Hi All
    Congratulations to Kathy D for another article. I remember the first
time something that I wrote was in print and I received copies of the
magazine. To see that someone who has much experience writing, still
show such excitment, is encouraging for me - that I will feel the same
excitment if something else I write gets into print.
    On the issue of Public Speaking, I encourage anyone who has the
opportunity to do it, even if they feel nervous. I speak 'off the cuff'
much better than with preparation as I speak from conviction and when I
prepare, I tend to sound like a textbook. The first time is the worst, I
have learned after many years of speaking (on all sorts of topics) that
practice what you want to convey (key points, a particular issue or
topic [such as extended nursing or how to manage hospital routines]
before hand either in front of a mirror or family members and have them
critique presentation and ask questions. This helps you know where you
may have problems (sound level, monotone, too many pauses, etc.) and
will help clarify what you what to say or may have forgotten. The same
is with print media, earlier this year we were approached very
unexpectedly by the Fort Knox post newspaper and I must admit that I was
suspect about how the article would turn out, or even if it would be
printed. Imagine my great surprise and delight when the issue that week
(two days later) had a front page very positie article on our Group and
breastfeeding filled with correct facts. I wrote a thank you note as
journalists who do their job by writing the facts without personal bias
deserve to be recognized.
    On lice, I wish that I could find something that works. We are on
our uncountable turnaround bout again. Before arriving here, we only had
one bout which cleared with normal treatment. Here, I guess the lice are
resistant to the meds, as I've tried them all and still after two
treatments, two to four weeks later, they are up and running again. I
have tried a product that contained both petroleum and coconut oil (it
is hard to remove from the hair) and washed every towel and sheet and
pillow in the house and sprayed the house (fogged) and sprayed all the
beds and furniture. I like the mayo idea, as it is cheap and readily
available.
    On the oatmeal for milk production/letdown, that is a great idea
too. Cheap, readily available and certainly not hazardous to the infant.
I guess that I will have to now become more into herbs also.
    On cloning and formula 'advances,' I sometimes wonder (this is my
personal  opinion) what goes on in the minds of some people. Is the idea
really to advance the assistance to help humans or is it personal glory
or is it money? What I guess I can't understand is 'if it is not broke,
why so much effort to 'fix' it? I breastfed my first sort of in a vaccum
(small rural town, with no money and little access to print media) and
so I just put baby to breast without pillows, slings, seats, swings,
etc. Somehow we managed! Makes me wonder if all the new 'gadgets' don't
create a sense of failure (or possible failure/complications) before
even starting?
    Oh by the way, finally got the results of my x-ray, the ankle is not
broken so I should be doing better by the end of the week.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY
"Who serves his fellows is of all the greatest." Dakota proverb