Tiny Pineapple

ananas comosus (L.) minimus

Hospital of Bamboo

by Juliet Shore (1965)
Hospital of Bamboo

Vivienne and Toby, nurse and doctor in a military hospital in British North Borneo, were both victims of broken romance and unwilling to become involved again.

But they seemed fated to find their names linked — even though Avril Wade did her best to come between them.

I know, I know. You’re probably sick and tired of romance novels set in British North Borneo. It seems like another one comes out every week. But this one appears to be different.

First, take a look at the guy sitting under the palm tree. He’s obviously proud of the fact that, in spite of the oppressive tropical heat, he doesn’t have sweaty armpits.

Second, notice his Bermuda shorts, white socks and dark dress shoes. You know what that means, don’t you?

That’s right. While this may look like just another British North Bornean romance between a nurse and a doctor, it’s really a story of passion and intrigue involving a young, idealistic nurse and a German tourist with anhidrosis who is masquerading as a physician.

Be Full Of Your Brain Cell All The Time And All!

Zoë was invited to a birthday party this evening, and since we had very little time between the end of school and the start of the party, we couldn’t go to a proper toy store to purchase a birthday gift. So, we stopped by Harmon’s fine toy department <ahem> on the way home and Zoë picked out this Future Combat Set for the birthday boy.

Future Combat Set

It’s sometimes difficult for parents to understand the technical terminology and jargon that is used on the packaging of these toys, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to explain some of labels you might see while shopping this holiday season.

New Article Appears on the Market

Many children have already submitted their list of desired articles to Santa, so they may be disappointed when they find that this new article has appeared on the market. But if they act quickly, they can probably submit an addendum to their list of desired articles to include this new article that has appeared on the market.

Assembled Freely

Those who practice Ethical Consumerism can take comfort in the fact that this product carries the Assembled Freely label. Whenever you see the Assembled Freely label, you can rest assured that the product you are buying was assembled by workers in a free range assembly plant, where workers have “continuous daytime access to open-air runs, except in the case of temporary restrictions imposed by veterinary authorities.”

New Generation: This Product is Most Welcome Among Kids!

Don’t make the mistake of purchasing old generation products as they may not be welcome among kids. Kids may laugh at the old generation products or call the old generation products names. They may never let the poor old generation products play in any product games.

Surprised Piece, Stimulate, Like to Play, Be Full of Your Brain Cell All The Time and All!

Your guess is as good as mine…

There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame

Elle Magazine (US), August 2006

Elle Magazine: A hypothetical: Which of your costars would you trust to take a large cash deposit to the bank?
Keira Knightley: None of them. Actors just aren’t that trustworthy.

Elle: Which would you take out on the town to make a boyfriend jealous?
KK: Either Orlando or Johnny would do the trick.

Elle: Which would you be least surprised to learn had killed someone in a bar fight?
KK: Judi Dench.

“Keria Knightley Opens Up”
Elle Magazine, August 2006

Oh, how I loves Dame Judi…

One of Hawaii’s Big Crops

One of Hawaii's Big Crops

One of Hawaii’s big crops is pineapples, appropriately called “the King of Fruits, by Nature Crowned.”

My initial response to seeing this postcard was, “What are leaders of the Free German Youth doing picking pineapples in Hawaii?”

But after taking a closer look I realized it was most likely just a promotional shot from the never-released made-for-TV movie, Miss Hathaway Takes A Holiday.

Be Honest With Yourself: More Precious Than Rubies

Be Honest With Yourself: More Precious Than Rubies

More Precious Than Rubies

A virtuous young man pledges his love and fidelity to the girl of his dreams with a precious stone…a diamond. And the happy girl treasures the gift as she would her life, promising, in return, her own fresh, virtuous love in marriage.

the ring–with its precious gem–becomes a symbol of fidelity for the engaged couple…and a reminder of the priceless value of virtue in them both.

Solomon said it centuries ago: “A virtuous woman…her price is far above rubies…” For man it is equally true.

A latter-day hymn-writer composed these beautiful lines:

“Cherish virtue! Cherish virtue!
God will bless the pure in heart.”

Cherish–how beautiful and meaningful the word: to hold dear; to trust or keep with tenderness.

And virtue: integrity of character; uprightness of conduct; chastity.

The prophet Mormon, in his last affectionate message to his son Moroni, called virtue and chastity “the most dear and precious of all things.”

Modern prophets have reaffirmed this eternal truth.

So, young people of the Church, if you would deserve the confidence of the clean young man or young woman you someday hope to marry–if you would enjoy the fullness of happiness which belongs only to the pure in heart, be clean, be chaste.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.