Prince Lestat and The Irin Chronicles: A Review

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

Anne Rice and the Vampire Chronicles are legendary….about 13 books have been published and after several years of other books she has completed a MASTERPIECE in tying all of the books together with the monumental Prince Lestat, that also sets the stage for another series of great books.

For those of you who are fans of Anne Rice you know what a great writer she is. She has created a group of “beings” that are different in many ways and yet very much like ourselves! Her style is legendary. This “tribe” is different or are they? The part like us was missing but was it really? And what exactly is it? Perhaps the soul?

I believe that Anne Rice brought the idea of vampires out of the dark and put them into the modern world as a vehicle to allow us to look at ourselves and question who and what we are! Thanks be to you dear Anne!

Elizabeth Hunter and the Irin Chronicles and the Elemental World books and others by Ms. Hunter are about vampires and are extremely well written with fast page turning action and much more sensuality and cannot be directly compared to the books written by Anne Rice, BUT of all of the other authors out there that are writing about vampires, these two ladies are the very best in my mind!

The only way to really appreciate these books it to start with the very first books in the series and read them straight through. It will take you a long time, but think of the many hours you’ll have a great book in your hands to sit by the warm fire with or to take to the beach on a summer day!!!

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THE RED TENT (A REVIEW)

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

THE RED TENT

IS A 2 PART MINI SERIES ON THE LIFETIME CHANNEL:  NEXT SHOWING DEC/12/13 AND DEC/24/25.

STARRING SEVERAL VERY WELL KNOW ACTORS IT IS A STUDY IN FAMILY AND LOVE AND FORGIVENESS AND HAPPINESS!

THE MESSAGE IS THAT “LOVE IS THE GIFT WE ARE GIVEN TO SURVIVE AND PASS ON TO ALL GENERATIONS.”

THE STORY OF JACOB AND HIS WIVES AND FAMILY  (SON, JOSEPH OF THE MANY COLORED COAT) AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RED TENT!

IT IS A BLESSING EXPERIENCE! ONE EVERYONE SHOULD SEE AND ESPECIALLY FAMILIES TOGETHER!

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PROOF OF HEAVEN!!! and THE MAP OF HEAVEN!!!

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

WOW! PROOF OF HEAVEN AND A MAP OF HEAVEN!!!

Can you believe that!?

Really now, proof of heaven and a map of it to go along with it!? Come on!

100’s of books have been written about death and dying, near death experiences (NDE), and life after death…………..all without real proof that any of the words or details or concepts were true……..certainly not PROOF! That’s right, says WHO!?

Books have been written about the books that have been written debunking all concepts of what actually happens when we are near death, actually die, and then are “brought back to life”! All claiming to be the “final word” on the subjects!

Proof of Heaven and The Map of Heaven come closer to what I consider to be the truth about such matters than any books, lectures, movies, media of any kind I’ve witnessed before! WHY?

Most of the books/people attack the information as being only the result of a lack of oxygen in the body/brain that forms these images and thoughts that people claim to have after they have died and been brought back to life.

In Proof of Heaven and A Map of Heaven,  Eben Alexander, M.D. presents a unique situation as “proof” that the brain has not concocted up these images and thoughts because in Dr. Alexander’s case he had a rare disease that blocked his “thinking brain” during the NDE!

So does that fact present PROOF that his revelations are indeed the TRUE answers? For some people it will. For others it will not.

IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE BOOKS, I HAVE BEEN ASKED IF READING AND STUDYING THE BOOKS CHANGED MY WAYS OF THINKING ABOUT DEATH AND DYING. NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES, AND LIFE AFTER DEATH!

NO! IT DIDN’T CHANGE MY MIND ONE BIT! I ALREADY BELIEVED EXACTLY WHAT THE BOOKS RELATE AND HAVE FOR MANY YEARS!

SO WHO KNOWS WHAT THE PROOF REALLY IS?

IF THESE BOOKS ARE THE PROOF WILL IT CHANGE MY LIFE, THE WAY I BELIEVE, THE WAY I LIVE AND DIE? WILL I GO TO HEAVEN. IS THERE A HELL? WILL I GO THERE?

NOBODY WILL KNOW ALL OF THE ANSWERS WHEN THEY DIE UNLESS THE INFORMATION IN THESE BOOKS IS TRUE. OTHERWISE, THERE WILL BE NOTHING BUT DARKNESS AND WE WILL BE NOTHING BUT NOTHING.

AS FOR ME, I’M GOING TO LIVE THE REST OF MY LIFE AND DO AND BE THE VERY BEST THAT I CAN BE AND WHEN THAT BIG FINAL MOMENT COMES AND WHATEVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN DOES…….I’M GOING TO PUT ON MY WALKING SHOES AND WALK RIGHT ON INTO THAT WONDERFUL PLACE AND THANK GOD I’M HOME AT LAST, HOME AT LAST!

AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BELIEVE WHATEVER AND DO AND GO WHEREVER YOU WANT TO.  PERHAPS WE’LL MEET IN THE SWEET BY AND BY. Continue reading →

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THE PERILS OF SUBSTITUTE OR GENERIC DRUGS!

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

RAL Peril of Generic Drugs – blog version – 10-23-14

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WHEN YOU SAY, “I LOVE YOU”! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

LITTLE STEVIE WONDER, SONG:  “I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU”

“I just called to say, I love you! l just called to say to say I care!

His song, “Ribbons in the Wind” and the  “I Just Called to Say”  song are catchy tunes that will run around in your head and drive you crazy, but take time and listen to the words of both songs! They are VERY sincere and meaningful!

The word, LOVE is used in many different contexts:

I love cherry pie.

I love mystery novels. I love sunny days.

“Love you, mean it!”……..high society ladies supposedly say it as a joke…………yeah, I love you but I DON’T MEAN IT…………..actually I hate your guts.

Motherly love and Fatherly love are different.

Teenage Love, Grownup Love, Passionate Love, Devoted Love, and on and on and on.

Do you love me, really love me, truly love me or just think you love me and on and on and on.

Kinda like “Have a nice day”……………….it makes a difference in the WAY you say it as to whether you really mean it or you just say it as a habit and as a form of a meaningless greeting or comment.

TAKE SOME TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY, “I LOVE YOU!

DON’T SAY IT IF YOU DON’T MEAN IT……….AND IF YOU DO MEAN IT, FOR GOODNESS SAKE SAY IT!

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STATE OF MIND: THE ESSENCE OF WELL BEING IN THE VORTEX OF LIFE!

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

OH YES, IT IS SO EASY TO BE CHEERFUL AND BRIGHT EYED AND BUSHY TAILED WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING RIGHT! BUT THE REAL CHALLANGE IS TO DO ALL OF THAT WHEN THE S… HITS THE FAN AND YOU’RE SICK OR SCARED THAT YOU ARE OR TOLD THAT YOU ARE OR THE “ESTABLISHED MEDICAL COMMUNITY” THROWS YOU A CURVED BALL OR TWO OR THREE………….AND SO ON!

2 Major topics to consider:

A.  FEELING GOOD:   EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS COMING UP ROSES (ALL FREE FROM MILDEW, BUGS, BLACK SPOT, THORNS AND ALL). YOU ARE JUST RIDING HIGH ON THE MOUNTAIN…….AND THEN YOU DON’T FEEL GOOD AND START TO QUESTION YOUR HEALTH SITUATION……YOU LOSE YOUR JOB, YOUR PERSONAL LIFE TAKES A DIVE……………AND THEN WHERE ARE YOU?   IT ALL CHANGES.

NOTE: THE DEVIATION OF A FRACTION OF A PER CENT OF THE pH OF YOUR BLOOD CAN GIVE YOU A HEADACHE OR MAKE YOU REALLY SICK!

IF YOU ARE LUCKY/SMART YOU START THINKING ABOUT ALL OF YOUR BLESSINGS! YOU LOOK AT THE BIRDS AND HEAR THEM SINGING. YOU REMEMBER HOW GOOD IT FELT TO JUST FEEL GOOD! AND AS SOON AS YOU DO THOSE THINGS YOU BEGIN TO RETURN TO THE FEELING GOOD MODE OF OPERATION. WHY IS THAT?

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT AND CONCENTRATE ON THE MOST IS WHAT YOU FIND IS PRESENT IN YOUR LIFE! The law of attraction is at work, like attracts like, good or bad. Remember that! Use the law!

B. THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY TODAY!:

1. YOU CANNOT JUST CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR ANY DOCTOR’S OFFICE AND SAY, “I’M SICK AND WANT TO SEE YOU TODAY!” YOUR TWO CHOICES ARE TOGO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM (BE SURE TO TELL THEM YOU HAVE INSURANCE…..IT’LL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENC! TRUST ME ON THAT!) OR GO TO A LOCAL “PROMPT CARE”…….HOPEFULLY ONE THAT IS AFFILIATED WITH YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN………..AND THEY WILL SEE YOU AND COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR DOCTOR (HOPEFULLY)….THEN YOU CAN KEEP YOUR REGULAR APPOINTMENT WITH HIM/HER AND SO ON AND SO FORTH!

2. ALL GENERIC MEDICINES ARE NOT 100% PERCENT LIKE THE “NAME BRAND”…………DON’T BE FOOLED! SLIGHT DIFFERENCES CAN MAKE YOU SICK OR EVEN KILL YOU SO PAY ATTENTION TO SUBTLE CHANGES IN YOUR BODY WHEN TAKING ALL MEDICINES!

3. TRUE STORY: LAST WEEK I HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH ONE OF MY REGULAR DOCTORS……ONE THAT I HAVE BEEN GOING TO FOR 15+ YEARS………….AND SAW 6 MONTHS AGO………..HE DID NOT RECONIZE ME!!!!AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE “FAIR TAX” SITUATION IN THE PAST AND EVEN WAS MY MOTHER’S DOCTOR TOO! MY POINT HERE IS THAT THE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT THESE DAYS IS SO OVER LOADED THAT IF YOU THINK YOU ARE GETTING PERSONALIZED TREATMENT YOU ARE DREAMING AND YOU HAD BETTER PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR MEDICINES AND YOUR CONDITION ON YOUR OWN OR YOU CAN WIND UP DEAD…………….OR WORSE (OH, YES ON LIFE SUPPORT COULD BE WORSE!)

BOTTOM LINE: OPEN YOU EYES AND SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OPEN YOUR EARS AND HEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OPEN YOUR HEART AND LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN!!!!!! TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR NEIGHBOR.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK!            SO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU THINK!

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NOTE TO MY READERS/FOLLOWERS: SEE BELOW

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

Your  blog on July 9, 2014  on Family is so true.  Were you smart enough to write it or do you have good sources? 

I HAD THE ABOVE COMMENT FROM A READER THIS PAST WEEK.  AND THE QUESTION IS A VALID ONE!

AND THE ANSWER IS YES! I AM SMART ENOUGH, AND I HAVE THE BEST SOURCES IN THE WORLD!!!!! FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE!

SOMEWHERE IN THE POSTS I HAVE MENTIONED THAT  I WRITE ABOUT MY THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES NOT TO TRY TO INFLUENCE OTHERS BUT TO AT LEAST GET THEM TO THINK AND SHOW THEM WHAT THEIR CHOICES MIGHT INCLUDE!

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LAND OF 10,000 LAKES, MN………………IN PARTICULAR PLAINVEIW, ROCHESTER, AND WABASHA AREAS

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

10,000 LAKES AND MILLIONS OF GREAT PEOPLE!

YEP, YOU BETCHA!  THE LAND IS FILLED WITH LAKES AND SOME OF THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

If you thought that all of the corn in the USA was in Kansas or Nebraska, think again. Corn, hay, soybeans and more corn are everywhere in the great state of Minnesota!

Some of the surprises include the fact that the land isn’t flat! I had always thought the northern plains states were flat. Where we were in Plainview and the surrounding areas like Rochester are really big “hills” as the locals call them………..well, I call them pretty good mountains by my book! The Mississippi River starts in upper state Minnesota with a flow from an underground spring! Then other streams join in and finally wind up in New Orleans! I found a wonderful house boat that I could easily live in! Grain being loaded onto barges. Life along the Mississippi! Beautiful!

The purpose of the trip was to help restore a 1928 Model AA Ford truck of friend who was “found on Ford Barn”. Over the last few years the friend and the family have become close friends so the trip was a visit with a mission! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

ROCHESTER, has one of the branches of the famous MAYO CLINIC. PLAINVIEW is close by and is one of the farming areas. WABASHA  is on the Mississippi River and host to the National Eagle Center. We visited a small part of the state but expect the rest of the it to be just as beautiful and interesting.

To keep the economy going we took a truck load of car parts up there and brought back a truck load of plants! Being a plant person I was interested in what plants they have in MN that we don’t have down South. One in particular tree that is everywhere is the “dark wine colored maple”……………We had seen them on other trips up North before but I was never able to find a small enough tree like them to bring back home. BUT a wonderful lady dug up two small ones and we brought them home! (It has small leaves on it now!). Another family gave us a “regular” maple tree and a cutting from a raspberry bush. One day trip to the Family Tree Nursery led to a $500.00 purchase of the those (not usually seen down South plants)! Those included a yellow Japanese magnolia and also a purple one, a nine barks tree and a variegated weeping willow tree and bush! Several others bushes were included and to date ( 4-5 weeks later) all plants have survived! A report next year will give an update!

A day trip to Anderson Gardens which exhibits a variety of plants and extraordinary roses to include the “Hope for Humanity Rose” and also is a memorial location for war veterans. It is a small really unique place in this world and should be seen if you are ever in the area of Wabasha.

It is amazing that the ideas and expectations we have about all of the places in this world are probably wrong! One of the great authors of this world said that “To really know a place, get up before sunrise and walk the streets and watch the people and truly learn what it is all about”! And to really know a place and its people……………..go there and spend some time. 10-1 you’ll leave feeling that yes, I could live there! And as for the North Plains States, I could live there, EXCEPT DURING THE WINTER TIME (-30 degrees below)………………

WHAT MAKES THE STATE SO GREAT IS THE PEOPLE! GOOD HEARTED LOVING PEOPLE!

That’s my story and I’m stick’n to it!

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FRENCH LICK, INDIANA RESORT AREA GREAT STORY ABOUT THE COOKS

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

FRENCH LICK, IN     WAY OUT FROM ANYWHERE,YOU’LL FIND THE RESORT.

You ride and ride and finally just before you think…………this can’t be the right place you turn a corner and there it is! One  part is a good ways off  of the road and is hidden by the trees but the entrance will alert you to “something fine is in there”! The main part is about a mile on further down the main “trail”……….and yes, it looks like a very special place!

There’s a lot of history behind the French Lick Resort area and if you’re really interested just Google it. The main reason for my posting is that during the trip I was lucky enough to attend a trip about 40 miles away called The Cedar Farm…..built in 1837 by Jacob Lamb Kintner.

The house was restored 1984 by the Prichett Brothers and William and Gayle Cook of Bloomington, IN. The main house is Classic Revival in design. While touring the house and property we were introduced to Gayle Cook. A lady in all respects there in the heat guiding the guests into the lower part of the main house. After viewing the downstairs as we were going room from room I asked the guide who that “nice lady” outback was. Turns out THAT was

‘THE” GAYLE COOK from Bloomingdale! Her son was also there giving golf cart tours of the gardens down by the Ohio river where a view of Kentucky is in plain sight!

BUT the main impression I got from the whole trip was what a fine family the Cooks are! They are “down to earth” with no pretentious airs or actions! Mrs. Cook is the 73rd richest woman in the world and is proud that she was middle class when she got “her money” and will remain so until she dies! She and her husband started a catheter business many years ago in their small home early in their marriage. The business grew and grew and is now a major powerhouse in the medical field. The Cook family has renovated many buildings (French Lick Resorts) and many others in Indiana. They are known for their dedication to preserving the treasures of Indiana.

It is so great to learn that there are still great people out there that are not just materialistic minded individuals! People who are proud of who they were and are and make it their mission in life to give back and help the people of Indiana and the world instead of buying big boats and cars and taking world tours and skiing in the Alps as the main focus of their lives!

IT MADE ME FEEL GOOD TO JUST KNOW OF THIS FAMILY!!!

AND THEN  WE CAME HOME AND TURNED ON THE NEWS AND READ THE PAPERS WHERE WE LEARNED ALL ABOUT THE WARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS AT THE TEXAS BORDERS, THE MUD SLINGING POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS GOING ON LOCALLY, MURDERS IN THE AREAS, KIDNAPINGS IN THE CAPITAL!

I’M STRONGLY CONSIDERING MOVING CLOSER TO THE COOK FAMILY IN BLOOMINGDALE!

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YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN’T HIDE FROM…………FAMILY!

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Life's Lessons- Last Times

THERE IS A REASON “FAMILY TIES” ARE STRONG! THE HUMAN RACE HAS SURVIVED BECAUSE OF THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY OF LIKE PEOPLES BANDING TOGETHER FOR SAFETY AND PROTECTION AND THE NURISHMENT OF THEIR SOULS!

AROUND THE WORLD THE FAMILY UNIT TAKES ON MANY DIFFERENT FORMS AND HAS DONE SO DOWN THROUGH THE AGES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.

SOMETIMES THE FATHER IS THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY, SOMETIMES IT IS THE MOTHER.

SOMETIMES THE LEADER OF THE COUNTRY IS A MAN, SOMETIMES IT IS A WOMAN.

IT HAS BEEN SAID AND IS BELIEVED TO BE TRUE THAT EVERY 10 YEARS EACH GENERATION IS A PRODUCT OF ALL OF THE CONDITIONS PREVELENT AT THAT TIME IN HISTORY. THEREFORE, MANY CHANGES TAKE PLACE ALL OF THE TIME.

I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO DENY THE POSSIBILITY OF “COSMIC FAMILIES”.

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!

THE PRESENT TV SHOW, TYRANT, IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A ROYAL FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. IN THAT AREA, YOU ARE NOTHING WITHOUT FAMILY! EMOTIONAL TIES BETWEEN PARENTS AND SIBLINGS ARE AS STRONG AS IRON OR STEEL.

IN JAPAN MANY YEARS AGO THE “ELDERS” WERE REVERED AS WERE THE ELDERS OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. THESE DAYS SOMETIMES THE OLD FOLKS ARE LOOKED UPON AS “DEAD WOOD” AND WHEN THEY GET OVER 65 THEY ARE JUST TAKING UP SPACE, JOBS, AND OTHER RESOURCES.

BUT MY POINT HERE IS THAT MOTHERS AND FATHERS BELIEVE THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND ARE WILLING TO TRY TO FORCE CERTAIN CHOICES AND “PATHS OF GLORY” ON THEM. THIS MANY TIMES CREATES MANY BAD SITUATIONS BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.

IN FAMILIES WHERE THERE IS ONLY ONE CHILD THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAKING CARE OF THE “OLD FOLKS” IS VERY CLEAR. TO REFUSE WOULD BE TO INCUR THE RATH OF NOT ONLY THE PARENTS BUT ALSO THAT OF SOCIETY. IN LARGE FAMILIES WHERE THERE ARE MANY SIBLINGS, SOME WILL STEP UP AND “DO THEIR DUTY”. AND SOME WILL SAY THAT FOR WHATEVER REASONS THEY MAY COME UP WITH THAT IT JUST ISN’T POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO HELP OUT.

EVERYONE USES “GUILT” TO CONTROL THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHER PEOPLE………..BUT NO ONE CAN USE IT BETTER THAN THE MOTHERS AND FATHERS OF THIS WORLD. WHAT RELIGION, WHAT SCHOOL, WHAT VOCATION, WHOM TO MARRY OR NOT TO MARRY, HOW MANY CHILDREN AND HOW SOON ARE THEY TO BEGIN,THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, BIRTHDAYS, ETC.

IF YOU PLAY THE GAME RIGHT, YOU ARE A GOOD CHILD…………..IF YOU DON’T YOU WILL PAY WITH THE GUILT TRIP!

SO DO YOU JUST SAY TO HELL WITH THEM ALL…………RUN AWAY………WELL, YOU CAN BUT YOU WON’T GET OUT FROM UNDER THE GUILT UMBRELLA……….IT WILL RAIN ON YOUR PARADE ONE DAY OR ANOTHER.

DO I SOUND BITTER? I’M NOT. BUT THIS FAMILY THING IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!

EACH LIVING INDIVIDUAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES AND ONLY THEMSELVES. HOW MUCH THEY MAY OR MAY NOT DO FOR OTHERS IS THEIR CHOICE. WE SHOULD NOT TRY TO LIVE SOMEBODY ELSE’S LIFE…………….OR DICTATE HOW THEY SHOULD LIVE.

BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS: WE MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES AND BY DOING SO WE ALSO MUST LIVE WITH THEM. FORCING SOMEBODY TO LIVE LIKE YOU THINK THEY SHOULD LIVE TAKES THE INDIVIDUAL CHOICE WITHOUT CONDITIONS PART OF LIFE AWAY. IF YOU DO IT BE PREPARED TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCIES!

IT’S YOUR CHOICE…………….AND YOUR LIFE TO PAY!

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