A few tips on preventing seasickness

Ever been seasick? If so, you probably have some vivid memories of the experience, and don't need to be reminded what it was like. Would you put yourself in the same situation again?

If even the thought of going back out onto some big water has you clinging to the edge of your desk, these tips are for you. They may not prevent all nausea, but they are sure to help you the next time you are considering "paying homage to Neptune".

Why do some people get seasick?

When the brain and inner ear argue over whether the environment is stable, or not, the result is often mal de mer, or seasickness. The brain sees solid cabin walls, but the inner ear senses a completely different situation. This confusion results in disorientation, confusion, and sometimes extreme drowsiness, nausea, and a cold sweat - classic seasickness symptoms. In bad cases, nausea to the point of extreme dehydration may occur.

Strangely enough, not everyone who sets out on a rough voyage at sea will experience seasickness. In fact, only about 25% of individuals experience symptoms of seasickness in rough seas, according to some research.

A relevant study of 1,741 tourist volunteers on a whale watching expedition published in 1993 ("Comparison of Seven Commonly Used Agents for Prophylaxis of Seasickness") offers a few clues...read more

How to rig a windsurfing sail

Windsurfing is an addictive sport. It requires balance and finesse rather than brute strength, and it involves flying over the water at immense speeds (the world record is over 50 mph). Although it takes some practice to learn to balance on the board once the wind hits a sail and to steer into or away from the wind, the rigging of a sail is relatively easy.

2012: What if the Mayans had it right?

Let’s just say the world as we know it ends on December 21, 2012.

On the bright side, maybe that means that Goldman Sachs will no longer control the financial markets and the NY Federal Reserve. Maybe children in schools will be safe, and will be respectful to teachers and do all their homework and even (haha) turn it in on time. Maybe that means that corporations will place a few manufacturing facilities in Haiti, so that the poor sops who live there can make a decent wage and afford to build themselves concrete block homes. Maybe the media will quit being the lapdogs of the politicians. Maybe the drug dealers and alcoholics in the world will suddenly be motivated to get real jobs and become pillars in society.

See? Maybe it won’t be so bad.

Well, what if the magnetic poles also coincidentally shift, and we end up coping with worldwide famine and disasters of epic proportions? Should we prepare for that?

You betcha. First thing, sell your homes (unless you live out in the middle of nowhere, somewhere close to the equator, with a productive five-acre garden and dozens of egg-laying chickens). Next, buy canned and dried goods with your cash (beans are supposed to be marvelous foods that stay viable for a long time). Of course, if you don’t have property to store them on, you’d better invest in an armored truck of some kind. With all those beans on board, make sure it’s got good ventilation.

Speaking of armor, ask anyone, you’re going to need guns of all shapes and sizes. Don’t forget ammunition. I understand there’s been a veritable run on ammunition, and it’s getting more expensive by the minute. Better not wait.

Meanwhile, you might as well stockpile gasoline, because that armored truck is going to need a lot of it.

How about fresh water? Well, you’d better invest in some great filtration systems and be able to filter rainwater. Tarps (for collecting rainwater) are going to be in demand; stock up on tarps. They’ll be the new currency.

Let’s see, food and water are taken care of. Shelter: check (armored truck). What’s next?

There’s the rub, I think. After food, water, and basic shelter are taken care of, there is little else to plan for except the Eventual Demolition of Everything, including fighting for the basic right to survival.

If the Mayans had it right, and assuming that some major astronomical event causes a chain reaction of catastrophic proportions, there is nothing we can do to improve our lot. In the event of a global catastrophe, we’re all screwed. Even the bankers.

Back to work, everybody.

----

What are your thoughts on 2012?

How to form a new school booster club

It may seem like a simple task: organize a parent group or booster club to raise some money for a high school athletic, musical, or drama program.

But actually, there's more to it than you might think. Read what I wrote about this topic at Helium.

The joys of docking a sailboat

When you are relaxing in your cockpit in the shade with a gin and tonic clasped firmly in hand, there is nothing quite like the pleasure of observing the entrance of a polished 40-foot-plus sailboat into the marina. The more polish, the better. The bigger, the better. If there's an unfortunate wife taking shouted, convoluted directions on the bow, all to the better. If the current catches their long full keel and swings them into another boat, we tsk, tsk. We sailor folk are a malicious bunch, when it comes right down to it, and egos are pretty fragile when it comes to docking. Not that we won't help! No sirree! We're the first to lend a hand in close quarters, because truth be known, we've been there, and that makes us part of a fraternity/sorority. We've all been initiated, and we're so GLAD to have a new member join our club.

Well. At the risk of foregoing some great entertainment, I'll let you in on a few secrets of docking that big rig.

First: Have dock lines out and tied off properly, ready for deployment, before you even near the close quarters of a marina. That means lines at four corners of your boat, because you never knowyou might just be glad to have that extra line ready, even on the downwind side.

Second: Have fenders ready on both sides of your boat, just in case.

Third: KNOW which direction the current is running, and how strong it is running. As you are coming up to the dock in a large sailboat, you are probably under power (unless you are a Tristan Jones or Robin Knox-Johnston, but then you don't need MY help). If the sails are furled, you don't need to worry as much about wind as about current (exceptions do occur, as in storm conditions). Ideally, the current is with you or against you; your boat is not at cross-angles to the current. If it IS with you or against you, it is fairly simple to gauge its strength against your progress and accommodate for it. If it is at cross purposes to your intended course, then you have to factor it in and make Steering Adjustments. If it is a fancy marina, then I would suggest making a couple of practice turns before you make that turn that goes up the Aisle. It's sort of like living together before you make the final plunge into matrimony. It's amazing what can happen in those final moments before Commitment really grabs hold.

Fourth: Stay calm. What's the worst that could happen? Well, forget I asked. Don't think about that. Try to stay focused on the task at hand. Sheesh. That would never happen, really.

Fifth: Allow people on the dock to accept your lines and tie you off. Remember that you are in charge until you cut your engine. Some people like to cut their engine early. I don't recommend it; it usually involves a lot of yelling at the last minute.

Really, that's all there is to it. By the way, I'll be at the St. Petersburg Marina on the northern dock. I'll be happy to help out when you get there. I'll be the one with the gin and tonic in hand. It's OK; I'll have one for you, too.

Treating ringworm in animals (and your home)

When we recently adopted a couple of kittens from the local animal shelter, we discovered shortly after we settled them in at home that they had ringworm.

We survived, and so did the cats. But let me tell you.

How and where to sell Indian arrowheads

One of my father-in-law's many collections was Native American arrowheads. When my husband inherited them, we did a ton of research on how to authenticate and sell them. My article, Best place to sell Indian arrowheads, is the result of our research.

If you currently own arrowheads and would like to sell them but thought they would be impossible to sell, this article will help you out!

How to make money on Amazon

It is much more difficult in 2011 to make money selling used books on Amazon than it was five or even a few years ago. For one thing, the Amazon used book marketplace is now flooded with individual sellers who are listing their own collections at prices that barely recover packaging and shipping costs. True, there are a few niche book markets in Amazon that continue to sell well. However, before laying down cash for an inventory of thousands of books from yard sales and library sales to list on Amazon, be aware that the potential for losing money on such an investment is very real. That said, here are some pointers from one who has sold used books and other media on Amazon for years that will enable you to earn money from Amazon.

Please click the link above if you are interested in earning money on Amazon!

Sally, my cocker spaniel

When my children were very young (ages 2 and 6) , we made the decision to get a family dog. We looked at several breeds before deciding upon a cocker spaniel. A cocker spaniel is an ideal family pet: tolerant and nurturing towards children, alert to intrusions, but quiet, as a rule. They are easy to train and eager to please. True, they require a little more maintenance than many dogs: their hair grows quickly and must be groomed regularly, and their ears and eyes are prone to infections. But with the proper care, these dogs are incredibly loyal and devoted. They are amazing swimmers and retrievers. And sometimes, they might even be responsible for saving a life.

My youngest daughter, Melissa, named the new puppy Sally. She was a bundle of energy and mischief, as are all puppies. We discovered that she loved to swim with us in an inground pool on our patio, and when we had a pool party everyone laughed to watch her leap with abandon into the pool in order to retrieve a tossed pool toy. Sally was not a barker; other dogs in our neighborhood yipped and yapped and she calmly ignored them; but if someone walked up to the front door, she barked like Timmy was in the well until my husband or I finally patted her calm and answered the door.

When my youngest daughter was four years old, she learned how to unlock and open the sliding glass doors to the patio and pool by herself. Soon after we learned that she could go out on the patio, we installed a child safety fence that separated the pool from the patio. But one day, she learned how to climb over the fence.

Read on...

My recommendation for making a dishwasher work without phosphates in detergent

If your dishes are not clean after running the dishwasher, you're not alone. According to recent reports from NPR, USA Today, and other sources, dishes across the country are coming out of the washer still dirty, or coated with white film. The cause? Many believe it is due to the removal of phosphates from major brand dishwashing detergents.

What are phosphates, and what did they do in your dishwasher that was so good?

Phosphates are tiny, salty objects that are made of phosphoric acid. In the good old days (before last year), phosphates made up about 8% of what went into dishwashing detergent. They were responsible for softening normally hard water so that the following good things could happen: limescale buildup would not occur on dishes or inside the dishwasher itself; a high alkalinity would be maintained in the wash cycle which helps sanitize dishes; and the detergent that was combined with phosphates would be more effective.

Unfortunately, the removal of phosphates means that those who live in areas with hard water now face dirty dishes after running the dishwasher.

However, there are a few things that can be done to make your dishwasher work without phosphates.

1. Try adding a dishwasher detergent additive called "Lemi Shine" to the wash cycle. The label on this products states it is "Made with real fruit acids, natural citrus oils, and fragrance. Phosphate free." I read about this product and finally tried it myself, and I have to say, it works. My glasses and plates are squeaky clean again with no residue. I recommend running the dishwasher empty the first time you try it, with a couple of tablespoons of Lemi Shine in place of your regular detergent, in order to clean out the machine. It is even possible to get a free sample of the product at www.mydisheslookdirty.com to see if it will solve your dirty dish problem. Lemi Shine can be purchased in many major grocery stores and it is located next to dishwashing detergents.

2. Place about half a cup of white vinegar in the top rack of your dishwasher. Vinegar will also enhance the cleaning action of your dishwashing soap. I tried this, too, and I was unimpressed with the results. However, I've read many articles praising the use of vinegar in the dishwasher, so try it.

3. Consumer Reports did a study in 2009 of dishwashing detergents, and they concluded that the following phosphate-free detergents work best: Method Smarty Dish tablets or Simplicity dishwashing detergent.

4. Install a water softener.

You do not have to live with scummy dishes. The problem is most likely not your dishwasher loading habits (although dishwasher companies may say it is), and it is not a malfunctioning dishwasher. Try these tips, and see which one works best for you.

Guide to Florida's Best State Parks

I recently published a guide to what I think are Florida's very best state parks. I hope you enjoy reading about some of these terrific family destinations, and I hope to hear your comments, too!

Buying a popup RV camper? Here's what to avoid...

If you've thought that a pop-up RV camper might be a great investment for your family, read on about my experience...

Be safe when refueling that boat!

Every year, dozens of accidents appear on boats that are being refueled, as reported by the United States Coast Guard. In 2009, the most recently reported year, the incidence of boating accidents related to ignition of fuel or fuel vapor almost doubled from the previous year, from 37 to 65 even while the overall incidence of boating accidents has declined in recent years in the United States.

For information on how to safely refuel a gasoline or diesel powered boat, click here...

Sail with me...

Cast off the lines, chuck them on a weatherbeaten dock,

And let us turn our faces to the wind.

Away from traffic, away from an inviolable clock

And towards a beckoning blue horizon.

Now pause as we point directly to the wind,

To the mast we scramble and sort rigging;

Fasten the main, crank the winch around, and then

Up she goes, bright white flowing curtain.

Fall off, and lean, and our vessel takes a bow,

Unfurl this massive jib, and check its balance;

Suddenly released, our sailboat surges forward and we allow

A passing wave to splinter; salt spray splatters us.

Whoosh! We're really moving! watch the water rush

With bubbles dancing, darting in our wake;

We grin and listen to the gentle shush

Along the waterline from Poseidon's lake.

A rhythm takes us soon, click for more