GIFTS FOR FANS OF THE TWILIGHT SERIES
My daughter has been reading and re-reading the Twilight series books (Twilight,
New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn) for a couple of years now. She has encouraged me to read them, which I will as soon as I get through my monthly book club book before the meeting day.
She has outlined the stories and told me bits and pieces about Edward, the handsome vampire and Bella the smart and not so beautiful girl he loves and the
danger she is in from his enemies. Her best friend, and Edward’s rival for her affections, is Jacob, a werewolf. They all live in Forks, Washington. These vampires don’t have fangs, and can be out in the daylight. All the vampires have different powers and are all beautiful. Their skin sparkles like diamonds in the sunlight. The story of these lovers is highly romantic, but fairly chaste compared to most romance novels of the day.
The author of these hugely successful books is Stephenie Meyer, an Arizona mom of 3. She started writing based on a dream she had. The books have sparked such a huge following that websites have popped
up worldwide for fans to discuss, sell merchandise, fantasize and obsess. The fourth book, Breaking Dawn, was meant to be the last of the series as told from Bella’s point of view, but Meyer had stated on another book, Midnight Sun, told from Edward’s, point of view. When stolen pages began to appear online, she stopped the project.
In the meantime, fans around the world, and in my house, await the movie version of Twilight opening on
November 21, 2008. We have put together some of our designs which relate to the Twilight characters and some of the symbolism and imagery of the books. We have the sun and moon, apple, chess pieces, diamond, entwined hearts, a sunset and cool mountain designs. These designs are not based on the book, but we had fun thinking of which ones related. Let us know if you see more possibilities!
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THINKING ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVES
California voters have a lot to think about this November when it comes time to vote. The presidential election is on the minds of everyone, but we have 12 more propositions to vote on.
Proposition 2 has to do with our farm raised food and requires calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs be confined only in ways that allow these animals to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs and turn
around freely. Aside from the animal rights perspective, the concerns are for food safety, environmental impact and also helping smaller, family farmers be competitive as larger “factory” farms are more likely to practice these confined methods.
Proposition 3 is basically a bond measure which authorizes $980,000,000 in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s hospitals. Proposition 6 is a criminal justice initiative for tougher punishment for gang crimes, drive-by shootings, meth distribution and victim intimidation.
Props 7 and 10 are two ballot initiatives focusing on alternative energy, Prop 10 on fuel and prop 10 on wind and solar which would require California utilities to procure half of their power from renewable resources by 2025. There are major concerns that the proposition as written will cause established, small renewable energy companies our of business, and that it is poorly written and so complicated that it could hurt the cause of renewable energy in the state.
Proposition 8 would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. The California Supreme Court unequivocally held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the California Constitution.
Proposition 11 is called the Voters First Act, it creates a citizen’s commission to make independent decisions leading to legislative boundaries based on fairness and the public good and not political aspirations.
Proposition 12, a Veterans Bond, authorizes issuance of $900 million in bonds to create a fund that assist veterans who are purchasing farms, homes and mobile home properties.
A lot to think about and read about and become an informed voter. Remember to vote, November 4th!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NASA
Fifty years ago, on July 29, 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, leading to the birth of NASA on Oct. 1, 1958. A woman named Eileen Galloway, born just 3 years after the Wright Brothers made their historic first flight, helped make it all happen.
Eileen worked in the Library of Congress, researching and writing House and Senate documents including
“Guided Missiles in Foreign Countries,” released just before the Soviets launched Sputnik in October 1957.
U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson asked her to help with Congressional hearings in 1958 that led to the creation of NASA and America’s entry into the Space Race. She helped write the legislation, emphasizing international cooperation and peaceful exploration. Later, she served as America’s representative in drafting treaties governing the exploration and uses of outer space and launched the field of space law and international space law.
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BEARS AND FARMERS AND GOVERNMENT
In many of his campaign speeches, John McCain has been ridiculing a research project in Montana which
study’s the DNA of grizzly bears. He makes some sort of comment about their “crimes”. In fact, the Montana study has proven that the once endangered Grizzly is recovering it’s numbers. If this news helps remove grizzly bears from the Endangered Species List, restrictions on logging, oil and gas drilling, and development will be allowed to ease.
Another news story which caught my eye is a local Bay Area one about an organization called the Farmer-Veteran Coalition. The mission of this group is:
The mission of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition is to mobilize our food and farming community to create healthy and viable futures for America’s veterans by enlisting their help in building our green economy, rebuilding our rural communities, and securing a safe and healthy food supply for all.
With a little assistance, returning combat vets can find healing and productive work on farms. One
returning soldier who is now farming said it was good for Iraq vets who had “lost their social skills” during their tours, “they don’t feel comfortable interacting” with the public. Farming allows these combat vets a purpose and the opportunity to benefit from and help to stimulate the growing green economy.
It’s nice to know that the government AND the community activists are doing their part to make things right in our country.
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