itative drawing called Zentangling. Some of my drawings are on my website. I’m not an artist, but I love doing this work; both the process and the results are satisfying. At this point, though, it’s still a hobby.
Dear Martina, I loved seeing you at different ages in your life. The pictures really tell a beautiful story on their own. This was a fun read, thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you liked this piece. I had a great time working with Helene.
Great story. Can’t wait to read your book(s). Congratulations.
I love the junior safety patrol one from third grade. I laughed out loud when I found it.
Helene at it again bringing Martina’s life and work to life. What a gift! I look forward to reading Martina’s work and writing my own stories as encouraged by both of you!
Helene is pretty great, huh? I loved her questions and accumulating the photos she requested. Enjoy writing!He walks the streets alone, in the day, looking for his next target.

The target must be someone obviously living rough, someone between a rock and a hard place, someone who nobody cares about. The target must be invisible.

He watches only, for the first few days. He watches and watches and watches. And things begin to change.

People begin to notice the target. People begin to feel compassion towards them. People begin to care. And the target, in turn, becomes... more. They feel lighter, stronger, smarter. They can do more, and do less. They might be able to panhandle some change, buy a second-hand ukulele, start to learn, become good at it. Within a few weeks, the target is getting what some might even say is a reasonable income.

Then, at night, he sneaks close to the target, and nudges them.

The target wakes, frightened by this sudden nudge and strange, unnatural creature. But he simply stands there, and as he stands, the target begins to understand what they have to do.

His work is done.

He walks back into the shadows to find another target.Seniors are at an increased risk for accidents, injuries and other emergencies when temperatures dip and there are hazardous conditions outside and on the roads, so it’s important for family and friends to makes sure their seniors are prepared properly for the long, cold winter. If you know a senior who lives alone in a cold climate, here are some winter safety tips to keep them comfortable and healthy in the months ahead.
To avoid problems with the heating system when winter is in full swing, schedule a furnace inspection early in the season. Have the contractor clean or replace filters and make any necessary repairs.
If your senior’s home has a fireplace or wood/pellet stove, make sure the chimney and flue are clean of creosote and soot to prevent chimney fires and improve efficiency. If you don’t want to spend money on a professional chimney sweep, use a do-it-yourself chimney cleaning system that makes it easy to clean the chimney from inside the home without getting up on a ladder.
Fill the oil, propane or kerosene tanks and arrange for a delivery of seasoned firewood or wood pellets.
There are many affordable devices that will alert neighbors or family if a senior’s home has lost heat, including a battery-powered temperature warning light that sits in front-facing window and flashes red when temperatures fall below 30o. There are also various freeze alarms that automatically call a family member or caregiver when the indoor temperature plummets.
Stock up the cupboard with a week’s supply of non-perishable food and a couple of gallons of drinking water. Get your senior a hand-operated can opener to use during power outages.
Don’t let important meds run low during the winter. Switch your senior’s prescriptions to a local pharmacy that makes home deliveries or sign up with a mail order pharmacy so no one has to venture out in bad weather to pick up medications. Set up a “Reminder Rosie” voice controlled clock to remind your senior when its time to take his meds. Rosie has a backup battery so she’ll keep working during power outages…and since she talks, she’s actually good company!
Winter can be a time of boredom, isolation and seasonal depression for seniors, especially when housebound. Make sure your loved one has a good telephone system so they can make calls easily and enjoy conversations. A phone such as the Amplicom PowerTel 7 with big easy-to-read buttons, amplified volume, a two-way speakerphone and a built-in answering machine is a favorite among people with hearing or sight problems.
Seniors will wonder how long they will be housebound. A weather alert radio provides them with official, up-to-the-minute information on weather, local hazards and other emergencies. The Midland 22-Channel GMRS Emergency Crank Weather Radio has five power options including a hand crank so it will still works during power outages or when the batteries are dead.
In addition to conventional flashlights, get your senior a hand-crank flashlight that works without batteries. It’s a reliable source of emergency lighting that they can count on every time.
Seniors should have a safe (non-electric) way to stay warm during power outages, such as a wood stove, kerosene heater or efficient wood-burning fireplace. But remember that burning wood or kerosene can produce deadly CO gases! Make sure the area is properly ventilated and install a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector. An even better way to protect seniors is a monitoring system like the Sensaphone 400 and smoke/CO detector accessory that automatically sends telephone alerts to family or friends if there is a smoke or toxic gas emergency.
A power outage can make it difficult or impossible for seniors to get help, especially if there is a medical emergency. Set them up with a personal alert system so they can contact family, friends or emergency services if they need assistance. One easy option is to add a wristband transmitter to their amplified PowerTel 7 phone. It has a built-in panic button that lets seniors signal for help, even if they’ve fallen and can’t get to a phone. Or consider a smartphone-controlled system like the Oplink Connected Care that lets family and caregivers monitor live video of their senior on a smartphone. It comes with two wearable panic buttons, one IP camera with night vision and an inactivity sensor.
Seniors who are mobile should move their bodies by walking in place or doing laps around the house. Wearing a pedometer or heart rate monitor can encourage movement while helping them exercise within safe limits.
Remind your senior to eat well-balanced meals that include lots of vegetables and fruits and drink plenty of water.
Older adults are especially vulnerable to hypothermia, which can be deadly if not treated quickly. Lower body heat, inactivity, illnesses such as diabetes and some medications also put older adults at risk of hypothermia. To avoid danger, seniors should stay inside during extreme cold and windy weather; keep their home heated to between 68o – 70o F; and dress in layers including long underwear, socks, slippers and sweaters. If you want to make your senior really happy and comfortable, install a remote controlled wireless thermostat in their home and they’ll be able to adjust the heat without getting up from their seat!
Winter’s cold temperatures can present safety challenges for seniors, especially those folks who are living independently. Families can help seniors stay healthy and avoid accidents by taking these steps to prepare them for weather-related emergencies. As winter drags on, be mindful that seniors often feel isolated, so reach out to them often or arrange for a neighbor or caregiver to stop by on a regular basis to check up on them and provide companionship.
Our summer immersion program is held at scenic Sierra Nevada College on Lake Tahoe. Students stay two-or-three to a room in the school's comfortable and spacious dormitory, with a private bathroom in each room. Sheets, pillows, a light blanket, and towels are provided, but you are welcome to bring any additional bedding if you would like.
The Sierra Nevada College dining hall provides 3 delicious meals a day, and we provide additional snacks, late-night pizza, and ice cream. To be sure, no one goes hungry! All special dietary requirements are easily accommodated by Sierra Nevada College’s chefs.I [22 M] have just ended it and need to vent.

I dumped my ex [20 F] a few hours ago. About a year ago she slept with another and we broke up. We got back together and I slowly started to trust her again. She went out a few nights ago and told me she was staying at a girlfriends house.

She stayed in another mans house. I eventually found this out and she said she stayed on the sofa. My gut said something was amiss so I kept grilling her about it. She eventually told me today that she slept in the same bed as him but 'nothing happened' (even though she slept in one of his tshirts....)

Now, part of me believes she is now telling the truth. But I dumped her because she obviously has no respect for me or our relationship. I dunno what else to say, I just need some comfort or input. Please talk to me.While there were big protests by farmers in 2017, 2018 and even before Lok Sabha polls in 2019, with even the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) protesting in Delhi several times with participation of farmers from Punjab,