NOW FOR MY "MISSES"

On August 19th, I detailed my favorite HITS among my first year's worth of reviews.

Now for my MISSES -- a few products which proved less promising than I first believed they were. Once again, in no particular order.

1. PLEDGE FABRIC SWEEPER FOR PET HAIR: All petowners want to believe. One Viewpointer even mentioned that this use-and-toss product could be opened up, cleaned, and used again. Never mind. The PLEDGE SWEEPER eventually failed its final test -- a car backseat full of dog hair. Its honorable replacement? A damp sponge stroked gently on hair-laden, washable surfaces.

2. EUCERIN EXTRA PROTECTIVE MOISTURE LOTION. I'll still use it for Los Angeles' hottest, dryest days when the Santa Ana winds turn most of us to parchment. Otherwise, this product protects a little too well. My face gets sweaty and after a couple of days, I'm victimized by blackheads.

3. MORNINGSTAR FARMS BACON STRIPS. Enchanted by a non-fat substitute (or "fake-on") with a reasonable taste, I finally got tired of seeing these cardboardy-looking objects on my plate. I'm back to vegetarian sausages which taste okay and look even better!

4. BIOTENE DRY MOUTH TOOTHPASTE: In the end, this more expensive brand didn't do any more for my dry mouth than CREST. One exception! If I had sores in my mouth, BIOTENE was a kinder product in terms of less stinging.

5. WALGREENS MULTI ERASER DISPOSABLE CLEANING PADS: They work just as well as the higher-priced models. Because they are thinner, however, they don't last as long and can't really be called generic pricesavers.

HITS AND MISSES from my first year of writing Viewpoints reviews

Today?   HITS! (In no particular order)

1. FLOR CARPET TILES: I've used several types and, in my "animal" house am extremely pleased with durability. On the basis of my experience I'd say choose a patterned rather than plain tile -- especially if you have a busy, casual family.

2. YOGA TOES: More than a gimmick, the original brand has made life more comfortable when I'm on my feet. Not a cure. Just an immense help if you continue use.

3. CARMEX for Cold Sores Lip Balm Tube: The best of all the good ones I've tried for relief from contact allegies to foods.

4. ARNIFLORA ARNICA GEL: Arnica in pills or gels is one homeopathic solution that works quickly for bruising and muscle pain.

5. CAREX BED BUDDIES: The moist hotpacks or coldpacks that sooth the pain. Great resident packs for stiff necks, backs, athletic injuries.

6.  RITE-AID IBUPROFEN COLD AND SINUS TABLETS: On the worst of allergy days, popping one of these before breakfast makes me less reliant on inhalers for asthma or other painkillers for sinus.

7. POLDER "THE EVERYWHERE TIMER": You can easily see the numbers. To set a time from 1-60 minutes, all you do is wind'er all the way then come back to the number you want. If it doesn't tick, snap it with your finger. On a neck string. EASY!  Time your nap, bath, gardening, cooking...

Coming soon...

       My product MISSES aka "Sometimes it's just a temporary crush".

SIAMESE SQUASH FINALLY GROW

They're in the first photo above.  TunefulPal, with the eye of Georgia O'Keefe, immediately noticed their resemblance to human anatomical parts.

DREAMS OF SUNNY CALIFORNIA DASHED

The next two pix speak for themselves (if you read the captions).  Now all we need is SUN and HEAT.  Sorry for those who think we're always tanning at the beach.  In L.A. it's GRAY MAY and JUNE GLOOM.  A good time for new plants to set down a great root system.

                      A SURPRISING END TO OUR BIRD SAGA!

See Picture One and the caption for details.  From what I've read, the finches make about six nests a summer only three of which result in birdlets surviving to maturity.  Their nests are delicate and constructed with a lot of grass and slender weeds.

The mockingbirds tend to make four nests with a similar percentage of survivors.  They construct their nests with coarse twigs.  This time, the visitors built with twigs (mostly) from our avocado tree.

Each of these adult bird pairs is monogamous for at least the season and sometimes for life.  Nature can be cruel but it does give each set of parents new chances with some good outcomes every spring and summer.

Thanks to all who showed interest in and compassion for our erstwhile "tenants"!

Meri warned me about predators, and today nature has taken an unkindly turn. Our three little fledglings have been raided. One lies stiff-legged on the lawn. The others expired in their nest. Parrots were active in the area this morning and might have been the culprits.

I already miss the chatter at feeding time and the protective divebombing that Mom and Dad engaged in right to the end. To say they were valiant is an understatement.

I remind myself that there's always next spring and, that despite it all, mockingbirds and finches survive in great numbers to delight us with their mockingbird songs and diminutive and colorful finch presence. For that, I am grateful.  Still, I am sad.

THE BABIES ARE HERE! They arrived four days ago after a gestation period of about two-and-a-half weeks. 'Fraid they won't be winning beauty contests anytime soon.

HELP!  Any bird enthusiasts out there?

Mother Mockingbird is sitting on what we thought were our three Finch eggs (the ones on the ladder).  A hatchling from the Rain Gutter Group showed up on the porch today, befuddled but otherwise all right.  The hatchling also looked like a mockingbird (though finch-sized).

Meanwhile, the finches are guarding and swooping and acting proprietary all around us.  Boy!  Are we confused.  What goes, here, in our "aviary"?

Report on the FINCH FAMILY. THREE EGGS, now, and holding. At nighttime, we can walk right by the nest on the ladder and see Mama sitting there keeping the eggs toasty.

                                      How brave our wildlife is!

The mockingbirds have settled in the rain gutter (where we can't see them) and the new photos on my profile continue the story with words about even more settlers.

All this is so close to the back door where the dogs race in and out and Vivo makes stealth trips to the back yard; where TunefulPal and I make noisy runs to the trash can and I clomp around with garden tools.

Never mind!  When we open the door the parents fly to the telephone wire or the garage roof.  They give us the business.  They'd put their hands on their hips if they could.  Whose home is this?  You better believe it.  This is their home!  And Tweeting is more than just a past-time.

THIS IS A QUIZ!

How many of the 80 million plastic water bottles discarded every day are recycled?

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I love it that, despite the fact they're shrinking, many magazines now share ideas for making things, recycling things, saving things, planting our own "victory gardens" and taking more responsibility for enhancing the quality of our lives and those of our children.

I swore I wasn't going to break my back on another veggie garden, but here I go again!  In pots far away from my vegetable-loving dogs.

I thought I might run extra water so that when our Department of Water and Power goes to mandatory cutbacks in July, TunefulPal and I won't perish from thirst.  (We cut way back LAST year voluntarily and surprised ourselves with the difference in water use.)

I'm just not a cheater, so NOW I'm thinking of Gray Water for my plants.  Our system will be primitive (it may just be buckets of tub water), but it's a challenge, and I like challenges.  I've been a saver since childhood, so I expect the "sacrifices" now being asked are easier for me.

--   TAMIFLU -- For your good health, look at VP reviews about -- TAMIFLU  --

The ugly new SWINE FLU has hit Mexico hard and is now in California and Texas. Apparently, our flu vaccines won't cut it with this one. PLEASE read these excellent reviews -- by jasyjen, bkovacs and Katrena -- on a product than can save misery and lives.

HAPPY EARTH WEEK, everyone!

Did you know that EIGHTY MILLION (80,000,000) water bottles are tossed every day? Recycling them uses 80 per cent less energy than producing "virgin" plastic. Ya! Ya!

     Sometimes I feel like a candidate for Ms. Generic USA.
     Generics are what some of us buy when our recession budgets say "No" to big names and attractive packaging.  Often I try the original product first then wander toward lower-priced items as a matter of curiosity as well as expense.      
     Some generics are as good as or better than the products they replicate.  When they aren't?  Adapt!  Be creative! 
     This is particularly fun with beauty products.  I often mix my own customized foundations, moisturizers, and shampoos.  When I think this may help someone else, I mention it in my reviews.
     Below are four generics which have always come through for me.  Target, Walgreen's and CVS are good places to start paying less.

www.viewpoints.com/review/edit/Target-Ultra-Weight-Loss-Shake-review-35c72

www.viewpoints.com/CVS-Premium-White-Facial-Tissues-review-2c943

www.viewpoints.com/Walgreen-Big-Roll-Bathroom-Tissue-review-4e951

www.viewpoints.com/Walgreen-Co-Mint-Waxed-Dental-Floss-review-04bd2

     And a big thanks to Meredith and Jolie for putting me and the pooches "up front".  As some of you know, Dolce and Shelby are dieting right now.  That means their mouths are still open, just as in the picture. 
     "Don't let 'fame' go to your head, Mom.  We need treats now!" is what I'm hearing.  "Toss us some bones."
     So, it's back to life as usual and (hopefully) time for more reviews.

No more blustery, black-suited, backslapping, boring,
     besotted and overfed Members of Boards.

Bring us the chorus line
Rainbows of India
Thunderous Taiko drums in accord.

Yes to the tears
of honest affection.
Yes to the time spent on moviedom's best.

Yes to Hugh Jackman.
(Give him my address.)
I'd like him to to visit
and sing as my guest.