TIDBITS® SEES THAT THEFLOWERS ARE COMING!

by Patricia L. CookNow that the end of April is here, and we look forward to May, flowers are popping up everywhere. Remember, “April showers bring May flowers.”• The man who has been credited with coining the above

phrase actually said it a little differently. Thomas Tusser was a poet and agricultural writer in the 16th century. He published “One Hundred Good Points of Husband-ry” in England in 1557. Later, in 1573, he expanded the writing to “Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry.”

• Tusser’s writing was in old English style where he wrote, “Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers.” His books were collections of instructions on housekeeping, gar-dening and farming. His poems contained humor as well as wisdom.

• Despite his wisdom, Tusser’s fame did not come until after his death in London in 1580. His words have lived on for centuries.

• Other familiar quotes attributed to Tusser include: 1)“A fool and his money are soon parted.” 2)“God sendeth and giveth both mouth and meat.” 3)“Always look at the sunny side of life.” Many quotes from his writing have been changed to more modern language styles.

• While flowers bloom at different times in many loca-tions, Tusser’s rhyme points to the time of year when most flower gardens are beginning to show their col-ors.

• Of the many famous gardens around the world, there are some, such as in Holland, that are devoted to spe-cific flowers while others offer a menagerie.

• The tulip fields that bloom near Amsterdam are among the most famous in the world. The Keukenhof Gardens southwest of Amsterdam in the small village of Lisse are only open from March to May. Keukenhof translates to “kitchen garden,” and the historic park is known as the “Garden of Europe.” Every spring more than seven million flowers bloom with tulips the most abundant but also present are blooms of daffodils, orchids, hya-cinths, roses, carnations, irises, lilies and more.

• Nearly 50 acres (20 ha) of Giant Tecolote Ranuncu-lus flowers have been blooming on the rolling hills of North San Diego County in Southern California for over 60 years. Known as the Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch, the flowers only bloom for six to eight weeks

Week of May 7, 2012 Vol. 2, Issue 12

Turn The Page For More!

Page 2 For Advertising Call 251-285-4116

1. What bluesman had a hit with “3 O’Clock Blues” in 1952?2. Which duo had hits with “No-body I Know” and “I Don’t Want to See You Again”?3. When did Percy Sledge release

“Take Time to Know Her”?4. Name the singer-guitarist who teamed up with Mary Ford for hits such as “Vaya con Dios” and “Mockin’ Bird Hill.”5. Which artist released the “Silk Degrees” album?6. Who had a hit with “Born in the U.S.A?”

Answers1. B.B. King. Born in Mississippi in 1925, King has been awarded more than a dozen Grammys over the years and honorary doctorates in music from Yale and Brown Universities.2. Peter and Gordon, in 1964. Both songs were written by Paul McCartney.3. 1968. Sledge is performing still and has a full schedule around the U.S. this year.4. Les Paul (born Lester William Polsfuss), in the 1950s. Paul invented the solid-body electric guitar, and rigged up his first one in the late 1930s. Gibson Guitar came calling, and the Gibson Les Paul was born.5. Boz Scaggs, in 1976. The album included “Lowdown,” which netted him a Grammy.6. “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen. The song, originally titled “Vietnam,” was written for a movie of the same name.

Banana Coconut Cream Pie

What mother wouldn’t be pleased if you presented her with a delicious pie you stirred up just for her on Mother’s Day. It gives her a break from kitchen duty and -- unless you tell her -- she’ll never know it took you just minutes to make!

1 (4-serving) package sugar-free vanilla cook-and-serve pud-ding mix2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder1 2/3 cups water1 teaspoon coconut extract1 (6-ounce) purchased graham cracker piecrust1 cup sliced banana1/4 cup flaked coconut2 tablespoons purchased graham cracker crumbs or 2 (2 1/2-inch) graham crackers made into fine crumbs

1. In a medium saucepan, combine dry pudding mix, dry milk powder and water. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and starts to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut extract.2. Spread 1/2 cup hot filling mixture into piecrust. Evenly layer banana slices and 2 tablespoons coconut over filling. Spoon remaining filling mixture evenly over top.3. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and remaining 2 tablespoons coconut. Evenly sprinkle crumb mixture over top. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into 8 servings.

¥ Each serving equals: 170 calories, 6g fat, 3g protein, 26g carb., 235mg sodium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Fat.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAU-TIFULHope gave in to her addiction after a stressful experience with the paparazzi. Brooke opened up to a sympathetic Stephanie

about Hope’s problems. Liam took Hope skiing, un-aware that she was under the influence of a sedative. Hope had a startling revelation after she cleared her head. After a memorable afternoon with Liam, Steffy made a decision about her future with him. Ridge took Taylor’s side against Brooke’s during an argument about their daughters. Hope once again sought help from Dr. Barton to turn her life around. Bill admitted to Alison the real reason why he was “Team Steffy.” Wait to See: Rick attempts a daring feat. Brooke misinterprets a pri-vate conversation.

DAYS OF OUR LIVESJohn, Marlena, Bo, Hope, Rafe and Carrie were trapped inside a house with a bomb. Roman and Kate shared a nice moment reflecting on their past together. EJ thought about leaving Salem after finding out that Ste-fano wasn’t really his father. Roman arrived with Shane Donovan to try to defuse the bomb. Brady suspected that Ian wasn’t going to give Madison the quickie di-vorce he promised. EJ realized that Chad would soon take his place as Stefano’s favorite son. As the bomb ticked away, Rafe confessed to Carrie that he wasn’t re-ally the father of Nicole’s baby. Sami and EJ shared a connection during EJ’s distraught confession. Wait to See: Sami and EJ almost kiss. Lexie gets a “bucket list.”

GENERAL HOSPITALOlivia walked in just as Connie was raiding Kate’s safe in her office. Maxie begged Spinelli to keep her secret about Matt. Heather assumed that Maggie was bad-mouthing her. Sam and Carly shared a rare bonding mo-ment. Jason had a feeling that there was more to Kate’s past than even Sonny knew. Starr stole an important item from Johnny. Sam wondered if Jason could still love a baby who was not his own. Carly was shocked by the contents of Kate’s medical records. Two minds were better than one as Dante and McBain teamed up on a case. Starr swore revenge on Sonny and took him to an isolated location. Wait to See: Felicia pays Mac a visit. Heather goes off the deep end again.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESSAdam soon forgot about his kiss with Chelsea when Sharon arrived at his door. Phyllis and Nick decided to wed after learning that they were expecting a baby to-gether. Nikki apologized to Kyle for killing his mother. Adam shared his birthday cake with Chelsea instead of Sharon. Michael begged Victor for his job back, to no avail. Jack and Nikki decided to put their romance on hold until Kyle was ready to accept it. Cane was inter-rogated by the SEC about his mother’s finances. Sharon gave a passive-aggressive congratulations to Nick after his engagement announcement. Katherine and Murphy shared a dance at Joe’s Diner on their anniversary. Wait to See: Sharon considers dating Victor. Paul investigates his son’s past.

each year from early March through early May. It is one of the most beautiful and spectacular coordinated dis-plays of natural floral beauty in the world. The flowers announce the arrival of spring to Southern California.

• Giant Tecolote Ranunculus were brought to Southern California by Luther Gage, an English horticulturist, more than 60 years ago when his family left England to establish a home in California. Enamored with the flowers in England, Gage brought their seeds with him. These seeds became the first ranunculus known to be planted in North America.

• If you love the beauty of azaleas, Callaway Gardens in Georgia is the place to visit. Located at the southern end of the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Callaway Gardens’ 13,000 acres (5,261 ha) include the world’s largest azalea display.

• Callaway Gardens opened to the public in 1952. There are two areas that are bursting with azaleas. The origi-nal “Overlook Azalea Garden,” planted under the guid-ance of the founders, Cason and Virginia Callaway, has more than 700 varieties of cultivated azaleas that were planted many years ago. The “Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl” was opened in 1999 on 40 acres (16.2 ha). It has more than 3,400 hybrid azaleas in pinks, reds, whites and more. Both areas also boast trees, shrubs and oth-er flowering plants to complement the azaleas.

• Azaleas are scattered all over the Southern states, and there are many azalea festivals to highlight the showy plants. While many of those festivals occur in March and April to welcome spring and the masses of colorful blooms, there are many yards and gardens with aza-leas blooming well into June.

• Peak blooming time in the Gulf Coast states, including Texas, is from February to May or June, and in the Caro-linas and Virginia, it is from April to June.

• Even though azaleas are mostly found in the Southern states, Brookings, Oregon, a small town just six miles north of the California border on U.S. Highway 101, has a history that includes azaleas and an Azalea Festival dating back to 1939. To live up to its tagline, “Where flowers meet the sea,” five varieties of native azaleas are cared for in Azalea Park, considered the “crown jewel” of Brookings City Parks.

• Another flower that blooms brightly and keeps Brook-ings, Oregon, “on the map” with flower lovers is the Eas-ter lily. The flower is native to Japan, but Louis Hough-ton, a World War I soldier, is credited with bringing bulbs of this flower to the United States. By 1945, there were about 1,200 growers on the Pacific coast from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Long Beach, California. Today almost all of the bulbs for the potted Easter lily market are grown by 10 farms in a small coastal area along the California-Oregon border. Appropriately, this region is called the Easter Lily Capital of the World.

• According to the National Geographic book, “The 10 Best of Everything,” the best garden in the world is at the Château De Versailles in Versailles, France. The gar-den was the desire of King Louis XIV and was designed by French landscape designer, André Le Nôtre in the 17th century. Over 250 acres (101 ha) of ornamental lakes, flower beds, and over 200,000 trees graced the park.

• A storm that struck Versailles in December 1999 caused major damage. Two tulip trees from Virginia planted by Marie-Antoinette in 1783; the oldest tree in the park, planted during the reign of Louis XIV, known as “Marie-Antoinette’s oak;” the Corsican pine of Napoléon; and more were damaged. In all, 10,000 trees had to be re-moved. Even though the damage was extensive, good has come from the storm. Neglected areas of the park have been restored and over 50,000 new trees planted.

• Springtime is a great time to see the blooms of Ver-sailles, as well as those close to where you live. The April showers hopefully have given new life to the green growing things in your neighborhood as well as to those in famous gardens. Take time to smell the flowers!

For Advertising Call 251-680-7052 Page 3

1. MOVIES: What is the first word spoken in “Citizen Kane”?2. GEOGRAPHY: What two countries surround the Dead Sea?3. PERSONALITIES: In what branch of the military service did actor James Stewart serve in World War II?4. MUSIC: Who composed the music for the film “An Ameri-can in Paris”?5. HISTORY: In which Pacific island group did the United States test atomic bombs?6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is the name for a group of geese?7. MEDICINE: What is scoliosis?8. FAMOUS QUOTATIONS: Who once said, “Too much of a good thing is wonderful”?9. CHEMISTRY: What metal is liquid at room temperature?10. COMICS: In the comic strip “Peanuts,” Shroeder is a fan of whose music?

Answers1. “Rosebud” 2. Israel and Jordan 3. Air Force, as a pilot 4. George Gershwin5. Marshall Islands (Bikini Atoll) 6. Gaggle 7. Abnormal curvature of the spine 8. Mae West 9. Mercury 10. Beethoven

Q: I am so hooked on “Scandal,” the new midseason show on ABC, and I am especially glad to see Tony Goldwyn in a strong supporting role.

How is he liking his new role as president of the United States? -- Tina W., Atlanta

A: Like you, I love “Scandal,” so I jumped at the opportunity to speak with Tony about his new role. He told me: “First of all, turning down the role of the president of the United States is difficult. That’s going to be an interesting character, but particularly I knew that with Shonda Rhimes writing a president that he’d be a pretty interesting president. The script was really well written and just a great recipe for really good storytelling.“As an actor, I felt like these gifts kept being dropped in my lap. I’m really grateful to Shonda for involving me; each episode, I couldn’t believe the stuff that I was getting to do. By the end of the season, it gets really interesting.” Go to celebrityextraonline.com to

read my entire interview with Tony, where he gives inside info about what to expect by season’s end.

***Q: One of my favorite screen actors of all time is Anthony Hopkins. What can I see him in next? -- Jared G., via e-mailA: Presently, Anthony is filming “Hitchcock,” a movie about “Psycho,” “Rear Window” and “Birds” director Alfred Hitchcock. Unless you want to wait until 2013 for the movie, Google “Anthony Hopkins Hitchcock” to see the eerily true-to-life transformation of the enigmatic actor to the horror auteur through the magic of makeup and prosthetics. The film also stars Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Beal, and definitely on my must-see list for 2013.

***Q: Can you tell me what Brandon Routh has coming up? -- Theresa G., Brighton Beach, N.Y.A: Brandon has a new movie coming out May 18, which is quite a departure from portraying the Man of Steel. Brandon stars in “Crooked Arrows,” about a reluctant coach who takes on a Native American lacrosse team. I spoke with Crystal Allen, who plays Brandon’s love interest in the film, and she told me: “Brandon’s character, Joe, and I were high-school sweethearts. I give him a hard time. I challenge him throughout the movie. Brandon is such a nice guy, and

he’s got such a presence on film. He just really shines and he’s really moving. He was great to work with.”

***Q: How is Guiliana Rancic doing after beating breast cancer last year? -- Audrey T., via e-mailA: Guiliana, who beat breast cancer after undergoing a successful double mastectomy last year, is expecting a baby -- via surrogate -- with husband Bill. The baby, who is due later this year, is genetically Guiliana and Bill’s; however, due to Guiliana’s health issues, they decided to go with a surrogate to make sure the baby has a greater chance to be carried to full term.

PHOTO: Tony Goldwyn

HOLLYWOOD -- “Desperate House-wives” fans will not be disappointed when they visit Wisteria Lane for the last time. Most shows leave too many unanswered questions when they end. In a stroke of genius, producer Mark

Cherry has invented the anti-cliff hanger! If all goes as planned, on Sunday, May 13, not only will you know what happens on Wisteria Lane, but you’ll see where the ladies will be, through a flash-forward, two decades from now. This beautifully sets up a possible big screen spin-off that will fill in the blanks of what happened in the interim. “Sex and the City” proved loyal fans will support a TV show transferred to the big screen, and certainly “Desperate Housewives” has that kind of following!

***Why do networks insist on pitting popular shows against each other? NBC just HAD to move “The Voice” against “Danc-ing With the Stars.” The average match-up finds “Dancing With the Stars” with 16.3 million viewers, while “The Voice” has 9.9 million viewers. “DWTS’s” lead-in helps “Castle” get 11.5 million viewers, outpointing “Hawaii Five-0” with 6.l million viewers and “Smash” with 5.9 million.“Smash” is having a tough time finding an audience against two long-running, successful series. Some feel the making of a Broadway musical doesn’t interest a lot of viewers outside the big cities. The producers of “Smash” lack the confidence to follow their original plan of showing what it takes to mount a Broadway musical, without melodramatic cliche subplots. The musical is about Marilyn Monroe; wouldn’t telling her tragic story attract more viewers? After all, she’s still the most enduring icon in pop culture today!

***Nicole Kidman, Oscar winner for “The Hours” (2003), is set to play Grace Kelly in “Grace of Monaco.” Director Olivier Dahan, who guided Marion Cotillard to her Oscar win in “La Vie en Rose” (2008), will show Grace’s transition from movie star to princess. I met Grace Kelly in l964, after she’d been to a matinee of Richard Burton’s “Hamlet.” I waited for her at The Plaza Hotel, expecting her to arrive by limo, but instead saw her walking down 59th Street with two older women. As she approached, I asked if I could take her picture. The two older ladies moved to protect her, and one said, “I beg your pardon young man, you are addressing Her Serene Highness, Princess Grace of Monaco.” I said, “To me and millions of other Americans, she’ll always be little Gracie Kelly from Philly.” Laughing, Grace brushed them aside and said, “It’s OK, go ahead. I’ll pose for a few pictures for this boy.” You might say I got the royal treatment!

Page 4 For Advertising Call 251-285-4116

CALL (251) 680-7052To Take Advantage of this o�er!

**2 Month Minimum**

HAVE YOUR BUSINESS CARDFEATURED IN OUR

BUSINESS DIRECTORYFOR ONLY $25 PER WEEK!!!

PatriciaTina

DianeJenifer

Mon-Fri 9-5Sat 9-3

Open Late, By Appointment

(251) 957-6505

Irvington Bayou La Batre Hwy(Next to Minute Mart)

Patricia’s Hair Styles& Tanning Salon

Like Us On Facebook!www.facebook.com/tidbitsofmobile

Need Vehicle Titles?

We Can Help! 100% Guaranteed!Jason Steward Enterprises, Inc

A Name You Can Trust! Serving Alabama Since 2001

Cars * Trucks * Motorcycles * RV'sTrailer & Mobile Homes.

No Title, Abandoned Vehicles,Title Corrections, Title Applications.

251-342-8538900 Western America Circle (Airport @ I-65)

www.salethisvehicle.comLicensed * Bonded * Insured

¥ On May 19, 1715, the colony of New York passes a law making it illegal to “gather, rake, take up, or bring to the mar-ket, any oysters whatsoever” during May, June, July and Au-gust. This regulation was only one of many that were passed in the early days of America to help preserve certain species.

¥ On May 17, 1792, a group of 24 traders gather under a but-tonwood tree at 68 Wall Street in lower Manhattan to work out the regulations of the speculative market. The result was the Buttonwood Agreement, a two-sentence contract that gave birth to the New York Stock Exchange.

¥ On May 20, 1873, Levi Strauss secures the necessary patents for canvas pants with copper rivets to reinforce the stress points. Unable to sell a large supply of canvas in the California mining camps, Strauss had hit on the idea of using the durable material to make work pants for miners.

¥ On May 18, 1917, six weeks after the United States formally enters the First World War, the U.S. Congress passes the Selective Service Act, giving the president the power to draft soldiers. By the end of World War I in November 1918, some 24 million men had registered.

¥ On May 16, 1929, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out its first awards. The Academy officially began using the nickname Oscar for its awards in 1939. The name possibly arose when Academy executive director Mar-garet Herrick remarked that the statuette looked like her Uncle Oscar.

¥ On May 14, 1944, “Star Wars” filmmaker George Lucas was born in Modesto, Calif. Lucas was the first director to hold out for ancillary rights, and in the 20 years following the release of “Star Wars,” he sold more than $3 billion in movie-based merchandise.

¥ On May 15, 1982, “Ebony and Ivory,” a duet by Paul Mc-Cartney and Stevie Wonder, takes the top spot in the Billboard Hot 100. This continued the pop music trend of pairing suc-cessful duos, such as Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, and Diana Ross and Lionel Richie.

For Advertising Call 251-680-7052 Page 5

With new crew chief Darian Grubb, Denny Hamlin already has two Cup wins. (John Clark/NASCAR This Week photo)

Denny Hamlin Gets It Done

For the longest time, the only Toyota team that really matters in NASCAR has been the one owned by Joe Gibbs. Thanks to Denny Hamlin, in terms of actu-ally reaching victory lane, it’s still

the case.Hamlin won the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway in one of the Gibbs Toyotas. The victory was Hamlin’s 19th. One of Michael Waltrip Racing’s drivers, Martin Truex Jr., is second in the Sprint Cup stand-ings. He dominated the race but had to settle for second.Gibbs Racing has 95 victories in its history -- 37 since casting its lot with Toyota in 2008. Waltrip Racing has two victories. In terms of wins, Toyota success still begins and ends with Gibbs and, in 2012 to date, Hamlin.Hamlin won at the expense of Truex, who otherwise dominated the race.“There were times during that race where I kept looking at the ‘56’ (Truex) and thinking that it was so superior to the field,” Hamlin said. “We needed two kinds of changes, and we got both of them.”Hamlin explained that part of the change in the balance of power was due to adjustments by crew chief Darian Grubb, and part was due to a change in weather conditions. The sun came out near the end of a blustery Kansas day, and that’s when Hamlin’s Toyota surged and Truex’s faded. According to Truex, though, the chief problem he had was a set of tires, not sunshine.Regardless, Hamlin became the second driver to win more than once in the season’s first eight races. He and reigning champion Tony Stewart have each won twice.“You know, at the end, it’s a no-lose situation for (me) because I’m a fan of Martin’s (Truex Jr.), I’m a fan of Michael Waltrip (Racing),

and they’ve really done some great things with that program,” Ham-lin said. “But my job is to win for my guys and really drive as hard as I can to get them those wins, because they’re so hard to come by now, (and) you have to just do everything you can.“I knew he (Truex) was driving his heart out as well as I was driv-ing mine. ... It was a good day for Toyota because Michael Waltrip Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing have got a bond that’s working better and better together -- obviously, with the common engine package and everything -- so we’re starting to see these Toyotas beginning to make a run.”

Like Us On Facebook!www.facebook.com/tidbitsofmobile

Dog Isn’t Welcome at Wedding Venues

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My fiance and I are getting married at the end of June, and we want “Suzee,” our bichon frise, to be an important part of the ceremony. We agreed that she would be present as we exchange our vows, and will be in our wedding pictures.The trouble is that we cannot find a venue that allows dogs, other than

service dogs, inside. And we even had to drop one pastor who said that he would not allow Suzee to be present when he led the ceremony! Can you help? -- Kurt W. in upstate New York

DEAR KURT: First of all, congratulations! Second, it’s not unusual for owners to include their pets in important life events like weddings. But it can be difficult finding a venue that accepts pets. You should hit the Internet to search for venues that welcome dogs. Dogfriendly.com is a comprehensive guide to hotels and other facilities where dogs are allowed. Another site, vowwowwow.wordpress.com, is specifically for owners looking to include their pets in their wedding ceremony. Other sources are business review sites like Yelp.com, or word of mouth from friends and neighbors. Even before you settle on a venue, start planning how Suzee will be incorporated into not just the ceremony, but the entire day. You and your fiancee will be incredibly busy and distracted. Heidi Ganahl, CEO of Camp Bow Wow, advises couples to choose a trusted friend, or hire a professional pet sitter, to be Suzee’s caretaker throughout the event. Her attendant won’t just walk Suzee down the aisle to you, but also make sure she is fed, exercised, monitored and has enough “quiet time” so she doesn’t get stressed out. Best wishes on this important day!

Page 6 For Advertising Call 251-285-4116¥ Buff spots off of silver with

toothpaste. Rub gently with a

soft cloth, rinse, and dry.

¥ Keep your dishcloths and sponges germ-free and smelling

sweet. Once weekly, soak them overnight in a few cups of

water to which you’ve added a tablespoon or so of bleach. It

will keep them from developing a mildew smell.

¥ “To keep mixes from bunching up on the beaters of my

mixer, I spray them with a little canola oil right before mixing.

It isn’t enough to affect the recipe, but I think it helps them do a

better job. And I don’t have to stop the mixer so often to scrape

the dough from the beaters.” -- R.V. in Oklahoma

¥ To clean tea-stained cups, use a couple of drops of dishwasher

detergent. Stir and let set, then scrub out. It should wipe right

out.

¥ “If there’s a lot of burned-on food stuck to your pan, just add

water immediately after cooking, then stick it in the oven (if

oven-safe) at a low temperature for a little bit. It will soften the

food and you can clean it much easier.” -- U.A. in Montana

¥ “Save larger envelopes in which you receive mail. You can

reuse them by gluing or taping a new label on the front. You

can close them with packing tape. Some of these envelopes are

expensive.” -- T.G. in South Carolina

Make a Picture-Perfect Storybook for Mom

When I got going on this year’s spring cleaning, the ritual started with my laptop. There weren’t any dust bunnies between the keys, but when I opened my digital photo library, you would think I was a likely candidate for a TV show on hoarding. I needed to get the chaos under control, but the organizing task seemed more daunting than tackling closets or even our garage. I signed up for a group iPhoto session at my local Apple retail store and happily got support, but not just the techie kind. As we attendees introduced ourselves, the woman next to me unapologetically admitted that her digital photo library had surged

like a tsunami from 5,000 to 22,000 since the birth of her grandchild. I felt better already.Inspired to clear out my digital clutter, I decided to tame the images while on a visit to my 87-year-old mom’s home in California. “I’ve never seen that one,” she’d say over my shoulder as I clicked through pictures of three years of milestones, meals and family trips. Once I had flagged 50 of her “must haves,” including downloads I snitched from her grandkids’ Facebook pages, it hit me that instead of making prints, I could secretly “publish” a photo book for a unique Mother’s Day gift.Easy to create through computer programs, photo-sharing sites, discount stores and pharmacies, a collection of photos can come together in a nifty thin volume starting at $10. Once you upload the photos to the Web, it takes about a week to get the picture-perfect storybook for Mom.Think of more themes for other reasonably priced books that will get your photos out of hiding. It’s another way to make them worth taking in the first place. Here are some ideas:--New baby in the house? Keep a file of the best shots of the year, and make a book annually on your child’s birthday. Send it to grandparents and great-grandparents. As their annual collection grows, enjoy thumbing through the photo yearbooks with your kids when you stop by for a visit. --Vacation memories 2012. Create a book this year and in years to come featuring a trip you enjoy with your kids or with extended family. Make copies for each family for a holiday gift this December.--Mark a 2012 milestone. Assemble all the photos from your child’s graduation celebration, sports season or other event, and put the milestone under one cover.

¥ It was 1 7 t h - c e n t u r y French author Francois de la Rochefoucauld

who made the following sage observation: “It is more often from pride than from ignorance that we are so obstinately opposed to current opinions; we find the first places taken, and we do not want to be the last.”

¥ You probably know that Robert E. Lee was a general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, and that he ultimately surrendered the war to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the courthouse at Appomattox, Va. You might not know, though, that Lee had a pet hen that

traveled with him everywhere. It’s said that the chicken laid an egg under Lee’s cot every morning.

¥ The National Restaurant Association, which tracks dining statistics, says that the most popular day for eating out is Mother’s Day.

¥ In 1954, Swanson pioneered the frozen dinner when, after Thanksgiving sales had been lower than expected, the company found itself stuck with 10 railroad cars of unsold turkey.

¥ It’s a timeless truth that many kids go through an awkward, gawky period during adolescence. In the 16th century, a boy experiencing this phase was known as a hobbledehoy.

¥ On the morning of a traditional Vietnamese wedding, the bride’s mother visits the groom’s family and presents them with a special plant, representing respect, and chalk that is pink, the color of happiness.

¥ The 1935 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Carl von Ossietsky, a German writer who spoke out about Nazism in general and Adolf Hitler in particular. Hitler was so offended by the actions of the Nobel Committee in honoring his critic that he issued a decree forbidding any Germans to accept a Nobel Prize in the future.

***Thought for the Day: “History is a vast early warning system.” -- Norman Cousins

For Advertising Call 251-680-7052 Page 7

MAY DAYMay Day is a special day celebrated in many places around the world in different ways. The United States and Canada do not consider it as important as many other countries, but nevertheless, it can be fun for children. • May Day is usually observed on May 1, although some

countries have it as the first Monday in May. It is a celebration of spring when flowers start blooming and brightening the outdoors. Many believe that the day started in Roman times as a festival to welcome spring.

• May Day has been linked to the Feast of Beltane held by the Celtic religion, which was a pagan festival welcoming summer, dating back to before the birth of Jesus Christ. Activities included dancing around a fire, burning effigies of witches, and herding cattle between bonfires. The Celtic religion existed mainly in Britain but also other places in Europe. The Celts were very superstitious, and the religion claimed more than 400 gods and goddesses.

• When the Roman Empire occupied of most of the British Isles, including the United Kingdom, in medieval times, the Feast of Beltane was mostly cast aside. The Romans celebrated the goddess Flora, the goddess of flowers, with a festival called Floralia. Subsequently, the festivals of Beltane and Floralia were combined in many areas that held celebrations.

• May Day is still celebrated in Britain today, and many workers get the day off. As described below, May Day is celebrated in other countries in a variety of ways.

• May Day includes a flower festival in France. Delicate flowers known as “lilies of the valley,” are a major part of celebrations. People believe they bring good luck. Lilies of the valley are also used in Denmark, where sweethearts are gifted with flowers on May Day.

• A tulip festival is celebrated to commemorate May Day in Holland, the home country of millions of tulips.

• In many countries, May Day is associated with the labor movement and known for the start of the eight-hour work day. This came about after labor unions in the United States protested 10-hour work days in 1886.

• Schools are closed for May Day, which is also International Workers Day, in Greece. People head to from cities to the countryside to gather wildflowers. They make wreaths from the flowers for their front doors and then burn them later in bonfires.

• May Day is actually “Lei Day” in Hawaii. It is a colorful day that honors the culture and traditions of Hawaiian natives.

• The most common modern-day tradition for May Day is to secretly leave a basket of flowers or other gifts on a neighbor or friend’s doorknob or porch. This usually involves ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door and hiding. If the friend sees you before you escape, you owe him or her a kiss.

• Another May Day custom is to erect a tall pole at playgrounds, schoolyards and parks. The “Maypole” is decorated with streamers and children dance and sing around it. Maypoles were usually erected for the day in small towns, but cities such as London had Maypoles that stayed up all year. This custom originated with the Germans. The Puritans believed Maypole dancing was equated to heathen behavior, like idol worship, so they didn’t allow the practice when in power in Britain in the 1600s.

• The Maypole song is: “Dance around the Maypole, In and out, in and out, Weave the ribbons tight, ‘Round the Maypole we will dance, To the left and to the right.” Consider observing May Day with your family and welcome this warm, sunny month!

How Diabetes Is Diagnosed

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a friend whose glucose tests taken in the morning range from 140 (7.8) to 200 (11) and are never in the normal range. He is constantly thirsty and has other diabetes symptoms. His

doctor ordered a hemoglobin A1C test, which came back as 5.2. The doctor told him that they no longer do the fasting blood sugar test, only the HbA1C, and that he is not diabetic, since his test is normal. Has testing for diabetes changed? Should my friend consult another doc-tor? -- L.P.

ANSWER: Up until 2010, doctors diagnosed diabetes on the basis of blood sugar (actually plasma glucose). A relatively new test, hemoglo-bin A1C, HbA1C or just A1C, has been added to the criteria for both diagnosing diabetes and monitoring diabetes control in the past year or so. Hemoglobin is a large molecule inside all red blood cells that grabs oxygen from the lungs and releases it to all parts of the body as blood circulates. Blood sugar coats hemoglobin. Since red blood cells last 120 days, the percentage of hemoglobin coated with sugar indicates how well-controlled diabetes is. An acceptable control level is one that is 7 percent or less.Fasting blood sugar, the specimen taken after at least eight hours of not eating, is still used for diagnosing diabetes. A level of 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher lands one in diabetes territory.A second way to diagnose diabetes is to give a person 75 grams of

glucose (sugar) to eat and test the blood two hours later. A value of 200 (11.1) qualifies as diabetes.Now a third way of making the diagnosis is employing HbA1C. One selling point for using it is that there’s no requirement for fasting. HbA1C of 6.5 or greater makes the diagnosis.Your friend is a diabetic. His fasting blood sugar qualifies him as being one. Furthermore, he has a diabetes symptom -- perpetual thirst. He probably has to urinate frequently, another diabetes symptom. The fact that his HbA1C is normal doesn’t cancel these facts. That test is only one of three. He should see another doctor.The diabetes booklet guides people through this prevalent and diffi-cult illness. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 402W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or mon-ey order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.***DEAR DR. DONOHUE: A friend of ours is in a nursing home with pneumonia. We’re afraid to visit her. Is pneumonia catchy? -- A.M.

ANSWER: A huge number of different germs cause the many different kinds of pneumonia. A blanket statement on transmission, therefore, is impossible. The pneumococcus (NEW-moe-KOK-us) bacterium is a prominent cause of pneumonia, especially in adults and older adults. This germ can be spread in droplets coming from a cough or sneeze. However, 24 hours of treatment renders the patient no longer a trans-mitter.You can bank on it that a hospital or a nursing home will not let you visit any patient who might be at risk of spreading any infectious disease.

Don’t Just Sit There

Numerous studies have shown us two things: It’s never too late to start being active, and a small amount of activity is better than none when it comes to better health.Now there’s an additional benefit: Being active helps keep depression and other psychological issues at bay. Not only that, but a recent study shows that those with “psychological distress are four times more

likely to be functionally limited.” The study, done on 91,000 adults age 65 and older, indicates that one-third of us don’t get regular exercise, and the number goes up even more for those 75 and older.Another study on the same topic came to a serious conclusion: Those who have depression had better results from exercising three times a week than those who took drugs for their symptoms. All it took was getting 20 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise.Other researchers have approached senior health from a different angle: A Psychological Bulletin news release from the Harvard School of Public Health reported on a study that compared psychological well-being to heart health.It found that psychological well-being reduces the chance of heart attack and stroke. Specifically, being optimistic, happy and satisfied with life can reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. Somehow those emotions not only protect us, but can slow down existing disease.How then do we use this information? A simplistic look might be this: If we elevate our mood with exercise and gain a sense of emotional well-being, we’re also helping our heart. And looking on the bright side of life gives an additional benefit: Those of us who are optimistic cut our risk of heart attack in half.

Page 8 For Advertising Call 251-285-4116

Independent Foreclosure Review

If you experienced a foreclosure on your primary residence between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010, you could be eli-gible for a free Independent Foreclosure Review and com-pensation. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has required that 14 of the biggest mortgage-servicing in-

stitutions create independent review programs to discover whether “financial injury” occurred due to errors or mistakes in the foreclosure process.For example, if the balance at foreclosure was more than you owed, you were part of a modification agreement, you were under bankruptcy protection or if inaccurate fees were tacked on to your mortgage, you might qualify for help.The errors could have occurred at any step of the foreclosure process: The house was sold under a foreclosure, foreclosure was halted when payments were brought current, foreclosure was initiated but the house was quickly sold, or foreclosure was started but isn’t finalized yet.The foreclosure review includes whether:--ownership of the promissory note or deed of trust had been determined--state laws were followed--a loan modification request was being considered at the time--the loan had been in default for the required period of time--fees were charged that were not allowable or were excessive--borrowers had the opportunity to apply for help programs such as HAMP.The banks involved are: America’s Servicing Co., Aurora Loan Services, BAC Home Loans Servicing, Bank of America, Beneficial, Chase, Citibank, CitiFinancial, Citi-Mortgage, Countrywide, EMC, EverBank/EverHome Mortgage Company, Financial Freedom, GMAC Mortgage, HFC, HSBC, IndyMac Mortgage Services, MetLife Bank, National City Mortgage, PNC Mortgage, Sovereign Bank, SunTrust Mortgage, U.S. Bank, Wachovia Mortgage, Washington Mutual (WaMu), Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Wilshire Credit Corp.Letters were to have gone out last year to all who lost properties under foreclosure, but if you didn’t get one, it’s not too late to join the review process. But you only have until July 31, 2012, to complete the request and get it in the mail. If your foreclosure process started in 2010 but didn’t end until 2011, you’re still eligible.To request a form or for help filling out a form, can call the comptroller at 1-888-952-9105. To learn more, go online to www.occ.gov and click on Independent Foreclosure Review.