RAHWAY, N.J., July 7 (UPI) –

U.S. scientists say they have completed successful tests on a once-a-month pill for controlling fleas and ticks in dogs and cats.

Peter Meinke and colleagues at Merck Research Laboratories said there is a need for better ways of controlling fleas and ticks, because many of the 71 million pets in the United States live so closely with their owners.

Although many powders, sprays and other topical agents are on the market, many pet owners prefer the convenience of pills, Meinke says.

The study, published in the Journal of the Medicinal Chemistry, says in tests on dogs and cats, a single dose of the new pill was 100 percent effective in protecting against both fleas and ticks for a month. In addition, there were no signs of toxic effects on the animals.

Scientists obtained the flea and tick fighter from a substance first found in a fungus that has the potential to usher in a new era in the treatment of ecoparasitic — ticks and fleas — i…

See the full post at Once-a-month pill for pets for fleas/ticks

BOSTON, June 8 (UPI) –

Lawn watering is draining Massachusetts rivers, threatening populations of freshwater fish, state officials say.

At least 160 brooks and rivers have low water levels in the summer, The Boston Globe reported Sunday. Around 100 towns, many of them wealthy suburbs where residents have large properties and large lawns, exceed the state’s recommended water use of 65 gallons per day per person.

A report by the Department of Fish and Game provided details on the health of fish populations. From brook trout in the upper waters of the Ipswich River north of Boston to shiners in the Blackstone near Worcester, stocks have fallen and some species have vanished.

Al Renzi, water superintendent in Sudbury, where the average daily use per person is 76 gallons, said many residents, especially those with sprinklers programmed to go on at regular intervals, use too much water on their lawns.

You can be out in a downpour and the sprinklers are on — it’s frustr…

See the full post at Lawn watering is draining Mass. rivers

Fake coins, counterfeit coins, authentic coins. We all possess authentic coins, but what about copies, fakes and counterfeits?

Although most of us will never know if we have any of these coins, it is important for any coin collector to become educated in this area of coin collecting. You should do all you can to learn how to spot these impostors.

Some who are experienced, may sometimes be able to detect a fake or counterfeit coin, just by holding and examining it. To those who are just beginning, you may never know if you have one in your possession. But if you do suspect a coin for being a fake, then it is suggested that you have it assessed by a reputable coin grading service or dealer. Better still, compare it to a genuine coin of the same value.

Counterfeit and replica coins are sometimes called pseudonumia and they have existed almost …

See the full post at Easily Detect Counterfeit and Fake Coins

Breaking up with someone can cause a lot of painful emotions. It’s natural to feel hurt and become sad, depressed and you will probably miss them. A lot of people them start to wonder “what can I do to get my ex back?”

There is a lot of information about the subject that you can find in books, websites, blogs and on forums where you can find advice on what you can do to get your ex back. Some of the things that can make a difference after a breakup come down to common sense as well as common courtesy, which can go a long way in healing your relationship.

If you keep thinking “what can I do to get my ex back?” then follow this advice to increase your chances of getting back together with your ex.

It’s common for people to resort to playing games during a breakup. But don’t do it. Playing games that manipulate the other person and make them f…

See the full post at What Can I Do to Get My Ex Back With Less Pain and Conflict

It’s hard for me to believe, but April 1, 2009 marked the 100th anniversary of my grandmother Elizabeth Rose von Hohen’s birth! When you think about 100 years going by, especially this past 100 years, it’s mind blowing to think of the changes she witnessed. As a little girl Elizabeth would take the reins of the buggy and ride down a long narrow lane to the country road which lead to the farm where she would pick up milk for her family. She took pride in the responsibility given to her at such a young age. As the oldest child in the family, Elizabeth’s responsibilities included cooking and baking as well. Imagine the average nine year old nowadays cooking for her family! Ten decades later, I am so proud to have had such a wonderful grandmother and even more proud to have the opportunity to share her recipes with you!

I am excited to include two healthy recipes in this ar…

See the full post at My Grandmother\’s Old World Recipes Survive the Test of Time!

What types of tomatoes to grow will depend largely on the region in which you live. The hybrid tomatoes or tomatoes that are intentionally bred to retain certain characteristics can be chosen based on the qualities bred into them. For instance, there are varieties that have been designed to thrive in drier climates while others have been bred to thrive where it’s wet all the time.

So, depending on where it is that you live, you will have to choose the varieties to put in the garden. The best place to gain your start is at the local nursery or garden center. These folks are experts at what they do and they will have a good handle on what thrives in your area, and what will not do so well.

Still yet, there are other things to consider as well. Primarily these considerations will include things such as tomato size, acidity and use. For some people beefsteak …

See the full post at What Type of Tomato Should I Grow ?

Most families spend more time in the kitchen than anywhere else in the house. This room is not just where food is prepared and eaten, but also where families gather in times of joy and crisis. The kitchen telephone is used more than any other telephone in most homes. People play games here and for many homes it is the center of daily life. If this is the case, why is the kitchen usually the last room redecorated? People just don’t think about decorating their kitchen, but a small makeover can spare your kitchen from the expense of a huge remodeling project.

By the time many families realize their kitchen needs work, they think they should just tear out the cabinets and start all over again. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on construction to change the look of your kitchen. In fact, you can totally transform the space with a few minor changes.

…

See the full post at Kitchen Re-Design

So there I was, a first time mum with a newborn baby, out for my first shopping trip with my tiny son in tow, and my sister for support. Things weren’t going well. My son, Tom, wasn’t exactly enjoying himself (which he proved by screaming the whole way across town) and I was feeling somewhat useless. Thinking that a feed and a change were in order, I decided to dip into Mothercare for our first ‘out and about’ pit stop.

It shouldn’t have been too much of an ordeal, after all, I was wearing a button-up breastfeeding top and the rest room was available so theoretically I would be able to easily breastfeed my baby without a fuss. I disappeared for a little while leaving my sister to potter around the store.

Sometime later I emerged, slightly flustered that my son was still screeching but otherwise triumphant, into the main shop. Luckily my sister caught me i…

See the full post at Breastfeeding With Confidence – Discreet, Stylish Nursing Tops Go a Long Way

NEVADA CITY, Calif., Jan. 30 (UPI) –

Consider heart-friendly ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, instead of eating a box of chocolates take a loved one for a walk, a U.S. author advises.

Carole Carson, the author of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction, says if you give gifts, consider a pedometer or a heart monitor as a way to show how much you care.

When we take care of our health, we reduce our chances for a broken heart, Carson says in statement.

Carson says if hearts could speak, they’d tell us to take good care of our health because every 37 seconds an American dies from a heart attack, strokes, aneurysms and atherosclerosis.

To take care of your heart, Carson recommends to:

– Focus on maintaining a positive outlook, developing enriching personal relationships and doing satisfying work. Attaining and sustaining good mental health goes a long way in protecting physical health.

– Invest 30 to 60 minutes a da…

See the full post at How to have a heart-healthy Valentine\’s

Here is an unusual orchid, unlike most orchids that are cultivated and adored for their beautiful flowers. These types are not as popular as most and often found in the humus, on the dark jungle floor. One can find them in the regions of Indonesia and the Pacific Islands. If you are wondering what these flowers are, these are none other than the exquisite Jewel Orchids! The beauty of these flowers is a favorite of many not for its flowers but also for its foliage.

Regardless of how you call it, you have to agree that it is beautiful and there is no disagreement tha…

See the full post at Jewel Orchids – A True Gem in the Garden