Karen’s Opinion

I have certainly been lucky of late. I won an XShot camera accessory! I have noticed several of my blogging friends who use the XShot. The XShot is now a staple item for bloggers to carry with them at events because they can use it to take group photos and quick snapshots with the people that they meet.

The XShot is lightweight which is important when you are hiking, traveling and doing what a normal day affords. It fits all compact cameras and is simple to use. No more setting your valuable camera up on a wobbly fence post and watching it fall to the ground. No need to ask strangers to take your picture! It was very easy to get this shot.

I have mentioned before that I love aprons. I enjoy seeing more of them being used today as they increase in popularity. Everyday, I check over at The Apron Goddess blog to see what is new on the subject of aprons. She has a giveaway that highlights a talented apron maker, Sara, at Not Your Mother’s Apron. Check out her website to see all of the beautiful aprons she has made. From kids’ aprons to men’s aprons, she has everyone covered, errr aproned! She has aprons that fit your culinary mood.

This is one of many of the aprons you will find at Not Your Mother’s Apron.

Check out The Apron Goddess to see how to enter to win an apron from Not Your Mother’s Apron.

Tuesdays mean Heads or Tails! You can check out the theme of the week and play along by clicking on Heads or Tails.

This week at Heads or Tails, we have been asked to use the word reason as our theme. “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” popped into my head. They say that all the time in the movies. I enjoy a good suspenseful, who done it movie. A good, who done it, book is “By Reason of Insanity”.

From Publishers Weekly
Inspirational suspense novelist Singer (Directed Verdict) hooks readers from the opening courtroom scene of this tasty thriller, then spurs them through a fast trot across a storyline that just keeps delivering. Catherine O’Rourke is a seasoned reporter who covers trials for Norfolk, Virginia’s The Tidewater Times. The latest sexual abuse case she covers hits a little too close to home, and she has a series of disturbing “visions” that suggest first-hand details of the crimes. Soon she finds herself on trial as the “Avenger,” a Bible-quoting serial killer. Are her visions spiritual? Or does she have a split personality? She’s unsure of her innocence or guilt-and so are her lawyers, including the likeable high-rolling Vegas attorney, Quinn Newberg, who is famous for his insanity defenses. Singer tosses out plot twists with abandon, shattering readers’ assumptions but rarely straining their credulity. The characters’ lives unpeel like onions, with layers of interesting revelations. Christian faith plays a role in the “visions” but never feels forced. Smooth point of view changes, snappy dialogue, interesting details and unexpected humor enrich the storyline. Like the best suspense novels, the character development is sophisticated enough that readers won’t know the villain’s identity until the final pages.

I have admired Hillary Swank as an actress. I had no idea she was a comedian. This is so funny. Watch as she imitates Ellen DeGeneres.

One of the most intelligent animals on the planet is the dolphin. Scientists and researchers study their behavior and are constantly amazed at their findings. One such surprise was the occurrence of dolphin bubbles.

Dolphins are able, with the quick flip of their head, to produce a bubble that resembles a large silver ring. By large, I mean almost two feet across! The dolphin watches the ring as if in awe of the creation and then pulls a smaller ring from the center of the first ring. As if by magic, the larger ring collapses into smaller bubbles. What a wonderful game and awesome sight for those lucky enough to catch the act. The level of control dolphins can exercise on their water environment is amazing. The opportunity to catch them in the act is one we should not miss.

Luckily, we can observe dolphins in their natural behavior at the SeaWorld blog that is dedicated to dolphins. Go to dolphinbubbles.com to enjoy this amazing experience. It is fun to listen to what the trainers have to say. Watch and tell me, do you think the dolphin is trying to tell us something? I think they are having a great time. If they could talk, they would probably tell us to go out and have some fun too!