Archive for CONTEST

{ July 20, 2008 @ 2:50 pm } · { CONTEST, GREEN Thumb, Mutterings, SUN. SNIPPET }
{ Leave a Comment }

As always, 3 posts in one
[Sunday Snippet, Green Thumb Sunday, and Unconscious Mutterings]


My Sunday Snippet is a bit off-key than what I usually write about. It’s not necessarily a ‘fun, good’ post today. But, instead, it’s something I want to share. And I thought today is as good a day as any……

For a long time now I’ve reiterated to my family that sunscreen is false hope against the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. The reason I say ‘false hope’ is that the average human thinks they are protected from the harmful sunrays when they give use to the ‘magical’ protection. SPF–whatever number you choose.

But, sorry…this is not the case as studies now show. According to what I read recently. Sunscreen…not the protection we thought.

In fact cases of melanoma are on the rise?!! I think it’s because people assume by using sunscreen they can stay out in the hot sun and under the harmful UV rays longer. In other words, giving them false hope. Yes, I DO think it’s to blame, partly…I’m not saying it IS in fact the ONLY reason melanoma is on the rise; by using sunscreen…it’s just that those who use it…staying out too long thinking they’re protected!!! No matter if you HAVE lotion on…and reapplied often…it’s still not sensible to stay out in direct sun for hours. And I’ve seen people who are under the full sun all day long reapplying lotion, etc. The sunscreen is NOT protecting them from the harmful rays…it’s just keeping them from being burned…read the article [link above]. Do research.

I’ve also had in the back of my mind that the chemicals in the lotions are being baked into our skin and absorbed in our blood stream; in turn causing more harm than good. It’s like basting a turkey in the oven. What happens to the turkey when we baste it and roast it under the hot oven ‘rays’? Yep, it gets brown, crusty, and dried out. Just like our skin after being in the sun too long. Think about it. Use common sense.

Farmers and/or construction workers from long ago [and still today] were/are out sunrise to sunset, and rarely did/does skin cancer show up with them. Why? ‘Cause they kept/keep themselves covered with natural covering! Like overalls, hats and such. No chemicals. And a good use of common sense.

~…end Sunday Snippet
[comment here]


Join Here

This week, I’m doing Green Thumb Sunday a bit different. I want to share a blog that will leave you breathless with gardening—–

I was chosen out of many….

Anita had a giveaway, and she drew my name out of the many, many entrants. I will soon be a recipient of her new species of sweet pea seeds. And I can’t wait for them to arrive. Of course, if you’ve never been to her blog you’re missing some of the most beautiful photographs of her stupendous flower garden. Anita is an artist with her gardening…her blog entries will blow you away with such awe. She’s inspirational!! And trust me, her blog photos and garden are like you’re stepping into a “Home and Garden” showcase!


Thank you, Anita.
[sweet pea photo courtesy of Anita's Giveaway Blog entry -copyrighted- it's NOT my photo!!]

~…end Green Thumb Sunday
[comment here]


Play along with your subconscious; Sunday’s Word Association.
Join here.

I say … and you think … ?

1. Flicker :: candlelight
2. Styling :: gel
3. Episode :: one
4. Sexier :: huh? Who?
5. Studious :: scholarly
6. Mushroom :: cloud
7. 8 minutes :: to go
8. Bald :: hairless
9. Immunity :: diplomatic
10. Sectioned :: branched off [cordoned -as in police tape]

~…end Mutterings
[comment here]

{ July 20, 2008 @ 2:50 pm } · { CONTEST, GREEN Thumb, Mutterings, SUN. SNIPPET }
{ Leave a Comment }

As always, 3 posts in one
[Sunday Snippet, Green Thumb Sunday, and Unconscious Mutterings]


My Sunday Snippet is a bit off-key than what I usually write about. It’s not necessarily a ‘fun, good’ post today. But, instead, it’s something I want to share. And I thought today is as good a day as any……

For a long time now I’ve reiterated to my family that sunscreen is false hope against the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma. The reason I say ‘false hope’ is that the average human thinks they are protected from the harmful sunrays when they give use to the ‘magical’ protection. SPF–whatever number you choose.

But, sorry…this is not the case as studies now show. According to what I read recently. Sunscreen…not the protection we thought.

In fact cases of melanoma are on the rise?!! I think it’s because people assume by using sunscreen they can stay out in the hot sun and under the harmful UV rays longer. In other words, giving them false hope. Yes, I DO think it’s to blame, partly…I’m not saying it IS in fact the ONLY reason melanoma is on the rise; by using sunscreen…it’s just that those who use it…staying out too long thinking they’re protected!!! No matter if you HAVE lotion on…and reapplied often…it’s still not sensible to stay out in direct sun for hours. And I’ve seen people who are under the full sun all day long reapplying lotion, etc. The sunscreen is NOT protecting them from the harmful rays…it’s just keeping them from being burned…read the article [link above]. Do research.

I’ve also had in the back of my mind that the chemicals in the lotions are being baked into our skin and absorbed in our blood stream; in turn causing more harm than good. It’s like basting a turkey in the oven. What happens to the turkey when we baste it and roast it under the hot oven ‘rays’? Yep, it gets brown, crusty, and dried out. Just like our skin after being in the sun too long. Think about it. Use common sense.

Farmers and/or construction workers from long ago [and still today] were/are out sunrise to sunset, and rarely did/does skin cancer show up with them. Why? ‘Cause they kept/keep themselves covered with natural covering! Like overalls, hats and such. No chemicals. And a good use of common sense.

~…end Sunday Snippet
[comment here]


Join Here

This week, I’m doing Green Thumb Sunday a bit different. I want to share a blog that will leave you breathless with gardening—–

I was chosen out of many….

Anita had a giveaway, and she drew my name out of the many, many entrants. I will soon be a recipient of her new species of sweet pea seeds. And I can’t wait for them to arrive. Of course, if you’ve never been to her blog you’re missing some of the most beautiful photographs of her stupendous flower garden. Anita is an artist with her gardening…her blog entries will blow you away with such awe. She’s inspirational!! And trust me, her blog photos and garden are like you’re stepping into a “Home and Garden” showcase!


Thank you, Anita.
[sweet pea photo courtesy of Anita's Giveaway Blog entry -copyrighted- it's NOT my photo!!]

~…end Green Thumb Sunday
[comment here]


Play along with your subconscious; Sunday’s Word Association.
Join here.

I say … and you think … ?

1. Flicker :: candlelight
2. Styling :: gel
3. Episode :: one
4. Sexier :: huh? Who?
5. Studious :: scholarly
6. Mushroom :: cloud
7. 8 minutes :: to go
8. Bald :: hairless
9. Immunity :: diplomatic
10. Sectioned :: branched off [cordoned -as in police tape]

~…end Mutterings
[comment here]

{ February 11, 2007 @ 1:46 am } · { CONTEST, GENERAL }
{ Comments (2) }

Kathleen is holding A blog Writing Contest — Blarney!


The sea’s churning, twirling gave way to a pipeline that glistened green as a shamrock this cold March day. The fierce winds blew up waves as high as the cliffs of our homeland and crashed down with a force of a thousand tons of steel beams. The canonical sound was deafening, but I still lingered along the shore, watching; entranced.

As the tide ebbed, off in the distance from where I stood, I spotted some foreign object trapped in the crevices of the rocks jutting out of the sandy shore. I made an arduous effort trekking over closer, fighting against the winds, trying to keep my body upright all the time. There in the tidepool was a large bottle. It was of brown glass and mud encrusted. It was bobbing; thrusting it’s neck as if fighting to keep from drowning and being washed back into the foamy brine.

Reaching out and directing my gloved hand toward the vacuumed flask, and grabbed for it before it floated further from my touch. As I clutched its slender glass neck, a swell of wave came in and weted my glove and soaked through. I immediately felt the discomfort of the freezing late winter spray.

I leaned against a near boulder to steady myself. Since my glove was wet, I took advantage and swiped the slimy murk from the outer core of the bottle, and noticed a piece of rolled paper inside. I was compelled to pry the cork from the bottle. With all my might, the first few attempts were fruitless, but eventually the cork was freed. My one dried glove was in my mouth as I chewed it from my fingers. The vapors from my breath impregnated the air around me. I now tipped the embossed ale jug upside down and jiggled it with a force unknown to me…I was anxious to find what, if anything was written on the curled note.

As I shook and shook, my mind wandered back to when I was a young lass in Ireland and how I found the same on such a day as today. I married the man that had written a note and stuffed it inside a bottle; from years ago. My life was forever changed. And as the roll of thunderous waves hit the shore and the winds howled, I opened the note and found…….

Today would have been our 40th anniversary if he’d survived the war from many years past,

the note was from my long lost love!! Truly today was no longer cold and wintry. The winds subsided as I retreated to a love affair that was sweet, savory; like the morsel of nectar I once tasted in his kiss.

©2007
Hootin’ Anni
Do not steal~
Title graphic by Hootin’ Anni
Title: Nectar’s Kiss

[blog entry for contest, pre-dated February 10th, 2007 so it wouldn't interfere with regularly scheduled blog postings.]

Kathleen is holding A blog Writing Contest — Blar…

{ February 10, 2007 @ 8:46 pm } · { CONTEST, GENERAL }
{ Comments (2) }

Kathleen is holding A blog Writing Contest — Blarney!


The sea’s churning, twirling gave way to a pipeline that glistened green as a shamrock this cold March day. The fierce winds blew up waves as high as the cliffs of our homeland and crashed down with a force of a thousand tons of steel beams. The canonical sound was deafening, but I still lingered along the shore, watching; entranced.

As the tide ebbed, off in the distance from where I stood, I spotted some foreign object trapped in the crevices of the rocks jutting out of the sandy shore. I made an arduous effort trekking over closer, fighting against the winds, trying to keep my body upright all the time. There in the tidepool was a large bottle. It was of brown glass and mud encrusted. It was bobbing; thrusting it’s neck as if fighting to keep from drowning and being washed back into the foamy brine.

Reaching out and directing my gloved hand toward the vacuumed flask, and grabbed for it before it floated further from my touch. As I clutched its slender glass neck, a swell of wave came in and weted my glove and soaked through. I immediately felt the discomfort of the freezing late winter spray.

I leaned against a near boulder to steady myself. Since my glove was wet, I took advantage and swiped the slimy murk from the outer core of the bottle, and noticed a piece of rolled paper inside. I was compelled to pry the cork from the bottle. With all my might, the first few attempts were fruitless, but eventually the cork was freed. My one dried glove was in my mouth as I chewed it from my fingers. The vapors from my breath impregnated the air around me. I now tipped the embossed ale jug upside down and jiggled it with a force unknown to me…I was anxious to find what, if anything was written on the curled note.

As I shook and shook, my mind wandered back to when I was a young lass in Ireland and how I found the same on such a day as today. I married the man that had written a note and stuffed it inside a bottle; from years ago. My life was forever changed. And as the roll of thunderous waves hit the shore and the winds howled, I opened the note and found…….

Today would have been our 40th anniversary if he’d survived the war from many years past,

the note was from my long lost love!! Truly today was no longer cold and wintry. The winds subsided as I retreated to a love affair that was sweet, savory; like the morsel of nectar I once tasted in his kiss.

©2007
Hootin’ Anni
Do not steal~
Title graphic by Hootin’ Anni
Title: Nectar’s Kiss

[blog entry for contest, pre-dated February 10th, 2007 so it wouldn't interfere with regularly scheduled blog postings.]
…added content

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