DREAM CATCHER

The legend of "Dream Catcher" goes back to OJIBWA Nation. Well what is a "Dream Catcher?" I've seen them in different places and wondered about the story behind it. Here it is . Native Americans of the Great Plains believed that the air is filled with good and bad dreams. Historically dream catchers were made by tying sinew ( tendon) strands in a web around willow tree frame and they were hung in the "tepee" or lodge and on the child's bed. According to this legend, the good dreams pass through the center hole to the sleeping person. The bad dreams are trapped in the web, where they perish in the morning. The original dream catchers were intended to dry out or collapse as the child grew older. Today you can find all sizes with different ornamentation, but the circular shape remains the same.Now you know the history....

A VERY GOOD IDEA

A friend of ours stopped by the office today and mentioned that he quit his current profession and dedicated himself to protect children on the Internet from undesirable content to which they may be unwittingly exposed. His new company is called "My Internet Doorman. com" . What a great idea. The best part he explained was that his company monitors the Internet so that the parent doesn't have to. He has a family of his own and he is wary of predators. Something that is essential for the times. .. Anyone who has children should consider having this service.

FALL FLOWERS

I picked these flowers this morning from my garden and put them in a pitcher to welcome Autumn. Mums are great at this time of the year. I stuck some old dried flowers in between them. To dry the flowers, first I hang them up side down and wait until they are air dried and then I put them in a vase without water. When I am making arrangements I can place them between fresh flowers. Depending on its species they could last for a year or more without loosing their general characteristics.

SIDNEY POITIER

Sidney Poitier has been my all time favorite actor. I watched most of his movies with great pleasure. "To Sir With Love" came out when I was in high school, oh how I wished I had a teacher like him. I must have watched that movie five times. Another great movie was "Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner" . This one I've seen four times and each time I learned more about humanity and love as well as the discourse that some people bring to life. "The Defiant Ones" was another movie that he excelled in. Well what about "In the Heat of The Night"? Powerful movie. In "Cotton Comes to Harlem" he brought south to north with such power I cried most of the movie. In "Lilies of the Field" his charm engaged not only the nuns but me in the audience. There are so many other movies to remember, "A Raisin in the Sun""Edge of the City", "No Way Out". In all of his movies, what ever the theme might be, he was graceful and charming. He spoke in a very precise way, enunciated his words carefully. He had a boyish shyness about him that is very appealing. Recently I found out that now he is in his 80's and is a great grandfather. I guess years can pass quickly but greatness will always remain.

MUM'S THE WORD!!!!!

This is a Turtle Head flower. They take a long time to blossom but they are beautiful. Do you see the bee sapping the nectar? Bees love this flower.

FOLLOW THE BEET

BEET SOUP

1 Bunch of beets washed, peeled and cut-up
2 Large cloves of garlic halved
2 Tablespoons of red wine vinegar
2 1/2 Cups of water
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2-3 Sprigs of cilantro or parsley

Put all in a pot and boil approximately for 30 minutes or until beets soften. Working in batches, puree in a blender. Garnish with cilantro. Can be eaten warm or chilled.It is delicious and healthy. Enjoy.