Moments of Awareness

Sleeping Pill Wars - New York Times

Today's card: Page of Swords Appropriately, given the endings of the last couple days, today is a day for new beginnings. Strong will, determination, and a need for diplomatic honesty are called for today. Look to a child or young person for a message from an unexpected source, realizing that the messenger is neither particularly concerned for your feelings nor practiced in the art of tact; therefore, put aside any initial feelings of defensiveness and seek the deeper truth.

They remind me a lot of ferrets (which I love). REMO RACCOON'S HOME PAGE

Today's card: 5 of Pentacles This is a day of contemplation. Care must be taken today to seek spiritual direction in interactions, or significant loss may result. It's a good day to spend time alone in introspection, but seek the higher mind rather than risking a fall into despondency.

We saw a tremendously large raccoon exploring outside our sliding-glass door tonight, trundling about on top of the five or so feet of snow drifted along the west wall. He (or she) took off when we went for the camera, but of course it prompted me to look around for 'coon info. Found some neat stuff, for instance: The World Wide Raccoon Web  [updated link (February 1, 2014):  The World Wide Raccoon Web ]

From: Jennifer J. Malachi 3:3 says... "He will sit as a Refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. [...] Source Unknown

All Clones Are Not the Same - New York Times

Today's card: 7 of Swords This is a day of completion; not of ending, but of finding the ends of one phase neatly wrapped up and being ready to move into the next phase. It's of particular importance under today's energy to be honest in all our dealings, and if we've had trouble doing so in the past we can expect to be met with appropriate consequences. Be aware of potential duplicity on the part of others.

Must Be Something in the Water - New York Times

Author Applies Tools of Linguistics to Mend Mother-Daughter Divide - New York Times

More and More, Favored Psychotherapy Lets Bygones Be Bygones - New York Times

Today's card: Ace of Pentacles This is a day of material reward for hard work we've already invested. On the verge of starting a business? If all the pieces are in place today's a great day to launch it.

A Little Lab

Today's card: Queen of Cups This is a day of emotional introspection and self-examination. At the same time, be open to direction and offers of generosity from wise, respectable older people.

Wired News: How to Almost Live on Blogging

What Should I Read Next?

globeandmail.com : Better living through video games?  [defunct]

The Lowdown on Sweet? - New York Times

Healing, With New Limbs and Fragile Dreams - New York Times

Bolivia's Knot: No to Cocaine, but Yes to Coca - New York Times

Violent Crime Rising Sharply in Some Cities - New York Times