Total Solar Eclipse - 21 August 2017

Whether there is no life on Earth in fifty centuries has yet to be seen.  Certainly life will be taking different forms in the ever ongoing process of adaptation to a changing environment and with the evolution of humankind.

Mike

Note:   Correction to the above poster.  Next solar eclipse will be in 2024.  Not so many years ahead.  Below,  I have left a link with more information for those in the United States.

Eclipse 2017

Nasa Total Eclipse 2017 Information

The Powerful Aspirin Alternative Your Doctor Never Told You About by Sayer Ji

The Powerful Aspirin Alternative Your Doctor Never Told You About

by Sayer Ji

Green Med Info.     23 July 2017

Aspirin's long held promises are increasingly falling flat. A natural, safer and more effective alternative to this synthetic drug has been known about for at least 15 years!

In a previous article titled "The Evidence Against Aspirin and For Natural Alternatives," we discussed the clear and present danger linked with the use of aspirin as well as several clinically proven alternatives that feature significant side benefits as opposed to aspirin's many known side effects. 

Since writing this article, even more evidence has accumulated indicating that aspirin's risks outweigh its benefits. Most notably, a 15-year Dutch study published in the journal Heart found that among 27,939 healthy female health professionals (average age 54) randomized to receive either 100 mg of aspirin every day or a placebo the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding outweighed the benefit of the intervention for colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention in those under 65 years of age.

Of course, aspirin is not alone as far as dangerous side effects are concerned. The entire non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) category of prescription and over-the-counter drugs is fraught with serious danger. Ibuprofen, for instance, is known to kill thousands each year, and is believed no less dangerous than Merck's COX-2 inhibitor NSAID drug Vioxx which caused between 88,000-140,000 cases of serious heart disease in the five years it was on the market (1999-2004).  Tylenol is so profoundly toxic to the liver that contributing writer Dr. Michael Murray recently asked in his Op-Ed piece, "Is it Time for the FDA to Remove Tylenol From the Market?"

Given the dire state of affairs associated with pharmaceutical intervention for chronic pain issues, what can folks do who don't want to kill themselves along with their pain?

Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) Puts Aspirin To Shame

When it comes to aspirin alternatives, one promising contender is pycnogenol, a powerful antioxidant extracted from French maritime pine back, backed by over 40 years of research, the most compelling of which we have aggregated on GreenMedInfo.com here: Pycnogenol Research. Amazingly, you will find research indexed there showing it may have value for over 80 health conditions.

In 1999, a remarkable study published in the journal Thrombotic Research found that pycnogenol was superior (i.e. effective at a lower dosage) to aspirin at inhibiting smoking-induced clotting, without the significant (and potentially life-threatening) increase in bleeding time associated with aspirin use. The abstract is well worth reading in its entirety:

"The effects of a bioflavonoid mixture, Pycnogenol, were assessed on platelet function in humans. Cigarette smoking increased heart rate and blood pressure. These increases were not influenced by oral consumption of Pycnogenol or Aspirin just before smoking. However, increased platelet reactivity yielding aggregation 2 hours after smoking was prevented by 500 mg Aspirin or 100 mg Pycnogenol in 22 German heavy smokers. In a group of 16 American smokers, blood pressure increased after smoking. It was unchanged after intake of 500 mg Aspirin or 125 mg Pycnogenol. In another group of 19 American smokers, increased platelet aggregation was more significantly reduced by 200 than either 150 mg or 100 mg Pycnogenol supplementation. This study showed that a single, high dose, 200 mg Pycnogenol, remained effective for over 6 days against smoking-induced platelet aggregation. Smoking increased platelet aggregation that was prevented after administration of 500 mg Aspirin and 125 mg Pycnogenol. Thus, smoking-induced enhanced platelet aggregation was inhibited by 500 mg Aspirin as well as by a lower range of 100-125 mg Pycnogenol. Aspirin significantly (p<0.001) increased bleeding time from 167 to 236 seconds while Pycnogenol did not. These observations suggest an advantageous risk-benefit ratio for Pycnogenol." [emphasis added]"

As emphasized in bold above, pycnogenol unlike aspirin did not significantly increase bleeding time. This has profound implications, as aspirin's potent anti-platelet/'blood thinning' properties can also cause life-threatening hemorrhagic events. If this study is accurate and pycnogenol is more effective at decreasing pathologic platelet aggregation at a lower dose without causing the increased bleeding linked to aspirin, then it is clearly a superior natural alternative worthy of far more attention by the conventional medical establishment and research community than it presently receives.

To read the entire article, please click on the link provided below:

Green Med Info.

One River Voices - The Song

To learn more:

One River Voices

The Good Ship Starfinder - Song & Music by Clan Dyken

Published on January 23, 2017

Acoustic version of a song from the upcoming Clan Dyken album. Recorded in Smokey, the Silver Eagle. The Good Ship Starfinder written by Bear Dyken after a sailing trip on the Pacific Ocean, with reverence for water.

To purchase this album:
https://store.cdbaby.com

Light Will Change The Code - A Poem by M.N. Hopkins

Illness  everywhere

Humans crying in the dark

Light will change the code

© 2017 M. N. Hopkins

Note: The inspiration first came to me for the writing of this poem a few days ago.  The three words that popped into my mind were, ”change the code”.  I have played with several different combinations of words to express being active rather than reaction in setting the tone for ones mental and emotional life rather than going along with outside forces or influences. 

I decided to use the haiku (5-7-5) form as the medium to convey this message.  I first published this poem on my blog today, 16 July 2017. 

If you would like to read more of my poems, click on the link below:

More Poems by M.N. Hopkins

Gidda Beaivvas (Spring Sun) - Sung by Angelin Tytöt

Published on May 11, 2011

Song: Gidda Beaivvas
Artist: Angelin Tytöt
Album: The New Voice of the North

NOTE: I do not take credit for any of these pictures—rights to these photos belong to the original photographers and Angelit.

Tune Out MSM - A Poem by M.N. Hopkins

Citizens misled

The media is corrupt

Tune out MSM


© 2017  M.N. Hopkins

Note:  I wished to express my opinion in a very simple manner and thought of social haiku.  I didn't know if this was a form of haiku until I researched different forms and found it to be so.  I both wrote and published this poem for the first time today, 11 July 2017 on my blog.

Field Of View - A Beautiful Video by Dakotalapse

Published on March 31, 2016

2016 Badlands Night Sky Workshops Join me this summer in the Badlands of SD and learn how to shoot stills and timelapse at night. http://dakotalapse.com/2016/01/2016-b...

Field Of View is a compilation of timelapse I have shot in the last year. The first shot of the sunset supercell was done on July 23, 2015. That storm dropped multiple Tornadoes in eastern South Dakota, I was shooting it from central SD. I shot timelapse of that same storm for almost 4 hours into the night. Other locations in the sequences are Aurora in central, western South Dakota and the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. The Red Desert in Wyoming, Bandlands and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands area of South Dakota. Bighorn and Teton Mountain areas in Wyoming.

You can see the rest of the 100+ full length sequences, on the 30+ minute “Field Of View” feature, available here  http://dakotalapse.com/2016/03/field-...

Available in 4K UHD, up to 4096 X 2304, for licensing.

Photography and Editing – Randy Halverson
Produced by Randy Halverson – Dakotalapse, LLC
Opening Dakotalapse graphics – Luke Arens
Music – “Uplifting” by Nick Perrin – licensed from Audiojungle

Sponsors:
Cheyenne Camping Center – They gave me a great deal on a Flagstaff Micro Lite camper, which worked great while shooting timelapse in remote areas. They also have a great service department. http://www.cheyennecampingcenter.com

Dynamic Perception – The Stage Zero and Stage One dollies were used in many of the shots. I can’t recommend them enough for a quality product at a low price. http://www.dynamicperception.com/?Cli...

eMotimo – Great pan and tilt motion control. This will also mount on the Dynamic Perception Dollies.
See more about the eMotimo TB3’s on my website. http://www.dakotalapse.com/2014/01/em...

Camera Gear Used
Nikon D810
Sony AR7II
Canon 5D Mark III’s
Canon 6D

Lenses
2 Nikon 14-24
Rokinon 35
Zeiss 21
Sigma 15mm Fisheye
Canon 70-300

Contact for licensing footage, shooting rates or anything else.
Randy Halverson
dakotalapse@gmail.com

Follow:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/dakotalapse

It Need Not Be So - A Poem by M.N. Hopkins

It is often so

Humans bear so much sadness

It need not be so

©  2017  M.N. Hopkins

Note:   I wrote this poem this morning while out and about in town as I passed a young man on the sidewalk whom carried such a tremedous amount of sadness.  Luckily,  I had a pen and a small pack of Kleenex napkins in a small pocket of my backpack to write on before the words flew from memory.   He was physically young, healthy and well trained but emotionally not so sound.   This is often the case when I pass young people on the bike path or sidewalk.  I don't mean to pry,  just happens from time to time.  I think it is just the old habits of growing up in a big city and the need to be alert and aware of one's surroundings along with my own heightened senses.   

For whatever the reasons, we human beings carry our emotions long beyond their intended use.  Sadness is natural and built into our coping and healing systems.  It's intention I believe is to have a short life so we are open to the next incoming emotional experience which very well may be joyful.  Even joy should not be carried so long for that would be unnatural also.  Experience the emotions and let them go.  In that way, we are open to all the emotional experiences when they occur.  We have created such unnatural emotional, work and community structures that sickness and retard our growth and development rather than encourage and nurture us into stronger, more resilient and balanced human beings whom are ever evolving.

Lastly, I used the haiku method (5-7-5 form) of poetry writing since it can convey meaning that can be taken by the reader on many levels if done properly and besides,  I like an economy of words in my poetry.

This poem was first published on my blog today, the 7th of July 2017.  I do hope that you get what it is I am attempting to convey in the above poem.

If you liked this poem and would like to read more of my poetry,  please click upon the link provided below:

Poetry by M.N. Hopkins

Native North American Indian Fry Bread Recipes

FRYBREAD RECIPES FROM VARIOUS TRIBES!

Old Fashioned

4 cups flour
2 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup warm water
Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add in the shortening and water. Add only enough water to make dough stick together. Knead dough until smooth, make into fist-sized balls. Cover them with a towel for 10 minutes then pat them out into circles about the size of a pancake. Fry in hot cooking oil in cast iron skillet until brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels, serve with jam.

Traditional

1 pkg. dry yeast
3 cups warm water
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
6 cups flour
2 tbsp. oil
1/2 cup cornmeal
Dissolve yeast in warm water then add salt and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes covered with a towel. Add flour and oil to liquid mixture. Mix and put on floured bread board and knead until mixture is smooth. Put dough in a greased bowl, cover with towel and let it rise for 1 1/2 hours. Remove from bowl and put on bread board, knead in the 1/2 cornmeal. Make dough into 2 balls rolling each into 12 inch circles 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 2 inch squares and drop into hot cooking oil. (Works best with cast iron skillet.) Fry 5 to 6 pieces at a time for only a few moments. Drain on paper towel and sprinkle with white powdered sugar.

Blackfeet

4 cups flour
1 Tbsp. powdered milk
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
11/2 cups warm water
Oil for frying
Mix all dry ingredients thoroughly. Add water. Knead until soft, then set aside for one hour. Shape into small balls. Flatten each ball into a circle with or rolling pin or by hand. Fry in a skillet half-full of oil until golden brown on both sides.

Cherokee

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup milk
Mix ingredients adding more flour if necessary to make a stiff dough. Roll out the dough on a floured board till very thin. Cut into strips 2 X 3 inches and drop in hot cooking oil. Brown on both sides. Serve hot with honey.

Chickasaw

2 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
1/2 cup warm milk
Stir first three ingredients then stir in the beaten egg. Add milk to make the dough soft. Roll it out on floured bread board, knead lightly. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into strips 2 X 3 inches and slit the center. Drop into hot cooking oil and brown on both sides. Serve hot.

Pumpkin Fry Bread

Add the following to the ingredients shown above to make Pumpkin Fry Bread

2 cups fresh pumpkin or 1-16oz. can pumpkin
1 tbsp. milk or water
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. vanilla
Drop into hot cooking oil and brown on both sides. Serve hot with butter or powdered sugar.

Creek

2 cups flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Sift flour,salt and baking powder then add milk and more flour to make dough stiff. Roll out onto floured bread board and cut into 4 X 4 squares with a slit in the center. Fry in hot cooking oil until golden brown. Drain on plate with paper towels.

Navajo #1

1 C flour

1 t baking powder

1/4 C powdered milk

1/4 t salt

warm water

Combine the ingredients and slowly add enough warm water to form dough. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough until it is smooth soft and not sticky. Cover and let rest 1 hour. Shape into small balls and pat into flat circles about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Set aside.

In skillet, heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil. Brown dough circles on each side and drain on paper towels.

Serve with chile beans and your favorite taco toppings for "Navajo Tacos."

Navajo #2

3 cups unbleached flour, sifted
1/2 cup dry powdered milk
1 Tbs. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup warm water or milk
2 quarts oil for deep frying
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl and knead until smooth and soft, but not sticky. Depending on the altitude and humidity, you may need to adjust the liquid or the flour, so go slowly and balance accordingly. Be careful not to overwork the dough, or it will become tough and chewy. Brush a tablespoon of oil over the finished dough and allow it to rest 20 minutes to 2 hours in a bowl covered with a damp cloth. After the dough has rested, heat the oil in a broad, deep frying pan or kettle until it reaches a low boil (375º). Pull off egg-sized balls of dough and quickly roll, pull, and path them out into large, plate-sized rounds. They should be thin in the middle and about 1/4 inch thick at the edges. Carefully ease each piece of flattened dough into the hot, boiling oil, one at a time. Using a long-handled cooking fork or tongs, turn the dough one time. Allow about 2 minutes cooking time per side. When golden brown, lift from oil, shake gently to remove bulk of oil, and place on layered brown paper or paper towels to finish draining.

Serve hot with honey, jelly, fine powdered sugar, wojape, or various meat toppings.

Hint:

The magic is in frying the bread quickly! The hotter the oil, the less time it takes to cook. The less time it takes to cook, the lighter the texture and lower the fat content.

Osage

4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp and a half baking powder
1 tablespoon melted shortening
2 cups warm milk
Shortening for deep frying
Sift flour, salt and baking powder into bowl. Stir in shortening and milk. Knead the dough into a ball. Roll out dough on lightly floured board. Cut into diamond shapes and slice a slit in the center.

Heat shortening in deep fryer to 370 degrees. Fry 2 or 3 at a time until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

Seminole

2 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add milk gradually making sure the dough is stiff. Put on floured bread board and pat it out with your hands until it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut into strips with a slit in the center. Fry in hot oil until both sides are golden brown.