Poecelain-From Pots to Potties

Once I started selling porcelain figurines, it became painfully obvious that I needed to learn a lot more about them than I knew at that time. It was quite a revelation to find that porcelain's roots go back tens of thousands of years. Not real porcelain; the roots of porcelain.

At first it was just clay.Then clay cooked under an extremely hot fire. Then glaze was added. Millenia would pass as these developments were refined.The addition of two elements was required before the ceramics were to become porcelain. the white clay used for the finest ceramics had to be combined with feldspar and then be subjected to even higher heat than before. Heat between 1250 degrees Celsius and 1450 degrees Celsius was required to turn ordinary ceramic into a magnificent piece of porcelain.

While it was discovered in the 6th century AD during the Tang dynasty, it was not until the 9th century during the Song dynasty that porcelain achieved the status of decorating royal habitats.Like anything that has been coveted by the rich and powerful, porcelain spread to Korea, Japan, and eventually to Europe.Porcelain reached its peak during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing(1644-1912) dynasties.

While fine porcelain has been made in other countries, none has been able to equal the efforts of the Chinese. European porcelain or "china" made its debut in Meissen, Germany and the story behind that is worth a read of its own.English porcelain was individualized by the addition of "bone ash" and came to be known as "bone china". This kind of porcelain is sometimes referred to as "soft-paste" porcelain.

Outside of the Orient, Italy seems to garner the most respect for their porcelain. The Capodimonte product demands attention anywhere porcelain is discussed, though there are others that are arguably equal. While there is a huge market for porcelain, the really fine pieces are in museums for everyone to enjoy. While such pieces demand prices in the many millions if at all, there are fine pieces readily available in the thousands or even the hundreds. Of course I'm speaking of the works of art by names such as Santini and Sabadin, not your dinnerware.

Unless one is educated in such matters, it is best not to speculate on the worth of porcelains. With modern technology most things can be copied to a degree of faithfulness indiscernible to even an experienced eye. If you should opt for a porcelain piece of artwork, be certain to get a certificate of authenticity from a well-known manufacturer.

One salient piece of porcelain not mentioned so far in this article is the toilet. I was not able to discover whether that vital utility was actually made from porcelain.

A Brief Look At Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids in Skin Care

Of all the products on the market today for skincare, the most readily recognized are the alpha and beta hydroxy acids. One of the reasons for their success, excluding an incredible marketing push, is the fact that they actually do what they claim to do. They both act as chemical "peels" for the skin.

Alpha-hydroxy acid is derived from fruit (citric, glycolic, tartaric and malic) acids or dairy (lactic) acids while Beta hydroxy acid is salicylic acid which is derived from aspirin. Neither of these products is new. Both have been around and in use for thousands of years. The difference is in the amount of research and marketing that has gone into the modern products.

While these acids do what they claim, that does not mean they are without their drawbacks. Sun sensitivity and irritation are the worst and most common side effects. So while they do reverse the effects of sun damage to the skin, at the same time they make the skin more susceptible to further damage from the sun. Unfortunately a sunscreen mixed with hydroxy acids is not very effective at the ph levels required for the hydroxy acids to be effective. You have to give the acids a little time to soak in and then apply a sunscreen.

Consumers are restricted to solutions of 10% or less. Trained cosmetologists are allowed to use solutions of 20% to 30% and physicians can handle 50% to 70%. Remember that as the concentration goes up so does the intensity of the side effects. While a doctors treatment may last much longer than your home treatment, it could take a full month to recover from the treatment.

The big difference between alpha-hydroxy and beta-hyroxy acids is that beta-hydroxy acid is oil soluble while alpha-hydroxy acids are water soluble only. This makes the beta-hydroxy acids the preferred solution to treating problems with oily skin such as acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. Beta-hydroxy acids also are less irritating since they are derived from aspirin and retain the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin.

Be wary when buying products proclaiming alpha- hydroxy as part of their makeup. They work best with concentrations of 5% to 8% and a ph of 3 to 4. This information is rarely, if ever placed on the labels. Obscure manufacturers have nothing to lose by playing loosely with these figures, while the better known producers have a reputation to protect. But the bottom line controls everybody's actions.

A few pearls of wisdom:

• Buy alpha-hydroxy formulated with a moisturizer
• Do not buy alpha-hydroxy combined with a sunscreen
• Do apply sunscreen liberally after your alpha-hydroxy has had time to soak in.
• If practical, test the product with a ph test strip(available at pool, pet, and drug stores)

Anti-Aging Skin Care's Roster of Players

In a previous article I addressed the factors contributing to the aging of our skin. In this article I want to address the more popular topic of stopping and/or reversing the aging of our skin. Of course there is no such thing as the long sought-never found Fountain-of-Youth, but that doesn't stop the claims of the modern day snake doctors.

There is no lack of products available to treat our skin. Some are "clinically proven" while others that have been around for ages have been proven through repeated use over long periods of time. Among the "clinically proven" we have alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids; probably the best known of the bunch and both used as "peels". Almost all of these products are acids,but I'm not sure that is relevant. Several of these substances act as bleaches to "whiten the skin. Some act as fillers. Some such as Retinol and the vitamins C, E, and K enhance the bodies ability to produce new skin and produce collagen and elastin. All of these work and most are safe except you do need to check the allergy info on any product you use, "clinically proven" or not.

"Clinically proven" excludes some really good stuff. Most everyone has heard of the enzyme CoQ10. The absence of this enzyme is a marker for aging so it makes sense to me to supplement it as we grow older. Collagen is used extensively by those seeking their elusive youth. Estrogen makes the news weekly. DHEA is one I have heard of ,but have found no research that impresses me. There is a lot of hype about green tea, but if it was good for your skin, seems to me all orientals would have great skin since they drink so much of it. Aloe Vera is a plant whose pulp has incredible healing power, especially in the case of burns. Tamanu oil is the South Pacific's answer to Aloe Vera and the Melanesians invented pretty skin. Mexico has a tree that produces a similar product, but I would never attempt to spell it. Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and smells as good as anything out there. Try a little Melanesian skin care and and dream of sandy beaches in exotic places.

I often wonder what the ancient Egyptians did to their dead. Imagine having great skin thousands of years after you're dead and buried. All natural substances for sure. Their living had to look fabulous.

Factors in the Aging of Your Skin

Scientists have divided the aging of our skin into two parts. One, called intrinsic aging, is beyond our control at this point, because it is hereditary. As they continue to study the human genome, no doubt solutions will eventually be found. For now we will have to concentrate our efforts on the other type of aging, called extrinsic aging. This is the aging caused by external factors such as sun exposure, smoking, gravity, lack of exercise, alcohol use, stress, and sleep loss. All of these are factors under our control, though most of us will not exercise that control.

Sun exposure tops my list of the biggest danger to your skin. Results of sun exposure range from darkened freckles to melanoma with wrinkles, sagging, and dry leathery appearance falling in between. If sun exposure is one of your concerns regarding your skin health then you are already late for an appointment with your dermatologist. If you have not yet overexposed your skin to the sun, do not avoid the sun, but take a few common sense measures when enjoying the dangerous but health giving rays. Always wear sunscreen outdoors. Limit the length of time you are exposed. It has been reported that taking CoQ10 gives some protection from the suns rays.

I place cigarette smoke as culprit number two in the skin aging process. It would hold first position except people seem to be getting the word about the dangers of smoking and when they quit smoking most of the effects are self-reversing. That's assuming no smoking related cancers.

Alcohol abuse dilates small blood vessels in the skin thus increasing blood flow near the surface where most of the small vessels are. These vessels become permanently damaged and cause the flushed appearance of those using alcohol in unhealthy quantities.

I lump lack of exercise, stress, and sleep loss all together for the simple reason that regular exercise will usually eliminate the other two. Exercise is also the only tool you have available to fight the effects of gravity. Lack of sleep causes far more problems than the circles around the eyes and a general droopy appearance. Lack of sleep may be a cause as well as an effect on the presence of stress. Stressed people usually wear a worried frown that becomes permanent over time. A regular exercise regimen coupled with meditation such as yoga can relieve stress and promote a healthy night of sleep.

Prevention is always far better than any cure or treatment. But if you are reading this article, odds are you have neglected prevention and are seeking a remedy for the damage already done.
The beginning point for any skin treatment program is cleanliness. Wash your skin daily or in some cases twice a day with warm(not hot) water. Follow the washing with a liberal application of a good moisturizing cream or at least a moisturizing lotion. Creams are as a rule more effective than lotions, but if a lotion is your preference go for it. You are more apt to stick with a program if you use products you personally prefer. For smokers and sun-lovers, a liberal application of your favorite lotion several times during the day is the recommended course of action.

The short version:

• Always wear sunscreen!
• Quit smoking!
• Get plenty of exercise!
• Stay clean and moisturize!

For your cleansers, soaps, exfolliates, toners, and moisturizers go to http://www.melanesianskincare.com/

Chewing on Chakras With Cheese (Or Maybe Peanut Butter)

I’m going to try to put Chakras in language for Joe and Jane Blow to understand without them spending a lifetime trying to disappear through the top of their heads. Simply defined, a chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or circle. As used today, there are 7 primary chakras and 40 secondaries. They are described as circulating disks bisecting the body at 7 locations. Top of the head, Forehead, Throat, Heart, solar plexus (above the naval), Sacral (blow the naval), Root (base of the spine). Some sources describe them as a flower shape protruding from the body at these locations. The locations are agreed upon, as well as the fact that the chakras are spinning, but not all in the same direction. If they are spinning one way in a man, they will spin the other way in a woman. I couldn’t find any information on whether they switch directions.

The chakras are there to receive energy or vitality from the primal source of such things which is called Prana. Prana enters the body through the Chakras and then through the Nadis or pipes. These Nadi converge toward the spine where the central Nadi rises to the Crown. The flow of vitality up, down, and around the spine gave rise to the development of the caudecous, used as a medical symbol for centuries.

As one develops his Crown chakra, at some point it reverses itself and instead of taking energy in, it radiates energy out forming the halo of saints and other religious figures. I find it interesting that some old writings speak of 70 some thousands of Nadi while much older information puts the figure in the hundreds of thousands. In my mind that indicates a decline in the knowledge over time. Its easy for me to see how the knowledge would decline and will continue to do so as the world moves at a faster and always faster pace. No one is willing to take the time to learn this stuff, much less take the time to put it into practice. While it may not be a popular field of study, understanding the basics of it sheds some light on the way people saw their world in ages gone by.

For those who would like a little or even a lot more depth into the subject, there is a plethora of material to be accessed through Google. Much of what I have written comes from a couple of websites that I’m going to give you now. One is http://www.rickrichards.com/Chakras.htm That site contains a wealth of information on a website that has obviously taken a lot of time and effort to put together. Another very good site without quite as much depth is http://www.hehishelo.co.uk/chakra.htm.

Where's The Cash?

I've had some friends tell me that we (hunters and other outdoor folk) are in for a bad time because the Democrats are in the drivers seat. I suppose if you are a hunter on the level of the Bushes and Cheneys you might see a change or two. Personally, I expect things to improve. The next time I'm lifting a cold one with Warren Buffet, I'll ask him what we can expect.It seems the country keeps going through this cycle. The Republicans go in and spend us into a deep hole then the Democrats go in and try to dig us out. All the time Republicans are screaming about the Dems taxing and spending. We haven't spent anything in the middle east over the last8 years have we? Me? A Democrat? Both parties have their faults. I'm only addressing the money right now and I've never had enough of it to ride the Republican bandwagon. Neither have any of my friends and acquaintances had enough. I'll never be a "bleeding heart" liberal, but I certainly don't like sitting by while people I know only through the news get all the breaks.Obama and his buddies have just sent more money than I can comprehend out to the greedies to get the country out of its economic mess. Aren't these the same folks that got us into this mess?
We can’t put all of the blame on The car czars, oil barons, banker bigwigs, and self centered CEOs. According to congressman Ron Paul of Texas, Iraq has cost us far more than the publicly acknowledged $500 billion. The ongoing stalemate in Korea has passed the trillion dollar mark, and one man in the news recently bilked almost that much from a bunch of people who probably deserved to lose it and a lot who didn’t. And the printing presses never skip a beat.

As the public gains awareness of the fact that there is nothing but hot air backing up those greenbacks confidence in our monetary system will continue its downward spiral. Our leaders of both parties seem to take the stance that we have no choice but to try to spend ourselves out of debt. At some point the rest of the world is going to realize that there is no hope of our ever repaying the staggering debt we owe to every developed nation on earth. Then what happens to the global “dollar”? Will the Luddites dream finally come true?

Advice for Your Skin

We know that skin care goes back at least as far as ancient Egypt because some of the mummies we dig up have better skin than some folks walking around today. Of course skin care in those days was reserved for the rich and powerful. That's probably a good thing. Imagine if all the dead bodies from past centuries never rotted. We would be up to our well-preserved fannies in forefathers. Some pharaohs bodies have oulasted the nose of the sphinx.

Such preservation methods have been lost over the millennia, though modern technology can give it a run and might even be able to duplicate it. It would still be out of reach for the masses, thank goodness, but there are lesser formularies available to the great unwashed. That's a good place to start with skin care. Soap and water will take care of most small skin problems, and should be a basis for treating severe maladies. With the anguish of acne, psoriasis, rosacea, and such,soap and water are only a beginning. That has to be followed with a regimen of exfolliants,toners,lotions, and in some cases antibiotics or other medications. No joy.

For most of us, skin care is a matter of prevention. Plenty of soap and warm water; limited exposure to the sun; avoidance of smoke and harsh chemicals, and light use of moisturizers and lotions. The subject of moisturizers brings up this puzzler. Things organic and otherwise, buried in the desert are often perfectly preserved. Yet dryness is one of the biggest culprits of skin woes. Heavy use of makeup dries out the skin because of the cleansing that must always come after. I have seen way too many beautiful women turned ugly by makeup. More problems than skin could be avoided if we could just learn "moderation in all things".

The epitome of abuse in the name of skin care is encountered in the form of "botox" injections. I had a stepson whose mother and father in law abused "botox". The last time I saw them she was 78yrs old and he was in his eighties. They were both old enough that one could understand their desire to improve their looks, but all it did was change them from old and wrinkled to old and frightened looking. At that age who were they trying to impress? I suppose skin care at any age is really about ego. The best one can do for their face is to keep it clean and smile.