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The Prophet Muhammad taught love, kindness and compassion to his people, and was seen to be the most loving, kind, and compassionate of all of them. The Quran mentions his kind and gentle behavior in these words: "O Messenger of Allah! It is a great Mercy of God that you are gentle and kind towards them; for, had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would all have broken away from you" (Quran 3:159).
There are many instances that show his kindness and gentleness, especially to the weak and the poor. Anas, who was his helper, said: "I served Allah's Messenger for ten years and he never said to me, 'Shame' or 'Why did you do such-and-such a thing?' or 'Why did you not do such-and-such a thing?'" (Bukhari, 2038).
Once he said to his wife: "O 'A'ishah! Never turn away any needy man from your door empty-handed. O 'A'ishah! Love the poor; bring them near to you and God will bring you near to Him on the Day of Resurrection". He also went much further on to say: "Seek me among your weak ones, for you are given provision, or you are given help only by reason of the presence of your weak ones". (Rahman, Encyclopedia of Seerah, VOL. VIII, p. 151) God Almighty is Kind, and the Prophet imitated Allah's example in its perfection by showing kindness to his servants and all creatures without any regard for their beliefs, color or nationality. The Prophet said: "God is kind and likes kindness in all things" (Bukhari, 6601).
His heart ached within him at the corrupt state of his fellow-Meccans and their rejection of One God. The Holy Quran testifies to it in these words: "O Muhammad, you will, perhaps, consume yourself with grief because the people do not believe" (Quran 26:3). In Surah Kahf, we read: "Well, O Muhammad, it may be that you will kill yourself for their sake out of sorrow if they do not believe in this Message." (Quran 18:6). And Surah Fatir says: "So let not your life be consumed in grief for their sake." (Quran 35:8).
He took a great interest in the welfare of all people and had great compassion for people in trouble. The Prophet Muhammad imitated the attributes of God par excellence and translated them into practice in the highest form possible for man. Kindness is an attribute of Allah, which has no limits. It is extensive and encompasses all things and all beings without discrimination. Likewise was the kindness of the Prophet. He extended it to all beings, both animate and inanimate and benefited all without measure. The Quranic words for the Prophet's kindness, ra'ufun rahirn (Quran 9:128) are very intensive and comprehensive in meaning and convey the true nature and extent of the Prophet's kindness to people. The Prophet said: "One of the finest acts of kindness is for a man to treat his fathers' friends in a kindly way after he has departed" (Abu dawud, 5123)
The issue of treating friends well was also extended to include relations: "He who wishes to have his provision enlarged and his term of life prolonged should treat his relatives well" (Bukhari, 5985). He emphasized on this matter because he deeply held the view that "Only kindness prolongs life, and a person is deprived of provisions for the faults he commits" (Ibn Majah). Bahz b. Hakim, on his father's authority, said that his grandfather told him that he had asked Allah's Messenger to whom he should show kindness and that the Prophet had replied: "Your mother." He asked who came next and he replied: "Your mother." He asked who came next and he replied for the third time: "Your mother." He again asked who came next and he replied: "Your father, then your relatives in order of relationship" (Abu dawud, 5120). He dwelled on the issue of treating orphans humanely as he stated that "The best house among the Muslims is one which contains an orphan who is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is one which contains an orphan who is badly treated" (Ibn Majah, 3679). This means that the Prophet cautioned his followers against general maltreatment of anyone regardless of his status. By extending good treatment from friends to relatives and now to neighbors, Prophet Muhammad was intent in making all humans interdependent as he emphasized in the following words: "All creatures are Allah's dependants, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His dependants kindly" (Rahman, VOL VIII, p. 154). He emphasized the kind treatment of women again and again in his speeches:
Treat women kindly, since they are your helpers; . . . you have your rights upon your wives and they have their rights upon you. Your right is that they shall not allow anyone you dislike to enter your bed or your home, and their right is that you should treat them well. (from the Farewell Sermon of the Prophet)
Once a number of women complained to the Prophet's wives about their ill-treatment by their husbands. On hearing of this, the Prophet said: "Such persons among you are not good persons." (Abu Dawud, 1834). This condemnation by the Prophet himself was an indication that no one will be accepted before God who, while on earth, decided to be unkind to women. Another person said to the Prophet: "O Messenger of Allah! My relatives are such that although I cooperate with them, they cut me off; I am kind to them but they ill treat me." The Prophet said this in reply: "So long as you continue as you are, God will always help you and He will protect you against their mischief" (Muslim, 4640). This was not only a way of bringing comfort to the mind of the worried person but one of the communicative techniques of the Prophet to assure who ever found himself in that situation to look up to God to be consoled and protected. So it was pointless to preach vengeance to this kind of people suffering from this similar fate. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad was nothing short of a competent counselor.
He was always counseling people to be goodhearted regardless of their sex, age or gender. Once Asma bint Abu Bakr's mother, who was still an unbeliever, came to see her in Madinah. She told this to the Prophet and said: "My mother has come to see me and she is expecting something from me. May I oblige her?" The Prophet said: "Yes, be kind to your mother" (Muslim, 2195). This attitude of the Prophet was equally extended to Zainab as-Saqafia, the wife of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud and an Ansari woman. She went to see the Prophet and to inquire whether it would be a charity if they spent something on their husbands and on the orphans under their care. The Prophet said: "They will get a two-fold reward, one for kindness towards their relatives and the other for charity" (Bukhari, 1466).
There are many Ahadith concerning his kindness to animals, birds and insects: "God prescribed kindness towards everything; so when you slaughter any animal, slaughter it well; when you sacrifice, make your sacrifice good. And let everyone sharpen his weapon and make it easy for his sacrificed animal" (Muslim, 5055). He made this kind of statement to demonstrate his love for both humans and animals. In essence, Prophet Muhammad was equally showing his followers that he too is feels pain.
Prophet Muhammad, may God send His praises upon him, was an extraordinary husband, a perfect father, and a unique grandfather. He was unique in every way. He treated his children and grandchildren with great compassion and never neglected to direct them to the straight path and to good deeds. He loved them and treated them tenderly, but did not allow them to neglect matters related to the afterlife. He showed them how to lead a humane life and never allowed them to neglect their religious duties or to become spoiled.
His ultimate goal was to prepare them for the Hereafter. His perfect balance in such matters is another dimension of his divinely-inspired intellect. Anas Ibn Malik, the Messenger's helper for 10 years, says:
"I have never seen a man who was more compassionate to his family members than Muhammad."[Saheeh Muslim]
Muhammad was a human like us, but God inspired in him such an intimate affection for every living thing that he could establish a connection with all of them. As a result, he was full of extraordinary affection toward his family members and others.
All of the Prophet's sons died. Ibrahim, his last son, died in infancy. The Prophet often visited his son before the latter's death, although he was very busy. Ibrahim was looked after by a nurse. The Prophet would kiss and play with him before returning home.[Saheeh Muslim]
When Ibrahim took his last breaths, the eyes of the Prophet started shedding tears. Abdur-Rahman Ibn Awf said:
"O God's Messenger, even you (weep)!" The Prophet said, "O Ibn Auf, this is mercy."
Then he wept more and said:
"The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord, O Ibrahim! Indeed we are grieved by your separation."
The Messenger was completely balanced in the way he brought up his children. He loved his children and grandchildren very much, and instilled love in them. However, he never let his love for them be abused. None of them deliberately dared to do anything wrong. If they made an unintentional mistake, the Messenger's protection prevented them from going even slightly astray. He did this by wrapping them in love and an aura of dignity. For example, once Hasan or Hussain wanted to eat a date meant for distribution among the poor as alms. The Messenger immediately took it from his hand, and said:
"Anything given as alms is forbidden to us."[Saheeh Muslim]
In teaching them while they were young to be sensitive to forbidden acts, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, established an important principle of education.
Whenever he returned to Medina, he would carry children on his mount. On such occasions, the Messenger embraced not only his grandchildren but also those in his house and those nearby. He conquered their hearts through his compassion. He loved all children.
He loved his granddaughter Umamah. He often went out with her on his shoulders, and even placed her on his shoulders while praying. When he prostrated, he put her down; when he had finished praying, he placed her on his back again.[Saheeh Muslim]
The Prophet showed this degree of love to Umamah to teach his male followers how to treat girls. This was a vital necessity; only a decade earlier, it had been the social norm to bury infant or young girls alive. Such public paternal affection for a granddaughter had never been seen before in Arabia.
The Messenger proclaimed that Islam allows no discrimination between son and daughter. How could there be? One is Muhammad, the other is Khadijah; one is Adam, the other is Eve; one is Ali, the other is Fatima. For every great man there is a great woman.
As soon as Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger, entered the room where the Messenger was, he would stand, take her hands, and make her sit where he was sitting. He would ask about her health and family, show his paternal love for her and compliment her.
Fatimah, knowing how fond he was of her, loved him more than her own self. She always watched her father and how he called people to Islam. She wept profusely when the Messenger told her that he would die soon, but her tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy when he informed her that she would be the first of his family to follow him.[Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim]
This is the Prophet and his relation to children, A man respected by leaders, cherished and loved by children.
When we mention the religion of Islam, often the first word that comes to mind is peace. The word Islam is derived from the infinitive 'sa-la'ma' which also is the root for the word salam, which means peace. Islam is a way of life that promotes peace, dignity, respect, tolerance, justice and mercy and all of these qualities are tempered with serenity (calmness) that comes from submission to God. Perhaps the greatest of these qualities is mercy. It is one of the overriding themes throughout the Quran.
"Certainly, We have brought them a Book (the Quran) which We have explained in detail with knowledge, – guidance, and a mercy to a people who believe." (Quran 7:52)
Mercy is that ethereal quality that embodies gentleness, piety, care, consideration, love, and forgiveness. When these qualities are observable in this world, they are a mere reflection of God's mercy towards His creation. God said clearly that Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, was a mercy for all of creation, not just his family and friends or the Arab nation, or the people of the 7thcentury CE, and not for human beings alone.
"And We have sent you O Muhammad not but as a mercy for all of humankind, jinn, and all that exists." (Quran 21:107)
Prophet Muhammad was the embodiment of mercy, he showed compassion to all those around him, family, orphans, friends, strangers and even enemies. He also treated the environment and animals with respect and mercy. He taught his followers that because animals were part of God's creation they should be treated with dignity and due care.
The traditions of Prophet Muhammad remind us that humankind was put on this earth to be the custodian of God's creation. Treating animals with kindness and mercy is just one of the responsibilities embedded in that custodianship. Prophet Muhammad's words and behaviour make it clear that causing defenceless creatures pain and suffering is not only completely unacceptable, but we will also be answerable to God for such actions.
"If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will cry out on the Day of Judgment, "O Lord! That person killed me in vain! He did not kill me for any useful purpose."[Sunnan An Nasai]
The Prophet, may God praise him, said, "Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, God will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment." The listeners asked, "O Messenger of God, what is a just cause?" He replied, "That he will kill it to eat, not simply to chop off its head and then throw it away."[Ibid]
Islam expects humankind to treat all animals (all living creatures – birds, sea creatures, and insects) with respect and dignity. Prophet Muhammad continuously advised people to show kindness. He forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily. [Saheeh Muslim] If the Prophet saw, any animal over-burdened or ill fed he would speak mildly to the owner and say, "Fear God in your treatment of animals."[Abu Dawood]
However, refraining from physical cruelty is not enough; abstaining from mental cruelty is equally as important. Even a bird's emotional distress should be treated seriously. One of Prophet Muhammad's companions narrates, "We were on a journey and during the Prophet's absence, we saw a bird with its two chicks; we took them. The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief. When Prophet Muhammad returned he said, "Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its chicks? Return them to her."[Saheeh Muslim]
In another narration, a Companion of the Prophet came to him carrying baby chicks in his clothing and mentioned that the mother bird had hovered over them. He was directed to return the chicks back to the same bush.[Abu Dawood]
In pre Islamic times, pagan superstitions and polytheistic practices included acts of torture and cruelty to animals. Islam condemned this and put a stop to all such practices. When Prophet Muhammad and his companions migrated to Medina, they noticed that people cut off camels' humps and the fat tails of sheep for food. The Prophet forbade them from them from doing this and said, "Whatever is cut off an animal while it is still alive, is carrion and is unlawful to eat."[At-Tirmidhi]
In Islam, the rules pertaining to slaughtering animals are very strict and fixed. Protecting animals from pain and undue suffering is paramount.
"God has ordained kindness (and excellence) in everything. If the killing (of animals) is to be done, do it in the best manner, and when you slaughter, do it in the best manner by first sharpening the knife, and putting the animal at ease."[Saheeh Muslim]
When you set your dog (for the chase), mention the name of God if he catches the game, and you reach it while it is still alive, cut, its throat quickly (so it won't suffer)."[Saheeh Bukhari & Muslim]
Humankind must strike a balance in their treatment of animals. All living creatures were put on this earth by God for our benefit. They are not at the same level as human beings but neither should they be treated cruelly. It is humankind's responsibility to see that they have food, water, and shelter from the elements. Living creatures must not be overburdened, abused, or tortured and doing so will surely result in God's just punishment. A true believer in God demonstrates his or her belief by respecting the entire creation, and Prophet Muhammad's character and actions are a shining example of respect for all that exists.


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According to the new market research report "Data Converter Market by Type (Analog-to-Digital Converter and Digital-to-Analog Converter), Sampling Rate (High-Speed Data Converter and General-Purpose Data Converter), Application, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", the data converter market is expected to grow from USD 3.52 Billion in 2017 to USD 5.08 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 6.3%. The factors that are driving the growth of this market are the rising demand for test and measurement solutions by end users and growing demand for high-resolution images in scientific and medical applications.
Browse 64 Market Data Tables and 47 Figures spread through 127 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Data Converter Market - Global Forecast to 2023"
Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports.
Data converter market for ADCs expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period
The market for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2023. The growing adoption of industrial data acquisition (DAQ) systems and medical devices such as cardiac monitors, hemodynamic monitors, respiratory monitors, multi-parameters monitors, digital thermometers, endoscopes, and ophthalmoscopes are likely to drive the market for ADCs.
The data converter market for the communications application to grow at a high rate between 2017 and 2023
Among various applications, the communications application accounted for the highest CAGR of the overall data converter market between 2017 and 2023. The evolution of wireless communication networks, such as 3G, 4G, and long-term evolution (LTE), has resulted in the growth of base stations, optical communication devices, and other communications-based infrastructural products. With all this development in the communications application, the demand for data converters would also rise.
The Asia Pacific expected to lead the data converter market between 2017 and 2023
The Asia Pacific is expected to hold the largest size of the data converter market during the forecast period. This growth is mainly attributed to the increasing demand for communications systems and consumer equipment in China, Japan, and India. Furthermore, the growing adoption of industrial automation in the APAC would enable the requirement of data converters integrated into sensor-based systems.
The major players operating in the data converter market are Analog Devices (US), Texas Instruments (US), Maxim Integrated (US), Cirrus Logic (US), Microchip Technology (US), Intersil (Renesas) (US), DATEL (US), Asahi Kasei Microdevices (US), Avia Semiconductor (Xiamen) (China), IQ-Analog (US).
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Prophesy Dispatch will streamline and integrate both sides of your transportation operation, while keeping all accounting functions separate for reporting purposes.
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It is a tremendously time-saving program. Using Prophesy, one person can handle a workload that used to require three people. It makes all our dispatching operations much simpler.
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Not Just Trucking, LLC
Beacon Falls, CT
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Dear Friends:
When I step into Trader Joes, I've entered a magical land full of intriguing things like baked onion rings, coconut oil, confetti rice… and COOKIE BUTTER!!!! My friend Jason discovered this first and posted all about it on his Facebook page, and I thought to myself "Oooh… I want that." But, in the name of weight loss (which has since stalled.. I'm hovering right at 9.4 pounds… COME ON!), I resisted. Until yesterday, when my willpower was weak, and the 104 degree heat sent my husband and I into the air-conditioned shelter of shopping.
It's freaking delicious. It's basically crushed biscuits in a paste form, and it tastes like cookie dough. You can put it on pretzels, celery sticks, toast, cookies or english muffins – or just eat it from the jar. Not that I would do that or anything. Not like my husband caught me yesterday with a spoon in my mouth, moaning with the sinful deliciousness of a cookie butter that has zero nutritional benefits.
It's 90 calories per tablespoon, so I'm not really doing myself any favors. But it's so damn good. However, as soon as this jar is gone, I must resist buying another, because this stuff has cracked my "I don't crave sweets" code. And that's some powerful stuff. Because I believe in hedonism, I'll be including a jar of this stuff in my 150 fan giveaway. Evil, right?
Have you entered yet?! HURRY!
The contest ends Wednesday night!


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Reportedly director Mario Bava's favorite of his films: three minimalist tales of terror, topped by "The Wurdelak," with Boris Karloff as a ravenous Russian vampire. The film from which the famed heavy metal band took their name! In Italian with English subtitles.
Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi's final film collaboration is this horror thriller adapted (by producer Val Lewton under a pseudonym) from a Robert Louis Stevenson short story set in 19th-century Edinburgh. When medical researcher Wolfe MacFarlane runs short of human cadavers, he turns to grave robber John Gray (Karloff, superb here). But as the doctor's assistants (Lugosi and Russell Wade) learn, Gray doesn't always wait until the bodies have been buried.
Demented, disappointed-in-love surgeon Bela Lugosi operates on escaped murderer Boris Karloff, disfiguring him. He then uses the tormented fugitive as an instrument for revenge against his enemies, including the woman (Irene Ware) who spurned him. One of Universal's most maniacal chillers.


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Lamb Fattoush Salad
with feta / pita chips / creamy tahini dressing
Smarts: Crumble the pita chips over the salad right before serving so they retain some crunch.
- Garlic - 1 clove
- Lemon juice - 1 Tbsp
- Water - 2 Tbsp
- Oil, olive - 2 Tbsp
- Tahini - 2 Tbsp (sub plain yogurt)
- Honey - 2 tsp
- Lamb, ground - 1 lb (sub any ground meat)
- Paprika, smoked - 1 tsp
- Cumin - 1/2 tsp
- Coriander, ground - 1/2 tsp
- Salt - 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper - 1/4 tsp
- Cinnamon - 1/4 tsp
- Cucumbers - 8 oz, chopped
- Tomatoes, cherry or grape - 1 cup, halved
- Mint, fresh - 6 leaves, chiffonade
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
- Salad greens - 8 oz
- Cheese, feta - 4 oz, crumbled
- Pita chips - 2 cups, crumbled
Nutrition Facts
- Make creamy tahini dressing - Peel and chop garlic. Combine garlic, lemon juice, water, olive oil, tahini, and honey. Whisk until smooth. (For a smooth, creamy dressing, blend with an immersion blender.) (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Season lamb - Combine lamb with paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
- Cucumbers / Tomatoes / Mint - Prep as directed.
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- Heat a skillet with cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add lamb and saute until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool slightly.
- Toss together salad greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and mint. Divide between serving bowls.
- Top salads with lamb, feta cheese, and crumbled pita chips. Add dressing until dressed to your liking. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
25 reviews
I had leftover mint so I went searching through the archives...success! My kids loved the spiced chickpeas.0 Helpful
Muy rica ensalada. Los garbanzos con especias quedan espectaculares. Sólo falta más sal que tal vez pueda agregarse al aliño...0 Helpful
Delicious. Kids loved dressing. Super fast Skipped lettuce.0 Helpful
Wonderful flavour. Quick and easy to put together.0 Helpful
Good! Although I would probably just use chicken instead of lamb in the future.0 Helpful
Loved this! Also subbed ground turkey for the lamb, worked out great! I somehow forgot to add the olive oil to the dressing and it still turned out good! We also just tore up fresh pieces of pita, I liked the soft bread (not a fan of crunchy pita chips).0 Helpful


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When you start your fitness journey, you might find yourself losing momentum after a couple of months. This is what's commonly known as the "fitness cliff": the point, about nine weeks in, when new members come to the gym 50 percent less frequently than they did at the beginning.
To help fight against the urge to slow down or quit, we've declared the week of March 4 to be Dedication Week. From March 4–10, Gold's Gym will offer free workouts and classes along with 30-Day Fitness Plans to help people stay on track. But you can take actions right now to make it easier to rededicate yourself to your fitness resolutions. Here are a few tips from our Gold's Gym experts.
1. Create a fitness plan
Everyone's fitness journey is different, and with a personalized plan of attack, you're more likely to get the results you want. Work with an expert to develop a routine that's best for your current fitness level, body type, age and health history.
"Simply planning to make your resolution part of your schedule makes a significant difference," says Gold's Gym Fitness Expert Dempsey Marks. "Our lives can get very busy, so writing a weekly workout plan on Sunday that includes days, times and workouts will help keep you focused, organized and accountable."
To help you get started, anyone who rededicates themselves to their goals during the week of March 4 at Gold's Gym will receive a free 30-Day Fitness Plan from a certified personal trainer.
2. Recommit to eating well
Just because you kill it on the treadmill or in the weight room doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want with no consequences. Food is fuel — learn what to put into your body that will help it perform its best.
Remember, eating three to four hours before your workout will deliver energy to your muscles and help you avoid low blood sugar levels. And eating after a workout will replenish the fluids and carbohydrates your body just burned off.
3. Find an accountability partner
Having at least one workout buddy is good motivation to keep showing up, push you to work hard and encourage you to keep striving toward your goals. Plus, it's great to have someone to celebrate with when you reach those fitness milestones.
Dedication Week is the perfect time for you and a pal to get started — bring a friend in to Gold's Gym during this week for free workouts and classes.
4. Be adaptable
We get it: Life happens. If you can't make it to the gym because your car broke down or you're traveling, it can be tempting to take a break from your fitness routine.
With a digital personal training app like GOLD'S AMP™, you'll always have an option for coach-guided workouts at home or on the road. You can choose from cardio and strength workouts — including outdoor walking, jogging and running workouts, stretching and bodyweight exercises — to take anywhere and pair it with the perfect exercise soundtrack.
5. Be Patient
A fit lifestyle doesn't happen overnight; don't get frustrated if things are slow to start or if you hit a plateau. Let yourself rest, think positively and be patient. Getting stronger takes effort, and you're putting in the work that will lead to results later.
"There's nothing more rewarding than overcoming that little voice that tells you you're too tired or you can just do it tomorrow, and my favorite: You're just too busy," says celebrity personal trainer Melissa Alcantara. "We all need a little motivation here and there, but what's greater and more effective for staying on track is weaving fitness into habits that fit into your life."
6. Avoid the comfort zone
If it's getting too easy, it's time to reassess your routine. Don't be afraid to try a different piece of equipment, lift that heavier weight or join a new group exercise class.
"It's easy to get stuck in your comfort zone because it's comfortable!" Marks says. "But with fitness, it's especially important to avoid the comfort zone in order to challenge your body in new and unique ways. Plan a new workout every other week by switching up the equipment and machines, or go for that personal record. It'll help to avoid boredom and lead to greater physical gains."
7. Set an example
Your efforts don't go unnoticed. Whether or not you realize it, you're inspiring someone else with his or her own fitness. Use that to give yourself a boost when you need it.
Take Gold's Gym Challenge winner Ellie Carter, whose two young sons took note of her efforts to get back in shape.
"Every time we'd go to Gold's, the boys would say, 'We're going to the gym, and Mommy is going to get strong,'" she says. "[Kids] do what we model, so I definitely want to keep encouraging fitness."
Read Ellie's success story and find more inspiration here.
To See Results, Start With a 30-Day Plan
Find Your Fitness Partner


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Eco Mommies Unite!
When the organic, gluten-free bun hits your oven one of the first things many new families think is "What do I need?" You'd be surprised how many accoutrements one little bean necessitates, and even with an experienced legion of Mommy friends recommending the best of the best, you may find yourself doing emergency BuyBuy Baby runs in the first weeks. Our founder Chloé Jo Davis just had her second baby boy (adorable Freedom Midnight) and these are her current musts and go-to's;
Patem Changing Pads
Invented by mom of 4 Grace Welch, patemm pads are PVC, lead, phthalate, BPA, formaldehyde, and latex-free and many are organic. We love the revolutionary round design (with little pockets to hold diapers and wipes,) it makes changing baby on the go relatively effortless.
Belly Bandit
The eco-friendly Bamboo Belly Bandit in specialized graded elastic helps to aid in tightening the belly, minimizing stretch marks and supporting core muscle structure. You'd be surprised how comfortable the compression feels when your balloon tummy is deflating. Wear this tummy tamer right after birth to decrease discomfort and increase quick muscle strengthening.
EarthMama AngelBaby
Nothing in this line doesn't deliver, from the all natural diaper creams, vegan nipple creams (the only one on the market that doesn't contain sheep sweat aka Lanolin), and breastmilk encouraging teas – we say register for everything they make.
Arms Reach Co-Sleeper
Want to get a decent night sleep without baby next to you in bed, but still want to co-sleep? Here's the other option. The Arms Reach Co-sleeper (organic options) latches onto your bed for easy breastfeeding access and closeness that has been known to reduce the risk of SIDS. Making it even more eco-friendly, it can also be used as a bassinet if you pull up the side. Pockets all around and storage underneath make it excellent for holding anything you'll need in the night.
Kicky Pants Baby Clothes
The softest baby clothes that ever were and ever will be, this bamboo line of clothes are the most worn in our house. The number one rule for dressing baby should be comfort, and there is nothing Kicky Pants makes that isn't unbearably soft and cozy… not to mention outrageously adorable.
Polarn O. Pyret Outfits
When it's time to show off baby, this chic line is so well made and gorgeous – you can't go wrong with anything that comes from their design geniuses. Many of their pieces are made using recycled materials from PET scraps, they even have a whole eco section of their shopping site.
Petite Frites Burpies
Move over Aden & Anais, we have a new favorite line of burp clothes even softer than you. Founded by parents Lisa and Curzon Peier who left successful corporate careers behind in rainy London to pursue their dream of launching smart, stylish products for children in sunny California, Petites Frites' accomplish their mission to make eco-friendly, unfussy baby products that look stylish. Made out of 65% unbleached cotton, 35% lyocell (bamboo) and olored with low-impact, baby-friendly dyes – you can feel safe having these comfy cloths close to their tiny punims.
Snug Science Stroller Insert
Made of totally eco materials (including the worlds softest faux fur) this stroller insert (with sleeves!) will keep baby toasty all winter without the need for a jacket. It's genius on 100 levels. Learn more about in our full review here.
Mess Free, High Nutrition Snacks
When you have a baby on the boobs 24/7, the only way to get any nutrition is by grabbing whatever is closest to your rocker and eating while nursing (remember, you have to eat an extra 500 calories at least per day when nursing.)
Some of our go to snacks;
Primal Strips
High protein, totally delicious vegan jerky.
Soy Nuts
Protein is a must for energy and breastfeeding, here's an easy non-gmo, organic, and delicious way to get it in where there is no prep and it's always tasty.
Fresh Juices
When you are carb loading after numerous sleepless nights, you need to ensure some form of real nutrition. That's when pricy ready-made juices come in. Though expensive, that (and a baby nurse) may be the best money you ever spend. Visiting a new parent? A bag of juices from a place like Organic Avenue, Juice Press, or your local juice spot is the ultimate gift that will be appreciated far more than a bouquet of flowers.
Lara Bars
Quick, tasty, nutritious, and easy to eat with one hand – have a stack of these to bring to the hospital and keep a box or two at home for those 3am snack attacks.
Becco Baby Carrier
Every Mama prefers a different carrier, and if at all possible attend a baby wearing class at MetroMinis to learn which carrier is best for you (or call them, they are endlessly knowledgeable about all things cloth diapering, attachment parenting, and babywearing!) but our favorite has always been the Becco – easy to put on, supportive, and comes in adorable prints.. it's a no-brainer and will make your life a billion times easier down the road.
Jade Trau Conflict-Free Diamond Jewelry
You pushed out a football, you deserve a push present! If the bills are paid and a college savings account is already underway, let him buy you something lavish. It may help you feel prettier when all you'll wear for the next few months is sweatpants and ancient hair scrunchy's. We love Jade Trau because she will work with your partner to design something perfect and unique especially for you that nobody else will have. This is a perfect time to design something around baby's initials to keep close to your heart forevermore. All her stones are certified conflict free and she uses recycled gold and platinum upon request.
Ameda Pump
You need a pump for the occasional partner/ Daddy/ Grandma/ baby nurse feed. Make sure you get a good one, it's worth the investment.
Pretty Pushers Labor Gowns
You may as well have good cleavage while enduring the ring of fire. Pretty Pushers labor gowns negate the need for gross hospital gowns and can handle your breastfeeding, iv, fetal heart rate moniter, and epidural needs with special cut outs.
Looking for a what to register for list of products? Read What A Babe(y) Wants: What To Register For When You Are Knocked Up And Overwhelmed.
From the GirlieGirl Army Baby Files:
- The Most Gorgeous Maternity Clothes Ever
- Veg Family Reading … From Start to Finish!
- Alternative Diapering 101
- Natural Pregnancy: Going With The Flow
- Life-Changingly Simple Advice For New Moms
- An Experienced Doula's Tips for a Holistic Pregnancy and Birth
- Start a Group for Vegan Parents And Kids in Your City!
- How To Raise Socially Responsible Rugrats
- Raising a Child According to Your Values
- The Breast Advice You Ever Got: Breastfeeding 101
- The First Few Weeks Of Pregnancy: Downlow and Pregs
- How To Usher In The Soul Of A Saint In Your Baby: How Chanting Can Bring You An Extra Special Baby
- How To Feed Your Vegan Toddler
- Breastfeeding: Keeping A High Milk Supply Naturally


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Here is the NY Times describing a U Penn study on the efficacy of thre assault weapons ban:
The federal ban also yielded mixed results in its decade of existence. A 2004 study by the University of Pennsylvania, financed by the Justice Department, found that the measure, which included a ban on ammunition magazines that could hold more than 10 rounds, had only a limited impact on gun crime.
The study explained that part of the issue was all the exceptions to the law. Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines manufactured before 1994 were exempted from the ban, meaning that more than 1.5 million assault weapons remained in circulation. In addition, the country's stock of large-capacity magazines actually continued to grow after the ban, because it remained legal to import them as long as they had been made before the ban.
Another challenge for lawmakers was defining precisely what an assault weapon is, which allowed the industry to continue manufacturing guns similar to those that had been banned.
Yes, finding a meaningful definition of "assault weapon" was surely a challenge. But the U Penn study also identified an even larger challenge:
AWs [Assault Weapons] were used in only a small fraction of gun crimes prior to the ban: about 2% according to most studies and no more than 8%. Most of the AWs used in crime are assault pistols rather than assault rifles.
Eugene Volokh had the way of it - this was an attempt to reduce drunk driving by banning the sale of whiskey. Imported Canadian whiskey.
U Penn does mention that Large Capacity Magazine (also referred to by the media cognoscenti as "high magazine clips") are somewhat more relevant:
LCMs are used in crime much more often than AWs and accounted for 14% to 26% of guns used in crime prior to the ban.
In response to which others have noted that the Va Tech killer (still the worst school shooting in the US) used ten and fifteen round clips; reloading can be very quick.
Well, tear out the front page of my blog - the Times coverage is woefully incomplete and slanted. You can only imagine my surprise.


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There is lot of twittering among the denizens at DailyKOS over Republicans and their recent convention. Particularly humorous for us was not Mitt Romney, who comes across as a generally decent but vacillating and contradictory buffoon, but his vice presidential pick Paul Ryan. What makes Ryan particularly interesting to us progressives is his ability to hold two completely contradictory notions in his head and pledge fealty to both.
This is hardly news among Republicans, but in Ryan's case the choice is so stark that it is hard for us Democrats to not feel glee at the resulting contrast. Paul Ryan is simultaneously a big believer in Ayn Rand and her philosophy of Objectivism and claims to be a devout Catholic. Anybody with even a surface knowledge of both Objectivism and Catholicism has to ask: WTF?
Long time readers of this blog may remember my little treatise on the ridiculousness of Objectivism. I too was briefly under its spell. Fortunately, I sobered up pretty quick once I realized it was both crazy and unworkable. Yet Objectivism stuck to Ryan like superglue, but of course being conservative and a Catholic he couldn't just stop going to mass and confessing his devotion to the Catholic faith. And yet Ryan is the same person whose budget plan passed the House in 2011 and consisted chiefly of the cutting the poor off at their kneecaps (well, actually more like the waist) while lavishing tax cuts on the rich.
Wags on DailyKos wondered how a true Objectivist like Ryan could run for office in the first place: politicians are supposed to address issues for the benefit of their constituents, but a real Objectivist would only take an action if it was solely in his selfish interest. Moreover, Ayn Rand was an atheist. The Catholic bishops, hardly examples of shining virtue, quickly cut Ryan down to size, reiterating, among other things, that Catholics must care about the poor and work for social justice. Ryan, of course, remains tone deaf to the church's criticisms and calls the controversy a mere "difference of opinion".
Everyone seems to have pillars of truth that they anchor their lives around. In Ryan's case they are weirdly self-contradictory. Be it Objectivism, or Catholicism, the Buddha's Four Noble Truths or secular treatises like Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, there is comfort to be had in going with an off the shelf solution. Many, many years back I opined on what it might be like if we all built our own personal philosophy, perhaps by pulling pieces from elsewhere. That appears to be Ryan's approach. Something about Objectivism he found very appealing, but there must be some nugget of Catholicism that he found appealing as well. Apparently it wasn't the social justice part. Maybe it was the no divorce ever part. Whatever. Glue them together and with whatever bastardized shape emerges label it "my truth".
And why not? Because in the end, we all end up dead. So you might as well grab onto some philosophy or religion to get through life. Your life will likely be too short for your tastes anyhow, and you probably don't want to spend most of it wallowing in an existential angst. We may be compulsively driven toward faith, for the same way we are driven to eat and sleep. We need some faith, even if it is not a religious faith like Communism, to make sense out of a life that would otherwise appear pointless, random and very chaotic.
We get occasional reminders that we keep barking up the wrong trees. Harold Camping's revelation that the world would end on May 21, 2011 proved incorrect, but at least for a while it got him some attention. When he does pass his fallacious prediction will at least warrant him a real obituary, rather than a death notice. The world will not end this fall when the Mayan calendar resets itself either. One of the reasons I am a Unitarian Universalist is that we don't profess to a creed and thus we never suffer the shame of looking ridiculous like Harold Camping. If we have a creed, it is that our creed is changeable depending on what science discovers. However, Unitarians are weird. We are like people who never want to get off the roller coaster. Most people prefer the solid feel of terra firma under their feet.
The evidence is overwhelming that our lives are accidental rather than a part of some grand design. In that sense, life really is like riding a roller coaster. So you might as well enjoy your random ride through life for the time that you have. If you get the opportunity to enjoy it, consider yourself fortunate. However, be aware that you probably have this chance only because your parents invested time and money in you, and shepherded you through many obstacles so that you could thrive in the jungle called life. For those of us fortunate to be in the canopy, the view is nice, but down on the jungle floor life is hell. Most people on this planet live lives that, if not in hell, are deep in purgatory. When your life is mostly hell, faith anchored in an afterlife has a lot of appeal, which probably explains why faiths have been so overwhelmingly popular. That religion is diminishing in places like Europe suggests a critical mass there has truly achieved enlightenment. So perhaps their time on earth will be decent overall, but we all share the same fate: death.
What do the faithless like me do? Do we live each day like Hugh Hefner? Do we attempt to alleviate suffering even though such efforts are microscopic in the grand suffering going on around us? Should we feel no sanctions against murder, or fleecing our neighbors, or chasing our neighbors' wives? Is there a point to anything we do when we die and everything else dies as well, and when a thousand years from now we can infer with great confidence that our lives and times will be wholly forgotten?
For me, despite being over fifty, this reality is still pretty scary. Some part of me still longs for the certainty by which the faithful anchor, or seem to anchor their lives. There are no real guideposts for people like me, only our own confused and flawed consciences. We keep trying to do the best for ourselves and those we live with. We are adrift in a Sea of Relativity, and we know it. We also know why so many of those around us, like the Paul Ryans of the world, prefer the delusion of certainty to the uncomfortable angst of being awake.


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Planescape is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons originally designed by Zeb Cook. The Planescape setting was published in 1994. As its name suggests, the setting crosses and comprises the numerous planes of existence, encompassing an entire cosmology called the Great Wheel, as originally developed in the Manual of the Planes by Jeff Grubb. This includes many of the other Dungeons & Dragons worlds, linking them via inter-dimensional magical portals.
Sigil, the "City of Doors", is located atop the Spire in the Outlands. It has the shape of a torus, and the city itself is located on the inner surface of the ring. There is no sky, simply an all-pervasive light that waxes and wanes to create day and night. Sigil cannot be entered or exited save via portals. Although this makes it quite safe from any would-be invader, it also makes it a prison of sorts for those not possessing a portal key. Thus, many call Sigil "The Bird Cage" or "The Cage." Though Sigil is commonly held to be located "at the center of the planes" (where it is positioned atop the infinitely tall Spire), some argue that this is impossible since the planes are infinite in all dimensions, and therefore there can never truly be a center to any of them, let alone all of them. Curiously, from the Outlands, one can see Sigil atop the supposedly infinite Spire.


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Free Aim Trainer for Shooting Games
Aim Trainer is an online free website that is explicitly intended to enhance the player's point in different first-person shooter games, for example, Fortnite, Counter-Strike: GO, and Call of Duty. Planned in light of just a single objective, to enhance the aiming skill of a user, Aim Trainer accompanies a great deal of customization options and various difficulties that are explicitly made to allow the player to enhance various sides of aiming. It is a source uniquely designed to assist players with getting better at games, such as Rainbow Six Siege, Overwatch, PUBG and other First-Person Shooters. aimtrainer.io centers around building up the major skills that make great point such.
Overview of aimtrainer.io
The objective of Aim Trainer is to cause the player to enhance at aiming and several different aspects of first-person shooter games. Since every single game is different, FPS Games, such as Fortnite, Counter-Strike GO, Apex Legends and Rainbow Six Siege share comparable mechanics and in this, way have comparable skill requirements and Aim Trainer assists players with enhancing them.
With this website, you can have a great deal of practice, you will have the option to enhance your precision and aiming and it has been affirmed various occasions that the best eSport players of FPS games, for example, Overwatch, PUBG, Fortnite, Call of Duty and different shooters train along these lines so as to sharpen their abilities.
Aim Trainer includes numerous various difficulties, customized to help enhance a particular aspect of aiming. As well, there are different game modes intended to enhance the player's reflexes, precision and taking shots at numerous objectives at the same time all with an objective of causing the player to perform better in FPS games.
Salient Features of aimtrainer.io
Here we provide also a couple of features for you to get a hang of it:
- Covering core skills like flick, tracking and reaction time
- Worldwide Skill Comparison
- Comprehensive data and reporting tools to enhance your performance


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The U-pick corn season opened at the Abbey on August 29. Many neighbours look forward to coming and picking their own fresh corn.
Monthly Archives: August 2020
Prayer for a pandemic
Happy anniversary
On August 12 Fr. Paul was joined by family and friends to celebrate the 14th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Congratulations Fr. Paul!
Solar street light
Br. Basil checks out the solar street light he installed on Saturday, August 1.


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Cubs Minor League Daily: Smoothies and a Lot of Doubles
Long time readers of Bleacher Nation are aware of the significance of the peppermint chocolate chip milkshake. Unfortunately, the One Milkshake To Rule Them All is not available all year. When the weather is cool and prosecutors are preparing to charge a certain fat elf with breaking and entering, that is when The Most Marvelous of Milkshakes is available. For the rest of year, life is dry and flavourless.
Or, rather, it was. On my latest return from family events in the Midwest (and yes, I am back now and should be appearing more semi-normally on Twitter and in the comments), I discovered a delectable concoction that may, perhaps, bring some joy back to months deprived of that delightful nectar.
First, though, you need to find a Sheetz. This may be a problem for many of you since they pretty don't exist any further west than, oh, Zanesville, Ohio. Once you have cleared that hurdle, proceed within and indulge yourself in a delightful experience that masks itself behind the artfully innocuous name of banana fluffernutter smoothie.
I'd describe it, but those of you who live near a Sheetz are already sprinting down the street to obtain such succulence, and the rest of you are cursing your geographic fate and calling your Chamber of Commerce to request, nay, demand that they act immediately to rectify the destitute culinary status of your region. So perhaps we should just move on to the recaps.
Scores From Yesterday
Iowa – Iowa waited out a long rain delay before they could start the doubleheader, and then lost the first game 1-0. Game Two was a completion of an earlier game, and the Cubs lost 2-1.
Tennessee – Once again the Smokies lost a very close game. This time the final was 2-1 in eleven innings.
Daytona – The Cubs slid back to ten games under .500 with this 7-2 loss.
Kane County – Kane County was firing on all cylinders in this 7-1 road win.
Performances of Note
- [Iowa] Arismendy Alcantara, Brett Jackson, and Eli Whiteside had the only hits for the Cubs in Game One. Christian Villanueva reached on a walk.
- [Iowa] Javier Baez spent Game One striking out. Three times, to be exact. He had a couple singles in Game Two.
- [Iowa] Dallas Beeler pitched a pretty nice game, though. Over 6.1 innings (a complete game for a minor league doubleheader featuring a walk-off homer) he allowed the game winner on a solo homer, but finished having allowed just 5 hits and a walk while striking out 5.
- [Tennessee] Kris Bryant finished 4 for 4 with a pair of singles, a double, a homer (number 14) and a walk. That's 5 walks in two games for those who are counting.
- [Tennessee] Dae-Eun Rhee pitched 7 innings of one run ball, allowing that run on 7 hits and a walk while striking out 8.
- [Tennessee] Hunter Cervenka (2 IP, 2 H, 2 K) and Arodys Vizcaino (1 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) both pitched pretty well in relief.
- [Daytona] Dan Vogelbach doubled and walked in this one. Jeimer Candelario also doubled, but he struck out 3 times.
- [Daytona] Gioskar Amaya doubled for the 6th time and struck out twice in his 2 for 4 game. Albert Almora also struck out twice as he finished 0 for 4.
- [Kane County] Daniel Lockhart doubled and finished 3 for 5. His May OPS is now .708, up from .550 in April. Trey Martin also doubled and finished with 3 hits.
- [Kane County] Ben Carhart (DH in this one) and Shawon Dunston Jr. both doubled as part of their 2 hit performances.
- [Kane County] The line is sort of ugly, but he got the job done. Paul Blackburn lasted just 4.2 innings and allowed 10 hits and 2 walks against just 4 strikeouts, but the only run he gave up scored on a solo homer. His groundout-flyout ratio was 6-0.
- [Kane County] Zak Hermans pitched 3.1 innings, allowed nothing, and struck out 4.
Other News
- Love baseball but hate the crowds? Minor league games are here for you. Just 904 people watched Kane County play in Clinton yesterday, and that despite Clinton being the third place team in the division trying to take down the first place Cougars at home. Those lower crowd numbers are not uncommon for a lot of weekday minor league games, and that makes those games a great time for the crowd-adverse to get to the ballpark. No lines, cheap parking, cheap tickets, (relatively) cheap food, awesome seats, great baseball… what's not to love?
- Need still more draft information? Baseball America has their Top 500 prospects available in neatly searchable format. I will be keeping that page open constantly during draft weekend. For a different take, check out the Top 350 from Minor League Ball.


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Congratulations! You must have done something right to secure that all-important first date, but what should you suggest for where to go? First dates should be fun, memorable and they should allow for easy conversation so you can get to know each other a little better. Nobody wants to be remembered for a dull and awkward evening out, so here are just a few top ideas for a first date with a difference!
Go on a walk
You don't have to do the usual and go for a drink down at the local pub. A nice leisurely walk in a nearby park or beauty spot can make for a really memorable first date, and the space, fresh air and lack of distractions mean you can really get to chat. Just check the weather forecast before you head out!
Visit a museum or gallery
You probably have a good idea of what your date is interested in, because you must have already found something in common. Choose a museum or gallery dedicated to a shared interest or passion and you'll find plenty of ways to break the ice and get the conversation flowing. If you're stuck for ideas, the Arts Council England has a fantastic list of places you could suggest to your date.
Try some new cuisine
Whether you're looking for sushi parlours in Soho, curry houses in Coventry or Italian restaurants in Dublin, such as http://www.forno500.ie/, try something a little less ordinary. Sampling new foods in a relaxed atmosphere can be a great way to break the ice, but do check beforehand whether they have any special dietary needs or that they're happy with spicy food or something a little exotic.
Go bowling
It's not just for teenagers, after all! Bowling can be a lot of fun at any age, and introducing that nice little laid-back competitive element to the date might bring out the best in both of you. You're more likely to be relaxed if you're enjoying yourselves and doing something active – you might even strike lucky in more than one way by securing a second date!
Don't just settle for the standard cinema trip followed by a quiet drink. Put a little imagination into your first date and you could be going on lots more dates in the future!


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The 2019 Temple Area Builders Association Parade of Homes features a record 26 homes from 19 builders. Parade homes are located in Temple, Belton, Morgan's Point Resort, Salado, Buckholts and Troy. The event will be held over two weekends, May 10, 11 and 12, and May 17, 18 and 19.
Central Texans can experience their dream come true in one of the homes during the Temple Area Builders Association 2019 Parade of Homes.
Kacie Beevers, Executive Officer of the association, said "Now is the time to buy as we see the trend of low interest rates, a strong local economy, and a tremendous selection of outstanding homes continue."
This year's Parade will feature homes in Temple, Belton, Morgan's Point Resort, Salado, Buckholts and Troy. A variety of both custom and spec homes that will be featured in this year's Parade range in price from $195,000 to more than $700,000.
Participating builders go the extra mile for the Parade. Highlighting their own unique style in terms of layout, design and decorating with some featured homes furnished for a true "I'm home" feel.
Outdoor living spaces, open floor plans, energy efficiency and the newest custom items available make the Parade a "must attend" event. Discover designs and trends for your future home or to share with family, friends, and colleagues. You are welcome to tour the homes and gather remodeling or decorating ideas. TABA Builder and Associate members can help you turn those ideas into reality.
"This year's Parade of Homes will certainly not disappoint featuring 19 Builders and a record breaking 26 homes. Whether you are looking to buy, build or just want to get some decorating ideas, the Parade is an excellent opportunity to experience a wide range of homes with unique styles and features in some of the top neighborhoods in Bell County." – Ryan Waldron, 2019 Parade of Homes Chair
All Parade homes will be open to the public on two weekends again this year: from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 10th; from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 11th and May 12th; and the following weekend from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 17th; and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 18th and May 19th. Admission is $5 per adult and children under 12 are admitted free.
Advance tickets are available on CentralTexasTickets.com and at each of the Parade homes during open hours of the event.
Central National Bank is the Title Partner of this year's Parade. Additional Parade Partners include Keene Roofing, KWTX, Martin Marietta, Suncoast Post Tension, Temple Daily Telegram, Texas Bright Ideas and Tri Supply.
A special Parade of Homes magazine is produced by the Temple Daily Telegram each year. The magazine will be distributed in the Friday, May 10th edition of the newspaper and will showcase each home in the Parade. In addition to a photo, floorplan and other information, the magazine will also include a map that will guide you to each of the homes on tour.
For more information, please visit www.tahb.org/parade or download and find us on the FREE Parade Smart Application on your smartphone.
Come experience the dream at the 2019 Temple Area Home Builders Parade of Homes!
2019 Parade of Homes Entries
Alethium Star Homes - 6208 Brayson Oaks Drive. Belton, TX
Arnold Builders - 6419 Clayton Court, Temple, TX
Brandon Whatley Homes - 6641 Cedar Creek Road, Temple, TX
Carothers Executive Homes - 3324 Laurel Highlands, Salado, TX; 22 Cedro Circle, Morgan's Point Resort, TX
Classic Homes - 3050 Pecan Meadow, Belton, TX
Cory Herring Homes - 7110 Golden Heart Drive, Temple, TX; 13010 Pigeon Forge Drive, Temple, TX
DB Fuller Homes - 7602 Purvis, Temple, TX; 2509 Turtle Dove, Temple, TX
D.R. Horton - 5502 Shire Drive, Belton, TX; 1138 Kiskadee Branch, Temple, TX; 6309 Tess, Temple, TX
Eagle Ridge Builders- 7006 Crystal Valley Drive,Temple, TX
Empire Custom Homes -7048 South FM 1915, Buckholts, TX
Jarolik Homes - 1924 Berger Road, Troy, TX
Kiella Homebuilders - 3124 Trinity Drive, Belton, TX
Omega Builders - 2244 Limestone Court, Belton, TX
Orchard Valley Homes - 714 Haymarket Drive, Temple, TX
Quarles Construction -1319 Kyleigh Drive, Salado
Randy Taylor Custom Builders - 1005 Deer Crossing, Salado, TX; 1123 Doves Landing, Salado, TX
Stillwater Custom Homes -13 Lago Verde Lane, Temple
Tyrian Homes - 6909 Greenfield Drive, Temple, TX; 2031 Brokenshoe, Temple, TX
White River Homes- 1028 Ferguson Mill, Salado, TX
Temple Area Builders Association


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Kim's Travel is a licensed travel agent for incoming trips to Korea. In order to help at the best its customers, Kim's Travel is proposing in this website a non-exhaustive list of services, in Republic of Korea(South Korea), performed by third parties and kindly ask its customers, as a matter of facility and clarity to use the specially prepared reservation forms for each service.
1. Contract conclusion
These Booking Conditions apply to the person making the booking and all other persons on whose behalf the booking is made.
With the verbal or written registration (i.e. the booking from the customers) in which Kim's Travel or one of their businesses can execute, a binding contract exists between the customer and the organizer. Through the booking, the customer acknowledges the general business conditions as part of the contract between him/herself and the organizer.
The person making the booking must be authorized to make the booking on behalf of the members of the party. The person making the booking must also provide a copy of these booking conditions to the other members of the party.
2. Object of the agreement
The organizer assumes responsibility for providing the requested service as described in the advertisements and/or in the confirmation order. Service extensions can be considered upon consultation with the organizer. Any extra costs will be borne by the customer.
3. Prices
The effective prices for the offered tour packages can be drawn from the current advertisements from the organizer.
Children reductions will be calculated deepening the age of the child and for hotel rooms depending on the number of full paying adults with whom the child will share the room. Prices are subject to change.
4. Terms of payment
1) Payment Method
<Credit Card> VISA, MASTER, AMEX
You can make a payment by credit card on our online payment system of our website.
<Bank Transfer> Send payment to the following bank account.
• Bank : Maebong Branch, Kookmin Bank
• Bank Address : #419-1, Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Account No. : 519768-11-001365
• Swift Code : CZNBKRSEXXX
• Beneficiary : KIM'S TRAVEL CO., LTD
• Company Address :5th Floor Yuil Building, 2728 Nambusunhwan-ro,Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2) The cancellation policy is as follows.
If the cancellation notice is received before
2-1). Cancellation fee / refund
Except otherwise stated, Tour or package or any product cancelled without due notice are subjected to a cancellation fee according to the following scale :
2-1.1) Short Tours/Attractions/products (with duration of one day or less) and not including train or flight ticket and/or overnight accommodation
- Cancellation between 7 and 4 calendar days before the services begin:
You will be charged a 5% cancellation fee.
- Cancellation within 3 calendar days before the services begin :
You will be charged a 25% cancellation fee
- Cancellation the day of the services or after :
You will be charged a 100% cancellation fee (no refund)
2-2.2) Special request / Private tours AND / OR Tours/Attractions/products including train or flight ticket and/or hotel accommodations.
- Cancellation between 14 to 7 calendar days before services begin :
You will be charged 5% cancellation fee.
- Cancellation 7 to 3 calendar days before the service :
You will be charged a 25% cancellation fee
- Cancellation 2 days before or the day of the services or after :
You will be charged a 100% cancellation fee (no refund)
In the case of the third party suppliers, the cancellation conditions of the respective supplier apply. These potential costs can be additionally added to the bill.
The customer is not entitled to a refund in the event of a later start or an early departure from the activity. Extra costs incurred due to a later start, an early departure, or the postponement of an activity, are to be paid by the customer.
5. Cancellation or Change of Contract by the Organizer
A minimum number of participants are required for certain programs. The organizer reserves the right to withdraw from the contract also on short notice. If the fulfillment of a contract is not possible at another time or if the customer cannot take part in the alternative services offered, any paid fees will be refunded minus charges for services rendered. Further damage claims are not possible. The organizer reserves the right to cancel the program on short notice if participants cause the fulfillment of a contract to be endangered or made impossible by their behavior, their omissions or other actions. In this case the regulation of the cancellation costs applies in accordance with number 5. If a program or parts of a program cannot be carried out due to Acts of God, safety concerns by the organizer, official regulations, strikes or uncertain weather and nature conditions, the organizer reserves the right to cancel or cut short the activities on short notice. Paid fees will be returned minus charges for services rendered, any expenditures and the handling fee. Please note that a danger-free completion of the activity is in everyone's interest. All decisions made by the activity leaders are final. The organizer expressly reserves the right to modify the program. The organizer will strive for an equivalent service replacement.
6. Conditions of Participation, Obligations of the Participant
Good health is necessary in order to take part in all activities. The participants are obligated to inform the organizer of any possible health problems. Under no circumstances may participants take part in the activities while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, psychiatric drugs or any similar substances. The participants are obliged to fulfill the conditions of participation and agree to strictly follow the instructions of the organizer, the guides, activity leader, and assistants. If the Conditions of Participation are not fulfilled or if instructions are disregarded, the organizer reserves the right to prohibit participation.
7. Insurance
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Despite a pretty rough month of economic news, here in Lake Norman we actually had some news to be thankful for in November!
As I anticipated last month based upon the higher numbers for Conditional and Pending home sales in our Lake Norman area, we posted some relatively strong numbers in November when compared to last year and even the year prior to that:
The total number of Lake Norman single family homes under contract (but not yet closed) on November 30, 2010 totaled 169 which is a drop of 13% from last month's high but still 8% higher when compared to August's and July's numbers of 157, equal to June's 169 and 15% below May's closings.
Here are the details:
- Active Listings dropped another 15% from a year ago. Based upon our November closed sales, we now have 14.8 months of inventory. While our goal of a truly balanced housing market of 6-8 months of supply is still out of reach this is the strongest absorption rate we have had since I started doing these sales analysis in early 2007. To achieve these numbers given our current inventory levels we will need to sell about 140 homes per month. Clearly we need to have a combination of increased sales and decreased levels of active listings in order to return to a balanced market. However, it is very good news that our inventory is continuing to shrink to record lows each month. Note that the average price of our active listings dropped 15% compared to November 2009. We continue to see a number of price reductions
- Contingent Sales, which don't account for a significant segment of our housing market, increased by 20%. This only represents two more properties so clearly most sellers are not willing to accept an offer contingent upon the sale of a buyer's home due to the overall weak housing market.
- Conditional Sales increased 44 % this month when compared to November 2009. These are homes that just went under contract and still have financial and inspection conditions. They will represent closed sales in either late December or January and would seem to indicate that the sales in Lake Norman in the next month or two will be substantially higher than last year's numbers. This is the strongest trend we have seen for a long time!
- Our pending sales represented a 9% decrease from a year ago. These are the contracts that are past inspections and are just waiting to close. Pending sales are usually the best indication of closed sales in the next few weeks. These numbers would indicate that our closed sales this month will be equal to or slightly lower than both last month and December of 2009.
- The number of closed sales increased 21% compared to 2009 and our average price was up 21%. It is important to consider that this increase in the average sales price represents a strengthening of our higher-priced home NOT an increase in our overall prices.
Here is a breakdown by price-range of our November 2010 closed sales in Lake Norman's area 13- to 13-5:
- $42,000 – $199,999: 14 (Conditional, & Pending = 22)
- $200,000 – $299,999: 14 (Conditional & Pending = 34)
- $300,000 – $399,999: 11 ( Conditional & Pending = 28) (50%)
- $400,000 – $499,999: 6 ( Conditional & Pending = 19)
- $500,000 – $599,999: 7 ( Conditional & Pending = 15) (20%)
- $600,000 – $699,999: 8 ( Conditional & Pending = 16)
- $700,000 – $799,999: 2 ( Conditional & Pending = 8
- $800,000 – $899,999: 4 ( Conditional & Pending = 5)
- $900,000 – $999,999: 2 ( Conditional & Pending = 3) ($600,000 – $1mill = 19%)
- $1,000,000 – $1,999,999: 5 ( Conditional & Pending = 18 WOW!)
- $2 million+ : 3 ( Conditional & Pending = 1)($1million+ = 11%)
- (Total Conditional, Contingent and Pending = 169)
In October, 61% of our Lake Norman home sales were under $400,000 and 77% were under $600,000. Last month 51% of our home sales were under $400,000 and 68% were under $600,000. Note that our current Lake Norman properties under contract just about match November's numbers and continue to reflect a higher-end niche of our market that is showing life for the first time in several years. Waterfront homes make up the bulk of the higher-end home sales right now. As prices come down buyers are scooping up these properties realizing that they may not see these prices with such good quality of water again. It will be very interesting to see if this trend continues into the winter months.
6-Year Comparison of Lake Norman Home Sales By Month
* Please note that all of my numbers come from the Charlotte Region Multiple Listing Service and will not include sales that took place outside of our MLS.
**I have made an adjustment of the totals reflecting the ACTUAL sales every month in 2009 and 2010 and the totals in the prior calendar year. The columns may not add up but I do my best with what I have to work! I also adjust past months when I do the monthly update as a few more sales are usually input late by agents.
Here is a snapshot of Lake Norman home sales numbers in the context of the past 6 years. Our 2010 November sales were 21% higher than 2009 and 65% greater than 2008. We are already 4% higher in total annual sales for 2010 compared to 2009 and, based upon our current number of Lake Norman properties under contract, it looks like we will match the overall 2008 numbers.
It is also worth pointing out that if we close about 75 sales this month it will be the strongest December since 2006! In my opinion, significant price reductions are inspiring buyers to jump off the fence. It will be a very interesting winter!
OTHER ARTICLES of INTEREST
Lake Norman Relocation Resources
Lake Norman Foreclosures, Short Sales and Green Homes…Search HERE!


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Cottekill's Trusted Roofing & Siding Company
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With give our Cottekill customers unbeatable customer service with satisfactory results on every single project. We also offer additional service for your Cottekill property, including attic insulation, siding installation, and gutter maintenance.
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Quality Guaranteed
Lyndsey Roofing® is proud of every single project we help with and service we provide. Quality is the guarantee for whatever your needs may be for your Cottekill home. We give all of your projects—roofing, attic, siding, etc.—the proper attention, no matter how big or small.
Affordable Prices
Dependable roofing is a necessity for any home or business building, and that's why we believe it should be affordable. Lyndsey Roofing® works with your budget to help install, repair, or maintain your Cottekill home.
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Roof Repairs
Roofs work hard to give you security and protection from weather and various elements. As a result, they can take a lot of the damage and have intense wear and tear over time. Some of these damages can go unseen, which leads to more severe results later on. With Lyndsey Roofing®, we take care of your roof with quality repairs. We make sure no damage goes unnoticed and untreated. If you're not sure when or if you need a repair, call us for an evaluation of your Cottekill property. It is always better to be safe.
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>Missing, cracked or curling shingles
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With our professional replacement team, the thought of replacing an entire roof does not need to be scary or daunting for you. We offer complete roof replacement to take care of your Cottekill property. Our evaluation teams can help you decide when replacement is needed and help you select what material you would like. With the intense weather that Cottekill can experience, roofs can take a toll. Rather than constantly adding another layer, entire roof replacement can be most effective and efficient for your property.
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Maintenance is an influential component for any roof's lifespan. With proper care and attention, your roof can last a long time, standing strong when you need it. Lyndsey Roofing® provides expert maintenance to keep your Cottekill roof secure. Gathered debris, water excess, or other potential damages are no match for our maintenance teams.
Our maintenance inspection includes:
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>Inspection of HVAC curbs, wall flashings, drains, perimeter flashings and pipe flashings.
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Lyndsey Roofing® proudly serves the commercial and business properties of Cottekill. Our services include commercial repairs and maintenance for your roofs. If you are looking for roof installation, we offer a variety of materials for you to select from. This allows you to keep a company brand and style, even with your roof.
Commercial roofing for:
>Roof Maintenance
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Window Replacement
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A door can often be the centerpiece of the facade on a house. Along with an aesthetic aspect, doors can often make or break an energy bill if it has a draft or isn't air-tight. It all comes to preference, and at Lyndsey Roofing® we make sure we talk about exactly what your vision is for your door replacement.
Door Material Includes:
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Your Roofing Contractor serving Clinton Corners, NY
For any of your roofing needs, contact Lyndsey Roofing® today. We are the trusted roofing contractor for the greater Cottekill, NY area. Our quality services are offered to both residential and commercial property—all within your specific budget.
As a GenFlex Licensed and insured roofing company, you have the guarantee of quality with Lyndsey Roofing®. We give unbeatable customer service to all of our Cottekill clients. Roofing, siding, insulation, and general maintenance is our expertise. Call us today for a free estimate!


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Want to get lit and do battle against Alzheimers? Head to the Naked Grape (2039 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors) Wednesday at 6 p.m. for their Wine Guerrilla tasting night, a sampling of the Sonoma winemakers entire line of bold Zinfandels. Ten bucks (in advance, $15 at the door) gets you a taste of each of the wines, as well as a complimentary spread of cheeses to go with it. If you dig a particular Guerrilla, bottles will be available for sale; 10% of the proceeds will go towards the Alzheimers Society. Call 954-563-5631, or visit www.nakedgrapewinebar.com.
Wed., July 30, 2008


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Here is my take on the colour challenge over on Scrapbook Therapy … Colours are as follows… (déjà vu really)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Scrapbook Therapy - Technique
This months theme at scrapbook therapy is numbers…and in the technique challenge you where required to use numbers as embellishments..this is what I came up with…
Also only one more day until the first challenge goes up on Scrap the Boys …be sure to pop over and check it out.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Inspired Blueprints #50
This month I only managed 1 of the sketches over on Inspired Blueprints… I actually used #50 twice but the other layout is of my cousins daughter so I can not share that.Also on the news front I have some exciting to share… Scrap the Boys is relaunching and the new team has been finalised and introduced …the first challenge will be posted on the 1st of July and our sponsors are Anna's Craft Cupboard and Scrap a While… so definitely stop by and have a go at the challenges you have to be in it to win it as they say.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Savvy Colour Challenge
Thanks girls for the lovely comments the background stamp I used is a Stampin Up Friendly Stamp (last catalogue...but you may be able to find it on ebay:)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Scrapbook Savvy Sketch
This months Sketch on Savvy is fabulous …here is my take on it…finally got to scrap the first day of school photos…i am sooooo slack. Last years photo the white handrail was a lot higher on hoots head…I have intentionally taken and intend to take the photo every year hear so I can see the growth…and you all thought it was just bad composition …lol.
I am currently on a plane to Brisbane for the Scrapbooking Expo so if you are heading there too keep and eye out for me and come over and say hello…I will be around the Addicted to Craft booth a bit as Kell is teaching and I will be there as here entourage and personal fan club …lol so if you want to do a kickass class hers still has a couple of spots I think…so sign up for it.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Stuck! June 1 Sketch
I have given the June 1st Sketch on Stuck! a go this month and here is my take on it…the photo is of my 2 over the road from Wendy's place under a patch of silver birch trees where a heap of real "fairy mushrooms" (red and white toadstools) had appeared…truly magical and not only for the kids :)
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Creative Scrappers #106
Here is my take on Creative Scrappers Sketch #106 …I have adapted it a little to suit my style but all the elements of the sketch are there:)
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Dollies Sketch
Design Dollies Sketch last week was quite out of my comfort zone but I have given it a good go…here is the sketch and my take on it :) and yes I know the journaling is missing …I just realised.
Guest Sketch @ Annas
This month I got to be a guest Annas Craft Cupboard doing the sketch challenge example for June… here is my sample and the sketch.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Kraft It Up Reveal
The new challenge is up over on Kraft It Up…this month you need to create a minimalist layout …here is my sample…I have not used any patterned paper and only a few stamps and embellishments….pop over and check out the rest of the talented teams layouts.


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7 Clever Renovating Ideas for a Small Bathroom
Let's say you're remodeling your home. And you dream of a giant, spacious bathroom like this, but that's not going to happen because all of those bathrooms are bigger than your entire house. Sometimes, you've just got to work with the space that you've got. Fortunately, we've got plenty of ideas for your small bathroom that will save space — and still look beautiful. Bathroom renovations Seven Hills are dedicated to providing the most innovative designs as well as renovations for bathrooms and kitchens Sydney has. Bathroom renovations can also include a tempered glass cut to size with bespoke measurements using the latest technology including CNC machinery.
This bathroom, spotted on Share Design, features a slim sink set into a shallow counter. There's still a place to put your stuff while you're getting ready, but you save about a foot over a traditional vanity.
Mirrored medicine cabinets are nothing new, but this bathroom from Homedit takes it to the next level, with a mirrored cabinet that extends the length of the vanity and helps to visually expand the room.
Mirrored walls make this bathroom from Flodeau seem a little trippy — and a lot more spacious.
With a wall-hung toilet, like this one in a bathroom from Dezeen, the tank part is recessed into the wall, which can save a few precious inches in a small space.
Instead of a curb and a typical shower door, try a frameless glass door and a curbless shower, like in this bathroom from VT Wonen. Not having walls around the shower will save a little bit of space, but the big gain will be visual — the shower will seem to disappear, making the bathroom appear much larger.
If you have less than five feet of clearance but still want a bathtub, don't despair. Plenty of manufacturers makes tubs in sizes small than 60″. Also, a glass panel can block spray from the shower, and take up a lot less visual space than a shower curtain and rod.
And finally, here's a clever small bathroom solution from The Order Obsessed. Shelves fitted into a corner next to the toilet provide a lot of storage in a little space. Learn more on renovating your bathroom using others ideas.


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'You Don't Need God' Billboard Interview
If you've driven down northbound US-131 at Hall street recently you may have seen the "You don't need God" billboard there from the Center For Inquiry.
The whole thing goes "You don't need God - to hope, to care, to love, to live."
The CFI is an organization that promotes a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry and humanist values.
I managed to snag a quick interview with Jennifer Beahan, the Assistant Director. You can listen to that interview by clicking this link:
Here are links to the other websites that Jennifer mentions in the interview:
Here's an article about the billboard and its counterparts in the campaign in other regions.
And here's a link and video from WZZM 13.


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This video is pretty funny because I am SO DEAD in it! I mean, can I perk up a bit for these shoots?? My goodness! In my defense it was about 10PM and I wasn't feeling so hot.
If you can get past the lack of ENERGY I have in the shoot and just focus on the clothing we bought, you'll thank me later. 🙂
And just for fun, here's my son hiding in the store while we were shopping.
PS – I told Bill he should have done his haul and he said next time he will make the video. Going to keep him to his word!!!


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Hello there and sorry I'm late this morning.
As I was laying in bed wondering about what we could write, I began to think about change. Change can be very many things from summer fashions to the march of the seasons. Change is part of everything living or dead – animate or inanimate. Many of us have problems with change – we don't like it and we want everything to remain fixed — which of course creates a lot of unease.
So I thought we'd write about change but in what form or genre? In relation to which aspect of change should we write? Shall we be serious or humorous, philosophical or scientific.
For a moment let's look at how a zen monk and haiku master writes about change:
The world is a dewdrop
A dewdrop
And yet, and yet …
From time immemorabile mankind has been contemplating the world and therefore change – the kyo (emptiness) and the jitsu (fullness) in their never-ending march together yet separated. The world is a dewdrop … and yet –
I would like to you write your reflections about change either by using a Choka (a Choka is formed by writing 5/7 syllable couplets and you end the poem with an extra seven-syllable line. The poet may write as many couplets as he or she desires.) or a Shadorma (a non-rhyming six-line poem of 3/5/3/3/7/5 syllables) or perhaps a Shadorma variation. And choose whichever aspect of change interests you at this moment.
Once you've written your piece tag B&P Shadorma and Beyond and Mindlovesmisery's Menagerie then link to our linking app below (if you add our address to your post you will automatically show up in our comments.)
Have a great week, Bastet.


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Opera's doing well on Android, with more than 100M users
Opera is now claiming more than 100 million users of its Android browsers, with India leading the charge, followed by China, Indonesia, Russia and Mexico.
The lightweight Opera Mini is the most popular Opera browser on Android, followed by the full-fat Opera for Android browser, then the Opera Max beta app for Android, which compresses data used by other apps.
Overall it's an impressive number – 103.9 Android million users in the second quarter of this year, up 74 percent on the second quarter of 2013 — but probably still well behind the number using Opera on feature phones, though it's hard to tell for sure.
According to quarterly results released late last week, [company]Opera[/company] had 270.8 million mobile users at the end of Q2. Of those, 246 million — over 90 percent — are using Mini, but the firm won't break that down by platform.
Some people will be using Mini or the Coast browser on [company]Apple[/company] iOS but, due to Opera's data-saving appeal at the low end of the market, my guess is that the majority are on feature phones. And those numbers may grow in the short term, as Microsoft's dying Nokia Series 40/30+ ranges will use Mini as their default browser through the end of 2015.
And on desktop? Not nearly as good – Opera has only 51 million desktop browser users, down two percent year-on-year. In the overall picture, Opera has owned between 1.5 and 2 percent of the desktop browser market for years now, whereas it has around 11 percent of the handset market. Even that's down from around 15 percent a year back, largely because [company]Google[/company] Chrome's share has been growing like crazy.
Opera wouldn't comment on its market share, saying it doesn't rely on third-party figures (I used StatCounter there), but it looks like the Norwegian firm is doing well out of Android's rise in emerging markets. As for whether that boost will offset the corresponding decline in feature phone usage, we'll just have to wait and see.


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Regular price
Product may not ship for up to 4 weeks.
Mushrooms do not fruit from grain spawn. Instead, grain spawn is used to inoculate a fruiting substrate.
Garden Oyster (Hypsizygus ulmarius) rye grain spawn. This is made as a custom order and is available by the kilogram.
You can use Garden Oyster to inoculate:
Garden Oyster can fruit from grow blocks (sawdust only or sawdust supplemented with bran) indoors or on log stacks outdoors.