Patty Apostolides

2012-01-16T22:29:00.000-05:00

Here is the youtube of the St. Petersburg College event:
"Florida's Energy Future: What's at stake?"

I got a chance to ask a question. I'm the second person asking the question. You'll see me around 20 minutes before the end of the video. Good information on nuclear power. Please watch and pass on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSbh6b8rrCI

My speech at Public Hearing - Crystal River Nuclear Power Plants

2012-01-13T11:55:00.007-05:00

On Jan. 12, 2012, I and my family, had the privilege of attending the public hearing for the environmental impact of the proposed building of the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plants by Progress Energy. The hearing took place at the Plantation Spa and Resort in Crystal River, Florida from 1-4pm. It was held before the administrative judges of the Atomic Sensing and Licensing Board: Alex Karlin (chairman), Dr. Anthony Baratta, and William Murphy. It was well attended and 50 people spoke, including me and my husband Anthony. We were each given 5 minutes to speak.

Here is the speech I gave:

"My name is Ipatia Apostolides. I worked as a biologist in the radiation biology field for several years. Ionizing radiation causes mutations in the DNA of humans and all living organisms, and these mutations can be handed down from generation to generation.

In my field of work, we conducted experiments on mice and tissue cultures using different types of radiation like cesium, neutrons and radioisotopes. I saw first hand the deleterious effect that ionizing radiation has on living organisms. This has been extensively written about since the 1950s, from the horrendous effects of the atomic bomb on the Hiroshima victims and more recently from the Chernobyl nuclear accident in the 1980s. I learned how to protect myself from this invisible enemy in the lab, by wearing gloves, masks, outer clothing, and dosimeters. But the common man has no such protection if there is a nuclear power accident and they are exposed to high levels of radiation.

In the past, radiation exposure from the environment was handled by our DNA repair mechanisms. However, man-made radiation does accumulate in our bodies, and does more damage over time. A study done by Joe Mangano etal looks at Strontium 90 in babies teeth. This radiation is coming from the milk they drink.

Nuclear power plants use radiation to boil water. This is an expensive way to boil water. Also, nuclear power plants can have major accidents as seen in Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and now Fukushima, Japan.

Japan is an earthquake prone country, yet they built nuclear reactors there. When the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami hit their Fukushima nuclear reactors, much devastation and loss has occurred. Now, Germany and Switzerland are shutting down their nuclear plants. To me, this is a prudent measure.

As I speak now, plutonium from the Fukushima accident is circling the globe as written in a Lithuanian study of December 2011.
The Japanese are reporting deaths from the Fukushima event and much suffering. Florida is a hurricane prone state. Yet they are considering building nuclear power plants. Do you see a pattern here?

The fact that I have to stand here and plead for the safety of my family and the rest of humanity, shows that we are not living in a benevolent society. The greed of the utility companies like Progress Energy wanting to build a nuclear power plant, given the Fukushima event, shows a lack of consideration and compassion for the human race.

What is wrong with using solar energy instead? There are no known health risks as in nuclear energy.

It is time to stop this insane love affair with nuclear energy."

At the end of the public comment period, Judge Karlin said that he's been doing this for a number of years, and that this was the first time he saw so many people attending such a hearing.

It won't be until October 2012 when the actual court hearing will take place. The Intervenors are: Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), the Ecology Party of Florida, and the Green Party of Florida; they had filed a challenge back in Feb 2009. A pediatrician from The Physicians for Social Responsibility was also there and spoke. I was hoping to see more anti-nuclear activists there, like Union for Concerned Scientists, GreenPeace, NRDC, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense, etc. Several local politicians were there, and many were for the nuclear plant, while the majority of the people were against it (siting health risks, competition for water resources, polluting the environment, etc).

TV Interview

2012-01-08T22:20:00.000-05:00

I spoke with Angelos Aggelatos from the Greek TV station in Tarpon Springs, FL. and he will be doing an interview with me next month regarding my books. I will keep you posted on the news!

Happy Holidays

2011-12-28T13:07:00.003-05:00

Second weekend in December, we took the Amtrak train down to Florida for the holidays in coach style. It was the auto train and the first time we tried it. I must say it was a very pleasant experience as compared to driving all the way down. We relaxed in the comfortable seats, and were able to read, nap, and walk around with no problem at all.

The staff were pleasant, the meal in the dining car was plentiful and aesthetically appealing (chicken, rice, vegetable plus cheesecake and coffee). The restrooms were easily accessible and everyone around us was quiet (except for an older man up ahead who snored through the night!).

The only glitch to this trip was in the middle of the night, when the train stopped suddenly somewhere in South Carolina. I woke up, smelling rubber burning and looked out the window into the pitch black night. I immediately sensed something was not right when we saw the red flashing of police cars. I asked one of the staff what had happened and they said that someone's car was on the track and the train tried stopping in time. It was a very sobering moment for all of us, for we heard that there were other people in the car with this person and they tried to get him out, but he stayed in it. He did it on purpose. I prayed very hard for that person's soul. One can not and should not solve life's problems, which tend to be temporary, with permanent solutions like death. It just doesn't work that way. It is a very selfish solution - for each person has many loved ones in their circle, and when they choose to leave, just think about the anguish, guilt, and terrible sadness that they leave behind. How inconsiderate and foolish!

God gave us a brain, to solve and cope with life's problems. It took several days for me to get over that dreadful, negative feeling this event evoked in me.

Once in Florida, I sensed a refreshing feeling. We drove to the Tampa Bay area to visit family under cloudy weather but the next day it was fair. I immediately noticed how nice the weather was after that. It tended to be in the 70s, sunny and breezy. Also, the days were longer than up north. Instead of the sun setting around 5 pm, it was setting closer to 6:00 pm! So longer days and more sunshine were very much appreciated.

We visited the Greek church in Tarpon Springs the day before Christmas. St. Nicholas is nestled in the heart of Tarpon Springs and is quite a beautiful and spiritual experience being inside this church. I felt protected and very much at peace while the liturgy took place. The incense in the air, the chanter droning in the background, and the steady movements of the priest's robed body lulled me into a meditative state of being. In front of us stood a little old lady in the pew. She looked pious and wore a little scarf. Suddenly I heard the ringing of a cell phone and to my surprise, she reached down into her purse, gave an exclamation, and turned it off. Even little, old Greek ladies have cell phones these days! I smiled at the scene.

Our Christmas was enjoyable as we spent it with family and friends. Remember, it is the spirit of Christ's birth that sustains our faith and not how many gifts we give or receive. The greatest gift of all is Christ himself.

May you have a blessed and safe New Year 2012! Chronia Polla kai Eutichismenos o Kainourios Chronos!!

Radiation Rises When it Rains

2011-12-07T21:45:00.004-05:00

Here are my Readings from the Inspector+ Radiation Detector in our Hagerstown home in Maryland, using the software from Mineralab - where I can monitor readings on a minute by minute basis. I have two datasets. The first Table 1 shows a background reading on a sunny day. The average count is 28-30 cpm. Table 2 shows a higher reading with the average count up to 38cpm! The columns show the date, time, Count (CPM), Total Counts (CPM), and Average Counts (CPM).

I put the alert on 50 CPM, so if a reading is 50 CPM or over, the software will alert me. Notice how many readings on the rainy day showed over 50cpm! I presume the rise in levels is due to gamma radiation coming in from the outside rain. I plan to do a reading outside another day.
When I tried downloading the data, there were formatting issues and the numbers were scrunched but I tried to move the first few rows over so you can see the format.

Table 1
BACKGROUND READING:

Person Monitoring: Patty A.
Location: Inside home, Hagerstown, MD
Altitude:
Station Name: N/A
Geiger Counter Model: Inspector+
Other Criteria: Sunny Day, Readings in CPM

Minute Date Time Count(CPM) Total(CPM) Average
1 12/2/11 04:32 PM 29 29 29
2 12/2/11 04:33 PM 30 59 29
3 12/2/11 04:34 PM 23 82 27
4 12/2/11 04:35 PM 36 118 29
5 12/2/11 04:36 PM 34 152 30
6 12/2/11 04:37 PM 27 179 29
7 12/2/11 04:38 PM 28 207 29
8 12/2/11 04:39 PM 23 230 28
9 12/2/11 04:40 PM 30 260 28
10 12/2/11 04:41 PM 22 282 28
11 12/2/11 04:42 PM 28 310 28
12 12/2/11 04:43 PM 37 347 28
13 12/2/11 04:44 PM 27 374 28
14 12/2/11 04:45 PM 32 406 29
15 12/2/11 04:46 PM 28 434 28
16 12/2/11 04:47 PM 32 466 29
17 12/2/11 04:48 PM 31 497 29
18 12/2/11 04:49 PM 33 530 29
19 12/2/11 04:50 PM 26 556 29
20 12/2/11 04:51 PM 29 585 29
21 12/2/11 04:52 PM 30 615 29
22 12/2/11 04:53 PM 20 635 28
23 12/2/11 04:54 PM 22 657 28
24 12/2/11 04:55 PM 28 685 28
25 12/2/11 04:56 PM 27 712 28
26 12/2/11 04:57 PM 26 738 28
27 12/2/11 04:58 PM 24 762 28
28 12/2/11 04:59 PM 24 786 28
29 12/2/11 05:00 PM 29 815 28
30 12/2/11 05:01 PM 25 840 28
31 12/2/11 05:02 PM 29 869 28
32 12/2/11 05:03 PM 31 900 28
33 12/2/11 05:04 PM 23 923 27
34 12/2/11 05:05 PM 31 954 28
35 12/2/11 05:06 PM 38 992 28
36 12/2/11 05:07 PM 41 1,033 28
37 12/2/11 05:08 PM 26 1,059 28
38 12/2/11 05:09 PM 26 1,085 28
39 12/2/11 05:10 PM 22 1,107 28
40 12/2/11 05:11 PM 37 1,144 28
41 12/2/11 05:12 PM 30 1,174 28
42 12/2/11 05:13 PM 25 1,199 28
43 12/2/11 05:14 PM 36 1,235 28
44 12/2/11 05:15 PM 27 1,262 28
45 12/2/11 05:16 PM 26 1,288 28
46 12/2/11 05:17 PM 20 1,308 28
47 12/2/11 05:18 PM 34 1,342 28
48 12/2/11 05:19 PM 28 1,370 28
49 12/2/11 05:20 PM 26 1,396 28
50 12/2/11 05:21 PM 27 1,423 28
51 12/2/11 05:22 PM 24 1,447 28
52 12/2/11 05:23 PM 29 1,476 28
53 12/2/11 05:24 PM 27 1,503 28
54 12/2/11 05:25 PM 24 1,527 28
55 12/2/11 05:26 PM 27 1,554 28
56 12/2/11 05:27 PM 34 1,588 28
57 12/2/11 05:28 PM 24 1,612 28
58 12/2/11 05:29 PM 49 1,661 28
59 12/2/11 05:30 PM 31 1,692 28
60 12/2/11 05:31 PM 38 1,730 28
61 12/2/11 05:32 PM 25 1,755 28
62 12/2/11 05:33 PM 27 1,782 28
63 12/2/11 05:34 PM 30 1,812 28
64 12/2/11 05:35 PM 22 1,834 28
65 12/2/11 05:36 PM 31 1,865 28
66 12/2/11 05:37 PM 43 1,908 28
67 12/2/11 05:38 PM 32 1,940 28
68 12/2/11 05:39 PM 26 1,966 28
69 12/2/11 05:40 PM 35 2,001 29
70 12/2/11 05:41 PM 34 2,035 29
71 12/2/11 05:42 PM 32 2,067 29
72 12/2/11 05:43 PM 24 2,091 29
73 12/2/11 05:44 PM 25 2,116 28
74 12/2/11 05:45 PM 26 2,142 28
75 12/2/11 05:46 PM 35 2,177 29
76 12/2/11 05:47 PM 34 2,211 29
77 12/2/11 05:48 PM 22 2,233 29
78 12/2/11 05:49 PM 36 2,269 29
79 12/2/11 05:50 PM 23 2,292 29
80 12/2/11 05:51 PM 19 2,311 28
81 12/2/11 05:52 PM 33 2,344 28
82 12/2/11 05:53 PM 27 2,371 28
83 12/2/11 05:54 PM 34 2,405 28
84 12/2/11 05:55 PM 22 2,427 28
85 12/2/11 05:56 PM 30 2,457 28
86 12/2/11 05:57 PM 29 2,486 28
87 12/2/11 05:58 PM 36 2,522 28
88 12/2/11 05:59 PM 28 2,550 28
89 12/2/11 06:00 PM 27 2,577 28
90 12/2/11 06:01 PM 31 2,608 28
91 12/2/11 06:02 PM 30 2,638 28
92 12/2/11 06:03 PM 42 2,680 29
93 12/2/11 06:04 PM 38 2,718 29
94 12/2/11 06:05 PM 28 2,746 29
95 12/2/11 06:06 PM 27 2,773 29
96 12/2/11 06:07 PM 29 2,802 29
97 12/2/11 06:08 PM 36 2,838 29
98 12/2/11 06:09 PM 18 2,856 29
99 12/2/11 06:10 PM 29 2,885 29
100 12/2/11 06:11 PM 35 2,920 29
101 12/2/11 06:12 PM 31 2,951 29
102 12/2/11 06:13 PM 30 2,981 29
103 12/2/11 06:14 PM 28 3,009 29
104 12/2/11 06:15 PM 20 3,029 29
105 12/2/11 06:16 PM 29 3,058 29
106 12/2/11 06:17 PM 24 3,082 29
107 12/2/11 06:18 PM 29 3,111 29
108 12/2/11 06:19 PM 30 3,141 29
109 12/2/11 06:20 PM 42 3,183 29
110 12/2/11 06:21 PM 41 3,224 29
111 12/2/11 06:22 PM 32 3,256 29
112 12/2/11 06:23 PM 30 3,286 29
113 12/2/11 06:24 PM 31 3,317 29
114 12/2/11 06:25 PM 32 3,349 29
115 12/2/11 06:26 PM 37 3,386 29
116 12/2/11 06:27 PM 27 3,413 29
117 12/2/11 06:28 PM 42 3,455 29
118 12/2/11 06:29 PM 27 3,482 29
119 12/2/11 06:30 PM 28 3,510 29
120 12/2/11 06:31 PM 21 3,531 29
121 12/2/11 06:32 PM 27 3,558 29
122 12/2/11 06:33 PM 29 3,587 29
123 12/2/11 06:34 PM 34 3,621 29
124 12/2/11 06:35 PM 33 3,654 29
125 12/2/11 06:36 PM 42 3,696 29
126 12/2/11 06:37 PM 30 3,726 29
127 12/2/11 06:38 PM 34 3,760 29
128 12/2/11 06:39 PM 27 3,787 29
129 12/2/11 06:40 PM 33 3,820 29
130 12/2/11 06:41 PM 32 3,852 29
131 12/2/11 06:42 PM 24 3,876 29
132 12/2/11 06:43 PM 28 3,904 29
133 12/2/11 06:44 PM 21 3,925 29
134 12/2/11 06:45 PM 35 3,960 29
135 12/2/11 06:46 PM 27 3,987 29
136 12/2/11 06:47 PM 28 4,015 29
137 12/2/11 06:48 PM 36 4,051 29
138 12/2/11 06:49 PM 24 4,075 29
139 12/2/11 06:50 PM 28 4,103 29
140 12/2/11 06:51 PM 28 4,131 29
141 12/2/11 06:52 PM 30 4,161 29
142 12/2/11 06:53 PM 30 4,191 29
143 12/2/11 06:54 PM 35 4,226 29
144 12/2/11 06:55 PM 26 4,252 29
145 12/2/11 06:56 PM 36 4,288 29
146 12/2/11 06:57 PM 28 4,316 29
147 12/2/11 06:58 PM 30 4,346 29
148 12/2/11 06:59 PM 27 4,373 29
149 12/2/11 07:00 PM 30 4,403 29
150 12/2/11 07:01 PM 23 4,426 29
151 12/2/11 07:02 PM 40 4,466 29
152 12/2/11 07:03 PM 42 4,508 29
153 12/2/11 07:04 PM 31 4,539 29
154 12/2/11 07:05 PM 42 4,581 29
155 12/2/11 07:06 PM 33 4,614 29
156 12/2/11 07:07 PM 23 4,637 29
157 12/2/11 07:08 PM 36 4,673 29
158 12/2/11 07:09 PM 30 4,703 29
159 12/2/11 07:10 PM 29 4,732 29
160 12/2/11 07:11 PM 26 4,758 29
161 12/2/11 07:12 PM 39 4,797 29
162 12/2/11 07:13 PM 27 4,824 29
163 12/2/11 07:14 PM 46 4,870 29
164 12/2/11 07:15 PM 35 4,905 29
165 12/2/11 07:16 PM 26 4,931 29
166 12/2/11 07:17 PM 32 4,963 29
167 12/2/11 07:18 PM 33 4,996 29
168 12/2/11 07:19 PM 29 5,025 29
169 12/2/11 07:20 PM 30 5,055 29
170 12/2/11 07:21 PM 36 5,091 29
171 12/2/11 07:22 PM 29 5,120 29
172 12/2/11 07:23 PM 25 5,145 29
173 12/2/11 07:24 PM 23 5,168 29
174 12/2/11 07:25 PM 26 5,194 29
175 12/2/11 07:26 PM 29 5,223 29
176 12/2/11 07:27 PM 34 5,257 29
177 12/2/11 07:28 PM 32 5,289 29
178 12/2/11 07:29 PM 32 5,321 29
179 12/2/11 07:30 PM 28 5,349 29
180 12/2/11 07:31 PM 24 5,373 29
181 12/2/11 07:32 PM 30 5,403 29
182 12/2/11 07:33 PM 37 5,440 29
183 12/2/11 07:34 PM 22 5,462 29
184 12/2/11 07:35 PM 31 5,493 29
185 12/2/11 07:36 PM 24 5,517 29
186 12/2/11 07:37 PM 28 5,545 29
187 12/2/11 07:38 PM 30 5,575 29
188 12/2/11 07:39 PM 25 5,600 29
189 12/2/11 07:40 PM 32 5,632 29
190 12/2/11 07:41 PM 30 5,662 29
191 12/2/11 07:42 PM 31 5,693 29
192 12/2/11 07:43 PM 28 5,721 29
193 12/2/11 07:44 PM 30 5,751 29
194 12/2/11 07:45 PM 24 5,775 29
195 12/2/11 07:46 PM 38 5,813 29
196 12/2/11 07:47 PM 30 5,843 29
197 12/2/11 07:48 PM 31 5,874 29
198 12/2/11 07:49 PM 28 5,902 29
199 12/2/11 07:50 PM 28 5,930 29
200 12/2/11 07:51 PM 25 5,955 29
201 12/2/11 07:52 PM 31 5,986 29
202 12/2/11 07:53 PM 30 6,016 29
203 12/2/11 07:54 PM 31 6,047 29
204 12/2/11 07:55 PM 35 6,082 29
205 12/2/11 07:56 PM 30 6,112 29
206 12/2/11 07:57 PM 31 6,143 29
207 12/2/11 07:58 PM 28 6,171 29
208 12/2/11 07:59 PM 30 6,201 29
209 12/2/11 08:00 PM 26 6,227 29
210 12/2/11 08:01 PM 38 6,265 29
211 12/2/11 08:02 PM 20 6,285 29
212 12/2/11 08:03 PM 24 6,309 29
213 12/2/11 08:04 PM 38 6,347 29
214 12/2/11 08:05 PM 37 6,384 29
215 12/2/11 08:06 PM 37 6,421 29
216 12/2/11 08:07 PM 30 6,451 29
217 12/2/11 08:08 PM 44 6,495 29
218 12/2/11 08:09 PM 33 6,528 29
219 12/2/11 08:10 PM 28 6,556 29
220 12/2/11 08:11 PM 26 6,582 29
221 12/2/11 08:12 PM 36 6,618 29
222 12/2/11 08:13 PM 30 6,648 29
223 12/2/11 08:14 PM 21 6,669 29
225 12/2/11 08:16 PM 28 6,697 29
226 12/2/11 08:17 PM 24 6,721 29
227 12/2/11 08:18 PM 43 6,764 29
228 12/2/11 08:19 PM 30 6,794 29
229 12/2/11 08:20 PM 28 6,822 29
230 12/2/11 08:21 PM 27 6,849 29
231 12/2/11 08:22 PM 25 6,874 29
232 12/2/11 08:23 PM 25 6,899 29
233 12/2/11 08:24 PM 33 6,932 29
234 12/2/11 08:25 PM 32 6,964 29
235 12/2/11 08:26 PM 34 6,998 29
236 12/2/11 08:27 PM 36 7,034 29
237 12/2/11 08:28 PM 35 7,069 29
238 12/2/11 08:29 PM 28 7,097 29
239 12/2/11 08:30 PM 32 7,129 29
240 12/2/11 08:31 PM 18 7,147 29
241 12/2/11 08:32 PM 32 7,179 29
242 12/2/11 08:33 PM 28 7,207 29
243 12/2/11 08:34 PM 30 7,237 29
244 12/2/11 08:35 PM 35 7,272 29
245 12/2/11 08:36 PM 35 7,307 29
246 12/2/11 08:37 PM 39 7,346 29
247 12/2/11 08:38 PM 25 7,371 29
248 12/2/11 08:39 PM 23 7,394 29
249 12/2/11 08:40 PM 26 7,420 29
250 12/2/11 08:41 PM 33 7,453 29
251 12/2/11 08:42 PM 28 7,481 29
252 12/2/11 08:43 PM 24 7,505 29
253 12/2/11 08:44 PM 26 7,531 29
254 12/2/11 08:45 PM 44 7,575 29
255 12/2/11 08:46 PM 27 7,602 29
256 12/2/11 08:47 PM 28 7,630 29
257 12/2/11 08:48 PM 27 7,657 29
258 12/2/11 08:49 PM 26 7,683 29
259 12/2/11 08:50 PM 34 7,717 29
260 12/2/11 08:51 PM 27 7,744 29
261 12/2/11 08:52 PM 34 7,778 29
262 12/2/11 08:53 PM 33 7,811 29
263 12/2/11 08:54 PM 34 7,845 29
264 12/2/11 08:55 PM 24 7,869 29
265 12/2/11 08:56 PM 28 7,897 29
266 12/2/11 08:57 PM 27 7,924 29
267 12/2/11 08:58 PM 30 7,954 29
268 12/2/11 08:59 PM 23 7,977 29
269 12/2/11 09:00 PM 40 8,017 29
270 12/2/11 09:01 PM 35 8,052 29
271 12/2/11 09:02 PM 27 8,079 29
272 12/2/11 09:03 PM 26 8,105 29
273 12/2/11 09:04 PM 28 8,133 29
274 12/2/11 09:05 PM 34 8,167 29
275 12/2/11 09:06 PM 31 8,198 29
276 12/2/11 09:07 PM 34 8,232 29
277 12/2/11 09:08 PM 37 8,269 29
278 12/2/11 09:09 PM 32 8,301 29
279 12/2/11 09:10 PM 31 8,332 29
280 12/2/11 09:11 PM 25 8,357 29
281 12/2/11 09:12 PM 32 8,389 29
282 12/2/11 09:13 PM 30 8,419 29
283 12/2/11 09:14 PM 36 8,455 29
284 12/2/11 09:15 PM 32 8,487 29
285 12/2/11 09:16 PM 33 8,520 29
286 12/2/11 09:17 PM 24 8,544 29
287 12/2/11 09:18 PM 20 8,564 29
288 12/2/11 09:19 PM 33 8,597 29
289 12/2/11 09:20 PM 28 8,625 29
290 12/2/11 09:21 PM 16 8,641 29
291 12/2/11 09:22 PM 30 8,671 29
292 12/2/11 09:23 PM 35 8,706 29
293 12/2/11 09:24 PM 29 8,735 29
294 12/2/11 09:25 PM 36 8,771 29
295 12/2/11 09:26 PM 21 8,792 29
296 12/2/11 09:27 PM 30 8,822 29
297 12/2/11 09:28 PM 33 8,855 29
298 12/2/11 09:29 PM 26 8,881 29
299 12/2/11 09:30 PM 28 8,909 29
300 12/2/11 09:31 PM 42 8,951 29
301 12/2/11 09:32 PM 33 8,984 29
302 12/2/11 09:33 PM 40 9,024 29
303 12/2/11 09:34 PM 44 9,068 29
304 12/2/11 09:35 PM 30 9,098 29
305 12/2/11 09:36 PM 26 9,124 29
306 12/2/11 09:37 PM 30 9,154 29
307 12/2/11 09:38 PM 36 9,190 29
308 12/2/11 09:39 PM 24 9,214 29
309 12/2/11 09:40 PM 33 9,247 29
310 12/2/11 09:41 PM 25 9,272 29
311 12/2/11 09:42 PM 32 9,304 29
312 12/2/11 09:43 PM 27 9,331 29
313 12/2/11 09:44 PM 36 9,367 29
314 12/2/11 09:45 PM 34 9,401 29
315 12/2/11 09:46 PM 24 9,425 29
316 12/2/11 09:47 PM 36 9,461 29
317 12/2/11 09:48 PM 39 9,500 29
318 12/2/11 09:49 PM 29 9,529 29
319 12/2/11 09:50 PM 29 9,558 29
320 12/2/11 09:51 PM 26 9,584 29
321 12/2/11 09:52 PM 25 9,609 29
322 12/2/11 09:53 PM 32 9,641 29
323 12/2/11 09:54 PM 26 9,667 29
324 12/2/11 09:55 PM 27 9,694 29
325 12/2/11 09:56 PM 23 9,717 29
326 12/2/11 09:57 PM 26 9,743 29
327 12/2/11 09:58 PM 23 9,766 29
328 12/2/11 09:59 PM 25 9,791 29
329 12/2/11 10:00 PM 34 9,825 29
330 12/2/11 10:01 PM 23 9,848 29
331 12/2/11 10:02 PM 23 9,871 29
332 12/2/11 10:03 PM 30 9,901 29
333 12/2/11 10:04 PM 25 9,926 29
334 12/2/11 10:05 PM 29 9,955 29
335 12/2/11 10:06 PM 27 9,982 29
336 12/2/11 10:07 PM 30 10,012 29
337 12/2/11 10:08 PM 24 10,036 29
338 12/2/11 10:09 PM 28 10,064 29
339 12/2/11 10:10 PM 40 10,104 29
340 12/2/11 10:11 PM 37 10,141 29
341 12/2/11 10:12 PM 18 10,159 29
342 12/2/11 10:13 PM 28 10,187 29
343 12/2/11 10:14 PM 28 10,215 29
344 12/2/11 10:15 PM 27 10,242 29
345 12/2/11 10:16 PM 33 10,275 29
346 12/2/11 10:17 PM 25 10,300 29
347 12/2/11 10:18 PM 31 10,331 29
348 12/2/11 10:19 PM 36 10,367 29
349 12/2/11 10:20 PM 26 10,393 29
350 12/2/11 10:21 PM 44 10,437 29
351 12/2/11 10:22 PM 34 10,471 29
352 12/2/11 10:23 PM 34 10,505 29
353 12/2/11 10:24 PM 28 10,533 29
354 12/2/11 10:25 PM 38 10,571 29
355 12/2/11 10:26 PM 27 10,598 29
356 12/2/11 10:27 PM 28 10,626 29
357 12/2/11 10:28 PM 38 10,664 29
358 12/2/11 10:29 PM 35 10,699 29
359 12/2/11 10:30 PM 30 10,729 29
360 12/2/11 10:31 PM 28 10,757 29
361 12/2/11 10:32 PM 26 10,783 29
362 12/2/11 10:33 PM 32 10,815 29
363 12/2/11 10:34 PM 27 10,842 29
364 12/2/11 10:35 PM 39 10,881 29
365 12/2/11 10:36 PM 32 10,913 29
366 12/2/11 10:37 PM 41 10,954 29
367 12/2/11 10:38 PM 33 10,987 29
368 12/2/11 10:39 PM 30 11,017 29
369 12/2/11 10:40 PM 22 11,039 29
370 12/2/11 10:41 PM 26 11,065 29
371 12/2/11 10:42 PM 40 11,105 29
372 12/2/11 10:43 PM 23 11,128 29
373 12/2/11 10:44 PM 36 11,164 29
374 12/2/11 10:45 PM 29 11,193 29
375 12/2/11 10:46 PM 32 11,225 29
376 12/2/11 10:47 PM 28 11,253 29
377 12/2/11 10:48 PM 32 11,285 29
378 12/2/11 10:49 PM 32 11,317 29
379 12/2/11 10:50 PM 20 11,337 29
380 12/2/11 10:51 PM 38 11,375 29
381 12/2/11 10:52 PM 45 11,420 29
382 12/2/11 10:53 PM 34 11,454 29
383 12/2/11 10:54 PM 29 11,483 29
384 12/2/11 10:55 PM 35 11,518 29
385 12/2/11 10:56 PM 36 11,554 30
386 12/2/11 10:57 PM 32 11,586 30
387 12/2/11 10:58 PM 28 11,614 30

Table 2
READING DONE ON A COLD, RAINY DAY THAT TURNED INTO SNOW:

Person Monitoring: Patty A.
Location: Inside home, Hagerstown, MD
Altitude:
Station Name: N/A
Geiger Counter Model: Inspector+
Other Criteria: RAINY AND SNOWY DAY

Minute Date Time Count(CPM) Total(CPM) Average
1 12/7/11 11:55 AM 24 24 24
2 12/7/11 11:56 AM 34 58 29
3 12/7/11 11:57 AM 24 82 27
4 12/7/11 11:58 AM 37 119 29
5 12/7/11 11:59 AM 36 155 31
6 12/7/11 12:00 PM 31 186 31
7 12/7/11 12:01 PM 36 222 31
8 12/7/11 12:02 PM 34 256 32
9 12/7/11 12:03 PM 38 294 32
10 12/7/11 12:04 PM 31 325 32
11 12/7/11 12:05 PM 40 365 33
12 12/7/11 12:06 PM 39 404 33
13 12/7/11 12:07 PM 31 435 33
14 12/7/11 12:08 PM 31 466 33
15 12/7/11 12:09 PM 26 492 32
16 12/7/11 12:10 PM 27 519 32
17 12/7/11 12:11 PM 32 551 32
18 12/7/11 12:12 PM 42 593 32
19 12/7/11 12:13 PM 29 622 32
20 12/7/11 12:14 PM 30 652 32
21 12/7/11 12:15 PM 35 687 32
22 12/7/11 12:16 PM 35 722 32
23 12/7/11 12:17 PM 37 759 33
24 12/7/11 12:18 PM 27 786 32
25 12/7/11 12:19 PM 26 812 32
26 12/7/11 12:20 PM 37 849 32
27 12/7/11 12:21 PM 35 884 32
28 12/7/11 12:22 PM 37 921 32
29 12/7/11 12:23 PM 33 954 32
30 12/7/11 12:24 PM 31 985 32
31 12/7/11 12:25 PM 36 1,021 32
32 12/7/11 12:26 PM 31 1,052 32
33 12/7/11 12:27 PM 36 1,088 32
34 12/7/11 12:28 PM 36 1,124 33
35 12/7/11 12:29 PM 49 1,173 33
36 12/7/11 12:30 PM 38 1,211 33
37 12/7/11 12:31 PM 31 1,242 33
38 12/7/11 12:32 PM 38 1,280 33
39 12/7/11 12:33 PM 44 1,324 33
40 12/7/11 12:34 PM 39 1,363 34
41 12/7/11 12:35 PM 30 1,393 33
42 12/7/11 12:36 PM 39 1,432 34
43 12/7/11 12:37 PM 33 1,465 34
44 12/7/11 12:38 PM 34 1,499 34
45 12/7/11 12:39 PM 28 1,527 33
46 12/7/11 12:40 PM 40 1,567 34
47 12/7/11 12:41 PM 35 1,602 34
48 12/7/11 12:42 PM 34 1,636 34
49 12/7/11 12:43 PM 42 1,678 34
50 12/7/11 12:44 PM 27 1,705 34
51 12/7/11 12:45 PM 35 1,740 34
52 12/7/11 12:46 PM 40 1,780 34
53 12/7/11 12:47 PM 38 1,818 34
54 12/7/11 12:48 PM 32 1,850 34
55 12/7/11 12:49 PM 36 1,886 34
56 12/7/11 12:50 PM 45 1,931 34
57 12/7/11 12:51 PM 46 1,977 34
58 12/7/11 12:52 PM 29 2,006 34
59 12/7/11 12:53 PM 31 2,037 34
60 12/7/11 12:54 PM 36 2,073 34
61 12/7/11 12:55 PM 26 2,099 34
62 12/7/11 12:56 PM 29 2,128 34
63 12/7/11 12:57 PM 38 2,166 34
64 12/7/11 12:58 PM 36 2,202 34
65 12/7/11 12:59 PM 37 2,239 34
66 12/7/11 01:00 PM 37 2,276 34
67 12/7/11 01:01 PM 36 2,312 34
68 12/7/11 01:02 PM 44 2,356 34
69 12/7/11 01:03 PM 38 2,394 34
70 12/7/11 01:04 PM 35 2,429 34
71 12/7/11 01:05 PM 28 2,457 34
72 12/7/11 01:06 PM 41 2,498 34
73 12/7/11 01:07 PM 34 2,532 34
74 12/7/11 01:08 PM 39 2,571 34
75 12/7/11 01:09 PM 30 2,601 34
76 12/7/11 01:10 PM 38 2,639 34
77 12/7/11 01:11 PM 38 2,677 34
78 12/7/11 01:12 PM 36 2,713 34
79 12/7/11 01:13 PM 44 2,757 34
80 12/7/11 01:14 PM 38 2,795 34
81 12/7/11 01:15 PM 39 2,834 34
82 12/7/11 01:16 PM 25 2,859 34
83 12/7/11 01:17 PM 31 2,890 34
84 12/7/11 01:18 PM 37 2,927 34
85 12/7/11 01:19 PM 27 2,954 34
86 12/7/11 01:20 PM 24 2,978 34
87 12/7/11 01:21 PM 32 3,010 34
88 12/7/11 01:22 PM 37 3,047 34
89 12/7/11 01:23 PM 41 3,088 34
90 12/7/11 01:24 PM 30 3,118 34
91 12/7/11 01:25 PM 53 3,171 34 ALERT
92 12/7/11 01:26 PM 44 3,215 34
93 12/7/11 01:27 PM 39 3,254 34
94 12/7/11 01:28 PM 40 3,294 35
95 12/7/11 01:29 PM 44 3,338 35
96 12/7/11 01:30 PM 39 3,377 35
97 12/7/11 01:31 PM 42 3,419 35
98 12/7/11 01:32 PM 45 3,464 35
99 12/7/11 01:33 PM 33 3,497 35
100 12/7/11 01:34 PM 33 3,530 35
101 12/7/11 01:35 PM 42 3,572 35
102 12/7/11 01:36 PM 36 3,608 35
103 12/7/11 01:37 PM 47 3,655 35
104 12/7/11 01:38 PM 46 3,701 35
105 12/7/11 01:39 PM 35 3,736 35
106 12/7/11 01:40 PM 34 3,770 35
107 12/7/11 01:41 PM 25 3,795 35
108 12/7/11 01:42 PM 39 3,834 35
109 12/7/11 01:43 PM 34 3,868 35
110 12/7/11 01:44 PM 36 3,904 35
111 12/7/11 01:45 PM 34 3,938 35
112 12/7/11 01:46 PM 40 3,978 35
113 12/7/11 01:47 PM 36 4,014 35
114 12/7/11 01:48 PM 46 4,060 35
115 12/7/11 01:49 PM 41 4,101 35
116 12/7/11 01:50 PM 33 4,134 35
117 12/7/11 01:51 PM 40 4,174 35
118 12/7/11 01:52 PM 38 4,212 35
119 12/7/11 01:53 PM 43 4,255 35
120 12/7/11 01:54 PM 37 4,292 35
121 12/7/11 01:55 PM 31 4,323 35
122 12/7/11 01:56 PM 31 4,354 35
123 12/7/11 01:57 PM 31 4,385 35
124 12/7/11 01:58 PM 29 4,414 35
125 12/7/11 01:59 PM 35 4,449 35
126 12/7/11 02:00 PM 29 4,478 35
127 12/7/11 02:01 PM 40 4,518 35
128 12/7/11 02:02 PM 33 4,551 35
129 12/7/11 02:03 PM 37 4,588 35
130 12/7/11 02:04 PM 28 4,616 35
131 12/7/11 02:05 PM 29 4,645 35
132 12/7/11 02:06 PM 32 4,677 35
133 12/7/11 02:07 PM 43 4,720 35
134 12/7/11 02:08 PM 28 4,748 35
135 12/7/11 02:09 PM 41 4,789 35
136 12/7/11 02:10 PM 36 4,825 35
137 12/7/11 02:11 PM 35 4,860 35
138 12/7/11 02:12 PM 35 4,895 35
139 12/7/11 02:13 PM 34 4,929 35
140 12/7/11 02:14 PM 29 4,958 35
141 12/7/11 02:15 PM 42 5,000 35
142 12/7/11 02:16 PM 43 5,043 35
143 12/7/11 02:17 PM 40 5,083 35
144 12/7/11 02:18 PM 32 5,115 35
145 12/7/11 02:19 PM 26 5,141 35
146 12/7/11 02:20 PM 36 5,177 35
147 12/7/11 02:21 PM 30 5,207 35
148 12/7/11 02:22 PM 29 5,236 35
149 12/7/11 02:23 PM 35 5,271 35
150 12/7/11 02:24 PM 33 5,304 35
151 12/7/11 02:25 PM 35 5,339 35
152 12/7/11 02:26 PM 27 5,366 35
153 12/7/11 02:27 PM 38 5,404 35
154 12/7/11 02:28 PM 37 5,441 35
155 12/7/11 02:29 PM 33 5,474 35
156 12/7/11 02:30 PM 40 5,514 35
157 12/7/11 02:31 PM 37 5,551 35
158 12/7/11 02:32 PM 35 5,586 35
159 12/7/11 02:33 PM 38 5,624 35
160 12/7/11 02:34 PM 47 5,671 35
161 12/7/11 02:35 PM 27 5,698 35
162 12/7/11 02:36 PM 37 5,735 35
163 12/7/11 02:37 PM 57 5,792 35 ALERT
164 12/7/11 02:38 PM 42 5,834 35
165 12/7/11 02:39 PM 42 5,876 35
166 12/7/11 02:40 PM 38 5,914 35
167 12/7/11 02:41 PM 41 5,955 35
168 12/7/11 02:42 PM 26 5,981 35
169 12/7/11 02:43 PM 37 6,018 35
170 12/7/11 02:44 PM 30 6,048 35
171 12/7/11 02:45 PM 24 6,072 35
172 12/7/11 02:46 PM 30 6,102 35
173 12/7/11 02:47 PM 38 6,140 35
174 12/7/11 02:48 PM 28 6,168 35
175 12/7/11 02:49 PM 42 6,210 35
176 12/7/11 02:50 PM 37 6,247 35
177 12/7/11 02:51 PM 31 6,278 35
178 12/7/11 02:52 PM 33 6,311 35
179 12/7/11 02:53 PM 34 6,345 35
180 12/7/11 02:54 PM 45 6,390 35
181 12/7/11 02:55 PM 40 6,430 35
182 12/7/11 02:56 PM 25 6,455 35
183 12/7/11 02:57 PM 38 6,493 35
184 12/7/11 02:58 PM 22 6,515 35
185 12/7/11 02:59 PM 41 6,556 35
186 12/7/11 03:00 PM 35 6,591 35
187 12/7/11 03:01 PM 42 6,633 35
188 12/7/11 03:02 PM 25 6,658 35
189 12/7/11 03:03 PM 49 6,707 35
190 12/7/11 03:04 PM 41 6,748 35
191 12/7/11 03:05 PM 29 6,777 35
192 12/7/11 03:06 PM 43 6,820 35
193 12/7/11 03:07 PM 27 6,847 35
194 12/7/11 03:08 PM 54 6,901 35 ALERT
195 12/7/11 03:09 PM 33 6,934 35
196 12/7/11 03:10 PM 28 6,962 35
197 12/7/11 03:11 PM 38 7,000 35
198 12/7/11 03:12 PM 34 7,034 35
199 12/7/11 03:13 PM 30 7,064 35
200 12/7/11 03:14 PM 28 7,092 35
201 12/7/11 03:15 PM 40 7,132 35
202 12/7/11 03:16 PM 39 7,171 35
203 12/7/11 03:17 PM 34 7,205 35
204 12/7/11 03:18 PM 37 7,242 35
205 12/7/11 03:19 PM 38 7,280 35
206 12/7/11 03:20 PM 30 7,310 35
207 12/7/11 03:21 PM 40 7,350 35
208 12/7/11 03:22 PM 28 7,378 35
209 12/7/11 03:23 PM 34 7,412 35
210 12/7/11 03:24 PM 39 7,451 35
211 12/7/11 03:25 PM 35 7,486 35
212 12/7/11 03:26 PM 40 7,526 35
213 12/7/11 03:27 PM 42 7,568 35
214 12/7/11 03:28 PM 39 7,607 35
215 12/7/11 03:29 PM 42 7,649 35
216 12/7/11 03:30 PM 41 7,690 35
217 12/7/11 03:31 PM 36 7,726 35
218 12/7/11 03:32 PM 36 7,762 35
219 12/7/11 03:33 PM 39 7,801 35
220 12/7/11 03:34 PM 33 7,834 35
221 12/7/11 03:35 PM 45 7,879 35
222 12/7/11 03:36 PM 33 7,912 35
223 12/7/11 03:37 PM 52 7,964 35 ALERT
224 12/7/11 03:38 PM 41 8,005 35
225 12/7/11 03:39 PM 34 8,039 35
226 12/7/11 03:40 PM 44 8,083 35
227 12/7/11 03:41 PM 38 8,121 35
228 12/7/11 03:42 PM 30 8,151 35
229 12/7/11 03:43 PM 38 8,189 35
230 12/7/11 03:44 PM 37 8,226 35
231 12/7/11 03:45 PM 34 8,260 35
232 12/7/11 03:46 PM 35 8,295 35
233 12/7/11 03:47 PM 44 8,339 35
234 12/7/11 03:48 PM 34 8,373 35
235 12/7/11 03:49 PM 23 8,396 35
236 12/7/11 03:50 PM 47 8,443 35
237 12/7/11 03:51 PM 39 8,482 35
238 12/7/11 03:52 PM 38 8,520 35
239 12/7/11 03:53 PM 34 8,554 35
240 12/7/11 03:54 PM 26 8,580 35
241 12/7/11 03:55 PM 59 8,639 35 ALERT
242 12/7/11 03:56 PM 37 8,676 35
243 12/7/11 03:57 PM 41 8,717 35
244 12/7/11 03:58 PM 30 8,747 35
245 12/7/11 03:59 PM 34 8,781 35
246 12/7/11 04:00 PM 28 8,809 35
247 12/7/11 04:01 PM 43 8,852 35
248 12/7/11 04:02 PM 30 8,882 35
249 12/7/11 04:03 PM 34 8,916 35
250 12/7/11 04:04 PM 40 8,956 35
251 12/7/11 04:05 PM 39 8,995 35
252 12/7/11 04:06 PM 47 9,042 35
253 12/7/11 04:07 PM 48 9,090 35
254 12/7/11 04:08 PM 38 9,128 35
255 12/7/11 04:09 PM 35 9,163 35
256 12/7/11 04:10 PM 34 9,197 35
257 12/7/11 04:11 PM 33 9,230 35
258 12/7/11 04:12 PM 39 9,269 35
259 12/7/11 04:13 PM 45 9,314 35
260 12/7/11 04:14 PM 39 9,353 35
261 12/7/11 04:15 PM 32 9,385 35
262 12/7/11 04:16 PM 43 9,428 35
263 12/7/11 04:17 PM 39 9,467 35
264 12/7/11 04:18 PM 54 9,521 36 ALERT
265 12/7/11 04:19 PM 33 9,554 36
266 12/7/11 04:20 PM 31 9,585 36
267 12/7/11 04:21 PM 27 9,612 36
268 12/7/11 04:22 PM 35 9,647 35
269 12/7/11 04:23 PM 26 9,673 35
270 12/7/11 04:24 PM 44 9,717 35
271 12/7/11 04:25 PM 34 9,751 35
272 12/7/11 04:26 PM 35 9,786 35
273 12/7/11 04:27 PM 36 9,822 35
274 12/7/11 04:28 PM 36 9,858 35
275 12/7/11 04:29 PM 40 9,898 35
276 12/7/11 04:30 PM 22 9,920 35
277 12/7/11 04:31 PM 40 9,960 35
278 12/7/11 04:32 PM 39 9,999 35
279 12/7/11 04:33 PM 39 10,038 35
280 12/7/11 04:34 PM 33 10,071 35
281 12/7/11 04:35 PM 33 10,104 35
282 12/7/11 04:36 PM 42 10,146 35
283 12/7/11 04:37 PM 38 10,184 35
284 12/7/11 04:38 PM 43 10,227 36
285 12/7/11 04:39 PM 34 10,261 36
286 12/7/11 04:40 PM 40 10,301 36
287 12/7/11 04:41 PM 42 10,343 36
288 12/7/11 04:42 PM 50 10,393 36 ALERT
289 12/7/11 04:43 PM 38 10,431 36
290 12/7/11 04:44 PM 39 10,470 36
291 12/7/11 04:45 PM 45 10,515 36
292 12/7/11 04:46 PM 28 10,543 36
293 12/7/11 04:47 PM 35 10,578 36
294 12/7/11 04:48 PM 41 10,619 36
295 12/7/11 04:49 PM 42 10,661 36
296 12/7/11 04:50 PM 37 10,698 36
297 12/7/11 04:51 PM 33 10,731 36
298 12/7/11 04:52 PM 45 10,776 36
299 12/7/11 04:53 PM 39 10,815 36
300 12/7/11 04:54 PM 46 10,861 36
301 12/7/11 04:55 PM 46 10,907 36
302 12/7/11 04:56 PM 46 10,953 36
303 12/7/11 04:57 PM 46 10,999 36
304 12/7/11 04:58 PM 38 11,037 36
305 12/7/11 04:59 PM 33 11,070 36
306 12/7/11 05:00 PM 36 11,106 36
307 12/7/11 05:01 PM 39 11,145 36
308 12/7/11 05:02 PM 37 11,182 36
309 12/7/11 05:03 PM 35 11,217 36
310 12/7/11 05:04 PM 32 11,249 36
311 12/7/11 05:05 PM 38 11,287 36
312 12/7/11 05:06 PM 44 11,331 36
313 12/7/11 05:07 PM 40 11,371 36
314 12/7/11 05:08 PM 48 11,419 36
315 12/7/11 05:09 PM 47 11,466 36
316 12/7/11 05:10 PM 41 11,507 36
317 12/7/11 05:11 PM 39 11,546 36
318 12/7/11 05:12 PM 38 11,584 36
319 12/7/11 05:13 PM 33 11,617 36
320 12/7/11 05:14 PM 32 11,649 36
321 12/7/11 05:15 PM 38 11,687 36
322 12/7/11 05:16 PM 38 11,725 36
323 12/7/11 05:17 PM 46 11,771 36
324 12/7/11 05:18 PM 30 11,801 36
325 12/7/11 05:19 PM 42 11,843 36
326 12/7/11 05:20 PM 39 11,882 36
327 12/7/11 05:21 PM 31 11,913 36
328 12/7/11 05:22 PM 39 11,952 36
329 12/7/11 05:23 PM 41 11,993 36
330 12/7/11 05:24 PM 38 12,031 36
331 12/7/11 05:25 PM 35 12,066 36
332 12/7/11 05:26 PM 38 12,104 36
333 12/7/11 05:27 PM 40 12,144 36
334 12/7/11 05:28 PM 33 12,177 36
335 12/7/11 05:29 PM 48 12,225 36
336 12/7/11 05:30 PM 41 12,266 36
337 12/7/11 05:31 PM 47 12,313 36
338 12/7/11 05:32 PM 51 12,364 36 ALERT
339 12/7/11 05:33 PM 32 12,396 36
340 12/7/11 05:34 PM 44 12,440 36
341 12/7/11 05:35 PM 36 12,476 36
342 12/7/11 05:36 PM 34 12,510 36
343 12/7/11 05:37 PM 29 12,539 36
344 12/7/11 05:38 PM 34 12,573 36
345 12/7/11 05:39 PM 40 12,613 36
346 12/7/11 05:40 PM 39 12,652 36
347 12/7/11 05:41 PM 45 12,697 36
348 12/7/11 05:42 PM 46 12,743 36
349 12/7/11 05:43 PM 40 12,783 36
350 12/7/11 05:44 PM 37 12,820 36
351 12/7/11 05:45 PM 37 12,857 36
352 12/7/11 05:46 PM 35 12,892 36
353 12/7/11 05:47 PM 25 12,917 36
354 12/7/11 05:48 PM 31 12,948 36
355 12/7/11 05:49 PM 34 12,982 36
356 12/7/11 05:50 PM 33 13,015 36
357 12/7/11 05:51 PM 41 13,056 36
358 12/7/11 05:52 PM 32 13,088 36
359 12/7/11 05:53 PM 36 13,124 36
360 12/7/11 05:54 PM 35 13,159 36
361 12/7/11 05:55 PM 42 13,201 36
362 12/7/11 05:56 PM 34 13,235 36
363 12/7/11 05:57 PM 34 13,269 36
364 12/7/11 05:58 PM 40 13,309 36
365 12/7/11 05:59 PM 34 13,343 36
366 12/7/11 06:00 PM 37 13,380 36
367 12/7/11 06:01 PM 31 13,411 36
368 12/7/11 06:02 PM 34 13,445 36
369 12/7/11 06:03 PM 40 13,485 36
370 12/7/11 06:04 PM 36 13,521 36
371 12/7/11 06:05 PM 43 13,564 36
372 12/7/11 06:06 PM 37 13,601 36
373 12/7/11 06:07 PM 40 13,641 36
374 12/7/11 06:08 PM 41 13,682 36
375 12/7/11 06:09 PM 39 13,721 36
376 12/7/11 06:10 PM 37 13,758 36
377 12/7/11 06:11 PM 48 13,806 36
378 12/7/11 06:12 PM 28 13,834 36
379 12/7/11 06:13 PM 45 13,879 36
380 12/7/11 06:14 PM 42 13,921 36
381 12/7/11 06:15 PM 39 13,960 36
382 12/7/11 06:16 PM 33 13,993 36
383 12/7/11 06:17 PM 38 14,031 36
384 12/7/11 06:18 PM 34 14,065 36
385 12/7/11 06:19 PM 47 14,112 36
386 12/7/11 06:20 PM 38 14,150 36
387 12/7/11 06:21 PM 46 14,196 36
388 12/7/11 06:22 PM 40 14,236 36
389 12/7/11 06:23 PM 41 14,277 36
390 12/7/11 06:24 PM 32 14,309 36
391 12/7/11 06:25 PM 23 14,332 36
392 12/7/11 06:26 PM 32 14,364 36
393 12/7/11 06:27 PM 41 14,405 36
394 12/7/11 06:28 PM 38 14,443 36
395 12/7/11 06:29 PM 36 14,479 36
396 12/7/11 06:30 PM 44 14,523 36
397 12/7/11 06:31 PM 48 14,571 36
398 12/7/11 06:32 PM 39 14,610 36
399 12/7/11 06:33 PM 44 14,654 36
400 12/7/11 06:34 PM 43 14,697 36
401 12/7/11 06:35 PM 38 14,735 36
402 12/7/11 06:36 PM 45 14,780 36
403 12/7/11 06:37 PM 46 14,826 36
404 12/7/11 06:38 PM 29 14,855 36
405 12/7/11 06:39 PM 41 14,896 36
406 12/7/11 06:40 PM 40 14,936 36
407 12/7/11 06:41 PM 38 14,974 36
408 12/7/11 06:42 PM 32 15,006 36
409 12/7/11 06:43 PM 35 15,041 36
410 12/7/11 06:44 PM 37 15,078 36
411 12/7/11 06:45 PM 43 15,121 36
412 12/7/11 06:46 PM 46 15,167 36
413 12/7/11 06:47 PM 30 15,197 36
414 12/7/11 06:48 PM 27 15,224 36
415 12/7/11 06:49 PM 42 15,266 36
416 12/7/11 06:50 PM 44 15,310 36
417 12/7/11 06:51 PM 27 15,337 36
418 12/7/11 06:52 PM 39 15,376 36
419 12/7/11 06:53 PM 44 15,420 36
420 12/7/11 06:54 PM 36 15,456 36
421 12/7/11 06:55 PM 35 15,491 36
422 12/7/11 06:56 PM 53 15,544 36 ALERT
423 12/7/11 06:57 PM 26 15,570 36
424 12/7/11 06:58 PM 38 15,608 36
425 12/7/11 06:59 PM 44 15,652 36
426 12/7/11 07:00 PM 30 15,682 36
427 12/7/11 07:01 PM 38 15,720 36
428 12/7/11 07:02 PM 41 15,761 36
429 12/7/11 07:03 PM 43 15,804 36
430 12/7/11 07:04 PM 34 15,838 36
431 12/7/11 07:05 PM 48 15,886 36
432 12/7/11 07:06 PM 28 15,914 36
433 12/7/11 07:07 PM 48 15,962 36
434 12/7/11 07:08 PM 39 16,001 36
435 12/7/11 07:09 PM 42 16,043 36
436 12/7/11 07:10 PM 34 16,077 36
437 12/7/11 07:11 PM 37 16,114 36
438 12/7/11 07:12 PM 41 16,155 36
439 12/7/11 07:13 PM 33 16,188 36
440 12/7/11 07:14 PM 44 16,232 36
441 12/7/11 07:15 PM 38 16,270 36
442 12/7/11 07:16 PM 47 16,317 36
443 12/7/11 07:17 PM 46 16,363 36
444 12/7/11 07:18 PM 34 16,397 36
445 12/7/11 07:19 PM 34 16,431 36
446 12/7/11 07:20 PM 31 16,462 36
447 12/7/11 07:21 PM 27 16,489 36
448 12/7/11 07:22 PM 33 16,522 36
449 12/7/11 07:23 PM 34 16,556 36
450 12/7/11 07:24 PM 44 16,600 36
451 12/7/11 07:25 PM 44 16,644 36
452 12/7/11 07:26 PM 37 16,681 36
453 12/7/11 07:27 PM 27 16,708 36
454 12/7/11 07:28 PM 45 16,753 36
455 12/7/11 07:29 PM 40 16,793 36
456 12/7/11 07:30 PM 35 16,828 36
457 12/7/11 07:31 PM 31 16,859 36
458 12/7/11 07:32 PM 32 16,891 36
459 12/7/11 07:33 PM 49 16,940 36
460 12/7/11 07:34 PM 40 16,980 36
461 12/7/11 07:35 PM 32 17,012 36
462 12/7/11 07:36 PM 34 17,046 36
463 12/7/11 07:37 PM 45 17,091 36
464 12/7/11 07:38 PM 52 17,143 36 ALERT
465 12/7/11 07:39 PM 42 17,185 36
466 12/7/11 07:40 PM 38 17,223 36
467 12/7/11 07:41 PM 27 17,250 36
468 12/7/11 07:42 PM 53 17,303 36 ALERT
469 12/7/11 07:43 PM 41 17,344 36
470 12/7/11 07:44 PM 41 17,385 36
471 12/7/11 07:45 PM 44 17,429 37
472 12/7/11 07:46 PM 42 17,471 37
473 12/7/11 07:47 PM 33 17,504 37
474 12/7/11 07:48 PM 38 17,542 37
475 12/7/11 07:49 PM 42 17,584 37
476 12/7/11 07:50 PM 40 17,624 37
477 12/7/11 07:51 PM 45 17,669 37
478 12/7/11 07:52 PM 36 17,705 37
479 12/7/11 07:53 PM 36 17,741 37
480 12/7/11 07:54 PM 35 17,776 37
481 12/7/11 07:55 PM 34 17,810 37
482 12/7/11 07:56 PM 36 17,846 37
483 12/7/11 07:57 PM 31 17,877 37
484 12/7/11 07:58 PM 38 17,915 37
485 12/7/11 07:59 PM 43 17,958 37
486 12/7/11 08:00 PM 41 17,999 37
487 12/7/11 08:01 PM 34 18,033 37
488 12/7/11 08:02 PM 40 18,073 37
489 12/7/11 08:03 PM 39 18,112 37
490 12/7/11 08:04 PM 44 18,156 37
491 12/7/11 08:05 PM 32 18,188 37
492 12/7/11 08:06 PM 37 18,225 37
493 12/7/11 08:07 PM 40 18,265 37
494 12/7/11 08:08 PM 58 18,323 37 ALERT
495 12/7/11 08:09 PM 34 18,357 37
496 12/7/11 08:10 PM 36 18,393 37
497 12/7/11 08:11 PM 39 18,432 37
498 12/7/11 08:12 PM 42 18,474 37
499 12/7/11 08:13 PM 42 18,516 37
500 12/7/11 08:14 PM 49 18,565 37
501 12/7/11 08:15 PM 38 18,603 37
502 12/7/11 08:16 PM 36 18,639 37
503 12/7/11 08:17 PM 28 18,667 37
504 12/7/11 08:18 PM 30 18,697 37
505 12/7/11 08:19 PM 26 18,723 37
506 12/7/11 08:20 PM 32 18,755 37
507 12/7/11 08:21 PM 45 18,800 37
508 12/7/11 08:22 PM 31 18,831 37
509 12/7/11 08:23 PM 37 18,868 37
510 12/7/11 08:24 PM 60 18,928 37 ALERT
511 12/7/11 08:25 PM 42 18,970 37
512 12/7/11 08:26 PM 44 19,014 37
513 12/7/11 08:27 PM 41 19,055 37
514 12/7/11 08:28 PM 51 19,106 37 ALERT
515 12/7/11 08:29 PM 36 19,142 37
516 12/7/11 08:30 PM 46 19,188 37
517 12/7/11 08:31 PM 44 19,232 37
518 12/7/11 08:32 PM 41 19,273 37
519 12/7/11 08:33 PM 37 19,310 37
520 12/7/11 08:34 PM 50 19,360 37 ALERT
521 12/7/11 08:35 PM 39 19,399 37
522 12/7/11 08:36 PM 44 19,443 37
523 12/7/11 08:37 PM 45 19,488 37
524 12/7/11 08:38 PM 41 19,529 37
525 12/7/11 08:39 PM 47 19,576 37
526 12/7/11 08:40 PM 33 19,609 37
527 12/7/11 08:41 PM 42 19,651 37
528 12/7/11 08:42 PM 31 19,682 37
529 12/7/11 08:43 PM 42 19,724 37
530 12/7/11 08:44 PM 38 19,762 37
531 12/7/11 08:45 PM 47 19,809 37
532 12/7/11 08:46 PM 44 19,853 37
533 12/7/11 08:47 PM 47 19,900 37
534 12/7/11 08:48 PM 35 19,935 37
535 12/7/11 08:49 PM 36 19,971 37
536 12/7/11 08:50 PM 45 20,016 37
537 12/7/11 08:51 PM 39 20,055 37
538 12/7/11 08:52 PM 40 20,095 37
539 12/7/11 08:53 PM 46 20,141 37
540 12/7/11 08:54 PM 37 20,178 37
541 12/7/11 08:55 PM 67 20,245 37 ALERT
542 12/7/11 08:56 PM 44 20,289 37
543 12/7/11 08:57 PM 34 20,323 37
544 12/7/11 08:58 PM 45 20,368 37
545 12/7/11 08:59 PM 30 20,398 37
546 12/7/11 09:00 PM 51 20,449 37 ALERT
547 12/7/11 09:01 PM 44 20,493 37
548 12/7/11 09:02 PM 51 20,544 37 ALERT
549 12/7/11 09:03 PM 46 20,590 37
550 12/7/11 09:04 PM 50 20,640 37
551 12/7/11 09:05 PM 42 20,682 37
552 12/7/11 09:06 PM 45 20,727 37
553 12/7/11 09:07 PM 44 20,771 37
554 12/7/11 09:08 PM 41 20,812 37
555 12/7/11 09:09 PM 40 20,852 37
556 12/7/11 09:10 PM 53 20,905 37 ALERT
557 12/7/11 09:11 PM 44 20,949 37
558 12/7/11 09:12 PM 41 20,990 37
559 12/7/11 09:13 PM 45 21,035 37
560 12/7/11 09:14 PM 30 21,065 37
561 12/7/11 09:15 PM 48 21,113 37
562 12/7/11 09:16 PM 42 21,155 37
563 12/7/11 09:17 PM 35 21,190 37
564 12/7/11 09:18 PM 49 21,239 37
565 12/7/11 09:19 PM 43 21,282 37
566 12/7/11 09:20 PM 40 21,322 37
567 12/7/11 09:21 PM 48 21,370 37
568 12/7/11 09:22 PM 39 21,409 37
569 12/7/11 09:23 PM 53 21,462 37 ALERT
570 12/7/11 09:24 PM 48 21,510 37
571 12/7/11 09:25 PM 44 21,554 37
572 12/7/11 09:26 PM 42 21,596 37
573 12/7/11 09:27 PM 33 21,629 37
574 12/7/11 09:28 PM 27 21,656 37
575 12/7/11 09:29 PM 41 21,697 37
576 12/7/11 09:30 PM 52 21,749 37 ALERT
577 12/7/11 09:31 PM 37 21,786 37
578 12/7/11 09:32 PM 39 21,825 37
579 12/7/11 09:33 PM 39 21,864 37
580 12/7/11 09:34 PM 31 21,895 37
581 12/7/11 09:35 PM 37 21,932 37
582 12/7/11 09:36 PM 56 21,988 37 ALERT
583 12/7/11 09:37 PM 35 22,023 37
584 12/7/11 09:38 PM 42 22,065 37
585 12/7/11 09:39 PM 46 22,111 37
586 12/7/11 09:40 PM 40 22,151 37
587 12/7/11 09:41 PM 40 22,191 37
588 12/7/11 09:42 PM 47 22,238 37
589 12/7/11 09:43 PM 53 22,291 37 ALERT
590 12/7/11 09:44 PM 34 22,325 37
591 12/7/11 09:45 PM 36 22,361 37
592 12/7/11 09:46 PM 41 22,402 37
593 12/7/11 09:47 PM 38 22,440 37
594 12/7/11 09:48 PM 39 22,479 37
595 12/7/11 09:49 PM 45 22,524 37
596 12/7/11 09:50 PM 40 22,564 37
597 12/7/11 09:51 PM 55 22,619 37 ALERT
598 12/7/11 09:52 PM 45 22,664 37
599 12/7/11 09:53 PM 43 22,707 37
600 12/7/11 09:54 PM 38 22,745 37
601 12/7/11 09:55 PM 47 22,792 37
602 12/7/11 09:56 PM 46 22,838 37
603 12/7/11 09:57 PM 52 22,890 37 ALERT
604 12/7/11 09:58 PM 36 22,926 37
605 12/7/11 09:59 PM 41 22,967 37
606 12/7/11 10:00 PM 38 23,005 37
607 12/7/11 10:01 PM 38 23,043 37
608 12/7/11 10:02 PM 37 23,080 37
609 12/7/11 10:03 PM 48 23,128 37
610 12/7/11 10:04 PM 50 23,178 37 ALERT
611 12/7/11 10:05 PM 46 23,224 38
612 12/7/11 10:06 PM 49 23,273 38
613 12/7/11 10:07 PM 37 23,310 38
614 12/7/11 10:08 PM 45 23,355 38
615 12/7/11 10:09 PM 36 23,391 38
616 12/7/11 10:10 PM 45 23,436 38

Save the Post Office!

2011-12-05T17:42:00.002-05:00

The post office is having financial difficulties and is planning to shut down half of its mail processing centers.
Postal Service Faces Bankruptcy

Please send a comment to the following link to show your support:
Save the Post Office

I submitted a poem for this important cause.

Save the Post Office!

The post office has been the best of friends,
Throughout my youth and beyond,
It keeps me posted on life's trends
With nary a cause to frown.

Efficient and quick, they brought the news -
Always there each day for me.
Through birthdays, weddings, and college, too
They sent mail for a very small fee

I cannot think of another way,
To receive my very own mail.
The post office should be here to stay
Please, please, don't let it fail!!

by Patty Apostolides
2011

Winterize your home

2011-12-01T22:21:00.002-05:00

Lately, we've been watching the news about solar flares and cme's and their effects on our world's climate. Since solar flares come around every eleven years, and this year is one of them, expect turbulent weather ahead.

This winter is expected to be another cold one, and it is good to be prepared. If you own a home and live in the northern regions, here are some inexpensive and easy tips to prepare for the winter. This is what we did:

1) We bought a temperature measuring device (General Infrared Thermometer) from the hardware store that you aim at the wall or area and it will set off a little beam that measures the temperature and gives you a digital reading. It was very easy to use. We did that throughout the house and found areas around the basement, doors and windows that were showing lower readings than in other areas. We promptly sealed them with caulking. We retested the areas and found the temperature had risen by 2-4 degrees from our caulking efforts. So our efforts paid off.

2) We also bought foam insulation for wall outlets. The wall outlets were also a source of cold air. The foam insulation is shaped like the wall outlet. You just unscrew the cover and place those inside and screw back the cover. Our temperature readings rose after we did that.

3) Curtains - there are curtains now available that are designed to help in energy costs. Use them around the house to keep drafts out (if you haven't caulked your windows).

4) Get the spray caulking foam to caulk underneath sinks, especially those that face the outside walls.

5) If you plan to leave your home for the holidays, make sure you leave the thermostat on between 55-60 degrees, and open your cabinets that lead to your sink (allows the warmer air to infiltrate the piping underneath the sink).

Larger projects - if you haven't done so, installing energy star double or triple pane windows, or adding more insulation to the attic will also help in keeping your house warm and lowering energy bills in the future.

Stay warm, stay safe.

Cancer cells

2011-11-30T17:29:00.003-05:00

Years ago, I grew cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in the laboratory at the Cleveland Clinic. I grew them so that we could perform experiments on them. These experiments varied, from studying their cell cycle phase (mitosis vs plateau) to their radiation sensitivity, to their phosphorous content through NMR spectroscopy, plus much, much more. Cells that were dividing or in mitosis were more susceptible to radiation because the DNA was exposed to the damage from radiation, whereas plateau phase cells tended to be radioresistant and didn't do much when zapped with radiation except sit there.

The word in vitro means that the cancer cells were grown in petrie dishes or culture dishes in a certain type of medium. These cancer cells could have been mammalian or human in origin, but the bottom line was that they were cancer cells. This word "cancer" came with a lot of assumptions, such as the following:
1) Cancer cells grow in Carbon Dioxide incubators only
2) Cancer cells need some form of bovine fetal calf serum and glucose to live on
3) cancer cells needed to be reseeded after so many doublings
4) They typically doubled every 8-10 hours (mammalian cancer cells)
5) If left alone in a dish, cancer cells would outgrow their medium and eventually die.

The word in vivo means that the cancer cells were living in an animal host, mostly mice. The mice we used varied. Little gray mice with hair were used for certain cancers, while nude mice with no hair or color (and with hardly an immune system) were used for other cancers. The cancer cells would be cultured in the laboratory and then concentrated to a certain amount and injected into the leg of the mouse. This procedure usually had to be planned weeks in advance in order to have the right amount of cells for the injection. Once the animal was injected, a certain period of time would pass and the tumor would result. The tumors were then studied.

Now, years later, as a wife, homeschooling mother, author, and poet, I have other things to occupy my time. One of them, is writing cancer articles with my husband Anthony Apostolides,Ph.D. Our articles can be accessed through Townsend Letter

Now I am no longer studying cancer cells in the lab, but their devastating effect on human beings on a much larger scale. This has been a painful experience for my family, for I have lost my father, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law to cancer, all within a few years of each other. This has become a mission for me and my husband as we devote our time to educating the public on this cancer epidemic.

Berkeley Springs Book Festival

2011-11-21T18:33:00.002-05:00

Morgan Arts Council in Berkeley Springs, WV is hosting its first annual Book Festival on November 26, 2011 at the Ice House (10am-4pm).

I plan to be there to booksign my four books. Also, I will probably read a couple of my poems during the open mic session (3-4pm).

Here is more information about the book festival:

http://www.berkeleysprings.com/bookfest.html

Listen to your Heart

2011-11-20T19:56:00.005-05:00

Listen to your Heart

How many times must a rocket
Flare a path up into the air,
Slicing, dicing oxygen
Laced with petroleum
Fast and furious path
To nowhere,
Only to fall back down
Broken piece of junk -
To humble Earth.
Its cost absorbed by millions,
Yet no one knows why, except
A few privileged.

How many homes must a
Nuclear power plant light,
Spewing radiation poisoning
Like Medussa's venom
Into the frigid night air
While babies cry out.
Somehow they know
Radiation is not good for them,
Yet no one listens.
Children's hospitals
Sprout forth like mushrooms
Postponing death's call
To diseased children
For a few more months.

And when we lay down our heads
At night,
Do we dare listen to our heart
To the love that binds our
Destiny to one another
And do something about it?
Or do we turn our heads,
Choosing to ignore the
Cries of babies in the night,
Unable to defend their right
To live one more day,
Victims of a polluted universe
That spews them forth like venom
Into the pitch black of night.
Only they don't get to return
to humble Earth.

by Patty Apostolides, 2011

Growing up Greek

2011-11-18T19:54:00.007-05:00

I was born in Piraeus, Greece and came to the United States with my family when I was four. My parents were staunch Greeks and spoke only Greek at home. We ate Greek food and celebrated all the religious holidays. We lived in Cleveland and we went to the Greek churches there (4 churches) , sang in the Greek choirs, danced at the Greek dances, and even married Greek men. While in college, I co-founded and was president of the Hellenic Student Association and also ran the weekly Greek radio show on campus. How more Greek can that be?

When I visited Greece for the first time in my twenties, I visited Lipsi island, where my parents were from. The people there were very hospitable and I enjoyed myself tremendously. I returned there several times during my college years - until I began to envision living in Greece permanently.

I attempted to move back to Greece after graduating from college and having worked a few years as a biologist. I was in my twenties, enamored with the idea of going back to my roots. I stayed with my uncle and aunt in Piraeus for awhile. At first, it was like a honeymoon, everything was nice and rosy. I liked the evening strolls near the water and the beautiful scenery. I liked the music and the food. But somehow the longer I stayed, the dream began to sour. I remember waiting in the bank line in Athens and people pushing and getting in front of me, thrusting their papers at the clerk without so much as looking at me. I remember my uncle driving normally in his car and getting cursed by other drivers who wanted to speed past us, giving us the five fingers, thinking we were going too slow. I remember the dowries and proxenia, and how we Greek Americans were looked at as dollar signs. I remember trying to flag a taxi and once they heard our destination ( a bit away from the airport), declined and we had to pay double to get to where we needed to go. I also worked in Greece in an endocrinology lab because of my degree and I knew English and was able to run radioimmunassay tests for pregnant women, but got paid a fraction of what I got paid in the United States.

After several months of attempting to fit in, I experienced a culture shock. I sorely missed my family and Greek community. I missed the professionalism and intellectual stimulation of my former job at the Cleveland Clinic. The Greece that I envisioned was totally different from the Greek American culture that I had experienced. Compared to the Greeks living in Greece, Greek Americans were very conservative, being more religious, busy working and building dreams in America. The Greek Americans I knew had adopted a comraderie and fellowship that was evident in the church community. Unfortunately, I did not witness that in mainland Greece. There was a sophistication, an almost arrogant stance to us "Amerikanakia" and a decadence (particularly television shows) that was unheard of in America (Lipsi island was an exception because practically everyone there was a relative and the islanders tend to be hospitable).

So I returned to America, having learned that although I was born in Greece, there was a difference. Greek Americans are a hybrid of Greek and American cultures, having captured the best of both worlds, and that made all the difference.

Publishing Trends

2011-11-16T12:45:00.005-05:00

For many years, my family and I have been patrons of Borders, Barnes & Noble bookstores and BooksAMillion bookstores. Twice a week we would visit one of these bookstores and I would browse the different bookshelves, skim through books, and note what was in stock. We also are avid library patrons, and also frequent used bookstores.

As I was growing up in Cleveland in the seventies, most of the books I read were clean books like Heidi, Jane Eyre, and Black Beauty. The libraries were well stocked with clean covers, clean stories, and better stories, in my humble opinion. "Noir" stories were not the norm then, as they are now.

Now, when I enter one of the bookstores (Barnes & Noble, etc.) I see black every where, black covers, black stories, black ideas; even the music is harsh and grating. Magazines show more bare skin. Even book titles are vulgar and use four-letter words. It is a depressing atmosphere for an optimistic person like me. Who is buying these books and why are they buying them? It sure isn't me! I like to see bright cover colors, bright ideas, optimistic and hopeful stories. Where have they gone?

Where are the stories that inspire, and make me laugh? I crave for stories comparable to the following movies: Sound of Music, Inspector General, Easter Parade, TopHat, Daddy Longlegs, Mary Poppins, Good Old Summertime, etc. Where have they all gone? Am I living in the wrong time period?

I'm also seeing this infiltrate into the educational system. We were going to send our son to sixth grade public school this year. He was tested and placed in the advanced section for all his classes, and for his English class was given a book to read over the summer. It was about misfits and a foster home and how the parents had abused the children. It was a terrible story. What garbage! The choices that these authorities are making shows me that our society is missing in values. Who wants to read about misfits and abusive parents? How depressing. My son who is an avid reader, was depressed by the story. We ended up not sending him to the public school after all but decided to homeschool him another year.

We visited our public library the other day. I usually choose books for my son to read. He reads one fiction and one non-fiction a day as his limit. If I did not set a limit, he would be reading all day.
Choosing books for him to read has been a chore. I search for books that have an engaging story, are uplifting, and capture the imagination. Most of the new books are tailored to the Harry Potter series, full of fantasy and evil. Most of the new books have at least one description of death, one description of something bad happening to someone (prevalent in vampire stories), and so on. This is becoming a dilemma. He has already read all the classic books by now (Heidi, Anne of Greengables, Black Beauty, Robinson Crusoe, Mary Poppins, Winnie-the-Pooh, and many more!). Dare he venture into the dark unknown? I shiver at the thought of my impressionable, intelligent son being influenced by these dark forces.

So I pray that the universe listens to my prayers for the good of humanity - to spread this goodness into the publishing industry and embrace it with much love and light - so that we may learn from life through positive examples and not negative, downgrading horrific stories. Let the positive forces win over the dark forces.

This prayer also holds true with all the art forms - music and fine art.

Signing off and God bless!!

Radiation and more Radiation

2011-11-15T15:02:00.003-05:00

One "new normal" activity these days includes a daily check of our inside air with our radiation detector Inspector+ which is linked to the computer through a software program (both detector and software program bought by Mineralab.com). Typically, the detector would range from 20-40 cpm. The last few days, I've been getting alerts (I set the threshold to 50 cpm to alert me when it reaches that count) for 50 cpm and above. One alert was for 56 cpm. Although it's not exceedingly high, it is almost twice the normal reading that I got in the past. This additional radiation is probably gamma rays, since the radiation is coming from the outside and passing through our walls.

I wonder if others have been seeing spikes in their radiation readings. To answer that question, I just checked the www.radiationnetwork.com website and I do notice at this time, 3:30pm Nov. 15 2011, that east of Pennsylvania, there was a 55cpm reading. That's high, also.

Although the site uses 100cpm as an alert threshold, I feel that 50 cpm is a better number. Any low-level radiation is unacceptable.

Excerpt from The Lion and the Nurse

2011-11-10T20:57:00.001-05:00

THE LION AND THE NURSE

by Patty Apostolides

CHAPTER 1

April 1979

Truth exists, yet often times we don’t see it. Elusive, like a deer in hiding, it waits, revealing itself only when the beholder stands still, ready to accept it unconditionally. Such a moment of truth exposed itself on this spring afternoon to Cassiani, but was she ready for it?

Cassiani stepped out on to the sunlit balcony carrying a bucket of dirty soap water in one hand and a wet mop in the other. Her mind was miles away at the University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, where she worked the past five months as a registered nurse. Today she would have been taking blood pressure readings at seven o’clock in the morning or popping thermometers into patients’ mouths. Or she would have been reading charts and administering medications. Instead, she was here on the Greek Island of Kos, mopping Mrs. Lukas’ upstairs apartment.

A week ago, when she and her sister received the telephone call from the doctor at Kos Hospital telling them that her mother experienced a heart attack, it had come as a shock. Athena couldn’t come because she was pregnant with her second child, so it was decided that Cassiani would come. Cassiani rushed to get here, dropping everything she was doing with no other thought but to nurse her mother. When she arrived three days ago, little did she know that today she’d be cleaning and mopping Mrs. Lukas’ house.

Cassiani lifted the bucket and poured the soapy water over the side of the balcony, watching the water disappear down the slope of the lime-green hill below. Further observation revealed flecks of color among the hill; clusters of white cyclamen, bunches of daisies, and bright red poppies that swayed with each caress of the wind. She took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh mountain air.

“This would be a good place to rest,” she said aloud. Two wooden chairs and a small square table sat on the balcony. She sank into one chair, plopping her slender legs up on the other chair, enjoying the sun-drenched panoramic view of Kos Island below. She could see far on this clear day; the whitewashed houses scattered here and there, the sandy beach of Tigaki with its salt lake, and in the horizon, the small island of Pserimos.

Her gaze settled to her left, beyond the row of Cypress trees that marked the property’s boundary, on the winding road leading to the house. She remembered the walk she had with her mother years ago down that very same road. It was dusty and half the width; suited more for pedestrians and donkeys than for cars. This morning her mother said, “You’ll find the road paved now, so don’t miss the way. It was done two years ago when Mrs. Lukas bought a new Mercedes.”

Cassiani glimpsed the dark shade of a lonely automobile driving up the road, but lost track of it just as quickly; probably her imagination at work. Mrs. Lukas was napping downstairs and wasn’t expecting anyone. She yawned, rubbing her eyes, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on her face. Her eyes fluttered shut as she fell into a light sleep.

Thud.

Cassiani jumped up from her chair, knocking it over, her heart beating wildly. She anxiously peered through the balcony’s glass door into the darkness of the apartment. Could it be that Mrs. Lukas had walked up the stairs looking for her and had slipped on the newly mopped floor? Then she caught sight of the man. His movements were slow and cautious, as if he had sensed another presence…her presence. “A burglar,” she whispered. She quickly made the sign of the cross. “Dear Lord, have mercy on me.”

He was lean and dressed in dark clothes, and was heading purposefully towards her.

* * *

“What are you doing here?” Leo demanded. Just as he was about to reach the balcony he slipped on the wet floor and landed on his back.

At that very same moment Cassiani sprinted past him, then slid on the wet floor, her arms flailing about her until she regained her momentum. In her haste to leave, she blindly ran into the luggage lined up at the door. She lost her balance and grabbed the doorframe managing to keep from falling. She shakily pulled the two large suitcases upright. Were these the cause of the sound she heard from the balcony? She glanced at the nametag. “Dr. Leonidas Regas,” she whispered. Why did the name sound familiar? Her eyes flew open. “Oh, no!”

The burglar was none other than the much-awaited nephew of Soula Lukas. How could it be? He was supposed to arrive tomorrow. Ashamed at her behavior, Cassiani turned around and stared at the fallen man. She inched her way towards him, careful not to slip on the wet floor. Although his eyes were shut, to her relief she could make out the faint movement of his chest rising and falling rhythmically. Yes, he was alive…and undeniably handsome. His tanned face was lean, with a strong chin and a prominent, straight nose. She bent down, ready to check his head for bumps when his eyes fluttered open, staring upwards to gaze at the ceiling.

She caught her breath when his eyes settled on her. Magnificently large in size, their golden hazel color, speckled with emerald and saffron, glowed like a cat’s eyes…no…more like a lion’s eyes…as if there was a fire brewing inside them. It was unnerving, the intent way he studied her.

“Ouch,” he said, touching the back of his head. Apparently satisfied with the result, he raised himself in a sitting position. He studied her once more.

She could feel the warm rush of his breath against her face. Suddenly aware of how physically close he was to her, Cassiani moved back, trembling. A minute ago she was nursing a vulnerable, weak patient. As soon as he spoke, as soon as he was a man again and not a patient, society’s norms, her Christian principles, and her parents’ sound upbringing joined forces, sending warning signals up her spine. You’re alone in this apartment with a man.

“Don’t worry, I won’t bite.” His teasing voice was low and husky. She smiled. He smiled back. “What were you doing here?”

“I, I…was.” she said, very conscious of his stare. For some odd reason, she couldn’t speak. Instead, she stood up and pointed towards the balcony where she had left the bucket and mop. She made the motion of mopping.

In one swift movement he was up on his feet, his agile body moving cautiously to the balcony. “You were mopping the apartment,” he finished her sentence. “That explains the wet floor.”

Cassiani was about to introduce herself when she heard a faint call coming from downstairs. She turned her head to hear better. “It’s Mrs. Lukas. She is calling.” She ran towards the door, knocking the luggage over.

“Wait!” Leo shouted.

Cassiani flew down the steps. This time there was no turning back. She sprinted through the large kitchen with the peppermint tea scent, across the narrow hallway with its paintings, and into the bedroom. She found Soula Lukas sitting upright in her bed, propped up by several large pillows. The pink satin robe covering her thin frame, meant for a much younger woman, captured the eye first before settling on her olive-skinned, wrinkled face. Her fluffy white hair circled her head like a misplaced halo.

Maybe it was the way her brown eyes, clouded and unfocused, looked up at Cassiani, or the dazed look on her face, as if she had just seen a ghost; whatever it was, something had caused her to call out.

Cassiani leaned over and touched her shoulder. “Mrs. Lukas, is everything all right?” she asked, feeling breathless. “I heard you calling.”

“What? Oh, yes,” Soula muttered. Her hand fluttered over her eyes. “I had a dream…yes…a dream. That Leo was here.”

“Actually, Leo did—” Cassiani began, then stopped when she saw Leo.

In a few strides Leo reached his aunt’s bed. “Aunt Soula!” he said. He bent down and kissed his aunt tenderly on the forehead then eased his body on the edge of the bed

Soula’s voice trembled with joy. She gripped his hand as if she were testing the reality of his presence. “So you weren’t really a dream after all! I thought I saw you in a dream…that you had come.”

Captivated by this new development into Mrs. Lukas’ world, Cassiani watched with surprise, witnessing the caring look on Leo’s face and the gentle way he touched his aunt’s arm. There was sensitivity in that gesture, one that conveyed a soul that had experienced love and knew how to show it and this spoke louder than words to Cassiani’s fine-tuned heart. She was mesmerized.

The tender way in which Mrs. Lukas gazed back into her nephew’s eyes revealed no coldness or hardness that Cassiani had glimpsed in the past, but a startling show of affection…resembling the love of a mother towards her child.

“I stopped by earlier, but you were asleep.”

“Ahh, so that was what happened!” Soula said, touching Leo’s face fondly. “Weren’t you supposed to come tomorrow?” She scrunched her face, thinking. “What is today…Thursday or Friday?”

Leo playfully patted her on the hand. “We had arranged for me to come today, Thursday.”

“Oh, my,” Soula replied, appearing apologetic. “For some reason I thought it was tomorrow. You know…I’m becoming rather forgetful.”

Cassiani quietly removed herself, not wanting to interfere with the reunion. As a nurse, she had learned not to pry into people’s affairs. She paused at the door and looked at them. “I must be going,” she said.

Leo stood up. “I’m sorry if I frightened you. I wasn’t expecting to find anyone upstairs in the apartment.”

I wasn’t expecting anyone either. “That’s all right. I’m the one that should be apologizing,” Cassiani replied.

“What happened?” Soula asked Leo, her eyes narrowing.

“I slipped on the floor she had mopped and – ”

“Did you hurt yourself?” Soula interjected, looking concerned.

“I’m fine,” Leo chuckled, gingerly touching the back of his head. “Not even a small bump for a souvenir.”

“I have to go now,” Cassiani said, feeling awkward under Mrs. Lukas’ scrutiny. “My mother hasn’t been feeling well. I need to be with her.”

“Ah, yes. Say hello to her for me,” Soula said, her face softening. “Oh…and don’t forget to take the payment for cleaning the upstairs apartment. The money is on the kitchen table.” She signaled towards the kitchen.

Cassiani blushed at the patronizing manner in which Mrs. Lukas had just spoken. I helped because I wanted to, not because of any payment. Instead of replying, she fled from the room.

* * *

Leo watched with amusement at Cassiani’s flustered exit. His mind had been preoccupied all day with business deals and his aunt’s health. Cassiani’s brief entrance into his life had been a refreshingly beautiful diversion. I wonder whether I’ll see her again. I wonder where she lives. “Who is she?”

“She’s the daughter of my hired companion, Vera Meletis. Vera had a heart attack recently. I needed help, so she sent her in her place.” Soula motioned to Leo. “Come, take my arm so I can get up.”

Leo held on to his aunt as she arose out of bed. “I didn’t see her car outside. Does she need a ride—”

“Don’t go thinking too much about her,” Soula interjected.

“What makes you think that?” Leo asked, shrugging his shoulders.

“Oh, an old woman’s intuition,” was his aunt’s tart reply.

* * *

Available on www.Amazon.com

Goodness of Heart

2011-11-06T14:02:00.003-05:00

Today is Sunday, and we read the Bible. I particularly like reading the Proverbs section, and of course, passages from the New Testament. Sometimes we bring in other reading that is spiritual.
Today, we read a portion from a book by St. Therese of Lisiuex, France. She had written an autobiography before she passed away in her twenties. It showed her simple, pure thinking and how she prayed for all the souls so they wouldn't go to purgatory. She was very inspiring.

If we could all see the goodness in each other and forgive one another, knowing that we all are God's children, wouldn't this be a better, safer place to live?

Miracles

2011-11-06T13:39:00.002-05:00

Miracles have been a part of my life since I was a young girl. I call them miracles because they defy normal life happenings and the probability of them happening is so rare, that no other explanation other than that they are a miracle, or a grace from God. I am deeply thankful for these. I may have written about them in the past, but cannot seem to locate that article, so I'll write them once again.

The first miracle I remember is when I am around five years old, chasing after my sister and aunt, who are older than me. It is a sunny day and we are crossing the street. I am wearing black shoes, white socks, and a dress. As I'm crossing the street, I run into the path of a car. The next thing I remember, is that I'm on the sidewalk, and there are several people around me, looking down with concerned faces. Apparently, the car had run over my leg, because my shoe had been removed. I remember looking for my shoe, and slipping it on. Being five, I did not have laced shoes, but a strap that was buckled. I then stood up and walked away, very shy and not used to all this attention. It wasn't until years later that I realized the miracle that had happened. Someone/God/angel had kept me from being harmed by the car.

The second major incident was a few years later. I must have been 8 or 9 years old. In the Greek Orthodox religion, we are christened when we are babies. The nouna, or Godmother gives the child a cross as part of the christening. I wore my cross just about everywhere, and while going to school. I loved it because the gold was intricately woven, almost lacelike in feature, and shaped like a cross. In the center was a small stone. Anyway, I remember coming home one day from school. It was a September afternoon, and I found out that somehow I had lost the cross. I was dismayed and so was my family. I kept looking for it at school, in my classroom, gym class, etc., but couldn't find it. Three days later, as I was walking to school, a black girl came toward me holding the cross. She showed it to me and said, "Is this your cross?" I was so happy to receive it. I did not know who she was and did not see her again. My mother was very happy and said it was a miracle. That day was the day the Greek Orthodox observed the day of the cross. Was it a coincidence or a miracle? You decide.

Until next time...

Winners of Giveaway Posted

2011-11-02T21:06:00.001-04:00

The winners of the giveaway of The Greek Maiden and the English Lord are now posted on my website. I hope every one of the winners enjoys the story!

Until the next giveaway...

Giveaway of The Greek Maiden and the English Lord

2011-11-01T19:24:00.002-04:00

Today is the last day to sign up to win a free copy of The Greek Maiden and the English Lord!

Click here to submit

I will contact the winners and once confirmed, will post their names on my website.

Good luck!!

Musings of my past - College and beyond...

2011-10-31T12:30:00.009-04:00

I attended Case Western Reserve University in the late 70s, and found it to be a very demanding school, with course loads that ate up a lot of my time, but it was all well worth it. It was rated very highly at that time in Chemistry due to Dr. Olan who had a whole floor designated for him. I heard he left afterwards and took all his people with him to California. Anyway, due to several reasons I mentioned in an earlier post, I switched from a Chemistry Major to a Biology Major my second year. I found Biology a more suitable match for me. Studying about life was more interesting than studying chemicals.

I also minored in music (played viola since 3rd grade) and theater, and performed with the Reading Orchestra on campus. The purpose of the small group was to play music we had never seen before and broaden our exposure of different compositions. In addition, I took modern dance classes while working towards my minor in theater. This made for a more balanced curriculum than the strictly science/technical orientation of chemistry and biology and thus allowed my creative side to be nurtured.

While at CWRU, I met another Greek student. She was very friendly and we talked about forming a Greek club together on campus. We met a couple of times and our plan finally materialized. We reserved a room for the meeting and put up flyers around the campus, baked some cookies, and had the meeting. About thirty Greek (mostly from Greece) students showed up. Some were Greek but did not speak Greek. Shortly after, we had elections and I was voted President of the group and my friend was vice-president. We also had a secretary and treasurer. We met several times to design the bylaws.

The Hellenic Association was recognized as a student organization after we supplied the appropriate forms and bylaws to the university. When we wanted to meet on campus, we were able to reserve rooms through a certain process. The group consisted of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, specializing in many fields, including: nursing, dental, engineering (civil, chemical, biomedical, etc.), medicine, and biology. Our group evolved and we had more meetings, and interesting events, like a picnic off the campus, Greek professors giving lectures, visits to restaurants, and other Greek events in the community (dances, dinners). etc. As a result, I was very busy with not only schoolwork, but the Hellenic group, and loving it. I would write up newsletters and provide them to the members. Another highlight of this group was that I was able to sign us up for the radio program on campus. They allotted our group a half hour radio time every Tuesday as a community service. I had to learn the technique of engineering the show, and after a few painstaking hours of training, planned each show carefully, including an opening theme, a Greek quote of the day, and which songs to play. I tried to arrange the music with slow and fast songs using a variety of singers. Most of the music came from records provided by the university, which we were grateful for. We also supplied some of our own records. We would tape the music and submit the recording before the show and they would play it for us. A couple of times I interviewed a professor or two as part of the show. Sometimes friends from our Hellenic club would also speak. Eventually, I learned that the Greek community was listening to our radio program and I was very pleased. However, because college is a temporary situation, when I graduated, I was sad to see the radio show end. No one else picked up the torch to continue it.

After graduation, I joined the Cleveland Women's Orchestra, an all-women's orchestra conducted by Hyman Schandler. I audtioned and was accepted. I enjoyed playing viola with them, and was a member of the orchestra for many, many years. We played annually at Severance Hall as well as at benefit concerts. The pieces were complex and long, mostly symphonies that would last 30-40 minutes each. We would work on these pieces for months at a time before the concert. We also performed at nursing homes on a weekly basis. Schandler would start the program by saying something about the compositions we would be playing and he always threw in some humor to make the residents laugh. The music was usually popular waltz pieces. These outreach performances were my favorite, for the audience was so receptive and appreciative. They would come up to us after the performance and thank us profusely. There would inevitably be a reception also, with drinks and food. One concert, Mr. Schandler's baton flew off the stage and there was commotion for a moment before he could get another one. Another time, a violinist went to sit down on a chair on stage and the chair broke. No lie. One other reason I loved the orchestra were the ladies in it. Sabina Berman, an old timer who played the viola was my best friend. She always greeted me with a bright smile. Rehearsals were weekly and at a boys' school in East Cleveland. We didn't leave rehearsals until close to ten, and and often we would have refreshments afterwards. The orchestra was composed of women from a variety of backgrounds...there were twins who played the cello and viola. We also had a nun who played the bass. There was a blind trumpet player who played from braille music using her hand to read. We also had a famous journalist from the local newspaper who went on assignment in Kosovo. Those were very pleasant times.

Until next time...

Chemistry Stockroom

2011-10-28T17:12:00.003-04:00

I have so many memories of my youth that range from childhood into college and beyond. There are so many interesting stories of my life that I would like to write about. I don't think it would be worth a memoir, but for a blog, it just might be the right thing.

One such memory is during the time I was a student at Case Western Reserve University. I had entered the university with dreams about becoming a Ph.D. biochemist, no lie. It all started when I was fourteen years old and a cousin of mine from Australia had hydroencephalus and leukemia at the age of 13 months. The family brought him to the U.S. and they stayed with us. The poor child did not make it and he was so adorable. I was affected deeply by the loss, and began to read as much as I could on leukemia and other related topics.

Upon graduating from high school, I went to Cleveland State University but felt that the classes were not what I was looking for. The following year, I entered CWRU. There, the counselor I spoke to suggested I major in Chemistry rather than in Biology. Big Mistake. This was through the Case Institute curriculum which is primarily science oriented and a very rigorous program. The first year I took five difficult courses, and also worked part-time in the Chemistry stockroom. It was down in the basement and filled with all kinds of inventory, including chemicals. I would fill the orders for graduate students and staff and maintain inventory.

There were several harrowing moments that occurred during my experience there that convinced me not to pursue chemistry. These events will be imprinted in my mind forever. One particular event was when we were called to attend an emergency. I tagged along, not knowing if I was needed, but felt impelled to be there. At the end of the hall, in a locked room, were many barrels that held chemical waste from the chemistry labs in the building. Typically, each barrel held wastes that were compatible with each other and did not react with each other. However, someone had placed the wrong chemical in a waste barrel (mislabeled) and a reaction was occurring before our very eyes - similar to a mushroom explosion. I thought the room was going to explode. I stayed outside, peeking in as they ran a large hose into the room. To my consternation, I learned that the auditorium was just above this room. Fortunately, the head of the department with several others were able to avert a disaster.

The second incident was when a graduate student was measuring mercury into a container, and spilled it. The hood that they were working in was less than a foot from my desk. We had to clean it up but didn't know how. I read up on the technique and called for help. The spill was cleaned up. I don't think I saw that graduate student again.

The third incident was when I was carrying canisters from the mail room into the chemistry stockroom and I read that if they were left at room temperature, they would explode. The date on the canister was at least 2 days old. I was very scared as I properly placed the canister in storage.

The fourth and final incident that definitely sealed the coffin on the word Chemistry was when two bottles of Nitric Acid that I was stocking up, clashed and broke, splashing my legs with the acid. I had to be rushed to the ER for this. Although it didn't hurt much, I had to be placed in a warm bath and ultimately a burn scar was the result of this.

The following year, I switched majors to Biology and I haven't looked back since.

Cancer Cells Continued

2011-10-26T21:42:00.002-04:00

With my first job at the Cleveland Clinic, I was sent to the University of Berkeley in Berkeley, California, to learn the techniques of tissue culture and also perform experiments with the staff there. It was beautiful, sunny weather in the month of July, but somewhat cool. I was fresh out of college, young and energetic and eager to learn all that there was. My lodging was an old building, a section of the university reserved for visitors like me, where everything was dark and the ancient steps creeked as I walked up the stairs to my room. Over the course of a few days, the lodging’s old character had revealed a quiet charm that was easily embraced by my receding spirit after a busy day at the lab. I also enjoyed walking the sprawling campus of the university each sunny morning with my female colleague, ogling the beautiful campus buildings and architecture, heading toward our research building.

I remember walking the halls of the science building with my colleague, who proudly told me that several Nobel Prize winners had worked in this very same building. I remember entering the women's restroom in the basement floor of the building and finding a person huddled in their sleeping bag, apparently having slept overnight there. I learned that some experiments were timed so that the researcher needed to remain overnight. This was the dedication I saw over and over again over time from several scientists who were willing to make sacrifices for their research.

Once I learned the tissue culture technique and the cell cycle experiments, I returned back to Cleveland and resumed working in our lab. Our initial experiments were held at NASA's cyclotron in Brookpark, which emitted neutron beams on tumors located on the legs of mice. The idea was that these powerful beams would zoom in on the target without killing the surrounding tissues. We worked with another researcher who came from Massachusetts General Hospital, and would drive 14 hours bringing all his mice with him in his station wagon just for these experiments. It was a multi-institution project, with the Clinic, NASA, and MGH involved in these experiments. The cyclotron had initially been used for other reasons, but when I arrived at this job, they were using it for mice experiments. I also heard at the time that it was being considered for late stage cancer patients who were willing to give neutron therapy a try.

Until next time....

Cancer Cells In Vitro

2011-10-25T20:50:00.007-04:00

It's been a few years since my work as a biologist at the Cleveland Clinic, and sometimes I will read something in a scientific journal that will trigger memories of my work. This is an attempt to write a bit about my experience stemming from my many years working in the lab.

I was employed at the Cleveland Clinic first as a Research Technologist/Lab Manager in the Radiobiology Lab, and later as a Lab Manager in the MRI Research Center. In both departments, I designed and ran the tissue culture labs and performed experiments on cancer cells, ranging from human cancer cells to mammalian cancer cells.

The lab was essentially equipped with a CO2 incubator for the cancer cells, vented hoods, centrifuges, microscopes, refrigerator, freezer, sink, and UV lights overhead that turned on when closing the lab in order to sterilize the room. UV light destroys the DNA of the bacteria so that they cannot reproduce. Everything was positioned in such a way as to maximize sterility and efficiency.

The hardest part about growing cells in tissue culture was to keep them not only alive but clean from contamination by bacteria, viruses or fungi. The water used to prepare the media had to be pure, without contaminants so as not to interfere with the cell growth. All glassware was washed and rinsed several times with pure water to remove any soap residue. Even a little residue could affect the cells. Also, it was preferable not to use antibiotics, but if a cell line became infected, it could be costly, because they would have to be disposed of and a new batch prepared. So there were times when antibiotics had to be used.

Until our lab was up and running, I worked in another department of the Cleveland Clinic. In those days, they cultured the cells in an open lab, working over a lit burner (the heat was supposed to keep the bacteria away). I was initially trained in this method. Also, glass pipettes were used and had to be cleaned all the time. Any one of these methods were potential for contamination.

When our new lab was finally opened, we had disposable pipettes and range hoods that vented out. We also had pressurized rooms so that when we entered the room, the air from the outside would not enter the lab. I guess the difference between our lab and the older lab was the funding. We were the new kids on the block and had received funding that allowed for these upgrades, whereas they somehow didn't feel a need to do so.

Many times our work focused on radiobiological experiments, and we used radioisotopes often. We always worked with powdered latex gloves and often two pair at a time, one over the other, in case we needed to leave the room and return. When leaving, we would remove the outer layer and upon return, would put on another pair over the first layer.

Different cancer cell lines had different food requirements, but all cancer cells needed the basics, like fetal calf serum and L-glutamine, and glucose. The culture media varied, though, and the pH had to stay within a certain range. I could tell when cells were thriving or dying just by the color of their media. Yellow media meant they were overgrown, and needed to be recultured into another petrie dish, and purple media meant that the cells were dying.

Cancer cells were basically stored in a tiny capsule in a frozen state with DMSO,which helped them not crystallize and die. The freezing and thawing procedures were very delicate and came down to a fine art so as not to lose any cells in the process.

Cancer cell lines we used had finite lives before they began to mutate into something else, so many cultures are frozen at the very beginning of a cell line to use. After about 15 propogations, we would pull a new batch from the freezer and thaw it and grow into a new culture. If this was not done, and a culture was used continuously for a long time, the cells would start changing and the results would vary, making the cell line unstable.

Until next time....

Tips for Novice Authors

2011-10-20T19:52:00.001-04:00

Tips for Novice Authors

If you are reading this article then you probably have asked yourself at some point in your life, "Do I have what it takes to become an author?"

I believe that successful authors, those who actually write and finish that novel, or book of poetry, or even that book of short stories, and see it all the way to publication, have certain characteristics.

Characteristics of Authors

1. They like to sit for hours in front of a computer screen (or with pen and paper), typing (writing) away.

2. They think about their book, even when they're not writing.

3. They are motivated to finish their book.

4. They are motivated to proofread, edit and revise their finished book until it is the best it can be.

5. They are motivated to publish their book.

6. Once they publish the first book, they are already working on the next one.

If you answered yes to anyone of the above, then you have a good chance of attaining your dreams of becoming an author. Don't listen to those people who say it's a competitive market out there. Don't listen to those people who say they've written five books and haven't had one published yet. And don't listen to those people who send you back your manuscripts! Listen to yourself. Listen to that inner voice, the one that is whispering now. But wait until you get started. Once your book is written and published, that inner voice will be roaring! And the whole world will hear about it.

I know, I know. I tend to be the optimist. But we have so many pessimists in the book business, we sure need some more optimists around!

For you, the novice writer who would like to start writing that first book, the best way to begin is to start writing. Yes, just sit down and do it. Stop the other activities, the television, the reading, the shopping, the chatting on the telephone, and find the time to devote at least one hour a day to writing.

What's one hour a day in the scheme of things? It comes and goes like this, poof! What do you have to show after an hour of television? A lazy yawn? If that same hour were spent on writing, then there would be a product in your hands, something that will be shared, hopefully, one day with others.

So, go ahead, shut the door to the rest of the world for one hour (or more) and make yourself comfortable in front of the computer screen (or pen and paper). Let's take the first step to becoming an author.

How To Begin

Foundation

Just like a construction company which builds a foundation to a home, you also need to prepare a foundation for your career in writing. Don't skip this step, it's important.

Your "foundation" will consist of basic writing skills. Remember those English courses you took in high school and college? If you don't remember anything from those courses, then it wouldn't be a bad idea if you found your old English textbooks, dusted them off a bit, and looked through their pages to refresh your memory.

If you haven't taken any courses in creative writing, you might consider signing up for one. Check with your local community college. They often offer weekend and evening classes, and sometimes even online classes. If you're on a budget, then visit the public library and sign out books relevant to writing.

In addition, it would be very useful to join a writing group (online or in your local area) that critiques your work and gives you the opportunity to critique also. The group provides wonderful support and an avenue to sharpen your skills as you gain experience in writing, as well as exposure to other people's writing. For example, Writing.com is a good example of an online resource that provides many opportunities to share your writing, and get your work rated and reviewed. If you want to join a critique or review group, it offers that also.

The second step to becoming an author, is to have the right tools.

Tools Needed

Besides a comfortable chair, plenty of lighting, and a quiet room, you will need a computer with a word processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word), a printer, and plenty of paper.

Why a computer? First of all, publishers typically will request a copy of your files sent to them on a floppy disk. More importantly, working with a word processing program will aid you in many ways towards becoming a published author. It will provide the opportunity to save your work as a Word file, without having to use up tons of paper (as with a typewriter). This greatly aids you in keeping your work organized. It also gives you the flexibility to edit and re-edit large sections of your work quickly by allowing you to utilize the copy and paste functions.

Other advantages of using a computer word processing program is that it provides spell check capabilities, and also helps you count the number of words per page. In addition, when you want to spice up your vocabulary (For example, if you like to use the word "walk" often, and are getting tired of that word), place your cursor on the word "walk", hit shift F7. It will give you a list of synonyms you can choose from - like stroll, amble, etc.).

The time saved by using a computer is very valuable. It gives you more time available to write! Of course, if you don't have the above materials, don't let that stop you from writing that book! Using a pen and paper is perfectly fine. Books were written with these two basic tools for centuries.

Let's assume you are using a computer and a Word processing software. First of all, before you begin writing, form a subdirectory that you can add all your chapters to. Maybe you know the title of your book already. Fine, then form a subdirectory using the name of the title. After you finish writing that first chapter (oh joy!), just save it as Chapter 1 under the subdirectory. If you are writing a book of poetry, then you might want to save each poem as a separate file.

When I write my chapters for my novel, I format them in double space mode, with a Times New Roman 11 font. All the margins are at least one inch. This way it will be ready for manuscript submission.

Try not to add your page numbers until the very last revision. Page numbers constantly change when you're revising, so wait until the end.

Finally, another reason for having a computer is for Internet access. As a writer, you will have opportunities to submit your fiction online, such as http://www.Writing.com, or even your articles online for e-zines, such as http://www.articlecity.com. Any chance you can get to write online, do it. As long as it doesn't take too much time away from your book. It's also a free way of promoting yourself before the book is even published.

So you need to balance your time in writing that book, honing your writing skills, submitting your work along the way for others to critique, and promoting yourself. Can you do it? Of course you can!

The third step to becoming an author is:

What to Write

If you are planning to write a novel, it would help to know what general category your book is going to be in. Will it be in the romance, mystery, or science fiction category? If you don't know, take some time and think about it. Read some books in those genres. Which books seem to attract you the most? It's highly likely that you'll be writing in the category that you like to read. My preference is romance because I read those types of books the most. Once you decide the category, then you are closer to writing that novel!

For poetry, you might start by writing a poem and submitting it to a poetry journal, or a poetry contest. Gain exposure for your poetry. Join a critique group so you can sharpen your poetry skills. A chapbook usually consists of about 25-35 poems. For a poetry book, you'll need at least 60 pages of poetry, if not more.

Types of Novelists

I have found over time, that there are two types of novelists. The first type is the writer who prefers drawing up a proposal or plan of what they will write about. The second type prefers to write whatever comes into their mind at that moment.

You decide which writer you will be.

Type 1 Novelist

They begin by describing the characters, their names, personalities, and sometimes their motives. Then they decide when and where the setting will take place. When will it take place? If it takes place before the 1900's, then it will be considered historical. Also, will the setting be in the country, in a city (which city?), in a house (whose house), on a cruise ship? That needs to be defined also.

Once those decisions are made, they write brief sketches of each chapter. It could be a page or two long. Once all this is done, then the real writing begins. If this method works for you, then feel free to use it. It may take some time, but you will become more confident about what you'll write once you go through this initial process.

Type 2 Novelist

What if you're the type of person who doesn't want to spend all that time writing proposals and character sketches? What if you're like me, who prefers to just write whatever comes into your head? Then do it! Sit down and start writing. Write anything.

As the story develops, something wonderful begins brewing in your mind. Something called creativity. I've caught myself hours after I finished writing a chapter, and I'll be preparing dinner, or walking somewhere, and a scene from my novel will begin to unfold. It's called creative problem solving. My mind is working to solve the problem that the writing presents it, even though I'm not actively writing. When I get those urges, I immediately stop what I'm doing and jot down my thoughts. It's helped me many times, particularly when everything clicks together.

How Long Will It Take?

It took me almost two years to write and find a publisher for my first novel, Lipsi's Daughter. For other people, it may take longer or shorter, depending on the amount of time they allow for writing and how many pages they are writing. I know of authors that took six, seven, up to twelve years to write their first book. I also know of a famous author who writes two novels a year!

So unless you begin writing that first page of your book, you'll never know how long it'll take you to write it. Go ahead, make that first step, and good luck!

This Article is available also on EzineArticles.com: http://EzineArticles.com/31617

Plagiarizing is a key offense

2011-10-16T10:45:00.004-04:00

A couple of months ago, my husband Anthony and I published an article on cancer in the prestigious Townsend Letter titled "The U.S. Cancer Program and Specific Types of Cancer, 1975-2007: A Failure, Part 1, Aug/Sep 2011 issue (www.townsendletter.com). More recently, Part 2 of the article was published in the October 2011 issue, and Part 3 will be published in the November 2011 issue.

The article is about the US Cancer Program (1975-2007) and assesses specific types of cancers. It is written in 3 parts. We are the first researchers to have assessed the program's success or failure in the prevention or treatment of cancer using very specific criteria.

Unfortunately, while doing a search on the topic, we recently came across an article that looked almost identical to our article, but was written by a "Dr. Robert O. Young" on his blog. He used exactly the same words as we did, particularly with the criteria used in assessing the program, word for word, but instead of giving us the credit for our work, he begins his article with "I have assessed the U.S. Cancer Program for prevention and treatment.."

I left a comment on his blog and have not heard anything from him. This is blatant plagiarism and the publisher of Townsend Letter has been notified.

Ending Aging

2011-10-13T11:41:00.005-04:00

Hello again,

Yesterday we attended a talk hosted by the World Future Society at the Community College of Baltimore in Essex, MD given by Dr. Aubrey de Grey. He is a Cambridge graduate and the author of the 2007 book "Ending Aging." He was an hour late and he only spoke a half hour, but it was an interesting talk, never-the-less.

I learned about him after picking up his book a few months ago and
found what he wrote to be very interesting. He is the director of a foundation called SENS (www.sens.org).

Dr. Aubrey de Grey is optimistic that with the help of technology we will be able to live longer. Although he stressed in his talk that his focus is not only about longevity, but more importantly, about improving our health. For some reason, he doesn't believe that supplements, etc. add to our longevity, yet he does believe in preventative medicine.

In his talk, Dr. de Grey used the description of a car, which is a machine, and as it ages, is maintained and repaired and therefore can live well beyond its intended life span (in his example - 50 years). He believes that we can do the same thing to the human body - treat it like a machine. Each time we extend our lives, then that buys us time for newer technology to add more life.

Just the act of living causes oxidation in our bodies, so that is an inherent part of our lives. Damage to the body caused by oxidation accumulates over time, and instead of focusing our efforts on what causes this damage, we should repair the damage.

I asked the question: "There are assumptions in your theory, that the patient will get to the doctor on time, that the doctor is well trained in this new technology, and that the insurance companies will pay for these services." His answer was that his main focus is on the biological aspect and that these issues will come up and will need to be addressed at some point.

After the talk, I went up to him and mentioned to him about the incidence in cancer rising in the US and with environmental factors like radiation and pollution contributing to it, that it will be difficult to be healthy, but there was a long line of students behind me, so I didn't get a chance to talk at length on that dear subject.

Don't be Afraid of Love

2011-10-06T18:55:00.003-04:00

I wanted to focus on an important topic that I've been fortunate enough to witness all of my life - and that topic is Love. I grew up in a loving family, and had loving relatives, and have a loving husband, and loving son, and so on...Once we experience Love, we can express it to others.

It is such an important piece of our lives that if we do not experience it, we literally shrivel up and die. Countless studies with monkeys have shown that baby monkeys do not survive if they do not cuddle with their mother, and the same thing goes with human babies. We all need Love.

The fact that I have three novels testifying to Love shows its importance in my life. I chose to write love stories because I felt deeply about my love for my husband, my son, parents, siblings, etc. and love brings us together. The Bible has several beautiful passages about Love and its characteristics (forgiving, patient, kind).

We know there are different types of Love, but they all point to building relationships and caring for one another as if that other person is yourself.

So let Love into your life, and you will literally transcend into another reality, a better reality.

Social Media

2011-10-02T18:41:00.003-04:00

The change that is happening these last few years with regard to social media is astounding. More and more people are connecting socially through the internet with the techno gadgets they tout in their purses and pockets. Who would have ever thought of technology and humans meshing into such a global social network a few years back? Not me, but then I also wasn't too keen about cell phones, either.

Amazing to watch your fingers "do the talking" as you silently touch keyboards, putting your subconscious thoughts down, and bingo, getting a response from somewhere in the global cosmos from another human being. This is beginning to remind me of what happened to money. First, there was barter, then there was money, then there were plastic cards, then there were electronic accounts.
Increasingly complex and symbolic. How often do you touch money these days?

Socially, at first we humans talked with other humans, then there were telephones, then there was email, then there is Facebook and Twitter. Something is missing in all of this. This is a sketchy existence, an outline of life in order to be part of something bigger than us. What is wrong here? Plenty.

What is missing is the human connection; seeing and hearing people talk in a conversation, watching them express emotions, touching their hand, or giving them a smile or nod. What is missing here is the ability to carry on a conversation and learning the signals that people give when communicating. What is missing here are real people.

Another problem is that I don't know that the person I am writing to on twitter or facebook is real, do I, unless I know them personally. So we learn to accept another reality, just like we learned to accept other worlds while watching movies and videos. Even though we are living in this "real" world, when we watch movies, read a book, or communicate via internet, we are transcending ourselves and living in another reality at the same time that our bodies are rooted in a physical place.

Finally, I have noticed on an increasing basis, that more and more people are not writing proper English on the internet. At first, I dismissed it thinking that people would write on their tiny computers and it would be difficult to correct, but when I saw a Wikipedia article the other day written full of typos, I said enough is enough. The internet does not have quality control. People write and push a button, and voila it is public to the whole world. Something is wrong about that. Because once it goes on the internet, it stays in the databanks forever.

Think about it.

Contracted to Survive

2011-09-29T20:56:00.001-04:00

Contracted to Survive

The will to go on is inbred
No matter the obstacles in your head.
From a simple child we evolved, one second
At a time -
Each cell dividing faithfully, molding itself
To a predestined body that thinks and feels
And loves
All over again, as our ancestors did before us.
We never die -
For the living genes inside us have been around
For centuries and centuries, passing on from
One person to another.
They are contracted to survive, and so are we.
Along with them......
History repeats itself....
In more ways than one.....

Patty Apostolides, 2010

Win a book - contest

2011-09-28T12:59:00.005-04:00

I have decided to offer The Greek Maiden and the English Lord for free for a limited time.

Here is the link to win a free book. Just scroll down until you see the form:

The Greek Maiden and the English Lord Free Book Offer

The contest ends November 1, 2011. Good luck to all!

Solar Panels Made by Nanotubes

2011-09-27T12:40:00.005-04:00

I recently came across an interesting article regarding breaking research done on solar cells.

Researchers from Northwestern University (Mark Hersham, etal) have found that metallic carbon nanotubes can be used in conductivity applications in the solar cells. Currently, indium tin oxide is being used in solar panels, but its characteristics are limiting - it is mechanically brittle, which limits its use, and it is not as abundant as carbon. By using the nanotubes to replace indium tin oxide, this will increase the availability of solar power to such items as clothing, backpacks, tents, etc.

I believe that if this nanotube technology is implemented in solar panels, this will help spur even more growth in the solar energy sector and will prove Ray Kurzweil's (who predicted that technology is moving exponentially) prediction that we will become a 100% solar powered world. It looks as if we're on that path.

For more information:

Researchers use Carbon Nanotubes to make Solar Cells affordable, flexible

Listening to Voskopoulos

2011-09-24T20:00:00.004-04:00

Tonight I'm listening to Tolis Voskopoulos sing H Agapi Theli Fantasia. It is a beautiful song and I grew up watching his movies and listening to his songs. He has such a beautiful voice. He and Julio Inglesis. But right now, Tolis Voskopoulos has all my attention.

The song is about love - that it requires fantasy, and is forgiving. This song is set to the hasapiko rhythm, where a few people get in a line and do an intricate dance.

Here is the link to it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrlrLgFfSYc

I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland. My family was very involved in the Greek community - church, choir, Greek organizations, the works.
There were five girls in my family. When we would go to a Greek dance, we would form our own dance line and became very good dancers, learning all the different steps. There's the kalamatiano, which is the most basic dance and basically a walking dance, going right so many steps, then left, etc. Then the Roditiko, the Sousta, and my all time favorite Hasapiko. Dancing was a very significant part of my life, and when I minored in Music and Theatre, several of my classes were Modern Dance classes. But how things have changed since my twenties. Now I'm a lot older, a middle-aged mother, wife, and author. However, with a twinkle in my eye, I just got up and did a Hasapiko listening to my dear Tolis Voskopoulos sing. Opa!! May the spirit of Greece live forever in the hearts of everyone!

Book Trailer for the Greek Maiden and the English Lord

2011-09-22T12:39:00.006-04:00

I have successfully pulled together a video book trailer for my latest novel The Greek Maiden and the English Lord. I used the Windows Movie Maker and added public domain images. The music I mostly composed. It was a lot of fun and I plan to make a book trailer each for my other books.

Book Trailer for The Greek Maiden and the English Lord

Fight for Frederick Cancer Cluster

2011-09-17T21:22:00.007-04:00

Today my family and I went to a meeting held by Randy White in Frederick, MD. He is the founder of the Kristen Rene Foundation, named after his daughter who died young from cancer. Mr. White, a pastor, also lost his wife to cancer. They lived in the Frederick area.

The meeting was held at the International Community Center at 4:00pm.
We were all given packets and inside them was information about Fort Dietrick, a CD with information, and a claim form for people living near Fort Dietrick who got cancer. It was a very moving talk. A map was in the packet of Frederick and each mark on the map represented a cancer patient. Most of the marks were around Fort Dietrick area. The map was filled with marks, hundreds of them. We learned about the toxic waste going into the creek and when Mr. White asked how many in the auditorium had cancer (living in Frederick) just about all the hands went up. It was also very disturbing to hear their testimonies and how many of them lost several family members to cancer. Several news media were there, including CNN and TV13 from Frederick.

As we were leaving, I heard someone being asked by a reporter about his experience living in Frederick and he said that he remembers the experiments, and in one case the balloon that went up above them and dispersed toxins. Hmm...very disturbing news indeed.

When it came to the question period, many hands went up and I didn't get a chance to ask my questions. First of all, I heard a lot about TCE's and PCE's which are chemicals. I didn't hear much about radiation waste, and it might be significant enough to cause damage also (in the way of heart problems and cancer). Second, I was wondering why all these people, knowing that it is not safe to live there, haven't left earlier from that place. I know I would have done the best I could to get out of there. Third, given the toxicity of the area, there should have been evacuations a long time ago.

I hope and pray that these people living in the area as well as the foundation find justice in all of this.

Click below to get more information on this worthy cause:

Fighting For Frederick website

Using Windows Movie Maker

2011-09-14T22:13:00.004-04:00

I recently discovered Windows Movie Maker on my laptop computer. I was interested and hooked once I started playing around with it.
First, I had to upload images, but my children's book "King of Acornia" was in pdf format. So in order to switch each page to an image, I copied each one onto the Paint program. That program is found by hitting the Start button, then the All Programs button, then the Accessories button, and finally the Paint button.

Once in Paint, I was able to copy the pdf page there (highlight the page, then Ctrl C, then paste unto Paint page with Ctrl V) and then resize the pdf image and touch it up. Once satisfied, it was saved as an image file. I did this with all 26 pages of the book. Once they were saved in my Pictures directory, I then copied them into the Windows Movie Maker.

I also needed to do a recording, so I went back to the Accessories button and clicked on the Sound Recorder. Here is where a microphone is necessary. Fortunately, I had one from a few years back when I was tinkering with some music. So I attached the microphone and hit the record button and recorded the music and voice. Make sure the sound is high enough or your might get a weak recording (Go to control panel, sounds, and check). Then save the recording when finished. This should be copied in the Movie Maker folder you are working on along with your images.

On the lower part of the page you will see Storybook. Then, some reels where you can copy and paste your images. Each image will last a few seconds on the screen so if you want it to last longer you need to copy 2-3 of the same image in sequence order. If you want to see how the music will fare, there is a timeline button near the storybook and make sure your music is stretched out long enough for your project. The effects and transitions buttons make the movie very professional looking. Play and save, and when you feel comfortable with the results, then hit the publish button. It should now be ready for uploading to the Youtube.

That's what I did, now I'm busy trying to design a book trailer for my book "The Greek Maiden and the English Lord." Oh what fun.

The Life of a Rose Poem Set to Music

2011-09-14T13:10:00.006-04:00

I have played the piano since a young age (mostly self-taught, and later took some classes), and it has progressed to the point where I can play music I make up spontaneously. Keep in mind, the music just pops into my head as I play so I don't know if I could repeat it again. I have tried in the past to write music (from a college course) and have captured some songs of mine. However, each time I play, the music just goes on and on, and it's difficult to capture on paper. Hence the interest in recording it. Each time I play it is different music.

I never recorded it live before so that I could share with others, but for the first time I've been able to record it on Youtube. The piano music is set to a poem titled "The Life of a Rose."

It is a relaxing 3 minute piece on Youtube:

The Life of a Rose

Enjoy!

September 14 Feast Day of the Holdy Cross

2011-09-14T13:01:00.004-04:00

Today is September 14, a day celebrated by Greeks all over the world as the Feast Day of the Holy Cross. In 326, St.Helen, the mother of the emperor Constantine, discovered the Holy Cross that was buried in Jerusalem. This was a great moment. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built on that same spot.

I have my own story intimately related to this day. When I was a young girl of about 8 or 9 years old, I had lost my gold cross while at school. Three days later, on September 14, as I was walking on the sidewalk of the school, a black girl came towards me, holding the cross and asking me "Did you lose this cross?"
I was so happy to see it, because it had been given to me by my godmother and had several delicate carvings that make it unique to other crosses. I thanked her and took it. I never saw her again.

When I returned home that day from school, I told my mother the story and she became very, very happy. She being a reverent Greek Orthodox christian said "This is the Day of the Holy Cross! It is a sign! You lost the cross three days ago and now it was given to you. You were meant to have this cross given to you."

So I do believe in miracles, especially on this day.

God bless,
Patty

Hydroponic Lettuce

2011-09-12T18:52:00.003-04:00

Just discovered the value of hydroponic lettuce. It lasts longer in the refrigerator than regular lettuce, which tends to freeze quickly. It seems that the hydroponic lettuce, which comes with its roots attached, also tastes quite fresh, even after a few days in the refrigerator.

Children's Book now on Youtube

2011-09-10T17:51:00.011-04:00

About a year ago, I had written a children's book titled "King of Acornia" for a local writing contest. Our ten year old son enjoyed the pictures and the story immensely, but alas, it did not win.

Since then, the picture book has been languishing on the side, and recently I decided to resurrect it. I converted it from a pdf file into a movie, using some trial and error methods, I was able to upload it to Youtube.

Click here to watch King of Acornia

The story is about a squirrel who is a King of Acornia. The King of Acornia finds out through Harry the rabbit that the redhats are coming. They are developers that are cutting down the trees in the forest to develop the land. The king and his friends put their heads together to devise a plan to stop them. Will they win? Watch the video.

Discernment's Path to Truth

2011-09-05T16:29:00.004-04:00

Discernment's Path to Truth

To discern what is the truth or not
is a difficult task, particularly on the Internet.
Because something is written does not automatically make it true.
To discern requires research and problem solving.
To discern requires testing, as a scientists tests
His or her hypothesis, and obtains data,
And with precision, logs that data until
The truth is witnessed.
Discernment is the ability to see the lie and expose it
For what it is, a lie, even though it may be sugar-coated
With laughter and a promise or reward.
Discernment is missing from our society.
For if our society was a discerning one,
We would not have reached this miserable state of affairs
Financially, ethically, and politically
That our country appears to be approaching at a rapid rate.
Why can we not see the truth?
Financially, the US is bankrupt and spiraling downwards
Ethically, the morals taught to our children by the media
Does not appear to be challenged by the majority of the parents;
Politically, there are so many secrets upon secrets in our government, that any exposure will be questioned, and if
it is really the truth, where do we begin to let our radar discern it?
Truth lasts forever and has no wiggle room,
It is absolute and far-reaching when experienced,
Like a priori knowledge that never sways
The Truth is my friend, but an exacting friend.

Latest article on Cancer in Townsend Letter

2011-08-31T18:49:00.005-04:00

It is my pleasure to announce that my husband Dr. Anthony Apostolides and I have just published our latest article on cancer in the journal Townsend Letter. The article is split in 3 parts, with Part 1 in the Aug/Sept 2011 cancer issue. It is also available online at
www.townsendletter.com

The article assesses 24 types of cancers during 1975-2007, with Part 1 looking at the first 10 cancers (in alphabetical order), and finds that in the majority of the cases, the cancer incidence and mortality rates are rising.

Please let others know about this important finding. Our US Cancer program is failing, and we need to do something about it.

Until next time.
Patty

New Greek Bookstore

2011-08-27T21:19:00.003-04:00

I am pleased to announce that my books will be available online through Mr. Kostopoulos from The Greek Bookstore, an online bookstore that sells Greek books (written in Greek and in English)
Here is the link to that website:

http://www.thegreekbookstore.com/special-editions.html

Daughters of Penelope

2011-07-29T14:54:00.006-04:00

A question came up the other day whether I was a member of the Daughters of Penelope. Yes, I am, and have been very proud to be a member for over 20 years now.

The Greek women's group (DOP) is an affiliate organization of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), and represents all the ideals and virtues that Penelope showed while waiting faithfully for the return of her husband Odysseus. Daughters of Penelope encompasses several chapters throughout the United States and has thousands of members, ranging from youth to women to great-grandmothers. They are also a philanthropic organization that has helped raise money for charity.

The younger version of this group is called Maids of Athena. They are also a very important and active group embodying all the virtues of Athena.

Below is their official website:
http://www.daughtersofpenelope.org

New Website

2011-07-26T12:22:00.001-04:00

I recently had to upgrade my website www.pattyapostolides.com because it was having trouble uploading. I am just about finished with it and found it to be very easy to make.

In the past, I had to use HTML code to write all my webpages, but with the help of weebly.com site, I was able to connect my domain name (Netfirms) with their webpage making ability and voila! I have a completely made over website. I think this one is a much better one to navigate.

Greek Poem - Hellas, My Hellas

2011-07-22T15:52:00.003-04:00

Hellas, My Hellas

Hellas, Hellas, where have you gone?
Swept by the sea toward eternity?
From eternity you came and planted
Yourself squarely on the sea of life.
Do not leave now, oh no, my Hellas.

Born in Greece and married to a Greek,
I can't but help keep tabs on what is happening
To my beautiful country, Hellas.
Hellas, with its rich, ancient history that
Has been admired for so many years by all cultures,
For creating the Olympics, which continues even now.

Hellas, with its pristine beaches
Its thousands of beautiful, fresh islands,
With its hospitable people and friendly faces
With its donkeys, grape and olive orchards
There is more to you than the eye meets.

Remember it also for its Acropolis and Parthenon,
For its ancient artifacts and majestic statues
That have found their way to other countries.
Remember it for Socrates and his philosophy
For its mythology, its comedy and tragedy,
And the lessons learned from them -
Even its language infiltrates the sciences
Its political system copied for centuries.

How extensively you have been written about - Hellas,
And even Athena's replica is found in
The Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee -
A reminder of the neoclassical period
in the early 1900s.

But now you have been forgotten, my country.
My lovely, sun drenched, country -
As foreigners focus on your debt and
Your mismanaged finances;
Corruption has always existed
But why the focus there - now?

Do not die away, but remain strong,
Fight for what you believe in -
Truth, beauty, strength, democracy, freedom
And let the spirit of Greece live on.
Hellas, my Hellas.
Patrida mou, Patrida mou.

by Patty Apostolides, 2011

Los Alamos Wildfire and Fort Calhoun

2011-06-29T12:44:00.004-04:00

Los Alamos Wildfire and Fort Calhoun

We are living in a precarious age,
particularly these days in the U.S.A.
As hot particles float mischievously
In the plump, warm air
Planting themselves squarely
Where no one dares
To breed their destructive
Nature into the bare bones
Of our naive society -
And when they succeed
In reducing humanity
Then will God give a great shout
Filled with Anguish,
And there will be no one
To hear him.

by Patty Apostolides, June 29 2011

See the Beauty

2011-06-24T14:11:00.002-04:00

No matter how hard it seems to find beauty in our every day life these days, there's always room for the good feelings.

See the Beauty

Of each day and night
Unfold like silky petals of a cherry blossom
Or twinkle like a starlit speckled black canvass
Opposite attractions everywhere you turn.

Spring into positive action and
Persist, for the love of life
Feeling that will push you forward
Like a "jack-in-the-box"
To seek higher ideals.

Search the goodness, wholeness of life -
Reveal the bright colors, red and orange,
Organic yellow, sweet and sour,
Sparkling and vivid, like champagne
And share them with your loved ones.

Thus, we can ensure that life will last forever
As we remember it, even for this moment
Of timeless beauty -
All lit up and priceless for you to enjoy
Even now.

by Patty Apostolides, 2011

Nuclear Nightmare

2011-06-15T18:16:00.002-04:00

I feel like I'm living in a Nuclear Nightmare and that one day I'll wake up and everything will be back to normal. But that's not going to happen.

Not only are we being bombarded by radiation coming from Japan through plumes and rain, we now have an incident in Nebraska, where a nuclear power plant in Fort Calhoun just about a week ago, had a fire that caused the cooling to the spent fuel rods to shut down. It was downplayed by the industry, but we know better. Please see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHZdub3n0mI

We see this happening over and over again by the nuclear industry. This coverup has got to stop. Being an intuitive person, my sense of balance has been skewed recently and I fear that something terrible is about to happen, and the catalyst will be the solar storm - earthquake - possible emp - causing shutdown of nuclear power plants - radiation nightmare because these nuclear plants will not be cooled and the radiation will be dispersed into the atmosphere.

More later.,,

Due to the history of the nuclear industry being continuously secret about "incidents" that occur in nuclear power plants (according to an interview on youtube by former GE nuclear engineer Jack Shannon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf1ur9aBiS8
, and the Three GE engineers that came out to talk about this in 1976 ) I am skeptical about our future.

Green Expo in Frederick, MD

2011-06-13T19:05:00.004-04:00

Today we attended the Green Expo Fair in Frederick, MD. It was hosted by Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and was an exciting event. Over 125 booths were set up and after the Congressman spoke, several speakers also gave fantastic talks on energy efficiency, building green, etc. We walked around in the Eventplex of the fairgrounds and talked to several of the exhibitors. We learned about energy efficient blinds, and robotic GPS guided carriers. We also got to learn more about geothermal heating, which was a fascinating concept, although somewhat expensive for the regular homeowner. There was even an exhibitor showing CPR and gives courses on emergency preparedness. We learned how landscaping can help make a home more energy efficient, and the different types of insulation used in homes.

I wish there were more people attending this fantastic event. Potomac Edison was also there, giving away bags filled with fluorescent light bulbs. A home energy audit is the beginning of making an energy efficient home. Energy efficiency means not only helping to make a greener environment, but it also means saving money in the long run by paying less on utility bills, and ultimately not requiring the use of oil from international sources.

I also had the privilege of speaking with Congressman Bartlett afterwards, and we talked a bit about nuclear energy. I specifically told him about my concern about the spent fuel rods that were piling up sitting next to the nuclear power plants. I also told him that we need to do something about them. I mentioned Ray Kurzweil's claim that in 16 years we would be using 100% solar because of the exponential growth in technology. As I was relaying my concerns about nuclear, a reporter from Frederick Post was jotting down notes and afterwards asked to put my name in his article. I was delighted. I hope more people voice their concerns about nuclear. It's a shame to let such a great nation go under, like Japan, because of negligent long-term planning for safety.

Until next time!

Latest News

2011-05-16T21:38:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to update you on my latest news. I have decided to remove myself from Facebook given the extraordinary amount of work that is piling up and the little time left for social networking. If you feel it necessary to contact me, please email me and I will try and respond as soon as I can.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may give to anyone interested in learning about my books. My website and this blog will have sufficient information on the status of my writing.

Have a safe summer!

Kelp Update

2011-04-28T20:20:00.002-04:00

Well, I received a phone call from Mr. Earhart from Maine Coast the other day. He appeared to be a very nice gentleman and we had a nice chat. He told me that the kelp granules I bought were from Iceland and that they will check into their supplier. I also had him listen over the phone to the "ticks" coming from my geiger counter as it hovered over the bag of kelp. The ticking increased significantly from the background ticking a moment before. I sent the bags back to the company and they will take them to the university to have them tested further for radiation.

Maine Coast will keep me posted on what happens with the kelp.

Talk to you next time...and don't forget to smell the beautiful, white lilies, and the lilacs that are in bloom. Beautiful time of the year, it is. So enjoy it!

Kelp May Be Radioactive

2011-04-21T20:01:00.002-04:00

We recently ordered kelp from Maine Coast. It comes in 1 pound bags as kelp granules. We've been buying it for years now, but decided to order larger quantities because of the shortage and increased interest in kelp due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Iodine is found in kelp and is used by the thyroid and competes with the radioactive Iodine I-131.

We periodically test our food supply with our geiger counter, and today, when we got our new shipment of kelp, we tested it. The geiger counter shot up from 30 cpm to over 180 cpm! We were dismayed. I called the company but they are closed for inventory. We have decided to return the product. We wonder where they got the kelp from.

Please stay healthy and keep your immune systems robust. Also, stay inside when it rains. We've noticed the radiation levels go up whenever it rains.

My Favorite Time of the Year

2011-04-13T22:48:00.003-04:00

Occasionally, I post a poem that I wrote for my poetry group on this blog. Since Spring is in full bloom, I wrote a poem about it and would like to share it with you below. Enjoy!

My Favorite Time of the Year

Through eyes of velvety blossoms,
Those budding shades of soft pinks and creamy whites,
I watch spring unfold,
Dripping color like a Monet painting,
Honey rich for the taking,
And over there, I turn to listen to the
Cheerful chirps from those bold red robins,
Thrusting their chests out to the world
As they dance with flair among the
Yellow capped daffodils, bringing more color
For my enjoyment.
All coming together, like clockwork, streaming forward,
Beautiful and bold, a testimony to what really
Counts in life.

No matter what the news sprouts forth,
No matter what chemicals are spewed into the air,
No matter the diseases and the sadness.
I do not care -
At least not now, not this moment in time.
I take a deep breath, as the wind caresses my hair.
I embrace Spring, for what it represents,
Because Spring is here, life can continue,
And nothing and no one is going to stop it!

by Patty Apostolides, 2011

St. Hypatios Name Day Today

2011-03-31T20:31:00.003-04:00

Today is St. Hypatios' (the Wonderworker) Name Day.

Since my Greek name is Hypatia, it is considered my name day. I also wish all the Hypatia's Happy Name Day today!

Below is a link to the Greek Archdiocese' description of this saint:
http://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints/478

News about THE GREEK MAIDEN AND THE ENGLISH LORD

2011-03-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

I received a nice phone call from Chris Copely today from the local newspaper the Herald-Mail. He wanted to let me know that they will be doing an article about me and my book THE GREEK MAIDEN AND THE ENGLISH LORD this coming Sunday, April 3, 2011. I'm looking forward to reading it!

I also received a nice email from the GreekCircle Magazine in Chicago. They were interested in including my new book in their book section.

These little perks is what makes me want to keep writing! I have decided that if this latest book that I wrote, which is a historical novel, does well, then I will probably write another historical novel for my next book. I will know for sure in the next few months.

Poem - Japanese Earthquake

2011-03-21T22:38:00.003-04:00

The unprecedented earthquake and tsunami that recently took place
in Japan about a week ago left us breathless. We watched the news and our hearts cried out for mercy for the Japanese people that suffered during this difficult time. My poem is written from the angle of a person who witnessed the earthquake firsthand. This is just my imagination at work.

Japanese Earthquake

It does not matter,
Or does it,
I cannot tell, too tired to think,
When the core of the tsunami
Struck hard, so hard it hurts
To be buried in this cold bed
Of broken rubble, waiting for help

The ticking of the heartbeat
Strikes loud, so loud it hurts
To be alone, waiting, wondering
If anyone is alive, or were they
All washed away, like fish in the sea
Except for me
Why did you leave me, God, all alone
To suffer the humility of remembering
The past, which is forever gone

Oh, if only to turn back the time
To know that it was coming
So that I could
Be far away with loved ones
In a safe place
Warm and wonderful, cozy and comfortable

Too dangerous to dream, must keep
My wits about me, try and move out of here
It is getting cold and I am shivering
I try to move, but too heavy a load
Thought I heard someone
Tried to call out, but no one answered back.
Sleep is so inviting....

by Patty Apostolides, 2011

Letter to the President stating we are against Nuclear Power

2011-03-16T21:28:00.003-04:00

Given the recent developments in Japan and its nuclear reactor issues, I felt compelled to write today to our President about our views on Nuclear Power.

Here is the letter below:

"Dear President Obama,

We are very concerned about what happened in Japan regarding their nuclear power plants and the radiation being emitted.

I have worked in the radiobiology field for over a decade. I studied how radiation affected the cells in the laboratory. It was a devastating effect on the cells and although we cannot see, hear, or touch radiation, it can be very harmful.

My husband and I want to inform you, that as citizens of the United States, we do not want any nuclear power plants to exist in this country. It seems that nuclear power plants and earthquakes do not mix. We do not want to have another Katrina or 3 Mile Island on our hands - too big to handle.

Why not look for alternative energy sources that do not pose a risk to public health like nuclear power does? Given that our future is uncertain in relation to the impending solar maximum and its effect on our earth, including coronal mass ejections and earthquakes, it just does NOT make sense that nuclear energy is the way to go. It is too dangerous!

Please, Mr. President, say NO to nuclear power.
We personally have solar power on our house, and a lot of insulation for energy conservation. We support that type of alternative energy. If more people/industry used that kind of alternative energy, it would be a better and much safer future for all of us.

We don't want to go in the footsteps of Japan or France. The U.S. should go on its own alternative energy future (that does not include nuclear energy), and let the others
follow."

Nuclear Power Plants and Earthquakes Don't Mix

2011-03-12T17:12:00.004-05:00

Having much respect for earthquakes, given that Greece tends to be prone to them, I have signed up with the USGS to have them send earthquake alerts to my email box on a daily basis. Although Greece has not been in the earthquake radar recently, unfortunately, Japan has.

With much consternation and dismay, we have been watching the latest news on the earthquake(s) in the Honshu area of Japan. The 8.9 earthquake that blasted the area on early Friday, March 11, 2011 was preceded by several smaller earthquakes and followed by hundreds more (in the 5-6 richter regions). The devastation and loss is horrifying to witness, but even more so, is the long term potential of this terrible event.

What puzzles me greatly to the point of disbelief, is that a country like Japan, with its educated people and cosmopolitan cities, has built 55 nuclear plants in its country. Now what will happen, as the scene unfolds, when these recently affected nuclear power plants melt down and emit all kinds of radiation into the atmosphere? Another Chernobyl, some may ask? You have guessed right. According to the website www.beyondnuclear.org, the area around the Fukushima reactor site has witnessed around 190 people being treated for radiation poisoning. That is very serious. It is just a matter of time before this radiation seeps into the universe.

My humble advice? An earthquake prone country has no business building nuclear power plants. Because it is just a matter of time before an earthquake will come along and break them apart. It does not require a rocket scientist to figure this one out. It is so distressing to see authorities make these kind of rash decisions of building nuclear power plants without adding earthquakes into the formula.

I suggest that all countries that are prone to earthquakes, to be not allowed to have nuclear power plants built there. It is sad to see how "clean" energy can hurt so many people in such a short term and long term effect. Hiroshima's survivors felt the effect for a long time. It is too bad that Japan has not learned from its history and tried to make its country a safer place to live in.

Now, I understand that it is a matter of days before the radiation from the nuclear reactor in Japan reaches the United States. I will be checking the radiation on a daily basis in my area in Maryland.

Sweet and Sour Musings

2011-03-10T14:54:00.003-05:00

There are times in our lives where decisions need to be made, not because we chose them, but the universe/God decided to land them in our lap. There are small, daily decisions that we make, like what to wear or eat, then there are the Big, once in a lifetime decisions to make, like getting married or losing a house to flooding or a storm and where to go from there.

This poem focuses on the big decisions that we've had to make recently. It's always hoped for that they turn out sweet and rosy.

Sweet and Sour Musings

Flowing streams of thoughts,
Like taffy candy, search
My consciousness for clues
That solidify the decision
Until it is hardened.
Yet it is not brittle,
So that if I were to tap it,
It would not break into little
Tiny pieces, littering the landscape
Of my mind.

The excruciating moment comes,
Whether I like it or not,
To make a decision that
Will move forward until the
Unknown outcome sprouts forth,
Which, hopefully, would
Be a beautiful thing -
Like a luxuriant flower
Or, if not, sadly one
That turns into dry dust -
Scattering our life away with the wind.
Time will only tell
If what we chose will be right for us.

by Patty Apostolides, 2011

Why Fiction is Important (and other thoughts)

2011-02-19T23:04:00.001-05:00

Our lives are so much more complicated these days than our parents times, given the technology that we have at our fingertips - computers, iphones, GPS, DVDs, wifi, and so on. It can be downright stressful at times!

We live in an information age almost spiraling out of control. The Internet is brimming with information, and so are the news. With so much negative news coming at us (riots in Egypt, 2012 dire predictions, global economic issues, etc.) it seems that it is never ending. In addition, there are life issues that can be traumatic, depressing, or downright ugly, and coupled with the negative news it can be very stressful living in this current world.

I find during these times, that just switching gears for a few minutes or even an hour or two here or there to read fiction, is a great respite and escape from the world we live in.
My latest novel THE GREEK MAIDEN AND THE ENGLISH LORD was intended to be an entertaining escape from the modern world as well as a stressbuster. I am very content with happy endings in the novels I read and write. I stay away from reading novels that are too realistic and depressing. I get enough of that from reading the news.

Here is a short poem I wrote:

Dare to Dream

Dare to dream with hopes filled high -
To fly with eagles in the sky
Lured by promises of happy thoughts,
Dare to dream what life dares naught.

Focus on the positive, uplifting, loving, and good things in life, and they will come abundantly to you.

Poem on Cancer

2011-02-08T22:35:00.004-05:00

Hello again,

The following poem was written recently. It's on a topic that is close to my heart. I spent many years doing cancer research in the laboratory. I also witnessed several close family members succumbing to the disease. This poem is a result of my feelings about it.
Patty

Cancer

How often must we hear
this word before we wake up
to the truth?

I read the statistics -
Millions of Americans have died from cancer
since 1975. How many more
before we do something about it?

Forever and ever we are
caught in its snare
as we watch
parent or sibling or friend
struggle against its
lethal clutches,
their very life choking from the chemicals -
the poisons they ingest to survive
one minute more only to die forever
lost to conventional treatment,
causing us
to mourn forever and ever
the loss of beautiful people,
gracious souls that somehow
never ripened to old age.

I struggled just like them, but knew
it was not my time for I wanted to live,
but didn't they also?
I told them to stay away from the chemicals,
and eat organic fruits and vegetables,
drink pure water, breathe clean air,
and take vitamins and supplements,
But instead they listened to their doctor
and no longer are around to listen to me.
Where did I go wrong?
Maybe I forgot to tell them to pray?
Why didn't they listen?

Where did medicine go wrong?
Why do they poison and radiate the body
Instead of helping to prevent it in the first place?
Maybe they forgot to listen to the patient's
soul?
Or maybe they don't have one themselves...

I listened to my husband, I read,
I ate organic foods and drank pure water...
I listened to my intuition
and I'm still around.

by Patty Apostolides, 2010

Winter Musings

2011-01-27T22:23:00.000-05:00

Hello once again!

About a week ago, we celebrated my husband's and son's name day, St. Anthony, which occurs on January 17. The Greeks typically celebrate name days for the saints that they are named after. So many Greeks are named after saints, like John, George, Nicholas, Mary, Anthony, Peter, Paul, and so on. Since my name is Hypatia, which is not a saints name (but from an ancient female mathematician in Alexandria), the closest I come to celebrating my name day is March 31st, which is St. Hypatios day.

We are in the heart of old man winter, cold and blustering and white with snow! Received several inches of snow today. Everything was blanketed in majestic white. Since I'm a stay at home mom, had already done the shopping yesterday in preparation for the snow. Stayed home and enjoyed it. So of course our son had to go out sledding, and we joined him. First we made a hill and with his sled, went on top of it and flew down the hill.

Made a wonderful bean soup today from stockpiled cans of beans. I like to always have extra cans of something (beans, beans, and more beans - ha!) around, just in case, for an emergency. I periodically run through them and see if the expiration date is near. Today I found a few cans of kidney beans, and garbanza beans expiring this month, so I made the following soup, which was scrumptious! It's great when the weather is cold outside. I have the recipe below. Good for 9 servings. Enjoy!

Patty's Bean Soup

3 cans Kidney Beans
1 can Garbanzo Beans
2 large carrots, sliced
1 celery, sliced
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
1/5 cabbage, sliced
2 zuccini, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
1 large can crushed tomato (sauce)
1 cup uncooked macaroni (or tiny shells)
virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
oregano

Add all the ingredients (except zuccini and pasta) to a large pot filled with 2/3 water. Let cook over medium heat for half hour to forty minutes (until carrots are somewhat tender). Add zucchini and pasta. Cook for 10 minutes. Turn off heat. Spoon into bowls and top with shredded cheese. Ummm...good!

If you try the recipe, let me know.

Take care and stay warm!

Radon trapped in air filters, dehumidifier

2011-01-10T12:39:00.004-05:00

We purchased a Frigidaire dehumidifier from Lowe's in Hagerstown, MD a few months ago. We put it downstairs in our basement to remove the moisture from the basement. Periodically we test our basement for radon using our geiger counter. We hadn't done it in awhile so we tested it yesterday and the background radiation was 35 cpm which is ok.

The astonishing thing that happened is that our geiger counter gave a very high reading when we approached the Frigidaire dehumidifier. When I removed the filter that was encased in the dehumidifier, the filter itself read 515 cpm!!! We were flabbergasted. Apparently the filter was trapping radon in it and thus the high reading of alpha particles.

Given that, we turned off the dehumidifier and let it sit overnight. Today, twenty four hours later, the filter was back to normal and the reading was 35 cpm.

My worry is that the filter traps the radon particles in it and makes the dehumidifier a source of radiation. To the unwitting consumer who periodically removes the water bucket which is located near the filter, or spends time around the dehumidifier, it could be a source of radiation contamination.

I wrote to the company and recommended they check into this matter and try and reduce the amount of radon that gets trapped in the filter.

I will notify the Consumer Safety Product Agency on this matter.

The Greek Star

2011-01-08T13:17:00.002-05:00

Recently I was contacted by the editor of the Greek Star newspaper (in Chicago) for a book review of The Greek Maiden and the English Lord. I was quite surprised and yet pleased at the same time. This is the first time a newspaper approached me, and this particular newspaper has been around for decades.

Writing a book is not easy, folks, and once it is finished (it took me 3 years), the work does not end there. We authors need to promote and market it, and get it out there to the public. These newspapers do us a great service in helping us get the word out there about our books, so I am quite happy about this recent situation. Dissemination is a very important part of writing a book. I know of authors that write their books and then do nothing in promoting them. No one knows about their books. I think that's a shame. All that effort gone to naught.

Another bit of good news is that Hagerstown Magazine will also do a writeup of my book and is expected to come out in the Feb/March 2011 edition. Looking forward to reading that. Let's see, where else can I get the news out?

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T23:02:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year 2011! Chronia Polla in Greek!

Our family has a Greek tradition every New Years and that is the Vassilopita bread. The day before New Years, I spend hours preparing this bread. It is a rich, sweet bread that is almost a cake because it contains milk, butter, sugar, and eggs. The secret to it becoming light is to not overload it with sugar and eggs. Some recipes call for using more than one cup of sugar and 6-8 eggs. Don't do it! I did it one year and regretted it. My bread did not rise and was hard and lumpy and didn't even make it to the paximadi category (toasted for dunking in coffee). After the ingredients are added and mixed and let sit for at least 4-5 hours, the dough is punched down and then a small coin wrapped in aluminum is inserted into the dough. After another hour of rising, it is baked. The next day, we celebrate New Years by cutting the bread into slices, with each slice designated for each person of the house, and we also include a slice for Jesus. This year I was the lucky receipient of the coin, which tranlates into having good luck for the year. So I was very pleased with that!

My family likes to play games together. Often, we pull out the Scrabble game and play it, or we'll play Trivia Pursuit, and such. So we did some game playing on New Years, plus piano playing, and watching a good old movie. We had a very nice, enjoyable time. Our New Years meal was roasted lamb with roasted potatoe/red peppers/eggplant. I always like to make pumpkin pie around this time of year, so we had a slice with lavish whipped cream on top. Another holiday pastry is the finiki, or melomakarona. There are at least dozens of versions on the Greek recipe, but the one I chose was simple - orange juice, olive oil, sugar and flour. Inserted in it was a honey/walnut mixture. Then it was baked and dunked in a honey syrup. The finikia turned out large, but very yummy. My husband said for me to keep that recipe! It was so good.

Longevity and You

2010-12-26T21:51:00.002-05:00

During the holiday season, I get a chance to read books that have been sitting along the sideline, waiting to be read. One such book that I recently have been reading is titled "IMMORTALITY" by Dr. Ben Bova. One particularly subject that fascinated me was the telomere end of the DNA being linked to aging and cancer. Apparently, the telomere is like the tips of a shoe string that hold it together. Over time, when the cell divides this telomere shortens, and eventually, after so many divisions (Hayflick limit of 50 divisions), the cell senesces and dies. Apparently, the normal cells don't have telomerase, which helps keep the telomere length long. Only cancer cells seem to have plenty of the telomerase.

Fascinated by what I read in the book, I went online and found out that Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn in California received the Nobel Prize in 2009 for her work on telomere and telomerase research. Her research encompasses many different avenues of the telomere landscape, including mental health.

I also discovered more information about telomeres from the following website:
http://www.tasciences.com/introduction-to-telomere-science/

Apparently an herbal extract from the astragalus plant has been found and designed to increase telomeres and has been available for people to take since 2007. It is not FDA regulated because it is considered a nutraceutical. As of to date, there have been no side effects. I will do more research on this fascinating topic.

The problem with tampering with our body's makeup, is that a study done in Sweden found out that that some people’s telomeres get longer over time rather than shorter. Prior studies had not shown this. In the study, 959 individuals gave blood twice, 9 to 11 years apart. On average, the second samples had shorter telomeres than the first. However, a surprising find was that approximately 33% of the people had either a stable or increasing telomere length over this ten year period. It is not fully understood why this is the case. Could it be because these people have built-in cellular anti-aging mechanisms or could this be due to an early sign of cancer?
What I have learned from all this research is that aging is more complicated than simply studying the shortening of telomeres.

The other intriguing part of my online research are the telomerase inhibitors like curcumin, allicin, quercetin, resveratrol, green tea, and more. This was a surprising find, yet made sense. Since telomerase is the enzyme that helps form longer telomeres, the inhibition of this enzyme could aid in treating cancer patients. Cancer is known to have plentiful telomerase and long telemores, therefore they keep growing indefinately. Catch 22, I would say. Try and increase the telomeres to slow down aging, and at the same time, try and avoid turning the cells into cancer cells! There has to be a fine balance between the two.

Given the above conflicting points, I will continue my research on this topic. This is by no means a finished topic.

Discovering the Truth

2010-12-20T22:52:00.002-05:00

Today I had the fortunate opportunity to listen to a lecture by Professor Robert Scheer on LinkTV. I rarely watch TV, but I had a few moments of rare free time and I surfed the channels and saw this program. I was struck by what I heard. Robert Scheer is an eloquent speaker, with much wisdom that is lacking in today's news shows. He is a journalist who has interviewed many presidents. He spoke about the Bank bailout, and with historical facts, linked it to the Clinton era, when the Glass-Steagall Act was removed and deregulation was the name of the game. I also learned that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are private entities and are on Wall Street with their own stocks. Plus much, much more. He's come out with a new book titled "The Great American Stickup." I plan to purchase the book and read more. I was hooked!

It is our duty as American citizens to learn the truth about our country and its governance. Too many people are suffering today as they lose their jobs, and their homes. It is painful to witness.

His website and columns can be found here:
http://www.truthdig.com/robert_scheer

Christmas Poem

2010-12-18T22:34:00.000-05:00

Christmas in Your Heart

Let our hearts rejoice
Each and every day, not just
Christmas day
Let them sing out loud
In harmonious unity
And shine forth into the world
Like lit candles, from one end to the other -

Each time we share, give, or forgive someone,
Though they may not know Him,
And cannot return our gift
We reveal our Love for God,
Our love for humanity
Our love for his children

So let our hearts rejoice
Let our hearts proclaim
That Jesus is our Lord
Born on this special day
Who gives us whatever we ask
In his Holy Name
Let's move in harmonious unity
To give a lifting hand
To those less fortunate
Each and every day, not just
Christmas day

How truly blessed we are -
To be able to live, breathe, feel
And be given a chance to
Shine a special way
Like ornaments on a Christmas tree
On this very blessed day
Each and every day, not just
Christmas day

Patty Apostolides 2010

Frugal Spending

2010-12-18T16:03:00.000-05:00

Today, we went shopping and regretted it. It's the Saturday before Christmas and everyone seemed to be out shopping, including their grandparents, their children, and their dogs. People were literally leaving the stores loaded with bags of goods. I almost thought Santa Claus had stopped in and was giving things away. I was pleasantly surprised to see this flurry of activity, but it meant being in line for a long time. We opted out and will try again and go during the week instead, or maybe not.

I was wondering, given the frenzy in shopping activity, if this was spurred on by the recent declaration by our Federal government that unemployment will be extended for 13 months and tax cuts to the middle class (and upper class) will take place as of January 2011. So now people think they have more money in their pockets to spend, which is a good thing and a bad thing. It is good because the money is going back into the economy, but at the same time, we're moving in a self defeating cycle. More money does not mean we have to spend it more, folks. What is wrong with saving some for a rainy day? It is not how much you have that counts, but what you do with it. I know some elderly folks that live off of 500 dollars a month and that is sufficient for them. Yet other can't make ends meet on 2 thousand a month. Go figure.

Our government has spent over 13 trillion dollars of our tax money, and doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. Our future does not look bright. People need to pause and think seriously about where our future lies in America. If we don't, our children will suffer needlessly because of our selfish steps of immediate gratification.

Poem

2010-12-16T22:12:00.000-05:00

Too Late

Around the garden the eye casts a look
On the two lilies that lay limp
Look
Over there, to the side, on frozen soil
forgotten, droopy

Like two peas on a plate
Totally lost to winter's death kiss
Forever
The snow flakes float like fairies
While the hawk sits on the fence

Looking for prey that hides cowering
behind the forgotten lilies
Blanketed
By a last look for escape.

Too late.

by Patty Apostolides 2010

Disturbing news about Facebook

2010-12-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

Today I read an article about Facebook and the privacy of its users. It seems that once we place our email and photos on Facebook, third parties can have access to them.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/End-of-Privacy-Your-Facebook-cnnm-3227174...

So it would be a wise thing to be cautious before saying certain things on Facebook. Also, do not splash private information (weddings/deaths/vacations, etc.) on Facebook. Best to email privately, I think.
The less information you put on Facebook, the better. Maybe get out of it altogether. But how does one get out of Facebook? They don't make it easy, especially when one has hundreds of friends linked to their site.

This social networking of Facebook has plusses and cons. The plusses are the possibilities of reaching out to a number of people in a short amount of time. The cons are that it takes time to sit down and write on Facebook and respond to everyone's comments. Also, if one has news, how much of it should they mention, without compromising their privacy, given what I just read?

For some people, Facebook is a way to connect with family and friends. Gossip has always been with us and always will be. Is Facebook a Gossip column? Snippets of peoples lives going down the screen, with photos attached of their children, spouses, events, sure is interesting to some people. It's like snooping in on other people's lives. How much time does one want to devote to that?

Overall, after I finish lurking on Facebook, and offering a tip or two, I get off. My time on Facebook is about 10 minutes or so every other day. More than that, seems to be a waste of time. But that's just enough information for those marketers, and 10 minutes may be 10 minutes too much. Time will tell.

Great Cookies

2010-12-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

I've spent a lot of time these past few years at the Borders bookstores. One of my favorite activities is to go there with my family and drink coffee and eat their delicious oatmeal cranberry cookies. However, recently, this activity lost its luster when the local store began putting on music that was quite loud and almost hard-rock style, too extreme. I could not concentrate in this atmosphere, as a lot of my writing/reading takes place at the cafe. So I politely asked that it be lowered. I even wrote to the Headquarters regarding this music. What happened to the light classical, string, or soft music that is wonderful for reading and reflecting? It doesn't seem to
count as part of Borders customer service. Since then, we have literally stopped going to the Borders store. I do not miss the music, I do not miss the coffee, but I do miss the oatmeal cranberry cookies!

So the other day, I played around with an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe and replaced the raisins with dried cranberries. What a scrumptious treat! Even better than Borders! Below is the cookie recipe I used (I use only organic ingredients):

1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups oatmeal
2/3 cup melted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup dried cranberries
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Melt the butter, let cool slightly. Add sugar to the butter and mix well. In large bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder. Add butter mixture to the flour and stir. Add oatmeal, cranberries and vanilla. Mix well.

Cover a baking sheet with baking paper. Drop tablespoons of cookies mixture onto baking paper.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until tanned underneath.
Let cool.

What does Jane Austen have to do with my book?

2010-12-12T22:36:00.001-05:00

Jane Austen has been a great influence on many historical novels that are out there today. Even mine. I admit that I was not a fan of hers until a few years ago when I saw Pride and Prejudice on TV with Laurence Olivier. Then, shortly after, I saw Sense and Sensibility and I was hooked. When Emma came out, I was salivating and that was when I had to get a hold of Austen's books. But when I did, I was sorely disappointed. The fine details, the dialogue, that made the stories so fantastic was missing in her books. Even the section when Mr. Knightley proposes to Emma is lacking in emotion. Yet, many books now are being published with characters from her books as main characters in these new books.

I chose to write during the time of the 1820s because of a significant Greek war that took place in Greece. With that as a backdrop, I researched as much as I could the war, but because the main story takes place in England, I had to also research the mannerisms and clothing of the period in England. But the funny thing was, that as I wrote my story, I could just picture the Jane Austen characters, how they would say things and what they would wear. That helped me a lot to be in that time period.

My book THE GREEK MAIDEN AND THE ENGLISH LORD was reviewed by Kristina Emmons, author of Roeing Oaks on the hisotricalnovelreview site. Below is the link to the review.
http://historicalnovelreview.blogspot.com/2010/12/greek-maiden-and-english-lord.html

Daily News

2010-12-11T23:15:00.000-05:00

Today we put up our Christmas tree in the living room. It is a family tradition and fun for all of us. It helps to be organized and I always keep everything boxed, including the tree, ornaments and lights. So here we were taking everything out of the boxes, and what would we find but a stink bug!

This has become a common bug for us since we moved to our new home a year ago. It seems that they are rampant in this area (I see them in banks, stores,etc). Apparently this one thought it was getting a good deal with the green tree but alas, it was synthetic. It apparently had stayed there too long, for it was lethargic and didn't move. Maybe it was playing dead and thought we wouldn't see it. But we did. We grabbed the packing tape and touched the back of it to the back of the bug and neatly folded the bug into the tape. No stink, no mess.

Let me tell you about stink bugs:
Some interesting observations about these stoic creatures, is that they don't move that much during this time of year which suggest they are in a catatonic state, almost like a type of hibernation. They also prefer the light, and will fly around, buzzing like a fly until we shut the light and they go elsewhere. We have found them tucked into the curtain folds, and even in our linen closet. We have gone on a campaign to eradicate them. One major task this year was to replace our windows and make them tight (insulated and caulked). Since then, our stink bug population dropped significantly. Before we would see several almost daily. Now if we see one on a weekly basis, that is too much. The most intriguing part of this bug is that it does not have a predator, or so - I have been told. Now that does not make sense. If an insect exists on this earth, and is part of the food chain, there should be some predator...unless it is a new bug. My two bits is that it is a synthesized form (made in the lab) and all the kinks have not been worked on. It does not even move swiftly from us so that it could survive.

Until next time!

Latest News

2010-12-10T23:06:00.000-05:00

How is it that old man winter is already here, knocking on my window pane with an icy fist? Today in the panhandle region of Maryland we were supposed to have temperatures in the mid-30s with cloudy skies. Instead, snow flurries came down heavily for at least two hours in the A.M., while the temperature struggled to get past 28 degrees Fahrenheit but couldn't make it.

Found a new schedule for homeschooling our son. Previous years, I would teach the lesson and he would do the assignment before we proceeded to the next lesson. At first, when he was in first grade and second grade, it was easy going.... but now he is in fifth grade and the classes have become progressively more demanding, which means he spends more time on his assignments and we would get finished with his classes until 7-8pm. I would love to spend all day doing classes, but I have so many other chores and errands to do, besides writing, of course, that it was becoming a big drain on my time. So I recently designed a new schedule, which so far is working better. We spend the first three hours just going over the classwork. He writes down his assignments in a special notebook and when we are done, he takes his recreation break, then proceeds to do his assignments, on his own. No interruptions anymore. I can do my work quietly.

The book orders are coming in for THE GREEK MAIDEN AND THE ENGLISH LORD. It is available in both softcover and hardcover from Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, and many more online bookstores. I am grateful to all the readers, new and repeat, in placing their faith in me and ordering my books. I have been getting orders of 3 books or more from readers for Christmas, which is great! The more people that read my books, the merrier. I think this last book is my best, because it took me three years to research it and to write it. I intentionally did not rush into it, but decided to take my time, and this helped in the richness of description that shows throughout the book. I loved learning about the fashion during the 1800s in England, and what they ate and wore.

I recently did a guest post on historical-fiction.com where I wrote about the history that led up to THE GREEK MAIDEN AND THE ENGLISH LORD. There is also a giveaway of two books, one in the U.S. and the other internationally. This will be good until Dec. 12, 2010.
So I'm really excited about the lucky winners!

I would love to hear from readers who have read my novels. Many times I will get a note tucked into the order stating how they loved my previous books, and that means so much to me, for I write not just for myself, but to share it with my readers.

My husband is such a supportive and loving spouse. I am very blessed that he is so understanding about my needs. When I write, I get into a shell-like state. This happens in the evenings when junior is in bed and there is a good 2-3 hours of quiet time. I use it to write and write and write. My husband is also a writer and avid reader and will sit nearby, in the family room and read his books. We do many things together, and sometimes I'll look up from my writing and make a comment, and he'll be there, ready to offer his own views.

Until next time!

Homeschooling Musings

2010-11-17T18:04:00.001-05:00

Homeschooling our son has been an adventure in and of itself. It has taught me more discipline than I care to acknowledge. We have been using the Grigg's Academy homeschooling program for several years and are satisfied with it.

Once the public school received notification from us of our intentions to homeschool, each school year it was not necessary to inform them again. Once is enough. We are given a year to finish the school year, although we typically finish in 9 months. There are six periods with five weeks in each period. At the end of each period, tests and writing materials are submitted to the Academy and graded.

Once the books arrive, a place should be designated where to put them. Also, a notebook is made, with tabs, to separate each course. The course material is added to the notebook and the schedule is followed in the manner that the course material is placed.

The courses that our son takes daily are in the following order: Social Studies, Mathematics, Spelling, and Handwriting, followed by a break. Half hour later, we continue with Reading, Health and Science, and Language. The Art, Music, and Physical Education are not as rigid and can be worked in during the week. Typically, his school day is flexible enough to accommodate outings, like shopping and trips to museums and libraries.

When are son reached fourth grade, we signed him up to take the standardized state tests for reading and math. He placed advanced in both sections, which reinforced our faith that the homeschooling works.

Other plusses with the program:
One on one with the teacher. He can ask me questions any time, and get full attention (or at least I try).
No need to get up early for school. The hours are very flexible.
No need to drive in cold, snowy weather. Stay at home for classes.
If we go on a trip, he can make it up weekends and other times.
If he gets behind on anything, he can make it up whenever he gets a chance.
Flu season passes us by without a cough. Not exposed to group situations.
We attend lectures, go to libraries, play Scrabble, visit Bookstores, and other pleasant things on
a daily basis, which makes for an interesting time.

Homeschooling is not only good for him, it's also good for me. It keeps my mind sharp with all that reading and grading. Our son also asks good questions, which leads to interesting discussions.

So overall, our homeschooling experience has been a positive, uplifting, bonding time with our son. Even my husband has gotten involved, and often there are discussions ranging from Benjamin Franklin and his famous Poor Richard's Almanack, to the inventions of Thomas Edison.

What a life! What a way to get an education!

The Greek Maiden and the English Lord

2010-09-17T12:30:00.002-04:00

Thank you for your interest in my new novel!

My latest novel "The Greek Maiden and the English Lord" is now available on http://www.Amazon.com

Also, you can visit my website http://www.pattyapostolides.com for more information.

My latest novel

2010-07-23T16:36:00.001-04:00

I finally did it! I finished writing my latest novel and have submitted it for publication. It was an intense endeavor filled with lots of research on my part (at least one year's worth) and checking many resources before I felt comfortable enough to write about the 19th century, one century that I haven't lived in except in fantasy!

It all began when I asked myself the question, "What would happen if during the war between the Ottomans and the Greeks in the 1820s, a Greek girl is separated from her family?" All kinds of atrocities are performed during wars that we do not hear about and I did not want to focus on that aspect, but instead focus on what people did with their lives once they found themselves in those unfortunate situations.

Then I began to imagine how my heroine (Lily) was separated from her family (captured by gypsies), and her subsequent adventures. Once she learns of her true identity at the tender age of sixteen, the search for her true parents begins. She is besought by conflicting values as she goes forth to find her identity -
prejudice - when others find she grew up as a gypsy and treat her with spite
envy -because of her beauty,
greed - when a cousin attempts to abduct her into marriage in order to get her inheritance money
love- even though the one she loves is engaged to another

Becoming Energy Efficient

2010-03-18T22:26:00.002-04:00

Reading the news about global warming and environmental responsibility has had us becoming more tuned into the topic. My husband and I have toyed with the idea of going solar for years now, but didn't do anything until recently.

It all began a few years back, when we attended the Decathalon in Washington, D.C. where several colleges participated in a week long contest on energy efficiency. They would be judged on homes they built that were off the grid and energy efficient. We walked through the different homes, and were amazed at how well designed they were to maximize efficiency and use the least amount of energy. There were windows selectively placed to bring in sun during the day. There were walls made of certain materials to absorb the heat and emit it in the evenings. There were energy efficient appliances. Of course, they were tiny little homes, enough for one or two people. Not at all like the gigantic mansions that have sprung up in the last decade during the housing boom. Nevertheless, after that experience, we were starry eyed and hopeful about replicating some of the ideas in our own home. We even visited homes in the Washington, D.C. area that had solar panels and solar water heaters. We talked with the homeowners. Then reality hit. The more we studied the idea of switching to solar, the more we realized that it was a very expensive idea, to say the least. We just were not ready then.

Now fast forward to 2010. Several things have happened since then. The housing market collapsed, bringing down prices in several areas related to housing, including solar. The price of solar a few years ago has since then dropped a hefty 25% in our area. Also, there are tax credits at the Federal level as well as incentives given by states and the utility companies (RECs). Now, suddenly, the cost doesn't seem so high. So we took the plunge and decided to go solar. We spoke to a solar expert recently and I am proud to say have finally begun the process. In a few weeks, we should be up and running. We have decided to go with crystalline solar panels with microinverters. The microinverters are fabulous. Each panel gets a microinverter, thus, each panel will be independent of the others. I understand that this is a parallel arrangement as opposed to the serial setup. This means that if one panel goes or is under some shade (from a tree), it does not affect the others as in serial setup. Also, this means we will not have the inverter in our home, which might be a source of EMF.

The advantages of going solar have made it a win-win situation. First of all, we will be helping the environment by using less electricity manufactured by power plants, etc. Second, we will be saving on rising utility bills. Third,
the utility company in our area will be paying us for generating electricity via solar. Fourth, we have read that the future of cars will be electric cars, which will require juicing up the car for it to run, thus solar makes a lot of sense. So we're really excited about becoming part of the solar generation!

Let me know if you have any comments on energy efficient ideas.

Picture Book Musings

2010-03-12T22:35:00.000-05:00

I decided to enter a contest in our local library. This contest is about making a picture book. This was the first time I attempted such an endeavor. It has been quite an experience writing a story as well as doing the pictures to match the words!

I began by thinking up the story. Given that I used to tell my son stories when he was very young, I had grown used to the idea of animals talking and doing quite interesting feats. So I put my creative hat on and wrote the story. It is nothing like a novel, that usually takes close to two years for me to finish. I was practically done with the picture book story in one week!

However, that was not the end of it. I had to make the pictures. That is where my nine year old son came in. We have this weekly event at home where we each have 15 minutes to give a lecture on any topic we choose. My son's presentations have been accompanied by computer graphics, of which he had designed himself. So he knew quite a bit on how to use the computer.

So here is a nine year old helping his educated mom draw pictures on the computer. But I/we managed and after several attempts at drawing with one finger instead of a brush, I think I have done a remarkable job of it. My story has come to life with some interesting characters, enough to keep my son laughing and continuously pestering me as to see the next finished page.

If the picture book wins anything, it gets to be published and will sit in the library so little children can read it. If it does not win anything, it might just crop up somewhere on the web for general enjoyment.

Whatever the outcome, I have had much pleasure in the process of being creative, and with a little help from my son. Oh, and much support and encouragement from my husband, too!

Until next time.

Poem of the Week

2010-03-12T22:26:00.002-05:00

I have started a poetry group in Yahoo Groups at the following site:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IpatiasPoems/

There, I write a poem a week and submit to the group. My most recent poem was dedicated to my husband, Anthony, who inspires me in just about all my work.
Below is the poem.

Soul Mate

When did our hearts melt into one,
Forever
Entwined by cords of love
Filling our very souls with
Joy
As Angels blow kisses our way

Floating higher and higher
Surpassing
The shifting clouds of life
Where there is no time, but a
Passionate expression of
Oneness

When did our souls merge into one,
To feel an ethereal light that
Shines
Within and around us, so pure and free,
It lights our very essence, our very
Being

Did it begin even before we were born -
Where our paths did cross in a mysterious
Way
Embracing our thoughts and feelings
So that even apart, we would always be
As One.

Patty Apostolides 2010

Intuition and Health

2010-02-27T22:34:00.000-05:00

Your Intuition and Your Health

Often we encounter periods in our lives where our health presents a challenge to us. Sometimes it can be a simple thing like a paper cut and other times a chronic, debilitating disease. We are all getting older, and we know that the older one gets the more probability of contracting a chronic disease like heart disease or cancer. Both those chronic illnesses require a considerable amount of time and effort to manage and treat.

The focus on this topic is to help those who are challenged with these issues to be able to read their bodies and to tune in to their intuition so that it becomes an integral part in their healing.

I have had many episodes in my life, whether dealing with my own illnesses, or dealing with illnesses of loved ones, where I have tapped into my intuition. I did not recognize the signals at first, but over time, learned to respect my body's signals and appreciate my intuition and trust it.

First of all, what is intuition, some may ask? My interpretation of intuition means a signal that comes from my body and alerts me as to what path to take for a certain health issue. It typically comes from within. For example, it can either be that sinking gut feeling that occurs when I hear the diagnosis or treatment plan. It can also come as a thought in my mind that gives me an idea as to how to go about obtaining health.

How does one tap into this intuition?

First of all, there has to be a trust built up between you and your body. To learn to trust your body, you must pay attention to it and be able to read it. For example, if you are tired, you rest. If you are thirsty, you drink water, and so on. If you have the flu, you don't go dancing or partying, but stay home and rest so your body can get back to normal. Once you start paying attention to your body and its rhythms and needs when it is well, then when it gets sick, you are able to tell the difference. So being tuned into your body is an important part of the trust.

When things go wrong, you will have the advantage of having known how your body runs when things are normal. But when they are not, and you go to your doctor who runs a series of tests and gives you a diagnosis like heart disease or cancer, then you need to get all the ammunition you can get, and it all begins with you.

Ways to help you through the maze of doctors and medicines:

1) Know the side effects of the medicines you are taking. I cannot stress that enough. Having worked as a data manager in a cancer center, I have seen first-hand the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs on the patients and have learned to recognize the symptoms. If you take a medicine, and then suddenly you are having high blood pressure, or diabetes, or other new issues, then this is when your intuition should kick in. When did this new symptom occur? Always ask that. Was it before the new medicine or after? Pinpoint when it began. That is crucial, because what happens next is a spiraling in the number of medicines you will have to take. After you take the first medicine, then you need a second one to help with the symptoms caused by the first, and so on. Before you know it, you will be taking ten or so medicines a day! We saw this clearly with our elderly parents who had heart disease. One of the parents was taking 20 pills a day!

2) Do your homework as to alternatives to the treatment plan given to you. Second and third opinions should be the norm.

3) Live as if you have the disease even if you don't have it, which means don't do anything that might hurt your body. Eat properly (preferably organic foods), get plenty of rest, drink purified water, and minimize stress.

4) Anytime you get a diagnosis, research the topic. Go to the library and read books on it. Go online and check it out. Do not rely on others to make the decisions for you, be an informed patient.

5) If you feel that a doctor is not going along with your wishes, change him. Find someone who listens to you.

All the above aid your intuition. Good luck and God Bless!