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I kissed a pig and I think he liked it!

While this isn’t a surprise to me whatever, it is exciting research! It leaves so much potential for future research and work.

I have stolen the entire article as it appeared in it’s original source, so the link to it is provided above.

Groundbreaking research has found that patients left in a vegetative state for devastating brain damage are able to think and respond to questions.

British and Belgian researchers have been able to reach into the mind of a man who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a road accident in 2003 and communicate.

Their research involved a new brain scanning method called functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) imaging.

The man was asked to give yes and no answers to simple questions such as “is your father’s name Thomas?” with the help of a hi-tech scanner that monitored his brain activity.

For yes answers, he was told to think of playing tennis, a motor activity. For no answers, he was told to think of going from room to room in his home, visualizing everything he would expect to see there.

“We were astonished when we saw the results of the patient’s scan and that he was able to correctly answer the questions that were asked by simply changing his thoughts,” said Adrian Owen, co-author of the study from the Medical Research Council.

“Not only did these scans tell us that the patient was not in a vegetative state but, more importantly, for the first time in five years it provided the patient with a way of communicating his thoughts to the outside world.”

Researchers report say five patients thought to be in a persistent vegetative state showed brain activity indicating awareness, intent and, in at least one case, a wish to communicate.

Keeping with the theme of overcoming obstacles and in addition the fact that this weekend is Father’s Day I wanted to share a video that I sent to my husband. As a golfer, he loved it and shared this with many of his buddies.

more about "Walk On – ESPN Video", posted with vodpod

StoopBoyd

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I know I missed Friday Silliness yesterday. So, I thought I would show you a little of what has been keeping me so busy. I am having to work extra to afford massive amounts of hot dogs these days for a new visitor to my home. This egret has decided to call my home his. When we walk out onto the porch, he is there waiting and walks right up to us expecting his hot dogs. When I come home from any trips away, he flies right down behind my car as it pulls into the garage and stands at my door as I get out.

We have named him StoopBoyd after a cartoon (Hey Arnold!) character who would not leave his stoop. Recently he has been inviting friends, in particular a gray heron who, as of now, remains unnamed. Yesterday, StoopBoyd entered the house looking for more hotdogs. I had my son escort him back outside, as I cleaned up his thank you gift. (Yes, I was careful not to touch anything with my bare hands, thanks for asking Stan!)

So here he is, the most recent addition to our family, StoopBoyd!

Just so you know, you ain’t bad for an old broad!

Today I want to pay tribute to two women. One is my beloved Aunt Joyce. She recently left us to join her beloved husband (my uncle) in heaven. I miss her very much. She was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She taught me some valuable lessons in my teens. When I was grumbling about my dear mother as teens will do, rather than agree or disagree she pointed out that what I focus on is what I become. Whoa!

My mother has tremendous qualities, she is smart, funny and loyal to a fault. I have my aunt to thank for helping recognize that early on.

I love you Joyce, you will always remain SO Joyce in my heart!

Next, my friend of many, many years lost her mother last week. I cannot imagine, I don’t want to imagine the pain my friend is experiencing. I have tried to be there for her, but I am not her mother. This video is one my friend made of her mother on her last birthday. It is so cute, I wanted to share it. Lorraine, Grammy Yum Yum, I know you are keeping everyone laughing in heaven!

News Flash!

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Back in May I posted about my dear friend BadEvan who was undergoing some serious surgery. I have had many inquiries as to his health. Unable to answer until now, BadEvan is back and ready to blog his experiences. He has updated the look of his site and it is amazing….makes me jealous.

For me, it is just a thrill to know he is OK. He thinks he’s bad, me, I just love the kid!

This Friday I will suspend the silliness slightly. It is Independence Day (aka 4th of July) here in the United States of America. I am proud of my country and the freedoms we have.

When I was younger my mother took me to see a Peanuts movie. It began with the playing of the National Anthem by Snoopy before the Peanuts gang began a baseball game. My mother stood up during the anthem, no one else in the theater did. She was upset by that and let it be known loudly to the entire theater. I was mortified, after all, it was only a cartoon. Since then, I have matured (hopefully) and come to realize respect is respect. I am proud of my country and thankful to every soldier that has given service to this great nation, regardless if I agree with the politics of the wars.

So, in honor of today, I am linking to that movie moment. Just know, that I am standing in front of my computer as I listen!

Once again time for some well deserved silliness. I am actually away as this is posted. I took some time to get away and relax with my husband. At least that is our intent. We left our teen aged son behind, on his own. (Not totally, remember he has two dads? Well, unbeknown to him, I asked his bio-dad to check in on him while we are gone.) Still, there are many hours that he will go unchecked. He has a summer job, I stocked the fridge and I can only hope that this is where he will prove that he is not trying to juggle too many balls at once.

Watch and see what I mean:

Honestly, was I the only one who noticed the balls matched before he mentioned it?

So, I am in Daytona Beach and working in a business center where I cannot hear what I am playing. Let that be my first warning, as what I think I am posting might not actually be what I am posting. (I am just so excited to be online for a moment!)

Anyway, I thought about an earlier conversation I had and decided for my Friday Silliness, I would ask you, if you were to be an animal, particularly a television or movie animal, who would you be? My youngest, no doubt in my mind: Cheeta, from the Tarzan movies. My oldest, debatable, but possibly Sassy from a movie that escapes my mind now, however, he loved it as a child. My husband, best I not post that!

Me?

Watch this: