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Cats are masters of the present moment. Have you ever seen your cat wringing her paws over what to do about a problem or sprinting around the house multi-tasking? The only crazed feline I see in my household is Lexie Lee chasing her favorite feather toy until she pounces on it with sheer delight.

I have been the caregiver of six cats in my adult life, and I have learned about living through them. They taught me one important, life-altering lesson. All the cats focused on the present and enjoyed life immensely when doing so. My beloved cat, Tatianna, savored food when she was hungry or even when she thought she was hungry. In fact, when her face was in the food bowl, nothing else mattered. She was not worried that the last can of food had just been served.

She appreciated the dappled sunlight and could lie for hours with its warmth enveloping her body. She learned quickly when and where the sunlight would be streaming into a room. Then moment by moment she moved to follow the sun rays and entertained me with her antics. Light breezes that caught the lace curtains always captured her attention. She liked to stretch out on the window sill and let the curtains flirt and flutter around her. Movements, such as a bird washing in the birdbath, a squirrel foraging for food or a raccoon crushing leaves under foot, caused her to focus intently on the outside and what was happening that moment in her environment. Then when I arrived home, she focused on welcoming me properly by kneading her paws on the top of my shoes the minute I sat down. I, in turn, offered up a kind word, a caress, or a scratch under the chin to acknowledge our special moment.

Cats are not enamored with the past — “Wasn’t that a tasty mouse I had last week?” They certainly are not focused on the future — “When are they going to board me again?” They do not know they are not going to live forever. Cats do not worry about when the next medical breakthrough will help them or save them. They do not know the warning signs of their deteriorating health like you do and do not flop restlessly about during the night agonizing about what will happen next.

From the time you rise in the morning to the time you retire in the evening, you are surrounded by a myriad of blessed moments. Most are ordinary moments such as the car starts, the cereal box is not empty, and the traffic flowed smoothly. Every once in a while you experience extraordinary moments such as your 25th wedding anniversary, a job promotion, or an elected position.

Neither ordinary nor extraordinary moments should ever be taken for granted. Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s inspirational quote “What a wonderful day I think, turning it over in my hand to its starting point again,” can guide us to focus on the moments of the day. So I made it a practice to acknowledge the day by simply saying, “This is a special moment” or “This is a blessed moment.” Simply ordinary occurrences — Tatianna crawling in my lap, a wink form Tatianna, or Katarina licking Tatianna while she got her fluids — precipitated these frequent comments. Confronting and conquering medical odds were extraordinary accomplishments and also gave us reasons to celebrate and give thanks every day.

When being a caregiver to a cat with a terminable disease as I have been, the present moment is truly all you have. It is all you can really be sure of. This is actually a good thing. That mindset allowed me to be grateful for each day that we started our day together. I was grateful that Tatianna had an appetite and had an interest in household activities. I was grateful she played with her companion, Katarina, and enjoyed spooning with her in the morning sunlight. Once again, it was the present moment that mattered — not that she had become ill or that someday she would have to give up the battle.

So I learned to avoid focusing on the past or future thoughts. I could not change the past events and I would deal with the future — when the time came, when that present moment arrived. Tormenting myself by wondering “Will it be next week? Next month? Six months from now? Will it be when I am on a trip or teaching a class? Will the ultimate surrender be unexpected or will there be guideposts along the journey?” were paralyzing thoughts. Tatianna’s way of approaching life always brought me back to the present moment.

Eckhart Tolle believes “when your attention is fully in the Now, that Presence will flow into and transform what you do. There will be quality and power in it. There is joy and aliveness in what you do.” Brian Narelle’s theory is humans live our lives in horizontal time. “This is a plan upon which our lives are stretched out like railroad tracks running across the Great Plains. As I walk along, I often stop to look back and remember events and things that happened to me. These events serve to fuel my paranoia when I again face my future, projecting these memories onto other imagined events to come.” Animals live on vertical time and teach us to stand, to be, to breathe, in this very moment. Keith Smith suggests that “creatures listen to ancient voices that only whispers to us. Their instinct to survive and exist in the moment, to fully attend to the sights, scents, and sounds that surround, speak to an old way of being.”

Throughout Tatianna’s life, she exemplified centered peacefulness — whether she was eating, dozing, playing, hiding, snuggling, or sleeping.

Remarkably, her centered peacefulness was with her in dying as well. Her powerful teaching to me was to slow down and smell the catnip! There is an old saying, “The past is history, the future is a mystery, and today is a gift. That is why they call it the present.” Enjoy today with your cat!

Linda A. Mohr is the award-winning author of Tatianna ? Tales and Teachings of My Feline Friend and Catnip Connection blog for Seattle Press-Intelligencer, a professor at Northwood University, and the co-founder of Pet Apothecary. She is a member of Cat Writers? Association with human-animal bond expertise. Visit Linda Mohr or Catnip Connection.

During our six and a half year circumnavigation in Dolphin Spirit we visited 56 countries and ate in 50 of them. The only time we were ever sick was after eating at a McDonalds in Egypt – that exotic food will get you every time.

In fact that bit about exotic food is totally untrue. After having lived and worked in more than 100 countries over more than 30 years, I have had food poisoning just three times, the above incident being the second. The third was in France where I dined one night on fish soup followed by fish in puff pastry.

I attribute my survival to one simple rule – eat the food of the country you are in. In Sudan I ate lamb tartare (minced raw lamb) regularly, with occasional side dishes of sheep eyes and testicles, and suffered no ill effects. When in Brazil, I ate lamb tartare at an Arab restaurant, and spent the next two days unable to leave a bathroom. That was the first food poisoning, and the one from which I developed the “eat local” rule.

In the south of Columbia we stopped for lunch at a roadside “restaurant.” An open drain ran through the middle of the dirt floor under the open-sided thatch roof. Chickens, dogs and children chased around the few tables, which had the beneficial effect of keeping the clouds of flies in constant motion. We ate steak, well done, with boiled yams, washed down by beer directly from the can, with no problems.

Which brings me to the first codicil to the rule – grilled meat, well done, and boiled, skin-on vegetables, can be eaten anywhere. Unless you have seen the steak cut off the just killed beast and placed on the grill, then rare is an invitation to disaster, outside of the better restaurants in the cities. If refrigeration is rare, then the meat should not be.

During a visit to Asmara, the Eritrean capital, by good fortune we stumbled into a room reserved for locals. It had weapons and game heads on the walls, low tables, stools and couches each covered with an individual baby goat skin - a wonderful ambience. Dinner was a four foot diameter platter, lined with pancake like sour bread, and covered with heaps of various local dishes, all meat, mostly goat. Correct procedure was to tear off a piece of bread and scoop up some food with it, all with the right hand of course, as the left is reserved for more intimate cleaning functions. Left-handed me had some etiquette problems.

That introduces the second codicil – learn the local customs in advance. In Taiwan, when you are asked to pick the snake you want to eat from out of a slithering heap, just go ahead and pick one. After cooking and smothering in delicious sauces, it will taste just like the delicious sauces, and you know it is fresh. It is perfectly okay to decline to drink the warm snake blood you will be offered, but very bad form to not select the snake.

I have eaten almost every type of meat there is from rat to elephant and turned down only a few. Raw monkey brains is not something I even like to be in the same room as, particularly when they are still attached to the monkey. For some reason, I cannot stand rabbit – yes, I comfortably eat rat, snake and flying fox, but won’t eat rabbit.

Travel is about broadening knowledge and gaining new experiences and this includes experimenting with new foods. In other countries there are hundreds of fruits and vegetables with tastes that range from bland to delicious and which are never seen in the US. So, even if the thought of eating meat that may not have come out of a US supermarket is revolting, try a new fruit a day. Do remember to eat only fruit you have peeled yourself, never pre-cut, pre-peeled or un-peeled.

Oh, yes, I was poisoned a fourth time, through eating an already cut watermelon I bought at an Indonesian market to quench my thirst. Break the rules and you will be punished, even if they are your own rules.

Lawrence Pane circumnavigated with his wife and young son, and his expertise in the areas of sailing, cruising and travel, expressed through two books, numerous magazine articles and very popular seminars, has informed, assisted and entertained a wide audience of sailors and non-sailors. Visit Chasing Sunsets to enjoy the photos, buy the books, and check up on coming seminars.

Generally, most people have a misconception about their insurance agent. They believe that because they have been paying their annual premiums that the agent is concerned about doing what is right for them. While that may be true for a small number of agents, most agents on the other hand know their loyalty is to the insurance company for which they work.

When the adjuster comes out to examine your damage, he or she wants to save the boss as much money as possible. And that means they will do whatever it takes to minimize the value of your claims.

Of course, you won’t be thinking about all of these issues at the time. You will be worried and stressed because of the accident, the fire, the storm, or whatever may be the cause of your claim. And that is why it is important for you to use an insurance claims specialist.

What Does an Insurance Claims Specialist Do?

Insurance claims specialists work with people like you who need assistance in filing their claims and in handling all of the other responsibilities that may entail. The specialist can come into the picture and help you answer questions from the insurance company and deal with all of the other professionals who will be involved in making you whole again. You won’t have to deal with the phone calls, emails and letters from the insurance company, the contractors, or anyone else. All of that will be handled by your claims specialist. You just work on getting your life back together.

Another important service is that an insurance claims specialist can help you interpret the fine print of your policy. Most of us don’t understand the jargon insurance companies use to explain our coverage, the policy exceptions and other elements. They can step in and help you make sense of all the details so you will be armed with knowledge.

Specific Services from Insurance Claims Specialist

As soon as you need to make an insurance claim, you should call in your specialist. Because you will need to make sure your story is coherent, you can work with the specialist before you start answering questions from your agent.

Additionally, if you need a temporary place to live or a rental car or even cash to hold you over until you can begin receiving funds from your policy, your insurance claims specialist can take care of all of these areas for you.

Once your basic needs are taken care of, your specialist will start assessing your damages. He or she will be able to provide a true estimate of what you have lost as a result of the accident, fire, or other destructive event. They can also examine your policy and decide what you can expect to receive based on those damages.

After the wheels of the claims process are set in motion, your representative will work with the professionals on your behalf and will help to negotiate the type of settlement you desire and for the amount you deserve.

Remember they will be working for your interest not the insurance company’s.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Loss Assessor Consultants and Insurance Claim Specialists, he recommends Morgan Clark.

Fires can have devastating consequences for any family. Even if no loss of life or serious injuries are caused from the fire, you may still end up losing a large portion of your belongings and it may very well result in you becoming homeless. Thankfully, if you have home insurance, much of what you’ve lost should be covered.

Basics of Home Insurance

Generally, insurance providers divide home insurance coverage into two separate components: these being buildings and content. You need to look carefully at your policy because some companies combine both components while others sell each one separately. Never take for granted what your policy covers, always read the contract carefully.

If you have the buildings component of your home insurance, then your insurance should cover the repairing of your home’s structure or it’s rebuilding up to the total amount of your policy. That will also apply to other buildings or permanent fixtures on your property, such as swimming pools or garages. If these parts are damaged from the fire as well then those costs will usually be covered by this portion of your policy. Remember that only the structure of the garage will be covered - not anything that was inside.

With the content component, you will also be able to file a claim for the loss of anything you owned that was inside the house, including electronics, clothing, furniture, appliances, etc. This portion may also cover anything that was damaged in your garage, such as your car or lawn care equipment.

With both of these policies, the most important thing to remember is that no matter how great your losses the most you can recover will always be the maximum value of your policy. For example, if your home policy offers protection up to £100,000 then you can only receive monetary reimbursement in the amount of £100,000, even if you’re out £300,000.

That’s why it is always important to purchase the most insurance you can afford. Take an inventory of the value of your property and of the cost to rebuild your home in the event of a fire or other devastation. That should be the amount of coverage you purchase. Consider increasing your coverage every couple of years to account for inflation.

Other Coverage Issues

Of course, before the insurance will pay for any damages, you will have to go through the claims process which can sometimes be very intimidating. If the cause of the fire is easily identified and is clearly not your fault, then your process shouldn’t take too long. Quotes will have to be acquired and you will probably be asked to provide documentation of the items you lost in the fire.

However, if there are any questions about the fire’s cause, this could delay your claim. Make sure you have read your policy and know under which circumstances your policy does not have to pay. You don’t want to find yourself receiving any unhappy surprises at this time in your life.

Additionally, you will be expected to cover the deductible outlined in your policy before any of your claims can be paid.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For Fire Insurance Claims, he recommends Morgan Clark.

Choosing the right lighting for your aquarium is of paramount importance, if your aquarium is to be fully functional and exciting.

To determine the right lighting for your aquarium you will have to consider the following:

* What you are keeping in the aquarium

* Its’ depth

* The amount of heat the lighting will give out

* Your personal tastes

One lamp will be all you may need if all you have in your small aquarium are a few fish. Even though you may need just a single lamp, it is also worthwhile to note that the fish will need lighting at certain regulated times. Too much lighting will mean that the fish will not have enough time to rest, while very little lighting will also make the fish listless and they may end up losing colour.

To achieve the best results in this case, one lamp with a timer to switch it on and off at stipulated times, preferably every 12 hours, would be the best. Remember that lamps that emit more red do illuminate the fish better. The preferable kind of lighting for this kind of aquarium would be incandescent lighting. This type of lighting will offer various colours and bulb strengths.

A deep aquarium will need more lighting, as obviously you will have a larger area to light. This kind of aquarium will require intense lighting and the best kind of light for it would be the metal halide as opposed to other types. They give light in wavelengths that encourage photosynthesis. A compact bulb would be a suitable option for this kind of aquarium. They are economical and last very long. They can be replaced after 2+ years, which is a sufficient period.

If you happen to have only plants in your aquarium you have to be extra careful in choosing the correct lighting. Failure to do this is one of the common reasons as to the poor growth or total failure in growing plants. Choose a lamp that is deliberately designed to emit red wavelength light which is similar to the light of the sun. Use an actinic light combined with daylight light which proves excellent results.

Finally after putting all the above into consideration, as usual the cost of the lamp or lighting will come into play. The amount of money you have in your budget will determine the kind of light that you choose. Consider the cost of replacing the bulbs, as you will have to replace them at some point. Ensure that the bulbs you buy are economical now and in the future.

A well lit aquarium means healthier fish and plants. These make up the beauty of a blossoming aquarium. Your plants and fish will respond to the right lighting and all of you will live happily ever after. Lights which are good for plants also bring out the colours of the fish, so you will take great pleasure in seeing them at their very best.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For information on aquariums, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Aquarium Lighting.

Garden pond plants breathe in oxygen during the night and carbon dioxide in the day; this makes them eco-friendly. They keep your pond water clear by absorbing the nitrates in the water hence preventing it from turning green. Your tastes and preferences will determine the kind of pond plant you use in your garden.

Some examples include:

* Water Violet

* Water Crow Foot

You may also decide to have some fish in your pond, along with your pond plants. In this case you may decide to put in plants that oxygenate the water which will increase the amount of oxygen in the water for your fish to take in, as well as keeping the water clear so that you can view your fish. These types of plants are usually under the water and when looked at keenly on a sunny day have bubbles coming from the leaves. They can cohabit excellently with your fish, because just like fish they cannot survive outside of the water. The preferable kind of garden pond plants to use when you have fish in the same pond is the one that is rootless and float under water. They are mobile and will not be disturbed by your fish as they swim about.

Beautiful flowers are a sight that is never easily forgotten. If you have a passion for flowers then you should use marginal plants. They grow in shallow ponds, especially if they are muddy. They are the ones that grow many beautiful flowers that will brighten and lighten your day. They include plants like Water Buttons, Marsh Marigold, Duck Potato and many others. Another kind is the water lily which is available in various colours and scent, which when put together provides not only a wonderful sight but aroma too. They are hardy and have longer flowering periods.

The size and depth of your garden pond will also determine the kind of plants you use in your garden pond. There are those plants that grow rapidly like the lily; these will need a larger and deeper pond as they need more space to accommodate their rapid growth. Others like the water hyacinth also grow very rapidly and may easily take over your pond, so should you decide to use them then you should take great care in controlling their growth. The lotus is also another one which may need to be put on its own, as its leaves tend to grow high above the water. The flowers will grow even higher; this is due to them being situated above the leaves.

At all times and with all sizes and depths of garden ponds, it is of paramount importance to ensure that you only use garden plants that have been properly excavated and free from any form of disease or infection. This will ensure that your garden pond plants are healthy and stay healthy and your efforts will be rewarded.

Most people who make garden ponds intend to have very beautiful and healthy plants.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For information on your garden pond, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Garden Ponds.