Beware of the Fluffy Beast

 Ferocious animals

Image credit: Rebekka D. from Pixabay

In many private houses, it’s common to find the warning about a ferocious dog ready to rip your limbs apart if you try to intrude uninvited. We all know about the cats’ territoriality and their vicious habit of aiming straight at the opponents’ eyes.

Yet, there’s a big misconception about what apparently can look like the quintessential loveliness hidden within a cloud of fluffy fur.

I am talking about Bunnies.

Even the nickname inspires nothing but tenderness, and when we saw pictures of those adorable little critters, the first thing that comes to our minds is just… AWWW!

Well, let me introduce you to the world of the most devious creature nature has ever created. Rabbits are natural prey, so you would expect them to run and hide when threatened. You would never expect them to punch, bite and run against whatever they might consider a threat. This, of course, regardless of whether the threat is real or is just in their imagination.

Yes, Rabbits are big drama queens and have a vivid imagination. I am wondering whether they are a sort of animal representation of Don Quixote.

Another impressive thing about rabbits is the wide range of personalities they have. We all know that dogs are generally very loyal, cats are independent and territorial. Rabbits can indeed be adorable and company seekers, lone souls, independent and stubborn, diffident, troublemakers, and much more. Something, though very common, is their strict territoriality. What is theirs cannot be yours too. They are not of the sharing kind, and when you step over their boundaries, be reassured they will let you know one way or another.

I had a few rabbits in my life, and I loved them all. Once I got to understand their needs, we became quite soon best friends. The latest one, Carolina, is one of a kind. She came to us as a rescue rabbit, and for the first four years, all she could accept from us was our presence (barely) and the food offered. Thinking of having her closer than two meters was unthinkable. Yet, during that period, she’d been studying us, taking notes, and pondering whether to trust us or not. It was then from one day to another that she allowed me to come closer and pet her. From that day on, our interactions had been more friendly, but there’s still a shade behind her eyes. “You know I started to trust you, don’t make me regret that!”

Written by P. J. Mann

https://pjmannauthor.com/

Dangerous Herb-Medication Interactions, Part 1

Is it safe to use herbal supplements?

The use of herbs for disease prevention and healing has a long history - dating back thousands of years and medicines extracted from botanicals include reserpine, morphine, penicillin, as well as anti-cancer drugs.

Herbal supplements can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) and may be labeled "all-natural" and are sold in many different forms - dried leaves for teas, powdered, as capsules or tablets, or in solution.

But does "all-natural" mean they are always safe?

Absolutely not! Although herbal supplements may be from plant or herb sources, the active ingredients are potent chemicals. Because of this, herbal supplements can have drug interactions, interactions with other herbs, or with food and alcohol.

Herbal interactions with prescription medications or other chemicals can:

• interfere with how the drug may be broken down in the body
• enhance side effects of prescription medications
• block the intended therapeutic effect of a drug

BLACK COHOSH (Actaea racemosa, formerly Cimicifuga racemosa)

Black cohosh is a shrub-like plant found in North America. Black cohosh is often used for menopausal disorders ("hot flashes"), painful menstruation, uterine spasms, and vaginitis. However, prescription drugs broken down by certain liver enzymes may accumulate in the body and lead to toxicity if used with black cohosh. There is concern that black cohosh might also be toxic to the liver and may enhance liver toxicity with certain medications, such as:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

May reduce the effectiveness of:

• Amiodarone
• Fexofenadine (Allegra)
• Glyburide, and many statin medications

COENZYME Q10

CoenzymeQ10 is found naturally in the heart, kidney, liver and pancreas, but aging and smoking can deplete these natural stores. CoQ10 is promoted to help heart damage caused by certain cancer medicines and for breast cancer, gum disease, or muscular dystrophy, although robust studies confirming these uses are lacking.

• May decrease the blood-thinning effects of the anticoagulant and increase the risk for a clot.

CRANBERRY

Cranberries are a fruit chock full of vitamin C, and some people drink cranberry juice to help prevent urinary tract infections (UTI). Although data is conflicting, some studies have shown cranberry can reduce recurrent UTIs in pregnant women, the elderly, and hospitalized patients; but it is not helpful to cure a UTI.

• May exert an increased effect on blood thinners (anticoagulants) like warfarin and lead to bruising or bleeding.

CURCUMIN

Curcuma longa

Research suggests that curcumin can help in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. It may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and subsequent performance of active people.

• May cause decreased levels of many antidepressant and antipsychotic medications
• May increase sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) levels

ECHINACEA

Also known as the American Cone Flower, Black Susan, or Purple Coneflower.

Echinacea has been used to stimulate the immune system and is most commonly used in the treatment of the common cold.

• May affect blood levels of drugs like tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• a muscle relaxant or rasagiline (Azilect) used in Parkinson's disease.
• May slow the metabolism of caffeine in your body, and could lead to side effects like jitteriness, headache, or insomnia.
• Echinacea may also change how the body metabolizes many drugs that go through the liver. These are somewhat complicated interactions that can lead to side effects or reduced effectiveness of your medicine.

EVENING PRIMROSE

Used to treat atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema), rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), breast pain, menopause symptoms, and other conditions. contains gamma linoleic acid that may slow blood clotting and increase the likelihood of bruising or bleeding.

• May increase blood thinner effects of warfarin (Coumadin)
• May increase the risk for seizures if you take anti-seizure medications or phenothiazine drugs.

To be continued next week...

Written by Erika M Szabo

https://online.fliphtml5.com/cmebw/yrgf/

 

Are Insecure Men Intimidated by Strong Women?

Female youth is prized in our culture

Our patriarchal society demands that women strive to achieve yet maintain a form that resembles a young girl. Our bodies must look young, wrinkle, and blemish-free, a blank slate for a man to claim.

Instead of accepting women as they are, most men and even some women, scrutinize and discard them as never good enough, never young enough, and never beautiful enough. And the more women strive to conform, the more they give up control.

Do strong, opinionated women intimidate weak, insecure men? Yes, I still see it when I talk to some over sixty-ish men, and even younger.

I had this interesting conversation with an old man I know for over 20 years, at the doctor's waiting room, before wearing masks and social distancing. He was watching a young couple arguing for a while and then turned to me. "You know, life was easier when women obeyed their husbands and knew their place."
Me: "Oh? What makes you say that?"
Old man: "Just look at them! It would be easier if the wife just obeyed him and didn't make him angry by arguing with him. A woman's job is to take care of the family. Men needs to be in charge to make decisions. Women are too emotional."
Me: "Really!?"
Old man: "Do you obey your husband?"
Me: "Fat chance!" I laughed. 

When instead of a mature woman, a 35-year-old actress is playing the role of the mother of a 30-year-old man in movies, what does it teach young teenagers? It teaches them to judge women by their looks alone. When people comment on older women’s posts on social sites, sadly, most of the comments are about how they look and not about what they stand for or achieve.

Female youth is prized in our culture because it doesn't represent too much of a threat. Insecure men are intimidated by strong, wise, mature women. Women are trained into thinking there is something fundamentally wrong with getting older and are coerced into spending money, energy, and power investing in 'slowing the signs of aging'.

The truth is that as women grow and mature, they gain wisdom and they're more of a force to be reckoned with. They see more, know more, feel more, and they put up with a lot less bullshit.

Just think about what would happen if all the women in the world started loving themselves even more with every year that passed, including each fat roll and wrinkle they gain as they move forward in time. Can you imagine how much more secure and powerful women would become as they grow older?

Written by Erika M Szabo

https://online.fliphtml5.com/cmebw/yrgf/

Saturday Fun: Badass Cats

 Cats are fearless

A friend came to visit with his big bully Rottweiler. He attacked our gentle-natured dog to show her who’s boss when he wasn’t securely tied up on the leash. That day Carl didn’t have time to put the leash on as the dog bolted out of the car knocking him to the ground. I watched in horror as my dog cowered and tried to hide behind my hubby.

Suddenly, we heard a loud meow. I saw my fearless cat, Miau, charging like a bullet toward the approaching Rottweiler. She pounced, let out a furious growl, and sank her needle-sharp claws into the huge dog’s face. The Rottweiler let out a painful cry and tried to shake the cat off his face. Miau wouldn’t let go and kept growling and biting the dog’s nose.

Carl finally caught up with the Rottweiler and clipped the leash on his collar. My hubby tried to peel Miau off the dog’s face, and after a brief struggle, the tiny, growling, and hissing furball pulled her sharp claws out of the dog’s face and let him go.

Hubby put Miau down. The cat puffed her hair, hissed indignantly a few times, and then walked over to our shaking dog and licked her face as if she were saying, “Don’t worry about that thug, buddy. I’ve got your back.”

Posted by Erika M Szabo

https://online.fliphtml5.com/cmebw/yrgf/

All I can Make is Fudge Soup

 I want to make delicious fudge

But all I can make is fudge soup

I love fudge! 

Creamy chocolate peanut butter is my absolute favorite!  I have a recipe that makes it perfect. Not too sweet, not too chocolatey, just the ideal blending of flavors, and so smooth. Maybe you have the same one as I do, it is the recipe from the Hershey's cocoa can, then you add peanut butter with the regular butter.

I am almost 64 years old, so you know I have had this recipe for a very long time. Unfortunately, my success with it is not impressive.  I swear the recipe was created by the devil himself.  It is more touchy than a porcupine in a minefield.  If not for the few times I have created this masterpiece, I would have chucked it and gone on with life.  But, the victories are so delicious!  

Usually, I end up with chocolate peanut butter soup

It tastes ok but somehow a spoon of fudge just doesn't fulfill my cravings.  The cost of ingredients makes tossing it impossible so I have found ways to use this fail besides eating it by the spoonful. As an ice cream topping it is not bad and, if it's really soupy, adding oatmeal turns it into no-bake cookies.  Tasty but not what my tastebuds want.  

Chocolate peanut butter soup is not the only way this fudge defeats me.  I have over-cooked or over-stirred it and created something that resembles freshly turned dirt.

Picture credit: https://www.loveandoliveoil.com/

It is flaky and does not taste good, in my opinion.  I usually end up with soup, but when I create this mess, it does go to the trash.

In all my years of making fudge, my record stands at 4 successes and 100+ failures.  The jealousy in my eyes is evident when a friend boasts about how perfect theirs has turned out.

Do you have a favorite flavor of fudge?  

Can you share your recipe? 

If so, please know my green eyes are looking at you!

Written by Cindy J. Smith

Author of poetry and children's books

https://cindysvoices.blogspot.com/

Why Does Your Cat Smell Your Face?

Interesting facts about cats

Although a cat's sense of smell is not as good as a dogs' but it's far better than a human's. Like dogs, cats use their sense of smell to gather information, including information about us.

When your cat sniffs your face and breath, they're simply memorizing your scent. They recognize your scent and find it comforting. 

But why are they doing it every day or even a few times a day?

Cats rely heavily on their strong sense of smell to give them information about food, prey, and their general surroundings. Sniffing you often tells them a lot about your diet, the cosmetic and personal care products you're using, and your unique skin chemistry. Memorizing your scent also helps them to build trust and familiarity, so let your cat sniff away!

Cats have an organ at the roof of their mouths behind their front teeth called the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson's organ. When your cat takes a sniff and leaves its mouth open for a few seconds, it's actually drawing air into the mouth and up into the Jacobson's organ.

Also, when your cat makes a strange face when smelling your face, hand or feet, it is because it smelled something interesting and is drawing the scent into the Jacobson's organ to get a better smell.

Posted by Erika M Szabo

Author of epic fantasy, alternate history, sweet romance, romantic suspense, dystopian and cozy mystery novels, short stories, as well as YA and children’s books

https://www.authorerikamszabo.com

Stay True to Yourself

You're unique.

There is nobody else like you!

Bad experiences cannot define who you are

A standalone sweet romance novelette, and also part of the Bedtime stories for Grownups bundle: EBOOK AND PRINT

Elana was born to a homeless, drug addict mother and left on the steps of St. Patrick Cathedral. Moving from one foster home to another, her life was a revolving door of shattered hopes and disappointments.

As soon as she felt an emotional connection to anyone, the foster kid in her quickly pushed the feeling away. The last thing Elana wanted to do was to get close to someone she would probably never see again. The necessary emotional defense served her well throughout her unpredictable life.

Until she met Luca.

Allowing them only a short time of happiness, cruel fate tore them apart. All she had was hope and half of the rosewood heart pendant he carved to hold onto. Will they meet again?

 

Imagination is My Superpower

 Reviews like this make me keep writing!

https://www.audible.com/pd/Bittersweet-Memories-Audiobook/B08KRVKTN1

Reviews like this make me keep writing!

"Think Those Memorable Old-Time Bedtime Stories

We all remember cozying up in our warm comfortable beds and settling while a bedtime story was read to us. The fun of the stories centered on the variety - not just a single book was the same but they all represented a vivid imagination and a memorable tale. Erika M Szabo refers to her imagination as her 'superpower' - I can't think of a better description of her creation of stories that span many different genres yet they all have that touch of magic that resonates with us from those old-time fairy tales. These however are adult tales with adult themes such as rising to find your dreams following loss and suffering and rising up despite hardship and fear. Tim Shafer's narration of this story helped create that comfy bedtime story mood. I will be seeking more opportunities to listen to books by this author." ~Sandy C.

Supernatural

Cozy supernatural stories

Read more: https://www.authorerikamszabo.com/messenger.html

Read more: https://www.authorerikamszabo.com/omen.html

Read more: https://www.authorerikamszabo.com/the-potion.html

 

Don't go there!

 

In case you wanna go there: https://www.authorerikamszabo.com/there.html

Ghost Story

 The Ghost of Prince Akhmose

Click to read a few chapters

A powerful curse cast thousands of years ago by the Grand Vizier. Tanakhmet cursed Prince Akhmose to never enter the Field of Reeds, the heavenly paradise. Why did he want him to linger as a restless ghost among the living, forever?

By reading the hieroglyphs, Layla, a young Egyptologist, inadvertently breaks the curse and frees the ghosts of both Prince Akhmose and the Grand Vizier whose thirst for revenge is stronger than ever.

With Layla’s help, can Prince Akhmose finally cross into the afterlife?

Or perhaps, because of the charms of the mortal woman, he doesn’t want to…

https://books2read.com/u/49lpXM

Fiction Books

 Fiction books by Erika M Szabo

“I followed my dream to become a writer. As an artist, I paint pretty pictures with my brushes, and as a writer, I paint vivid pictures with my words.”

Click below to read about the books