LOL Both of you. I'm still trying to figure out "ALL THE CLUES" LOL I have no idea the what any of the answers to any of the clues are, Oh one was "Heart." Still trying. Dorothy

So you knew huh? Plllog at least stop me next time when I'm getting into trouble! OK so I wondered how an informed, educated, alert mind could fall for such a rope a dope Ponzi scheme. First, man hears about invigorating mind body results of a Yoga based practice. Man has a "hole" in his overall mind body armor in the depths of a long, dark, grey, depressing, Winter and figures this is the answer-WEAKNESS. Man pays the $390.00 "dues" and attends the "course" with absolute openness in order to attain maximum results. In the first 10 minutes the course begins with everyone asked to walk around the room and greet everybody with: "My name is .... and I am your's." Everyone follows. Therefore the Cult's Goal #1 has been achieved-TOTAL and ABSOLUTE SURRENDER in the guise of family brotherhood. Before the course begins, everyone is asked to sign a rather auspicious form with more than the usual contact information: "I agree to keep all the teachings of this course strictly confidential and will not teach or share the Sidushin Kriya with anyone else. The Sidushin Kriya is a registered trademark of Art of Living." Now that should have been clue #2. You are buying a product, even trademarked!, plain and simple. This is a money making profit motivated operation. Simple. A Biz guy like me again should have clued in and walked straight out. So I complete Part 1 of "The Course" with a reminder to all that the 2nd part is the "Advanced Course" which brings you to a euphoric high and "magical mental clarity." Then I go to the "tune up" long Kriya sessions. Free, thank God. During that one, 2 weeks ago, my "mental clarity" started to click, unfortunately for Art of Living LOL!!! When the Yoga exercise began, this time there was the Ponzi's, sorry "Gurugi", the self proclaimed Holy God's framed photo on a low wooden carved table right beside the teacher. -IDENTITY INSTILLING Of a SUPREME FIGURE We all follow the teacher and the teacher is a disciple of this great Ponzi crook. Throughout the class and previous ones we are always sprinkled ever so subtly, the magic of this man Gurugi. So far we have been told that the Teacher, who had full blown Lupus since age of 15 and 2 divorced marriages, not only threw her medicine away but one magical day at the "Ashram" in Montreal, the GOD Guruji united her with the very special man who is now her husband. He also came to our class one day with a "Pep Rally" on the "Greatness of Gurugi" and "how he is a man of high society in India's elite, spiritually "saving and guiding" Mittel, the 5th richest man in the world. FAME INSTILLING During this same class (my last one), midway, ever so subtly, the teacher asks all if we know about "365" the "Gurugi's save a child Initiative". You just give $1 a day and shazam! some hopelessly deprived slum child in India, Africa or whatever will benefit with one of the special schools and "village assistance projects" carried out by Art of Living "VOLUNTEERS". That part is actually true. This Ponzi crook not only rakes in Billions of Dollars-TAX FREE_ but he does it with ZERO Labor costs! The workers are all "dedicated to the universal cause of helping those in need". Brilliant. Even Bill Gates and Jobs could learn from a swindler like this. Thank god they don't. So it gets better. Just as we are about to get up, another very subtle reminder of " The Benefit Concert" in TO next weekend with all proceeds directed to "365" and yes blah blah blah. Here's the knee slapper. And I quote: "So everyone, if you can attend it will be ever so nice and such a beautiful evening, tickets are only $15 AND even if you can't make it, you can still buy a ticket as a donation for those POOR impoverished children".!!! Pressing the button of HUMAN SENSITIVITY and CHILD SUFFERING to profit. Again Sad. GENERATE PROFITS FROM MEMBERS WITHIN THE CULT The layperson thinks, if "Sri Sri Ravi Shankar" is immersed in the society of India's famous Bollywood Stars, Business elite, Politicians, etc. then he's obviously special. The skeptical person thinks, in a grossly corrupt society like India, a Ponzi schemer like Sri Sri can get away with tax free income under the disguise of a " International Non profit Aid Organization" and never be scrutinized since the politicians who allow the "tax-free status" obviously profit from it too. Sad. Thinking even deeper, WHY are Sri Sri's photo opps always with the elite and never with a homeless Indian orphan without legs and flies crawling all over his face. No, that would dirty his Egyptian Cotton White Suits and Italian hand made shoes. He boasts to have "sold" his course to 30,000,000 people x $390.00 = a Cool 12 Billion Dollars Cash-TAX FREE!!!! Not bad for a day's pay of crookedness. No wonder he wines and dines with the Mittel's and Ashrai Rai's of India! So, the sad part of all is that a low life like this profits off people's insecurities, physical ailments, and social or financial life problems. I feel bad not only for the 30,000,000 around the world that have helped this Ponzi build his Multi Billion Dollar empire but for all the precious hope that he has stolen from the hearts of so many. For me the $390.00 was disposable, but for many they may have given their precious earnings in the place of food, medicine, schooling etc. That is saddening to me. Also, I feel bad to have shared this with you and Stef, my favorite Senoritas! The nice lady I met at Wegman's in Buffalo whose husband is dying of Cancer and based on my enthusiasm was willing to take the course with him. (still waiting to hear back from her)-I wrote her this morning asking for a luncheon meeting this weekend to explain. I also mentioned this to another friend whose lady friend is going through Cancer therapy presently. She was immediately interested. Again, people on the verge of death are receptive to ANYTHING. I have already asked her not to consider this at all. I did both of the above after asking my Teacher if there was any positive results with Art of Living and Cancer Patients. I was given the "story" of their Cancer Hospital in India and all kinds of studies, none which can be verified, as one of my Google LINKS clearly outlined. But to anyone that I have shared my experience with, I have done so in absolute sincerity and good faith. I should have known that you can NEVER unquestionably follow anyone in this world. No politician, no leader of a Church, no employer, Law enforcement agencies, businesses, family member etc. Doing so only leads to possible distortion of reality. Finally, other than contributing to the wealth of an unscrupulous organization and man, has there been any tangible benefit from doing the course? 1. I have discovered the art of deep Yoga breathing and meditation both of which undeniably help calm the mind. 2. Because of the course, I have become more diligent in the structure of my diet-and Vegetarianism which does make you feel lighter, fresher, slimmer, more alive. 3. I am more focused on fitness. I immediately went running when the insane temps went up at Easter. 4. The course did push me to make a lifestyle change, not that it was unhealthy by any means prior. Just stagnant. In one of my Google Links, I found it very interesting when the astute writer made the connection of Yoga Teacher and Yoga Student. He said all accomplished Yogi's in the History of India always acknowledged their Master's under whom they studied. Yes Sri Sri RAVI SHANKAR is an accomplished Yogi, no doubt. But it is interesting that nowhere on his website or in public has he ever talked about his Master or Teacher. To do so would take attention away from "The Star" The Ponzi-who must always be front and centre of any show. I also like how the writer picked up on his Self-Naming and the name of a Holy One or God. "Sri Sri being His Holy One" in the Hindi language. Another sign of a Ponzi Ego Maniac that has already begun his sales pitch by name alone. The above steps which I experienced first hand are likely similar situations of how all Cults indoctrinate their members and generate financial profits. Obviously the head of the scheme, the Ponzi, controls the multiplying income. Thheee Thhhhat's all folks! P.S. Plllog, that course could have paid for my multi- colored Le Crueset sauciers, or that sexy Induction Belgian??? Wok. Grrrrrrr:::::''' Deep breath in, breathing out :)

ATK recipes are very subjective, but for a cookbook that offers a wide range of things, I find most of the recipes very good. That said, you have to remember: 1) These are Yankee recipes; tested and tasted by Yankees, most of whom don't always like a lot of spice; this doesn't mean however they are lacking in flavor. Most of their recipes tend to be very conventional, rather old-fashioned, and geared to the general public, which may or may not be you. For example, I find their taste test choice of Nathan's hotdogs way too salty; and feel it's too subjective due to their availability in that particular part of the country. Often what tastes best to testers is what they are used to, and what is familiar; evidenced by my preference for Kosher All Beef hotdogs which are not Nathans. 2) The science behind their methods is pretty sound. They usually have a reason for testing/adapting a recipe the way they do. Whether or not it's something you would like is up to you, but I have learned some new techniques from ATK that I use and believe has helped improve some of my cooking. (For example, their pizza dough recipe has been adopted by me!) Not everything is worth keeping however; see point #4, below. 3) Yanks like to save money. Although I too, don't always agree with their choices, for the most part their recommendations are good. I like knowing a $30 knife will do the same thing that the $100 version will. If indeed they prefer an expensive digital thermometer like the Thermapen, I know there's a good reason for it. 4) They cook their meats entirely too rare IMO. I had an argument about undercooked pork with my husband, who was following one of their recipes precisely to the letter. Let's just say...I don't eat undercooked pork. Or beef, or lamb or chicken. He refused to believe that the pork chop need another minute or two, which irritated the carp out of me. Of course, it was fine for reheating later on, being undercooked as it was! I recently tested a recipe from Cook's Country that was a revised version of German Chocolate Cake. As a person who makes German Chocolate Cake (from scratch) at least twice a year (and has one made for me on my birthday), I look forward to the real thing. Making it over with cornstarch in the frosting and on the low-fat side just doesn't cut it for me. I would rather eat a smaller portion and enjoy it to the fullest for a few more days, than change anything about it. The fact that it looks familiar doesn't mean that it is. ''Revising'' something like this simply isn't necessary. I appreciate the thought that goes into the process, but some things should just be left alone!

RM :( I'm so sorry to read your son is still challenged. And more so to see you're on the horrific "diagnostic" road trip literally. I wish there was something that could be done to blow that danged road up....I don't miss it and hate hearing anyone is traveling it. I can only hope you have a short trip! Virtual hugs in the biggest of ways hun! I have only this advice, learned in year three of that road....carry a big purse and a wine opener. You'll be a friend to many a parent if you lock the door to the parent room and crack open a bottle quietly :) Screw tops can be your friends as well. (And for those horrified that one would drink in a hospital...you haven't spent months in one I guarantee). A quiet glass of wine at 11 when the kids are finally asleep and it's marginally quiet (only the sickest kids are making noise that never goes away, soft cries of pain...that glass of wine alone in the dark while you thank god that's not your child every so often is a peace you don't understand). Enough of that....back to the chickens! hm here's a photo of just the backsplash uninstalled. We framed it in nordic black antique granite to make it fit the space it's in (Joe the tile guy rocked!) So the funny thing is....I've had to move (because of my son's health we had to leave alaska) so we have a new house and two kitchens to remodel/build LOL So I get to start planning all over again :) I can't wait to start from the beginning all over again....(which makes you wonder if I do crack does it not? I can't afford it, I have to finance another kitchen LOL). Star thanks for the nag. I missed the first one :) (You're good LOL) I'll work on the worksheet over the next couple of days. :)