Dogs at Play | RedGage

Dogs at Play | RedGage

It's a Twin Thang

If your a twin or know twins, you will understand this video. If your not a twin or havn't had a lot of experience with twins, then you might think this is really weird.

My twin sister spontaneously videotaped me, doing a food demo on Pumpkin Seeds. (no cheat sheets). Notice how she doesn't think twice to tell me to: "Suck it in."

This is a perfect example of what it's like to be a twin. We are close enough to always be real with each other. After watching this spontaneous video, I noticed how funny it was that I quickly lowered my fat gut under the counter when sis tells me in our twin language, to "suck it in."  See video and hope you laugh like we did.
http://stoopinitinthesuburbs.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-twin-sister-doing-demo-on-how-to.html#links

Blog Hop/Thursday Writer's Post-Thrills and Chills-Halloween Style

I was asked in my Writers' Post Group to publish something about "Thrills and Chills"-Halloween Style. I hope you enjoy my Halloween Blog.


Baked Pumpkin Seeds


INGREDIENTS: Pumpkin Seeds, Olive Oil and Salt or Seasoning of Your Choice Ex: (Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix, Popcorn Cheese Salt, Lawry's Season Salt).


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate pumpkin seeds from the fleshy fibers. In a colander, Wash, Drain and Dry Seeds with Paper Towel.


2. Spread Olive Oil on Bottom of Baking Sheet. Spread pumpkin seeds evenly, in a single layer. Sprinkle seeds with seasoned salt of your choice. Bake 20-30 minutes or until Golden Brown.  Stir pumpkin seeds once during baking process to help them brown evenly and prevent burning. Let seeds cool before eating. 


3. Enjoy and Have a Happy Safe Halloween, Ghostly Blogger Buddies.

My Niece and Nephew Carving their Pumpkins

Cooking my Traditional Pumpkin Seeds

Jack-O-Lanterns Light the Dark Night

Pumpkin Seeds Flavored with Ranch Seasoning and Salt

 





                                          

Pumpkin Madness-Wordless Wednesday

Kathy's Smile

This week in my writing group/Monday Madness, we were given the prompt "Witchy Woman" for inspiration. I'm writing about the first thing that popped into my head. I hope you enjoy my story:

I was so nervous the day I met Kathy and the rest of the gang.  Fresh out of college, I had stars in my eyes. I was green as they come as a new upcoming professional in the Social Services field.

I will never forget being introduced to the seven residents I would spend the next three years of my life with. Before that front door opened, I had such excitement about it but so many worries that I might not work out. Maybe they wouldn't like me, what if I couldn't connect with them? So many thoughts, but most of all, something deep in my soul Knew this job was going to change my life and it did.

Each and every person I met became so special to me and made me a better person. I worked with "adults with mental disabilities" and believe me, they taught me so much more than I taught them. Everyday my friends lived and worked "life to the Fullest." They were involved in so many social activities and events that most "typical" adults either take for granted or are too afraid or embarrassed to try. Each person I worked with became family but one special lady found a part of my heart that I never knew existed. It would be too difficult to describe all the wonderful attributes that made Kathy so amazing. All that really matters is that Kathy was my friend. We connected in a place that had nothing to do with mental capacity or IQ. We were two women who had a blast together and loved each other unconditionally. Our relationship was one of the most beautiful connections I've ever had the honor to have in my life-time.

Other than the two of us singing songs in unison to the radio for the other six residents, one of my favorite memories of Kathy is about Halloween. Every Halloween I brought my gang to a Halloween Party with all their work friends. All Staff and Residents dressed up in costume and I was always a scary witch. I never lived down my costume choice.When Kathy got in a silly mood, I knew what was coming from my buddy. She nicknamed me "Witchypoo Linda." Sadly, Kathy lost her courageous battle with cancer but I can still hear her calling me "Witchypoo Linda."
I will never forget her~

Monday Madness-Talking in Your Sleep

Talking in Your Sleep

We were asked in our Monday Writing Group to share a story about talking in your sleep. Here is my story:

As an identical twin, I have many interesting stories to share and this is one of them:

Mom put her five year old, identical twins to bed one evening. Later that night she heard noises and stirrings coming from their room. She opened the door and peeked in. What she witnessed was something she never thought possible. Her daughters were talking gibberish to each other and searching for something under their respective beds.

Mom had known her twin girls to have the same dream before but never the same dream at the exact same time.  This was even a bit unsettling for a mom who was use to dealing with some mysterious, inexplicable twin behavior.

Eventually, after quietly observing the twins in their mystical search, she whispered, "time for bed Linda and Laura, I found it." The incomprehensible chatter and curious searching ceased and both girls went back to bed.

I still wonder after all these years, what Laura and I were looking for. How is it that we could have the same dream simultaneously.

Wordless Wednesday-Crepe Myrtle Tree

A Full Moon and it's Effects

Is Lunar Lunacy for Real?


I decided to write about the fascinating topic of the Full Moon/Lunar Lunacy Theory and it's effects on people. I've always been intrigued with this lunar enigma, so much so that I wrote a paper on it in my college days. Does a full moon really affect people's moods and behavior? Research hasn't proved this theory but as someone who has worked in the Counseling Field, I have experienced it. As a Crisis Phone Counselor,our phones rang off the hook during a full moon. We had to make sure to staff many counselor's to be able to handle the plethora of phone calls. We had calls from not only the chronic callers but many new callers as well that had never used our anonymous phone line before.

Wikipedia explains that a full moon happens "when the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth." Many researchers believe that the gravitational changes that occur during a full moon may affect a person's physiological make up which can cause changes in behavior. During my research on this topic I found an article in the "Scientific American." It talked about the Greek philosopher Aristotle and Roman historian Pliny the Elder believing that the brain is the "moistest" organ in the body which makes it more susceptible to the full moon's unfavorable effects.

Research has not always supported the claim that we act luny during a full moon. There are those on both sides of this debate. During my research, I found proponents of the lunar lunacy theory have either experienced the erratic behavior personally or have witnessed it because of working in a particular field. It doesn't matter to me whether or not research backs up this theory. I am merely intrigued with the "what if's" of this lunar enigma and as I noted earlier, have witnessed it as a phone counselor.

Here is a list of fun facts and intriguing effects of a full moon, per my research from "Scientific Magazine."

• Mental Health issues seem to worsen during full moons. Schizophrenics in particular show the greatest deterioration in mental well-being and quality of life.
• There is increased admissions to psychiatric wards and hospitals during a full moon.
• Suicides and Homicides increase during a full moon.
• Phone lines at Phone Counseling Agencies, ring off the hook during full moons.
• The word "lunatic" actually comes from the word "luna" (Latin for moon) and has connotations that a full moon causes deviant behavior.
• A full moon triggers physiological changes in epileptic patients which can induce seizures.
• There is an increase in crime during a full moon.
• There is an increase in police calls for domestic disturbances during a full moon.
• Eastern European women notice a problem with their menstrual cycles during a full moon.
• There is an increase in traffic accidents during a full moon.
• During the Middle Ages in Europe, the term, "Transylvania Effect" and/or "Lunar Lunacy" was used to describe how a full moon could transform people into Werewolves or Vampires.
• Hospitalization for gastro-intestinal bleeding in males tend to increase when there is a full moon.

Are you a believer in the Lunar Lunacy Theory? If so, let me know your story of how you came to witness and believe in it. I've had many people in different fields, share their story with me. Let's chat! 

Thanks for the "Tell Me About Yourself Award"

Thank You so much Sneha Sunny for nominating me for the "Tell Me About Yourself Award." I appreciate it.

The rules of this award is that:
1. You need to tell 7 things about yourself
2. You'll have to pass this award to 15 bloggers.

Seven Things About Myself:    Let's do this!


1. I'm an identical twin
2. I'm a lung cancer survivor and never smoked :-(
3. I'm helping my twin sister raise her children
4. I have a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology
5. I was an extra in one of the worst movies ever made. It 
    was called "The Comeback" and starred Robert Urich and         
    Chyna Phillips. 
6. I sang for weddings when I was younger
7. My passions are: Writing, Cooking, Singing, Gardening, Power Walking and spending time with friends           
    and family.
 
The second rule is to pass this award to 15 more people. So, here's my list...

1. "Stoopin it" in the suburbs
2. Wine-n-Chat
3. STRONG AND CONFIDENT LIVER CANCER SURVIVORS
4. PiNkYs ViCtOrY and Company
5. Janel's Pancreatic Cancer Angels
6. always thinking
7. Breast Cancer is my Bitch
8. LUPUS AND CHRONIC ILLNESS
9. Poetry in Motion
10.My Meddling Mind
11.Ducks 'n a Row
12.blackswanpoetry
13.Retire In Style Blog
14.Life in My Little Corner
15.My life with Anxiety and OCD


Now it's your turn to tell me 7 things about you and pass this award to any 15 bloggers..