EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!Welcome to the APRIL edition of the Poetrybox.com E-zine requested by, created by and created for the visitors and members of our community here at Poetrybox.com. In these e-zines, you will find articles on different topics, and "Ask Auntie" column to who you may write questions about life to, Herbal Medicine and about anything else you could possibly ask for. Speaking of, if you would like to see something in our upcoming issues, write us at cio@poetrybox.com and I will see that we do it for you, if at all possible. Contributors Thomas Powe - Editor Gaynor Morgan - Columnist Joyce Hale - Columnist Stephen Coyle - Layout & Design Robert Burns - Guest Columnist  Welcome to the Third edition of the Poetrybox.com e-zine. Many articles have been changing around, but this is all due to your suggestions and ideas. Hey, it wouldn't be a Poetrybox.com venture if it wasn't changing due to member input. We have added a new feature to Poetrybox.com. I call it the AOL feature. Now, wherever a poem displays, you will see a button that will provide you the author's AOL Screen Name if they have one. About a month or so ago, we all decided that the AOL Instant Messenger program would be easier to use than our chat rooms. Yes, you've probably noticed that it is hard to catch people in there. So, now we are using AOL Instant Messenger, which can be downloaded for free by clicking here. Just sign up, login to Poetrybox.com, edit your membership profile and type in your AOL Screen Name. That's all there is to it. We would love to create the largest Poetry Community on the web and being able to talk to each other, is a pretty important aspect. :-) That's all for now. Be on the lookout for some new member books being published and available soon.   LEANNE You were taken from us, Way before your time. The beauty of your spirit, More precious than words of rhyme. I remember this of you dear one, Your smile from ear to ear. Your running jumping hugs. Your cheek kissed joy and cheer. The pats you placed upon my back, The whispers in my ear. The times you grabbed me by the hand, And said "come over here!" You'd point down at a little bug, And laugh when it would move. You'd pick it up so tenderly, And treat it with such love. I never met a man or beast, Who had so much to share. Who ever left your presence, Feeling that you did not care. You always called me Santa, For I was a little plump. But you did it with affection, And I can't thank you enough. For you made me feel important, As you did with all you met. You're an angel that I swear, I never shall forget. Someday on High we'll join you. And I hope you take my hand. And show me sights and wonders, That you now do understand! Dedicated To Leanne Rowan By: Robert Edgar Burns If you are interested in becoming a guest colomnist, write me at cio@poetrybox.com and we will include you in our upcoming issues.  We are always trying to say ahead of topics for our readers, and yet again we've done it. Starting next month we are featuring weddings. Do you have any funny or disaster stories to tell? Have you got any wedding photos? Or maybe you would like to send us a photo of your great grandparent's wedding. Whatever you have we would love to hear from you. So go ahead let your big day be a feature in the breeziest E-zine there is. Email your pictures and comments to cio@poetrybox.com.  Mary Elizabeth Rumsey has joined the ezine team and will be writing on a variety of general topics. Some funny, some editorial, some life experiences. We at the ezine and Poetrybox.com are sure you will enjoy her column as much as the other columns you are used to reading. |
 A problem shared is a problem halved. Write to Auntie at askauntie@poetrybox.com to see if I can alleviate those worries. Unfortunately Auntie cannot answer any medical questions; these should always be discussed with your physician. All letters are treated with the utmost confidence. I will try to answer all mail as soon as possible; this may take time as all letters are read. If you do not wish your letter to be selected for the page please sign anon. Dear Auntie, I have relatives visiting next month and I know they love homemade mayonnaise. The trouble is every time I make, or attempt to make, it curdles. What am I doing wrong? Please help, as I know they would really appreciate me making the effort. Yours in panic, Sarah Dear Sarah, Mayonnaise is one of those temperamental sauces to make, It has a mind of it's own. Firstly if it curdles you are probably doing one of two things wrong: 1. Either you are adding too much oil at a time 2. You have over beaten the eggs. If the mixture has curdled : Put a fresh egg yolk into a basin. Gradually whisk the curdled mixture on to this and it will thicken. REMEMBER: Always add the oil little by little and really mix well before adding more oil. Can I suggest a little secret of mine, that makes mayo that little bit more interesting? Try adding a teaspoon of tomato ketchup and a tea spoon of whiskey to the mayonnaise. You'll be surprised! Dear Auntie, I have just found out my boyfriend has slept with my best friend, we are due to get married in May, what should I do? Yours, Very Confused. Dear Very Confused, I am presuming that you have found out the facts and this is certain, as many pre-wedding jitters happen, and rumors can start to fly. If you are absolutely certain of the facts then: You have been betrayed by the man you love and by your best friend all at once, the thing you have to ask yourself is, can you ever forgive and trust these people again. I would think very carefully about marrying this man, this is for the rest of your life. It may be heart breaking now but how would you feel if you had already been married. Bring the both of them together and the 3 of you have to talk this through, only then will you be able to decide if this really is the right man for you. If he can do this to someone as close as your best friend, who else could there be. Be strong and take control of the situation, after all you aren't the one in the wrong. My best to you! Auntie   Bahrain Fact File Time difference + 3 GMT Geographical situation: Middle East. An island in the Persian Gulf Neighboring countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar Currency: Bahrain Dinar (Dinars/ notes and fils/coins) 1000fils = 1 Bahrain Dinar $1 US = 373fils Official languages spoken:Arabic Other languages: English, Farsi, Urdu Climate:Extremely hot in the summer (June July and August) with temperatures rising to about 40/43°+C, humidity can raise the temperature. Mild and pleasant winters from November to March the temperatures are between 10° and 21°C. Around about April it can rain very heavy and due to the drainage systems, the drains get blocked and overflow, so take your wellies. Best time to visit Between November and February Capital city. Manama Airport: Bahrain International Airport – Situated in Al Muharraq For the full story, click here!   Have you seen our latest published book? Please purchase a copy today and support your local poets. Who knows, when you are published, others will also return the favor. Click here to purchase a copy today! |
WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT OR TONE UP??There are many possible reasons for carrying more weight than you would desire besides eating too much, or eating the wrong foods, or not exercising enough or at all. You may want to have your thyroid checked for one thing. Hypothyroidism causes depression and low body metabolism, among many other things. One's metabolism also slows down as we mature (translate that as *age*1) Determine to set yourself a regular exercise program. It does not have to be strenuous...regular helps more. It is better to alternate exercises instead of doing the same ones three to four times/week. Strength exercises every other day, two to four days/week will tone your muscles; and alternate with stretch, yoga.... some kind of exercises that are not strength. Try to work anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes a few times/week. Every little bit of activity helps. Walk, walk, walk... it doesn't have to be fast, strolling helps. It doesn't have to be long....five minutes a couple of times a day helps. 2) Try to eat more healthy. You need fats, but don't overeat them. Try to eat red meat only once or twice/month, and then lean red meat. Replace your meat with fowl and seafood. Eat lots of beans, dark green veggies. Always eat breakfast - non-sugar cereal if possible, oatmeal, eggs....your body needs to break its overnight fast. Instead of buying white bread, purchase wheat, oatmeal, high grain breads. Eat fruit regularly. Blueberries are wonderful for many reasons, but so are other fruits. Each substitution you make like that is one more step toward more healthy living. There ARE no bad foods - there is merely eating TOO MUCH of some foods and TOO LITTLE of others. 3) Relax! Relaxation and meditation is not a luxury...it is a necessity. A BALANCED life style is what you are seeking. 4) As for natural foods and/or herbs which can help you lose weight, by helping to break down fat tissue, or normalizing elimination, detoxification and circulation, the following is worth looking into: kelp, ginger, rhubarb, fennel seed, licorice root, mustard seed.......these were all taken from a page on weight loss in The Way of Herbs, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D. Personal note: I've always thought of coffee drinkers as *high-power,* energetic people; and tea drinkers as people who are more relaxed and take it easy. I know this is not necessarily true, but I DO think it has its points. I am always on the go, but when I make a cup of herbal tea with honey, it seems to make me stop and smell the roses!! (:D NOTE: This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR; AND ALWAYS READ LABELS AND DIRECTIONS FULLY AND CAREFULLY.  Surely everyone either loves to shoot photos of nature and its creatures, or look at them!!! Well, here's your chance to do both! Send in your photos of nature - sunrise, sunset, critters, birds, mountains, flora and fauna......and we'll give them a showcase. Be sure to give your name for credits, and if you want to do so - a title. We would appreciate knowing the location, or name of whatever you are sending, if you know them. Please send only photographs taken by you.  Chickadee in our backyard  Goldfinch and housefinch on bag in our backyard.  "Mirror, mirror at my feet..." Bluejay at a birdbath in our backyard. This months photos taken by Joyce Hale Note: All photos in this newsletter are owned by the listed photographer, and may not be copied or used without permission of that person, and crediting them. If you wish to copy or use any photos, please contact us at cio@poetrybox.com and we will be glad to put you in contact with the photographer. This newsletter is associated only with Poetrybox.com. |