mary e

How does mass media aid or inhibit influence? Any opinions are welcome, I'm studying this stuff in school.

My husband want to take a small tackle box. Do we have to check it? We are flying from the U.S. to Costa Rica. I'm worried they'll think we're bringing weapons on board. I want to avoid delays and embarrassment.

Going to Costa Rica from U.S.A. for 3 months with my son who is on many supplements for medical problem. Some powders, some pills, can't get them there so I must take a large supply. Should I check them or carry on or both? Will they think they're explosives or drugs or that we plan to sell them? I just want to avoid trouble and not lose them. Thanks.

day 4 of hubby's dilaudid detox after 5 mos. of from 20 to 6mg/day prescribed for pancreatitis. Dr. said he's improved enough to get off dilaudid. His feet burn and his stomach pain moved up into his chest and he has numbness under his arms. Dr. gave him clonidine to help, but it doesn't much. Would love to hear from anyone whose done this. How long does the detox last?

He was taking 4mg every 4 hours during the day for a total of 20mg to control pain. He has dropped 2mg a day and is now on 14mg. Does vicodin contain less narcotic than a 2m dilaudid pill? Would it make sense to wean with vicodin? Thanks for any advice. This is not easy.

He has tried lettuce/celery/parsley juice ok, and veggie soup, but fruit and yogurt make the pain much worse. He had the hiccups for over 1 week, glad that is gone, but it is 2 weeks post op now and still a lot of pain! How long has it taken others to recover completely? His doctor expects him to recover...Thanks for any advice. He is 67.

The New Church

I don’t know how the owl got into my home. All my windows are screened and many are also latticed; I have looked for holes and not found a one. No even a no-see-um could get through one of my windows.

Perhaps it came under the door, as the small frogs do, but I have never seen an owl on the ground for very long. I should explain that this owl is not the ordinary size and color of an owl. The owl I am chasing is bright green and although it appears to be fully grown it is only the size of my fist.

When I awoke this morning it was perched on the net post of my bed. Except for stopping to have some coffee I have been chasing it since then. The green owl remains just out of my reach. When it alights over my kitchen sink or on a low frond of thatch in my ceiling I can almost stretch it touch it. Almost I can throw a dish towel over its neon body, but it moves away at the last second and I miss. This is how I am occupied when I am distracted by the sight of my friend riding his bicycle in my yard. Between the gateposts (I have not had a gate since it became broken years ago) he steers onto my lawn. He is barefoot, straddling his rusty cruiser.

Venecio shouts as I come out, “Have you heard the news? There is a new church the other side of Bar Sussy. It is called The Church of Enlightenment!”

My friends know my interest in different religious truths. I have explored any sect I can find to learn about, any teaching that is available. I search for information, whether in books, by interviewing spiritual teachers, or from associating with ordinary followers.

One such ordinary follower was here last summer. His name was Walter and I found him trying to camp out on the beach. That, of course, is not legal and in his case the tide would have also made it impossible. I did not like thinking about his beautiful guitar floating out to sea so I invited him to be a guest in my home.

Walter combed his long hair in my bathroom and taught me a practice. I learned how to become one with my surroundings. I have found little use for this skill except when bike riding during the rainy season. Then, mud puddles, bicycle, and I become one. It makes traveling much easier and less hazerdous.

Venecio and I ride to where the new Church of Enlightenment has opened. The head priest is a man. He leads us right through the building and out the back door. The cool grassy area is lined with wire pens. Coconut husks are used for litter and coconut meat for fodder. I am very surprised to see what is in the pens. They all contain pigs! Clean, healthy looking pigs, but pigs nonetheless!

The priest’s voice is very friendly as he explains the foundation of the church’s teachings to Venecio and me. “We base our beliefs on one clear principle,” he says, “The key to becoming enlightened is very simple, there is one thing you must do. To become enlightened, you must to kiss the pig!”

I am shocked. “I cannot kiss a pig!”

“That is alright,” he assured me, “You may begin by talking to the pig. Start a conversation!”

I had heard enough. The animals were repulsive, gray as gun metal flabby lumps with tufts of bristled hair between their ears. They made unpleasant noises. I left.

At home, I spotted the tiny green owl in the large silk tree that grew in my yard. How he got out, I don’t know, but I realized I needed to inspect the thatch. My hammock is underneath that tree and its branches brush the eaves of my roof. The silk tree’s leaves matched the tiny owl’s bright green foliage.

I sat in the hammock to gaze at the elusive bird, and noticed a column of neon green light snaking upward from the roots of the silk tree. The cord of light was pulsing, alive, buzzing with electrical energy. It was pleasant to observe and it tapered off in the branches where the owl was perched.

A wet nose nudged me; it was a large and beautiful golden brown dog. Petting its back I discovered battery compartments on either side of its spine. They contained several double A alkaline batteries. I tried giving the dog commands and found he would obey me instantly.

We played under the tree, while the light snaked into the branches and the owl perched just out of reach.

The next day there was nothing unusual about the silk tree in my yard. I do have a new, beautiful and extremely well behaved dog living with me now==there is no evidence of battery compartments along its spine. The green owl flew away, on the very day that Venicio helped me erect a new wire pen because of my decision to join the church.

Since it is a loan and we pay interest on it I figured it would not create a tax problem, but as the end of the year approaches I'm getting nervous. Am I right it is not considered income? I understand the interest it earns IS taxable. The amount is $60,000. Thanks!

I'm 50 and maybe there is something new out there that will work. I eat a lot of fresh fruit (acid foods) if that is important. Are there any experts out there or people who had similar stains and tried veneers or bonding or something else?

Getting nowhere is frustrating and not all counselors are helpful. I'm researching this and hope several people will share what made them walk away. I appreciate your help.

I'm writing a paper and hoping for a variety of answers. Thanks for your help!

It happened a week ago. He is eating and drinking lots of water but I had to make him a bed outside because of the urine, his pee is clear but he squats and goes in the house and leaks when I pick him up. I'm wondering if it's permanent. I don't have money for a vet and doubt they could do anything anyway. Has anyone had a cat recover from this?

At least not in my area. Books seem to focus on fast rivers with very little beginner info. I don't even know how to sit properly, but I've learned to paddle by watching TV. Any suggestions?

There are no assets and no income, I have just been providing free services to people who can't pay and I want to take some time off. No one else is able to replace me. Can we not have board meetings and still keep our 501c3 status if we file taxes annually? Is a by-law change needed (they call for quarterly meetings)? Thanks for your help. We are in California.

I have good credit and am getting a 6.25% interest rate 30 year fixed refinance on my house. I'm wondering what the benefits of doing tax and insurance on my own are.

My credit union wants to charge me $5,654 in closing costs to refinance my house for $200k. The house is worth more. I'm shocked! What are all these fees--origination, underwriting, processing, administration, preparation and "loan discount" and should I pay them? Why do they want prepaid interest when it is in the payments? Why reserve 2 mos insurance? The "estimated settlement charges" are $8,365--is that excessive?? Thanks anyone for any help. If I carry it myself and my son makes payments to me (he lives in the house but can't get his own loan yet) can I get a home equity loan any cheaper?

I would like to hear from women who had one and birthed normally. It is not in the way. I am worried about bleeding afterwards. Do they shrink when the baby is born? It is not near the placenta.

I'm learning how to take care of the two I was given and I'm wondering where they are native to so I can make their habitat more natural. I'm guessing Mexico or other warm places. My friend says North America and they are very common.

Celiac (wheat allergy) and bipolar disease run in the family? Is there a connection? I appreciate anyones' sharing their experience and hope.