Divine Intervention

A few months ago, by accident from a book* I read, I learned of another thirteen-century Franciscan monk. It was suggested that praying to Saint Anthony can help us find lost items.

Incidentally, that book is about how a distraught family found their lost puppy in a remote wooded area. During the searches for its little dog, the family’s ordeal in losing a pet became a community’s challenge. Total strangers offered their unconditional assistance to find the reddish-color dog. A few of the good people whom the family met on scouring the area where their strayed pup was last seen asked the family pray to Saint Anthony. And the story of finding Huck did end well to everyone’s satisfaction.

Not long after I read of Saint Anthony in Huck, I did put what I learned from that book to good use when I misplaced my personal items. I resorted to Saint Anthony on many occasions when I was not able to locate keys, eyeglasses and some other trivial personal articles. And soon after my plead for the patron saint's divine intervention, the lost items reappeared.

The other day at the mall, before heading home, I discovered I had left my favorite jacket behind in the mall. After I exhausted the logic that helped me trace my whereabouts in the busy mall, I remembered to ask Saint Anthony for help. Eureka! By the time I made the beeline the second time to the mall’s Lost and Found department, a beige-color jacket was on the counter there waiting to be returned to its rightful owner. - Ayee

*Janet Elder, Huck, 2010

Mental Fatigue (II)

Imagine how an average person would fare at his work place if he has not had sufficient sleep to rejuvenate himself after a day’s hard work.

According to Bloomberg News, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is making changes in the airline pilots’ work schedules. These changes will make the pilots work less and rest more between flights. Aiming at improving public safety, after the changes are implemented, the airline pilots must have a 10-hour rest period before they are allowed to taking on their next flying assignment. These amendments are to ensure the professionals in the cockpit of a jetliner have at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep before taking command of their next flight.

I remember in April this year many air-controllers were found snoozing over their control module. But the sky above us does appear to be friendlier after the government stepped in and amended the air-controllers’ inhumane work schedule. Even though the benefits of such changes are hard to quantify, I am sure the FAA’s changes in pilots’ future working condition will have the same positive effect as what the government had done to the air-controllers’ in the past. - Ayee

Homes on Wheels (ll)

May be it is becuase the Magic Kingdom is nearby, for the people in Seminole County, Florida, Christmas has come early this year.

Voluntary aids from private citizens to the homeless in Florida brought hope and comfort to many wayward citizens there. Now the parents whom Scott Pelley interviewed in his previous reports on 60 Minutes are no longer unemployed. Their families, including the one lived in a yellow truck, are off the street and have secured living space they can call home. And that little girl who with her two dogs and a cat used to live in her family sedan will also have a real roof under which she can hang Christmas tinsels this year.

Who said there is no Santa Claus? - Ayee

School Uniform

Seeing a teenage girl in a pair of tights in public is no longer a big deal. But what unusual about what I saw on a chilly day are the file of young high school boys cheering a few feet behind the girl in leg-huggers and her cohorts. I am sure the girls in front heard the jeering from these boisterous fellows behind them loud and clear. The tights this girl wore that day were definitely not the normal attires anyone would wear to school.

Perhaps, it is a high time we bring uniform back to all schools.

I remember the days when school uniform was debated in earnest. Unfortunately, freedom of expression and extra clothing costs had tramped over the good senses why uniform is still in vogue in some schools.

The scene of that girl in tights reminds me of the times when all school kids were required to wear uniform to school. They were the times when children did not have to express themselves through the type of clothes they wore.

We have all heard of traditional schools. Wearing school uniform is one of the many rules such schools require of their impressionable pupils. While many kids in schools where students can dress up as they please have floundered, more of their counterparts in traditional schools are flourishing with good behaviors, good grades and bright futures. These kids have certainly expressed themselves well under the plain uniform they proudly wear.

On the cost side of the debates, in these days and ages school uniforms are bargains when we compare the price of a set of basic uniforms to the cost of a pair of specially labeled jeans. Today, young people latch their fashion choices on the whims of their favorite pop star. And we all know how fickle some pop stars are.

It may be a far-fetched notion. I have also thought of having the kids worn uniform to school may lessen bullying in school. Uniform does give us a feeling of affiliation and belonging. This connection may inspire empathy in all of us. Wearing uniform to school can also eliminate the conflicts among kids who have and the kids who have not.

This is why I think all publicly funded grade and high schools should require their students wear the school’s unique uniform to school. - Ayee

Homes on Wheels

We all know homelessness is not a new problem in America. In the past, the homeless were mostly unemployed single persons. But today’s wayward population consists of many working people who, many of them, are also victims of the housing bubble in America. The country’s working poor toil on their job during the day and slumber in their family car by the night. It is no accident that many children have also become members of this displaced group.

Attributable to the fallouts of the construction boom in central Florida, now one-third of homeless Americans are in Seminole County, Florida. Nine months ago, Scott Pelley of the 60 Minutes shared with us that in Orlando, Florida, many families, who lost their homes through foreclosure, lived either in a one-room motel or the family car. School buses had to reroute. So they could also pick up the kids who no longer lived in their parents’ spacious house in a quite cul-de-sac.

According to Mr. Pelley, in response to his previous report on the plights of the homeless in Florida, generous financial supports for the devastated countrymen in the sunshine state were overwhelming. Nearly $4 million in private donation had since poured into the region. Now through social agencies, many families in Seminole County will soon be moving their four-wheelers from public parking lots to permanent living quarters.

We have all heard of a saying that God helps the people who help themselves.

Last Sunday, on 60 Minuites Mr. Pelley recounted his second visit to the homeless in Florida. This time, the CBS anchor found that by being creative, a few resilent Floridians did manage to receive aids and to secure shelters for the families. In one instance, a family bartered their painting skills for accommodation. In another, a family of three settled down in a med-size u-haul like truck. Last but not lest, a father of three has since secured a gainful employment. - Ayee

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate . . .

Recently, a city-run animal shelter had to put down its entire cat population but one. The untimely death of these well-cared for kitties had sure made me question the effectiveness of the yearly vaccination shots to dogs and cats.

It was reported in the local papers that cats in the shelter were infected with a deadly strain of cat flu viruses. Even though all of them had their annual boosters including the vaccine for calicivirus, one died of the infectious disease. The shelter had to put down the other 25 to contain the cat flu epidemic.

In this case, it looks like the annual calicivirus vaccine had failed to help this group of infected cats. - Ayee

Another one bites the dust.

Not long after the City of Harrisbury’s bankruptcy in Pennsylvania, now there is another local government in America seeking protection from its creditors.

Finally, after many years of wrangling, Jefferson County of the State of Alabama is now officially bankrupted. Last week, the County filed the largest bankruptcy ever in America by a municipal government. This filing involved a bond issue of $3.1 billion that is more than twice the amount of which Orange Country of California had filed in the 90's.

The proceeds from the bond sale were spent on a new sewerage system. But borrowed money to finance expensive drain pipes were not the only liabilities that came with a variable rate bond issue. The County also got itself into the muddy water by entering an interest rate swap deal. The intention to protect itself from the fluctuation of borrowing costs on a large bond issue was a prudent one. But the outcome of the bet on interest rates had not been favorable to the County. In addition, there were many hikes on the County's sewerage rate in the past. Apparently, the extra revenue from the higher charges could not help the County's finances either.

Now while the courts in Alabama mete out measures to put the Jefferson County’s treasury in order, 750,000 County residents will be on the hook of paying more and more their good money to flush their toilets in the future.

With the way the economy is now in America, I do wonder which government or local district will be the next one in such an unenvious position. - Ayee

A Beloved Curmudgeon

Now we have all heard that the CBS’s long time reporter, Andy Rooney, had passed away four weeks after he retired from 60 minutes. We all know that Mr. Rooney closed the popular weekly news program with “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney.” Occasionally, his candid comments on the show did get him in the hot water. Sometimes he did sound like a grumpy person who complained a lot. He could not understand why anyone would want his autograph either. He also did not cherish the idea of being bothered when out enjoying a meal at the restaurant. But most of his pet-peeves he shared on the air was insightful and thought provoking. Evidently, on the amount of letters he received from the veiwers, he did well to get the public’s attention to some ridiculous and wasteful things we do.

Five Sundays ago, he announced his retirement from 60 Minutes in an interview with Morley Safer. He told his long time friend and colleague how appreciative he was of the good life he lived and the many good friends he made. He loved his job at CBS. If he was given the opportunity, he would like to be that lovable curmudgeon all over again.

In his last “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney,” appearance, it looked like this 92-year-old with bushy eye brows had a complete make-over. In a dark suit, Mr. Rooney looked wonderfully well and serene. And there were no rants in his gracious last words either!

Andy Rooney must have lived his life right. - Ayee

Occupy Wall Street

The 99% of our population does have a point. Today the rich are getting richer and the poor become poorer.

But I do not think capitalism was the culprit that put many of us out of works. It was the greed, corruption and easy money that made us lose our jobs, homes and hard earned savings.

Wall Street used to be a place where capital was raised to invest in business that creates jobs. Instead of creating more jobs, the thousands of business mergers and acquisitions that are taking place in the business world now have actually cause many jobs to disappear. In addition, thanks to the government’s low interest rate policy to combat inflation, we speculate on many convoluted financial products not many of us can understand. Even though it is already an old story, it is totally unthinkable to me that many bankers who got us into these financial mess still receiving bonuses.

In the meantime, nearly four years from the 2008 financial meltdown, it remains a challenge for many job seekers in their quest for a gainful employment. While there are millions of able and willing bodies between jobs, there are few privileged ones who are multi-jobbers. In the past we got hired on merits. Today, the mantra in one’s career is networking. We need to know the right people. - Ayee

May you all rest in peace.

In these days and ages, disturbing events became a way of life.

A few weeks ago, a backyard zoo keeper committed suicide on his farm in Zanesville, Ohio.

It appears the deceased fancied wildcats, particularly the exotic ones. At the time of his death, there were 56 wild animals, 18 of them belong to an endangerd species, were kept on the farm. Since there are no laws in the State of Ohio ban ownership of exotic pets, this lush and seemingly peaceful pasture became homes to Bengal tigers, lions, leopards, both black and grizzly bears and monkeys.

For whatever the reason that prompted this one of a kind cat fancier to release these foreign animals before he shot and killed himself to unfamiliar grounds, the consequence of letting unpredictable animals, wild or tamed, loose into populated area is not hard to predict. But it is difficult to understand why anyone would put these innocent animals at great risks. Now fifty of these beautiful creatures met their untimely death. One monkey is still at large. And only five of the fifty-six are in the care of a local zoo.

Unfortunately, no one would ever know if the horrific outcome of this preventable tragedy will lessen our desires of owning a wild animal as a pet. While more government interventions on protecting animals, both local and not local ones, may hinder this cruel and objectionable incident to repeat, we, the people, holders of the highest rung on the evolution ladder, must think of the pain and suffering these wild creatures have to endure when they are being uprooted from their native habitat.

Perhaps to love them is to leave them at where they are. - Ayee

Cost cutting is the key.

It looks like Greece is not the only government in dire fiscal strait. The financial downturn in 2008 continues to erode the economic condition in the United States. At present, America, once the greatest nation on earth, is under tremendous pressure of high unemployment and low consumer confidence. Evidently, the effects of the overly stretched economy have now trickled down onto the municipal level.

After Jefferson County in Alabama averted its bankruptcy, a week so ago, Harrisbury, Pennsylvania, where the capital of the State of Pennsylvania is, had earned itself another distinguished honor of being the first American city ever filed for bankruptcy.

Because this historical city of 50,000 residents was not able to find funds to make a scheduled repayment on nearly $300 millions of the money borrowed to refurbish a couple of moth-balled incinerators, its civic leaders decided bankruptcy was the way to sort out the city's imminent financial troubles. It does seem ominous to me that a city of this size would burn that much cash just to reignite a couple of old furnaces. Obviously, the City of Harrisbury has got itself into something which has become too “big” for it to manage.

In the past, I often thought municipalities must live within their receipts from property taxes. But from what has transpired in Harrisbury, Pennsylvania, it looks like this local government has been endowed with borrowing power that is beyond its tax bases.

From the saga of the Harrisbury's bankruptcy, I noticed there is another worrisome trend in government finances. On money matters, governments today do not operate like their constituents. Taxpayers cut their expenses when their purse strings are tight. But whenever our governments face a budget shortfall, invariably they seek out new avenues to raise taxes. Somehow they never think of looking for ways to cut their operating costs. - Ayee

A Sizzling Hot Blooded Dog

Amid the chaotic riot scenes over the last few days in Greece, a stray dog had unexpectedly captured the hearts and minds of many around the world. Now pictures of Loukanikos, also known as Sausage in English, barking at the riot police are all over the cyberspace and newspapers.

About stray dogs, they are common sights in Greece. Because it is against their culture, Greek people do not believe in euthanasia. Greece’s wayward canine population became the ward of its altruistic government sometimes before the 2004 Olympics. Unlike animal shelters in other countries, Greece’s stray dogs programs do not corral homeless dogs in the kennels. Instead, after being tagged and altered, they are set to roam freely in public places. While they are lounging around at city squares, these nomadic pooches have eventually become everyone’s best friends.

Today in Athens there are about 2,000 dogs under the City’s care. Sausage is one of them. After the riots against the government’s austerity programs broke out in Athens, this lovable mongrel at the riot zones became a four-legged symbol of freedom for his highly charged countrymen.

Despite being a bit hot blooded, Sausage is a favor of his care giver. He has been a staunch participant of the recent demonstrations against the government. Interestingly to note, this brave doggie is always taking the sides of the protesters. Not surprisingly, Sausage’s constant appearance in the standoff sites woofing furiously at the law enforcement has earned him a nickname: Riot Dog.

Riot Dog did what many other dogs do for us, their two-legged pals. They lick our wounds and get rid of our woes. By showing his unwavering supports to the protesters, Sausage had brought much needed respites to both the rioters and their baton-wielding enforcers.

Loukanikos, you are priceless. - Ayee

Ole! The bulls are coming.

It looks like the European Union(EU) member countries are not only very protective to their human constituents through generous social and welfare programs. By enacting various laws, the EU communities have also helped out many other creatures.

Some of us may have heard that last Sunday the City of Barcelona had just hosted its last bullfighting event in Europe. A EU law will take effect in the next year that rids of a 600-year-old senseless tradition for good. The law makes the bullfighting an illegal activity in all EU countries.

But stopping the bullfights is not the only measure that EU takes to protect other animals.

Not until recently, I have no idea that Russia and her neighboring countries export tortoises*. My ignorance led me to believe all turtles burrow themselves under the hot sandy beach not frigid Siberian plain. So it was an eye-opener when I read of the pet turtles we got from the pet stores might be from Russia and many of her neighbors. Because these poor creatures were handled badly in transit, many died on routes, the EU has the wisdom to ban imports of all turtles.

The EU communities also ban the imports of all seal products. I am sure all of us have seen how these helpless baby seals were harvested on floating ices.

Now I can see the Pomploma bull run will also become a thing of the past soon. - Ayee

*The Last Chance Dog, 2003, Donna Kelleher, D.V.M.

To Buy or Not to Buy (I)

On account of the extremely low mortgage rates and the depressed house prices, I think maybe now is the opportune time to buy our own home. Historically, equity in our home is always a reliable asset that helps us finance our well-deserved retirement. Even though many of us are facing the dismal prospect of losing our jobs, we and our family still need a place to live. We all know a home is one of the four basic needs in life. Owning our own home not only provides us with a stable living environment, it also forces us to save painlessly through the periodic mortgage payments.

However, if I were in the position to buy a new home, location and size will always be my prime concerns.

Instead of a “nice” neighborhood, I would definitely choose a home that is located close to where I work and is near public transit and shopping area. I would also like to live close by my relatives and friends. We have all heard it takes a village to raise a child. Relatives and friends living nearby are extra lifelines when we are in need.

My new home should require the least day-to-day maintenance. With an average size of a typical family at about three persons, there is no reason why we would need a home with four to five bedrooms. Whenever I saw many palatial homes with cathedral ceilings on televised home shows, I always wondered how much would it cost to warm up all these empty spaces? I also speculated on how long would it take to refurbish these towering walls?

Furthermore, today reliable tradesmen are like needles in a haystack. We should consider ourselves lucky if we ever find one.

To me a smaller castle translates to a simpler life. It also means a smaller mortgage payment, lower property tax and maintenance cost. By carrying a more manageable financial burden, we will be less likely worried too much on our obligations to the bank when the time is bad. - Ayee

Knowledge Is the power that leads to everything.

Last Sunday, I watched on television many professional woman golfers competing on a beautiful golf course near Montreal, Canada. Because of its generous purse, Canadian National Women’s Open is considered a major tournament in the ladies’ golfing circuit. Besides other mementos, this year’s winner also won a hefty cash prize of $337,500.

But that Sunday was definitely not a good day go golfing. Thanks to Irene, the hurricane, all players not only had to battle against each others on a tough course. They also had to face the inclement weather for the entire 18-hole round. Even though the weather could be friendlier, the defending champion from Hawaii, Michelle Wei, did put on a good effort against this year’s winner, another American, Brittany Lucicome, by just one stroke.

About the last year’s champion, she is known for competing in professional man’s tournaments when she was just a teenager. Now, at 21, she seems to becoming a mature young lady. Recently, she was being criticized for not playing the professional tour full time. Instead of encouraging the golfing protege finish her schooling at Stanford, some of her peers on the tour think becoming a pro golfer is more important than getting a university degree. - Ayee

Food for Thought (V) Food Poison

In life we take many things for granted. One of them is the ordinary refrigerator we all have one in the house. When we get a new fridge, of course, a simple one, all we have to do is to plug it in and set the temperature. And voila!

Because they are so-well made, many of them last tens of years. I remember an old fridge our parents had years ago. Maybe it was a deliberate design to deter the kids. Its door handle gave out electrical jolts whenever we opened it to retrieve cold treats. And it needed a lot of power to run it too.

Today’s refrigerator neither emits dangerous shocks nor requires a lot of energy to operate. Inside it resides a mechanical gremlin who purrs almost nonstop to preserve our foods, and to even make ice cubes for us. Defrosting a fridge used to be a tedious process. But today, the electricity-run ice box can get rid of the built-up frost in its freezer automatically when needed.

The advanced technology used in manufacturing electrical appliances has certainly made fridge one of the most reliable household equipment.

However, in hot weather like the one we had over the past few weeks, besides air-conditioners and electrical fans, refrigerators are the other home appliances that had to work overtime. A scorching hot day causes us to visit our fridge more frequently than usual. Consequently, the little motor in the big box has to chug harder to maintain the preset temperature in the cooler section of the indefatigable fridge.

During these same hot summer days, milk in our fridge turned into curds many days before its “best before dates.” Then it was discovered that the cooler part of the fridge was not cold at all while the freezer on the top oozed out white foggy air when its door was open.

Fortunately, we discovered the mishap before anyone got sick from eating the spoiled food in the fridge. However, before calling the lonely Maytag repairman, we did consult the user’s manual as well as the manufacturer’s website. But we did not learn anything from there that will help our fridge hum happily again. However, when we were removing the foods from the fridge, we discovered the air vents in the freezer covered with ice. Since the effort to scrap the excess ice off the vents was futile, we decided to lower the temperature in the cooler, so it did not have to work too hard during the night before it is repaired the next day.

Unknowing to us, lowering the ice box’s temperature was the thing to do. A few hours later, our reliable fridge started humming again but with a softer tone. And the temperature in the cooler part was restored too. It appears so far the old-faithful has returned to its old glory.

This time, the experience with a mundane object helped us learn a practical lesson. We did feel bad on throwing away some foods that we thought were spoiled. We also realized that we must, in both summer and winter, give a pat or two to this big ice box to ensure it is working properly and is in good repairs. - Ayee

Preauthorized Payments

This instance made me wonder the wisdom of signing up those preauthorized payment plans at the bank.

Many years ago, our friend got an early visit from the jolly Mr. Claus.

Like many other people, our friend had this bank paid all his bills. By a stroke of a pen, he gave his banker authority to use the money in his account to pay off his various personal obligations when due. This arrangement did save our friend a lot of times. It worked out well for years until one day when he noticed his telephone bills were a couple of months in arrears.

After many phone calls and personal visits to the bank, my friend was told without any explanation that someone else had been paying his phone bills in the past. It is apparent that payment had since stopped.

In this case, our friend was the unwitting recipient of these errant payments. We could not stop laughing when hearing of our friend’s good fortunate and asked him what he had done to deserve an early Christmas gift. But seriously, our friend could also be on the giving side of this foolproof banking arrangement. - Ayee.

The Moral of the Story Is . . .

It pays to listen.

According to one of America’s funniest men*, a golfing ledgend, Sam Snead, once earned himself a two-stroke penalty in a professional event.

I would think Mr. Snead a superstar in a mind boggling but popular sport called golfing. We all know winning a professional tour event is not a child’s play. But in his lifetime, Mr. Snead had won 81 professional tournaments. And quite a few of them were majors. I do not know if there is another professional golfer who had won more tournaments than Mr. Snead did. Definitely, it would take a very patient and dedicated sportsman to reach such enviable position.

But this three-time Master winner was very impatient with his caddy when competing in one particular L.A. Open. In that tournament, his unwillingness to listen to the caddy must have cost him aplenty. Instead of hearing what his caddy had to say, Mr. Snead interrupted his obliging adviser and hit his last approaching shot to the 18th hole with someone else’s ball. - Ayee

*I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This!”, Bob Newhart, 2006

A Big Machine for A Small Job

Recently, I went to a neighborhood laboratory for some blood works. It was the same lab I visited about six months ago. With pleasant staff and efficient services, this testing office had certainly impressed me as a well-run services provider.

When I was there the first time, its waiting room was teeming with people. The room not bigger than an average size of a family dinning room was Spartan but functional. To register our presence, we pull a triangle-shaped paper tab from a small pear-shape red box on a metal stand. It is the same kind of device many businesses and medical clinics use to check in their clients.

My second visit to the same lab was a painless one too. In twenty minutes or so, I was called to sit facing the same big and bright windows. Before I realized what was taking place, the gentle technician had already got what she needed. And I was out there in about 30 minutes.

However, since my last visit to this lab, its waiting room has been enlarged to twice the size of the previous one. It has also acquired a new numbering machine. By its entrance now stands a tall and bulky black box. Apparently, this electricity-powered metal device has replaced the old manual one. A paper tab exactly like the one from that little plastic red box drops down as soon as someone pushes a large red button on the chest-high fixture. While the color of this new contraption matched the color of the chairs in the room, a large computer generated sign hung over the face of the machine may have ruined whatever the aesthetic appeal this new equipment has to offer.

I hate to be opinionated. But in the age of conservation, do we really need an electronic device to pull a little paper tab for us? - Ayee

Be Aware!

It looks like there is a new format that the SPAMmmers are using to invade our personal cyberspace.

In the past, my Internet Service Provider had done a good job on filtering junk mails. This is why I seldom had unwanted e-mails. But recently, I saw SPAMS started to surface. The ones I received now always included legitimate business names, like my IPS’s, in the subject line, to bypass detection, I think, whatever the security software has in place.

Remember in the old days when we first started e-mailing to each others. The number of junk mails I had in my e-mail account was insurmountable. Although it took a bit of times to delete them, it was rather easy to do so without any perceived risks.

But to delete unwanted e-mails now, I must click on them first before I can zap them. This makes me feel I may expose myself to the unwanted message whenever clicking on any of these intrusive e-mails. Of course, this becomes a concern for me.

Even though I realize whether they are SPAMS or not, there is no such thing as a secure site in the virtual world. I always consider e-mail the invention of the century. It takes over the indispensable role our telephone uses to be in our lives. Now instead of phoning our friends and family members, we e-mail them. I find it is a rather neat medium through that I can send not only words but videos to others without visiting a post office.

Besides, in a globalized business community, e-mail enables us to communicate with our worldly partners both efficiently and effectively. The e-mails are our words. They can be used as evidences in courts.

Therefore, it is so incomprehensible to me that someone would want to spoil the good things that e-mail has to offer. - Ayee

Hooded Larks

The other day in the park, I saw a flock of small birds feeding on some bread crumbs. They with dark brownish feathers are the types of the birds we often see in our back yard and the shrubs around the cities. While foraging, the group chirped out some pleasant notes. But one of them stood out on its own. It did not join the others after the trails of broken-up breads. Finally, this timid bird got its picks and disappeared.

This little flying machine may not belong to this flock. It does look a bit different from the others in the group. There are some soft plumes like a paper fan sticking out from the sides of its wee head. They are not unlike the head dresses that many Catholic nuns wore in the old days. And this little bird with a habit-like hood got me excited. I thought I had come upon the hooded larks that were very dear to a thirteen-century saint from Assisi, Italy.

Because these hooded larks dressed like nuns, they symbolized what Brother Francis had preached: humility. Sister larks became very special to the most reverend saint in the Catholic church.

We all know Saint Francis of Assisi for the poor was akin to animals too. There were incredible stories of him negotiating a truce between a big bad wolf and the townspeople. So both the man-eating beast and its prey could live side-by-side in the same neighborhood peacefully. He once set free a live tench that was given to him into the water. And when Brother Francis spoke, the birds listened.

As it is told in God’s Fool*, during the last Christmas celebration before the humble Saint’s passing, Brother Francis was wishing the festivity in which the rich put on splendid feasts for the poor and other creatures would never end. For his love of the birds, he declared if he was to see the emperor, he would ask him to order grains be scattered on the roads on Christmas day for the birds, especially his sisters, the larks.

To my great disappointment, I never saw that hooded bird again. But the chance sighting of this little creature prompted me to revisit these brotherly interactions between the late Saint and many wildlifes around him. - Ayee

*From Julian Green's God’s Fool, translated by Peter Heinegg in 1985

“Free Willy”( III)

A few nights ago on television, I saw three whale watchers risked their lives to save a humpback whale off the California coast.

It looked like the huge whale was already dead. When one of these three good people snorkeled to get a closer look at the lifeless body, he was surprised to see a distressed animal tangled in fishing nets was looking at him too. Sometimes, direct eye contact can be intimidating. But this one between a man and a beast put this near-death humpback at easy. It seemed to know that it was in good hands. It did not panic while its rescuers leaned over the edge of their boat to free it from some greenish nets.

Once the great whale was out from the deadly entanglement, before swimming away from its elated rescuers, it put on a spectacular show by jumping in and out of the water or breaching for umpteen times. Scientists said whales use breaching to communicate with others. So by frolicking in and out of the blue sea, this awesome creature was displaying its huge gratitude to three selfless lifesavers.
- Ayee

To Rent or Not to Rent

It’s encouraging to learn that the US government is considering a new strategy to handle the glut of unsold homes.

Resulting from many defaulted mortgages, the Fed through its mortgage insurance agencies, Federal Home Mortgage Corporation (also known as Freddie Mac), and Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), has become the de facto owner of about a quarter of a million of foreclosed homes. And efforts to sell these vacant homes only depressed the house prices further. So instead of dumping additional homes to an already oversupplied housing market, the government is considering renting out the homes it owns.

By reducing supply, the people behind this idea think renting out the excess inventory can help the housing market to recover. In addition, demands for rentals are rising and so are the rents. The steady rental income can definitely help defray some of the expenses the government spends on maintaining the unsold inventory.

At present both Freddie and Fannie have already rent out many of the homes they own. Therefore, it is really a nonissue when the people against this idea consider both these two mortgage insurers are unfitted landlords.

When and if the Fed follow through with this idea, it can implement this measure expediently by simply changing the laws without outside investors. So both Freddie and Fannie can rent out all the homes they still own.

I remember seeing on television that showed many Americans are now living in motels and hotels. Therefore, I think it is high time the US government make good uses of many vacant homes to house millions of its homeless populations.

Moreover, many bankers and accountants would know that value of a property increases when it generates income. Schemes to rent or rent-to-own can also be a savior for lenders with many foreclosed properties.

Therefore, I think in this case to rent is a win-win proposition - Ayee .

Food for Thought (V) - Food Allergy

Recently, a case of acute urticaria (hives) got my attention to what I eat when taking antibiotics.

It all started in the middle of the night when my sweet dream was interrupted by some unbearable itches. Thereafter, some reddish patches on me spread like a wild fire. While medicated talcum powder, aloe vera and calamine locations did give me some reliefs, I was determined to figure out what has caused my skin to irrupt into red itchy splotches!

Quickly, I narrowed down to the new antibiotics I took that day for a cat bite. Not many hours after I took a blue-colored capsule, my very first one, the outer layer of my body exploded. We all know some antibiotics do cause rashes. Based on my past experiences, it would take more than one dose for the rashes to surface. And my switching to another antibacterial drug did not help either.

Then I remembered what some elderly family members had told us in the past. They said that seafood can cause itchy skin. I have also learned that sometimes berries can give us havoc too.

It looks like seafood, fresh berries and antibiotics do not complement each others well. On that memorable night, I did have my favorite fish for dinner. Making a bad situation worse, while on a different antibiotic, I snacked on bowls of natural yogurt topped with those juicy raspberries. - Ayee

Food for Thought (IV) - A Balanced Diet

According to a posting on The Fool on The Hill website, we may prevent and cure cancer by maintaining a certain level of alkaline in our body chemistry*(1).

That posting, Combat Cancer*(2), tells us what a Chinese doctor had discovered in the blood chemistry of cancer patients. Dr. Lu Geling, who is said to have practiced at Majie Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan, in the forties, found body chemistry of 600 cancer patients all acidic.

In addition, the good doctor observed that there were no reported cancer cases amongst Chinese monks and nuns. As we know, the serene and benevolent Buddhism followers live ascetically on strict vegetarian fares. They also invariably reside close to nature where the air is fresher and the grass is greener.

Together with the knowledge that cancer cell cannot survive in an alkali environment, Dr. Lu concluded that besides living a simple and caring life, maintaining a "weakly" alkali body chemistry can help prevent and cure cancer.

Somehow there is very little background information on Dr. Lu, his hospital and his research on cancer and body chemistry. But an alkaline-rich diet did help two lung cancer patients became cancer free and healthy.

To reflect what this fool has just learned from reading Combat Cancer, now I also know cancer is not a modern-day ailment. But thirty or forty years ago, I had never heard of anyone I knew died of cancer. I wonder why?

Finally, let’s put aside the debate on whether a diet change can or cannot prevent and cure cancers. Just think how relieved and joyful many cancer sufferers will be if they know there are other simpler and gentler alternatives they can choose to fight this dreaded disease. - Ayee

*(1) At pH level between 3.35 and 3.45
(2) From http:/dfoolonthehill.com/health-Combat Cancer

Not A Dog's Day

July Fourth always reminds me of my late friend’s little dog: Kiku. But I would never consider this rumbustious furry ball a patriotic pooch, she loathed the nation’s birthday.

On the night of one particular July Fourth, while everyone else was embracing the display of bursting fireworks, this wee doggie squeezed through the garage door and escaped. The next morning she, with cuts and bruises all over her small body, was found on the door mate of a neighbor she knew. Kiku must have quite an ordeal before she reached her friend’s house. Definitely, the July Fourth celebration was a very painful experience to this pint-size but wise dog.

And Kiku is not the only one who fears abnormal noises. I remember one of our cats ran away one night when one of our neighbors decided to light up a few fire crackers in their back yard. It took us a long, long time before the frightened kitty was coaxed out from his hiding place. In this instance we were lucky. Our pet did not run too far away from home. Unfortunately, to escape from this unusual and scary noises many other family pets may not end on a happy note. This explains why animal shelters everywhere are inundated with many disoriented dogs and cats days after the July Fourth holiday.

So this year, when we are ready to set up the sizzling grills for the July Fourth party, be sure keep close eyes on our pets too. - Ayee

Friendly Pet Owners

People who have pets seem to be more relaxed and congenial. So it ‘s not hard for pet owners engage causal conversation with strangers, particularly other pet owners.

The other day at the store buying some supplies for the kitty, the customer in front of me asked me to take her place to pay for my purchase, a heavy box of kitty litter. It happened she is also a pet owner. I was so envious of her when she told me she and her family live with two dogs and two cats. Of course, I am most appreciative of her kindness to let me get out of the store sooner.

On another occasion during a visit to the vet, while waiting for our turn an elderly lady with her calico cat told me not to feed the cat dry foods. She said dry ones are too hard. I did not get the chance to ask why her cat was at the surgery. I bet her pretty cat, cuddled up to the back of her carrier, was suffering some kinds of dental problems from devouring on too many hard kibbles. She said to mix some wet ones with the dry foods. It happens gum disease is no stranger to me. One of our kitties, Purdy, the super mom, suffered this painful disease before she disappeared. She overindulged on dry foods made specially for senior cats. Luckily, that particular cat food is no longer available for sale.

This kind lady also took upon herself and moved my pet taxi. She put it right outside the exam room. So my gravely ill cat could slip into his carrier without being spooked by the dogs in the waiting room.

What a thoughtful person that kind lady is! - Ayee

A Perfect Gift for A New Mom

I have just discovered a new gift item for expecting parents.

We all know breast feeding is back. And many of these nurturing activities are taking place in public. Just the other day, I saw two young moms sitting in the seats outside of an ice cream parlor. One of them was feeding her baby. Both the mother and the child were strategically covered under an Afghan. But this white blanket with green trims was not big enough to reach the mother’s back. Unknowingly, the nursing mom exposed her entire backside.

After I passed by that young parent, I was thinking that she could have used a bigger blanket to avoid such embarrassing moments. Immediately, a poncho came to mind. A poncho is a simple overgarment natives of Central and South America wore to fight off the chill in the Andes. It is made from a piece of heavy clothes with a hole in the middle. It has also been made in other durable materials. Like a cape, it’s loose. So a poncho can discreetly keep the bonding between a mother and her baby comfortably away from the general public. - Ayee

An Ideal Corporate Director

Recently corporate governance is in the news again. CEO and director compensation remains a thorny issue. Top executives and board members are important members of a corporation. By all means they should be paid adequately but not extravagantly. And the board’s duty to appoint and fire top executives makes its effectiveness crucial to a company’s well-being. Therefore, shareholders should not take their right to elect company directors lightly.

Probably most shareholders do not personally know the individuals who run for corporate directors. Personality issue or showing disrespect is never the factor in the shareholders’ minds when voting for directors. Choosing an effective board has become a serious business decision.

If I am asked to choose a board member today, I think my ideal director will be an engaged one. This individual is not a CEO or COB of other public company. He or she does not spread his or her times too thin by sitting on too many corporate boards, particularly the ones outside his or her expertise. My ideal director should not have to travel a great distance to attend board meetings either. Lastly, this individual must have a genuine interest in the company. - Ayee

Food for Thought (III)/Parsley Tea

One of our senior family members is under the weather. It is our near 20-year-old kitty. Due to a thyroid medication he is on, his kidneys are not functioning as well as they were a year ago. In addition to many jars of baby foods that contains salts, he is also on a low-protein diet. Unknowingly, a compromised kidney condition together with low-protein intakes has made him prone to a health condition called edema.

The vet, a locum, after many x-rays, decided our cat did have too much water in him. The excess fluid in his abdominal cavity has caused sudden weight-gain. It has also impeded his breathing. However, before additional tests that determine the causes are done and assessed, the vet would not use any diuretics on the poor cat. Instead, he recommended keeping our kitty in an oxygen tent for the next 24 hours at an emergency animal hospital. Somehow the vet thought using of diuretics, an effective and common treatment for edema, would be harmful to the patient.

Making a long story short, I decided to look for some natural diuretics before a visit to our regular vet. Certainly I do not want to jinx my dear cat’s recovery. But I did come upon a simple parsley tea* in Myra Cameron’s book, Lifetime Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies(1993). Soon after feeding my cat his normal food spiked with a couple spoonfuls of the said tea, our kitty seems to be feeling better. He becomes more responsive when speak to. Evidently, the parsley tea has worked on him.

In my search of a natural product for my cat, I have also discovered that parsley is full of beneficial properties like potassium, and vitamins A and C. Among many other indications, this humble herb can also provide aids to our digestive system and thyroid functions. - Ayee

*Parsley Tea:
"Add one cup of chopped fresh parsley in a quarter of boiling water, simmered for 40 minutes. Strain and drink a cup with each meal."

Dog Story (II)

While waiting for friends at a local park, I saw two dogs, one, a black Labrador, and another, a German Shepherd, chasing a tennis ball in a grassy area outside the fenced-in tennis courts.

They were running after the ball their owner volleyed into the air with a tennis racket. Eagerly they ran side by side until one of them brought the ball back for the next round. The two mates were not competing against each other. They were just enjoying a friendly game of run and fetch on a sunny day at the park.

But if they were, the Lab would definitely be the undisputed winner. He scored all the runs. His mate, the scoreless Shepherd, was always a head-length behind him. After a few more runs, the Shepherd somehow gave out an impression of defeat or maybe fatigue. He was crestfallen for not being able to fetch the ball even once until an errant tennis ball flew right over a metal fence. It landed near where these two dogs were. And I could see right a way how excited that Shepherd was when he saw there was another ball nearby. He was elated. Finally when he ran toward his owner with that stray tennis ball in his mouth and his wooly head high, he was kind of telling the onlooker: "See, I can fetch too!"

Unfortunately it was not a good day for the Shepherd. Celebration for his home run was brief. The ensuring tug-a-war between the beast and man was laborious. The poor dog was so adamant about returning that slimy ball to its rightful owner.

What I observed of these two dogs romping around in the park may be so inconsequential. But the spontaneous smile and laughter their innocent acts brought out of me are simply priceless. - Ayee

Food for Thoughts (II)

Recently, I rediscovered a perfect snack in popcorn. For years, I have deprived myself of this simple pleasure. In addition to its nutritional value, the puffed up corn kernels are delicious and are very low in calories. No matter how the cloud-like popcorn is seasoned, it is always a welcoming treat. Moreover, a cup of plain corn kernels has only *27 calories. Corn is also a good source of fibers and many other beneficial nutrients including protein and Vitamins.

The other day, I decided to get some new crunchy snacks. So this armchair-golfer would have something different to munch on while watching the PGA competition on television. A bag of white cheddar cheese popcorn seemed to fit the bill. I do realize store-bought ones may contain too much salt and extra fats. But I am certain this healthy snack will not harm my body and spirit if I choose carefully for what I buy and I do not overindulge myself on them. Since corn is a veggie, consuming some popcorn now and then will definitely help me add more vegetables in my simple diet.

Popcorn is an inexpensive treat too. It does not break our piggy bank when we decide to pop a batch of the crunchy morsels ourselves. A half cup of corn kernels in a few tablespoons of cooking oil can yield a bucketful of the fluffed up goodies. This perfect snack has also being used in making cakes, granola bars and even Christmas decorations.

Now let us get ourselves some tasty popcorns and be aMAIZEd - Ayee

* From Frances Towner Giedt’s POPCORN!,1995

Doggie Story ( l )

This is about my neighbor’s two gentle dogs.

Skipper, a Keeshound, is the older one. His pal, Bear is a cream-color Samoyed. Their dear owners tethered them to a sail boat berthed in front of their garage. The lengthy ropes on the dog’s collar allowed the pair to wonder around the unfenced yard. There was also a homemade dog house in the yard. But their favorite spot appeared to be a cement block in the shade of the sail boat.

During the summer months, the retired couple would pitch a tent on the north side of their bungalow. To escape the stuffy heat, they lounged there with Skipper and Bear by their side. A portrait of a happy and content family never failed to bring smiles from the neighbors passing by.

Both Skipper and Bear looked very healthy and were well adjusted to each others. They, like many other dogs, barked perfunctorily when neighbors walked by. Now and then when I knew I would be passing by their house, I always remembered having a few dog biscuits for them. They seemed to know I was their friend. And our milk bones fortified relationship flourished for many years until one day I saw Skip, with Bear next to him, in great pain at the pair’s favorite spot.

On that day I was on my way to run a few errands. When I was near Skip’s house, I heard him howling. I found part of Skip’s body was covered in his own blood. Without hesitation, I alerted Skip’s owners of their pet's desperate call for help. Extremely unfortunate for Skip, because of the hefty vet bills, my elderly neighbors decided to let Skip go in peace.

Of course, I was saddened by the loss of an otherwise healthy dog. And Bear lost his long time pal. Not long after Skip died, I went by to visit Bear one day. It was hot and muggy. I saw Bear, the gentle giant, lied on his side napping on the lawn in the shadow of a camper. This time he growled at me when I pet him. I did not know if Bear was upset by the fact that I was the one caused Skip to disappear or the fact that I woke him up from his afternoon nap. I thought memory of the tasty treats would make bad feeling more tolerable. But there was a clear message from this wooly doggie that suggested "LEAVE ME ALONG OR ELSE." Tell me animals have no feelings!

I have not returned to visit Bear and his elderly owners since I moved a few years ago. But the fond memory of being friends with Skip, Bear and their dear owners always made me feel blessed for having neighbors like them. - Ayee

A Curmudgeon's Cat

Last year, I got to read a few books on cats and their people. Four of them are by the late TV Guide critic, Cleveland Amory. He, a Harvard graduate and self-proclaimed curmudgeon, had certainly ruffled many feathers as a relentless advocate for animal rights. He was not kind to his prestigious alma mater either. A few practices at this Ivy League school had appalled him.

This former newspaper editor is best known for his book about an irresistible white kitten he rescued from a New York City alley on Christmas Eve. The Cat Who Came for Christmas* made Polar Bear, the curmudgeon’s cat, an instant celebrity.

Mr. Amory’s uncle and aunt taught him be kind to animals. Black Beauty was his favorite book when he was a lad. Years later, he founded "Funds for Animals" for which he was the unpaid president until his death in 1998. He also co-founded the Humane Society of the United States, one of the most powerful animal welfare lobbies in the States. Through these establishments, they airlifted more than three hundreds burros from the Nevada desert. They exposed the corrupted and cruel practices at a government agency that rounded up wild horses. Among many other animal rescue missions, they also financed the effort of Sea Shepard, an anti-whaling ship, to disrupt a seal hunt in Canada.

In The Cat Who Came for Christmas, this best seller author chronicled what was like living with a stubborn cat. To satisfy a stray cat’s appetite, he had to keep Tender Vittles in his night stand so Polar Bear could have a quick snack in the wee hours of the day. To prevent his Christmas kitty from falling off from the balcony when birdwatching, he cordoned off half of his Park Avenue apartment balcony. He even resorted to animal psychics so he could understand sometime very disagreeable Polar Bear better. Obviously, he, like many other pet owners, would do anything to please his furry friend.

It is also noted in this best seller book that cats can jump as high as seven times of their body length. This explains why the normal six-foot fence can never keep a cat in the yard for long. In addition, according to the professions the author conferred, left-pawed cats are more perceptive than their right-winged peers.

In any case, I am sure Polar Bear would agree with his extremely accommodating human friend that all animals, great and small, deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. To do what he preached, Mr. Amory built an animal sanctuary in Texas. The Black Beauty Ranch is now home to many retired, displaced and injury animals.

Once I wrote to a newspaper reporter on the benefits of pet ownership. One of the many we agreed upon was the enjoyment we got out from reading the books on pets and animals. - Ayee

* The other three Cleveland Amory’s books are:
- Cat and The Curmudgeon
- The Best Cat Ever
- Ranch of Dreams

Feathered Apes (II)

The other day I got a pleasant surprise from a neighborhood crow.

On that beautiful sunny day, I decided to visit a friend across town. My friend lives in one of the more pleasant neighborhoods in the City. With lush mountains as its backdrop, it sits not far from an inlet by the blue sea. And there are always wild birds including crows swooping up and down around the many tall trees in the area. When I was about a couple of blocks from my destination, I could smell the fresh and crisp spring air from the sea.

Armed with good direction, I found the right street with no fanfares. But the lamp post on the corner of that street, not like the others, bears no road sign. Based on details on hand, I made a right turn on that unmarked block any way. While searching for my friend’s home, a flock of blackbirds flying noisily above me. Finally they settled down on a tree a few houses away. I also saw one lone crow perching quietly on the top of a low metal gate down the road. It was the only gate on the block had a live bird on it. And to my greatest surprise that gate opens to the house I was looking for.

After I told this nebulous incident to my friend, I learned their home is a bird-friendly one. The mistress of the house always has goodies for wild birds visiting their bountiful back yard. Therefore, there are always birds, particular crows, hanging around the house. This somewhat explained why sometimes there would be crows sitting on their gate welcome visitors! - Ayee

Mental Fatigue

Over the last few weeks there were many close-calls in the sky.

It started with a Boeing airplane losing a portion of its ceiling in midair. Then, our attention was directed to the pilots who had to land their good planes on their own while the exhausted air traffic controllers dozed off in the towers. And recently, millions of us saw an oversized aircraft side swiped a smaller commuter jet on the runway.

Luckily none of these mishaps had caused any fatalities. But these worrisome incidents, particularly the weary air traffic controllers, can bring fatal consequences. They are also wake-up calls, no pun intended, to the sleepy sky cops who had to work many shifts straight. I have since learned there were six or seven similar incidents reported so far this year. One of the offenders was on his fourth consecutive shift. Clearly this scheduling practice defies common sense. No average healthy individuals have enough stamina to work productively say a couple of eight-hour shifts continuously. In addition, we all know sleep deprivation can cause devastating harms to us both physically and mentally.

To the sleepers on the job, they, whatever their jobs are, have my personal sympathy for having to work long hours in one sitting. This practice of extending working hours can certainly undermine public safety. It also borders on slavery. So the governments are making new laws that do not allow air traffic controllers work consecutive shifts. Except I think, the law makers should also look into the scheduling practices of other service-based industries. I do not think air traffic controller is the only profession that requires working unreasonably long and uninterrupted shifts. - Ayee

Contracting Out Is A Bad Idea.

It is unbelievable that some esteemed banks had used forged documents to foreclose mortgages. Bankers are supposed to be the prudent men who are learned and trustworthy. But in this case they made themselves a costly mess that will take years of undoing. Their sloppy works also cost many unfortunate people undue hardships that can never be righted timely.

According to a story on "60 Minutes" last Sunday, millions of houses were foreclosed with invalid documents. Thanks to an observant home owner. She noticed the signatures on the legal documents were not genuine and were penned by different persons. Now many former home owners, whose homes were foreclosed wrongfully, are suing the banks on losing their homes. Hopefully, they can return to their homes soon.

This story brings to mind the perils in contracting out: One of them is losing control.

By buying out their competitors, the modern banks are getting bigger and bigger. They are getting so big to a point they farmed out the loan servicing part of the business to a third party. This explains why on occasions when we could never get hold of the original banker who financed our home. We, the borrowers, are simply becoming faceless numbers on a loan servicing company’s books. I grant this division of labor has its merits. But when the scheme is getting too large, inefficiency and malfeasance creep in. - Ayee

Integrated Medicine

Last Friday, I got a good surprise from being a couch potato. On the popular Dr. Oz’s television show, I was hearing the good doctor telling his many enthusiastic audiences benefits of three herbal teas. I remember not long ago doctors practicing western medicine would have nothing to do with the alternative medical treatments. Therefore, I was so taken aback when hearing an allopathic practitioner goes public on what sage, nettle and one African tea can do for us. What I saw on Dr.Oz's show suggests to me that the less invasive alternative medicine is no longer a taboo to allopathic doctors.

We all know the science-based allopathic medicine is indispensable in health cares. Penicillin has saved many patients from infection. Cardiac surgery has mended millions of broken hearts. Organ transplants are now common practices.

And we have also learned there are other ways to cure diseases. Some doctors prescribed high dosages of vitamins to cure mental illness. Others used acupuncture needles to manage their patient’s physical pain. It is no wonder that a new industry, nutraceutical, has emerged in the alternative health care regime. The manufacturers of nutraceuticals add healing foods into their products. Even in veterinarian cares, we can now obtain naturopathic therapies for our four-leg friends.

And I think it is a good thing that more alternative health treatments are becoming accetable therapies to the allopathic practitioners. Although the alternative ones are based on anecdotes, many of its regimes were put in use for years before the western medicine did. - Ayee

Be Humble and Respectful

Last Friday’s earthquake in Japan was another wake-up call. It showed us how powerful and ruinous Mother Nature can be. Historically, the "big ones" occurred many hundred years apart. But at present it seems earthquakes have become norms in our everyday lives. These days, they came and went too often. The tremors and the unstoppable Tsunami in Japan came soon after the earthquake and flood that devastated New Zealand a month ago. And remember the big one in Haiti only a couple years ago?

According to Encarta Encyclopedia, what we do to the earth, like filling up a reservoir, injecting liquid into the earth or conducting underground nuclear test, can all cause earthquakes. Therefore what we do to our good earth now may bring us deadly side effects later. What goes around does come around!

Every time I walked by a deep hole dug for a new high-rise apartment building, I often wondered how many tons of pressure the digging of this gigantic cavity had thrust upon the earth below. Whenever I saw a picture of a humongous tractor that dwarfed the people standing by it, I thought of what this powerful equipment does for us may also harm us.

Over the years, many smart people had made leaps and bounds in the science of detecting earthquake and forecasting inclement weather. But so far no one can yet predict precisely when or where the gusting wind or destructive tremor will strike. Even a well-prepared country like Japan, her advance warning of the incoming tidal waves had failed to save all her citizens. To ensure there are still livable spaces available for the next generations, we shall learn from these devastating natural disasters and be gentle and respectful to Mother Nature. We shall also be humble and think small. Last but not lest, we shall not attempt to conquer a world that is beyond our own frailty and limitation. - Ayee

Spooky's Last Will and Testament*

"I, Spooky Bezanson, being of poor health, do hereby bequeath to my friend and master, last will and testament, to be recalled fondly whenever he may think of me.

My time on earth has been a happy time, full of joyful memories and carefree hours. I take with me no worldly possessions, because possession and property have never been my primary concerns. What was important to me was earning your trust and praise, being obedient, and always faithful. But the one thing I possessed and will cherish above all else was my master’s love, for no one could have loved me more.

When I was gone and you have occasion to think of me, do not feel sad, for I am at peace and no longer feel any discomfort or pain. All the maladies that age and circumstance had thrust upon my physical being are no longer a concern to me. I am free to romp with the wind at my face and the grass tickling my feet. I nap in the warmth of the sun and sleep under a blanket of stars. In this joy I wait for you.

Because we shared so many happy times together, I know you feel like I cannot ever be replaced and that perhaps you should live the remainder of your life without another pet as a faithful companion. My friend, don’t try to replace me, for what we shared is irreplaceable. We grew together, through some pretty hairy (and cold) times. But don’t deprive yourself of the warmth and love another companion can bring to you. I would not want you to be alone.

Most of all, remember, dear master, I will always be with you, in your heart, in your mind, and in your memories. For what we shared was special, today, tomorrow, and always. And if you should ever feel a cold nose on your skin, and there‘s no animal around, just know, in your heart of hearts, it’s me, saying hello."

**********************************************************************************
*"Spooky" is one of the nine stories in Vicki Myron’s new book Dewey’s Nine Lives. It is a poignant account of unconditional love and devotion a disturbed Vietnam war veteran and a little innocent black cat had bestowed onto each other.

Bill, the former soldier, saved a badly maimed kitten he found on the roof of his car. Two of them had certainly met each other under the most bizarre and spooky circumstance. But this inexplicable gathering under the unfriendly sky of the City of Angels had forged a strong friendship between two fragile beings. During the turbulent 21 years they were mates, Spooky was always there for his best friend in both good and bad times. So was Bill. To illustrate their unwavering faith in each other, once a vindictive landlady dumped Spooky to a far away landfill. Against all odds, three weeks later, a thinner black cat appeared at the door of that mean woman’s house where Bill was. Both of them knew neither of them would leave that house without the other.

I think it was by a divine design that Spooky literally flew into Bill’s troubled life. Like his keeper, this venturesome pussy had also cheated the death in umpteen times. Spooky’s staunch will to live his nine precious lives had inspired Bill to facing the terms of his own survival from a miserable war in Vietnam.

Spooky suffered feline leukemia in the later part of his long life. He was 21 years old when he died in the arms of his best friend.

It was not known who had helped Spooky drawing up his Last Will and Testament. But it was learned later that it was from the animal clinic where a compassionate veterinarian, Dr. Call, practiced.

This touchy story also sheds a light on the plight of returned war veterans. They have become part of a growing homeless population in many places. - Ayee

Humans vs. Machines

Like million other Jeopardy fans, I too watched the show last week. It was a special edition of this popular quiz show in which a super computer, Watson, challenged two top Jeopardy champions, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter. A joint effort of twenty five learned engineers over a four-year period made Watson, named after IBM’s founder Thomas J. Watson, a reality.

To me, a foreigner in the land of computer science, it’s awesome to see what smart people can do. Through maybe millions of motherboards, chips, and many other peripheral parts, they transplanted human intelligence into a cold steel box. In this case, they groomed Watson with boundless of detailed information. In addition to his deft ability to listen, to speak and to choose clue categories, it appeared he could also push the buzzer quicker than any others. I remembered hearing that having a fast thumb is a must for the contestants of this fast-paced quiz contest. So it is not a big surprise for many of us to see Watson became the latest champion of the favorite American quiz show. After all it is a brain child of twenty five very smart persons.

Putting aside the extraordinary entertainment and advertising value of this brains versus brains contest, the task of Watson’s creators does not end here. Now I am counting on them and their competitors to come up with new generations of computer systems that are friendly to both the users and their environment. - Ayee

Gold-plated Health Cares

A couple of months ago, on a sunny morning I tripped over an uneven sidewalk and required emergency cares. Contrary to all the horrible stories I heard on unsatisfactory yet costly health cares, the timely treatment I received from a local hospital was nothing but professional. And I am sure that four subsequent visits to a specialist and many x-rays during the month after the initial emergency care had also helped me recover quickly from this minor injury.

Certainly I have no qualms on the competent cares I had received at that hospital. I am also grateful for having a reliable medical plan to fall back on when I need it. But I do remember a previous emergency room visit about three decades ago. During a night I spent at the hospital ward and following six or seven weeks I hobbled on one good leg, I did not remember that I had the cares from that many medical professionals.

But on that day during the six hours I was at the hospital, I was provided with cares from at least ten hospital staffs that included a most apologetic doctor. Each of the staff members performed their specialized assignment on me. The care team of the day included receptionists, nurses, nurse-aides, and technicians. They admitted me, x-rated me, wheeled me, and prepared me for intravenous drips. In addition before I was discharged, a group of four led by the aforementioned physician set a clay cast over the broken bones while I was sedated.

When I was on the gurney waiting for treatment, many thoughts, mostly depressing ones, came upon me. One of them was why healthy care costs had risen so much over the years. At this time our health insurance premium is still affordable. But it may reach to a point when we no longer can afford to be sick.

On that eventful day I had certainly wondered and was somewhat convinced that fine division of labor and specialization in care are not the best prescriptions to rein in the exorbitant amount of money we, both the government and the patients, must spend on health related services. - Ayee

To Susie and Her Many Kennel Mates: May You All Rest in Peace!

Nearly one year after the 2010 winter Olympics, an animal cruelty case is now under police investigation in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.

A gruesome story of the killing of healthy sled dogs surfaced recently in this picturesque ski resort. It happened in April of last year not long after the Olympic crowd had left the town. A sled-dog ride operator decided to cull the dogs they did not want to keep. If not for an insurance claim filed by the individual who did the slaughtering, no one will ever know that 100 lively dogs were put through agonizing pain and fear before their grisly death.

While the outcome of the government investigation of the matter is anyone’s guess, no justice can undo the fact that this is a preventable tragedy. Even though these working dogs are no pets, they deserve as much caring and kind consideration as their human counterparts when retiring from their work place. Therefore, it is so unthinkable that someone would take upon himself to expedite the "firing" of his many workmates in such a horrible manner.

This distasteful story has certainly reflected the dog’s owner, the operator of the sled dog ride business, badly. It also prompts many of us to ask these questions.

Why there was no one steps up before this wanton act was about to happen? Where was the vet who refused to help before the inhumane cull? And where were the animal protection agencies who suppose to speak for the ones who cannot speak for themselves?

It appears to me most of the animal cruelty cases came to public knowledge after the fact. By that time the horses have already left the barn. - Ayee

A Feisty Flying Ace

The other day on my way home, I saw a Snoopy like dog rocketing around on a quiet residential street. Since I saw no one was guiding this furry flying machine, I worried the little pooch might have slipped out of the house without his best friend’s knowledge. So I was thinking about alerting the dog pound of this wayward dog.

At first, I saw a white dog on the lawn of a street corner. Despite his small stature, he, with his back legs, was fervently scratching the grasses beneath him and brought rains of grasses and dirts onto the street behind him. But the way he held his head up gave me an impression that he was not on his own turf. He knew very well what he was doing would fetch him some unpleasant attentions. While his back quarter was busy digging, he held his head upright and looked out for any interlopers.

Then suddenly, he decided to move onto a greener pasture. He zigged and zagged onto another street corner a few houses down and started his destructive excavation again. But once he realized I was watching him, before he disappeared into a hedge in front of a house nearby he gave me a defiant look as if he was telling me "See if you can catch me!" - Ayee