Natural Cures

In a new and modern world, there are so many different types of medicine. However, are all of these medicines the best option when you or a loved one is feeling under the weather? Fortunately, you do not have to worry anymore. Possibly the most forgotten natural cure is honey. Honey can help a nighttime cough better than any cough syrup that you might get over the counter, and it only takes a spoonful. Honey is even been mentioned in the Bible 62 times! Most well-known perhaps is the verse, Proverbs 24:13 - "My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste..."

Although honey is not the only cure that you might find in your home, did you know that if your skin comes into contact with poison ivy or poison oak, you can just use liquid dish soap? However, if you put this off for more than two hours, you may still get that rash.

Hey, do you have a crusty eye-lids? Well, you might just be in luck. It turns out that if you rub a little baby shampoo on them, it reduces the irritation and crustiness of the eye-lid  Why is this? The baby shampoo will get rid of any bacteria or oil on the lid of your eye, plus it won't sting your eye. But be warned; do not use directly on your eye!

On occasions when you might experience motion sickness and nausea just try a little ginger! Who knew ginger was this useful? Even one gram of ginger taken an hour before surgery was shown to reduce the amount of nausea in a 24-hour period.

Cranberries, already delicious and flavorful, also help with bladder infections. It may not cure a bladder infection but experts say that they can prevent them. Unlike antibiotics, which kill bacteria, cranberries keep bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls.

So, before running to your local pharmacist for the answer, just take a look around outside and you'll find that much of what you need has been provided!

The Year Of The Hangman

 Recently I read The Year Of The Hangman by Gary Blackwood, this historical fiction by Blackwood takes historical events and makes you think of what would have happened if George Washington never was General, and the question of what would have happened if Colonies never gained independence from the British. He takes these questions and turns them into a very well written book with many twists and turns. Throughtout the book I watched as the main character Creighton takes the journey from his homeland of England to a foreign place at the time Florida. Once Creighton reaches Florida we learn that the great Benedict Arnold is awaiting him there along with many other historical characters including Benjamin Franklin. As we read further and further into the book we get a glimpse into Creightons mind and we see how his loyalty shifts from England to the Colonies. So, If you are  looking for good historical fiction, give the book, The Year Of The Hangman, a try. You might find yourself surprised at how much you enjoy it!

Orson Scott Card

After completing one of Orson Scott Cards most famous books, Enders Game, I found myself wanting to read more of Card's writings. So, when I found out that he had recently published two more books, Pathfinder and The Lost Gate, I couldn't wait to get my hands on them.

As I started to read The Lost Gate, I found myself immediately hooked and I couldn't put it down at all. Although I enjoyed the story, I found myself skimming some pages that didn't have to go into as much detail as they did, there was an interesting twist in the book that made it a worthwhile read. I think Orson Scott Card did a pretty good job overall in this recent novel.

When I finally got ahold of Pathfinder, it was a completely different story. There were times when I just didn't feel like reading it mostly because the story developed so slowly but as the story progressed I realized that without the slow start helped contribute to the setup of an exciting middle and conclusion. I think Card really accomplished what he set out to do. I also think he nailed what the reader wanted. After the first section, you just didn't want to put the book down.

So, in conclusion, this year was a good one for Card who put out some books that I think kids and adults alike, will want to read for years to come. So, even if you aren't a huge fan of science fiction type books I think that you will enjoy reading it.

SHIPWRECKED by Rhoda Blumberg

When a Japanese boy's father dies that child by law becomes the head of the family, This is where Manjiro's journey begins. Growing up Manjiro always watched his dad go to the docks and fish until one day his father did not return and they never found him now by law Manjiro was forced not only to become head of the family but also to become a fisherman.

After five years of child labor we learn that Manjiro wants to go to sea and go on adventures like the people he has heard about in stories from his poor village. When he became of age he applied for a job as a ship hand but in his first week him and his crew got shipwrecked and were stranded there for many month's, after being shipwrecked on a tiny island him and his new friends learn to survive.

After many months of little food and little water they think they see a ship in the distance as it came closer the captain William H. Whitfield signals to them and later rescues them. After getting settled they learn they cannot go back to Japan or face execution! So Manjiro and his friends travel to Hawaii where they eventually settle down.

But the sea still beckoned Manjiro until he could resist no longer and applied aboard another ship with a fair and kind captain. Many months into their voyage the captain grew to be a total lunatic and the crew mutinied chaining him up and showing him like the wild beast that he was.

This story really spoke to me I felt I could relate to Manjiro in so many ways. I thought the book was well written and includes a lot of history most kids never study in school. If a teacher is looking for a book to give to her class this one would rank right up there!

Groundhogs Day 2011

It has been many hours since Phil has fled,

Phil's wife hopes and prays he's not dead.

Wait, what is that way up yonder?

It's Phil and he's running from his shadow!

Home Schooling Versus Public Schooling

Okay as you all know there is a huge debate going on right now. Is Home Schooling better than Public Schooling and if it is why? Well in being a homeschooler myself I can sit here and give off a list of why homeschooling is so great but then that wouldn't be fair to the other side in this argument.Some advantedges of public schooling include the social aspect some parents think if they don't give their kids the social aspect in their lives they will turn out as the weirdys you find in your local neiborhood but im here to say they won't and although i don't spend as much time as i used to with my friends it doesn't mean i've completely lost out on the social aspect, for those parents who homeschool and think there kids are losing out on the social aspect I strongly reccomend you get your kid involed in sports it's a good way to make sure your son or daughter gets the social aspect they have been missing.

Mockingjay Review

In this thrilling follow up to Suzanne Collins' award winning story, Catching Fire, Katniss Everdeen finds herself in a place where the way of life is completely different. Follow her as she discovers new and exciting truths about people from her past. Although the story had much adventure and mystery I thought it  could have been more successful in making the story flow a little bit better, and that's why I found myself skimming more than just a few pages. But this book keeps you guessing from start to finish and will not disappoint even if your not a fan of this fantastic series.

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