Fashion And Styles: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Nice Piece for a Witch Wedding Day

Deep in the forest a changeling child was left for a mortal child, and the changeling was a baby witch.

She grew up with her forest family but she always knew she was different from the other children. She had the ability to talk to animals. She had a knack with plants. And sometimes she was capable of disappearing. Literally.

Mostly she kept to herself and worked on incantations and brews. When she was of age, she fell in love with a mortal who had been a feral child raised in the forest by a family of ravens.

He was fascinated by her skills and knowledge, and wished to learn all that she knew. In addition, being a feral child raised by ravens, he had acquired a few skills of his own -- like flying. And so they were to be wed on Halloween night.

This is the necklace and earrings designed for her. And this is this song to be sung at the wedding.

Hey little changeling what have you done?
Hey little changeling who's the only one?
Hey little changeling who's your superman?
Hey little changeling who's the one you want?
Hey little changeling shot gun!

It's a nice day to start again.
It's a nice day for a witch wedding.
It's a nice day to start again.

Hey little changeling who is it you're with?
Hey little changeling what's your vice and wish?
Hey little changeling shot gun (oh yeah)
Hey little changeling who's your superman?
Hey little changeling shot gun!

It's a nice day to start again (come on)
It's a nice day for a witch wedding
It's a nice day to start again.

(Pick it up)

Take me back home

Hey little changeling what have you done?
Hey little changeling who's the only one?
I've been away for so long (so long)
I've been away for so long (so long)
I let you go for so long

Come on
It's a nice day for a witch wedding
It's a nice day to start again.
It's a nice day to start again.
It's a nice day to start again

It's a small wedding, so you probably weren't invited, but you can celebrate with this necklace and earring sets. (I made another for the witch and her Raven groom.) Yours is here.

How Do You Lose Weight Without Really Trying?

Saturday, July 30, 2011

A Hippo Tortoise Fairy Tale That's Not a Hippo Tortoise Fairy Tale

It sounds like a fable or a fairy tale. The main characters are an orphaned baby hippopotamus and a 130-year-old giant tortoise. The hippo was rescued from a natural disaster of biblical proportions, and the tortoise was meant to be dinner a century ago. But the story of Owen the hippo and Mzee the tortoise is absolutely true.

The animals are both the wards of Dr. Paula Kahumbu, general manager of Lafarge Ecosystems, which runs a sanctuary in Mombasa, Kenya. She tells Jennifer Ludden the story of a highly unlikely friendship and the children's book she helped write to tell the tale.

December 26th, 2004 started off as a normal, quiet day. My son Joshua and I were out for a morning walk along the beach in front of my home when suddenly the sea began to race in. Within minutes the ocean became threatening. The tide had risen well beyond the high water mark. At that instant it became apparent the Tsunami that had started nearly 4,000 miles away far across the Indian Ocean would impact us as well. In less than 12 hours the Tsunami had finally reached the coast of Africa from its point of origin in Banda Aceh.

We ran from the beach back to my house where my sister and her children were waiting for us. They were all crying having just seen on television the haunting images of the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami. Although we escaped the waves, a one year old hippopotamus 80 kilometers away was not as lucky.

Just before Christmas the unseasonably heavy rains near Malindi town washed a family of hippopotamuses down the Sabaki River and out to sea. The residents of the town tried in vain to urge the family back up the estuary. When the Tsunami hit Malindi, the sea turned angry, the sky clouded over and for a moment the hippos disappeared and were forgotten as all efforts went to rescuing the stranded fishermen.

The next day only one hippo could be seen. It was the baby and he was stranded on the reef. Hundreds of people came to watch the efforts to rescue the hippo. It took ropes, boats, nets and cars —though the hippo was tired he was still fast and slippery. It took a brave rugby tackle to finally capture him, and the cheering of the crowd could be heard over a kilometer away.

Lafarge Eco Systems agreed to provide a home for the baby hippo and I rushed to Malindi to collect him. Tangled in fishing ropes, angry and tired, the hippo did not seem to appreciate our rescue at all. As we left for Mombasa, the crowd unanimously agreed to name him 'Owen' in honor of the volunteer who tackled him to the ground.

Exhausted, confused and extremely frightened, Owen immediately ran to the safety of a giant tortoise when we released him in Haller Park. Mzee, our 130 year old tortoise, just happened to be nearby and he was very surprised by Owen's odd behavior cowering behind him as a baby hippo does to its mother. Mzee quickly came to terms with his new friend and even returned signs of affection. The unusual relationship between this baby hippo and the ancient tortoise amazed people the world over and has featured in most countries on television and in news papers.

Owen and Mzee continue to spend their days together in the pond, feeding and patrolling. Owen nudges Mzee to come for walks, and Mzee sometimes even follows Owen.

Hundreds of people have witnessed this incredible spectacle first hand at Haller Park which is open every day to the public. Owen will eventually be moved to a bigger pond in Haller Park were he can socialize with other hippos.

The NPR version, by Dr. Paula Kahumbu
Chief Environmentalist, Haller Park
Mombasa, Kenya

The charm version here and here.

At My W.I.D.T.H.'s End?

A little over a year ago, I asked readers to do me a solid: jot down the reason (or reasons) that you're on this weight-loss/healthy-living kick. The feedback I got (and have continued to get) just blew me away.

I'd like to keep the ball rolling, but it's going to require some help from you. Spread the word on your blog, on your tweets, on your Facebook wall or Google Plus... ummmm... whatever Google Plus call's their Facebook wall. Bang the drum and help me keep the W.I.D.T.H. train rolling...

Email contributions to jacksh.tgettinfit@gmail.com and be sure to include a blog link if you want it included.