Horses and wine both carry a tremendously appealing mystique, which stretches back deep into classical mythology. A combination of the two is irresistible. I have just had the pleasure of making another wine tasting tour on horseback. My trip was based at the Cowboy Hideaway, which is dramatically perched near the top of a mountain over a thousand feet above the valley floor, and beautiful Clear Lake. The valley floor is fertile ground for grapes, nut trees, vegetables, lavender and other products which bring fragrances, culinary enjoyment and Bacchanalian delights to mankind. It is a pity that the ancient Greeks did not discover this land. They would have reveled in its bounty!

To begin with, we visited the Benziger Family Winery. To me, the impressive thing about this place was the complete reliance on natural compost and manure to keep the grape vines healthy and provide the nutrients needed for abundant harvests. Grape skins and seeds go back into the soils; no grappa produced here.

The winery behind us, we continued on through vineyards, orchards and oak forests to the Cowboy Hideaway. We left the paved road, entered the ranch gate and drove steeply upward on a sharply winding dirt driveway toward our home for the week. When we reached the top and climbed out the views were stupendous. My first impression on entering the lodge was the spacious dining/kitchen/sitting room. Social activity revolves around this room and all can contribute to the manner of cooking dinner while tasting and sharing the wines found during the day at the wineries visited. Comfortable bedrooms radiate out from this main room. The deck outside was a marvelous spot from which to view the surrounding country. We were lucky enough to have a full moon to bathe mountains, lake and valley in silvery light.

After breakfast, we wound our way back down to the bottom of the ranch where our sturdy, gaited Rocky Mountain horses waited. We spent that first day riding around the ranch on some steep trails and had a picnic with a magnificent view. On the following days, we sometimes rode from the ranch or we went by van to other spots and met the horses, which had been brought by trailer. The most enjoyable of all was the trip to Seabiscuit’s old ranch and retirement home. This beautiful place has been lovingly restored and there are many interesting memorabilia on display. We had a fine ride through the towering redwoods and were able to open the horses up at times in wide clearings.

On the last evening my son, Bayard, came and provided the wine. He also did a terrific job of cooking the lamb, which was delicious, and it was a lovely evening for all of us. The moon was full that night and view of Clear Lake, shimmering like silver, and the valley floor was fabulous. It was a fitting end to a glorious week of horseback riding in California.

Is there a power cut in your home? Has your refrigerator stopped working during the night? Are you worried about the food you had in the freezer?

If this happens, don’t worry because there are easy to follow instructions for food safety.

Through the food away when it is thawed or warmed to room temperature. Throw it out if it has been sitting at room temperature for longer than two hours.

If the food is mostly thawed, but still cold, cook it immediately. Once cooked, food can be refrigerated for later or eaten right away.

The food can be refrozen if there are still ice crystals visible on it. If you don’t have a freezer to put it in, make sure to get some dry ice and put it in a cooler. The food will need to be cooked, because it won’t last as long as with a normal freezer.

Once food starts to show off the markings of freezer burn they need to be thrown out immediately.

Storms and accidents will always cause power outages; however, you can use preparation to be ready for whatever happens.
If your current refrigerator or freezer isn’t working like it should, your best bet is to purchase a new one. Consider a large American Style fridge freezer when you have enough space. Any kitchen will be much better by having this. A broad selection of American refrigerators and freezers is available for viewing at this site.

Past life regression, aka PLR, can discover the reason why we have issues with friends in our current lifetime or why we are scared of certain things. You have fellow workers around you in your current lifetime that you would have astonishingly met before, imagine being able to find out what happened and what your relationship was to them at that time and clear blocks that plague you in your current time and even unearth talents and bring them into your present lifetime. Past life regression, aka PLR, is mind-blowing.

When you are having a past lifetime regression session you will regress to the life you would most need to see about in your present time. This is terrific and will spell out a large deal about your present lifetime and help you to go forward with your life with a greater understanding of yourself, your life and the fellow workers around you.

You might often also uncover why you are the person that you are, now that is tremendous. If you revel in nature maybe you were once working on a farm, if you savour to travel perhaps you were an explorer. Instead of dampening down our strengths we acknowledge all of them. Visit AnneJirsch.com for Regression Therapy.

Every experience is incredible and unique. Other people have uncovered places they had lived in before and just knew where to go.

THC is the “short” name form of tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the chemical compound that is generally found in the cannabis or marihuana plant; normally used for therapeutic ends for cancer patients, people with Tourette syndrome, eating disorders and those who are suffering from blown up HIV virus related diseases.

The THC is absorbed in the body by either ingestion or inhalation and links to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, when it is administered by a physician, the THC can reduce the pain, discomfort and other problems that are related with the treatment or therapy in the previously mentioned diseases. Nonetheless, when it is taken in large amounts -such as a drug consumer- it produces feelings of happiness or fatigue and causes the consumer to fail to perceive the adequate time and space.

Therefore, to maintain a healthy and regulated use of THC, this substance is now manufactured in laboratory conditions and handled as a prescription drug, preventing patients to access the natural form (marihuana) mainly because of the drug war that is currently being held between drug lords and worldwide authorities.

Nonetheless, there are those patients that will still seek the natural form of the THC since they believe it soothes their ailments in a better more adequate manner than the manufactured form.

Great 21st birthday present ideas represent acknowledge of an obtained goal in life. Not only cultural but social as well. 21st birthday is a high point birthday celebrated extensively in the New Millennium, and is measured to be one of the most important times in a person’s life. 18 is legal by law but Twenty-one is considered a legal adult. Searching for 21st birthday unique gift ideas is easy when you know what to look for. A life truth.

The gift presented on this day is a symbol of love, and conveys your good wishes and blessings for a bright future of the 21 year old. Presents should be in accordance with the desires and temperament of the birthday girl or boy. Following are some gift ideas for the 21st birthday:

Gold Timepiece

If your finance allows, you can gift the birthday chico or chica a gold watch with his or her name and date of birth carved on it.

Silver Jewelry

You can get him or her passes to their first silver jewelry magic show. It is a great gift idea, natural and more accessible than anything its equal.

A Sports Gift Gala

21st birthday calls for celebration and nothing can be more exciting than a sport presents birthday party. Most households are several opportunities for sports gift happiness.

Video Collections and Electronic Gadgets

The 21st birthday marks the establishment of youth and a phase of great life duties. Therefore, the gift item presented on this day should be special. You can use your originality to give tailored or motivating presents as well.

Celebration of life is great to celebrated and wise to do so. Life is to be loved and gained. It is and will always be a time of contemplation of what was and a insight into what will be. The receiving loved one will think kindly on the one that gives such 21st birthday presents. Visit website

The [yellow tail] range of wines have taken the world by storm.
And so they should. They are excellent Australian wines which
are consistently good. They have clearly won the battle for
everyday wines at their particular price range.

But they are a made from classical French grape varieties,
Chardonnay, Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. As such
they represent the successes of Australian winemaking in the
1980s and 1990s.

What will be the wines of the new century? As the wine boom of
the 1990s in Australia unfolded, a quiet revolution was taking
place. The area planted to grapes expanded rapidly to underpin
massive increases in production and exports of Australian wine.
But a large number of vignerons and winemakers were also
planting alternative grape varieties.

The profile of the Australian wine scene has changed as
dramatically as the scale of production. During 2003 a new
winery was opened in Australia every day. About half of these
new enterprises were growing or using varieties other than the
classics mentioned above.

As well as the less common French varieties, growers and
winemakers have been pioneering with Italian varieties such as
Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Arneis. We have also the
Spanish stalwart Tempranillo being increasingly favoured. Even
the Russian red grape variety Saperavi is being used. There are
probably one hundred wine grape varieties now being produced for
commercial wine production in Australia. These new varieties are
being planted in traditional areas as well as in new wine
regions.

Australia, like other new world wine producers, is less
inhibited to the strong ties of tradition that permeate the
European wine industry. Since the start of the 1990s a strong
predisposition for experimentation has permeated the wine
industry. Australian wine consumers are now adopting this ethic.
Wine lovers in the US and UK will soon be seeing a new wave of
different Aussie wines to taste.

It is safe to say that Chardonnay and Shiraz will continue to
dominate wine production in Australia for many years to come.
But consumers will have a much wider choice is they are willing
to be just a little adventurous.

Native trees tolerant of wet soils are special group of trees.
These trees are able to be in soils that retain water for
sometimes weeks on end. I have compiled this list to help you
find suitable trees for the north east. This is not a complete
list but one of common EZ to plant nursery stock, but these
plants should do well in most of Richboro Pa. Area.

Red and silver maple (Acer rubrum, A. saccarinum)

River Birch Trees a tree for wet areas!!!! (Betula nigra)
Catalpa spp.

Ash (Fraxinus spp.) Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) Swamp white
oak (Quercus bicolor) Sycamores (Platanus spp.)

Native shrubs tolerant of wet soils: Red osier dogwood (Cornus
sericea) Leatherwood (Dirca palustris) Winterberry (Ilex
verticillata) Sparkleberry holly A great berry producer!!!

Inkberry (Ilex glabra) Pussy willow (Salix discolor)

Willow Trees Trees for wet areas!!!!

Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)

Spicebush my long time favorite!!

Black Chokeberry produces great berry crops for the birds!!

You can see more plant info at my web site
http://www.seedlingsrus.com

Ah! the month of July - hot, hot, and hot. Meals still have to
be prepared and they should awaken very sluggish appetites. The
food should not heat up the kitchen or the cook. The flavor
should be brisk and the colors bright. So - what do you prepare
when the temperatures soar but the desire to cook and stay in
the kitchen is at an all-time low?

Try some of these menu ideas and maybe they will just hit the
spot! Grilled salmon steaks, buttered pasta with garnish of
parsley, cucumber spears in Russian or French dressing, orange
sherbet *** Chili dogs on a bun, grilled potato wedges, baby
carrots in lemon butter, brownies with vanilla ice cream ***
Triple-decker club sandwiches (your choice of meat/cheese),
creamy coleslaw, fresh string beans, strawberry ice cream ***
Ravioli (meat or cheese), seasoned with Parmesan and chopped
basil, broccoli spears, fresh garden salad (lettuce, tomato,
cucumber, radish, Your favorite cookies *** Grilled ham steaks,
grilled sweet potato halves, sweet peas with onions, pound cake
slices with strawberry/raspberry/blueberry topping and whipped
cream *** Creamed chicken or beef on toast points, melon wedges
(watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.), spinach salad, assorted cupcakes
*** Barbecued pork or beef on a bun, corn on the cob, garden
fresh sliced tomatoes with slices of mozzarella cheese and
drizzled with Italian dressing, rainbow sherbet or ice cream ***
Panfried steak sandwiches with onions and sweet peppers on
French bread or rolls, sliced fresh peaches, lettuce wedges with
Thousand Island Dressing, Chocolate cake slices *** Meatloaf
slices, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, milk shakes ***
Antipasta Platter(deviled eggs, sliced cheeses, salami, olives,
tomato slices, onions, etc.) Assorted bread basket, lemon ice
***************************** or try an It’s Raining Picnic on
your back porch or covered patio when refreshing summer rains
come - Fried chicken, corn nibblets, mashed potatoes and gravy,
coleslaw, and jello for dessert with lots of fresh lemonade or
iced tea. Decorate with the food in a picnic basket, checkered
tablecloth, and napkins, and paper plates, and cups. *** How
about going down to a nearby lake or stream and having a
tailgate picnic? Using a portable grill, have some hamburgers or
hot dogs, buns, condiments, watermelon slices, garden salad, and
a lot of fun! For a tailgate picnic try these: baked beans,
fruit slices, chips, crackers, fruit juices, cookies, doughnuts,
relishes - mix or match and you have a great meal right there -
put that tailgate down and spread a nice cloth, put the lawn
chairs around, and enjoy the sunset or the beauty of the season!
********* When the kids are a little down on energy and
enthusiasm give them their own “Hobo Lunch” sacks to take
outside and enjoy. Peanut butter sandwiches or their favorite
luncheon meats or cheese, carrot or celery sticks, giant sugar
cookies, or pudding or jello in self-serve cups, and some fresh
fruit. Tie in a colorful bandana, run through the end of a
stick, and set them off on adventures in the backyard. Don’t
forget to include a wet paper towel in a sandwich bag for
clean-up after eating. Let them fill in the adventures and the
fun just comes naturally! ****************** These are just
suggestions for fast, easy meals when the temperatures of Summer
heat everything and everyone. You still want great meals but
without the time, or work. ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 June
(An excerpt from the Living is Easy-Summertime cookbook by
Arleen Kaptur)

In part one we looked at plans for the average long distance
caller. But what if you make LOTS of calls?

- High Usage Plans -

Let’s say you make three, four, five hours of long distance
calls each week. There are four different service types you want
to consider:

1) A Per Minute Plan.

2) Bundled Service, which includes both unlimited local and
unlimited long distance for one set rate.

3) Unlimited Long Distance, for a set monthly price.

4) Fixed Price Long Distance, ie: $30/month for up to 3000
minutes.

If you use a lot of long distance, it’s worth sitting down with
a calculator and doing a little figuring.

Start by estimating how much time you spend making long distance
calls. Figure out what this would cost using a low cost per
minute service. Compare this to what you would pay with an
unlimited or fixed price long distance service in your area.

Then combine your estimated long distance cost with the price of
your current local service bill. Compare this with what you
would be paying for a bundled (combined) local and long distance
service.

Keep in mind that fees and taxes often raise the advertised
price of most unlimited plans by $10 to $15 a month.

If it looks like a bundled, unlimited or fixed price long
distance plan would be cheaper than using a per minute service,
your next step is to read the plan’s fine print.

Most ‘unlimited’ plans are actually limited in the fine print.
Generally you’ll have lots of time, but not endless time. Look
for anything that indicates additional charges for in-state long
distance calls. Do you make international calls? Check to see if
they are included. Be aware that some unlimited plans are only
unlimited if the person you’re calling to is on the same plan.

Unlimited plans can be great for high usage callers, but it’s
very important to read the fine print and fully understand the
plan before you sign up. Keep in mind that you’re committing
yourself to pay for a high priced plan whether you use lots of
service or not. If the amount of long distance you use varies
from month to month, you might come out ahead by sticking with a
per minute plan. Calculate out the costs and consider your
future calling patterns carefully.

- Compare and Save -

When considering any long distance plan (whether per minute,
fixed or unlimited) you need to get a list of the following
costs: the interstate (state to state) rate, the service fee,
USF Charge, PICC Fees, Carrier Recovery Charge, in-state rates,
and any minimum usage requirements. If you make international
calls, get international rates and any international plan fee.

These costs vary from company to company. If you can’t find them
on the company’s advertisment or website, ask about them. Asking
questions is a good way to learn what the company is like before
you sign up with them.

You CAN make a smart choice when it comes to long distance. It’s
well worth applying yourself and getting a lower rate.

No real changes occurred in the cent from 1918 through 1942. In 1943, the cent would again see a dramatic change although not to its design, but rather due to shortages of copper caused by the war. At the time of World War II, the one-cent coin was composed of 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc. These metals were denied to the Mint for the duration of the war, making it necessary for the Mint to seek a substitute material. After much deliberation, even including consideration of plastics, zinc-coated steel was chosen as the best in a limited range of suitable materials.

Production of the war-time cent was provided for in an Act of Congress approved on December 18, 1942, which also set as the expiration date of the authority December 31, 1946. Low-grade carbon steel formed the base of these coins, to which a zinc coating .005 inch thick was deposited on each side electrolytically as a rust preventative. The same size was maintained, but the weight was reduced from the standard 48 grains to 42 grains, due to the use of a lighter alloy. Production commenced on February 27, 1943, and by December 31, 1943, the three Mint facilities had produced 1,093,838,670 of the one-cent coins. The copper released for the war effort was enough to meet the combined needs of 2 cruisers, 2 destroyers, 1,243 flying fortresses, 120 field guns and 120 howitzers, or enough for 1.25 million shells four our big field guns. These pennies are sometimes referred to as silver pennies due to their color when in new/AU/BU condition.

On January 1, 1944, the Mint was able to adopt a modified alloy, the supply being derived from expended shell casing which when melted furnished a composition similar to the original, but with a faint trace of tin. The original weight of 48 grains was also restored. You may see many ads for these cents called war pennies.

In 1955, we saw the last of the “S” mint marked wheat pennies. The San Francisco mint ceased minting “S” minted coins of cents and dimes for general circulation at the end of that year. The nickel, quarter and half dollar ceased the year before. It would not be for another 13 years (1968) before “S” mint coins were produced for general circulation.

1959 marked the 50th anniversary of the Lincoln cent and the reverse was changed to what is now the current design, the Lincoln Memorial. On February 12, 1959, the new design was introduced as a part of the 150th anniversary celebration of Lincoln’s birth. Frank Gasparro, the Assistant Engraver at the Mint in Philadelphia, prepared the winning entry, selected from a group of 23 models the engraving staff at the Mint had been asked to present for consideration. Since the cent had been in circulation for over 25 years, only the Treasury Secretary’s approval was necessary. The imposing marble Lincoln Memorial in the Nation’s Capital provides the central motif; the legends E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA form the rest of the design, together with the denomination. Mr. Gasparro’s initials, FG, appear on the right, near the shrubbery.

In 1962, the penny underwent another change, although small. Mint officials decided to drop tin from the content of the Lincoln cent, because there were manufacturing cost advantages to a stable alloy of 95 percent copper and five percent zinc. This time, however, there was no particular interest because the change was not readily notice even though technically the Lincoln cent became brass, not bronze.
In 1964, due to the announcement that silver would not longer be the major component of dimes, quarters and half dollars, there was a severe coin shortage for circulation. Although Lincoln cents were not the problem, government officials decided to not place mint marks on all coins in 1965. This continued for 2 more years (1966 and 1967), with the idea that this would keep collectors from hoarding all the coins needed for circulation. Some coins dated 1964 were actually produced 1965. Finally in 1968, mint marks were returned and the beloved “S” mint returned to circulation. The return of the “S” would be short-lived however. Unlike cents of earlier years with “S” mint marks, the cents of 1968-1974 would be produced in the multi-millions with a total number of “S” minted coins from this period totaling over three billion. Yes, that is billion. Still, it was a welcome change.

The price of precious metals in the 1980’s was out of control and copper was no exception which took its toll on the Lincoln cent in 1982. The composition was changed to an alloy of 99.2 percent zinc and 0.8 percent copper, plated by pure copper resulting in a total composition of 97.5 percent zinc and 2.5 percent copper.

In my next part, I will discuss the changed that will be happening in the next few years to our beloved Lincoln Cent

Keith Scott has been a collector for over 30 years and owns a small internet-based coin store at www.mountainviewcoins.com. Visit his website for a history of US coins, metal market updates and news about your favorite coins.