REUNION 2008

elcome to lobal xpress :ast Issue for March Published by the members of the World Wide Web Circle of Friends for the members of the World Wide Web Circle of Friends about the members of the World Wide Web Circle of Friends. We are everyday people doing extraordinary things on an International Scale on the web! We have different life experiences, different cultures, different ideas and some of us even speak different languages but by learning to see what we have in common, we can more easily overlook any differences. "We are family" and we care and love to share! <BGSOUND src="http://www.bigsispat.0catch.com/Audio/CircleOfFriends.wav" loop="10"> Hello! I would like to start off this issue with this most delightful email from Cindy from Phillipston, MA Well, once again we are back into the snow here! Will this never end? We have about 3 or 4 inches already and it's not due to stop soon. They had said it would be one or two inches up here then turn to rain, but I don't see that happening soon! It's staying pretty cold. I hope the little birds found a warm place to hide. I love the morning doves too Jamie. We usually have a couple of pair nesting around here. I love their cooing sound and they seem so poky and gentle. Kinda like an old folks bird. We're in the process of building some new bird houses to put out now. I have three feeders and a suet feeder near my flower bed. They seem to get used to me working in the garden and they are all around me in the summer. I just love it. The older I get the more I seem to enjoy all of Gods creations and what a gift to us to be able to enjoy them. My son and his friend were sitting in his truck last night watching 4 little bunnies running around in my garden. The moon was out and when they drove into the yard they spotted the bunnies and sat there watching them for about 15 mins. before they finally got out and came in. That's about the 3rd time someone has told me we have bunnies in the yard in the last month. I'm surprised cause we have 4 dogs and 2 cats here! Maybe that's why my dogs get barking once in a while for what I think is nothing. We even spotted a wolf way down back one morning very early. It was big! I've seen tracks many times. We used to have a moose, but it got his up on the interstate a few years back, but we have MANY deer. People have asked me if they could hunt on my land, but I don't allow it. I love venison, but I just don't have the heart to even let my kids hunt there. I feel like here is one place they can come and be safe. Guess I'm getting soft in my old age! Last summer there was a Doe and her fawn that would come out into the field down there and stroll along eating grass sometimes even late morning. This property is between two brooks that run along the lines, so they have lots of feed and water. I used to sit out on my deck and watch them for a long time, then the mom would hear something and her tail would go up and off they'd go. I just love watching them. I was out raking up dead stuff in my flower garden yesterday getting it ready for everything that has to be done in the spring and I can see the tips of my daffodils popping their little heads out of the ground and my iris's are starting to come out also. It gives me hope that this "Never Ending Winter" WILL EVENTUALLY END!! Thank God! I love winter, but I've had enough!! This was one of those winters that I remember having when I was a kid! When you had snowbanks so big that we made forts on either side of the driveway and would make peep holes to look through. We'd pile a big pile of snowballs and then have one heck of a snowball fight! Ahh! What fun! I don't think kids do that any more. Their inside playing Guitar Hero or on the computer, or downloading music to their MP3's. Boy they don't know what their missing!!! Seems like that was a quick change cause my kids were always out in the snow and I'd be right out with them showing them how to make the best forts. It was a good excuse to be a kid again. I was always the first one out in the snow! Usually making snow angels and of course, had to make a snowman or some kind of snow sculpture. I even made a deck snowman this year with Cody. Didn't quite dare to get out in the yard after just having the hip replacement, but I had plenty of snow on my deck! We made a big one. We had a ball. But enough is ENOUGH ALREADY!!!! I say BRING ON SPRING To the Top To get us thinking Spring please enjoy these photos from WelshGoG aka Owen from Wales There is just something so very special about lambs! Friendship is a virtue . . . and also it is one of the most indispensable requirements of life. ~Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics To the Top days until Reunion 2008 in INTRIGUING SOUTH AMERICA ! Some of the people you will meet during the Reunion in Argentina! Please say hello to Charito from Mar del Plata, Argentina who heard about the WWWCOF through Daphne. Charito is married with three children and her favourite colour is pink. She collects medals and bible reading stamps and her hobbies include reading, films and crafts. Her short term goal is to finish her house and her long term goals is to live to see her grandchildren. If she had the opportunity to spend time with another member of our group she would take them to see the glacier, Perito Moreno, in the extreme south. To the Top Do be sure to visit the awesome April Trivia Pages! April is Poetry Month; Letter Writing Month; Garden Month (celebrate gardening during April - Garden Month); Autism Awareness Month; Humor Month; Pets are Wonderful Month and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Special Days in April include: April 1 - 7 - 1-7 Library Week April 6 - Tartan Day - Tartan Day was pioneered in Canada but gained renewed momentum in the United States following resolutions in Congress and Senate recognizing the day of the signing of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath 6 April - as a day to celebrate Scotland. April 6 - Juno Awards - Canadian equivalent of the (US) Grammy awards April 7 - World Health Day April 8 - Astronomy Day April 16 - Peachy Marie and Uncle G, aka Ma & Pa heading home to Canada and getting ready for camping season! April 18 - Pet Owner's Day April 20 - Passover - Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses. Jews have celebrated Passover since about 1300 BC, following the rules laid down by God in Exodus 13. April 19 - Car Free Day April 20 - Volunteer Recognition Day April 22 - Earth Day April 23 - St. George's Day - England's National Day. St. George is the patron saint of England. April 24 - Arbor Day April 25 - Anzac Day (Australia / New Zealand) marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. To the Top Bragging Rights Lovely knitted projects by � Aussie Jan To the Top A Little Canadian Humour If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, You may live in Canada. If someone in a Home Depot store Offers you assistance and they don't work there, You may live in Canada. If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, You may live in Canada. If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation With someone who dialed a wrong number, You may live in Canada. If 'Vacation' means going anywhere South of Detroit for the weekend, You may live in Canada. If you measure distance in hours, You may live in Canada. If you know several people Who have hit a deer more than once, You may live in Canada. If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' In the same day and back again, You may live in Canada. If you can drive 90 km/hr through 2 feet of snow During a raging blizzard without flinching, You may live in Canada. If you install security lights on your house and garage, But leave both unlocked, You may live in Canada. If you carry jumpers in your car And your wife knows how to use them, You may live in Canada. If you design your kid's Halloween costume To fit over a snowsuit, You may live in Canada. If the speed limit on the highway is 80 km -- You're going 90 and everybody is passing you, You may live in Canada. If driving is better in the winter Because the potholes are filled with snow, You may live in Canada. If you know all 4 seasons: Almost winter, winter, still winter, And road construction, You may live in Canada. If you have more miles On your snow blower than your car, You may live in Canada. If you find 2 degrees 'a little chilly', You may live in Canada. If you actually understand these jokes, You definitely live in Canada. Received from my cousin, Gordon Holten, via my Aunt Connie from Edmonton, Alberta Are you interested in reading about Canada? A comprehensive and authoritative source on all things Canadian can be found on The Canadian Encyclopedia site. Sharon from Paradise Island, aka Vancouver Island, BC, Canada To the Top Welshgog The Way Life Was When my birthday arrives later this year I will be 57 years young; "not so old" I hear you say, and you are probably right: however, when I sit and think about how life has changed since my earliest recollections, those 50 or so years have made a huge difference to the Welsh way of life. This article is not meant to be nostalgia, nor a comparison between Wales 'then and now; it is simply a collection of memories of every-day life from way back when. KING COAL Putting the Coal In. - In my area of South Wales, most of the men-folk worked in the coal industry, and, as part of their wages received an annual allowance of coal. This coal when ordered, was delivered to your home free, on the back of a large lorry; then, unceremoniously, dumped at your back gate - or if you had no rear access to your home, outside your front door! What a mess! A ton of black, dirty, dusty rock sitting on your doorstep and it was the family's job to stow it in the coal shed. Buckets and bowls and old tin baths would be pressed into service to carry it to the coal shed; then it would have to be arranged (because it was all different sizes from lumps that you could hardly lift down bits the size of your thumb), so that you could get at different sizes in the shed. After all the coal was in, the dust had to be washed away so that it wasn't carried into the house on your shoes, and every-one needed a bath and a clean change of clothes. Keeping the Home Fires Burning. - What a wonderful thing coal is; rocks that burn. Of course, it's black, and dusty, and it makes a lot of smoke if it is not burned hot enough; it also produces a lot of ash which had to be disposed of. One of the chores that devolved to Welsh kids in those days was to fill the coal scuttles (buckets) before they went off to school in the morning, (unfortunately it usually meant that you needed a damn good wash before you went out too), YUCH!! Each scuttle had to arranged so that you had small coal at the bottom (for banking the fire to keep it burning at a low heat), and larger, fist sized lumps on top (for when mum needed the fire hotter). Often this meant that you had to break-up larger lumps of coal with a hammer; the resulting mess from which had to be cleared up too. Cold Chimneys, Smoke and Smuts. - If the fire was unlit (whether by design or accident), for any length of time, the chimney would get 'cold'. Now a chimney, when it's hot, draws air (and smoke and smuts), upwards, and out of the house; however, a cold chimney doesn't! So when a fire was lighted and the chimney cold, the room (if not half the house) could quickly fill with stinky smoke and fine smuts. This smoke and the smuts, were magically attracted to any spider webs or tiny wall paper edges, picture frames, etc.; so, after the smoke at last cleared, mum would enter a 'cleaning frenzy', which would see every-one armed with clothes and dusters, working away like demons until all was clean again. Can you imagine what it was like at spring cleaning time?? FEEDING A HUNGRY HORDE. - Most welsh households in those days didn't own a refrigerator, so food which spoiled quickly such as meat or fish products, had to be consumed fairly quickly. A joint (roast) would be purchased on Saturday and cooked on Sunday morning; the majority of it would be eaten on Sunday, and any 'left-overs', would appear in Monday's sandwiches, or, if enough remained, in pasties, a pie or stew by Tuesday at latest. Sausages or bacon were usually purchased on the day that they were to be eaten; if they were to be stored over-night they would be kept on the cold-stone (a large slab of slate or occasionally low grade marble), which could be found in every welsh household's pantry. Other food items found on the cold-stone included cold, cooked meats, milk, butter, cheese and eggs. The cold stone I will add was kept scrupulously clean, and was usually scrubbed at least once each week. Pre-sliced bread was comparatively rare, more expensive that an un-cut loaf and bought in waxed paper packages; most households though bought un-cut loaves, which mum sliced as needed using a bread knife (about the size of a carving knife, with a straight, finely serrated edge). Custom in Wales dictated that you didn't cut bread and meat upon the same board, so in the majority of cases, mum sliced the bread - by clasping the loaf to her chest and 'sawing' through it toward herself; as a child, this process fascinated me - how did they manage not to cut themselves? How did the more 'well-endowed' ladies see what they were cutting? These questions aside; most mums could manage to cut an even slice of bread no thicker than 3-4 mm thin; was this a skill or an art?? Butter, cheese and salt, were cut to order from large blocks at the grocery store, where you would ask for 1/2 or a pound of whatever; this would be cut and weighed in front of you, then wrapped in grease-proof paper and bagged for take home. Fruit and vegetables were purchased weekly, and many were only freely available on a 'seasonal' basis; for example, new potatoes at the beginning of summer; peas and beans mid to late summer; while apples and pears were most plentiful (and cheaper) during late summer and autumn. Imported fruit and veg. were limited to varieties that could be stored at low temperatures and shipped over long distances and times; oranges from Israel, or bananas from the West Indies for example. BATH NIGHTS AND WASHDAYS. - In the area where I grew up, most of the houses were at least 100 years old (often even older), they were built in long terraces and were generally quite small. When they were constructed, bathing and therefore bathrooms were considered to be a luxury; consequently, the majority of them didn't have a 'bath' room though all of them had a 'tin' bath of some size or type. Bathing was usually done in the kitchen, in front of the fireplace (particularly when it was cold). The bath, which was usually stored in a shed would be carried in, carefully checked for spiders, and then filled with hot water from kettles and saucepans heated upon the fire. The whole family would then 'take their turn' usually oldest to youngest to bathe in the one tub which would be topped up with more hot water periodically. In large families (which most were), the youngest probably got out of the bath dirtier than when they got in! In most families at that time, bath night was Saturday night so that you were clean and scrubbed when you 'stood before the Lord', at church on Sunday!! Washdays were any day (except Sunday), upon which it didn't rain (too much); and best when the wind was fairly strong; because the vast majority of washing had to be dried outdoors. Many households at that time did not own a washing machine and for those that did, the machine was usually a basic tub with some sort of paddle at the bottom to agitate the hot water and clothes. If you didn't have a washing machine you used the tin bath full of hot water and a scrubbing board to get the clothes clean; usually outdoors so that you didn't get the kitchen floor wet. Many households used 'household soap', (hard blocks of lye soap), for washing clothes, dishes, household cleaning and even bath night, (Ow-Ow-Ow that stuff burned if you got it in your eyes or a cut!!!). Most of the water was squeezed out of the clothes using a wringer - a set of (often manually) powered rollers that you fed the clothes through, before being rinsed, wrung out again and hung upon a clothes line to dry. Best clothes I know, were often starched during the rinsing operation too. The dried washing was gathered in and carefully folded before being stored away in a wardrobe or drawers to be ironed, when necessary, just prior to being worn. Ironing in those days was done using what we called a flat-iron. A large cast-iron or steel device which had to be heated in the oven or on a trivet over the fire before being applied to the clothing; getting the temperature of the iron right was another of those skills which took a lot learning - if you wanted to avoid scorch marks on your best shirt! WelshGoG aka Owen from Wales Please take a moment to visit Owen's Space To the Top Jan's Ramblings We are home again, and no plans to go away again soon!! That weekend we had three Messenger events, and left directly from the last one as it was on the way. We freecamped that night as usual and it was a lovely rest. Next day we made our way to Barry's nephew at Mt Tambourine. They have a beautiful home tucked into the hillside with the virgin forest right up to their house. They were visited by a possum with baby, king parrots and lorikeets, right on their verandah rail where they had some bird feeders set up. We left there and took the direct road back to the coast, on a road signposted not suitable for trucks and caravans, and it sure was steep, we travelled in first gear some of the time. Next was the Sunshine Coast, to visit Barry's brother and his wife, who are out from the UK visiting family. We went over the Gateway Bridge, sidestepping Brisbane, and up the Bruce Highway. As we neared Buderim I realised I had not packed the street map, and we could not remember where to go, so and we had to stop and buy a new map for $10 so that we could make our way to the address. It was good to catch up with them again. The next day Gerald and Pat took us up to Montville on the plateau overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains. It is a really attractive village with all sorts of lovely shops. It was raining on and off, but that kept the temperature down. We looked through all the shops and three of us had mushy pie and peas for lunch, something I haven't had for many a year. It was hot and muggy on the Thursday and we went down to Mooloolaba for another drive. I am always amazed to see so many people lying around in skimpy bikinis and bathers in the sun on the beaches, particularly when there are so many warnings about skin cancer.br> br> We left late that afternoon on a very relaxing slow trip back to Brisbane, we freecamped, again at designated camp spots, to arrive at my sister's on the Sunday afternoon. I love these times, to do some knitting and reading, and Barry loves to play his guitar and watch a few of his cowboy DVDs. It was great to see Lois and Peter again too, and Lois told me that she and my s-i-laws were organising for everyone to come to our place for a "Christmas in July". Since everyone had got together for Barry's birthday, everyone is keen to meet up at least twice a year from now on, and we live smack-bang in the middle. We had a nice day out on the Monday, to a buffet lunch and sightseeing over at Wellington Point. Tuesday we went to Ipswich, and after seeing our next door neighbour in the shopping centre (isn't it a small world) we had a beautiful few hours with our Multiply friend Ann-Marie (bookmark for her, the bear for her grandaughter). Back to Lois' that evening and on Wednesday we travelled to the Gold Coast and caught up with my son Rob and wife Emi for the morning and lunch. In the afternoon we met Multiply friends Andreas and Theresa and had a lovely time there too. There home is exactly two hours from ours and we look forward to seeing them again. Everything was fine at home, though the weeds in the garden have taken off again. Love n Blessings, Aussie Jan. Please visit my diary of events. To the Top Bigsis Pat's Journal March 31, 2008 According to what I've been reading some of the top stressors in life are: moving marital separation, health problems and financial problems. Geesh, if that's the case, I must be ready for the loony bin. Financial Problems: Since I turned 65, and started collecting the Old Age Pension; It's difficult to re-adjust when your income is cut my more than half. Health problems: Well lets see, I have to major sleep disorders, Sleep apnea & Restless Legs syndrome; I have COPD, Acid Reflux, Depression, Arthritis, Bursitis in one and hip and only God knows what's in the other, severe varicose veins, and I'm over weight. Hmmmm. Marital Separation/Reconcilation: Last spring Darryl & I separated for 6 months. In November we reconciled, now after a mere four months, we are separating again. Moving: WOW, I wonder what the experts think of 6 moves in less than a year; and two of them across country. So, by the expert's opinions, I should be in pretty bad shape, right? Wrong! For me anyway. These are just life's challenges. It has been said that God doesn't give us more than we can handle, and what doesn't kill us (and If I'm writing this I guess I'm still alive) it makes us a stronger person. I was given this fantastic book, "Purpose Driven Life", By Rick Warren. In chapter 5, the author talks about Life being a Test. How does this reality help you to understand difficulties, or when things are going really well? It would seem that God is more interested in how we respond to trials and blessings than he is the actual trials or blessings themselves. In your life, if you are facing a test, either by trial or a blessing, how do you determine how your respond? With all that being said, my next destination is British Columbia, once again. I was truly happier, healthier and more content there, than I think I've been in my entire life. However, I don't know what God's plan is for me. In the meantime, I'm busy packing up my stuff, and making all the arrangements to leave Ontario on April 9th. When I arrive in BC my dear friend Sharon will pick me up and I will continue my life's journey and see where it takes me. This will be my last journal entry for a week or two, until I get my computer up and running again. So take care all, and remember: Hi, My name is Max, and I am very stressed out, as you can see from my pictures. You see, I was just plodding along minding my own business, and the next thing I know this strange lady starts calling herself Mummy. Well things weren't so bad, this other lady called Auntie Sharon used to come by, and that meant I got to go for a ride in the truck. WELL! before you know it, they're packing me into this cage, and I'm stuck in the belly of an airplane for 9 hours!!!! can you believe it? Finally I get let out and I mett this guy who Mummy starts calling Daddy. Ok so he's cool, he takes me for walks, and throws the ball for me. The next thing I know they are packing up and we move to yet another place. Mummy can't figure out why I keep following her around. I just want to make sure I don't get left behind. You aren't going to believe this, but Mummy's packing again, and tells me we get to fly on the airplane again. yeah, right, that means I get stuffed in the cage again. But their does seem to be a bright side. Mummy says I'll get to see all my old friends in British Columbia, especially Auntie Sharon. Yeah, more truck rides. That's all for now, luv Max. PS I'll write again once Mummy gets the computer up and running after we get to BC. days until Bigsis Pat and Max arrive back on Paradise Island! Face your past without regrets. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear! Please visit my Art by Patricia blog. P.S. I have been busy adding to, and updating the WWWCOF Albums. Do please take a moment to check them out! To the Top Welcome to Charla's World This week, a walk down "memory lane" ... please enjoy this email from Florida Marie that was originally published in Global Express way back in April 2005. Hi Sharon and the rest of my club friends: First of all I just called the hospital at 5 am, Charlie didn't have too good of a day yesterday (April 28/05). His blood pressure shot up to 200/100; of couse he was holding hands with his pretty nurse. Just kidding it was serious also his sugar also was way up. Called at midnight and 5 am, nurse asked if I got any sleep yes, says it seems like I just talked to you a couple of hrs ago, so that must have been Charla. Said the blood pressure was really good now and sugar also better. Now GUYS You sure will be able to tell Charla and Marie [me] are mother and daughter, I don't have my grandchild to blame it on????? AND if you don't like reading something FUNNY or have a heart problems DELETE IT NOW. First of all Charla had to wheel me round in a wheel chair, nurses insisted. Even I have to say she was a good wheel chair driver, till my youngest son 46 got a hold of it . He thought he had a HOT ROD, I was pressing for a blake and it didn't have one also yelling at him. Guess he was trying to get my mind off Charlie for a few mins. After he looked so good after seeing a few times. WE Charla and I decided we need to go home we had been a little over 12 hrs we had been at the hospital. We get to the car and Charla start backing out and was on her cell phone as she hadn't been able to reach John [husband] and was worried as he should have been back home by then from the hospital. WELL someone behind us started tooting there car horn I was just too tired to look around and Charla was driving and they kept it up. And we were both getting pissed got out parking place and getting out to the street and it just kept blowing that blessed horn. Out on the street the same way. To HE__ with them we were on the road to home THANK GOODNESS. Well after they got home that tooting horn was Marie and Garnet they even chased us down the road and we wouldn't stop. And they gave up so they went back to see Charlie. Charla finally reached John. Ride home was real good. Took Charla home then I left for home. Got home fine. I could hear my dog [Lady] having a fit so went in with just my keys to give her some attention for about 5 mins. A little later I went out to get my purse and bags from car and Lady went with me. Well the wind blew the door shut. Didn't bothered me as it was unlocked and had Lady out with me. Calling the dog and arms full of Charlies things and the groc. bag I took with water etc. ready to go in and Guess WHAT the was locked. No extra key out side. Now here I'm am can't walk any where and Marie and Garnet not home and we living in country. Good my purse was still in my car and cell phone was in there, well it had run down couldn't call no where. Can't wiggles back door to open as I had tryed before it a very large double glass door and locked. My son is home but I can't walk that far 4 places from me next to Marie and Garnet 3 places from me and they are not home. NOW what the HELL am I going to do? I knew one way maybe if I could only climb, with a dog in my arms. I found a cement block tryed to set it upright so i would be closer to climb into a utility room window; couldn't ground was to uneven so laid it the long way, MAYBE I didn't lock the door into the house from in there. The window was open good that one wasn't locked. Popped the screen out ... threw the dog in first, [really I just dropped her in] stepped on cement block just shaking my head wondering how I'm going to get my bad legs that high. Tried a few times before I got it hooked on the ledge NOW how and I'm going to lift the rest of my body so I could finish getting in after a few tries I finally got knee down some and felt a couple of heater we use in the extra cold weather down here. Rested on it a min. Dog scared to death watching me and staying away so I won't fall on her. Finally got pulled around to sit before a few min. NOW is that door unlocked. Each step was hell going up please GOD let it be open. When I got to the door knob touched it like it was a hot potato. IT WAS OPEN. Went and checked that darn door. How did it lock ????? after resting again went out to get every thing I went to get the first time. Left door opened but checked it a couple of times. And the door had locked again but I had a bag holding it open. Then I found an extra bag in the car. Charla had forgotten her bag with things she packed in case she stayed all nite. My poor little lady was scared to come out of the utility room. Carried her in and call Charla to tell about her belongings with me. Told her about my experience. We laughted till we hurt. I told I wish now someone had a movie camera but at the time I'd of killed them. Come to find out Charla husband John got locked out and had to break in also. For having a hard, worrying day about Charlie's surgery we had our good laugh for the day. Hope this gives a good laugh to you all. OH yes my husband had to give me wallet, watch etc. And he's a tight wad; So the nurse was in the room and couple visiting the other bed in the room. I said Oh Charlie !!!! Charla and I went shopping and spent ALL your money that was in there. He look at his nurse and said OH MY GOD. We started laughing and we had everyone in the room laughing and the nurse knew we where kidding ... you deserved that after all day at the hospital. He looked at her and said you don't have to agree with them. Another good laugh for the second day. Love yas and THANK YOU again for ALL of the PRAYERS CHARLA , MARIE, CHARLIE and little scared LADY[dog.] To the Top Answer to the Google Question of the Week - The letter E. Emma from Maryland, USA's News Network Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Woman Steals Jock Straps Just before closing time, in a gym near Deland, Florida, a woman walked in and started working out on the machines. This type of behavior isn't out of the ordinary. But what happened next was far from ordinary. Fifteen minutes after entering the gym, the woman, who witnesses later identified as Charla Simmons, from Deland, Florida, snuck back into the gym's laundry room. Once there, she opened a big satchel, and began filling it with jock straps, that were sitting in a hamper waiting to be washed. Once she had the satchel filled, she ran out the laundry room door, running between the excercise equipment, and headed straight for the exit. About 1/2 way through the gym, she bumped into someone who recognized her. Charla dropped the satchel and ran out the door, but not before grabbing a handfull of jock straps and making her escape. Workers at the gym chased after the woman but were unable to stop her. Police are still looking for Charla Simmons for further questioning. One witness managed to snap a picture of her with their camera phone. To the Top Collections London Chrissie got this obsession with getting Silver jewellery, and she treated myself to a bangle and some charms for her charm bracelet, and also a scorpion pendent for one of her necklaces. What do you collect? To the Top Emergency Preparedness Week 2008 is taking place May 4 -10. This is a great time to learn about emergency preparedness and take practical steps to prepare. Have you lived through an emergency? Share your story with us! Visist this Public Safety Canada site to learn how to prepare for a range of emergencies. To the Top

In this issue ... Click on any of the following to be taken to that section of the newsletter. If you can come up with any icons for the sections below I would sure appreciate you sending them to me. Please notify me of any broken links. April Fools Australian Report Bigsis Pat Journal Bragging Rights Canadian 'Eh Charla's World Collections Coffee & Chat Common Expressions Crafts Did You Know Emergency Prepardness Featured Sites Feature Story of the Week Fun Gardening Google Question of the Week Global Citizen Award Health Matters Inspirational Meet the Members Member of the Month Messages from Members Nature's Water Features Photo Contest Pet of the Week Planet Kryzys Prayer Requests WWWCOF International Poetry Contest Recipes Reunion 2008 Survey of the Week Tests & Quizzes Weather Updates Welshgog Challenge yourself to get to know a WWWCOF member that you don't already know. You can start by emailing any of the members who have contributed to this week's issue to say hello from your corner of the globe. To the Top Member of the Month Nominations Our member of the month for April is Aussie Jan. Congratulations Jan. Some of the things the members have been saying about Jan is that she has contributed over and over for the newsletter, does all kinds of interaction within the google groups and is always posting positive messages for all. She is always such a joy to be chatting with. Although so busy with her own life and things she does within her community and church; she finds time to spend devoted to the WWWCOF. She has demonstrated over and over her love of God, and people. She is not one to blow her own horn so to speak. She is quite modest in how she serves her God, and how she is so giving in her community, and with her friends and also by all she gives of herself to everyone. She has been through hell and back with Health issues, Yet, nothing stopped her from giving of herself for a cause, or a friend. She is not one to take pity on her self or her misgivings. She plunges forward so Eloquantly, and in such a way that she sets an wonderful example of what a true Christian is. She never seems to tire in it either. She has given so much to our group. In not only information on her country she loves so dearly, but also in setting an example to all of us what it means to be a true friend. I am very honored to call her my friend. days to vote for May's Member of the Month! This award is not intended to be a comparison of member to member; each member's time and contributions are valuable and we acknowledge with pride that every member does what they can do. The "winner" is the member who has received the most votes from the membership and nominations for Member of the Month for April closes March 31st so be sure to cast your ballot here today! Do be sure to add your comments as to why you have selected the member you are nominating. Every member of the WWWCOF gives their best of their time and abilities; each one deserves this award! It is the pieces (our members) that make the whole (The World Wide Web Circle of Friends). To the Top Our Furry Friends/ Family Members Featured Pet of the Week KANE .... by Jami from Maryland, USA Hello Everyone, I would like you all to meet the new addition to my family. He belongs to my nephew Frank who is now living with me. Kane is a Year old PIT BULL. Yes I said ..... Before everyone panics and worrys about Shadow, I will assure you, she is just as mouthy and cocky as ever! When Frank First moved in he also had a new addition to bring along. I was not too thrilled , but I knew how much he loved Kane and he promised to keep him in his cage etc. when Shadow and I were home on weekends. Now mind you I DO NOT LIKE BIG DOGS..... especially romping around in my small trailer not to mention I am deathly afraid of PIT BULLS. LET ME REPHRASE....."I WAS"! Until I met this "lil" fellow. When I got home last Friday, I was petrified what was going to happen either to Shadow or me. But, bless his heart Frank was home to greet us and keep Kane under wraps. Of course Kane started that ferocious bark when we came up. and Shadow just had to antagonize him with her shrill yapping. She was ruling the roost as they say. Once I settled in I went back out and introduced myself by giving Kane a cookie, and he just licked my hand, and looked up at me with the sweetest, puppydog eyes. I could'nt help but melt right then and there. I told Frank to bring him inside so Shadow can get used to him, and oh boy, she wanted no part! she snapped, growled and hissed at him something fierce, and all Kane wanted to do was give her a kiss. Well, he said enough of this and tried to jump over her to get away from her, and you would of thought she was being killed. All Kane could do was look at her and ran to the door to get out. Kane has changed my outlook 100% on wanting a big dog, and would even consider a PIT Bull because of him. He is the most lovable, gentle dog I have ever seen. Now Shadow is lovable yes, but she is a nuisance and will not take no for an answer. She has made Kane look like a angel let me tell you. So please folks, dont believe everything you read about Pits. Because they are no different than any other dog that when pushed against a wall will retaliate. But the media doesnt vocalize on any but the Pit Bulls. Please look at Kane and tell me you dont think he is just so adorable. Look into those eyes, and not melt. Behind every dog is a master remember. If a master teaches a dog to be mean, they will be. and that aint just Pit Bulls. Below I have also included the web site on Myths and truths ..... You judge. Now without further ado, Meet KANE ........... Please don't forget to give your pet a hug from you today, They are our most loyal loving Family members ....... I am looking for more stories about your PET ....... please submit to me so I may feature them in the newsletter Pet Column. email your stories to me, Jami from Maryland, USA To the Top REUNION ARGENTINA OCTOBER 2008 days until Reunion 2008! Argentina here we come! "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow line, sail away from the safe harbour, explore, dream and discover. Mark Twain" To hold a Reunion we need people. If only one or two attend it would be just a visit! Daphne is perfectly willing to take care of "just a visit!" or a full blown reunion!!! She and others in Argentina have been hard at work finding out prices of different accomodation, transport, entry to events and places of interest, food meals etc. Of course, if it turns out to be "just a visit" that simplifies everything, down to home cooking and their own car! So in fairness to our "hosts" and in order to make whatever arrangements are necessary they must know how many will be attending therefore a commitment has to be made by the end of April, 2008. The organization is already well underway as shown in our 2008 Reunion Website; now we need the cooporation and participation of members everywhere. Look forward to seeing many of you there. REUNION ARGENTINA OCTOBER 2008 Please drop by and visit the official 2008 reunion website where you'll find alot of the information you need Don't forget to start the action to get your passport up to date. Life is too short not to come to Argentine at least once, and Reunion 2008 is an excellent opportunity for that, a well as a good chance to meet all your on-line buddies in real life and have some fun getting to know them better. So come on, fill in the inscription form, let us know you are booking your ticket. This Week, with views to reunion Argentina 2008: REUNION QUIZ #1 When is Reunion 2008 being held? Where is Reunion 2008 being held, (city and country)? Approx How far is that from the country's capital? Is it on the coast or inland? if you answered on the coast; would that be the Pacific or the Atlantic or somewhere else? If you answered inland; would that be near mountains, hills or plains? What season will it be at reunion time? Oh dear, I wonder, Are there any hotels there? Where is the International airport we would land at? What is the official language of the host country? So, Does our host/ hostess speak English? What colours are in the National Flag of the host country? (Baker's dozen) what is the local currency there? Please send your answers to Sharon or Daphne, thank you More information about MAR DEL PLATA and Argentina in Pictures Daphne from Argentina To the Top Don't forget to check the Birthday Calendar to see when members are celebrating their special days. April birthday / anniversary celebrations: April 11 - my lovely daughter, Kendra from Nanaimo, BC, Canada's Birthday April 18 - Linda from China's birthday (and our 100th member) April 19 - Barb from Rockford, Illinois' birthday April 23 - Georgene Indiana, USA's birthday April 28 - Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada's hubby, Darryl's birthday HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND/OR ANNIVERSARY TO EVERYONE CELEBRATING!! We look forward to hearing all about your special day. If you are not listed in the calendar please be sure to email Jami from Maryland. To the Top The newsletter sure lifts me up, not only seeing pictures, but ready all the subjects of which you have taken time to write about, and many thanks to everyone who share their stories, being home bound and can not drive a car for six months, due to the passing out I did a few weeks ago, the newsletter is a joy .. Bea from the Catskills I went out and treated myself, I got this obsession with getting Silver jewellery, and I treated myself to a bangle and some charms for my charm bracelet, and also a scorpion pendent for one of my necklaces. I have been spending money I can not afford but you only live once that is what I say hehe. Have a good day all!!! London Chrissie Chrissie adds that Today is no special day and I have no particular reason for writing to you.... I have no news to tell you.... nor any problems to discuss with you.... or gossip to tell you... It's only one of those happy moments... when I thought of you... and I would like to share this thought with you... MANY SMILES BEGIN BECAUSE OF ANOTHER SMILE... Happy Spring! I don't think anything lifts my spirits more than hearing the birds singing. We have a lot of them around my house, and every year they build their nests in the same places. There's a few that perch on the fence around the chicken coop, waiting for me to come down to feed the chickens. They fly down, and eat the cracked corn right beside the chickens. It's so nice to look out of my window, see the daffodils and crocuses blooming, and hear the birds singing their songs. Even the owls are hooting more at night. I know for sure Spring is really here at last! Emma from Maryland, USA I'm with you Emma! I think it's a reminder that things will Be ok, because if God feeds and clothes the birds He will surely take care of us. They fly and play and sing with such abandon it makes me forget all my troubles. I haven't heard an owl for a long time. How wonderful that you have them around. I've been hearing a woodpecker over by my neighbor's house. He's been rat-a-tat-ating on the trees over by our fence along the boundry line. It's so much fun hearing all the different sounds and watching the different birds. I usually have some little bright yellow and black birds out in the corn in the summer. It seems that after we have supper, at dusk, the birds swoop down and feed above the garden. I think cause the misquitos are swarming about that Time. Many barn swallows and others. The love it when I put the sprinklers on in the garden. They fly right through the water mist. I could just sit for hours watching them. Isn't it great how this wonderful group of friends appreciates God's beautiful creations so much! Cindy from Phillipston, MA A Virtual Gift from Connie from Edmonton, Alberta Jami from Maryland, USA sends along this Itty Bitty Note. To the Top WWWCOF Poetry Contest - April which just happens to be National Poetry Month is coming up quickly. National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets as a month-long, national celebration of poetry. The concept was to increase the attention paid-by individuals and the media to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our poetic heritage, and to poetry books and magazines. A lot of the WWWCOF members are wonderful poets and from time to time we are honoured to be given the opportunity to publish their poetry in Global Express so I thought why not hold a WWWCOF Poetry Contest. The goals of this would be to: introduce to our members the pleasures of reading other member's poetry; to reread some favorite poems. to encourage us to try to write at least one poem; to attend poetry readings in our community; and to create a poetry book of our members' orginal poems. The rules are very simple -- Poems submitted for consideration must be your own original work! Please enjoy this email regarding a poem submitted into the contest. Thank you all so much! I'm blushing! It's very strange to me to have anyone think my poetry is anything but silly. My mother used to encourage me. I got my love of poetry from her and I miss having her to share them with. She wrote poems too, and I believe I was the only one she shared this with other than my Dad. I have a book of poems that my Dad bought for my Mom that I treasure. Thank you all so much for the wonderful compliments. I hadn't written for some time, and it encourages me to start expressing my feelings through writing once again. Love You All, Cindy from Phillipston, MA Please submit your poems directly to me for posting - Sharon from Paradise Island, aka Vancouver Island, BC, Canada prior to the deadline for entries of April 30th, 2008. Voting will close on May 15th, 2008 and the contest winner will be announced in the May 16th issue of Global Express. Good luck to all! View Poems Other poems can be found on our Member Poetry Pages which I will be trying to transfer to the poetry journal but this task may not be completed by the deadline so do be sure to check out the poetry contained within these sites as well. days until WWWCOF Poetry Contest Closes To the Top Five tips for a woman.... 1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job. 2. It is important that a man makes you laugh. 3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you. 4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you. 5. It is important that these four men don't know each other. Bev from Nanaimo, B.C. Canada The Left-Handed Whopper - In 1998 Burger King published a full page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu: a "Left-Handed Whopper" specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper (lettuce, tomato, hamburger patty, etc.), but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers. The following day Burger King issued a follow-up release revealing that although the Left-Handed Whopper was a hoax, thousands of customers had gone into restaurants to request the new sandwich. Simultaneously, according to the press release, "many others requested their own 'right handed' version. Emma from Maryland, USA THOUGHTS 1) Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue 2) Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. 3) Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. 4) Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker. 5) Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day. 6) If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. 7) If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. 8) It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. 9) Never buy a car you can't push. 10) Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on. 11) Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. 12) The early worm gets eaten by the bird, so sleep late. 13) When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. 14) Birthdays are good for you; keep those birthdays coming! 15) You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person. 16) Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. 17) Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened. 18) We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors but they all have to learn to live in the same box. 19) A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. 20) Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open. Linda, from Tallassee, AL, USA RED SKELTON'S RECIPE FOR THE PERFECT MARRIAGE 1. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays. 2. We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in California and mine is in Texas . 3. I take my wife everywhere ..... but she keeps finding her way back. 4. I asked my wife where she wanted to go for our anniversary. "Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said. So I suggested the kitchen. 5. We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops. 6. She has an electric blender, electric toaster and electric bread maker. She said "There are too many gadgets and no place to sit down!" ... So I bought her an electric chair. 7. My wife told me the car wasn't running because there was water in the carburetor. I asked where the car was, she told me "In the lake." 8. She got a mud pack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off. 9. She ran after the garbage truck, yelling "Am I too late for the garbage?" .... The driver said "No, jump right in!" 10. Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce. 11. I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always. 12. I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months. I don't like to interrupt her. 13. The last fight was my fault though. My wife asked "What's on the TV?" I said "Dust!" Can't you just hear him say all of these? I love it.........this is the good old days when humor didn't have to start with a four letter word ........ just clean and simple fun! Carol from Nanaimo BC Canada Old Hymns sent in for your enjoyment from Linda, from Tallassee, AL, USA. Humour is healthy and laughter is naturally contagious! How about starting your very own "laughter club"? Each day tell your friends and family a joke and encourage them to do the same and before you know it you will have succeeded in producing laughter as a health routine! To the Top Gardener's Hand Balm Here's aherbal hand balm that a snap to make and a pleasure to give. There's nothing like it to soothe chapped or dry hands after a day in the garden! 45 mL (3 Tbsp.) pure beeswax (one small candle) 125 mL (1/2 cup) olive oil 15 mL (1 Tbsp.) coconut oil 3 drops of lavender essential oil pinch of baking soda Grate beeswax until you have 45 mL of shavings. Warm olive oil on low heat in a small pan. Remove from heat. Add coconut oil and beeswax stirring until fully melted and combined. Add essential oil and baking soda, stir. Cool slightly. Pour into metal or glass container with a wide top. Cool completely. Label and decorate. Body Salt Glow For a salty treat that smoothes rough skin by exfoliating while it moisturizes and protects, try making "Body Salt Glow". Perfect for delicate gardeners. 150 grams (5 oz.) fine sea salt (food grade is fine) 30 mL (2 Tbsp.) safflower oil 4 capsules vitamin E a few drops of your favourite essential oil (try tangerine or lavender) Combine ingredients (pierce and extract the oil from vitamin E Capsules) in a small bowl with a wooden spoon. Mix well. Pack into a pretty glass jar with instructions to massage generously on the body while in the shower. One of the World Wide Web Circle of Friends' best kept secrets is Jeanette's Garden Room. Jeanette from the Land Down Under has set up this site for all of those who love gardening - like she does, and loves to be creative in making garden junk. Do take some time to visit and join her site and share ideas, seeds, photos of your garden and plants, laughter and great sites to visit. To the Top Recipe Corner Members Favourites All that will be left is a smile! Our Recipe book has recently been updated with a further few dozen recipes bringing our total to close on 2,000, not counting the many others in various links. There are several "cookbooks" in there, General, Regional/seasonal, Mexican, Oriental, and within those, recipes set out in many categories. If your recipe isn't in there I'll be happy to add it for you. It has its very own search engine, so you can find things according to ingredient, origin, category etc. The extensive kitchen help section has also grown! And there are tips and hints on just about everything from Alcohols in cooking to "Why didn't I think of that" type tips. Again if you have anything you would like added, or if you want info an anything that isn't there, just let us know. For now I'll leave you wishing you all a VERY HAPPY Week ... would love to hear from you. Daphne from Argentina To the Top NATURE'S WATER FEATURES PHOTO CONTEST Hello Everyone Here are the ten finalists in our Photo Contest Natures Water Features - Pictures from different parts of the world!! Please go in and vote. The winners will be announced on the Google Board and in the Global Express of Friday April, 11th. Our next Nature Photo Contest will be announced soon after. Good luck all those who entered. This is our third Nature photo contest. The first "Looking for beauty in nature in a world in crisis" was won by Deanna of Virginia. The second "Wildlife" was won by Ruth of Michigan. Who will be the winner of this third contest "Nature's Water Features"???? Daphne from Argentina To the Top The Kraft Corner has a new member; Rosalyn who loves to knit and would like to learn how to knit other items besides hats and scarves on her Knifty Knitter. Can anyone help with this? We would love to hear about, and see pics, of the projects you have already completed. Aussie Jan. Florida Marie would like to welcome us to Candle & Soap Making Techniques, home of the internet's largest candle and soap making website. Candletech.com is a free community resource that offers candle making and soap making instructions, project ideas and information on moving beyond a hobby to start your own business. Be sure to check out all the wonderful craft ideas in the WWWCOF Craft Site and let us get this group active and crafting. Any ideas, please send them to Aussie Jan.     Join WWWCOF KRAFT CORNER      MSN Groups WWWCOF Kraft Corner To the Top Featured Sites These are just in from the current (just landed) space mission. These pixs are so good that it makes one feel as if you are there taking the pictures. Maximize your viewing area by hitting the F11 button and enjoy. Susan, aka Susie Q, from Smith Falls, Ontario To the Top For all you bird lovers check out my husband, David's new screensaver Birds which you will find at Beautiful & Spring Birds & Sunsets Wallpaper. Linda, from Tallassee, AL, USA Barb from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada wonders Can You Sleep While the Wind Blows? Arlene from Arizona, USA wonders if you remember the 50's and would like to welcome us back to yesteryear at Rosie's Diner To the Top

Cheery Charla is always pitching in and helping out someone in despair ...... never thinks about her own health issues just does it. She is a true citizen with a big heart and never has a negative word. days to vote for May's Global Citizen! Do you think one of our members should be the May Global Citizen. Please email me, Sharon from Paradise Island, aka Vancouver Island, BC, Canada by March 31st, 2008 and don't forget to add your comments as to why you have selected this particular member. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love. To the Top The Google Board Question of the week is: -- The Begining of eternity The end of space The begining of every end The end of every place What am I?????? Answer can be found somewhere in this issue of Global Express. To the Top Tests & Quizzes Have you started playing our Trivia Quiz Game yet? Go on try it ... it is fun and it is hosted by Aussie Jeanette Charla, from Florida, USA wonders just How Smart Are You Really? Just in case any of you are wondering I got 6 out of 11 correct ... Sharon To the Top International Weather Station March 29 - I'm sorry to hear it was snowing in your part of the world yesterday, Sharon. It was beautiful here in Maryland. In fact, when I got to work, I took a chair outside and sat, while waiting for the residents to get home. I saw the birds flying around, some squirrels scampering through the trees, Toby (the cat) playing, some flowers on the daffodils, and of course the glorious sunshine. It was so nice to be able to sit outside again. Emma from Maryland, USA To the Top Did You Know Doughnuts or Donuts Doughnuts have been around for a long, long time - but their history isn't accredited much before the mid 19th century and the first recorded recipes. It was the early Dutch Settlers that have been given credit for bringing these round, flat fried cakes, filled with different kinds of fruit in the middle, to America. They had a problem though; the centers were rarely fully cooked. There are several myths or half-truths out there as to how the hole was arrived at, but all agree that with the hole in the Olykoeks, as they were called then, were greatly improved because they cooked far more evenly. By the 1920's doughnuts were quite poplar in theaters, beginning their rise as a breakfast food and mass production was of them was starting. A fella' by the name of Adolph Levitt, to meet growing demand for doughnuts in New York City, invented the first doughnut machine. By 1934, he was bringing in twenty-five million dollars annually from the sale of those machines to bakeries and at the Chicago World Fair, in the same year, the doughnut was declared "the food hit of the century." It wasn't all "icing" from then on out though for the doughnut as you'll see if you click on this link. Merrie from Ontario Canada To the Top Planet Kryzys Tree killing Fungus found in the wild. A disease that can kill oak and beech trees and several shrubs and plants has been found for the first time in the wild and in bilberries. The fungus Phytophthora kernoviae, which forms bleeding cankers on the bark of trees, blackens leaves on plants and causes shoots to die. Many leaves mottled blackish-grey spots. There is now concern that the disease could spread from the wild to private gardens. Plant health inspectors are trying out if the disease has spread in the wild or whether the outbreak in Cornwall is isolated. Experts will then study how to eradicate the fungus and prevent it spreading, by clearing the infect area, and closing footpaths to the public. Many stores and supermarkets in England are campaigning to cut down on plastic bags. As well as an eye-sore, blown by the wind and hanging from bushes, fences, electrical wires etc they have become an overwhelming environmental hazard. They can take a thousand years to disintegrate. They end up in the sea, where fish, dolphins, sea lions etc swallow them or get tangled up in them. In one area a whale was washed up on the beach, and among other debris, they found no less than 23 plastic bags in its stomach. Some time ago, in some parts of England, trash collection was relegated to once every two weeks, in an attempt to encourage people to recycle more. Consequently there is now a regular overflow, bad smells, flies, rats. It turns out that families requesting the weekly pick-up, may have to face a charge of 50 to 100 pounds a year, according to the amount of rubbish to pick up. They want to incorporate microchips into the trash containers, that identify the house or flat that they belong to and the weight of the trash to be removed. Comments say, this is not about the environment, it's all about raising more money! Climate Change, and Birds Sylvia has sent in many times notes on how Climate Change is affecting the bird life in Britain. 7 or 8 different types are on the list of species who will be struggling for survival with a temperature rise of 3C (5.4F) up to 19 types of bird are forecast to make an appearance in Britain as breeding species including the night heron and some types of owl. However, for the majority of species, warmer temperatures will often cause devastating reductions in range, habitat and numbers researchers have found that each species would on average, have to move some 340 miles(547Km)to find suitable habitat. In other words, those species common in Scotland would be hard pushed to find the right trees and habitat further north. The distribution area for the average European bird would shrink by a fifth, and while some birds would benefit from warmer climate, many more would not. By the end of the present century climate would not be suitable for many species that have been around since the ice age. This warning can either be seen as a bit of bad luck for a few bits of creation, or it can be seen as a warning similar to sending canaries down to a mine to detect gases. Birds respond to disaster before we do, they sent out clear signals that the process of change is irreversible. In fact change is happening NOW, and on a big term. Sylvia our environmental correspondent for Dorset, UK. Did anyone happen to watch the National Geographic show on History Channel recently entitled Aftermath: Population Zero - a hypothetical investigation of what would happen if every single person on Earth simply disappeared. This is an astounding story! Our planet awareness site, Planet Kryzys has many interesting stories of different aspects of a planet under Crisis. Do please take a moment to visit it. Daphne from Argentina To the Top Survey of the Week Saturday - March 29 - 8 p.m. - Earth Hour Did you turn off your lights? Daphne from Argentina - Well, since I was home alone over the Saturday, it didn't seem much point in sitting around in the dark, especially when I saw the TV channels weren't cooperating and were going as always - nothing worth watching Saturday nights anyway, I just had one side light on while I ate my pizza supper. Looking out in the street I saw no one else was taking much notice of Earth Hour either, although it had been on the news. Charla, from Florida, USA - Yes as a matter of fact we did. Thank goodness Haley was so worn out she was asleep. Lights out...hmmmm think John & I went to sleep also because when I opened my eyes the lights were on. The sun shinning. London Chrissie - Oh poo I was going too but forgot all about it!! Jami from Maryland, USA - yes I observed as well. Hope we helped in some small way. Emma from Maryland, USA - I turned all of the lights off here at work, except the nightlight in the female resident's bedroom (she panics if it's not on). Did anyone notice Google also observed Earth Hour? They had a black background on their homepage. Irene, aka Scotty, from Washington, USA - Yup, sure did and used my flashlight, which is a crank handle one which charged up the batteries inside when I had to get up for something. Florida Marie - My lights were off and most of my neighbors did the same. Christine from Greenwood, Delaware, USA - I forgot, but Mike was away, so the lights were off anyway. Hope many turned them off. We just found out that starting in April our electric will go up nine dollars a month!!! How are people going to live???? Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada - Yes I turned off my lights! Connie from Edmonton, Alberta- Yes, I did Mary from Ontario, Canada - Nope ......... I was deep into a good book (Outrageous Affair by Penny Vincenzi. Have read many of Maeve Binchy's books and loved every one! Also Catherine Cookson is wonderful) and forgot! However, there were only 2 lights on the house plus a couple of night lights so I did half what I should have. Valter from Brazil - Yes, we turned off our home's lights for just 1 hour. That's our cooperation for the Earth survives in these times. But let me confess; It was so hard, without electric energy our home it seemed like a cavern. Regards! Barb from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada - The lights were out at my house, we were visiting friends, but they didn't turn their lights off. Sorry does that counts as a half point my much older brother, Wayne and his lovely wife Jenny from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - We did turn out our lights. Aussie Jeanette - Yes we all participated in this last Saturday here on the Mornington Peninsula in Melbourne and so did most of the people living here in Melbourne; not sure about the rest of the states but it was extremely successful in Victoria where I live. Earth Hour was a huge success, with early reports indicating that at least 50 million people participated in this global call to action on climate change! This makes it the largest voluntary power-down event in history. And it was Canada that led the way, with over 150 cities and towns turning off their lights. Thank you Canada! Many businesses, big and small, played a huge role in darkening our skylines during Earth Hour. The results were tremendous! In Toronto, Canada's flagship Earth Hour city, energy consumption dropped by 8.7 per cent. In all of Ontario, 900 MW of energy was saved, the equivalent of taking over 11,000 cars off the road for one hour. The energy saved in Ontario and British Columbia alone is equivalent to turning off 20.5 million lights. Thanks to everyone who participated in the first ever, worldwide Earth Hour! Your efforts and determination have made this an event to remember and you have sent a very strong message to our government, and governments around the world, that we need to take action on climate change now. To the Top days until Reunion 2008! To the Top Common Expressions - Origin & Meaning Guinea-pig Meaning - A person or animal who is used as the subject of an experiment. Origin It isn't at all clear why these cute family pets came to be given their name. They are cavies, not pigs, and they don't originate from Guinea. Both 'guinea' and 'pig' seem to stem from simple, but mistaken, associations. The name 'guinea pig' dates from the 17th century and the first record of it is in Henry Power's Experimental Philosophy, 1664: "You may see them... like so many Ginny-Pigs, munching and chewing the cud." The 'guinea' part of the name is perplexing. It was certainly a reference to a place rather than to the idea that the animals cost a guinea to buy, as is sometimes wrongly suggested. Guinea is in fact in West Africa but the little rodents, properly called Cavia Cobaya, are from the Andean region of South America. It could be that the name derives from the 'Guineamen', which were sailing ships that followed a route from the UK to Africa and then on to the Americas, plying the slave trade. It could also be that the distinction between East Africa and South America wasn't as clear as it is now. 'Guinea' may have just been a synonym for 'somewhere a long way across the sea'. 'Pig' is a little easier to understand. Cavies do at least look somewhat like tiny pigs and that was in the mind of the academics who first gave them a Latin name - Cavia porcellus, porcellus meaning 'little pig'. This is in line with the habit at the time of naming any small and vaguely porcine creatures as 'pigs'. George Gascoigne's translation of Noble Arte Venerie, 1575 does that for baby badgers: "There are Foxes and theyr Cubbes, and Badgerdes and theyr Pigges." The same loose associations were no doubt at work when the animal was called the Spanish Coney in a 1710 edition of The British Apollo: Containing Two Thousand Answers to Curious Questions in Arts and Sciences: "A Guinea Pig... in Johnston's Natural History goes by the Name of a Spanish Coney." Coney was the old name for rabbit so, instead of a pig from Guinea we have a rabbit from Spain. The first use of the term 'guinea pig' to describe a person didn't have the current 'subject of an experiment' meaning, but was a name for inexperienced midshipmen on the sailing ships mentioned above, as recorded in The Adventures of a Kidnapped Orphan, 1747: "He sent his nephew, at the age of fourteen, on a voyage as a Guinea-pig." It wasn't until the 20th century that the expression was given its current meaning. This was first alluded to by George Bernard Shaw, in Quintessence of Ibsenism Now Completed, 1913: "The... folly which sees in the child nothing more than the vivisector sees in a guinea pig: something to experiment on with a view to rearranging the world." Shaw, who was a noted vegetarian and what would now be called an animal liberationist, was referring to the practice of using guinea pigs in scientific experiments. This had been going for some time by 1913. The celebrated French chemist Antoine Lavoisier used a guinea pig in an experiment on respiration in 1780. Why guinea pigs were chosen as subjects of experimentation isn't entirely clear. They may not have cost the huge price of a guinea but, being imported from 'Guinea', they were more expensive than mice and rats, which have now largely, if doubtless reluctantly, taken their place. London Chrissie Please visit my sites: Chrissie's Homepage and Chrissie's Place When my one of my sons was very young, he also had a long-haired guinea pig. It was so sweet and cuddly, and looked so cute with it's fur sticking out in all directions. I'll never forget the time he called me at a church member's house, where we were having a bible study, and said his guinea pig was very sick-she was laying down and wouldn't get up. I rushed home, and not long after I arrived, and was checking her out, she had her first baby. My son and I were both very surprised! We had no idea she was pregnant. It was thrilling for both of us to watch. Thankfully, we knew the guinea pig wasn't dying, as I feared when he called me. I love watching animals giving birth-it's such a wondrous experience. When I lived on a farm, I got to experience so many different animals giving birth-my cats, my dogs, and the horses. One of my cats was pregnant, and I found out she was giving birth when she came downstairs crying very mournfully. She laid down on the floor in front of me, and I saw that she was trying to get a kitten out. I gave her some help, and then she led me upstairs, where she had already given birth to 2 others. She got back in her box, and had the remaining one. I can't think of anything more miraculous to watch, than a new life coming into the world. Emma from Maryland, USA To the Top Health Matters Baby Carrots The 'cute' cocktail carrots that you buy in grocery stores come from deformed crooked big carrots. They are put through a machine to become small cocktail carrots. This part everyone knows. After they are cut to size they are soaked in large vats of water mixed with chlorine to preserve them........ The same chlorine you use for your swimming pools. The reason for this is because they don't have the protection of the skin so they use a good amount of chlorine. Notice that after you have stored them in the fridge for a while ,a white film forms on them.....it's the chlorine coming to the surface. At what cost do we risk our health to have esthetically presentable VEGGIES .....?????? Well Folks...... I think after reading this we will all start making our own carrot sticks out of fresh carrots and keep them in the fridge in water (a few at a time)! Irene from Nanaimo, B.C. To the Top Norma from Alberta, Canada - is home from another stay at the hospital with pneumonia and is tired ... you don't get any rest in the hospital. Edith from Uganda - I would love you to pray for me and my country, Uganda, please because the situation is getting in to my neck. Please pray for to get the school fees balance; I missed school for a month now but I know joined prayers work please if God can do wonders for others why not me so I believe by next week i will be in school. Please pray for me so that God can dig me out of this dish. take care. Please keep Edith in prayer as God knows her needs as well as her country Uganda. Maxine, from Ontario, Canada - Please continue to keep Maxine, her daughter Mary Jo and her family as they go through this time of grieving in the loss of Paul, Mary Jo's husband. Also prayer for healing for Mary Jo's health. She is far away from Maxine getting treatments for her illness and feels very alone. This must be an awful thing to go through. Please lift Mary Jo and her family to God for strength, comfort and His will to be done. Pami from New York, USA - Pami is finished with her radiation. Although Pami has chemo to go through now. Please continue to keep Pami in prayer for complete healing of all cancer. Billie, from Ridgely, TN USA - I still need prayers for my Mother, Hazel, who's 85. She has shingles, bladder infection and I guess arthritis in her left knee. He gave her a shot in it last Wed. and going to do another one this Wed. She also has to have an MRI of her knee that day. Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep Billie and her family in your prayers they have had a lot to go through lately. Lena, from Ontario, Canada - Sherley: (Lena's husband) Sherley is still going through a very hard time with this virus shingles. He has had it over a year now. He is in much pain and also has infection in his cheek. Please keep praying for his healing. Jami from Maryland, USA - Jami will be traveling back to Florida for a wee April 7, 2008. Please keep Jami in prayer for traveling grace and for God's guidance. Emma from Maryland, USA - Please keep Emma's son in prayer for guidance. Betsy, aka AngelBear, from Florida - Betsy and husband Doug have had a serious setback financially. Please pray for Doug to get a job and for God to provide for their needs. Ellen from Georgia, USA - Please keep Ellen in prayer for healing the pain doctor said there is nothing he can do for her. She has many health problems. Please keep Ellen in prayer for relief of this awful pain. Irv wwwcof: Irv has been taken back to the hospital and not doing too well. Please keep Irv in prayer for God's will to be done. Jonna wwwcof: Please keep Jonna in prayer she has fallen back into the clutches of satan! Jonna needs some serious prayer. Cindy from Phillipston, MA - Husband, Vern, was just diagnosed with diabetes please keep Vern in prayer that this is under control. Christine from Greenwood, Delaware, USA - Please add ( friend of mine) Laurie's mother Ellen to the prayer list. They just discovered she has cancer. Is going in the hospital this week. Please keep Ellen in prayer for Salvation and healing of this terrible demon of cancer. It seems to be going ramped. May God Comfort her and her family and friends and touch Ellen with His healing Power. Also Please keep praying for God to guide Mike to a good and stable job as he is still not working. May God Provide for their needs. Ruth from Michigan, USA - Please remember Ruth in prayer as she is not feeling well yet. Haley Miller: Haley will be having her tonsils and adenoids out on April 30, 2008. I really like her surgeon. She will be coming home the same day and out of school for a week. Lot's of popsicles! Please keep Haley in prayer for a safe surgery and may God surround her with His Protective Angels. Please keep her Parents in prayer for drug addiction, and PLEASE keep little Haley in prayer for whatever may come her way. John Simmons: Charla's husband, we are asking for prayer that he come back to church with us and sit beside Haley and I to worship. Also please lift him in prayer for depression and sadness due to our daughter. Bea from the Catskills - More bad news, I saw the Neurologist, I can not drive for 6 months, in fact have to have more test, then on to wound care doctor. He was not very happy, as it seem he suggests to have my hip replaced again! He says the inner part has been open too long and won't heal. So now back to square one, and lots to think about before making this decision. Bea has just had more than her share of pain and suffering. No one knows why but God and He has His reason. Please continue to pray that Bea is right in God's eyes and that He will heal her soon. May He surround her with His Angels of Mercy. Daphne from Argentina - Daphne is doing well. Please keep her in prayer for continued healing and for the wwwcof reunion soon to be here. Global warming. Charla, from Florida, USA - My youngest son Scott, and my oldest Granddaughter Misty, and Misty's boyfriend Tony, were in an auto accident Monday March 31. Misty, Scott, and Tony, decided to go get something for lunch. Tony was driving Misty's new car. They hit a car that turned right in front of them and they had the right of way which in turn caused them to hit a truck. The person in the truck was not hurt and got to Drive away. The other driver was cited. Misty has a re-injured back and the seatbelt cut into her shoulder and abdomen. She hurt her back pretty bad with the last car wreck she was in. Scott has a sprained neck and hip, Tony has a sprained neck and leg. PRAISE GOD He spared their lives. The girl that hit them is in pretty bad shape but will be ok. When I left the hospital they were talking about admitting the girl. I felt so sorry for her. She had NO one at the hospital with her and she was scared to death. Head cut in 3 places. Dislocated shoulder and I don't know what else. I tried to calm her and let her know they were all ok. and on the ground being put on a stretcher the next. Please keep the 4 of them in prayer for healing and for God to heal them. May all 4 come close to God through this happening. Arlene from Arizona, USA - Praise God Arlene is back from a very long stay in the hospital. She is still not feeling well so please continue to lift her to "THE GREAT PHYSICIAN" for permanent healing. Please keep "ALL MILITARY EVERYWHERE" in prayer for safety and an end to this war. Florida Marie - Jamie Landon: ( FlMaries Grand Daughter) Home from Iraq Peachy Marie - Robert Fleming: (Peachy Marie's Grandson.) In Africa Christine from Greenwood, Delaware, USA - Stephen Johnson: (Christine Mills Pastors Son) In Iraq Robin Smith: (Christine Mills requests) In Iraq Please visit Charla's Prayer Request Page. Please email Charla, from Florida, USA with any Praises, Requests and/or UPDATES Thank you. May God Bless Each One and Have a Great Week! To the Top I hope you have enjoyed this week's edition of Global Express which I would like to close with the following: "Senior Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" I wondered one day what my title is now that I am a Grand Mother. As I thought about it, I decided it was much more than Just being a "GRAND MOTHER." It was a teacher of past experiences, a trade of patience, a wonderful way to use all I have encountered in my some odd years. I realized this is a very Honorable and Important position to hold. See, there are many more things involved in holding this position than some may ever realize. You become the one your grandchild trusts with everything. You must be a listener as well as a director and reprimand when needed without losing the role of understanding your grandchild so trusts you with. It's allowing them to open up to their deepest inner most feelings without being judged or made to feel inadequate. They were once the cute button nose chubby face baby you just couldn't get enough of. As they grew you realized, more so than with you children, how much they need attention, praise, & taught that they are someone. You no more live by a clock and can bake the special cookies and make the favorite meal just for them. You can see their school papers in a different way. This time around you actually notice every line, crayon mark and see what they made, just for you. Your walls become newly papered with their artwork and school papers. Your refrigerator is covered with magnets of all the pictures of them you could get. You sit in your chair at night and go back in time and remember when their Mommy or Daddy was small. But something just wasn't the same. Your life was always in a rush. Never time to really look at those drawings, read the stories they wrote or take time to put up their art. Time was of the essence. To go for a walk with them was almost impossible. Today you automatically take that precious hand and you walk until they want to go home. You listen and listen. You give advice and praise and you cherish every minute. So I am very Proud and thankful for my Title as: "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" Story By: Charla Linder Simmons March 21,2008 Charla, from Florida, USA To the Top designed and created by Emma from Maryland, USA Emma wrote to say - What an honor to have my graphics posted in the newsletter. I never dreamed my "hobby" would become so public! I must admit, I'm totally addicted to making graphics, and I'm glad to be able to share them with everyone. To the Top View the WWWCOF Global Express Beefs & Bouquets We want to hear from you and remember these comments just go to show that teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success. To the Top

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