream Pie Day!

[JustAmy]

Ahhh .... cute, Jaycee. Thank you.

Happy Girlfriend's Day!
Happy Boyfriend's Day!

[JustAmy]

Good afternoon, Rus.
Thank you for bringing us more Soul Food this morning.

Thank you for always being here!

Have a Great Pie Day!

[JustAmy]

Thank you, Meg; I can't take credit for the graphic or the poem today.

Billie sent me the graphic about a month ago.
I told her last week that I was looking for a poem.
She found the poem and sent it to me.

PERFECT!

Nice to hear that you are getting some needed rain.
Have a Wonderful Girlfriend Day!

[jaycee]

WOW....how beautiful and what shape those dancers are in, its amazing! Its like they are made of rubber!

Frank Sinatra ain’t bad either~~LOL~~Always love his music!

Thanks.

[LUV W]

Awesomely beautiful...thank you for sharing it with us!

(((hugs)))

[yorkie]

Swiss National Day (1st of August) at the Darlux Alp (2283m) and the Summit of the Piz Darlux (2642m) with sunset and 1-August-Fires (Bonfires on Alps and upon Mountains)

More Photos of Swiss National Day

[derllak]

That “online friendship” poem was so sweet. That’s the best thing about the internet for me. Getting to meet some of the nicest people on the planet that I otherwise would never have had the pleasure of meeting. Most of those sweethearts are found right here on FR. You guys are the best! :)

[OESY]

I'm beginning to understand why we have the traffic problems we do.

[derllak]

Wow, I wish I could move like those dancers. I don’t dare try. Not only would I break a few bones, but I’m sure I’d scare a few people too. ;)

Suddenly I’m hungry for a block of cheese.....yum!

[OESY]

Interesting. I've never seen their cheese auction, but I have seen the
curling competitions using the old, hard and unsold cheese wheels.

[jaycee]

We were so lucky when this little girl came into our lives. My 20 year old granddaughter fell in love with a divorced guy who had this little girl. We fell in love with the guy she married and we fell in love with this little cutie! Also remember I am new with camera and posting them. Help, MamaBear! The last pic. was after swimming, eating cheeto's, if you notice she just lost a tooth.

[JustAmy]

Good afternoon, GeeBee. Thank you!

Marissa's lesson were only for three days.
I wish they had given them for all five days.

The first day, she was uncomfortable but by the 3rd day, she was joining right in.

I think she enjoyed being with other kids more than the golf.
She told the instructors that she would be back next year.

I'm hoping that she can get some practice during the next few months.

Sounds like Booboo is having a good time and enjoying her week.

Have a Great Girlfriend's Day!