Religion: Father Abraham Had Many Sons

The name Abraham means "father of a multitude". Ishmael and Isaac were the sons of the Hebrew patriarch Abraham. 

• Ishmael was the first son. His mother was Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant. 
• Isaac’s mother was Sarah, Abraham’s wife. 

Both sons buried their father and then separated from each other – on peaceful terms (we think) - to live their own lives. Ishmael and his offspring lived as nomads in northern Arabia. 

• Should we also mention the children of Keturah?

Abraham's physical descendants are innumerable. When you add in those who claim to be his spiritual offspring, he is indeed the "father of a multitude".

Father Abraham Had Many Sons

Genealogy of Abraham

Wikimedia Commons

Health and Beauty: Relaxation Guide: Benefits of Dead Sea Bath Salts

Bath salts have received a lot of negative publicity in the past. This is a reminder that bath salts - for healthy body, mind, and spirit or soul - are a beautiful thing! Dead sea bath salts are mild, gentle, and scented. They have many benefits plus you can use them on a daily basis. Benefits of Dead Sea Bath Salts

Relaxation Gift Guide: Bath Salts, Aromatherapy and More

Bath salts have received a lot of negative publicity in the past. This is a reminder that bath salts - for healthy body, mind and spirit or soul - are a beautiful thing!

Dead sea bath salts are mild, gentle and scented. They have many benefits plus you can use them on a daily basis. They gently exfoliate and nourish your skin while wiping off the layers of dirt, excess moisture and oil; they ease stress and relax your muscles. Did you ever stop to think it could be the perfect gift for your high school teenager? Oh yeah! Being a teenager is really stressful!! Why not show them how to relieve stress naturally? I'm hinting at girls but I'm sure some of the boys would soak in them if nobody was looking. Just like when they watch chick flicks and cry like a baby!

Benefits of Dead Sea Bath Salts

TIP:  Combine With Aromatherapy

Why would anybody want to abuse bath salts?  Using bath salts can make you feel like a budding new flower. The combination use of bath salts with aromatherapy can change a mood from anxiety and distress to an experience of comfort and serenity. Surrender yourself for a few brief moments and transport yourself to a paradise of your own making. Dead Sea bath salts are also linked to more than just stress relief.

In fact, several years back, In September 1995, an article written by Judy Siegel-Itzkovich was published via The Jerusalem Post which reported that Dead Sea salts can help those suffering from rheumatic disorder. Staunch supporters of aromatherapy such as the NAHA, can suggest a wide range of medicinal uses. Of course, the ancient civilizations (like the Egyptians) knew all about these benefits.

Attention: Parents of Teens!!!

Are you parenting a teenager?

Being a teenager can be really stressful!! For the teenager and for the parent.

Would you like to know an easy fix for stress relief?

Bath salts! No. Not to inhale. To luxuriate!

Bath salts, combined with aromatherapy, can create ecstasy! (No pun intended.) 

Dead sea bath salts have many benefits and you can use them daily. So indulge your teenager (and yourself). 

For the holiday season, or special days like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or for any occasion, this is a great gift idea for a teenager, a mother or anybody! Don't even wait for an event to happen. The Egyptians didn't!

Castle Baths - 16 oz Jubilee Dead Sea Salts for the Soul Bath Salts - Bergamot Pink Grapefruit  Infused with a sweet, organic citrus floral blend, our Jubilee Dead Sea Bath Salts are jubilant yet restful - and intensely restorative! Between a busy day and a long evening, take time to revitalize yourself with a Jubilee Dead Sea Salt soak ("the pause that refreshes") and come out dancing! We use only pure, authentic Dead Sea Salt when we make our Dead Sea Bath Salts to ensure a spa-quality bathing experience. No need to settle for those cheap, ultra-dehydrating store-brand salts anymore! Treat yourself to luxury! Visit the CB Blog for more information on spa products.

 

• Random trivia: January is National Bath Safety Month

In particular, January 8th is Bubble Bath Day- Click here to find more Bizarre and Unique Holidays.

 

* A Brief History of Body Care

Image Credits:

* Pink flower: © Photographer Olga Vasilkova | Agency: Dreamstime.com.

* Pink flower divider and bubble bath images: glitter-graphics.com

Book Review: The Eagle Soars Again (Books for Children)

The American bald eagle is a bird of prey worthy of respect.  It has long been a symbol for might and courage, strength, honor and majesty.

Image credit:  Amazon.com

INTRODUCTION

Birds of prey kill in order to live, and believe it or not, they help maintain a balance in the world of nature.  They have an extreme sensitivity to any changes in their environment, which in turn, serves to alert humans when our own environment is being threatened.  People should show them a little more respect.  Falconiformes is the scientific name for this entire group, and there are approximately 290 different species.  Included in this warm-blooded carnivorous vertebrates of the class Aves are: vultures, falcons, and hawks.  The bald eagle, which is the national symbol of the United States of America is also a bird of prey.

THE RAPTORS

Another name for birds of prey is raptors. It is a word of Latin origin and it means “to seize” or “to plunder”. Where do they live? Anywhere they want to! That is ... uh ... Under normal or rather, natural circumstances. 

There are so many habitats or places where birds of prey can be observed in all their powerful and splendid glory. They have a distinct advantage over other predators like lions or wolves or sharks. They can fly! So you can find them almost anywhere in the world. Although they are not known for hanging out in Antarctica. The largest concentration of raptors can be found in the steppes of Asia, the North American prairie lands, and the East African savannas, living where there is warm weather and open country. In South America, they make their homes in the extensive rain forests. Some of them have actually moved into urban areas and made nests on the skyscrapers in several cities. Why not? Easy hunting. Pigeons are all over the place. Only a few, such as the gyrfalcon, can brave the Arctic. The majority of them usually migrate to warmer climates during the cold winter months. 

In addition to the fact that they are superbly skilled fliers, their whole bodies are designed for hunting and killing. Their feet have sharp talons that are lethal. The better to strike and pierce, my dear. Their toes? Also lethal. Four on each foot; three face forward and one backwards. Useful for gripping and crushing. Especially since they don't have hands. Their hooked beaks are used for ripping the flesh off the bones of carcasses. Finally, they have remarkable eyesight. They can spy a rabbit two miles away, with clear focus. Scientists refer to this ability to focus as “resolving power”. Vultures usually search for dead animals; however, many raptors hunt for live prey. As previously mentioned, they are mainly carnivorous and consume a wide range of foods from different sources in varying sizes: mice, snakes, rabbits, fish, small birds, dead elephants.  

The description of them sounds incredibly frightening, but keep in mind: they don't kill for fun, they kill for food. When not hunting for a meal, life is centered around family. When they choose a mate, they are partners for life. They find somewhere to build a nest, raise a family, and their relationship can last for decades – thirty, forty, or even fifty years. 

The relationship between mankind and these predatory creatures goes way back; and it hasn't always been “love-ee dove-ee”. Excuse the pun.  

In the Old Testament, they were considered “unclean”, therefore, the Hebrews abstained from eating them.  

Falconry, the art of using trained birds of prey for hunting or sport, originated in the Middle East and the Far East, and dates back several thousands of years. It was widely popular in Europe during medieval times.  

In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, killing of raptors was allowed and became a common practice. Farmers and fishermen believed that these birds were killing lambs in large numbers and eating up too much of the salmon. Around the world – in America, Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe – literally millions of “innocent” raptors were deprived of life.

Innocent? Yes well, it seems that later on, environmental research indicated that the birds had been falsely accused. Meaning? Meaning that it turns out that they were not the ones responsible for destroying the lambs, etc., etc.,etc. So now we have enacted laws to protect them from us!

THE AMERICAN BALD EAGLE

In America, the bald eagle took a really hard hit. They were shot as pests and people even paid bounties for dead eagles.

It's difficult to believe the USA did not outlaw the slaughter right from the start. Out of all the birds of prey, the eagle is the most admired.

For many – not just people in America - they have come to symbolize renewed strength and daily courage.

If the research findings had not been disclosed there's a possibility they might have become extinct!

Fortunately, necessary measures were taken to re-establish the population and the majestic bald eagles are once again freely soaring through the skies. Considering what they survived, they are worthy of double admiration and respect.

The Eagles are Back by Jean Craighead George

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Gift Shopping: Precious and Semi-Precious Stones: A Primer

Precious and semi-precious stones are often alluded to in the Bible. The mention of the stones is sometimes figurative or poetical, but the gemstones are very real. If you're going to buy a gem or gemstone as a gift you better know what you're doing or you will get ripped off!!

Precious and Semi-Precious Stones: A Primer

When viewing the list below, take note that one asterisk (*) indicates that the stone was part of the breastplate; two (**) means it was part of the wall; and no asterisk means both the breastplate and the wall have the same stones. Just for fun, I also associated the birth month, if there was one. You can’t find info about birth months in the Bible. That’s a man-made tradition but a very lovely one. Don’t you agree??

Diamond, Emerald and Sapphire

DIAMOND(*) - Diamond is harder than any other known substance and is an extremely valuable precious stone of pure carbon crystallized in the cubic system. 80% of the world’s supply of rough diamonds comes from Sierra Leone (a fact extracted from a James Bond movie). Global Witness was one of the first organizations to focus the world’s attention to the problem of “conflict diamonds” or “blood diamonds”, sold in order to fund armed conflict. It continues to be a subject of great controversy. [ GlobalWitness.org ] (April)

EMERALD - Emerald is among the most prized gemstones and according to archaeological findings it dates back 5000 years to Egypt and India. It’s easy to believe that its strikingly beautiful green color could have inspired Frank Baum to create “The Emerald City”, the fictional capital city in the Land of Oz, described in “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. Found also in Cyprus and Ethiopia during ancient times, and in South America during modern times; it is second in value only to the diamond. (May)

SAPPHIRE - Sapphire (from sappheiros, meaning "blue stone") is an absolutely gorgeous gemstone; a precious stone of transparent blue corundum, its color is due to traces of cobalt. Per AfricaGems.com, there are sapphires that are other colors: pink, green, purple, etc. There are also star-crossed sapphires. The stone looks like it has a star in the middle of it. Stunning! There is some dispute as to whether sapphire referred to in the scriptures is the modern sapphire as we know it. Some believe the reference is to the lapis lazuli, a comparatively rare semi-precious stone which has been highly esteemed since antiquity, from Mesopotamia, to Egypt, to Persia, to Greece, to Rome. The name “lapis lazuli” also means "stone of blue" (Latin for stone; and "azul", Arabic which means blue). (September)

Amethyst, Beryl and Carbuncle

AMETHYST - Amethyst is the most highly valued of the semiprecious quartzes. It is a form of transparent quartz that comes in varying shades of light pinkish violet to a deep purple. It is popular and widely available. Some believe it has healing properties and have credited it with curing a range of ailments – from relieving stress to overcoming alcohol and drug addictions. (February)

BERYL - Beryl is an important gem mineral with many varieties that are distinguished by their color. However, gemologists say this gem in its pure form is actually colorless and that traces of different “impurities” account for the color diversity and varieties. Nevertheless, the two most popular color varieties are emerald (the green variety) and aquamarine (the blue to blue-green variety). But I rather fancy the yellow beryl. (October/November – linked to the Zodiac)

CARBUNCLE(*) - Carbuncle is a precious stone of a deep red color, commonly called a garnet. In mineralogy, it is a deep red, cabochon-cut almandine, which is an iron aluminum garnet. (RE: “cabochon-cut”. Cabochons are not really "cut"; the stones are shaped and polished.) (January)

CHALCEDONY: Agate, Chrysoprasus, Jasper, Onyx, Sardius, Sardonyx

CHALCEDONY(**) - The name chalcedony is derived from Chalcedon, a city in Asia Minor. It’s a generic descriptive term that encompasses several varieties of quartz gemstones. Agate, chrysoprasus, jasper, onyx, sardius (or carnelian stone), and sardonyx are all varieties of chalcedony. This stone has a waxy luster, is translucent and fine-grained, and occurs in various colors.

* AGATE(*) - Agate comes from the Greek; named for the river Achates in Sicily where this stone is abundant. It can also be found in Arabia, Egypt and India. This gemstone is creatively striped by nature in varicolored layers. (June)

* CHRYSOPRASUS ( or CHRYSOPRASE)(**) - Chrysoprasus is a very rare form of quartz; it contains small quantities of nickel and has a light green color. Some describe the color as golden green or apple green. Chrysoprase is a cryptocrystalline, which means that it’s composed of submicroscopic crystals, i.e. too small to be seen by the naked eye. Pieces of jewelry made using this stone have been uncovered in ancient Egyptian graves. During the Middle Ages, it was very precious because it shined on the dark.

* JASPER - Jasper is a type of microcrystalline quartz, an opaque variety of reddish, brown or green, yellow chalcedony; sometimes white, but seldom blue. It is not a rare stone, inexpensive and often used to make small ornamental objects like ashtrays, candlesticks, ceramics, and jewelry. When heated, it will become clear and look like a diamond. (March)

* ONYX(*) - The onyx stone has contrasting layers of differing colors in parallel lines; usually black and white or brown and white; although many people think of onyx as solid black. Onyx is not just used for jewelry but also for home décor items and ornaments. It has also been for engraving seals. According to the Old Testament book of Genesis, it was a part of the treasures from Havilah. (July)

* SARDIUS - Sardius, in the past, was once highly valued Egyptians, Tibetans and India. It is a red stone, a form of chalcedony, which some call carnelian (a brownish-red mineral which is commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone). The Hebrew word "odem" translated sardius. Archaeologists have unearthed several items of jewelry made from this stone in cities and tombs of Palestine and Egypt. The name was given to this stone at Sardis in Lydia where it was worked and engraved. It can vary in color from pale yellow to reddish orange.

* SARDONYX(**) - Sardonyx is a variety of onyx; there are layers of orange-red sard and white chalcedony; an ornamental stone that is often used for seals and cameos. The array of color layers go from translucent to opaque. Sardonyx has a brown base, whereas onyx has a black base. (August)

Chrysolyte, Jacinth, Ligure, and Topaz

CHRYSOLYTE(**) - Chrysolyte is a transparent precious stone with a fine luster that has the color of gold mixed with green. The name comes from the Greek for “golden stone” and it is often compared to topaz or some other yellow gem. (September)

JACINTH(**) - Jacinth (or hyacinth) is dark purple; but when heated it loses its color and resembles the diamond. There is also a yellow-orange variety of zircon called jacinth. Various sources indicate the terms jacinth and hyacinth are no longer used in the gem trade, but they have historical importance.

LIGURE(*) - Ligure in Hebrew is “leshem”. The 12 Tribes of Israel had emblems (or symbols) and the ligure stone was for the tribe of Ephraim. It was considered to be a stone of mystery. Mysterious indeed. Try to pin down precise information about this stone. Some refer to it as a jacinth; others as a brown agate. I say: Eh! What's life without a little mystery?

TOPAZ - Topaz is a form of chrysolyte, and its most common color is wine-yellow though it can be found in white, pink, green, or blue. Topazios is the Greek name for St. John's Island in the Red Sea, Egypt, where topaz is found. This gem is also found in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Australia, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. (November)

CONCLUSION

The exact date for when the custom or practice of using gems for personal adornments or giving them as gifts is unknown. Sumerian jewelry was found at Ur that dated back to 2500 B.C. The Egyptians have been credited with developing the art of making jewelry. (See Symbolism of Egyptian Jewelry.) Since ancient times, gems or ornaments made from them have had political and religious significance. Signet rings were once commonly used for business purposes. Some people believed (and still believe) precious stones have magical or healing powers.

ADDITIONAL LINKS OF INTEREST:

Gemstones | USGS Mineral Resources Program

The Emblems of the 12 Tribes of Israel

Cooper's Gem Mine - Biblical Gemstones

A Jeweler's Birthstone Guide

Investing in Gemstones

NOTE: Content also published on Read.Cash

Hope you found this brief introduction about these various stones imaginative, interesting and thought provoking.

American History: Presidents Who Served First as Vice-Presidents

American vice-presidents must always be in a constant state of readiness.  At any given moment they may have to take over the duties of the most powerful office in the world.

What do American Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Johnson, Chester A. Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, and Calvin Coolidge all have in common with each other? These nine men served as Vice-Presidents before becoming Presidents.

Presidents Who Served First as Vice-Presidents

Additionally, they have something in common (or should have something in common) with all the citizens of the United States.  

They were just ordinary people yearning to pursue a peaceful life, individual liberty and personal happiness.  Why?  Because living on this planet earth doesn't get any better than that!

Veeps/Presidents from Adams to Coolidge

~ A span of approximately 140 years of nation building.

The gentlemen named below all served as vice-presidents during the years 1789 to 1929. Information contained in parentheses are the political parties* they were linked to, the presidents with whom they served, and the years they took the helm to lead America as POTUS.  What follows after are interesting trivia, tidbits and facts about each one.

* John Adams (F ; George Washington ; 1797 - 1801)

* Thomas Jefferson (D-R ; John Adams ; 1801 - 1809)

* Martin Van Buren (D ; Andrew Jackson ; 1837 - 1841)

* John Tyler (W ; William H. Harrison ; 1841 - 1845)

* Millard Fillmore (W ; Zachary Taylor ; 1850 - 1853)

* Andrew Johnson (R ; Abraham Lincoln ; 1865 - 1869)

* Chester A. Arthur (R ; James A. Garfield ; 1881 - 1885)

* Theodore Roosevelt (R ; William McKinley ; 1901 - 1909)

* Calvin Coolidge (R ; Warren G. Harding ; (1923 - 1929)

KEY:  F = Federalist; D-R = Democratic-Republican; D = Democrat; R = Republican; W = Whig

John Adams

October 30, 1735 - July 4, 1826

- The XYZ Affair happened under his watch. Three U.S. Agents were approached by three agents acting on behalf of France (dubbed X, Y and Z) and demanded money (a “bribe”) to settle a dispute about commerce. This incident almost caused a war between the two countries, but peace was secured before Adams left office.

Thomas Jefferson

April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826)

- The importation of African slaves became illegal. 

- He was the first POTUS to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. 

- During his administration the Louisiana Territory was purchased from France for $15 million.

Martin Van Buren

December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862

- Because of the depression and economic crisis caused by the closing of banks in Philadelphia and New York City, he persuaded the Congress to set up a federal Treasury independent of the nation's banking and financial system. This would safeguard federal funds from private bank failures. The economy was in crisis mode for his entire presidential term.

John Tyler

March 29, 1790 – January 18, 1862

- Although he won the election, he angered members of his political party by vetoing banking bills they supported and they disowned him. 

- Undeterred by having fallen out of favor with the Whigs, he went about the presidential business by opening up trade relations with China, and admitting Florida and Texas to the Union (US). 

- His estate to which he retired was called “Sherwood Forest”, same name for the home of Robin Hood, the medieval English outlaw.

Millard Fillmore

January 7, 1800 – March 8, 1874

- Put the debate regarding slavery issue on a back burner by sponsoring and signing the Compromise of 1850; a compromise that was ultimately settled by the American Civil War.

(There are times when you just can't build a bridge through compromise and build a united nation, at the same time.)

Andrew Johnson

December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875

- Sworn into office the same day Lincoln died. 

- The 13th Amendment abolishing slavery was proclaimed. 

- Disputed with Congress about the Reconstruction Program

- Alaska was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million. - He left his footprints in the sands of American history by being the first president to ever be impeached. 

Chester A. Arthur

October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886

- Took office because Garfield was assassinated. He had New York “ties” or “connections” which he could never untie or disconnect from in the eyes of others; and consequently, never really accomplished much during his time in the Oval Office. Passed the Edmunds Anti-Polygamy Bill which was aimed at the Mormons in Utah.

Theodore Roosevelt

October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919

- Sworn into office after William McKinley died from an assassin's bullet. A Nobel Peace Prize winner and one of the four presidents whose face is carved into Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The other three are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. The sculpted faces are intended to represent the founding, expansion, preservation and unification of the United States of America.

Calvin Coolidge

Born on the 4th of July, 1872 – January 5, 1933

- During his administration the Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed, an agreement banning war, actually renouncing war as an “instrument of national policy”. It was even ratified by more than 60 countries.Yeah!  The Nazis totally ignored that!

NOTE:  There were other veeps who became presidents after Coolidge - Truman, Nixon, Johnson and Ford. But I stopped at Coolidge because he was "Born on the 4th of July". I just thought that was so cool!

Related Links:

• U.S. History Timeline: From Washington to Tyler
• U.S. History Timeline: After Lincoln, Before Coolidge

Parenting Tips: Training Children To Become Entrepreneurs

At what age should one begin to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in children? Matthew and Adam Toren believe it's never too early.

According to freedictionary.com, a proverb is “A short pithy saying in frequent and widespread use that expresses a basic truth or practical precept.” Here is a much quoted proverb about raising children. Quoted often and debated even more often.

"Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it."

Advice from King Solomon, revered as one of the wisest men in the world and credited with having been the author of most of the proverbs in the Old Testament book appropriately entitled "Proverbs".

Though the sage monarch was not specifically speaking with respect to money and finance, who wouldn't want to direct a young bright mind and train them how to be financially savvy and make sound money decisions? Matthew and Adam Toren have written books on how to direct these developing minds.

Oh wise king! I totally catch your drift.

The aforementioned quotation from Proverbs chapter 22 and verse 6, is my lead-in to introduce others, especially young parents, to two websites published by Matthew and Adam Toren who have walked the walk and can surely talk the talk!   KIDPRENEURS.ORG

Matthew and Adam Toren are brothers who understand that teaching a child about sound money management is a critical part of training up children in the way they should go, along with teaching them about compassion, kindness and social responsibility. They started their entrepreneurial adventures when they were elementary school age (about 10 years old).

Can they get an “AMEN!” from all the wise and loving caretakers of young hearts and minds?

5 Ways to Teach Your Children to be Kidpreneurs (Infographic)

Related: Pass It On: Encourage Your Kids to Become Entrepreneurs With These 5 Lessons

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