Blogs

Photos of the beautiful new Green Field at the Welsh National Eisteddfod - Maes Gwyrdd - now at: https://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=256204574396655

Stroke has a new indicator

They say if you e-mail this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you send this along?Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters..... S. T. R.


STROKE IDENTIFICATION:


During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ..she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.


They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.


Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.


It only takes a minute to read this.


A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally . He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.


RECOGNIZING A STROKE


Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and

Learn!


Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.


Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:


S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A

SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)

(I.e. It is sunny out today.)

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.


If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.


New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue


NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is

'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.


A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this message sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.


I have done my part. Will you?

I don't know what Bram Stoker would have made of it. There was a timewhen Dracula ruled supreme butnow wherever you lookweappear to be knee deep in vampires. If Buffy isn't slaying themBella is dating them. Whatever happened to Christopher Lee'sswirling cape andredeyes that made us duck down in the back row of the seats at our local Cinema the Plaza, Tonypandy. Providing they let us in of course. It's hard to act sixteen when you're only eleven.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not complaining, I can't get enough of them. As soon as Jonathan Harker alighted from his coach in the Transylvanian twilight and gazed up at the forbidding ramparts of Dracula's ancient castle I was hooked. Stephen King brought the whole vampire genresharply back into focus with his brilliantly disturbingSalem's Lot.
As I browse through the list of my mutual Twitter Followers I can see that vampires retain their sinister fascination for authors and readers alike. Here are some examples:

	Christine's Blog: Her Raven Domain: Blog of Christine Frost
	Kim's Blog: Kim Faulks Dark Paranormal Author
	Vee's Blog: Living Dead Girl Blog
	Karen's Web Site: karenessex.com

Looking at the quality ofthese blogs andof the cover designs of each book it would be easy for a new writer or potential author of vampire related fictionto become discouraged. Formidable competition combined with the sheer numbers of talented authors working within this particular sub-genre can prove extremely disheartening. It shouldn't, and there's a simple reason why. Have you ever noticed how in shopping malls similar types of shops cluster together? Have you ever wondered why?
Savvy retailers know that by offering choice people are more likely to turn up in large numbers. A cluster of shoe shops is likely to attract more people than just one solitary store. It's not a question of overcrowding but of providing variety within a specific niche. The same with books. The potential audience for any genre is mind-bogglingly massive and thereexists an insatiable demand. One reader will consume many books within a year. If they enjoyed Christine's Veiled Mirror it is likely they will look for other authors within the same genre. Good writing creates demand. How many authors have ridden successfully on Tolkien's coat tails?
Do not be afraid of competition, instead welcome it. If there are lots of successful writers within a particular genre that means that genre is highly popular and there is plenty of room for new talent. In fact the more talented writers there are within the genrethe more likely it is that interest will be sustained and grow as new authors are recommended by an ever increasing audience. So, do not give up on your dreams of becoming a successful author of vampire novels because so many have and are already doing the same thing. It's impossible for your genre to become overcrowded.
We interrupt this blog for a blatant piece of self promotion.
In her blog post Kim wrote:
"The hardest thing for an Indie Author like myself, is finding those readers who enjoy what I write."
Google+ eXplosion is now available on kindle(see the link at the top right of this blog). I took time out from writing BILLY:Family Secrets to write it becauseI believe it will go a heck of a long way to solving Kim's problem via the easiest route and in the quickest time. It's not really a question of standing out from the crowd, rather finding a crowd to stand in the middle of!
This Weeks Featured Followers: Kristi Bernard, Lake Lopez and Jeremy D Powell

Congratulations Kristi Bernard on winning the Inspiring Blog Award .

Kristi is one of those rare people who seem to shun the limelight preferring to encourage others.
You can findKristi's blog here: http://kristibernard.wordpress.com

Kristi Bernard is the writer, editor and founder of The Neophyte Writer . This blog is information for writers and their journey. Its a place where writers can learn and develop their skills. It features author interviews, book reviews , and trends in the world of writing.
Her story BIG RED was one of the first to be promoted on a site with a new endeavour in promoting authors and their books. The sites sole purpose is to have children read stories to other children via video. Since the launch of www.Smories.com . It has grown and become one of the most productive sites of its kind. Kristi has won writing contests at www.RedRoom.com , a website for authors.
Kristi Bernard TAKE A BOW!!!
From a child I always enjoyed being scared witless, even if it meant spending most of my childhoodhiding behind the sofa. My next Featured Follower has one stated ambition - to scare the hell out of you! Welcome Lake Lopez !

From what I've read of Jeremy's blog he has a lot to be hopeful about. Some really interesting and helpful posts thatI highly recommend. Visit Jeremy's blog at: http://jeremydpowell.wordpress.com/ Here's what Jeremy has to say about himself (modestly).

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In a recent academic study which looked to measure "sing-ability" of patriotic songs, a musicologist found people more willing to join in with a chorus from Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau than the UK's official anthem, God Save the Queen, and USA's Star-Spangled Banner. Musicologist Dr Alisun Pawley conducted the study as part of her PhD at the University of York with Dr Daniel Mllensiefen, a German music psychologist at Goldsmith's, University of London. Le Marseilles came top with our Welsh anthem in second position.

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the British media about the status of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau with the Tory Minister for Tourism, John Penrose suggesting that Hen Wlad fy Nhadau was a song rather than an anthem as well as the recent scandal of Welsh foot-ballers refusing to sing the so called British anthem that of God Save the Queen during the Olympic Games.

This is the perfect backdrop to launch an App to learn to sing the Welsh National Anthem ! The App was launched in Wales at the time of the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Llandough this year by Member of the European Parliament Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru) and the App is now available in the Apple App store. The singer & political activist Dafydd Iwan will be launching the App in the Casey Ballroom , in the Hilton Hotel, Scranton , Pennsylvania, Friday the 31 ^st of August . It will be an honour to launch the App in America in Scranton in the North American Festival of Wales.

The broadcaster and performer Gwenno Dafydd is very experienced in leading and singing the Welsh National Anthem in numerous public places. As a Welsh Masters International Athlete, she went to the Welsh Amateur Athletics Association in 2010 and suggested to the Chief Executive Matt Newman that a tradition be established to sing the Welsh Anthem during their National Championships. She had the honour of being not only the first singer to do this for the Welsh Championships and Commonwealth Games Trials in Cardiff International Stadium in Leckwith Summer 2010, but also sang it for the second time in the Welsh Championships in 2011.

Gwenno sang the anthem to celebrate local athletes who had represented Wales Internationally in athletics in a ceremony before the Olympic flame came through Fishguard, and also sang the Anthem at the end of the Geovation weekend camp competition to create Apps to promote the Welsh Coast Path. Here she was approached by Melinda Russell and invited to sing the anthem on a new App that Melinda from www.mjrsolutions.co.uk was developing at the time.

Gwenno was very keen to share this amazing opportunity with the young and highly talented musician Harri Davies. He has already performed as a soloist on the stage of Saint Davids Hall in the Rememberance Concert in 2011 & recently performed on the Glanfa Stage in the Millenium Centre in Cardiff Bay. All of this whilst just eighteen years of age.

http://itunes.com/apps/dragonsongs

This is the most comprehensive App to learn the anthem available on the market and it contains the following elements:

• Gwenno Dafydd singing the Anthem with Harri Davies accompanying on the piano.

• Seperate piano accompaniment by Harri Davies.

• Harri Davies performing a totally new and fresh version on the acoustic guitar.

• A short film with Gwenno Dafydd enunciating the words clearly with sub-titles passing by at the same time.

• The words in Welsh with an English translation.

• A phonetic version of the words.

Gwenno has a previous family connection with America. One of her great, great, great Uncles, William Bebb, was the 19 ^th Governor of Ohio in 1846 and a park called the Governor Bebb Metro Park till exists in Ohio

http://ohio.llgc.org.uk/people-bebb.php

This is the first song in the Dragon Songs series and the second song will be the Saint Davids Day Anthem, Cenwch y Clychau i Dewi (Ring out the bells for Saint David) Words: Gwenno Dafydd. Music: Heulwen Thomas.

Gwenno had the idea for a special song, an anthem for Saint Davids Day way back in 2005 when she was taking part in the National Saint Davids Day Parade (NSDDP) and since that time the song has been performed both Wales wide and world wide, in Toronto, Ontario, Los Angeles, Patagonia, Disneyland Paris, Once in Llandaff Cathedral, Twice in the Houses of Parliament, Three times in Saint Davids Cathedral, Once in the Brangwyn Hall, Five times in the NSDDP and this year it was performed in both English and Welsh in the All Wales Saint Davids Day Service.She will be singing the Saint Davids Day Anthem and the National Anthem during the American Launch.

SEE YOU AT SCRANTON

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Reproduced with kind permission from David Westerns Portland Lovespoon Blog

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Last time , I was ready to begin sanding. Lots of sanding....
I usually start at around 80 or 100 grit - especially for the larger areas like the bowl. This first grit of sanding inevitably reveals little connections and overlaps that I end up wanting to carve to refine a little further, again, this time more than usual. I think I even made 4 or 5 new piercings, not to mention sharpening lots of little corners, and maybe even a little slight re-shaping here and there. With all the nooks and crannies, the needle files were a big help this time, too. So, I find that the first pass probably takes 4 or 5x as long as any other grit. I assume, also that the reason for that is because I don't carve nearly as cleanly as someone like Dave. That means more shape refining in my first pass. It's probably been years since Dave's had to deal with that issue.

Next came 180, 220, 400, 600 and 800. In these pictures, it was at 800, and still drying the first time. You can see, the scratches are pretty much gone, but the surface still looks pretty rough after wetting it this first time. Through these first several grits, my main focus is removing scratches from the previous grit, or from the carving tools as well as I can. By 600 or 800, it starts to get a sheen, and it mostly stops creating dust. At this point, I like to wet down the spoon with water to bring up the fibers of the wood (I just pour water all over it). Then, I repeat 800, wet it again and see if it roughs up any more. Once it doesn't rough up after wetting it, then I move on to the remaining grits.

So - it looks rough here, because those little fibers are all standing up, but it wasn't long now, before I was through all the rest of the grits (about 9 more). Probably only 3 hours or so.
At this point, I think of it more like polishing than sanding, so I don't feel the need to get all the way into every nook and cranny with these very high grits. Of course, that's why these higher grits go so quickly. There's no more dust, and no more scratches, but if I can see a difference in the polish with each grit, then I keep going until either the polish stops improving, or I run out of grits. With most of these harder woods, that's usually 12,000.
Someone said something about video... so, I figured I'd give it a try. I don't think I'm any good at it - hope you don't get motion sickness watching it! Anyway, here it is, with the sanding all done...

( Go here to see the video:- David Westerns Portland Lovespoon Blog )

Last thing - maybe a coat of oil to protect it a bit... Earlier, I was thinking it might be better to just leave it sanded, not oiled, but after seeing how dirty it got from handling it, I changed my mind, and decided a coat of oil would be a good idea. Also, I finished it on a Saturday, so I couldn't mail it until Monday anyway, so why not?

Here are some pictures against a medium-color background, just for a change of pace.

Well, time for me to part with this thing. That was really really fun! Thanks, Dave & friends at Americymru for letting me be a part of this! I can't wait to see Dave bring the top alive, and pull the whole thing together - It's definitely becoming reality. My only regret is that it took me so long. Sorry, Dave! Don't forget to get your tickets - you really won't want to miss your chance at this one!

Next, packaging it so it won't break in the mail, and then we all get to see Dave make it into something really special!

Today was the anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth ( August 22nd ). I waited all day for some reference on the web. I checked the usual suspects; Welsh groups on FB, Welsh political blogs etc. But...not a single mention.

This is perhaps hardly surprising. There are more topical issues and Bosworth's place in Welsh history and national consciousness has always been slightly problematic. Ever since , and indeed before, the Armes Prydain and Geoffrey's History of the Kings of Britain ( a reference work unrivalled for its authority and accuracy until the advent of the Wikipedia ) the Welsh had been waiting for a Mab Darogan/Son of Prophecy who would unite the tribes of Britain to defeat the Saxon invaders and drive them from the land. After a few glorious but spectacular failures ( Owain Lawgoch, Owain Glyndwr ) Henry VII put in a bid for the title.

He was born in Pembroke Castle and had a Welsh speaking nanny so he may well have understood a few words of the language. He began his quest to claim the English throne from Richard III by landing at Mill Bay, Pembrokeshire on Sunday 7th August 1485. The rest as they say, is history. You can follow the plot in outline from the text in the picture below.

It is of course a supreme historical irony that this 'Mab Darogan' went on to found the Tudor dynasty whose major contributions to Welsh autonomy and independence were the Acts of Union of 1535 and 1542.

Anyway I just wanted in closing to draw your attention to an artefact ( see below ) which was gifted to me some years ago and, apparently, purchased in an antique/gift shop in Tenby. It hangs on a wall and gathers dust behind me in my study. I thought today would be a good day to give it an airing.

( For a most eloquent discussion of Bosworth and it's place in Welsh history and consciousness the following poem by R.S. Thomas is highly recommended:- A Welshman At St James' Park )

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Click to Enlarge

Islands Magazine recently visited Wales. This stunning photo essay is part of the editorial they will deliver over the next few years.

Burry Port delivery firm Celtic Couriers is helping to sponsor a prestigious vintage show in Carmarthen.

The Orllwyn Teifi 24th Vintage Show is taking place at the United Counties Showground in Nantyci, Carmarthen, between August 24 and 27.
Celtic Couriers general manager Gareth Jenkins said: "We are delighted to be lending our support to the show. It is a major attraction in South West Wales and should pull in bumper crowds over the Bank Holiday weekend."
Orllwyn Teifi Vintage Show started in 1989.
At first, it was held on the Kings Meadow at Henllan, but soon outgrew this 20-acre site.
It then moved to Croesllan, Llandysul and took up nearly 115 acres!
In its 24th year, the show moves to the United Counties Showground in Carmarthen, giving easier access to many supporters who live in South Wales.
The show attracts exhibitors from all over the country and many famous "names" have attended over the last 18 years.
The late Fred Dibnah, of Television fame, and the "Iron Maiden", the engine that starred in the film of the same name, to name but two.
The show is organised and run purely by volunteers and it is due to their hard work and enthusiasm that this show has been such a great success.
It has raised more than 111,000 for local deserving causes, which is a demonstration of the support it has had from many thousands of people who come to see it each year from all over the country.
Weblink -
http://www.otvintageshow.org.uk/

News in brief from Burry Port delivery firm Celtic Couriers . . .

We are closed Monday 27th August, back open Tuesday 28th August.
We are open as normal on the Saturday.
All deliveries sent Friday for 'Next Day Delivery' will arrive Tuesday.
Saturday deliveries are available with a surcharge.
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We have a 2008 LDV Maxus short wheel base van for sale. Give us a ring on 01554 835490.
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Many thanks to friends old and new who visited our Celtic Couriers and APC Overnight stand at the Pembrokeshire County Show in Haverfordwest.
It was great to meet everyone and we look forward to doing business with all our new Pembrokeshire customers.
Picture of our stand -