Top 10 kid-friendly dogs

Always choose the breed, by its DISPOSITION, TEMPERAMENT, SIZE, AND ENERGY-LEVEL —–all of which should suit your family’s lifestyle.

(1) GOLDEN RETRIEVER :—–Not as big in size as the Labrador, it is a confident, smart, kind and loyal dog.  Neither aggressive nor timid, it is extremely patient —–perfect for kids.  It does need  lot of exercise, its LOVE OF PLAY makes this an easy task to achieve.

(2) LABRADOR RETRIEVER : —–One of the most popular dog-breeds in the U.S.A.  It is playful, patient, protective, loving and reliable. In fact, its sweet personality and intelligence is only matched by its beauty a perfect family pet.

(3) THE POODLE : —–It is often given curious haircuts by its owners.  The poodle is a smart and gentle dog.  It is also great for kids with allergies, as it sheds very little.  But it requires scheduled grooming. or its hair will get out of control.  It is a PROUD & ELEGANT DOG, and is both caring and loyal.  Seldom annoyed or bored, its good nature, friendly demeanour makes it an excellent partner for a child.

(4) IRISH SETTER : —–Known or its RED COAT, the Irish Setter is playful, energetic, loves being around people and plays well with children.  It needs lots of exercise and is a good match for energetic kids and active families.  A smart and trainable companion, it is specially perfect for people with a yard.  It will step up to a herding, dancing, flying discs sports, even search-and-rescue.  Don’t be surprised, if he herds the kids, other animals and even you to keep a SENSE OF ORDER in the house.

(5) THE VIZSLA : —–Because of its need for regular exercise, it is one of the best dog-breeds for active and energetic families with older kids.  It has a lively disposition, but a gentle manner, is loyal and affectionate, also obedient, confident and smart.  Best of all, the VIZSLA has very little ‘DOGGY-SMELL’ about it.

(6) THE NEWFOUNDLAND : —–Nicknamed NATURE’S BABY-SITTER, this breed loves children and is very protective over them.  Gentle, kind and patient, this breed as almost like the MOTHER TERESA of dogs.

(7) THE COLLIE :—–LASSIE made this dog-breed famous.  COLLIES are very gentle and predictable, easily trainable and rarely aggressive.  They get great with children and love to please their owners and they protect their family.  LASSIE, the world’s most famous dog, is a member of the COLLIE family, she is not a BORDER-COLLIE.  There are many types of Collies  —–BEARDED, SCOTCH or BORDER-COLLIE.

(8) THE BULL TERRIER : —–Branded as an aggressive breed.  It was actually bred as a companion dog  —friendly and loving towards adults and kids.  It has a high threshold of pain.

(9) THE BEAGLE : —–Originally kept as HUNTING-DOGS.  Fits well in homes with active kids, as they are sturdily-built and never too tired to play a game.  Smart, friendly, happy —usually gets along with other pets, too.  They do shed fairly heavily and require frequent brushing and bathing.

(10) THE BULL DOG : —–It has a sturdy build that is perfect for kids who like to rough-house.  A docile, friendly and loyal dog, it gets along well with other pets and dogs, too.  It is comfortable living in large house as well as in small apartments.

Go ahead and choose the dog meant for you and your family.

Health quotes

Here are a few HEALTH QUOTES for your perusal:—–

(1) A healthy attitude is CONTAGOUS but don’t wait to catch it from others.  BE A CARRIER. —-Tom Stoppard.

(2) To keep the body in good health is a duty…..otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. —–Buddha.

(3) A healthy body starts FROM THE INSIDE.—–Robert Urich.

(4) Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to PLAY IN, places to PRAY IN, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.—–John Muir.

(5) You know, all that really matters is that the PEOPLE YOU LOVE are HAPPY & HEALTHY.  Everything else is just SPRINKLERS on the SUNDAE.—–Paul Walker.

(6) The wish for healing, has always ben HALF OF HEALTH.—–Lucius Annaeus Seneca.

(7) Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.—–Hippocrates.

(8) The way you THINK, the way you BEHAVE, the way you EAT, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.—–Deepak Chopra.

(9) A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.—–Hippocrates.

(10) Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.—–Thomas Dekker.

(11) CHEERFULNESS is the BEST PROMOTER OF HEALTH, and is as friendly to the mind as to the body.—–Joseph Addison.

(12) My personal goals are to BE HAPPY, HEALTHY and to be SURROUNDED BY LOVED ONES.—–Kiana Tom.

(13) Your body hears everything your mind says.—–Naomi Judd.

(14) It takes more than just a good-looking body.  You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with.—–Epictetus.

(15) Rest when you’re weary.  Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit.  Then get back to work.—–Ralph Marston.

(16) Treasure the love you receive above all.  It will survive long after your good health has vanished

(17) Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health.—–Carl Jung.

(18) Give a man HEALTH and a COURSE TO STEER; he’ll never stop to trouble about whether he’s happy or not.—–George Bernard Shaw.

(19) Healthy laughter is a good way to JOG INTERNALLY without having to go outdoors.—–Norman Cousins.

(20) True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body—-NOURISHMENT & REFRESHMENT.—–William Penn.

(21) It is healthy to be sick sometimes.—–Henry David Thoreau.

(22) I have the body of an 18year old.  I KEEP IT IN THE FRIDGE.—–Spike Milligan.

(23) I believe that how you feel is very important to how you look—–THAT HEALTHY EQUALS BEAUTIFUL—–Victoria Principal.

(24) The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health o the mind.—–Gilbert K. Chesterton.

(25) I eat really healthy, and if I’m tired, I take a nap.—–Casper Van Dien.

(26) HEALTH is the greatest POSSESSION, CONTENTMENT is the greatest TREASURE.  CONFIDENCE is the greatest FRIEND.  NON-BEING is the greatest JOY.—–Lao Tzu.

(27) When WEALTH is LOST, NOTHING is lost; When HEALTH is LOST, SOMETHING is lost; when CHARACTER is LOST, ALL is lost.—-Billy Graham.

(28) TIME & HEALTH are precious ASSESTS that we don’t recognise and appreciate, until they have depleted.—–Denis Waitley.

(29) He who has HEALTH, has HOPE, and he who has HOPE has EVERYTHING.—–Thomas Carlyle.

(30) Be careful about reading HEALTH BOOKS.  You may die of a MISPRINT.—–Mark Twain

(31) GOOD HEALTH is not something we can buy.  However, it can be an extremely VALUABLE SAVINGS ACCOUNT—–Anne Wilson Schaef.

(32) We are all born with a UNIQUE GENETIC BLUEPRINT, which lays out the basic characteristics of our personality as well as our PHYSICAL HEALTH & APPEARANCE……And yet, we all know that LIFE EXPERIENCES DO CHANGE US.—–Joan D. Vinge..

Ten things Mexico does better than anywhere else

(1) SOAP OPERAS : —–Cold Marriages. Sweet Betrayal. It comes easily to characters in tele-series like top-rated “La Que La Vida Me Robo” (What life stole from me), which have viewers sighing “Dios Mio” in countries around the world.

(2) QUICK LUNCHES : —–Known as Vitamin T—tacos, tortas, tamales and tostadas —are part of everyday life. Mexico’s streets offer endless options for fast and delicious meals cooked with super-fresh ingredients.

(3) CELEBRATING DEATH : —–They turn remembrance of the departed into a thrilling fiesta. Mexico welcomes home its dead on November 1st, called the Day of the Dead. (4) TEQUILA :—–Don’t expect to impress Mexicans by knocking down MANLY SHOTS all night. Real Tequila is meant TO BE SIPPED & SAVOURED, like fine whisky, which the best Tequila can compete with.

(5) HANGOVER FOOD : —–Wake up, guzzle water, then inhale some CHILAQUILES, CARNITAS or TACOS, with plenty of revitalising grease and hot sauce, and you’ll be back in action by noon. OK, 1p.m., 2p.m. latest.

(6) CATHOLICISM :—–No one does Virgin Mary devotion like Mexicans, 84% of whom are Catholic. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint, is venerated at the Basilica of Guadalupe in an annual celebration.

(7) WRESTLING MASKS :—–Those hilarious / spooky masks aren’t just fun to look at, they’re a major part of the drama. Removing one from the opponent’s head is the greatest triumph in LUCHA.

(8) WHITE LIES :—–He just told her, he is on his way, and HE IS. Just as soon as the game is over. And he has a few beers with his buddies. And stops by his parent’s house and updates his Facebook page. And………….wait, what was he supposed to do again ?

(9) HORN SECTIONS :—–Most countries save their horns for special occasions. Mexico brings out the brass daily. Where else can you hear TUBAS laying down bass lines on the radio every hour of the week ?

(10) DOUBLE ENTENDRE :—–Not sure this biker in Mexico is sending ? Wait till he opens his mouth. Mexicans are such masters at DOUBLE ENTENDRE, there is annual competition to crown a National Champion.

God’s peace is everlasting

As we pass beneath the hills which have been shaken by the earthquake and torn by convulsion, we find that periods of perfect repose succeed those of destruction.  The pools of calm water lie clear beneath their fallen rocks, the water lilies gleam, and the reeds whisper among the shadows; the village rises again over the forgotten graves, and its Church tower, white through the storm twilight, proclaims a renewed appeal to His protection “in whose hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is His also”.——Ruskin.

God ploughed one day with an earthquake,

And drove His furrows deep!

The huddling plains upstarted,

The hills were all asleep !

But that is the mountains’ secret,

Age-hidden in their breast;

“God’s peace is everlasting”,

Are the dream-words of their rest.

He made them the haunts of beauty,

The home elect of His grace;

He spreads His mornings upon them,

His sunsets light their face.

His winds bring messages to them,

Wild storm-news from the main;

They sing it down the valleys,

In the love-song of the rain.

They are nurseries for young rivers,

Nests for His flying cloud,

Homesteads for new-born races,

Masterful, free and proud.

The people of tired cities

Come up to their shrines and pray;

God freshens again within them,

As He passes by all day.

And, lo, I have caught their secret !

The beauty deeper than all !

 This faith –that life’s hard moments,

When the jarring sorrow befalls

Are but God ploughing His mountains;

And those mountains yet shall be

The source of His grace and freshness

And His peace everlasting to me.

——–William C. Gannett.

Ken Follett

Kenneth Martin “KEN” Follett (5/6/1949) is a Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels.  He has sold more than 130 million copies of his works.  many of his books have reached the No.1 ranking on the new York Times’ best-seller list, including Fall of Giants (2010), The Key to Rebecca (1980), Lie Down with Lions (1986), The Eye of the Needle (1978), Triple (1979), Winter of the World (2012), Pillars of the Earth (1989) and its sequel —World without End, The Hammer of Eden (1998), The Hornet Flight (2002), Code to Zero(2000)—A Cold War Thriller, And The Third Twin (my favourite)…He has written 29 books in the last 35 years.

His CENTURY TRILOGY——–(1) FALL OF GIANTS(2010), followed the fates of 5 interrelated families —American, Russian, German, English and Welsh —as they moved through the world-shaking dramas of WW1, The Russian Revolution, and the Struggle for Women’s Suffrage.  Published, simultaneously, in 14 countries, it was internationally popular, and topped several best-seller lists.

(2) WINTER OF THE WORLD (2012) —picks up where the first book left off, as its five interrelated families enter a time of enormous SOCIAL, POLITICAL and ECONOMIC turmoil, beginning with the RISE of the THIRD REICH, through the SPANISH CIVIL WAR and the great dramas of WW2, to the explosion of the American and Soviet ATOM BOMBS and the beginning of the long COLD WAR. 

(3) The third novel —EDGE OF ETERNITY, which follows those families through the events of the last half of the Century, is due to be published in late 2014. 

THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE (1978) was made into a film, starring Donald Sutherland, and 6 of his novels have been made into TELEVISION MINI-SERIES : The Key To Rebecca, Lie Down With lions, On Wings Of Eagles, The Pillars Of The Earth, World Without End and The Third Twin.  The Pillars Of The Earth and World Without End have been screened in several languages in many countries.  ken Follett also had a CAMEO ROLE as the VALET in The Third Twin, and later as a MERCHANT in The Pillars Of The Earth.

He is active in numerous STEVENAGE (his home town) charities, and was a Governor of Roebuck Primary School for 10years, serving as the CHAIR of GOVERNORS for 4 of those years.   

The domino effect

The DOMINO EFFECT is a CHAIN REACTION, that occurs when a small change causes a similar change nearby, which then causes another similar change, and so on in LINEAR SEQUENCE.

The term is best known as a MECHANICAL EFFECT, and is used as an ANALOGY to a FALLING ROW OF DOMINOES.  It typically refers to a LINKED sequence of events, where the time between successive events is RELATIVELY SMALL.  It can be used LITERALLY (an observed series of actual collisions) or METAPHORICALLY (casual linkages within systems, such as GLOBAL FINANCE or POLITICS).

RELEVANT PHYSICAL THEORY : In CHAOS THEORY, the BUTTERFLY EFFECT is the sensitive dependency on initial conditions, in which a small change at one place in a deterministic NON-LINEAR SYSTEM, can result in large differences in a later state.  The name of the effect, coined by Edward Lorenz, is derived from the theoretical example of a hurricane’s formation being contingent or whether or not a distant BUTTERFLY had flapped its wings several weeks earlier.  The BUTTERFLY EFFECT is exhibited by very simple systems.  For example, a ball placed at the crest of a hill may roll into any surrounding valley depending on, among other things, slight differences in its initial position.  The BUTTERFLY EFFECT is a common TROPE in fiction, especially in scenarios involving TIME TRAVEL.  Additionally, works of fiction that involve points at which the storyline diverges during a seemingly minor event, resulting in a significantly different outcome than would have occurred without the divergence, are an example of the BUTTERFLY EFFECT.

THE DOMINO THEORY :  It existed from the 1950s to the 1980s.  It was promoted at times by the US Government and speculated that if one state in a region came under the influence of COMMUNISM, then the surrounding countries would follow in a DOMINO EFFECT.  The DOMINO THEORY was used by successive US Administrations, during the COLD WAR, to justify the need for American Intervention around the world.

The Oriental Hornet

The ORIENTAL HORNET, Vespa Orientalis, is a hornet which looks very similar to the European Hornet,  it should not be confused with the ASIAN GIANT HORNET (Vespa Mandarinia). 

It is commonly found in the sub-Mediterranean area, but can also be found in Madagascar, U.A.E. and India.  However, due to human introduction, its habitat is beginning to spread to South America up to Mexico.—–The female queen measures 25-35mm long, males and workers are smaller.  In males, the antennae have 13 segments, while female always have 12.

ISAIAH ( Israeli Space Agency Investigation About Hornets) was a project from Tel-Aviv University, initiated in 1984, to explore the effects of near-zero gravity on Orientals Hornets, their development and their nest-building instincts.  The experiment was funded by the Israeli Space Agency with the goal of discovering ways to prevent astronauts from suffering HEAACHES, NAUSEA & VOMITING during the missions.  The PAYLOAD, consisting of 230 Oriental Hornets, flight hardware and measuring instruments, was packed on to the SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR MISSION -STS-47 in 1992.

During the launch, 202 Hornets dies as a result of a malfunction in the water system, that caused an abnormal increase in humidity.  The surviving hornets lost their sense of direction, and unlike the CONTROL UNIT HORNETS, were unable to climb on the walls or stay in clusters.  Instead, they stayed motionless and apart from each other.  Roughly 3 to 4 days, upon returning to earth, the hornets started climbing on the walls and building a nest.  The surviving hornets lived for an average of 23 days instead of 43 days like the CONTROL HORNETS.

In 2010, a team of researchers from Israeli and British Universities, discovered that the YELLOW STRIPE in the Hornet’s abdomen is capable of harvesting the SUN’S LIGHT and CONVERTING IT INTO ENERGY.  The process is made possible by a pigment called XANTHOPTERN.  The ORIENTAL HORNET has built-in SOLAR CELLS that generate electricity from sunlight —-A 1st IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.  Pigments in the hornet’s YELLOW TISSUES trap light, while its BROWN TISSUES generate electricity.  This might explain, why the ORIENTAL HORNETS are more active in INTENSE SUNLIGHT, unlike most hornets.———-Wikipedia.

Cold war secrets

David John Moore Cornwall aka John Le Carre (19/10/1931) is a British author of espionage novels.  He used to work for M16 and M15 during the height of the COLD WAR. 

He served as 2nd Secretary in the British Embassy in Bonn and was eventually transferred to Hamburg as POLITICAL CONSUL.  He was recruited into the INTELLIGENCE SERVICES at the age of 17, in the University of Bern.  But he made it clear that the WESTERN INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES were not so ruthless as their Soviet Bloc Counterparts during the Cold War.  He had been offered a chance, in 1987, to dine with infamous Double Agent —-Kim Philby, who defected to Russia.  But, he refused to do so.

His 3rd novel, ‘THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD’ (1963) became an international best-seller.  THE TIMES ranked Le Carre 22nd on its list of ‘The 50 greatest British writers’ since 1945.  In 2011, he won the GOETHE MEDAL, a yearly prize given by the Goethe Institute.  In 2010, he donated his literary archive to the BODLEIAN LIBRARY, Oxford.  The Library hosted a public display of these to mark WORLD BOOK DAY in March 2011.

Jotted down, here, are a few of John Le Carre’s quotes.:———-

(1) Love is what you can still betray.  Betrayal can only happen if you love. 

(2) During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn’t easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity. 

(3) Until we have a better relationship between PRIVATE PERFORMANCE and the PUBLIC TRUTH, as was demonstrated with Watergate, we, as the public, are absolutely right to remain suspicious, contemptuous, even, of the secrecy and the misinformation, which is the digest of our news. 

(4) History keeps her secrets longer than most of us.  but she has one secret that I will reveal to you tonight in the greatest confidence.  Sometimes there are no winners at all.  And sometimes nobody needs to lose. 

(5) But I think the real tension lies in the relationship between, what you might call the PURSUER and his QUARRY, whether it’s the WRITER or the SPY. 

(6) A desk is a dangerous place, from which to view the world. 

(7) It’s part of a writer’s profession, as it’s part of a spy’s profession, to PREY ON THE COMMUNITY to which he is attached, to take away information —-OFTEN IN SECRET —and to translate that into intelligence for his master, whether it’s his READERSHIP or his SPY MASTERS.  And I think that both professions are perhaps RATHER LONELY. 

(8) A committee is an animal with FOUR BACK LEGS. 

(9) The monsters of our childhood do not fade away, neither are they wholly monstrous.  But neither, in my experience, do we ever reach a plane of detachment regarding our parents, however wise and old we may become.  To pretend otherwise –IS TO CHEAT. 

(10) The longing we have to communicate CLEANLY & DIRECTLY with people is always obstructed by qualifications and often with concern about how our messages will be received. 

(11) Once you’ve lived the INSIDE-OUT WORLD of ESPIONAGE, you never shed it.  It’s a MENTALITY, a DOUBLE STANDARD OF EXISTENCE. 

(12) I’m still making order out of chaos by REINVENTION. 

(13) I think that I’m in the same mood as ever, but in some ways ——MORE MATURE.  I guess you could say that, at 65, when you’ve seen the world shape as I have, there are only two things you can do —–LAUGH OR KILL YOURSELF. 

(14) The world of spying is MY GENRE.  My struggle is to DEMYSTIFY, to DE-ROMANTISISE the spook world., but at the same time harness it as a good story.

Legal briefs

(1) God moves in mysterious ways ————HE NEVER LEAVES ANY FINGERPRINTS. 

(2) Last night somebody drilled a hole in the fence surrounding a nudist camp.  POLICE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO IT. 

(3) A villain escaped from prison by helicopter yesterday.  police have set up road blocks, but so far, HAVE FAILED TO FIND HIM.

(4) What we need in today’s police force are EXPERTS & ALL-ROUNDERS.  The EXPERTS get to know MORE & MORE about  LESS & LESS, until at last they know EVERYTHING ABOUT NOTHING, and the ALL-ROUNDERS get to know LESS & LESS about MORE & MORE, until at last they know NOTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING. 

(5)  I read in the paper, the other day, that a man had been found drowned in a CESSPIT.  At the inquest, the verdict was SEWERCIDE. 

(6) Did you hear about the man who stole a calendar ?  He GOT TWELVE MONTHS. 

(7) They are now building BURGLAR-PROOF HOUSES.  They call them SURE LOCK HOMES. 

(8) There was a famous judge who had no fingers.  He was called JUSTICE THUMBS.

(9) Have you heard about the man who was put away for doing his CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EARLY ? The police found him in HARRODS AT 4 a.m. 

(10) You have heard about the TEN COMMANDMENTS.  Here is the 11th Commandment : THOU SHALT NOT GET FOUND OUT.  And the 12th Commandment is : IF FOUND OUT, THOU SHALT NOT GET CAUGHT.

Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway (21/7/1899 – 2/7/1961) was an American author and journalist.  His ECONOMIC and UNDERSTATED STYLE had a strong influence on 20th century fiction.  He produced most of his works between the mid-1920s and the mid-1950s, and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.

He published 7 novels, 6 short story collections and 2 non-fiction works.  Additional works, including 3 novels, 4 short story collections and 3 non-fiction works, were published posthumously.  he committed suicide in the summer of 1961.

Here are a few of Ernest Hemingway’s quotes :  (1) Courage is grace under pressure.

(2) The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to TRUST THEM.

(3) A man can be destroyed but NOT DEFEATED.

(4) The world breaks everyone, and afterward, SOME ARE STRONG AT THE BROKEN PLACES.

(5) An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk with his fools.

(6) I love sleep : My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know ?

(7) Never think that war, no matter how  necessary, nor how justified, IS NOT A CRIME.

(8) I like to listen.  I have learned a great deal from LISTENING CAREFULLY.  Most people never listen.

(9) Every man’s life ends the same way.  It is only the details of HOW HE LIVED and HOW HE DIED that distinguish one man from another.

(10) Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk.  That will teach you to KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

(11) There is nothing to writing.  All you do is SIT DOWN & BLEED.

(12) Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

(13) The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is INFLATION of the CURRENCY.  The second is WAR.  Both bring a temporary prosperity, both bring a prominent ruin.  But both are a REFUGE of POLITICAL and ECONOMIC OPPORTUNISTS.

(14) There is no friend AS LOYAL AS A BOOK.

(15) About MORALS, I know only that what is MORAL is what you FEEL GOOD AFTER and what is IMMORAL is what you FEEL BAD AFTER.

(16) When writing a novel, a writer should create living people; People not CHARACTERS.  A CHARACTER is a CARICATURE.

(17) I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.

(18) For a war to be just, 3 conditions are necessary :  PUBLIC AUTHORITY, JUST CAUSE and RIGHT MOTIVE.

(19) There is no rule of how to write.  Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it is like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.

(20) A SERIOUS writer is not to be confounded with a SOLEMN writer.  A SERIOUS writer may be a HAWK or a BUZZARD or even a POPINJAY, but a Solemn writer is always a BLOODY OWL.