My Content: Hubs, Answers, and Forums
2My Day As An Arson Suspect: How I Survived a Canyon Fire
We started our day at a local El Polo Loco in Big Bear, California. My Husband and I were looking forward to a restful, relaxing day of hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail. After lunch I had an urge to visit an area called Van Dusen Canyon, which...
1My Secret Weapon Against Migraines: How Meclizine Spared Me From Agonies..
Throughout my college days at Ohio State University (Columbus), I was plagued by migraines. Often the aura of flashing light would precede it, making my bedtime dreary. I always knew there was a chance I would awaken to a pounding, pulsating agony...
5Why Sexual Abuse Survivors Find It Difficult to Forget: New Studies on How the Brain Stores Traumatic Memories
"I have this friend," a lady once said to me, "Who was sexually abused as a little boy, and tied down. He is bi-polar, depressed, and can't even wear a seat belt when he drives. Why can't he just forget all that negative stuff and move on with his...
13I Live Next Door to a Registered Sex Offender: My Personal Trauma
The house seemed bright with promise. Yellow, airy with a private garden in back, surrounded by the explosive, joyous cries of Acorn Woodpeckers. Best of all, it had a safe feeling to it, as it was near a Christian Retreat Camp. Peace seemed to...
17A Photo Gallery of Autumn In Southern California
Autumn leaves in a rushing creek can suggest energy as well as color.. By photographing this vibrant leaf against a background of wet grey stones, I was able to acheive some interesting contrast.. I framed this shot of a deep blue creek with reddish...
17A Photo Gallery of Intrigue and Mystery: The World of the Window..
"Haunted Window..." "Keeping Secrets..." "Neglect..." "Abandonedment..." "Tainted..." "House of misfortune.." "Let me In..." "They watch and wait.." "Skull in a green house.." "Stage Stop House.." "shattered..." "Footsteps in an Empty Mansion.."...
18How I Lost Twelve Pounds By Eating Oatmeal for Dinner
I am over fifty and coping with weight problems that did not plague me when I was younger. Like many American women, I have tried the South Beach Diet, the No Carbs Diet, and a host of fat counting systems that would confuse someone at the IBM Think...
26Puzzling New Venom Strain Found In Southern California Rattlers
An alarming new strain of super-toxic venom has been reported in California. Ordinarily this neurotoxic venom has only been associated with the Mojave Green rattlesnake, a snake usually found in desert and high desert terrain. According to Richard...
16A Mysterious Lake By a Miner's Grave: Photo Journey, Big Bear, California
I hope you enjoy these photos; all but one were taken by yours truly. Big Bear, California has a rich history in the Mining Tradition: tales, fables, murders and mayhem typical of this period in time. The Holcombe Valley has a series of wonderful...
18How Families React When Abuse Survivors Tell The Terrible Truth
When the actress Mackenzie Phillips published her amazing book, High on Arrival, her family closed ranks behind her offender. Calling her everything from a "drug-crazed" addict to a self-serving liar, Ms. Phillips was left alone in a landscape of...
25The Heartache of Alopecia: One Teenager's Battle Against Sudden Baldness
Kayla Martell(Miss Delaware, Miss American contender) with members of a local Alopecia Chapter. She is an amazing inspiration! Kayla Martell with and without her lovely custom wig. Always beautiful! How it usually presents: coin shaped pattern...
21The Nightmare of Zetia: Side Effects and Damage Your Doctor May not Warn You About
Fish Oil capsules are a natural alternative when combined with a fat-reduced diet. Flax seed oil is also highly recommended. A bowl of oatmeal daily in place of a high-fat meal, is also a great way to lower cholesterol. Â Â Â Â My personal...
18Lost Children of the Titanic: Michael and Edmond Navratil
At approximately 11:40 pm, on April 14, 1912, Mr. Navratil placed his sons in the last remaining life boat leaving the Titanic. Their names were Michael, age 4, and Edmond, who was only 2. Michael remembers his father expressing his love for them...
54An Ancient Chinese Sex Scandal: Qin, the First Emperor
In 1974 a farmer in Western China uncovered what he felt to be a ghost: a clay figure of an Qin Warrior. Luckily, Archaeologists stepped in and with careful, precise work, unveiled an entire city beneath the earth. It was like no other discovery in...
9Sexual Harassment In a Military Academy Highschool
 When Carly Morasch entered her Senior year at Leonardtown Junior Naval Academy in Maryland, she did not sign up for sexual abuse. She received it, anyway, in doses far and beyond what any adult could endure, let alone a 17 year-old girl. The...
18To Kill a King: The Sad Fate of Charles I of Britain
During the time of Stuart England and the British Civil Wars, a sad fate awaited their King, Charles I. Due to the intense desire of many nobelmen to restrict or abolish the Monarchy, they grouped together to try King Charles for Treason. On January...
14The Northern Flicker Bird: Creator of Homes for Other Animals
IIf while hiking, you disturb a ground-feeding woodpecker that vanishes in a flurry of auburn wings, you have met a Northern Flicker. Unlike other Woodpeckers, the Flicker primarily feeds on insects , using its powerful beak to stir up spiders,...
8A Heroine Of the Holocaust: Irena Sendler
During the horrific days of the Holocaust, a woman by the name of Irena Sendler did something amazing. While millions of Jews--including children--were routinely taken away to death camps, Ms. Sendler risked her own life to hide them. As early as...
165Childhood Sexual Abuse Causes Physical Brain Damage: An Alarming New Study
The hippocampus as shown in this Harvard Medical School diagram. The brain cannot process stress properly if it has been damaged. Photo courtesy of US Army. Repressed, eerie childhood secrets can only add to the survivor's sense of shame and...
9Cherokees in Georgia, the Rose and the Trail of Tears
There is a certain bent in some families to disregard and discredit one's ethnic roots. I call this the "Indian in the Cupboard" syndrome. My Great-Grandmother, Emma Sullivan was given Cherokee Papers to fill out, according to family history. She...
10The African Gaboon Viper: Longest Fangs On The Planet
This is a beautiful snake, with impressive coloration. it does NOT do well in captivity and should be left to the wilds. Note the shape of the head. Sample bite from a Gaboon Viper. If someone asked you what snake possesses the longest fangs in the...
8The Mojave Green Rattlesnake: a Neurotoxic Venom
Snakes stay in the shade on hot days. This Mojave Green appears to be eating a rodent of some sort. Note olive tint. This one is brownish-beige-olive. Joshua Tree Wallpaper. Many Mojave Greens are sighted here. Courtesy of The Far Side by Gary...
7The Mysterious Night Snake
This Mexican Night Snake has very dark coloration as you can see. The Night Snake is a non-poisonous reptile which lives in the hot, dry Western States, Mexico, and in British Columbia, Canada. It can grow up to 20 inches in length(The California...
9The San Diego Gopher Snake: a Photo Study
Note the lovely auburn-brown coloration. They are easily tamed and make docile pets. The snake we met on Mother's Day looked similar to this San Diego Gopher Snake. Don't be afraid or intimidated..it isn't a rattler! This is a an Diego Gopher snake...
8Sedona's Castle and the Mystery of the Anasazi
The Sign at Montezuma's Castle, Sedona: a brief history/photo courtesy of C. Cartwright. The Castle itself/all Sedona photos courtesy of C. Cartwright. Many believe these were constructed by the ancient ANASAZI between 500 and 700 AD. This location...
12An Ancient Crime Scandal: Who Killed Cleopatra's Sister?
For those of you who find Egyptian Politics fascinating, the story of Arsinoe will be especially intriguing, When the Father of Cleopatra died, it left three siblings competing for the throne. Many realize that her brother Ptolemy was poisoned--but...
7A Baby Southern Pacific Rattler: Original Photos From Lake Silverwood, California
This is a juvenile (Baby) Southern Pacific Rattler. It measured about 11" and was very docile. I nearly stepped on it while I was hiking on April 26, 2010. It was so still I feared it was dead..but then it wiggled into a very good coil and rattle...
4The Amazing Fish-Owl: Discovered by Thomas Blakiston
The British Explorer and Businessman, Thomas Blakiston discovered a rare type of Owl while on his journeys. This Fish Owl, bubo blakistoni, was sighted in Japan, China and Russia, fishing in the manner associated with Eagles. It was first christened...
21The Intriguing Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula
My Mexican Red Knee, Scarlett, lived for 18 years in her aquarium. This is the last photo I took of her before she passed away. When fully alert, this is how she looked. Photo courtesy of Mahal.com The clay burrow where Scarlett hibernated and...
2The Bravery and Heartbreak of Tamar Hodel: Was Her Father the Black Dahlia Killer?
Tamar Hodel is the daughter of Dr. George Hodel, a major suspect in the horrific torture/murder of Elizabeth Short {"Black Dahlia"}. The Hodels lived in a Hollywood Home, designed to look like an Mayan Temple, with hidden passageways and secret...
17No More Walks Along The Wharf: I'm Allergic To Fish
I adore salmon. In my thirties I developed a host of annoying symptoms after eating it: my face would burn and flush--my throat would swell. Due to my Adrenal Gland problems and general allergy-overload, fish, too, became something I was overly...
11The Serial Killer of the Caribbean: A True Crime Story
In the 1760's a Scottish Doctor named Lewis Hutchinson moved to the Caribbean Island of St. Ann. In what is now known as the Pedro District, Hutchinson built a small castle on a wild and lonely hill. The castle was said to be an attempt to recreate...
15Quit Paying for Expensive FACE CREAMS: Make Your Own!
I frequently get compliments on my skin, which is rather smooth and soft-looking for my well over forty age. I have wrinkles, crow's feet and dry skin like most women in my age bracket.I have found that focusing on keep the skin very soft helps to...
30The Agony of Endometriosis: When Menstrual Cramps Become Unbearable
Life is too short and precious to be lived in constant pain. I lived in dread and fear of my monthly periods, knowing that disabling pain and horrific flows awaited me. Most women are wonderfully tolerant of their monthly menses. We become used to...
8The Magic of Story Starters: Getting Your Kids to Write!
a typical "Story Starter" illustrated with an alluring photo from a magazine. The sentence is mine--the young author will complete the story in his or her own handwriting. We are all familiar with the groan, "What Will I Write About?" or the blank...
12How to Fight Back Against Stalking
After my divorce over twenty years ago, I became the target of a stalker. Alone and vulnerable, I made the fatal mistake of dating someone unstable. A host of psychiatric issues sprang up, including the tell-tale signs of over-possessiveness and...
6Lessons To Learn From the Lindsay Lavoie Kidnapping Case
Lindsay was stalked and kidnapped by a man she met on the internet. In 2002 Lindsay Lavoie met an internet predator who called himself "Kon." She was barely into her teens and he was 35. After exchanging messages and emails, Lindsay became convinced...
10Does Your Child Have a Learning Disability?
It is difficult to blossom in RSP without one on one help.. If your child has been diagnosed with a SLD (Single Learning Disability) chances are he or she will be placed in a Resource Specialist Program. The RSP Teacher will test your child to...
2PROZAC for Cats: Is Your Cat too Aggressive?
Not all cats are as relaxed and affable as this one. Could this black cat secretly be on...Prozac? Hmmmmm... Â Â Â Â Â Is your cat relaxed and happy? Apparently the sophistication of the times has also hit Feline Land, as some Vets are now...
12Train Watching In the Rugged Cajon Pass of California
BNSF engine..the tracks were sizzling as it made its way down the Cajon Pass. Some of the roads here require a sports utility vehicle. Rugged terrain and amazing views await you. This is a memorial to an Engineer who lost his life in a...
