Jane says…..

While a zoo definitely has it’s place in animal watching, it doesn’t compare to seeing animals in their own natural habitat. After a recent visit to Yellowstone National Park, this felt especially true for me. A traffic jam caused by young buffalo calves and their mothers crossing the road is an experience not to be missed. It made me wonder about other places that would be conducive to viewing wildlife in a natural setting. From my research I have come up with a list of some of the best places to visit if viewing animals in nature is your objective.

In the United States, national parks are the best place to start. For viewing sea animals, the best places include the Channel Islands off the coast of California. The islands are surrounded by sea lions, seals, gray whales and humpback whales. There are also numerous tide pools that house creatures such as sea urchins and anemones. Another area great for water animals is Glacier Bay in Alaska. Humpback whales and sea lions are in abundance off shore and on land bears and moose are often times available for viewing. For a different spin on water creatures, visit the Florida Everglades, the last remaining everglades on the planet. There you will see crocodiles and alligators co-exists along with turtles, dear, manatees and bobcats. The everglades contain large viewing towers that are devoted especially to wildlife watching or you can be a bit more daring and take a canoe ride in croc-infested waters.

Other national parks that make the list for best wildlife viewing are Denali National Park in Alaska, Glacier National park in Montana, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Denali, Glacier and Rocky Mountain offer animals such as dall sheep, grizzlies, caribou, wolves, mountain goats, elk, dear, bighorn sheep and marmots. Theodore Roosevelt is a less well known park and therefore offers great viewing of bison, wild horses, deer and elk without all the crowds.

Outside of the US, there are more exotic animals available for viewing at places such as Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica, the Komodo Islands in Indonesia, Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo, Polar Bear Observation in Canada, and of course a Kenyan Safari.

The Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica is a brilliant rain forest that contains over 100,000 acres of land and 5,000 acres of marine habitat. The park is home to 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, 139 species of mammals and more than 400 species of birds. There are no roads into the park, only hiking trails. Unless you are an avid hiker and have excellent map-reading skills, a guide is recommended. In addition to the trails, there are also viewing platforms built atop massive ajo trees.

The Komodo Islands in Indonesia house the world’s largest population of Komodo dragons. These animals can grow to be over 300 pounds and up to nine feet in length. These islands are now an Indonesian national park and permits and tour guides are required, but they make the experience much more user-friendly (Komodo dragons aren’t in petting zoos for a reason). In addition to land tours, you can also take a sea kayak around the park and see coral reefs, fish, dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo is one of the last places to see orangutans in their own natural habitat. Through an elaborate network of hiking trails, you can see the orangutans up close, swinging from branch to branch, suckling their young, or building nests to sleep. There are also orangutans in captivity which can be viewed. They are being rehabilitated before being returned to the wild. There are other jungle species as well that can be viewed in the orangutan jungle, including clouded leopards, civets, Malaysian sun bears, deer, numerous species of birds, and butterflies.

Nowhere can you see polar bears so up-close and personal as you can in Churchill, Manitoba. When Hudson Bay freezes, between October and November, this town is overrun with polar bears as they travel their migration path. In early winter, they even stop to dine on the region’s seal population. For more up close views, you can take a tundra buggy (a converted school bus) into the migratory packs for a quick day-trip. For longer exposure, there are tundra lodges that provide all day exposure to the bears in their native environment.

One of the most famous places to view wildlife is Kenya, and what better way to see it than on a safari. Safari’s can take you through the likes of Masai Mara National Park, Amboseli Game Reserve and Mt. Kilimanjaro to view lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, flamingos, black rhinos, giraffes and elephants. Safari’s range from less expensive options starting around $500.00 for an 8 day excursion to very luxurious safaris costing up to $9,000. Either way, you get to see what you like most…animals.

While a zoo definitely has it’s place in animal watching, it doesn’t compare to seeing animals in their own natural habitat. After a recent visit to Yellowstone National Park, this felt especially true for me. A traffic jam caused by young buffalo calves and their mothers crossing the road is an experience not to be missed. It made me wonder about other places that would be conducive to viewing wildlife in a natural setting. From my research I have come up with a list of some of the best places to visit if viewing animals in nature is your objective.

In the United States, national parks are the best place to start. For viewing sea animals, the best places include the Channel Islands off the coast of California. The islands are surrounded by sea lions, seals, gray whales and humpback whales. There are also numerous tide pools that house creatures such as sea urchins and anemones. Another area great for water animals is Glacier Bay in Alaska. Humpback whales and sea lions are in abundance off shore and on land bears and moose are often times available for viewing. For a different spin on water creatures, visit the Florida Everglades, the last remaining everglades on the planet. There you will see crocodiles and alligators co-exists along with turtles, dear, manatees and bobcats. The everglades contain large viewing towers that are devoted especially to wildlife watching or you can be a bit more daring and take a canoe ride in croc-infested waters.

Other national parks that make the list for best wildlife viewing are Denali National Park in Alaska, Glacier National park in Montana, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Denali, Glacier and Rocky Mountain offer animals such as dall sheep, grizzlies, caribou, wolves, mountain goats, elk, dear, bighorn sheep and marmots. Theodore Roosevelt is a less well known park and therefore offers great viewing of bison, wild horses, deer and elk without all the crowds.

Outside of the US, there are more exotic animals available for viewing at places such as Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica, the Komodo Islands in Indonesia, Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo, Polar Bear Observation in Canada, and of course a Kenyan Safari.

The Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica is a brilliant rain forest that contains over 100,000 acres of land and 5,000 acres of marine habitat. The park is home to 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, 139 species of mammals and more than 400 species of birds. There are no roads into the park, only hiking trails. Unless you are an avid hiker and have excellent map-reading skills, a guide is recommended. In addition to the trails, there are also viewing platforms built atop massive ajo trees.

The Komodo Islands in Indonesia house the world’s largest population of Komodo dragons. These animals can grow to be over 300 pounds and up to nine feet in length. These islands are now an Indonesian national park and permits and tour guides are required, but they make the experience much more user-friendly (Komodo dragons aren’t in petting zoos for a reason). In addition to land tours, you can also take a sea kayak around the park and see coral reefs, fish, dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo is one of the last places to see orangutans in their own natural habitat. Through an elaborate network of hiking trails, you can see the orangutans up close, swinging from branch to branch, suckling their young, or building nests to sleep. There are also orangutans in captivity which can be viewed. They are being rehabilitated before being returned to the wild. There are other jungle species as well that can be viewed in the orangutan jungle, including clouded leopards, civets, Malaysian sun bears, deer, numerous species of birds, and butterflies.

Nowhere can you see polar bears so up-close and personal as you can in Churchill, Manitoba. When Hudson Bay freezes, between October and November, this town is overrun with polar bears as they travel their migration path. In early winter, they even stop to dine on the region’s seal population. For more up close views, you can take a tundra buggy (a converted school bus) into the migratory packs for a quick day-trip. For longer exposure, there are tundra lodges that provide all day exposure to the bears in their native environment.

One of the most famous places to view wildlife is Kenya, and what better way to see it than on a safari. Safari’s can take you through the likes of Masai Mara National Park, Amboseli Game Reserve and Mt. Kilimanjaro to view lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, flamingos, black rhinos, giraffes and elephants. Safari’s range from less expensive options starting around $500.00 for an 8 day excursion to very luxurious safaris costing up to $9,000. Either way, you get to see what you like most…animals.

Emma Snow has always adored wild animals. Emma provides content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com and Riding Stable http://www.riding-stable.com.

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Keeping pace with today’s digital era, education is fast becoming a commodity that can be acquired online. This has paved the way for those students who wish to earn degrees, yet not in a position to attend regular classes in a university or a college.

Online nursing degree programs have particularly gained prominence of late, because among other reasons, the demand for nurses is estimated to grow exponentially in the coming decade. An online nursing degree program is aimed at preparing you for the mainstream job market while you retain the advantage of learning from a place of your choice and at a pace of your liking.

Since nursing as a subject requires practical competence, many online nursing degree programs will only allow you to complete the non-clinical portion of your coursework via online classes, while arranging clinical lessons at a medical facility near your home. As you can imagine, there are no schools that allow you to fulfill clinical requirements online.

Let us now look at some important features of online nursing degree programs:

1. Compared to easy pacing of coursework by some programs, many others that are affiliated with traditional universities will require online students to maintain same quarter or semester schedule as on-campus students.

2. While some online nursing degree programs allow the students to commence the course at any time, there are many that are structured like traditional classes/degree programs, which means that students are made into groups and scheduled to go through together. In the latter case, there will usually be a designated start date.

3. Although online nursing degree students generally do not meet instructors and classmates in person, it is seen that communication via email or online discussions often proves equally rewarding. The other benefit in favor of online students is that they usually receive instructors’ lectures in written form.

4. Online nursing degree programs commonly offered are RN-to-BSN and MSN degrees. Although some institutions do offer a variety of advanced degree and certificate options, but they are rather few. In most cases, only one or a handful of degree programs are offered online.

5. Students, who wish to receive credit for work experience while pursuing online nursing degree program, generally have one or two options depending on the institute they plan to attend. Many institutes now allow students to complete proficiency exams such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or the Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) in lieu of course-work in areas in which they have work experience or knowledge gained though independent study. If you are planning to enroll in an online nursing degree program, you will be happy to know that there are certain distinct advantages associated with it, enumerated below, though not all may be available together for a particular program. 1. You will be able to complete your online nursing degree coursework quickly and conveniently.

2. Online nursing degree programs are less expensive than traditional programs. While the cost widely varies by school and degree program, students may expect to pay anywhere from a little less than $100 to more than $300 dollars a credit, with average tuition for online programs sponsored by public universities generally falling in the $110-170 range. In addition, registration or enrollment fees may also be charged, though out-of-state tuition is not typically charged. Overall however, online nursing degree programs cost less than their traditional counterparts.

3. Flexible online nursing programs allow you to work around personal commitments. This is especially true for female nurses who are would-be mothers or have home and kids to look after.

4. Your curriculum can be tailored to meet your specific goals and you may be studying an up-to-date curriculum that addresses the critical needs of the health care industry.

5. If you work hard, you may look forward to completing your online nursing degree in just 2 to 3 years, or even sooner if you have qualifying credits or prior work experience.

Copyright 2006 Linda Raye

Linda Raye, editor at NursingChoice, is well known for her writing on healthcare topics. Nursing is one of her passions.

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Uganda has developed its lodges and hotels into world class. Kampala for example has 3star, 4star and five star hotels and the serena group has acquired the Nile hotel and renovated it it a 5 star deluxe facility at a cost of $18M. Lodges will be found in wildlife areas like queen Elizabeth.

Semilik Safari Lodge

The lodge has eight double rooms that allow for total comfort. Guests are also accommodated in large canvas tents with permanent thatched roofs. The tents have en-suite bathrooms with running water and private verandas with a breathtaking view. Sofas are piled with cushions, with ample lounging spaces. The lodge’s resident chef offers a creative mix referred to as the ‘Best food in Uganda’. Everything is homemade, from the fresh bread to the soups. The lodge employees are from the surrounding communities.

Semilik Safari Lodge offers guests interesting activities like chimpanzee trekking, guided walks and hiking, jungle walks fishing, bird-watching, spot lit night drives, game drives and visits to local communities. The lodge is working closely with the Indiana State University of the US in primate research projects. The cost for double rooms for foreign non-residents is US $296 and for East African Nationals US $218.

The mystery of Kabale

Bunyonyi Safari Resort (BSR), located deep in the highlands of Kabale District, southwestern Uganda, is a secret yet to be discovered. Located on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, this unique tranquil place has spacious, self-contained and spacious cottages right at the waterfront. Guests can tour the numerous islands on the lake by motorboat. ‘Bunyonyi’ means ‘little birds’ and, indeed, at BSR guests are woken up every morning by the chirping of numerous birds. Some of the areas across the lake are famous rare bird species. Lake Bunyonyi is about 900m deep and it winds around numerous hills, creating islands. It has signs of volcanicity and mystery still surrounds its formation. It is a bilharzias-free lake and therefore safe for swimming. The area is also mosquito-free.

BSR have a pad out in the water for guests to sunbathe ands swim in private. Form there or the balcony, one can occasionally view the elusive water birds, the otters, as well as the surrounding hills. Guides will take guests round and give them the historical and cultural backgrounds of some of the islands. Visitors can also meet the pygmy tribes. In the evenings, one can enjoy a barbeque dinner with a campfire by the lakeside.

Lake Bunyonyi is one of the places in Uganda where guests can get clayfish, BSR’s specialty. The cuisine is mostly African but the chef is well versed in all continental dishes. Self-catering is also allowed at a minimal cost for small groups. Bunyonyi Safari Resort extends from the cottages to a small hilltop overlooking the lake. From this vantage point, the view of the Lake Bunyonyi, its surrounding islands against a backdrop of the volcanoes of Muhavura is splendid. The hall on this hilltop is furnished with a bar, a pool table, darts and other games. It is ideal for conferences and parties. The surrounding gardens are well manicured and beautiful.

BSR is offering special full board rates this season of US $40 per person per day. Visitors should look out for BSR’s new introductory package of US $110 per person for a two-night weekend that includes accommodation, meals and transport to and from Kampala, and lake tours. The minimum number of this tour is 12 people sharing in doubles. This tour can be combined with gorilla trekking in Bwindi or a visit to Lake Mburo National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park at an added cost.

Hotel industry comes of age

The Uganda hospitality industry has evolved rapidly into a dynamic institution that places the interest of the client above all else. A visit to Uganda may be marked by stops in the following regions represented by a number of towns: Jinja, Mukono, Kampala, Entebbe, and towns within the refreshing tour circuit of western, north-western and north-eastern Uganda. In all these regions and towns, the hotels meet international standards and offer value for money.

Kampala, Entebbe and Mukono

Central Uganda boasts the country’s top hotels, with Kampala having hosted major international and regional conferences. Kampala has a variety of hotels that cater for different categories of tourists.

Colline Hotel

Colline Hotel is an old establishment in Mukono about 15 kilometres east of Kampala. The three-star hotel boasts a town-countryside tropical setting. It is an hour’s drive from Entebbe International Airport through Kampala along Jinja road. The hotel has more than 100 self-contained rooms, with 24-hour room service, DStv and direct telephone communication. It caters for transit tourists heading to and from Kampala.

Mukono’s unique setting in an area with bird life is reinforced by its high service standards. Colline offers guests unhindered access to all facilities such as the steam bath and health club. With a large garden, swimming pool and well-equipped health centre, Colline Hotel is another home away from home.

The hotel has two restaurants, Maxims and Kob, serving continental, international, oriental and local cuisine. It has three bars fully stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The hotel has a launders residents’ linen. Cultural troupes perform there regularly, keeping the guests fully entertained.

Hotel Africana

Hotel Africana overlooks the beautiful Uganda Golf Club’s par 72 Kitante course. The hotel is 40 minute drive from Entebbe and a mere three-minute drive to the city centre. It has 115 rooms compromising five suites, 23 deluxe rooms and 87 twin-bedrooms. The rooms are elaborately furnished to meet client needs. They are individually air-conditioned, have private baths and showers, telephones, multi-channel TV, radio and fridges. For children under three years, accommodation is free of charge while those between three and 12 pay half the rate of a single room. There are also rooms with connecting doors for families, and there is a large swimming pool.

Hotel Africana has a well-designed purpose-built, air-conditioned conference and banquet rooms, complete with modern audio-visual facilities, to cater for any function. Due to its location, the hotel offers a suitable venue for workshops of 10 to 250 people and outdoor functions of up to 1,000 people. The conference rooms are equipped with a high-speed wireless Internet connection.

Holiday Express Hotel

Located in the heart of Kampala at the junction of Luwum and Dastur Streets, Holiday Express Hotel allows business tourists to access vital services such as foreign exchange, downtown shopping and transport in and out of Kampala. The facilities are designed to meet regional and international standards. All the 42 rooms are soundproofed to allow maximum comfort. This eliminates the CBD-related cacophony. The hotel has a special rate for East African nationals. All the rooms are fitted with TV with more than 10 channels and a spacious study area. Holiday Express has hosted business tourists from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and Congo.

Hotel Equatoria

Hotel Equatoria is part of the Imperial Group of Hotels chain - Grand Imperial, Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Imperial Resort Beach and Hotel Equatorial. It is located in Kampala’s central business district, about 40 kilometres from Entebbe International Airport. Its strategic location provides an ideal environment for conferences, meetings, workshops, parties, recreation and rest. Hotel Equatoria has features that supplement its quality of service. Recently the hotel added 30 more shops to meet the shopping needs of the guests. Hotel Equatoria has one of the biggest shopping malls in the country and 89 air-conditioned rooms, 24 of which are executive class, with satellite television and in-house movies. Security is guaranteed as an electronic key card system is used. The executive rooms have a sitting area complete with speed special satellite Internet connections, mini-bars and direct dialing telephone services.

Grand Imperial Hotel

The Grand Imperial Hotel is one of the first hotels in Uganda built in the colonial era. It is the only hotel that has been used by every governor of the colonial era. The 103 rooms, including suites, reflect the urban elegance and easy southern charm of the city. The hotel, part of the Imperial Group of Hotels, is centrally located in Kampala, and is just a 30 minute drive from Entebbe International Airport. All the rooms have high-speed Internet connection, electronic safes and mini-bars and direct dialing telephone services. The hotel has a swimming pool, saunas and Jacuzzi, massage rooms, steam and spa baths, a shopping mall and a large secure car park. It also offers free personalized airport service, forex bureau and doctors on call 24 hours.

Imperial Resort Beach Hotel

The five-star Imperial Resort Beach Hotel is situated in Entebbe on 27 acres of landscaped gardens on the shores of Lake Victoria. It is only a seven-minute drive from Entebbe International Airport, and a 30 minute drive to Kampala. The hotel is the finest convention centre in Uganda and a global landmark, offering technologically advanced conference facilities overlooking the lake.

With 191 rooms on six floors, extensive conference and banquet facilities and restaurants and bars, it is an ideal venue for meetings. A modern amphitheatre, 1 km private beach stretch along Lake Victoria, swimming pool and health club are just some of the delights.

Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel

The Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel has hosted a number of key conferences, including a summit of African leaders and former American President, Bill Clinton. It has modern well-equipped conference facilities, high-speed internet connection in all rooms, electronic safes and mini-bars, direct dialing telephone service, swimming pool, saunas and Jacuzzi, large secure car parking, free personalized airport service and a doctor on a 24-hour call.

Speke Resort & Country Lodge

Speke Resort and Country Lodge is a luxurious resort on the shores of Lake Victoria in Munyonyo, 12km from Kampala. This resort is spread over 50 acres of pristine land. It hosts leisure travelers, business and executive groups, weddings and other special travellers, business and executive groups, weddings and other special events. It is the epitome of an ultimate resort in the Great Lakes region. The emphasis is on exclusivity and comfort, with the décor incorporating ethnic design elements from various African communities.

The resort extends for over 400 metres along the shores of Lake Victoria. Landscaped gardens with indigenous plants and trees attract colourful birds and butterflies. Wide and well-lit pathways link the cottages, apartments and public areas. It includes 10 self-contained cottages, 20 serviced studio rooms, 11 one-bedroom apartments and 24 two-bedroom apartments with the latest amenities such as telephones, internet access and satellite TV. It has a large swimming pool, a restaurant, grocery, bar and an equestrian centre with 29 thoroughbred horses. There is a jetty where guests can hire speedboats

Mweya Safari Lodge

Mweya safari lodge is located on a peninsula in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. It offers sumptuous meals and luxurious accommodation and there are amazing views from every room, an abundance of game and birds. Easily accessible by air and road, Mweya Safari Lodge is the perfect place to start a refreshing experienced of Uganda.

Paraa Safari Lodge

Built in the early 1950s, Paraa offers visitors the dramatic Murchison Falls and a large variety of bird and animal species. Winston Churchill walked the 85 kilometres from Masindi to view the falls. Paraa is sandwiched by Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert in north-western Uganda and Murchison National Park. During Uganda’s political turmoil, the lodge collapsed but today the story is different. Guests can access it from Kampala by road or air

24 hours in Kampala

I had decided to venture into the unknown - Uganda. With only a sketchy knowledge of the history of the country, I had covered most of Kenya and my visits to Tanzania were becoming monotonous. Coming all the way from Mombasa, the thought of flying to Nairobi then to Entebbe offered a mixed package. On the one hand, I would arrive fast and embark on my working holiday, but on the other, I would miss invaluable experiences that my grandchildren would love to hear.

I settled for the long journey by road from Mombasa. The Mombasa to Nairobi trip was uneventful and by morning, I was on my way to the Malaba border. Through the Kenyan towns of Nakuru, Eldoret and others, which I knew like the palm of my hand, we reached the border and disembarked, passport in hand. I eyed the surroundings curiously. We completed immigration formalities and set off from Malaba through Tororo to Kampala. The Owen Falls Dam provided a spectacular view of the source of the Nile. And Kampala beckoned.

By 6:30pm, the bus arrived in Kampala. Dusk was swiftly giving way to night and I had not made any accommodation arrangements. I tried to recollect the names of some of the hotels and approached an all too willing taxi driver (here they are called ’special hires’). I addressed him in English and mentioned the names of the various hotels that came to mind, three to be precise, but he immediately ruled out two as being upcountry! So, he took me to the one in town. It was a three-star hotel. I was caught in the horns of a dilemma. I didn’t wish to appear as someone with no clue of what I wanted, yet I had this ominous feeling that the cost would subject my pockets to unwarranted, self-inflicted shock therapy. I decided to bite the bullet and approach the receptionist, who appeared rather busy with some clients. I waited. The wait seemed rather long; I know places in my home city (Mombasa) where the moment you step in you are literally lavished with service.

I boldly confronted the receptionist and politely asked her to attend to me. Turning the look of being offended by my perceived interruption, she promptly read out the room rates. The figures sounded rather odd; USh 100,000 etc. I settled for the cheapest, which was USh 100,000. Someone told me the Kenyan Shilling was quite strong regionally so I need not worry, just spend and be happy. I fished out a wad of notes and counted USh 100,000 for that night. I was shown the self-contained room with a sitting area, a TV with numerous channels, among a host of other things. I settled in the room, took a shower, started counting the money while reconverting the currency mentally to Kenya Shillings, and realized that i had spent a whopping KSh 8,000 even before dinner!

I was however determined that the little shock therapy would not ruin my first evening in Kampala. Furthermore, there was no way I could dine at the same hotel as that would choke any attempts at sampling Uganda’s growing economy. I moved to Steers on Kampala Road around the CBD. There was little difficulty in following the directions to the fast food joint. They seemed more efficient than the three-star hotel.

It was Friday and I began my nocturnal tour at about 8:45pm. The city was teeming with not just vehicles, but human traffic too. I got a ’special hire’ to the ‘happening places’ as the seemingly enlightened driver called them. He quickly noticed two things: that I was new in Uganda and that I was from Kenya!

The driver through the city took me to what he rated as a client-friendly pub in the heart of the city and a couple of other places after which I thought: “well, i now know Kampala!” I decided to go it alone and the next 24 hours were a real rollercoaster ride. I entered what I later was told was a sleazy joint (not my type) and moved on to what surprised me most - a Kenyan nyama choma joint. There was a good number of Kenyans and Tusker flowed like water. It felt good to be ‘home’ again. The joint-hoping craze went on, this time with a group of homeboys who seemed to disappear in what I considered dark alleys, only to re-emerge stone drunk! I was told that they had gone to ‘re-charge the Tusker’ with some potent traditional gin by the name Kasese Kasese.

It was well past midnight. Back home, I would be worried about the police and robbers but here that did not bother the Friday night crowd. I met a young woman who said she was a Ugandan university student and we went to a disco. I do not remember the names of the clubs because we entered no less than three that night. The mood was real carnival with folks partying hard. I learnt a lot from the student on why people seemed so relaxed and at ease with foreigners.

The last disco we entered was playing a floor-closing number. It was 5:30 in morning. I escorted my guide to a special hire, paid for her trip back to campus wherever it was, and I took mine to my USh 100,000 hotel room. Later, some homeboys who promised to show me a ‘more affordable’ place lived up to their promise. I moved to an equally decent hotel within the CBD for less than half the previous cost!

I spent the afternoon visiting the famous Makerere University, Entebbe International Airport and its environs, the National Museum, Ndere Cultural Centre, the palace of the Kabaka of Buganda and the National Parliament. I went to bed early that Saturday evening because of the long journey ahead. In any case, the bus was set to leave at 7:00am on Sunday. I arrived back from Kampala with fond memories, having spent 24 great hours in Kampala. I most likely will go back, particularly to visit my university friend whom I guess must be about to graduate.

Robert Muhoho is a tour consultant in Kenya and has planned business and vacation safaris for over 10,000 tourists in the East African region. He is a tour operation- major and involved in National tourism policy development in Kenya.

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While a number of topics are currently being discussed in the United States, one of the most controversial is that of the right to privacy. This hot button issue is made more complex in a post 9-11 environment. We struggle to find and maintain a balance between personal rights and public safety.

Most people would vigorously defend the right to privacy, feeling that the accessibility of too much personal information is not only an invasion, but morally wrong, and unconstitutional. After all, prior to September 11th, the United States had not been subjected to the overt terrorism that had plagued other countries.

The events of September 11th pervaded our false sense of security and caused us truly question if the enemy was in a far off country or our next door neighbor. In our post 09/11 world, the government’s responsibility to protect Americans has taken on new meaning. In an aggressive effort to protect us from the threat within, the government has adopted a “by any means necessary” approach even if that means listening in to phone calls, reading emails, reviewing library records or scouring through websites. The recent foiled plot of airline bombings in Britain is an example of how invasion of privacy can in fact keep us safe. The individuals stopped for this heinous crime were discovered first by a tip but second from police monitoring private activity which included phone calls.

In the instance where a terrorism plot is averted because of the invasion of privacy there can be no argument to the validity of the practice. Yet, we also know that innocent people have had their privacy invaded when they did not pose a threat to national security.

The national debate over privacy has repercussions on a smaller level as well. Corporations and employees struggle with privacy issues in the workplace. Companies also are seeking to protect themselves from a different kind of terrorism - that of legal and financial exposure caused by the actions of its employees, whether innocent or intentionally malicious.

Privacy is legally protected by the Constitution of the United States, and at the very core of America’s existence. As politicians, voters and special interest groups debate these constitutional issues, employees and employers seek to understand the rules of engagement within business.

Does an employee have privacy rights at work? How far can employers go in monitoring the activities of employees to ensure that they are protected from liability?

Employers not only have a right to monitor the activities of employees but a responsibility. Computer activity, including e-mails and phone calls can be monitored by the employer. In fact, some degree of monitoring is recommended. Emails are discoverable in legal action exposing employers to a great degree of risk. Even if the employer has a policy that expressly states that personal emails are allowable, the company still has a right to monitor individual emails.

Phone calls, except those placed on designated “for personal use” phones, can also be monitored. Call center and customer service employees are routinely monitored for quality assurance and training. There are however, federal and state regulations which must be adhered to which in many locations including notifying parties that the call is being monitored. Most employees will need to place or receive a personal call from work at some point in time. However, as a best practice, employees should use pay phones or cell phones when they must conduct personal business during the work day.

As we seek to balance privacy and protection on a national stage, we will undoubtedly make adjustments on a more personal level. We have already become accustomed to much of our lives being monitored through security cameras, electronic tracking and internet use so it is possible that what is now viewed as invasion will simply become normal. In the interim, it is wise to assume that what happens in Vegas, may not stay in Vegas!

Richard A. Hall is founder and President/CEO of LexTech, Inc., a legal information consulting company. Mr. Hall has a unique breadth of experience which has enabled him to meld technology and sophisticated statistical analysis to produce a technology driven analytical model of the practice of law. As a busy civil trial attorney, he was responsible for the design and implementation of a LAN based litigation database and fully automated document production system for a mid-sized civil defense firm. He developed a task based billing model built on extensive statistical analysis of hundreds of litigated civil matters. In 1994, Mr. Hall invented linguistic modeling software which automatically reads, applies budget codes, budget codes and analyzes legal bill content. He also served as California Director and lecturer for a nationwide bar review. Mr. Hall continues to practice law and perform pro bono services for several Northern California judicial districts.

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“Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” If you answered yes to the title question I am sure you have realized the truth in this quote by Ambrose Bierce. In order to gain control over your tongue you must be determined to see things differently. People who lose their temper tend to view life in a negative and judgmental way. You have the ability to direct your mind away from angry and upset feelings. You need to realize that you can have peace of mind instead of conflict.

This article will cover a variety of mindsets and behaviors that will teach you how to keep your mouth shut when you are angry.

1) Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Remember that you have two ears and only one mouth. Use them in this proportion. It’s better to be a good listener than to be a good speaker. Listen carefully to what the other person has to say. Take your time before giving them an answer.

2) Don’t be double minded. You can’t have peace of mind and conflict at the same time. Be clearly focused on the outcome that you want. (Example: “I want to go to bed tonight feeling close to my partner.”).

3) You can’t be right and be married. You have to decide “Do you want to be right or do you want to be married?” Trying to be right will destroy the connection between you. Instead, strive to do the right thing.

4) Don’t jump to conclusions. Slow down and think through the situation.

5) Don’t say the first thing that comes into your head. I often hear people say, “I cannot keep from saying the thoughts I have.” You can and you must.

6) As I was writing this, my daughter reminded me of Thumper’s quote in the movie, “Bambi”. “If you can’t say something nice…don’t say nothing at all.” This is always good advice.

7) Don’t overreact to criticism. Beneath the criticism is an underlying message. Criticism is a smoke screen for deeper feelings. I compare criticism to cheese on a mousetrap. What happens when the mouse takes the cheese? He gets his tail caught in the trap. That’s what happens when you take the bait of criticism. Don’t take the bait. Listen for the underlying message.

Stay away from negative thoughts and statements like, “I hate this!” “This is driving me crazy!” “I can’t stand this!” These types of statements are like throwing gasoline on a fire. You are making it much more intense. Replace these with positive declarations such as “I can handle this.” “This is not that big of a deal.” “I have unshakeable peace of mind.” “Nothing bothers me.” Your thoughts will direct your emotions. Choose positive thoughts that help you keep your peace.

9) If someone uses absolute terms like “always”, “never”, “everybody”, and “nobody”; don’t take them literally. These are emotional terms. If your wife says “You never take me anywhere.” and you know that’s not true; don’t take it as a personal attack. Try and hear her underlying request that she needs to know she is special and she wants to spend some time with you.

10) Don’t overreact and don’t give advice too quickly. This only trains people not to be open with you.

11) Don’t try to get in the last word. It’s not worth the damage you could do by trying to win or be heard.

12) If you are angry repeat this scripture based verse in your head, “In all things be self controlled.” Say it over and over so that you don’t get derailed into an argument.

13) There is life and death in the spoken word. Make sure your words build people up versus tearing them down.

14) Remember to breathe. Stick with the basics. When you are upset, take a few deep breaths.

15) Strive to use an approach that promotes honor and respect. This can make the difference between a twenty minute argument and a 3 day war.

16) Realize that your anger most likely is not going to help solve the problem and may actually make the matter worse.

17) Calmness will help you get to the heart of the matter. This leads to conflict resolution. Trying to be right or show your might will lead to conflict.

18) Staying connected is more important than making your point.

The only one who is responsible for the way your life works out is you. You cannot change the past, but you can take responsibility for your future. All it takes is a decision. Decide to live a life of discipline rather than one of regret. Remember that discipline weighs ounces and regret weighs tons. Develop the power of a tamed tongue.

Mark Webb is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships™. Sign up for Mark Webb’s “Relationship Strategies” Ezine ($100 Value). Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com

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Daily inspiration helps us to stay focused on God’s love, no matter what else is going on in our daily lives. In today’s world there is such a high level of challenge and rapid change happening for most of us, that it has become even more important to find a way to stay connected with our hearts, and with our inner connection with spirit.

There are many ways we can tap into our inner connection with God and spirit; however it is not always simple to do so. The demands of daily life can be compelling, and can cause us to forget our connection to spirit. A regular spiritual practice of meditation or prayer can be very helpful in focusing thought, energy and intention towards God. Even five or ten minutes a day can have a significant beneficial impact on the entire day.

Why Daily Inspiration is so Important Now

The process of spiritual transformation involves the release of everything within us that has been out of balance and out of harmony with God’s love. This process is happening individually and for humanity as a whole at this time. The problems manifesting in our world are an expression of this imbalance, and are being manifest now in order to be transformed.

At this time on the Earth there is a great deal of negative energy surfacing and releasing into the atmosphere of the planet. This is related to the process of global purification that is happening as humanity’s consciousness evolves towards greater connection with spirit, and as the presence of God’s light strengthens on the Earth. The spiritual awakening that is beginning to happen for humanity is illuminating within all of us everything that has been kept separated from God’s love.

These energies that are releasing through the process of purification affect all of us, especially sensitive souls who are attuned to the spiritual levels of reality. Staying connected to a source of spiritual nourishment and inspiration each day helps us to avoid getting immersed in the negative energies that are present, and helps us to feel nourished and sustained during difficult times.

Some people feel these negative energies physically or in their consciousness, some people feel this energy at night in their dreams. Many people now are feeling these energies emotionally, and are not aware that what they are feeling is related to much a larger process than their own individual emotional challenges.

Our individual spiritual healing journey is connected with the larger journey of transformation that is happening for all of humanity. It is not always possible to discern what energy is our own personal healing, and what is related to the larger collective healing process of humanity.

When you become aware of difficult emotions or energies, there are three things that can help to move these out of your body and consciousness.

1. Be aware of what you are feeling at any given moment.
2. Release any judgment or fear associated with the emotions or energies you are experiencing
3. Ask God to transform and transmute the energies and emotions.

During the process of purification it is essential to stay connected with God, with daily inspiration, and with others of like mind and like heart who can share the journey with us and help to strengthen our love and faith. It is not easy to overcome old habits that created unconsciousness and a disconnection from our hearts. Support is needed, and daily spiritual practice and inspiration are the nourishment which sustains us.

Your willingness and commitment to stay connected with God’s love brings many rewards such as greater inner peace, more equanimity during times of challenge, and growing sense of confidence in your ability to feel God’s love. You are also helping the Earth and other people around you, because we are all connected. When you are radiating love and light, and focusing your attention on God’s love, then your presence has a beneficial impact on those around you.

In reaching out to God each day, focusing our hearts on receiving more of God’s love, we are able find a pathway through the challenges of life today. Even during times of difficulty, a new doorway begins to open, towards a new possibility for ourselves and for humanity.

Mashubi Rochell offers free spiritual healing resources for daily inspiration at http://www.worldblessings.com/inspiration.

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Have you ever considered what it means to be an intentional parent? Have you thought about what hangs in the balance? Fourteen years of parenting, reading countless books and listening to the sage of advice of many who walked the parenting path before me has taught me much. Ironically, what stands out the most is how much there is left to learn about being an effective parent and how often I still miss the mark. Hitting the mark is tough even in the best of circumstances; with work, after-school activities, help with homework and other personal demands the bulls eye looks awfully small and so far away. Maybe you can relate. One thing is clear to me - effective parenting is not something that easily comes. It takes great effort and it takes intentionality. The effort part is for another discussion, but what about intentionality?

An intentional parent is not a perfect parent (none of us fall into that category); rather, it is a parent who has “mentally determined upon some action or result related to parenting.” The key is “mentally determined” since every good habit starts with a mental decision. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a single good habit I have that just happened. An intentional parent is an “on purpose” parent.

As parents, our greatest tendency is to react to our children rather than plan in advance. To complicate it even further, we acknowledge this tendency yet do little about it. What does this say about us as parents? The question we need to grapple with is why do we tend to continue down the same unintentional path? There are at least three practical reasons I have identified in my own life that make it difficult for me to be an intentional parent: vision, know-how and accountability. See if you can identify with any of them.

Our biggest obstacle starts in the mind - we simply don’t take the time to contemplate what hangs in the balance. To state it another way, we really have not taken the time to understand and embrace what is gained and what is lost by investing in our children as intentional parents. Most of us would agree, upon reflection, more is to be gained by taking an intentional approach to parenting our children. So, action step number one for becoming an intentional parent is to imagine what you want your relationship to be like with your child and what his or her relationships will be like with others once your child has reached adulthood. Add to that the legacy you want to leave and you start to catch a glimpse of what hangs in the balance.

I imagine my children growing up one day and investing their lives in their own family and those around them. Can that happen if I never invest time with them? Of course, but chances are they will be more apt to do it and more effective at it if I invest in them as young children. When Emily, our now 11 year old, was younger and wanted to play Old Maid when the football game was on, my first thought was “not during the game.” As I look back now, I can say some of my funniest and fondest memories were playing a simple card game like Old Maid with our girls. It is amazing what you can teach a child about life during a basic game of Old Maid.

Our next challenge is lack of know-how. We have very little idea of what an intentional parent looks or acts like. In short, we are missing a plan. It is a bit like driving in a foreign country without a map or directions of any sort. You may eventually reach the destination but the frustration and loss of time makes the journey miserable and it is rarely worth the price. The solution is easy but it takes time. Research, read, utilize resources like Focus on the Family and survey your friends, especially those with grown children. One good resource can launch your journey to becoming an intentional parent. For me, it was a book by Tim Kimmel entitled Legacy of Love.

Being an intentional parent requires changing your strategy and approach as your child changes. If you are like I was early in my parenting I wanted to discover the know-how or “program” that worked, implement it and expect everything to fall neatly into place. I soon discovered the “neatly into place” part was a hurdle. I remember one particular airplane ride before we had our first daughter, Nicole. I was stuck next to a screaming child; you know, the one who never stops screaming the entire flight. I still hear myself saying, “I can’t believe they are not able to control their child. My child will never act like that in public.” Famous last words, right? Fast forward to my first airplane ride with Nicole when she was about six months old. It was a piece of cake - not a peep out of her the entire time. Everyone was so complimentary and a proud Dad I was. I had the program figured out or so I thought until my second airplane ride with Nicole near her one year birthday. To say it was miserable and embarrassing would be an understatement. From the time the plane took off she started screaming and I was reduced to a helpless Dad - duped by a one year old. Some program on “how you should act in public” I had! My child had changed - it was time for a new strategy.

Once you have your vision and plan in place you are faced with implementation. Every parent understands the daily challenges of raising a child as life speeds by us like a NASCAR race. In my own life it is here in the daily battle that I have discovered the importance of accountability. My wife is the best intentional parent I know. She made a decision early in the lives of our children (Nicole is 14 and Emily is 11) to empower her friends to hold her accountable in her role as an intentional mother. As a result, when inertia begins to pull her away from intentional parenting her friends remind her of the vision, the plan and of what hangs in the balance. This accountability enables her to course correct and to escape falling “out of the habit” of intentional parenting. Who have you allowed into the center of your life to ask you the difficult questions and to challenge you to be an intentional parent?

Having a vision with know-how and even accountability means nothing unless and until we act. Actions require energy and time which, for busy people, always feels in short supply. If you are like me, fear and self-centeredness are oftentimes a big hindrance to being an intentional parent. A sense of scarcity and the lack of understanding of the consequences of inaction allow fear and self-centeredness to rule and block our otherwise good intentions. What will I need to give up in the way of time and energy to deliver in this area of my life? What will it cost me personally? It takes courage to be an intentional parent. So, what do you think - is it worth your child’s future and your legacy to become an intentional parent? Will you muster the courage it takes to impact a life?

I know what you are thinking - where are all of the action steps, the secrets, the plan? Well, right now Emily needs help with her homework so more on the know-how will need to wait. Keep your eye out for the next article at www.CourageTheMonkey.com. Intentional parenting calls.

Copyright © 2006, Mark T. Jordan. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reprint this article without alteration if you include the bio and copyright.

Mark Jordan is the author of several books including his most recent children’s book http://www.CourageTheMonkey.com. He holds an MBA from Baylor University and a BSBA from the University of Arkansas. He can be reached at mark@CourageTheMonkey.com.

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After you have planned your vacation to Aruba, you may be wondering what to pack. To ensure that you don’t experience any unwelcome surprises at either your departing airport or the Aruba Airport, make note of the guidelines in this article. The following is a convenient outline of what you can and cannot pack when traveling to Aruba and some added travel tips to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.

First, make sure you pack all your important personal belongings such as travel documents, personal identification and medications in your carry-on luggage. Do not place locks on your carry-on baggage, as this could cause unnecessary delays when passing through screening.

Try to arrive at your departing airport three hours before the scheduled flight time. When you are ready to fly home, you must also allot approximately three hours for check-in and screening at the Aruba Airport, especially if your return flight is between 11 AM and 3 PM.

Due to recent concerns, liquids, gels and aerosols are no longer allowed in the carry-on baggage of all travelers on flights arriving to, traveling within or departing from the United States. Effective August 11, 2006, the following items must be placed in your checked baggage when traveling to Aruba, until further notice from the U.S. government:

All beverages and liquid food items such as yogurt

Skin lotions, creams or balms including suntan lotion and hand sanitizing products

Tooth Paste

Mouthwash

Shampoo

Hair gels and pomades

Hair spray or any other type of aerosol products

Liquid cosmetics such as lip gloss and mascara

Obviously, there are some exceptions to the restriction on liquids and gels. The following items are allowed in carry-on baggage when traveling to Aruba, but make note of the documentation and packaging that some items may require:

Prescription medicine - medication or dispenser must be properly marked with a professionally printed label or pharmaceutical label identifying the medication or the manufacturer’s name. If for some reason you don’t have a professionally printed label, you must obtain a doctor’s note.

Non-prescription saline solution and eye care products (under 4 ounces per container)

Liquid insulin and dispensing products for diabetic passengers (under 5 ounces per container) - must be properly marked with a professionally printed or pharmaceutical label identifying the medication or the manufacturer’s name

Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items including lipstick in a tube, solid deodorant and lip balm

Baby formula, milk and food - only allowed if a baby or small child is traveling with you

Gels, saline solutions or other liquids worn as detachable items used to augment portions of the body for medical or cosmetic reasons - includes gel bras.

Duty free liquor, perfume and cosmetics items purchased within the airport terminal areas will given to you by the duty free operator after reclaiming your checked luggage.

If you are concerned about any item packed in your carry-on baggage, contact your travel agent or airline before arriving at the airport or simply ask personnel at the time of check-in. You can still place the above-mentioned restricted items in your checked baggage before proceeding to security screening.

It is also suggested that you try to minimize the amount of metal you wear. Large belt buckles, clothing with metal buttons, some jewelry and metal toed or heeled footwear can set off security checkpoint metal detectors. This will require additional searches, slowing you and other travelers down. Therefore, while you are waiting in line, it is recommended that place your keys, jewelry or watches, coins, belts and any other metal items in your carry-on baggage until you clear security. You will also be asked to remove your shoes at the checkpoint and place them in a tray to be x-rayed.

As was the case before the new regulations in August, electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, cameras, CD and MP3 players are still allowed in carry-on luggage. However, be prepared to remove your laptop computer from its case and place it on the x-ray belt by itself. It is generally recommended to attach a name and contact information label to the bottom of your laptop in case any confusion arises passing through security. Also, it is still advised that you pack all film in your carry-on luggage. If you have any concerns about your film going through the x-ray system, you can request that it be hand-inspected by a security screener.

When planning your vacation to Aruba, it is also very important to note that effective January 8, 2007, the U.S. Government will require passports for all air and sea travel to and/or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Bermuda and The Bahamas. It is advised to allow six to eight weeks to process passport applications before your vacation to Aruba.

This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select pieces about travel in Aruba for the Aruba Renaissance Resort (http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/AUABR).

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Ever since the beginning of Survivor and reality TV, the show contestants have often remarked about how being on the show was a once in a lifetime experience and how they have grown from being a part of it. However in the last season of Survivor millions of Americans got a much deeper insight into what that really meant.

One of the most popular contestants was Cirie Fields a registered nurse from Walterboro South Carolina. Cirie didn’t have much experience with outdoor life, a fact that became extremely obvious in the first episode. In that first episode Cirie narrowly managed to avoid getting voted out. Immediately afterwards she made the following comment to the audience “All of you who are sitting on the couch at home watching this, stay on the couch!”.

Over the course of the season Cirie continued to avoid being voted off the island on a few occasions. Her straightforward style and attitude made her very likeable an instant fan favorite. Over the weeks she grew accustomed to the outdoor Survivor lifestyle, and reached a milestone in episode 11. In that episode Cirie caught a fish large enough to feed the entire tribe. Her personal growth was not lost on her tribe mates who celebrated the moment with her. Cirie didn’t make it to final episode, however in her exit interview she realized how far she has come in so short a time. In the season finale Cirie remarked that if she can do it anyone can do it, and everyone should get up off the couch.

Gary Mitchell runs Survivor Scoop (http://www.survivorscoop.com) where he covers news, updates, and the latest tribal council results. Keep up with Survivor Cook Islands the 13th season of Survivor at Survivor Scoop (http://www.surviorscoop.com/cookislands)

© Copyright. SurvivorScoop.com, All Rights Reserved.

Gary Mitchell

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If you have an outdoor event coming up, you should consider making your own canopy to provide shelter and shade. An out door canopy is not only protection from the elements; it also adds a decorative touch to your wedding, celebration, or festival.

You can even make one for every day use just to perk up your back yard. It might not be easy to make your own canopy, but when you’ve finished it, you will proud of your accomplishment, and glad you took the time to add a personal touch to the occasion.

In order to make your own outdoor canopy, you will need about 3 yards of outdoor fabric, about 4 yards of border trim or fabric, six brass grommets, 100 to 200 feet of laundry rope, and approximately 6 tent poles as needed.

Here’s how you put the above supplies together to create your own custom outdoor canopy:

Outdoor Canopy Fabric

The best fabric to select is one of natural color which will let the natural sunlight filter on through. Select a type of waterproof awning material about 108 inches by 54 inches in size. Cut the fabric rectangle across the diagonal to create two triangles of equal size. You can feel free to create your canopy in any shape you desire, the important point is to make sure they overlap in such a way that you can hang a chandelier down through the center.

Festive Border Fabric

Cut your border fabric into 6 strips that are ten inches wide. Each of these strips should be the same length as one side of a triangle plus an additional fourteen inches to allow for turning under the raw edges.

Fold the Strips

Fold over about one inch of fabric towards the center of each strip along each long side. Press the folded strips with a hot iron to hold them in place. Your strips are now eight inches wide. Next, fold the strips in half, wrong sides together, to make your strips four inches wide. Now, just cover the edge of the awning triangles with the strips and pin them into place. Turn the ends under, miter the corners, and use a sewing machine to run a topstitch through all the layers along the edge. Follow the instructions from the grommet kit and place a grommet into each of the corners of your awning triangles.

Hanging your Outdoor Canopy

If you can find three trees which are arranged in a rough triangular manner and about 15 feet apart, you can use these to hang your canopy. The branches need to be high so that the people can stand and move around under it, so at least six feet in height.

In order to plan how you want the final outcome to be, spread the pieces around the ground and arrange them in the manner you wish it to appear and how the corners will hang down. Lay two triangles next to each other so the two corners will overlap 12 inches in the middle. This will form a V which would make a hook from which you could hang a chandelier.

When you are ready to hang your canopy, take the front of the triangles and balance them from the same tree across nylon rope. Crisscross the triangles and secure the backs to separate trees. Hang one canopy triangle 12 inches higher and use tent poles to hold up the outside corners or use the poles in place of trees if needed.

Before raising your canopy, flip the nylon rope over the tree limbs and tie them snuggly around the trunk of the trees. If you need to use tent poles then you will need to slip the top of each pole through corner grommets on the canopy. Then place a slip knot around the top portion of the tent pole.

Pull the rope tightly to the ground, then secure them to stakes. Set the stakes around two to three foot away from poles and trees. Now you will be able to adjust the height of the canopy simply by pulling on a rope. Remember to make it high enough to allow people to mill around underneath and to allow plenty of clearance for candles or cooking implements.

Once you have your canopy in place and secured, you can decorate it to suit the occasion in any way you please. The ropes will be beneficial also for hanging decorations as will the tree limbs. You can put flowers, twinkling lights, or whatever you desire on your canopy or simply leave it as is.

Jane Wyvern is an established freelance writer. You can find more of her writing at http://www.canopywire.com and http://www.soslawncare.com.

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