Almost finished

Greg, Rachel and I finally seem to be near the end of sifting through all our parents' belongings. The tops of wardrobes and the spaces behind them have been checked, and items have been fished out from where they were poked - under furniture, between books (knives seem to like it there), and on the tops of cupboards.

It has been more of the same unbelievable redundancy. My father at one time had eighteen belt buckles in addition to those already on belts but still he bought another, and so now one item in the garage sale is a box of 19 belt buckles. We finally delved into the photographs, which I had stored in crates and a large leather suitcase. I found half a dozen Super 8 films dad made, mainly of Greg and I. These will be, I expect, some of our most sentimental discoveries. We have also found the Super 8 projector and screen, and our old slide projector too. The number of photographs runs well into the thousands - most of them never even having been looked at other than the quick cursory glance they would have received when first processed.

Another item of interest was an orange blanket still in the plastic bag the dry cleaners had covered it with. The dry cleaning ticket was inside. The point of interest is that the blanket went into the cleaners on 18 July 1977, and was picked up on 23 July 1977, a few days later. Then, for 31 years, it remained unopened and unused.

We have half-filled the second skip with rubbish. Most good items have been placed in roughly germane groups around the house. Of the books, I have selected all the old ones, which belonged either to dad or mum's dad, both focussed on self-education in their different ways: grandad's books tend to be encyclopedia, and practical guides, dad's are more like textbooks in engineering and mathematics. The remaining four-fifths of the books can all go, as far as we are concerned. They are worn and dusty paperback novels, none of which we shall be reading again, or ever. I rescued all the old records, both 33 and 45 formats. Mum and dad once belonged to a record club and chose records from the catalogue fairly regularly, it seems. They also bought for us many stories on 45s, and we listened to these repeatedly and delightedly as children.

Having worked all the afternoon we returned to Greg's place for dinner. It was a good way to end a job that had once seemed endless. We have only two further steps to take: remove the few items of furniture we are keeping in the family (which will happen mid-week), and then sell as much as we can of the remaining things next Saturday.

With luck, a great proportion of these belongings will be dispersed through the local neighbourhoods, perhaps to enjoy a second life, perhaps not, and we shall be able to put a couple of thousand dollars into mum and dad's bank account; a small fraction of what it cost to buy all these mostly unused things, and a tiny fraction of what would have been there had the money never been spent. In hindsight, their way of doing things seems very odd, but I expect at the time it all made some sort of sense.

Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:10:00 +1000

Smoking low-tar cigarettes does not mean less risk

Switching to low-tar cigarettes does not necessarily lower the risk of lung cancer, according to a new study, the results of which were published in the January 10 issue of the British Medical Journal..

Tar is the term given to the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes. High-tar cigarettes contain at least 22 milligrams (mg) of tar, medium-tar cigarettes from 15 mg to 21 mg, and low-tar cigarettes 7 mg or less of tar.

In a six-year study involving 364,239 men and 576,535 women in the United States, researchers found the individuals who smoked low-tar cigarettes carried very much the same risk of dying from lung cancer as individuals who smoked medium-tar cigarettes. Most likely to die of lung cancer were people who smoked high-tar, unfiltered cigarettes.

The study also found that despite the higher chances of high-tar cigarette smokers dying of lung cancer, the odds of dying from lung cancer are not affected significantly by the type of cigarette smoked even when factors such as medical history, diet and occupation are considered.

The study showed that all smokers run a greater risk of acquiring lung cancer than individuals who have never smoked or those who had stopped smoking before reaching 35 years of age.

According to the researchers, led by Dr. Jeffrey Harris of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, USA, the results of the study suggest that quitting is the only way to reduce the risk of acquiring lung cancer.

Nonetheless, researchers acknowledged the benefits that could be gained by reducing the use of high-tar, unfiltered cigarettes, which account for just about 1 percent of cigarette sales in the US and the UK, but roughly 6% to 20% of cigarette sales in Eastern Europe, 15% in France, and 20% in China.

Most previous studies had compared the risk of smoking high-tar cigarettes smokers with that of smoking medium-tar cigarettes. Very little research has been done to look into the relationship between low- and very low-tar cigarette smoking and lung cancer.

Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:34:00 +0000

Women’s health tips 2008

September is Women’s Health Awareness & Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas offers the following health tips for women regarding gynecological cancer, breast and ovarian cancer, heart health, and stroke risk. Cervical cancer awareness tips from Dr. Tri Dinh, gynecologic oncologist, The Methodist Hospital, Houston • Cervical cancer is one of the most common [...]

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:11:55 +0000

CT angiography: A scambuster’s report

If you see advertisements for or your doctor recommends you undergo CT angiography because it’s a relatively quick, painless way to get detailed images of your heart and its blood supply, and could uncover hidden abnormalities even though you have no symptoms of heart disease, consider asking the following questions: Do [...]

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:40:48 +0000

Soaking up life - the cancer survivor way

Twenty-one years ago this summer is the one and only time I ever played golf. You might then wonder, as my husband did, why I bought a brand new set of ladies golf clubs last week. Well, for one thing they were on sale but most importantly they were blazoned with the breast cancer hope [...]

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:24:58 +0000

A poem about chronic pain: Searching for healing?

Searching for Healing? I don’t know what works for you Sunshine on a cloudy day? Is it the warmth-like passion, Of a luminous solar ray? Maybe it’s the odor Of freshly baking bread, That crawls up your nose And bursts in your head? I don’t know what works for you I rarely know what helps me, But certain elements bring strength In a life desperate for glee. A [...]

Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:46:34 +0000

An important webcast on MS guilt

Snowflake to snowball in three months - we’re quite the community here at Life with MS! In April, after a meeting with a friend at our local National MS Society “Walk MS” event I posted my thoughts on “MS survivor guilt.” Your comments took the subject on a bit of a ramble and the editorial [...]

Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:33:48 +0000

Sexless Marriage Solutions - Should You Set an Ultimatum

In the next couple of days,we are moving Gday Blog to a new server at 10forhosting.com with it’s own domain Name http://gdayblog.com we hope you will come with us,see you their…..Robbie Sexless Marriage Solutions - Should You Set an Ultimatum By Kate Dixon One of the questions I get from people in sexless marriages or relationships is [...]

Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 21:08:57 +0000

Sexless Marriage Solutions - Should You Set an Ultimatum

In the next couple of days,we are moving Gday Blog to a new server at 10forhosting.com with it’s own domain Name http://gdayblog.com we hope you will come with us,see you their…..Robbie Sexless Marriage Solutions - Should You Set an Ultimatum By Kate Dixon One of the questions I get from people in sexless marriages or relationships is [...]

Date: Fri, 02 May 2008 21:08:57 +0000

HEALTH Food Vitamin links - Popular Online Wellness URls

HEALTH FOOD Vitamin links Latest Health and Cleansing. Wellness Alternatives. Discount Vitamins and Herbs. HEALTH FOOD Vitamin Urls. Good reasons why you may need vitamin supplements. Natural Cures. Good health ...

Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:36:59 -0400

Steam Showers | Stalls | Shower Enclosures | Tubs | Tekon |Bathroom Improvement

A New Era in Bathroom Technology Spa treatments in your own home? Sounds to good to be true? The new trend in bathroom technology that's been sweeping through Europe for a few years, has finally arrived in America. Acquinox is proud to introduce their 21 st Century technology to the American consumer. Space Age Steam Showers and Whirlpool Tubs come together. Spa treatments in your own home? Sounds to good to be true? ...

Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:08:32 -0400

Empty Bottle Moments With Chef Clive

I’ll never forget the first time I spoke with award-winning chef Clive Berkman. I called to interview him about an online contest he is hosting for his upcoming book: “Cooking With Clive, Creating ‘Empty Bottle Moments’ With Those You Love.” It was a memorable call because he thought I was someone else. “Is this you again? [...]

Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:54:53 +0000

The Many Benefits Of Fish Oil For Pregnancy

Benefits of Fish Oil for Pregnancy By now everyone that can read has heard of the positive health benefits of fish oil. On the other hand, we have also heard that consuming too much fish can be harmful as well. So, which is it? What are we supposed to believe? And, now with this controversy pregnant women all over the world are asking is it good for me or not? The purpose of this article is to explain a bit about the health benefits, potential harms as well as fish oil for pregnancy. Fish Oil...

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Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:14:00 +0000

Hello world!

Welcome to your new blog. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging! An email has been sent to you giving you details of how to log in to the administration section. From there you can change the design by clicking on the tab MANAGE and then click on the tab THEMES. [...]

Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:48:22 +0000

Pet Allergy Testing and Treatment

As the summer months roll around and millions get ready for summer vacations and plenty of outside time, summer allergies are also kicking in. Studies suggest that human allergies have nearly quadrupled since 1980. Pet allergies appear to be on the rise, in concert with human allergies. Approximately 20 percent of all dogs suffer from some sort of allergy and the number is rising. Animals, just like people, can suffer allergic reactions to a wide variety of environmental substances, or...

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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Knowing allergy treatment and relief

Allergy treatment and relief  When people are suffering from allergies they have to hurry looking for a cure for their problems. It would be smart to start treating your allergic reactions as soon as possible but there are some things that must be thought about. If you suffer from allergies then you need to have the [...]

Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:02:01 +0000

Hello world!

Welcome to your new blog. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging! An email has been sent to you giving you details of how to log in to the administration section. From there you can change the design by clicking on the tab MANAGE and then click on the tab THEMES. [...]

Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:49:30 +0000