13-Year-Old Child Bride Dies After Sexual Organs Rupture

A 13-year-old Yemeni girl, Ilham Mahdi al Assi, was forced to marry a man in a traditional Yemeni arrangement known as a “swap marriage.” A swap marriage is when the brother of the bride also marries the sister of the groom. Five days after her wedding day, her female reproductive organs ruptured and she ultimately hemorrhaged to death.

Finish reading the story here. 

Statistics by Sanaa University estimate that more than half of all Yemeni girls are forced or coerced into marriage before they reach their 18th birthday. It is unimaginable what these young girls go through. Ilham Mahdi al Assi is just the latest victim to the Yemen child bride practice.

Jobs For Pet Lovers

Many people are animal lovers, but we cannot all be veterinarians or zoo keepers. The animal and pet industry provide a great means for supplemental income and can also allow animal lovers a way to spend time with a variety of different animals. Find out about these interesting job options here by Jo Oliver.

Bo Jack Russo: The Man, The Machine, The Writer

You know, I think that the reason that so many people in the world are so unhappy is because we forget about all the things that made us happy as children. As adults, we associate pleasure with money, fame and fortune. As children, we find pleasure in the simplest treat life hands us....like an ice cream cone on a smothering day. Our imagination is often lost to realities of paying bills, raising children, and finding personal "success." But, every once in awhile, there is a person that has never lost that child like imagination, and even better, has the ability to share their imagination with the rest of us. That said, I would like to introduce everyone to Bo Jack Russo:

The Potato People the Spaceship and the Conflict

Meaningful Poetry Is An Art

What makes a person a poet. Is it pretty words tied nicely with rhythmic ribbons? I personally think that it takes much more than words to make a poet. Anyone can come up with rhythmic words and slap them together.

How often do you read a poem and wonder : What was the author trying to convey? What feeling did he want to leave me with? What was the purpose or origin behind the words? I think a good poet never leaves those questions unanswered. For example, it is fine to write a poem about the gum on your loafer as a reflection on how sticky it is to tread through life. However, the real meaning is all to often lost in poor translation by the author. All the reader takes away is that the author is tired of stepping in gum.

Of course, we are all going to take away a little something different away from every poem, but when that last word is read, then the reader should feel something and have a clear sense of purpose. No one seems to leave me with that clarity like my friend, Bullwinkle Muse. He is not only a wordsmith…..he is an artist when it comes to giving words a purpose and feeling. Check out Bullwinkle Muse here.

Some suggestions:

Destination: Someone

Woman, Thou Art Poetry

Laundered Gospel Hampered Faith

Apple Me Crazy: 2 Delightful and Delicious Easy Dessert Recipes

published by Lauren Axelrod on May 14, 2009

"Apples are no longer just an Autumn trend. There are dozens of apple varieties that can be used in my recipes that will delight all kinds of palates, and the best thing is, they are available now at the market."

Find Laurens' recipe here

Jackie’s Baked Corn

published by Chris Stonecipher on May 16, 2009

"A simple and easy side dish for dinner. Can’t think of something creative to make with corn, then give this a try."

What a wonderful recipe. I tried this out, and let's just say there was nothing left for left overs!

Find the recipe here

Depression: New Approaches to an Age Old Problem

By: Jo Oliver

"......The commonly accepted antidepressant medications and therapies are just often out of reach for those without insurance or monetary means.However, there are some interesting studies out there about some different and often cheaper techniques that are being used to assist in the treatment and management of depression. Again, this is not a substitute for medical opinion, diagnosis, or treatment. It is just an information guide for potential options to speak with a health care provider about.

Omega -3 Supplements

The journal, "Nutrition" recently published a study showing that women who consumed high levels of omega- 3 fatty acid fish (tuna, mackerel, albacore tuna) reported fewer symptoms of depression. Another older study found that lab rats fed fish oil have higher levels of the "happiness" hormone, dopamine.............."

Continue reading this article here: Depression: New Approaches to an Age Old Problem

50 Everyday Uses for Baking Soda

By Jo Oliver

"Everyone knows that you can bake with baking soda, but did you know there are many other uses for baking soda? Baking soda is kept in abundance at my house. So, I wanted to share some of the many uses that I have found for it. Here are my top fifty uses for baking soda. Please feel free to add any uses that you may have in the comment section......

1. Sprinkle baking soda on a wet toothbrush for instant toothpaste.

2. Sprinkle baking soda on your pets' toothbrush. Baking soda is a nontoxic way to combat bad breath and clean teeth.

3. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda and a ¼ cup of water

for instant mouthwash. Not only is it good for bad breath, but it can also relive the pain of canker sores, sore throats, sore gums, toothaches, etc..

Continue reading all fifty uses here

Twitter, Stumble, Google, Digg

By Bullwinkle Muse
Photo credit

"Thumbing a ride down the information superhighway.

"Twitter, Stumble, Google, Digg".

"What?"

"Twitter-stumble-google-digg."

What is that? A line from a sci-fi movie? Is it Klingon for "Activate the cloaking device"? A magic spell invoked by Albus Dumbledore? Ozzie Osbourne, ordering from a room service menu?Or maybe the sound of a drunk falling down the stairs with scissors?" .........

Continue reading here