à Paris Dansant - a wakingdream, france from dancing doc design

samedi 18 juillet 2009

dimanche 12 juillet 2009

our bubbles are connected!

don't we all wish we could float away or along some gust of wind....away from the toxic smokes ....

Brilliant photographer,Sokolsky used this vision of fashion within bubbles during the 1960's

He inspired our imagination then as now .Having visited Desert Diva blog,( a favorite!)

she kindly reminded me of his work.....

And then I got to thinking about a favorite video ad for a music web site....

funny...

A rhapsody in music is a one-movement work that is episodic yet integrated, free-flowing in structure, featuring a range of highly contrasted moods, colour and tonality. An air of spontaneous inspiration and a sense of improvisation make it freer in form than a set of variations

Rhapsody MP3 store -a weightless plunge into sound!

great fun...the work of imaginations , collective conscious perhaps !!love it! thanks for visiting ! hugs to you! ps I just saw a big scorpion in my kitchen sink, needless to say, I am no longer hungry and yucko... this is one downer about living in the south of France ...uh, right I wish there was a bubble to take him off somewhere else other than my home....lest it be said he is snorkeling now in the depths of the plumbing system!! !!!yuck!

vendredi 10 juillet 2009

Castration?Voice & Michael Jackson

Firstly, I know that I am late in my reactions and I feel sad for all but, mostly I feel sad for Michael Jackson who I imagine had a more challenging life than we know !

Below are some of my unsettling medical musings about his childhood and his death....

As a pediatrician and music lover , I have pondered Jackson's life and death from many different angles:

How might his pediatric development been affected and perhaps,more importantly, why might it have been?

I speculate that given his gorgeous high pitched childhood voice that perhaps

financial and family

pressures might have

existed to artificially maintain his voice before puberty changed it to a lower manly sound.

Yes,sadly,I am suggesting that money and his Father's

severe handling of the music pop star's normal development could have led to unethical decisions and interventions like...say----

Could this be called CASTRATION ?

(By the way, it can be surgically or

chemically induced.)

Check this out---

"But the most intriguing reasons for prepubertal castration was to be found in Italy, where from the end

of the 16th century it was carried out to preserve the male unbroken

voice into adult life. In an age when cruelty and barbaric punishments were common, its popularity was such that for a period during the

18th century the voice of the castrato dominated opera throughout most of western

Europe".http://www.usrf.org/news/010308-jenkins_lancet.html

2 .Was he facing life as an individual whose body was essentially severely altered ?

Castration is described below to affect the physical features in the following manners:

"The manner in which the castrati appeared to their audiences can be judged from our clinical experience of eunuchoidism due to spontaneous primary hypogonadism.

A tallness of stature, which was unusual in the 18th century, was commented upon by contemporary writers and was due to failure of the epiphyses to close at puberty, thereby allowing the unopposed action of growth hormone and other growth factors. There was a smooth pale skin, with, later in life, fine wrinkles around the eyes, no beard, plentiful scalp hair, a tendency to obesity, rounding of the hips, and narrowness of the shoulders; the pitch of the speaking voice was similar to that of a female."

3) Could these hormonal alterations have affected him emotionally? could they explain behaviors or affeminate affectations or his desire for severe body image changes?

Below, a scientist describes-

Dr. Richard Wassersug is a professor of anatomy and neurobiology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Chemical castration is the common treatment for advanced prostate cancer, and more than 250,000 American men are taking these drugs. But few people know of any men taking them, simply because we hide. It is shameful to be castrated.

This Dr. says "My initial response to the therapy was typical. My mood plummeted along with my testosterone level. Hair vanished from my arms and legs. Muscle disappeared, fat appeared. My memory suffered. Not only was I now more likely to lose my car keys, I occasionally couldn't remember where I left the car."

I suspect Michael died of an overdose and that he was treated with Propofol(which was found previously in his home),whether this was the cause of death or not will remain to be seen

However,what would be of interest in the coroner's report would be any evidence of castration and dating of such an event. If this had occurred as a child in the care of his parents it would certainly give further pause to the courts about the guardianship of his children. I hope that his children do not become props for Joe Jackson and that their memories are of the essence of Michael Jackson's spirit,music and the voice of angel where love delivered despite its high costs!

definition of the fatal syndrome:

Propofol (2, 6-diisopropylphenol) is a potent intravenous hypnotic agent that is widely used in adults and children for sedation and the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Propofol has gained popularity for its rapid onset and rapid recovery even after prolonged use, and for the neuroprotection conferred. However, a review of the literature reveals multiple instances in which prolonged propofol administration (>48 hours) at high doses (>4 mg/kg/h) may cause a rare, but frequently fatal complication known as propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS). PRIS is characterized by metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis of both skeletal and cardiac muscle, arrhythmias (bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia, bundle branch block and asystole), myocardial failure, renal failure, hepatomegaly and death. PRIS has been described as an 'all or none' syndrome with sudden onset and probable death.

jeudi 9 juillet 2009

Hot Lazy Days and blogging friends

summer landscapes, smells of exotic oils and fresh fruits

Really friends,

not a day goes by without my thinking of you all and your yearning for beauty

,like mine,

each flower bloomed,each new song, each shadow on the beach shore,each glistening fresh fruit at the marché, is reeling with thoughts of you all!!!

I think it is true magic really to have you each and every one of you in my minds eye when I look out onto my southern french landscapes,

your poetic words ,

your music ,poems and mere presence in my gallery of friends is pure hope and summer sunshine!!!

I can not wait to share more with you all-

yet, these strangely longer days full of bright sunshine

until 10pm seem to not hold as many moments for me at the computer...

is it so,?

because I am visiting with our summer visitors or friends or family ...

taking in outdoor music or gallery

openings

or family days at the beach swimming along the med fish ,collecting tiny shells,

sipping transparent rosés and munching on tasty fruits and veg???

perhaps.....

but, let not one second pass that I

am not mightily grateful for all that I see here ,

made better because

its value is amplified by the thought of sharing them with you ... now if I could just organize myself a bit more.....bear with me though, and I promise to be back with more good fun in the sun

dimanche 7 juin 2009

when dreams collide....

Here in the lazy Languedoc,yes so it seems that life slows WAY down as the temperatures rise, like everywhere else, people make their way outdoors for meals,walks ,runs, reading, swimming,dancing,concerts,bull runs, picking fresh fruits and flowers,working in their gardens, and you know me ,I play at being a mason ,laying out more old tiles and coaxing plants along,who have names I do not even know...YET,in the midst of this very simple village life are some fabulously talented folks creating art in its many forms

like Carole below

she has not one simple objective but, rather many described below and in a short 2 years she has created quite a following of friends,family and artists who look forward to her SOIREES

again, don't you love people who have a knack for hospitality and creativity?

whose presence like Bénédicte, a writer ,dancer, and media talent

Like the soothing Dounia & Phil below whose soothing world soul music urged us to dance and sing and dream in many languages....

french,english, spanish and moroccan syllables ....echoing Obama's Cairo speech

about

From Many One

Take a listen too their new hit below!

Marie Christine Marty, the reknowned painter is always a major energy at these soirées,

Marion, a radiologist ,poet, drummer seen in the foreground shares her intensity and rhytm of life

Benedicte muses and her gentle spirit anchors us all

here is a special man, my love my beloved,my soul mate

young & old, from around the globe this Relais de Roujan ,actually vibrates with a glowing happiness where all are welcome

Roland has cheer and can dance up a storm, as seen above with Marion,

they are dancing

Le Rock

A multitude of small delights constitutes happiness.

~ Charles Baudelaire

here is a little something from my new friend,Mary, from

ACROSS THE POND

may you all have a super week ahead,your visits are such a gift!!

mercredi 3 juin 2009

TRUE or FALSE?? sign of conservative,fear mongering:pathological HIGH FOREHEADS?

my 100th post!!!!

High brows sporting high foreheads --

-is this a symptom of some sort of cerebral defect???

and why do some powerful, rather nasty?(put very mildly) ,Warped Republican Leaders below possess these features-

unbelievable Washington Post article

hum, might their similar phenotypes be an indication of

a disturbed frontal lobe functions?

is it that it is so big, it lends itself to more surface area for injury by falls as a child???

how does one account for their bizarre set of views ???

?? on torture techniques,

?? for their disrespect for the fundamentals of the constitution of USA,Geneva Convention??

and their propensity for intense disillusioned revisionist history making?

Right ,I hear you now musing , this retired doc needs more to do than follow the foreheads in the news, and for that you would be right....

I bring this interesting clinical observation to you to give you a blip of humor with which to wash down the daily news!!

and now ,

more impressively is the photo of my Italian Grandma during the cold New England winter

of my childhood-

oh, and yes,sirree ,we four gals were sporting the ever fashionable, snow suits with hoodies of the day....a fine fresh memory for this hot, steamy day here in the south of France!

Like all of you,I am thinking sadly, about the Air France Flight that disappeared and their families and friends losses!!!

I pray that their light passes through the dark clouds to help sooth those left behind ...this is the only thing I can believe when tragedies occur!

May the H1N1 virus slow its advance ,may humor like below mark a teachable moment and not just the tools of fear, which really just block learning!!

Lastly, I leave you all with a word about a fabulous book,

Three Cups of Tea

by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

The books that changed the way people think about

changing the world: Peace Through Education

This is amazing stuff!!

stay well my friends!

lundi 25 mai 2009

STAT: red clogs and red runners

my red shoes,

classic RED clogs for housework,

The framed photo featured here is from Ribbon

Fragments Treasures Memories

create your own!!!

merci for all your support during this exploratory period

photo? is this yours Vicki Archer? from French Essence? or Lime in the Coconut

oops stress & memory lapse and/or poor record keeping ,please clarify--sending you via some lovely blogger-

most lovely image of gratitude to you all my blogger friends who sparkle any color

sky with hope and beauty!!!xxxxoooo

my photo

taken at lovely party here in France

photo above from French Essence

her gorgeous home featured by this writer and clearly,talented photographer

photos Bed of Roses

After the morning rounds of sending the ado's off to school ,doing the books and yes, the virtuous cleaning stint in the red clogs from above, dancing with my pink mops and fushia duster

avec music

I took a "MOI" moment in my imaginary zen, dressing room.....

sitting by my

window

listening to birds and the young school children in the playground during recess ,

I too, took a break and a cool drink

photo

Ciel D'Orage

seated here upon my favorite chair

photo via All Things Bright and Beautiful, a great blog now retired

a super mentor

note bien all jealousy clearly out of hand if I am found thinking

that

the chair has a better figure than MOI!!!

no fear

despite this model's funny grimace,

shorts and dramatic long flowing sheer dresses

may do the trick

photo Property sold in our area

if not folks,

the running will do it!!!

Here is to exercise hogs

where I run , my photos taken with a funny cell phone , does not captivate the rich corel red hue and the lime green of the grasses

the hubby and I celebrated his birthday this past weekend, with a movie than a Beach Club dinner- breezy and the aqua,teal waves were low and gorgeous under a setting sun, Toasting Hope in a Forms -

my favorite toast has always been To Life

life - chayim - חיים

lundi 18 mai 2009

riding the waves

OK, I am off my inner balance now- having heard those scary words of concern regarding ongoing testing for the dreaded CA ----- mammography was deemed OK ,now it seems to be questionable with micro-calcifications,not!!!!, a welcome word in the medical world....alas.....

I descend the stairs of uncertainty again, more poised than last time yet, living as I do on borrowed time...

not a bummer really, to one who was feeling gifted with more sunshine and sand than originally predicted....

look ,

Am I not, actually dazzling in my beach hat, a real posture of an elegant international gal, who would even guess ????

no brooding allowed,no sitting still!!! no, giving in ,...

But,

you think ,I can sit quietly, musing my mistakes and /or my accomplishments which,

despite all, seem not yet enough .........are they ever?

running to another shore in search of simplicity and family time , health care for my Franco-American family, yes,

that was accomplished- a gift and gratitude !!!

breathing and balancing one's energies..between self, children, parents and spouse,..

.is there ever enough time or space or resources to declare victory ?!

I want to jump into some level of tranquility ,a cool pool of healthy body and mind

and if one tries hard enough one will get there sans(,without,) doubt...."little by little"- my Dad always said....

he knew for sure the way forward....

This funky mammogram is not a clear determination of a return to the warrior's path,

have faith one must say,

believe

recall the early steps, ones simple beginnings ,

when my eldest was born, now nearly 20 years old,studious, honest, in love....

what more can one want?

leap

in faith ,in heart ,in love ,in miracles, in connections, in my possibly unfinished agenda....maybe more pediatric patients needing care,

children needing my advice, my beloved needing my love and support....

LEAP......

only patience will suffice.....

getting a grip and trying not see things though blue cloudy lens....

yes!!!! et merci!!

mercredi 13 mai 2009

talking to the HEAVENS for NATALIE COLE!!!!!

OK? HERE IS THE DEAL-----as a little girl my best friends from school were normal girls ,twins, like my sisters and living away from home in the antique halls of a boarding school in Western Mass like me, in the hills of North Eastern USA. They studied dance and french like I did. only they were different because their Dad and sister cut records.

photo 2009

My classmates came from a sort of first family, known to the Kennedy White House, the Beverley Hills, new family on the block.

Upon meeting them for the first time,I recall that I hung back from the hooohah, knowing these fine girls were overwhelmed by a familiar yet, pressing crowd of new best" like friends ", who were truly curious about their Daddy's fame and his extraordinary timeless talents-

Nat King Cole was in a way the Barack Obama of our youth, his politics were laced with the smooth tones of truths sung in such elegant styles that no one was exempt from the transcendence of his art, his voice & his heartfelt authenticity !

This icon's, the father of my friends, children were no exception to this cross cultural ,cross racial inherent talent and grace!!

Bizarrely

Today for no reason at all, I felt compelled to wish, to pray for Natalie Cole, his daughter who is world renowned for her family tradition of singing---

Upon further investigation I looked the news related to Natalie---

why did I feel I should be focusing prayer or good willed intention toward her health ,no clue! yet today upon my query I found she had to cancel her concerts because of her ill health!!

no time to lose! goodwill for Natalie!!!

look please join me in praying or wishing or dreaming for a Transplant for Natalie Cole, she needs our assistance NOW !!! The current Concert schedule has been cancelled per Internet evaluation .....hence organ donation!!!!! miracles !!! merci bien pour ton aide!!!!