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|December 10, 1999
Volume 1, Issue 50
|Midwifery Today E-News
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In This Week's Issue:
1) Quote of the Week
1) Quote of the Week:
"Love your neighbor, but don't pull down the hedge."
- Swiss proverb
2) The Art of Midwifery
Listening is noting what, when and how something is being said. Listening is distinguishing what is not being said from what is silence. Listening is not acting like you're in a hurry, even if you are. Listening is eye contact, a hand placed gently upon an arm. Sometimes, listening is taking careful notes in the person's own words. Listening involves suspension of judgment. It is neither analyzing nor racking your brain for labels, diagnoses, or remedies before the person is done relating her symptoms. Listening, like labor assisting, creates a safe space where whatever needs to happen or be said can come.
- Alison Para Bastien, "The Healing Art of Listening," Midwifery Today Issue 26
To read this beautiful article in its entirety, order Midwifery Today Back
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3) News Flashes
Women have commonly been denied trials of labor if their first cesarean section was performed for failure to progress or cephalopelvic disproportion, the most common indications for primary cesarean. In a 1987 study published in the American Journal of Public Health, the largest percentage of women attempting VBAC had cephalopelvic disproportion or failure to progress cited as the primary indication for their initial cesarean. Of these women, 65 percent--almost two thirds--went on to have normal births; many of the babies were much larger than the baby for which the original cesarean section had been performed.
- ICAN Clarion, Sept. 1997
Ancient Art Midwifery Institute: The Standard of Excellence in Midwifery Education since 1981. The first at-a-distance program for midwives. With online support and the exclusive AAMI online study group for our students, be a part of the best program available for your dollar. E-mail firstname.lastname@example.com or phone 818-902-0449.
AAMI, PO Box 788, Claremore, OK 74018-0788
4) Oxytocic Drugs
Few childbearing women realize the inherent risks of oxytocic drugs. In addition to the more benign effects of uterine stimulants, the American manufacturer of Pitocin points out in its package insert that oxytocin can cause: a) maternal hypertensive episodes, b) cardiac arrhythmias, c) uterine spasm, d) titanic contraction, e) uterine rupture, f) subarachnoid hemorrhage, g) water intoxication, h) convulsions, I) coma, j) pelvic hemotoma, k) postpartum hemorrhage, l) afibrinogenemia, and m) fetal death.
Uterine stimulants that foreshorten the oxygen-replenishing intervals between contractions by making the contractions too long, too strong, or too close together increase the likelihood that fetal brain cells will die. The situation is somewhat analogous to holding an infant under the surface of the water, allowing the infant to come to the surface to gasp for air but not to breathe.
All these effects increase the possibility of neurologic insult to the fetus. No one really knows how often these adverse effects occur because no law or regulation in any country requires the doctor to report an adverse drug reaction to the country's drug regulating agency, even if the patient dies.
- Doris Haire, "Update on Obstetric Drugs and Procedures: Their Effects on Maternal and Infant Outcome," Birth Gazette 13:1, 1996.
5) Question of the Week
Is it possible to "diagnose" a nuchal hand before birth (other than with an ultrasound in labor)? Is there anything one can do to help keep the mother from tearing when there is a nuchal hand? Any other useful information on the topic of nuchal hand/arm is welcome.
- Ulrike
Send your responses to email@example.com
6) Question of the Week Responses
Q: Has anyone heard of a "thin uterus"? Is this a real condition, and if so do you have any suggestions on how to remedy it and strengthen the uterus? This has to do with a desired first pregnancy. -J.L.
The uterus is made of smooth muscles. Exercise strengthens and nourishes them. Calcium ions participate in the process of muscle contraction, retraction and compression. Vitamin K, calcium and iron are involved in the nourishment of the uterus and its functioning so that later on during labor, postpartum hemorrhage can be avoided with the aid of skilled midwife's hands.
Nettle and wild yam work together to nourish the developing embryo and uterus, which helps prevent threatened miscarriage. The uterus is bathed by our hormones which is a function of a healthy pituitary gland working in concert with less stress, nutritious food, enough sleep and power to relax and be open to prayers.
First time mothers in the Philippines, even before they get pregnant, get a uterine massage from skilled massage therapist/elders to position the uterus well and provide strength. The way we move our bodies, even belly dancing and pelvic rocking, squatting and our daily chores of cleaning the floor on hands and knees may influence the tone of our uterus. I believe a well toned uterus is the key to a healthy pregnancy.
- Connie Dello Buono
[Editor's note: To read more about uterine massage, order Midwifery Today Back Issue 49 for an extensive article on the Arvigo Method of Mayan Uterine Massage. 1-800-743-0974 or www.midwiferytoday.com. Please mention Code 940.]
Q: Any ideas, advice or recommendations on how to naturally induce labour? I am a midwife with a high percentage of first time mums overdue; they get fed up, and I have run out of tips.
- Anon.
No one has mentioned using cotton root tincture for inducing labor. Anyone ever try it?
- Anon.
According to the medical literature, human gestation ranges from 36 to 44 weeks. That is a two-month range, not the EDC plus or minus 2 weeks. The mean length of time plus or minus one standard deviation gives the 38-42 weeks range, with 40 weeks the average, or mean.
The mean has come to mean the right answer. Phooey! Here is an analogy: Few people actually have a 98.6 F temperature; that is an average. Some actually feel unwell if their temperature is 98.6 because their own body temperature is lower. Everyone has his or her own range. So it is with due dates.
Where I live, over 50% of births involve Pitocin, usually to induce, often because the practitioner wants the birth to be Monday through Friday, daylight hours. Sometimes it happens because the mother is complaining about the heaviness and pressure of late pregnancy and the provider takes that complaining seriously and tries to fix it. Sometimes it happens because the mother has dilated (even as far as 5 cm) or effaced a lot but isn't having contractions; the practitioner fears the baby will fall out (mothers wish that would happen!) and brings her in and induces. There is no respect for natural process. Even a birth center where I teach transfers 20% of women to the hospital most commonly because the women "need" Pitocin. How could the human race have survived if 20% of women couldn't give birth without drugs?
I hate the whole idea of "due date." It is only a guess that creates expectation. The woman often circles that date on her calendar so she won't schedule any other appointments for that day. Better to teach women that the misery of late pregnancy is a natural motivation to want to go into labor, which is a natural progression from the joy of showing the sweet little belly that occurs in the early months. Teach them how to pay attention to their babies to know if things are OK in there. Babies will still play and respond inside even at the very end.
Practitioners may want to see her every week, to listen to a heartbeat or check a blood pressure, to tell her how well she looks, to listen to her complain and suggest a warm bath and other comfort measures, and to communicate to her that pregnancy is a time of waiting.
As a cranio-sacral therapy practitioner, I appreciate the power of intention and belief. When the healthcare provider gets worried about the length of gestation, that worry communicates to the woman, who may delay the start of labor longer because her adrenalin level can go up. Worry and beliefs are contagious. And we all know that adrenalin is the enemy of oxytocin!
So let's organize to keep pregnant ladies happy. Watch them with love and for heaven's sake, let the baby come when it wants.
- Nikki Lee
I think we shouldn't even consider doing anything to induce before 42 weeks unless there are definite concerns about the health of the baby. A mom is not post dates until she is past 42 weeks. Until then she is merely "due," not overdue.
I know some advocate induction near the due date because they think it will avoid problems with big babies, but the rate of fetal growth slows down near term. The average baby will gain no more than 4 to 8 ounces during that additional two week period. This quarter to half pound gain is hardly likely to significantly affect the birth outcome.
- Gail Hart
Four of my five babies born in hospitals were induced (the fifth baby was a section). I have had one Pitocin drip, two AROMs, and one Prostin plus AROM. I have also had my membranes stripped in numerous late dates pelvic exams.
These induced births were unpleasant for many reasons; for example, the Pitocin made my contractions agonizing, the AROMs made my babies go into terrible positions for birth, and the Prostin meant twelve hours of useless, tiring, constant contractions (not to mention it's just plain disgusting to now know there was pig semen in me). These babies were induced to "get things going," and all inductions made me believe I could never "get things going" all on my own.
Not once was I told of the terrible risks that accompany labor induction. Induction was always portrayed as safe, easy, expedient. But I now know that the drip made my baby more likely to have debilitating oxygen deprivation, the AROM put my babies at higher risk of death by cord prolapse, and the long-term effects of having the sperm of another species in me are not even known. The full hazards of induction are extensive and poorly researched. (And the idea of "natural induction" is illogical--any birth made to come before its time holds risk, and the words "natural" and "induction" together create a genuine oxymoron.)
With my sixth baby, I would certainly have been induced again if I had chosen to remain within medical confines to give birth. I went a full four weeks past my "best before" date, but I had wisely chosen the care of Gloria Lemay, the least interventionist birth attendant in my province. As the weeks went by, she reassured me of my body's innate birthing wisdom and of my baby's beautiful birth. It was difficult. I genuinely believed I couldn't give birth without artificial coercion, but I trusted her. And when the time was right I simply, easily, beautifully, and magnificently gave birth.
Any woman who is impatient to get her baby out or any attendant who is impatient for her, must know that inductions hurt terribly in many ways and have effects that are not even fathomable. Inductions undermine a woman's faith in her own body, and pilfer from her the most crucial rite of passage a woman can have. The birth attendant's job is to help women trust birth and be their strong anchor when fear, distrust and impatience threaten to overwhelm completely. It is the attendant's job to keep women and babies safe and mind the pregnant and birthing woman's body as the cathedral of life that it is, never to be desecrated by tubes, hooks, needles, animal semen, beef and hog pituitary gland extracts, or overeager fingers. Birth can be trusted, and is safe.
- Leilah McCracken
I read Phil Watters' comment about induction in the Dec. 3 issue and at first I was almost offended, but as I thought about it, I realized he is right! Midwives, we need to remember that one of the biggest reasons couples opt for homebirth is to *avoid* intervention. If we don't help protect them from that, we have done them a disservice.
Induction should never (in home or hospital) be done because mom is "antsy." One of the biggest reasons homebirth is a safe option is because nature is (or should be) allowed to do its own thing! Only in recent times has everyone started worrying about "due dates." Judging by the increasingly poor mortality rates in the U.S., all our "labor management" has not improved things much!
If I had not been a firm believer in this before I entered midwifery, I would have been after I spent time in a backwoods, doctorless maternity clinic in Bolivia. Those ladies had nothing going for them according to U.S. standards and they never worried about "due dates," yet their bodies gave birth very well to healthy babies, and I *never* saw a "deteriorating placenta!"
If mom gets impatient and uncomfortable, it is our responsibility to counsel her to be patient and help her understand the reasons why patience is still the safest option. A safer option than worrying about "due dates" would be to ensure that mom has an optimum diet so she and baby have optimum health when they go into labor.
A 280 day pregnancy is an *average* based on a 28 day cycle. To create an average, there must be those on either extreme. On the other hand, I know midwives will sometimes induce labor simply due to pressure from the medical community to conform to their standards. A case in point: A former client of mine has had seven healthy babies. The first two were medically induced, knock-em-down, drag-em-out, hospital horror stories. The next five were born in the comfort of her own home, and all were beautiful, uncomplicated, healthy births. Only one of her babies was born close to due date. She has gone 43-46 weeks every other time! All her babies weighed 10-11 lbs and she pushed them out with 2-5 pushes. No, she is not diabetic, and her mother had big babies, too. Except for birth weight, when assessing her babies according to gestational age charts, her babies always appear to be 39-week babies. If this lady were induced because her "dates" were "right" or because her baby was "big enough to be born," or when she got antsy and uncomfortable, she would always have had premature babies. For this lady, 43-46 weeks is normal, (she is one of those who helps create the averages) and induction would be harmful. She is the only mom I have ever "induced" (with herbs) and she and I both agreed to do this only because of pressure from the medical community. We knew that if we would have to transport her at that stage of "overdue" pregnancy, the flack could be pretty devastating, so we chose herbal induction as a safer option than chemical induction and hospital birth.
Phil Watters is right! Consumers often pressure their doctors to do things for convenience and comfort (if you can call medical induction comfortable!) and on the other hand, sometimes midwives do things because of pressure from the medical community. It's a two-way street, and either way we are doing couples a disservice, first for not seeing to it that they are educated well enough so that they don't want induction, and second for giving in to what we know is not wise or safe.
- Elaine
Visit the multiple award-winning WATERBIRTH WEBSITE for the most complete waterbirth information available on the net!
7) Switchboard
In response to the question about hemorrhage and cayenne [Issue 49]: since the writer reports that she saw "many" postpartum hemorrhages, I think factors were at work other than the use of cayenne or any other herbs. Hemorrhage of over two cups should be relatively rare; hemorrhage of over 4 cups should be exceedingly rare. If it seemed to occur more often, I would suspect that the midwives were consistently over-estimating the amount of blood loss (this is quite common) or else there might be some unusual management of third stage. Handling the fundus, traction on the cord, and other manipulations, including clamping the cord too soon after birth, can all increase bleeding.
Even management of second stage can influence blood loss. Pushing before full dilation, coached pushing, fundal pressure, and rushing the shoulders (delivering before full restitution and the second contraction after birth) can also increase bleeding and problems with the placenta.
One midwife in a border clinic reported an incidence of hemorrhage over 4 cups of above 10%. I'm not sure what was going on, but it should be closer to one or two percent.
- Gail Hart
I'm trying to find out about the status of midwifery in Israel. Are they used much there, how acceptable is midwifery, what is the general atmosphere, what training is necessary to practice in the country, is there physician back-up, etc.?
- Ketzia
Where can I find information on death and emergencies in births (mother and/or child) in different countries, cultures, tribes, centuries? I'd prefer detailed info, whether from books, Internet sites, etc. I can't seem to find any info on this from the past to compare with modern statistics.
- Bruce Mitchell, email@example.com
I have an 8 1/2 month old and I am wondering about supplements for myself. Someone also said she should be taking iron drops. I bought some glucosamine sulfate and kelp for different problems. Is there a problem taking these products while nursing? I take vitamin C, E, iron, calcium and flax oil. Are there things I shouldn't take while nursing? If you can't answer my questions maybe you can direct me to who can.
- Lisa Saunders
I am an independent midwife in the UK and am off to Mozambique and Swaziland for just over 3 weeks. I would really appreciate any contact from midwives who have worked in either of these places. I would ideally like to experience the way that traditional midwives work. Can anyone help?
- Andrya Grubb, firstname.lastname@example.com
Unless otherwise noted, share your responses to Switchboard letters with E-News readers! Send them to email@example.com. If an e-mail address is included with the letter, feel free to respond directly.
8) Classified Advertising
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This publication is presented by Midwifery Today, Inc., for the sole purpose of disseminating general health information for public benefit. The information contained in or provided through this publication is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be, and is not provided as, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Midwifery Today, Inc., does not assume liability for the use of this information in any jurisdiction or for the contents of any external Internet sites referenced, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advertised in this publication. Always seek the advice of your midwife, physician, nurse or other qualified health care provider before you undergo any treatment or for answers to any questions you may have regarding any medical condition.
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The content of E-News is copyrighted by Midwifery Today, Inc., and, occasionally, other rights holders. You may forward E-News by e-mail an unlimited number of times, provided you do not alter the content in any way and that you include all applicable notices and disclaimers. You may print a single copy of each issue of E-News for your own personal, noncommercial use only, provided you include all applicable notices and disclaimers. Any other use of the content is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of Midwifery Today, Inc., and any other applicable rights holders.
© 1999 Midwifery Today, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Midwifery Today: Each One Teach One!


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Anyone watching suns? That shot was close
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Anyone watching suns? That shot was close
"We've got to be very clear about this. We don't want our players hanging around with murderers," said Larry Bird, Pacers president.
Heart-breaker. I've seen Joe Johnson hit a lot of game-winners, but that was unique.
I did. It was fun. Brook Lopez took advantage of Miles tonight. Too bad that the Suns lost the way they did. They really fought for it. Awesome shot by Joe Johnson as well.
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.
Josh smith 1 block from being the 10th player ever to record a 5X5.
Edit: just missed it. 21/8/7/5/4.
It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.
Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004
Time for a new sig.
which Morris is the good one? I got Marquieff on my fantasy team, was told I messed up, and now I see that Marcus had the better game tonight. Do I drop Marquieff and add Marcus? Was Marquieff the one that was good, or was Marcus the one that has been good this year?
Being unable to close out a game in which you have a comfortable lead in the 4th Q = Pulling a Frank Vogel
Markieff has been the one playing better.
Well, my team is pretty ****ing bad right now, but I can safely say we're not Sacramento-bad. We have that to build on at least.
KCP starting was a good step forward. Excellent defense even if he didn't score a lot.
It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.
Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004
Time for a new sig.
Spurs are humming along, with a 7 game win streak and 9-1 overall record. If it weren't for us, people would be talking more about them.
Or maybe not. They're the Spurs, this kind of thing is expected for them
What was funny watching it on TV was they showed LeBron and others watching it on the big screen while they were reviewing it. After they showed it, you could see LeBron shaking his head and mouthing "Not good. Not good."
Odd Thought 2006.
I wasn't following the team closely back then but what was Peja's short stay with the Pacers like? Disaster? Success? Mediocrity?
Take a look at this:
This could be seriously groundbreaking. I mean, they are even keeping track of block outs and when a player dribbles with his right or left hand
Here's a small sample of Stephen Curry -> http://www.vantagesports.com/
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.
Ok, I'll admit it, I hate advanced statistics. I want to watch basketball, not do math. Boo, math!
Chalmers suspended one game for his shot to Dirk. TBH, Dirk is my favorite NBA player of all-time and even I think that is a pretty harsh penalty. Looked like Dalembert hooked his arm, and Chalmers was fighting his way out and happened to strike Dirk upside the head. I was okay with him getting tossed but an extra game getting tacked on to that is pretty excessive.
Peja put up very good numbers in his 40 games as a Pacer and the team made the playoffs. But he seemed to be more concerned about his 2006 free agent status than anything else. He talked about his intention to opt out of his contract while the season was still going on (though it was obvious that's what he'd do) and only played in two of the playoff games against New Jersey.
The Pacers did have an MRI performed that revealed no structural damage, which is good news, but it will be a matter of relieving the swelling and reducing the pain. Stojakovic's status for Game 3 is uncertain but Carlisle said he was "hopeful" his team's primary perimeter threat would be able to play.
I'm a bit fuzzy on the details since it's been almost eight years and that's an era of Pacers basketball that I've tried to wipe from my memory, but the fact that there was no structural damage to his knee is why a lot of people were disappointed in him for not playing more than two games in that New Jersey series. That, combined with the fact that he was talking about opting out in the middle of the season, led many to believe that he was far more concerned about his upcoming free agency than he was helping the Pacers. You have to tread lightly when you criticize a guy for not playing hurt, but his actions didn't exactly scream toughness.
We actually won the two games he played that series. He wasn't himself, but he did help. That's why people were upset when he didn't play. This guy was a very solid basketball player.
I won't embed it since it's a Vine but this is hilarious, Coach Sheed can still get up
yeah, this. They play the game the way it has to be played, right on the edge. So when they stray over the edge, there is no reason to give them any benefit of the doubt.
Especially chalmers has been part of a lot of "accidental" hits
damn, Klay Thompson's putting up 20 points on 55%?

subset: commoncrawl


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Though I think the chances of working something out with anyone is slim and none, just wanted to put it out there that Tracy McGrady is obtainable.
I'm only interested in one for one or maybe a two for two deal. No three for ones, no quantity for quality deals.
If you have a prime superstar but you like McGrady better, lets talk.
If you're thinking Bobby Simmons, Marty Collins and Michael Finley will yield McGrady, no thanks.
Drop me an email at email@example.com


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Sebastian Vettel's pain in Spain continued after the reigning four-times Formula One world champion was handed a five-place grid penalty ahead of Sunday's grand prix in Barcelona.
Vettel will now start 15th after requiring a gearbox change to his Red Bull which lost drive in the early stages of the final part of the qualifying session at the Circuit de Catalunya.
It was another kick in the teeth for Vettel after missing virtually all of Friday's practice sessions due to his car incurring a simple wiring loom fault that took an age to fix.
Asked whether this weekend was a test of his mettle as a driver, Vettel replied: "Well, I haven't been tested on the track much so far because I haven't driven much.
"It is tough because you would obviously love to get more info about the car, get into a rhythm.
"After missing near enough both practice sessions, I caught up a little in final practice, but then qualifying was tricky.
"In Q3 I left the pits, tried to go up to second (gear), but lost drive.
"I tried third, had third, so I decided to keep going because it is possible to do a lap around here even without second gear.
"But by turn one I was stuck in fifth gear and couldn't go up or down, I had lost all drive, so had to stop.
"These things happen, but now I just have to do the best I can from the position I am in."
Vettel, who opted for a chassis change ahead of this weekend's event in the hope it might bring him better fortune following a poor start to the year, is now becoming increasingly frustrated with the mounting technical glitches.
"With all these reliability issues it's a bit disappointing, and now a bit boring. We've had all sorts of problems this year," added Vettel.
"In practice, unfortunately a very small cable got caught in the wrong place which was impossible to see in putting the car together, but obviously now we know where it belongs.
"Up to that stage you could say we've been lucky because we've never been caught.
"As for today I don't know yet what was the cause. Of course, I'm quite disappointed."
Vettel's penalty means Force India duo Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez move up to 10th and 11th respectively,
Behind them will be Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat in 12th in his Toro Rosso, followed by Esteban Gutierrez in his Sauber and McLaren's Kevin Magnussen, and then Vettel.


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For more information, contact:
Kristina Gawrgy
For Immediate Release:
November 5, 2008
Local Teacher Featured on Cover of NAEYC's Teaching Young Children
New Magazine Features Best Practices for Teachers Who Educate Our Youngest Learners
(Boston)– David Robinson, a veteran teacher at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited Eliot-Pearson Children's School at Tufts University, has been recognized for his achievements as an early childhood educator by being featured on the cover of NAEYC's Teaching Young Children (TYC).
"We are pleased to feature David Robinson on our cover," said Derry Koralek, Editor-in-Chief of TYC. "He is a thoughtful, creative educator who helps children to explore their world through play, projects, and hands-on experiences."
Robinson is one of a series of excellent educators chosen to be featured on the cover of TYC since last fall when the magazine debuted. TYC is distributed to nearly 20,000 readers nationwide. Each issue of the magazine provides useful, research-based ideas that preschool teachers can use in their work with children and families. TYC is also available in Spanish as Tesoros Y Colores.
Robinson, who has been in the education field for nearly 20 years, became a teacher because he was drawn to the "intellectual vigor" of teaching young children. He also says he enjoys teaching in a laboratory school setting because it gives him the opportunity to try new strategies and ideas.
A self-described "reflective" teacher, Robinson also uses his experience to train the next generations of teachers. He mentors and supervises Tufts undergraduate and graduate students who work and volunteer in his classroom.
For more information on TYC and to purchase the latest issue, visit http://tyc.naeyc.org.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has nearly 90,000 members worldwide. The association is the largest and most influential advocate for early care and education in the United States.
# # #
<< Go Back to Press Releases
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.


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Sometimes a closer look doesn't make things more clear. And at microscopic levels, even familiar things can become completely unrecognizable.
This selection of winning images from Nikon's annual Small World microscope photography contest contains some strange, mysterious and fascinating photos. We're betting you won't know what any of them are upon first glance.
They look like everything from brains to fish to candy. What are they really? Open the gallery in full-screen mode to find out. Once you've made a guess for each one, scroll down in the description for the answer.
All images courtesy of Nikon Small World.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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And, of course, the fine print:
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I like America | I like America: a native sees his country as it is, and as it might be
- Title : I like America | I like America: a native sees his country as it is, and as it might be
- Artist: Hicks, Granville , 1901-1982 | Bennett, Richard M. (illustrator.) | Josephy, Robert (typographer.) | DeNoon, Christopher (donor, XC2010.09.7.137.) | Modern Age Books (publisher)
- Accession: 83.2.1094 ; XC2010.09.7.137
- Collection: Library
- Subject: Communists | Communists , United States | Social justice | Anti-racism , History | Anti-racism , United States , History , 20th century | Labor movement , History | Labor movement , United States , History , 20th century | Communism | Communism , United States , Biography | Economic conditions | Social conditions | E 169 .H58 1938
- URL: http://libimages.wolfsonian.org/83.2.1094.219.jpg
Description: by Granville Hicks ; decorations by Richard M. Bennett. | "Composed and printed in the United States of America by Union Labor"--t.p. verso. | "Granville Hicks is the author of The Great Tradition and John Reed, the Making of a Revolution. He likes this America which he knows and in which his people have lived for generations. But he is very much interested in the people who he suspects 'feel no positive affection' for their native land--'the underprivileged,' who have little reason to like America, who 'lack patriotism because they don't share in America's greatness.' What Mr. Hicks would like to do is convince these people--some eighty percent of the population of the United States--that 'even if they haven't much of a stake in America as it is, they have a tremendous stake in America as it might be.'"--Dust jacket flap. | English. | The Christopher DeNoon Collection for the Study of New Deal Culture.


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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Friedland, MD
Formerly, Professor of Neurology
Department of Pathology
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University
Dr Friedland is a clinical and research neurologist interested in behavior and aging. He is a graduate of the City College of New York and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (1973). He completed his neurology residency at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and from 1977-1978 was a Fellow in dementia and aging under Dr. Robert Katzman at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY. Since then he has worked at the University of California Davis and the Research Medicine Group of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory of the University California, Berkeley. He served from 1985 to 1990 as Deputy Clinical Director and Chief of the Section on Brain Aging and Dementia of the National Institute on Aging Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. Since 1990 he has worked at Case Western Reserve University in the School of Medicine, where he is currently Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry and Chief of the Laboratory of Neurogeriatrics. Dr. Friedland's work has focused on clinical and biological issues in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. He was among the first to document patterns of abnormal brain metabolism and cerebral blood flow in the disease using positron emission and single photon emission computed tomography. He also contributed early studies on the use of magnetic resonance imaging in dementia. The first studies of problems of driving behavior in patients with Alzheimer's disease came from his group at the NIH. More recently, Dr. Friedland has been working on the patterns of disease occurrence and risk and protective factors, with studies of the Kikuku in Kenya, Jews and Arabs in Israel and Caucasian and African-American subjects in Cleveland. He has documented a series of important determinants of the disease, including physical and mental inactivity, smoking and diet. This work has focused on interactions of genetic and environmental lifestyle elements. His group is also using animal models to better define the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease and develop new treatments.


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The Lakers have always liked Fred , who probably could function well in the triangle.
Chris Mihm is signed for only one year at 4.2 mil , if Jeff Foster were involved in an Al Harrington trade , Mihm could slide in as his replacement . The Pacers would get a one year look at him and allow Harrison to develop.
Then next summer after Croshere's deal expires if Mihm played well enough they'd have more wiggle room to resign him , if not you let him go.


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A SUCCESSFUL Dartford-based dance team will be rallying for support at the Orchards Shopping Centre on Saturday.
Juicy – a team of 11 girls aged between eight and 10 – have made it through to the semi-finals of Sky 1 talent Show Got to Dance.
The group, who were formed in 2009, meet weekly at the Goodman Dance Centre in Market Street and already have a handful of awards under their belt.
They already have a wealth of experience, having danced at the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall last year.
On Saturday, they will have the opportunity to impress the Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Ann Allen, who will stop by at the shopping centre at midday.
The girls will be at the Orchards between 11am and 2:30pm and will be performing their dance routine every 20 minutes.
Watch Juicy on Got to Dance at 6pm on March 10.


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And how is that different from what Ven Analayo has put forth?Dmytro wrote:Dukkhanirodha wrote:Can you explain then how it would make sense that the ability to recollect the past would be developped by observing the reality of the body and mind in the present moment, otherwise than by the way explained in the twofold definition I gave above (see immediately previous post)?
Sati (remembrance) means either recollection of past events, or remembrance in the present. In the context of Satipatthana, it's remembrance in the present.


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Rich show-off
2012 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws
2011 PD ABA Fantasy Keeper League Champion, sports.ws
2006 PD ABA Fantasy League runner up, sports.ws
Despite what the many pessimists on this board think, picking up Stuckey is not a bad move considering the circumstances.
Stuckey started many games at PG for the Pistons and has averaged 3.9 apg in 29 mpg for his career. His assist to TO ratio is better than 2:1. While his 3 point shooting sucks, his 2 point FG percent is around 45. At 6'5" he can play PG or SG.
Obviously he is not a great player or he would have been gone by now, but he has proven to be a decent starter. Stuckey/Watson should be able to adequately handle the PG duties or Stuckey/Miles can adequately handle SG.
Last edited by sav; 07-16-2014 at 08:53 PM.
Like I said, you'll find out for yourself. Don't take my word for it.
It wasn't about being the team everyone loved, it was about beating the teams everyone else loved.
Division Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Conference Champions 1955, 1956, 1988, 2005
NBA Champions 1989, 1990, 2004
Lance is not that good.
You realize we then have to sign other players to replace the ones you've just gotten rid of?
Disgusting. One of my least favorite players to watch. Why not give Bo McCalleb a shot instead?
Then you guys are crazy. Lebrons concerned about his legacy, he felt that the Cavs had a better shot to win in the future than the Heat did. Wiggins was part of that equation.
I think he would be a good spark off the bench. Don't see all the doom gloom about this
I definitely don't think Wiggins hurt, but I think LeBron would have returned anyways (assuming the rest of the roster was the same).
Because someone who can't shoot and hasn't played a game of basketball is going to be the deciding factor.
How how many of your top 6 have a player better than PG. 1 team?
Backs up Mile as the starting SG.
Veteran minimum unless there's a S&T or we released some one.
Pritchard is a pretty creative guy. We could shave off 6-8 mil by restructuring West and Hibbert if they opt out. That + the ~12 mil worth of expirings I listed + raise in salary cap and we could sign Dragic and fill out the roster. It's doable if we want him bad enough.
I'm about ready to just let BillS go full out on the sarcasm with some of the stuff being posted today.


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Keeping Track of What You've Got
Your friends are going to a movie and to get something to eat afterwards. You're all set to go along until you look at your wallet. You haven't got enough. How can that be? You thought you had at least $30 and you just cannot ask your parents for a loan. Where did your money go?
Good question. Money can slip through your fingers so easily. Spend a little here, a little there. Pretty soon, there's not much left. If this has happened to you, you could use some help managing your money. It is not that hard to do. This section of themint gives you some tracking tips.
First, learn where your money is going. You may get surprised. Check out the Keeping a Money Diary.


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When the inevitable nightmares come for Billy Beane, Bob Melvin and the A's about their latest postseason failure, Justin Verlander won't dominate the bad dream.
OK, maybe a little bit. But the prevailing haunt throughout Oakland's winter months will not be Game 5 of the American League Division Series. It'll be the Game 4 horror story in Detroit.
The A's fumbled away Game 4 so uncharacteristically that it not only cast a pall of doubt over their Game 5 homecoming but also got the Tigers up off their deathbed and spurred them through the finale behind Verlander.
"You say what could have been, and a lot of it sort of points to Game 4," general manager Beane said Friday. "Anytime you lose, one's not any more disappointing than the other. It's like asking which hangover is the worst -- the one on New Year's Eve or another one. But this hangover isn't quite as bad as the one before."
Indeed, Game 4 was the real crusher, just as Game 2 stuck in their craws a year ago. How did the A's blow it? Let us count the ways.
The difficult thing for manager Melvin in replaying Game 4 in his mind was that he couldn't think of a strategic decision he would have changed that might have altered what happened.
"I'm the first guy to tell you I always think it's my fault and I'm always looking for ways that I can be better or have done something differently," he said. "But at the time, you have conviction in what you're doing, and you can't second-guess yourself because of it.
"You expect the bullpen to be perfect all the time, but it's not," he added. "And there were some other opportunities in that game where we could have added on runs and not put that kind of pressure on our bullpen, but we didn't."
As for Beane, he doesn't think the A's had any roster flaws that needed to be filled to win this series, even though for two years straight, Oakland hasn't had an answer for Verlander in Game 5.
"No, I don't think any different," he said. "You just don't want to put yourself in that position. The best position we were in was in the middle of Game 4, and what you want to do is take advantage of that opportunity and not let it get away. So short of cloning our own Verlander and having him for Game 5 to go toe to toe, I think you win Game 4."
One other thing -- the end of Game 3 might have set the table for what happened in Game 4. There's no question the Tigers were a different team after closer Grant Balfour got into his X-rated screaming match with Martinez, whose numbers bear it out. He was 3 for 11 before the incident and 6 for 9 afterward.
"Is that right?" said Beane. "Note to self: Don't get Victor mad."
Jed Lowrie had an interesting theory about that confrontation. He thought Martinez, a former teammate in Boston, provoked Balfour on purpose.
"I didn't talk to Victor about it, but from watching the video, my sense is he was doing it to try and get his own guys fired up, because they were a little flat," Lowrie said. "It's well known Balf is vocal on the mound, he's yelling at himself, so to me, it seemed like (Martinez) was kind of waiting for Balf to yell. I have no evidence, that's just my sense."
Whatever, the A's were stymied once again early in the playoffs, and it left them feeling empty and frustrated the day after. They didn't have to be told Game 4 was the lethal blow. They knew it.
"We've beaten on this door a couple of times," said Melvin. "We need to actually kick it in."


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This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=3/3. Hoyle Texas Hold 'em delivers the very best of Hold 'em style poker for the Xbox 360. Choose to play with up to 9 friends or against any combination of AI and Live players. Customize your game type by choosing limit, no limit, spread limit and table limit style games. Full support of Microsoft's Avatars let's you bring your own style to the game.
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.Learn More


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Male Connector, TubexBSPP, 4x5mm, Brass, PK5
ALPHA FITTINGS| Zoro #: G1216792| Mfr #: 50020N-4-M5-PK5
Zoro #: G1216792Mfr. Part #: 50020N-4-M5-PK5
$19.06 /pk
Orders over $50.00 ship free. DetailsStandard ground shipping
Technical Specifications
|Zoro #: G1216792 Mfr #: 50020N-4-M5-PK5
|Max. Pressure: 250 psi
|Item: Male Adapter
|Temp. Range: 0 Degrees to 160 Degrees F
|Hex Size: 10mm
|Country of Origin (subject to change): Italy
Product Description
Male Connector, Tube Size 4mm, Pipe Size 5mm, Tube To mm Connection, Material of Construction Nickel Plated Brass, Gasket Material Rubber, Hex Size 10mm, Length 21mm, Pressure (PSI) 250, Temp Range 0 To 160 Deg F, Package Quantity 5
Restrictions and Compliance
- This product is not intended for potable water applications (human consumption – drinking and cooking) and has not been designed to be compliant with the "Safe Drinking Water Act" requirements for low lead in potable water applications. This item is for use, only, in non-potable (non-human consumption) water applications.
- ***
- This is a restricted item. It cannot be used in the USA for potable water applications.


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House sales across the West Midlands look set to increase as chartered surveyors' expectations for the coming three months rose significantly, says the latest RICS housing market survey.
Last month, a net balance of 29 per cent more surveyors in the West Midlands predicted transactions to rise rather than fall over the next quarter. This positive outlook comes at a time when confidence has been growing that the market in some parts of the country may now be over the very worst.
In tandem with this, prices in the West Midlands stabilised last month; this represents the first time in over two and a half years that prices have stopped falling in the region. With prices forecast by RICS to rise by two percent during 2013 it seems that the market in some areas of the country may have started to bottom out.
However, surveyors in the West Midlands continue to have a negative view of the price outlook between now and March. 13 percent more respondents have predicted further drops over the following three months.
With transactions expected to increase, the number of homes coming up for sale significantly increased last month. During December, a net balance of 22 percent more surveyors reported an increase in new instructions.
Richard Franklin, Partner of Edward Gallimore and RICS West Midlands spokesperson,said: "Our members in the West Midlands are on the frontline, and the survey reflects the regional picture rather than the recent broad-brush national commentaries, which have painted a darker picture.
"The feedback throughout the region is the market thaw this year, brought about by the additional mortgage funds available, will see a steady strengthening of the market and increased numbers of transactions later in 2013. Transaction numbers are key to re-animate interest at large."
Across the UK, London once again bucked the overall trend and saw significant increases in prices, while the North East and Wales saw the biggest drops.


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Dickerson reminds Rockies of power potency
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It could be said that Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson is already making a positive impression in Spring Training, with a hit in Thursday's intrasquad game followed by two hits, including a two-run double, and two runs scored Friday in an 11-0 Cactus League-opening victory over the D-backs.
But for Rockies manager Walt Weiss, Dickerson's fast start to 2014 is simply a reminder.
"There's not a lot to change for 'Dickie,'" Weiss said. "He's one of those guys that can hit under water. He's very aggressive in the box, and he can hit. He's always going to hit."
Called up twice last season for his first big league stints totaling 69 games, Dickerson hit .263 but made the hits count with a .459 slugging percentage, five home runs, five triples and 13 doubles. He came to camp this year with more muscle and feels faster after working with a sprint coach on his jumps. As a result, he is turning heads in his pursuit of starts in center field.
Dickerson actually entered Friday's game in left, replacing Carlos Gonzalez. But he wants to show he can hit under any circumstance.
"I feel aggressive; my timing feels really good," Dickerson said. "I'm being very patient and trying to relax out there. Working hard in the offseason is paying off early on in camp."
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Art prints & frames, handmade in England since 1982
Explore a diverse collection of floral prints guaranteed to brighten your home. Botanical illustrations, abstract floral watercolours and graphic floral prints, there's a floral art print to suit every style. Discover famous flower painters Klimt, Monet and O'Keeffe, alongside contemporary floral illustrators and designers.


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- rue21 Inc. ( RUE), the Pennsylvania-based kids clothing retailer that private equity firm Apax Partners LP took public in 2009, will be bought out by the very same leveraged buyout shop.Apax announced Thursday the $42 per share, or $1.1 billion, deal, which is more than double the company's stock price from its fall 2009 offering. There is a 40-day go-shop for the target, and a $10 million termination fee. At the time Apax brought rue21 to market, it held a majority stake of more than 60%, and did not sell stock at the time of the initial public offering. In early 2010, after the stock had risen more than 50%, the PE firm exited much of its position, reducing its stake to about 29%, which it held through its SKM II funds. The announcement said the SKM funds were voting their shares in favor of the transaction. According to a statement Apax made at the time of the secondary share sale, it realized a 7.3 times return on its investment. At that time, rue21 operated 545 stores in 43 states. When the LBO was announced Thursday, rue21's footprint had expanded to more than 930 locations. Bob Fisch, rue21's chairman, president and CEO, said he will recuse himself from the deal vote, along with two board directors from Apax. Apax came to own rue21 by way of its absorbing midmarket LBO firm Saunders Karp & Megrue. When rue21 went public in a $124 million IPO in November 2009, the company priced shares at $19, above the expected range. Rue21 also issued preliminary results for its first quarter ended April 30. While net sales increased 9.1%, comparable store sales decreased 4.6% year-over-year. Diluted earnings per share is expected to be 44 cents, according to the company. Fisch blamed unseasonably cool weather, higher payroll taxes and delayed tax refunds on the less than desirable results. The company's special committee is using financial adviser Perella Weinberg Partners' Gary Barancik and Kirkland & Ellis LLP's David Fox, David Feirstein, Ashley Gregory and Richard Brand and Potter Anderson & Corroon LLP are its legal advisers. Perella Weinberg was represented by legal adviser Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP's M&A partners Michael Aiello and Jackie Cohen.
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Skip to Content
"I love my legs," "I rock my freckles" and "I love my 'ba-donk-a-donk,' " are just a few of the positive things that University of Colorado Boulder students have to say about their bodies in preparation for the second annual "Rock Your Body" event on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Memorial Center's Glenn Miller Ballroom.
Hosted by Community Health, a division of the Wardenburg Health Center, the free event is meant to celebrate bodies of all different shapes, sizes and colors, according to Anne Schuster, professional coordinator of the Community Health program.
CU students will be able to participate in a variety of activities including a body-positive photo project in which students can have their pictures taken with their own body-positive message. The photos will be posted on the CU Health Buffs Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/healthbuffs following the event. Some student groups already have participated in this part of the event and their pictures are available on the Facebook page.
The CU Interactive Theater Project will offer a performance on body image at noon. Interactive Theater gives students the opportunity to directly engage with the characters as they grapple with real-life solutions and challenges in this unique format.
Students also will have the opportunity to play Dance Central, talk to a dietitian from Wardenburg Health Center, take a body health screening to better understand their relationship with food, eating and their self-image, and have a one-on-one consultation with a professional from CU's Counseling and Psychological Services.
A variety of community resources and free food also will be available at the event. For more information visit http://healthcenter.colorado.edu/communityhealth/services/events/.
Anne Schuster, 303-492-5113


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C-H Briggs shares MVP honor
Briggs dominates best on mound
Pick any position in softball and Kayla Briggs can play it. But, she pitches best.
After earning All-State honors playing first base as a freshman and right field as a sophomore, Briggs moved to the mound. She has dominated ever since.
Kayla earned all-state, all-district, all-section and all-Almanac honors, three times. Plus, she finished No. 10 for PA Gatorade Softball Player of the Year in 2012 and duplicated her Almanac MVP effort for 2013.
In earning the distinction last season, Briggs ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL with a 25-2 record and 215 Ks. And, though Chartiers-Houston moved from Class A to AA this spring, Briggs had the Buccaneers poised to defend their WPIAL title until her elbow and shoulder gave out. In plenty of pain, she still managed to play as much as she could but she was unable to pitch in the final two playoff games. The Bucs reached the district semifinals but lost to eventual WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up, Riverside.
State semifinalists last year, C-H lost in the first round of the PIAA playoffs to Phillipsburg-Osceola, 4-1, and finished 19-2 overall. They were Section 2-AA champs with a 12-0 mark.
Briggs keyed that success. The all-section selection finished 17-1 on the mound. In 103 innings, she struck out 172 and owned a 1.22 ERA. Opponents batted .155 against her.
Offensively, Briggs continued to swing a hot stick. She batted .429. With five doubles, six triples and one homer, her slugging percentage soared to .714 and she maintained a .525 on-base percentage. Briggs led the Bucs with 32 runs scored. She drove in 16.
Briggs finished her career with a .518 batting average. She clubbed 29 doubles and 22 triples in her career.
"Kayla had an amazing season once again and closed out her career with some great statistics," said CM manager Tricia Alderson. "We are proud of everything she has done for out team and the program. We know she was hurting most of the season and did her best to continue to pitch and play as hard as she could.
"While, we wish her the best of luck in the future, we know that Kayla will be very tough to replace."


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Mail: Southern statues symbolize suppession
Mail: Thanks for helping Aiden
More opinion
Fall: Good time to spray musk thistle in rosette stage
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
More Ag News
Tom Osborne announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the year from the helm of the University of Nebraska sports programs.
Osborne said he is in good health, but has reached a point when he wants to step aside. He will stay around for six months or so after a new Athletic Director is selected in order to help with a smooth transition.
Osborne was the head coach of the Huskers team for 25 years, from 1973-97, succeeding the legendary Bob Devaney. After coaching, Osborne was elected to Congress in 2000. He served six years in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from Nebraska's third district.
He returned to the Huskers in 2007.
News of his retirement prompted tributes from Nebraskas top office holders.
Sen. Ben Nelson said he and Osborne have been friends since they were students at the University of Nebraska and lived in the same duplex in Lincoln.
In all those years and in every endeavor he has always conducted himself with honor, integrity, passion and compassion, Nelson said.
Nebraska is a far better place because of the good work done by this living legend, Nelson said.
Sen. Mike Johanns said Tom is a good friend and a life-long public servant. From Husker arenas to the halls of Congress, he has made a profound and positive impact on countless student-athletes and all Nebraskans.
I want to thank Tom for his service to our state and special focus on young people both on the field and through the Teammates program, Johanns said.
He is the greatest collegiate football coach of all time, Gov. Dave Heineman said. When he became the athletic director five years ago, Tom immediately restored trust, confidence and stability in University of Nebraska athletic programs.
"Coach Osborne is a legend not only because of his success as a football player and coach, but also because of his life-long dedication to our state and service to others," Rep. Adrian Smith said.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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By all means, let's complete a deal today so we can go home. Let's raise taxes, let's stick it to those rich people, let's not cut spending, and let's pretend as if we've done something. The deal will do absolutely nothing to save this country. --Senator Rand Paul
Senator Paul may have some valid points, but this morning the market is just happy to have this painful fiscal cliff debate finished. House Republicans decided not to fight the lack of spending cuts and now it's a done deal.
According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, more than 77% of U.S. households will pay more in taxes because of the expiration of 2% payroll tax cut but it is better than the alternative and stuff like that is irrelevant to the market right now. The big question for us to ponder is how far and for how long can the market run?
The fact that it's the first trading day of the new year adds some complexity to the issue. Typically, new money flows in as retirement fund contributions are made. We also have the end of tax-selling pressures. In addition, there is an inclination to put money to work because fund managers want to start off with good relative performance.
On the first day of trading in 2012, the market was up more than 1.5% and then ran straight up for three months. That extremely lopsided move was caused primarily by the Fed's quantitative easing program and it caused huge frustration for fund managers who were never able to catch up. Fund managers had a lousy year on a relative basis in 2012, which was mainly due to the fact that the market blasted higher out of the gate and never let them in.
While the bulls are celebrating the end of this fiscal cliff uncertainty and are happy to focus on individual stocks again, the bears continue to sound much like Senator Paul. They see the deal as doing nothing to solve our longer-term problems and anticipate that the debt ceiling fight will quickly cause pressure on the market again. As always, the bears have no shortage of economic arguments against this market but we have learned so often over the last few years stocks can perform well even when Washington and the economy are a mess.
Probably the biggest positive we have right now is that so many are poorly positioned for further upside. There is going to be a scramble to find long exposure and that always creates a supply of dip-buyers to provide support. The fact that it is the start of the new year just adds some fuel to the fire.
In hindsight, I sold down too much on Monday afternoon as I did not expect a clean deal to come this quickly. I'm going to be one of many who are looking for some new long exposure now. My hope is that with this political debate over, we can focus on individual stock picking. Since the main driving force for this rally is not the production of liquidity, I don't believe we are going to see the same sort of V-ish action we saw at the beginning of 2012. However, there is going to be chasing and dip-buyers may be frustrated as they look for entry points.
Jim Cramer has some comments about how this is the year that we seeing stock picking return. I sure hope he is right but there is going to be no shortage of macro issues and news headlines yanking the market around again. If stock picking mattered, we might actually see a return of individual investors. Nothing would be better for this market than that.
I'll likely do some selling into this gap up, but I'm looking for any early dips this morning to be bought and will be trying to put some money to work once the action settles down.
Good luck and go get 'em.


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Alan Heathcock is the author of the collection Volt.
Last week, my wife suggested we have a dance floor installed in our family room. She was smiling ear-to-ear, wiping sweat from her eyes. Behind her, our three kids took turns showing off their moves as Michael Jackson's P.Y.T. blared over the speakers.
Years ago, for our wedding reception, we rented steel reinforced parquet tiles that made up a dance floor in our family room. Every time I stepped onto the floor I felt empowered. I couldn't cross those tiles without tapping my way across. Back then we'd discussed buying the dance floor. But...at best a dance floor seemed impractical, at worst a little crazy.
But is crazy all that bad?
I remember being a teen and my friends thinking it was a little crazy my father had dubbed Friday nights as "Culture Night" in our house. On such nights he'd play records and have us dance. I remember one night he was playing an old Wilson Pickett record, and I tried out some new break dance moves, spinning around on my back, grabbing myself in precarious places. My father had looked a little confused, but said, "Not bad, kid. Now step aside and let your pop show you a thing or two." Then he did this little James Brown type thing, sliding to one side while dragging a foot. I wanted that move. I needed that move. I stood beside my father and followed his footsteps.
So many things were affirmed on those Friday nights. We danced to everything from Jerry Lee Lewis to Lightnin' Hopkins, the Bobby Allen Band to Marvin Gaye, my brother and I laughing while we practiced our moves, imagining what we'd unveil at the next school dance. Or watching my mother and father waltz around the room, smiling, and knowing it was love I was watching.
I fell in love with my wife dancing, kissed her for the first time on a dance floor.
My daughters, who are twelve and five, spend hours working out little routines to Katy Perry songs. I watch them bounce about the room, hitting poses in unison, without the slightest edge of self-consciousness, and I know they know the secret.
I tell my son, who's now fifteen and a bit worried about looking foolish, that the only foolishness is going to a dance and not dancing at all.
The world is always moving, cars speeding here and there, the earth spinning and turning around the sun, and day becomes night and the night becomes day, and even as our lives pass us by we stand still, trapped in the calcified malaise that too often rules our spirits. We've become a world of wallflowers.
What a thing it is to dance, to feel music in your blood, to have your heart alive, and your body free. My wife wasn't serious about getting a dance floor installed. That's the greatest thing about dancing--with all the money people spend to buy even the slightest bit of joy, I'm proud to say my family understands that happiness is only matter of a good tune played loudly and a little room to groove.


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
November 22, 2009
Prospectus Today
Infield Free Agents Review
There are currently 170 free agents. John Grabow was the 171st, but that was before signing with the Cubs right after the list became official. Over the next couple of days, I'll cover every single one of the 170, with the infielders coming first. Players are listed by position, and ranked within their position subjectively by how good a value I think each can be as a free agent.
First Basemen
Nick Johnson: His lack of power and frequent injuries hide the fact that Johnson is probably the fourth-best position player on the market, with a career .402 OBP and three straight seasons above .410. His power didn't come back after his injury, and he's one of the slowest players in baseball-a trait that has bled into his defense-so he's something of a one-trick pony, but it's the best trick. He fits something like half the teams in baseball, with the Mets, Braves and Giants being among the best spots for him. It's like signing a starting pitcher: give him a three-year deal and hope he gives you two back.
Adam LaRoche: Given how well he hit the year before he was dealt and his two months of channeling Mark Teixeira last summer, Braves fans could be forgiven for thinking LaRoche is a star. He's actually a mid-level first baseman, someone whose 2009 overall line or career (.274/.343/.491) accurately peg his skills. Middling first basemen tend to fall fast and hard around 31 or 32, and LaRoche has that Pete O'Brien feel to him, so any deal should be two years, max. He's likely return to Atlanta.
Carlos Delgado: He was on his way to another strong season when a torn labrum in his hip effectively ended his season in May. Surgery gave way to rehab, during which he suffered a strained oblique. He's a mystery at this point, because while he clearly possessed the skills of a middle-of-the-order hitter when he went down, his rehab was slow and triggered a second injury. This may be a spot for a team like the Orioles to roll the dice, getting a short-term upgrade and potentially a high-caliber trade chip if it works out, and not damaging any playoff hopes if it doesn't.
Jason Giambi: The month in Colorado was a fun story. Giambi can't play the field any longer, leaving him a pinch-hitter or part-time DH. He's basically Matt Stairs at this point, but Stairs was worth a roster spot for a long time, and Giambi can be, too. It's just hard to carry a guy like this in an age of four-man benches. Someone will guarantee a year, and it won't be a mistake.
Jim Thome: Thome last wore a glove on June 13, 2007, so we can eliminate one league right there. In the other, he's an above-average batter who'd be an upgrade at DH for a bunch of teams, and a threat off the bench for the others. It's not entirely clear whether he's looking to continue his career. Ironically, one team he'd improve is the Cleveland Indians.
Doug Mientkiewicz: Since his stint with the Red Sox in 2004, Mientkiewicz has played for five teams in five seasons. He's still capable of roping some line drives and drawing walks, and his hands are still good around the bag. That's a useful bench player in a lot of situations. Not sure he's worth a 40-man spot, but he's deserving of a non-roster invite.
Mike Sweeney: He was surprisingly productive after coming off the DL on July 23, inheriting at-bats from Ken Griffey and Russell Branyan and batting .311/.372/.500 in 137 second-half PA. With just 164 defensive innings in the last four years, he's basically a DH. There was enough there to warrant a NRI, clearly, but given his limitations I'm not sure guaranteeing money and using a roster spot is warranted.
Ross Gload: There isn't much room for backup first basemen in a 12-pitcher world, but Gload's rep as a pinch-hitter-enhanced by his hitting .318/.418/.455 last year-is going to get him guaranteed money from a team for that alone. He's a fit for a team with a right-handed regular first baseman who isn't a star or a glove man, like the White Sox. There are a lot of bad teams looking for first basemen this offseason, and Gload may fall into one of those gaps.
Russell Branyan: Branyan's chance of getting paid following the best season of his career was reduced when a herniated disk ended that performance in August. His .383/.792 performance on contact isn't likely to be repeated, and his strikeout rate crept up towards 40 percent in the second half, so there are reasons to be wary. At best, he'll get a one-year deal, and it's unlikely that he'll ever get the payoff that seemed inevitable at midseason. Power hitters with back problems are a nightmare; I wouldn't sign him.
Kevin Millar: Here's a good example of a veteran who starts working deeper counts to mask an inability to get the bat around any longer. His productivity has been going straight downhill for four years, and there's no platoon split or speed or defense to exploit. He's done.
Greg Norton: Being reduced to a true pinch-hitter-he got just two starts-didn't work for Norton, who did nothing but take pitches and hit weak fly balls all year. With no defensive skills or speed, he brings little that you can't find in a younger package possessing more upside and roster value. He'll be a non-roster invite.
Dmitri Young: Assorted injuries kept Young from even taking the field in 2009, so the final score for the two-year extension that Jim Bowden gave him is 50 games played, $10 million earned. If he ever gets healthy, he'd be worth a look as a pinch-hitter, because he does hit for average and rope some doubles.
Rich Aurilia: He's been living off two big years in Great American Ballpark for a while, and at 38, coming off two bad seasons in three, it's hard to see him contributing any longer. Garret Atkins does basically what Aurilia does and has a little upside. NRI bait, if that.
Robb Quinlan: He hasn't hit since 2006 (2007-09: .252/.305/.333) and he brings nothing else to the table but assorted gloves and a minimal ability using them to attack baseballs. If you really need flexibility, you can get it in a package that includes speed or range or on-base or power, all things Quinlan lacks. I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay in the Angels' organization.
Second Basemen
Felipe Lopez: He's played for two teams in three of the last four seasons, and he spent the other one as a National, so it's fair to call him a low-profile player. The poor defense that crippled his value at shortstop has given way to an average, maybe a bit better, glove at second base, and since getting out of Washington he's been a .400 OBP guy. Last year may have been a peak, but he's had such an odd career that it's not out of the question he could hit .300, rather than .275, for a few years. He could bat second for a whole lot of teams-Rockies, Cubs, Tigers-and push them into October.
Orlando Hudson: He had yet another Orlando Hudson year, his fourth straight in the same range, and managed to avoid a traumatic season-ending injury in the process. Back on the market, Hudson is a Type-A free agent again, and may once again run into demand problems should the Dodgers offer him arbitration. Another year in LA wouldn't be the worst outcome here, but a team in the top half of the draft should recognize the value he brings and be willing to cough up a second-round pick along with a two-year contract for Hudson, who is a terrific percentage player with good skills. The Gold Glove and fully healthy campaign will help his market value.
Craig Counsell: Rickie Weeks' injury gave Counsell an opening, and he responded with one of his best seasons. He's 39 and has lost most of his speed, and the .280 batting average will almost certainly go away in '10, so he looks better as a utility infielder for a righty-heavy team than a regular. Clearly worth guaranteed money, Counsell would look good on most contending teams.
Adam Kennedy: The secondary skills Kennedy showed at 33, stealing bases, drawing walks, and hitting for power, were rarely present in his game the previous two seasons. Betting on him to repeat that at 34 seems optimistic, and he's a marginal regular without those skills. He'd make a strong fifth infielder, however, especially for a team that rarely takes its shortstop out of the game. The Phillies come immediately to mind, especially since Kennedy could also spend some time at third base. He's worth a guaranteed deal.
Placido Polanco: Winning two Gold Gloves in three years will make him a desirable commodity. The stats back up the hardware; if he hasn't necessarily been the best second baseman, he's been a good one. His offense is slipping slightly, as he gets more balls in the air to his detriment. His decline will likely be slow, but with so much of his value in his glove and so many second basemen available, there are safer ways to spend money. He's kind of the prototypical Twin, and the Cubs could also spend for him.
Ronnie Belliard: His deteriorating contact rate is starting to chip away at his value, and he doesn't have a strong glove to fall back upon. Belliard's ability to smack down southpaws and willingness to play all around the infield make him a good bench piece, it's just not clear if his big September and installation as the Dodgers' postseason starter makes him a regular in the eyes of the player or the market. If he's paid and played like a starting second baseman, he'll disappoint. In a 350-AB role, he's worth guaranteed money, perhaps even a two-year deal. The best fit for him is in a lefty-heavy infield� Twins, maybe? Orioles?
Jamey Carroll: Utility infielders who can't play shortstop usually have short shelf lives. Carroll survives by being a better offensive player than the field, and he has the scrappy sheen that gets you two-year deals where one is more appropriate. The steady rise in his strikeout rate will likely chew up his OBP during his next deal, making it his last. He'll be pursued by a bunch of teams looking for "stability" at second base.
Third Basemen
Chone Figgins: He gets flagged as a utility guy, but Figgins has gotten 355 of his last 381 starts at third base, and he's become a strong defender there. He's likely past his days at second base, and his bat wouldn't be special in left field, so third base fits. With a broad skill set and good speed, Figgins can be expected to age gracefully, making a four-year deal less a stretch than you might think. The concern is that the deep counts he worked this year-with career highs in walks and strikeouts-were more about a loss of bat speed than a new approach. He's a little young for that concern, which usually comes up with players older than 33. Figgins is a better bet to be worth his price than Matt Holliday is to be worth his.
Adrian Beltre: Take out the fluke 2004 that made him rich and the injury-plagued 2009, and Beltre has been a remarkably consistent player. He was a better Mariner than he was given credit for, as his offense was better than it looked, and his defense consistently strong. The concern is his left shoulder, on which he had mid-season surgery. He hit .259/.291/.374 before going on the DL, and was crushing the ball when he returned only to be forced back to the DL after taking a ground ball to the groin. He wasn't the same when he returned. A healthy Beltre is a very good player, and if he won't be signing another $65 million deal, he is worth a three-year investment for something in the range of $11 million per season. He's an excellent fit for the Phillies and Cardinals.
Hank Blalock: Blalock's year was so out of sync with even the lowered expectations of his career that you almost want to give him a pass. His strikeout rate jumped as he swung through more pitches, and he just stopped drawing walks or squaring up on the ball. Blalock had a 39/1 K/BB against left-handers, which is the worst K/BB I've ever seen from anyone, ever, in any split. With all that, he was slugging .547 at the All-Star break before completely collapsing in the second half (.201/.237/.348). I'd sign him to a two-year deal and send him to an optometrist immediately; there's a lot of upside if you can get him squared away. Blalock is a great medium-risk pickup for a team that needs offense and has no third baseman, such as the A's, Orioles, or Blue Jays.
Troy Glaus: He had started his decline phase in 2007, and hits the market coming off an '09 season decimated by injuries. I'm not sure he would have been that attractive coming off what you could have expected in a healthy '09, but the lost campaign at least turns him into a low-cost upside play. With no speed and not much defense, "upside" may be strong. His willingness to play some DH and maybe even platoon will determine where he lands.
Pedro Feliz: His two years in Philadelphia were bizarre-he made more contact, hit fewer home runs per fly ball despite moving from San Francisco, and was almost exactly as productive as he was before. He hits way too many ground balls for a right-handed batter with no speed. His above-average glove barely makes up for his bat, and he has no value as a bench player. One of the losers in the Figgins/Beltre/DeRosa chases will sign him in early 2010, to little effect in the standings.
Aubrey Huff: Huff is an example of why you can't put too much emphasis on a player's launch year in evaluating him as a free agent. Had he reached the market off his terrific 2008, he would have gotten a multi-year deal for about $10 million a season. Coming off a considerably less spectacular '09, he'll be lucky to get guaranteed money. He fits better as a backup cornerman, getting 350 ABs, than as a regular; he's a league-average bat with a below-average glove. Teams needing some balance on the corners, such as the Marlins, could be a fit.
Mark DeRosa: We're not all too busy foaming at the mouth over his flexibility and character to notice that he hit a wall at 34, are we? He struck out more, walked less, hit fewer line drives� there are warning signs all over the place for a guy that half the league is chasing. A bad left wrist can't explain all of that. DeRosa has the best birthday on the calendar, but even that doesn't move the needle for me. He's worth a roster spot, and you may see some bounceback at the plate, but the kind of deal he's going to sign is disproportionate to what he'll produce. He's likely to be one of the winter's biggest mistake signings.
Juan Uribe: His 2008 and 2009 seasons were each flukes in their own way, with last year seeing a BABIP spike and some balls leaving the yard that didn't go out in '08. He's unchanged as a player, a hacker who was worth the playing time as a good defensive shortstop, but not as an adequate third baseman. He's a .250 hitter, and a team signing him will learn that pretty quickly. His power could make him a viable bench option, but that's about it. Uribe is likely to be a mistake signing.
Chad Tracy: Tracy hasn't been the same since undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee after the 2007 season, not hitting enough to make up for his not being a third baseman any longer. He's at best a backup corner infielder on a team that already has two right-handed bats at first and third, and low standards. If you prefer, he's the mirror image of Garrett Atkins. Tracy is NRI bait.
Melvin Mora. Mora's skills are eroding, a process that was masked in part by a fluky HR/FB rate in 2008. He lacks the speed and flexibility that made him a strong bench player when he was younger, so his only role is as a third baseman, and his bat is marginal as a regular there. He might be an option for teams that miss out on Beltre and Feliz, or who just want to go cheap. Perhaps the Twins or A's will call.
Mark Loretta: I can't read his name in anything but Nick Tortelli's voice. His .232 batting average doesn't mean much in 181 at-bats, although the complete lack of power is disturbing. He'll be somebody's NRI, but one who could make a contribution next season.
Miguel Cairo: His reputation as an effective pinch-hitter isn't unearned: .267 for his career, .333 since the Yankees picked him up off the scrap heap in 2004. That's not really enough to justify a roster spot, however, and it's certainly not enough to warrant an offseason 40-man slot. He'll get a non-roster invite and be on someone's bench in '10. His next team, if a new one, would be his ninth.
Joe Crede: Back problems have pretty much ended his career. It's OK to take a risk on an injury case, but you want to be getting some upside in the deal. Crede has no upside; if healthy, he'll be an OBP sink with some pop, no speed, and much less range than he had in his prime. He pushes you away from a championship. Find a better option, Twins.
Aaron Boone: Boone's wonderful comeback from heart surgery served to cloud the fact that the Astros never should have signed him. Boone has hit .249/.315/.380 since blowing out his knee in the 2003-04 offseason, with one good season in four. He'll get a look for his name and story; any more is hard to justify.
Orlando Cabrera: Durable, consistent, and just not quite a good enough player to warrant the loss of a first-round draft pick, which limits his suitors to the bottom 15 teams in the game last year. The Twins may decline to offer him arbitration, having traded for J.J. Hardy, a decision that would put a lot more teams in play for Cabrera's services. The Red Sox seem like a natural fit, given Jed Lowrie's issues and the history there. He's losing speed, so you want to keep the commitment to a year if possible. Cabrera benefits, as you're about to see, from an extremely weak pool of free-agent shortstops.
Alex Cora: Cora played through torn ligaments in both thumbs, limiting his performance in a year when he was asked to play more than usual due to the Mets' historic run of injuries. Surgeries on both digits should have him back to full health in 2010. He's worth a guaranteed deal as one of the better utility infielders in the game, albeit one with no chance to be a regular.
Omar Vizquel: Vizquel's ability to adjust to a backup role last year, as well as the perception that he played a part in Elvis Andrus' development, will allow him to play a few more seasons should be choose. He'll get a one-year guarantee from someone, with the White Sox apparently closing in on an agreement with him. Pairing him with Alexei Ramirez isn't a bad idea at all.
Alex Gonzalez: Even good defensive shortstops need to hit better than this to stay in the league. Gonzalez was surprisingly nimble afield coming back from knee surgery that cost him a season, and not-so-surprisingly useless at the plate. His glove rep will get him a guaranteed deal with one of the many bad teams needing a shortstop. The Astros spring quickly to mind, as do the Royals and Pirates.
Marco Scutaro: One of the biggest mistakes in free agency is deciding that a player's career season at an advanced age heralds some change in his level of performance, and paying him as such. Scutaro is a good utility infielder and a marginal starter who had the best year of his life at 33 on the basis of some walks, power, and defense. It wasn't a one-category thing; he played better than he ever had before. But we have a hundred years of information that tells us that utility infielders don't become starting shortstops at 33 on one side, and Marco Scutaro on the other. He absolutely can help a good team, but if you sign him and pay him money that indicates you think that he's going to have 2009 three more times, you're making a big mistake. One big year at 33 doesn't change what a player is. Scutaro is something of a competence test for front offices this offseason, and likely to be perceived as a disappointment come next summer.
Miguel Tejada: Even when he was coming up, Tejada never walked fewer than 20 times in a season. He took to swinging at everything last season-he was one of 10 players to swing at more than 52 percent of the pitches they saw-and ending many at-bats early. With declining range and a volatile offensive skill set, he's a poor risk even coming off his second straight All-Star appearance. I wouldn't sign him with anyone's money, but enough teams are looking for shortstop help that he'll get the chance to break some hearts. Tigers, perhaps?
Khalil Greene: Getting out of San Diego didn't fix his contact rate or pitch recognition, and his defense is sliding back from a place where you can forgive a .280 OBP. He didn't play enough after his return from a DL stint for social anxiety disorder to make a case for whether he's over that or not. It's hard to see Greene, at 30 and coming off two awful seasons, being worth more than a non-roster invite.
Nomar Garciaparra: Could you have found anyone, in June of 2004, arguing against Garciaparra's getting to 2000 hits? He's at 1747 and may not get to 1800. His slashing style at the plate is theoretically suited to pinch-hitting responsibilities; his career .196 average in that role, and 4-for-28 last year, argues against the notion. He can't field enough to play up the middle (or third base, for that matter) and he can't hit enough to play first base or DH. At 36, he's not really worth a roster spot. This makes me sad for some reason.
John McDonald: McDonald's defensive peak was really something to see. His 2007 season might have warranted a Gold Glove if part-time shortstops who can't hit were ever considered for the honor. Now 35, his glove cannot carry his bat, and he doesn't belong on a roster. He'll get an NRI. In a world where teams carried 10 pitchers, he could be Mark Belanger.
Juan Castro: Like McDonald, at his peak Castro was a good enough defensive shortstop to be a credible starter despite a limp bat. Now, he has no business on a roster.
Bobby Crosby: Injury-prone, 30, and a .292 OBP from ages 26-29. Someone will give him a chance, but he certainly doesn't deserve another at-bat in the majors.
Adam Everett: There was a time when his fantastic glove carried his below-average bat. Now, both have slipped from those levels, making him a replacement-level player. He's NRI bait; with no bench value, he's not even rosterable.
Ramon Martinez: He played last year only because of the train wreck that was the Mets infield. He's not likely to even get an NRI, and his career is probably over.
Chris Woodward: He hasn't been worth a roster spot since 2005, and should probably not appear in the majors again.
Next up, outfielders and catchers.
Joe Sheehan is an author of Baseball Prospectus.
23 comments have been left for this article.
BP Comment Quick Links
Blalock can't play third base anymore with his jacked up shoulder -- he's a first baseman, not a third baseman.
Nov 22, 2009 11:22 AM
It's in Orlando Cabrera's contract that his team can't offer him arbitration if he's a Type A free agent.
Nov 22, 2009 14:04 PM
re: Mark DeRosa - I thought baseball age was defined as age on July 1st of a calendar year, so why is a birthday of February 25th particularly notable?
Nov 22, 2009 14:29 PM
Zach Nadel
I can't remember a time when so many formerly successful but now severly declining 3B have hit the FA market at the same time before (I am nominally dumping Nomar into the 3B pool). Can anyone thing of a comparable year?
Nov 22, 2009 17:50 PM
Nomar Garciaparra: "At 36, he's not really worth a roster spot. This makes me sad for some reason." I feel the same way and I'm a Yankee fan. I think its because he had Hall of Fame potential at one time. I loved watching him play when he was great and kept hoping he would recapture some of his former glory.
Nov 22, 2009 18:21 PM
"Kevin Millar: Here's a good example of a veteran who starts working deeper counts to mask an inability to get the bat around any longer. His productivity has been going straight downhill for four years, and there's no platoon split or speed or defense to exploit. He's done."
Nov 22, 2009 19:42 PM
Joe, thanks for these articles. You have been a prolific (and entertaining) writer since the tail end of the regular season, and you and Kevin Goldstein (the hardest working man in Internet baseball?) are making my subscription worth it by yourselves.
Nov 22, 2009 20:50 PM
Man, lots of hate for Garrett Atkins in this article.
Nov 23, 2009 00:03 AM
Excellent article! It should be required reading for any MLB GM. Unfortunately for many teams, free agent money will frivolously be thrown at many of these players.
Nov 23, 2009 07:50 AM
Jim Thome cannot help the Cleveland Indians as long as Travis Hafner's contract is considered legally binding.
Nov 23, 2009 07:56 AM
Richard Bergstrom
Platoon 'em, a bit of poetic justice.
Nov 23, 2009 08:00 AM
My implication is that talent and production are not the primary factors to consider, which may not be very subtle, but it is bitter.
Nov 23, 2009 10:38 AM
Joe, I guess no one could see 2 years 3 million coming for McDonald. Not exactly an NRI
Nov 26, 2009 07:10 AM
...and Happy Turkey Day to Andruw Jones, only 500K (did I say only? I'd love to make only 500K) but he now sucks up a roster spot. Guess Kenny Williams doesn't subscribe to BP. Still, not as bad as giving John McDonald 3mil guaranteed.
Nov 26, 2009 10:07 AM
Richard Bergstrom
A centerfielder (even if his defense has lapsed recently) with pop is hardly a waste of a roster spot and 500k, especially after the dregs the White Sox have been running out there in recent years. I'd guess he could serve as a platoon DH as well.
Nov 28, 2009 23:28 PM
Defense lapsed Richard? I think he's one more cruller away from becoming Matt Stairs on defense if Matt Stairs played CF :-)
Nov 30, 2009 14:20 PM
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Any way you slice it, I hit my reading goal for 2013 of 18 books! I say that because Goodreads, of course, counts by individual book, making my total 23. I, on the other hand, lump together easily read fiction series that I tear through, for example, the "Divergent" series from Veronica Roth. So my count for 2013 is actually 18, 9 fiction and 9 nonfiction.
I list from most recent back, and my favorites were 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 18
1. The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum
2. The Revolution Was Televised: The Cops, Crooks, Slingers and Slayers Who Changed TV Drama Forever by Alan Sepinwall
3. Divergent/Insurgent/Allegiant by Veronica Roth
4. Asperger's on the Job: Must-have Advice for People with Asperger's or High Functioning Autism, and their Employers, Educators, and Advocates by Rudy Simone
5. 22 Things a Woman With Asperger's Syndrome Wants Her Partner to Know by Rudy Simone
6. Wait: The Art and Science of Delay by Frank Partnoy
7. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
8. The Auslander Files by Michael Patrick Sullivan
9. To Have And To Code by Deborah Geary
10. The Witchlight Series by Deborah Geary
11. A Little Book of Love: Heart Advice on Bringing Happiness to Ourselves and Our World by Moh Hardin
12. The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston
13. Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
14. Fly By Wire by Ward Larsen
15. Tiny Buddha, Simple Wisdom for Life's Hard Questions by Lori Deschene
16. Peter Pan by J.M Barrie
17. Women by Charles Bukowski
18. True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life by Kevin Sorbo
This was a year with some GREAT books. In particular, "Man's Search for Meaning" is amazing, and I'm so gratified that I read it. It's hard to believe I'd never heard of it before this year. It's one of those books you read and immediately want to share it with everyone in the whole world.
As for 2014, I am off and running - 2 books down already, 1 fiction and 1 non-fiction. Already checked off autobiography and short story collection for the year. But I'm going to keep my reading goal of 18 books because I know how time spent reading can ebb and flow. It's good number for me.
Did you read anything great last year that I should add to my list?


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Marco Antonio Delgado, an El Paso lawyer accused of money laundering, waived his detention arraignment hearing today and is expected to plead not guilty on Wednesday, his lawyer said.
Also, bond for Delgado was not set today and he will remain in custody until his hearing next week at 10 a.m. on Nov. 14.
Delgado was back in court this morning for a bond hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norbert J. Garney.
Delgado, 46, was arrested last Friday in El Paso on charges of laundering money. He is alleged to have been working with a Mexican drug cartel to launder millions of dollars. The details of his charges have not been released.
Marisela Ortega Lozano, firstname.lastname@example.com; 542-6077.


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Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, tells CBS News that the company will spend $30 million to help Iraq and Afghan war veterans get job training and fund research into PTSD and brain trauma.
"The truth of the matter is, and I say this with respect, more often than not, the government does a very — a much better job of sending people to war than they do bringing them home," Schultz says. "These young men and women who are coming home from multiple deployments are not coming home to a parade. They're not coming home to a celebration. They're coming home to an American public that really doesn't understand, and never embraced, what these people have done."
Schultz plans to hire 10,000 veterans or their spouses over the next five years.


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Greetings all,
A quick question: When does one know when a pumpkin is ripe and ready for picking?
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