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On October 19, 1944, Japanese vice-admiral Takajiro Ohnishi asked 23 young navy pilots to volunteer for suicide missions against Allied warships; those who crashed into aircraft carriers would get posthumous double promotions. They all agreed, creating the first “special attack group” in time for the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which began the next day. Notes on Japan’s kamikaze attacks:

• Some suicide fliers were volunteers, others under orders. There were kamikaze boats and rafts.
• By October 25, the U.S. navy realized that suicide crash landings on its ships were not just being improvised. It clamped a news blackout on kamikaze fliers and began to figure out how to deal with their strategies (such as their habit of tailing a group of American aircraft back home to the carrier). One in every four kamikaze flights inflicted damage, and the navy was seriously concerned that Tokyo not find out the success of its tactical surprise.
• A hero during the indoctrination of the kamikaze pilots, sailors, and swimmers was naval warrant officer Magoshiche Sugino. Japanese believed that he had given his life in 1904, during the Russo-Japanese war, while sinking a ship to bottle up the Russian fleet at Port Arthur. In 1946, he was discovered living quietly in
  Manchuria. Mr. Sugino had been rescued by a Chinese boat and, upon learning he was a dead hero, decided to keep a low profile.

Some of the dimensions of the 1914-18 war to end all wars:

• The conflict cost both sides a total of 8,5 million dead. Even on the quietest days, thousands of troops were killed or wounded – a process termed “wastage” by British officers.
• The western front soon bogged down into a stalemate from Belgium to
  Switzerland. Both sides built networks of trenches long enough in total, by some estimates, to circle the Earth. + German troops built the best trenches: they picked the high ground and designed their earthworks to be permanent. Sometimes their dugouts included wallpaper and varnished woodwork. Ramshackle British and French efforts were always wet and sometimes flooded. Opposing lines could be as close as seven metres.
• The front lines, especially during winter in low-lying
  Flanders, were a sea of trenches, craters, latrines, corpses, and vermin. Approaching troops could smell the trenches before they saw them.
• The men were small (by modern standards) and their packs heavy. The average British recruit weighed 132 pounds and carried accoutrements of 77 pounds, including a greatcoat that might weigh 20 to 50 pounds more when soggy. Wounded ~en drowned by the thousands in the mud; so did unlucky sleepers.
• By 1916, both sides had steel helmets instead of cloth hats.
• The enemy was rarely seen; his bullets and shells were more common. During heavy shelling, troops endured up to 30 shells a minute – a “thunderstorm” or “symphony” of sound that was felt as much as heard. Across the English Channel, the barrages of
  Flanders were plainly audible.
• Informal truces sprang up when barbed wire needed mending or there were soldiers to retrieve (the wounded might moan in no man’s land for days).
• Big attacks were rarely surprises; they were preceded by heavy shelling and openings of the barbed wire. On July I, 1916, when the British attacked in the Sornme, they had 60,000 casualties – one man for every 18 inches of the front.
• Record heaps of munitions were used. For instance, south of
  Ypres, British miners tunnelled for a year to place a million pounds of high explosives into 21 shafts. On June 7, 1917, the complex was detonated; 19 shafts went up, burying 10,000 Germans and jolting the British prime minister 130 miles away in
  Downing Street. In 1955, another shaft exploded, jolting thevillage of
  Ploegsteert but causing no injuries. The last shaft, deep under Ploegsteert ‘Vood, has yet to be heard from.
• Today; bones are still being discovered. The war’s battlefields will yield their metal fragments for centuries, experts say. On a rainy day in Albert, France, near the
  Somme, the fields give off a smell of rusting iron. (Sources: The Great War and Modern Memory, Goodbye to All That, The First Day on the
  Somme, EyeDeep in Hell.)

I, the natural mother of all life, the mistress of the elements, the first child of time, the supreme divinity, the queen of those in hell, the first among those in heaven, the uniform manifestation of all the gods and goddesses-

I, who govern by my nod the crests of light in the sky, the purifying wafts of the ocean, and the lamentable silences of hell-

I, whose single godhead is venerated all over the earth under manifold forms, varying rites, and changing names.

Isis and Isia

Since the worship of Isis was another mystery religion, very little is known of the events of the Isia. The procession to her shrine, however, was a mesmerizing event. The parade began with men and women dressed “as their votive fancy desired” leading the way. A chorus of women followed wearing only white and strewing the path with flower blossoms and perfumed oils. Others came in order carrying torches and waxen candles to honor She Who Made the Stars of Heaven.

Next followed musicians and a choir of young people in snow-white garments singing songs to the pipers’ tune. Then came the priests and priestess shouting. “Make way for the goddess.” A band of men and women of all classes and ages who had been initiated into the mysteries of the goddess and who wore linen clothes of the purest white followed. The women had their hair done up with veils of the finest silk covering their heads; the men had all shaven their heads. They each carried a silver or bronze sistrum, rattling the sacred instrument as they walked.

Isis was accessible to slave and emperor alike and could be approached through personal prayer. She listened to all supplications and required only faith and devotion from her followers, not money or expensive offerings. Two thousand years ago, Apuleius invoked her presence with devout faith as follows:

Queen of Heaven, who wanders through many sacred groves, and who is worshiped and esteemed in different ways, 0, Goddess of the Moon who shines upon the walls of cities with beams of female light, who nurtures the seeds in the earth with your moist heat, and glows with divine radiance when the sun has set. ° by whatever name, and by whatever rites, and in whatever form that you may be invoked, come now and help me in my hour of need. And, moved by the prayer and declaration of faith, she appeared:

The first thing that I noticed was her abundant dark hair falling gently in soft curls onto her neck. Upon her head, she wore a garland woven with a great variety of flowers. She was crowned with a divine tiara worthy of description, for in the center, just above her forehead, was a plain circular object that was in fact a miniature full moon that glowed with a soft clear white light. On either side of the moonlike globe, two serpents were placed together with sheaves of grain.

Her multicolored gown was of the finest linen, a part was pure white, another was dyed the color of yellow crocuses, with a third the color of rich red roses. Yet, the pitch-black cloak around her shoulders caught my eye, for it shone with a dark glow. This amazing garment fell in soft folds of fabric, swaying gracefully to the ground in a hem of knotted fringe. The elaborate border seemed to cling to the garment of its own accord, of brilliant hues, comprising every kind of fruit and flower. This magical cloak was sprinkled with glowing stars and in the center was a full moon emitting soft moon beams in every direction. The goddess held in her right hand a bronze rattle, a sistrum, her sacred instrument. She carried a miniature golden boat in her left. An asp with raised head and puffed out throat encircled her right arm. Such was the goddess Isis.

It’s hard to believe but summer is almost here! Time for the long, hazy days of summer and with it comes summer vacations. Have you planned your summer holiday yet?If not, I am here to tell you about a beautiful place called Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Surrounded by magnificent mountains that touch the sky and picturesque ocean views, this city boasts compliments from people around the world.

Whereas I take the city for granted, I’ve heard from many a visitor from London, Asia, United States and The Netherlands that Vancouver is the most beautiful place they’ve ever seen. That’s quite a compliment coming from people who are from beautiful, cultural cities and countries.

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia and the third largest city in Canada. With an estimated present population of about 560,000, Vancouver lies in a region of more than 2 million people.

Lying between the Coast Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is one of the most scenic cities in the world. With spectacular natural sceneries, a bustling city core and temperate year-round climates Vancouver is an enjoyable place to visit at any time of year.

Hotspots to Visit in Vancouver

• 1) Stanley Park: Almost smack dab in the middle of Vancouver, Stanley Park is 1000 acres of trees, recreation and scenic views that are enjoyable to any age group.
• 2) Gastown: The Vancouver district known as Gastown, located at the northeast corner of the downtown area, is considered to be the birthplace of this city. Most of the major events that have occurred since Vancouver’s story began happened in or within blocks of Gastown.  Containing the world’s first steam clock, the area is a charming mix of old and new with its cobbled streets, antique gaslights and Victorian architecture.

• 3) Canada Place: Situated on the waterfront in downtown Vancouver, Canada Place, a mixed-use commercial facility, is home to the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Pan Pacific Hotel, The Vancouver Port Authority Corporate Offices, Cruise Ship Terminal (Operated by the Vancouver Port Authority), The CN IMAX Theatre, World Trade Centre Office Complex and Citipark parking facility.  Canada Place, with 5 sails for a roof and looking like a cruise ship, has amazing views wherever you look out. Vancouver harbour is all around you, and Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains are in the background.

• 4) Granville Island: Granville Island is a small peninsula connected to downtown Vancouver via the Granville Street Bridge. The whole island includes a hotel, several theaters, a huge market place, numerous galleries and shops. Stop to see artists’ studios, craft galleries and the Granville Island Public Market.

• 5) Capilano Bridge: The Capilano Canyon Regional Park is situated on the edge of North Vancouver and can be reached from downtown in just about 10 minutes by car. Its most well-known attraction is the Capilano Suspension Bridge, originally built about 100 years by a pioneer with the help from local Indians.

• 6) The Lookout: End the night with a fine dinner at The Lookout. Get a bird’s eye view of Vancouver from The Lookout viewing deck high atop Harbour Centre Tower. At 553 feet high, it affords one of the best views of Vancouver. The top floor restaurant makes one complete revolution per hour and the view is spectacular. Enjoy the sunset and amazing night city views!

These hotspots are a mere inkling of what Vancouver has to offer. I invite you to take a holiday to Vancouver, BC and guarantee that it will be a holiday that you will remember by and by.

** NOTE: For our American readers “harbour” and “centre” are spelled correctly… here in Canada anyway!

The most special times in ones life are the moments we spend celebrating holidays with family, friends and loved ones. These moments in time are ones that we remember as the years pass by; these are the moments we treasure in our lifetime.

Holidays and special occasions are an important part of our lives. Can you imagine a life without holidays or without specials occasions to celebrate? It would be a life less joyful and a life less meaningful.

When I look back on my life, what I remember the most is the wonderful Christmas’ I have had, the most romantic Valentine’s Day, the most enjoyable Easter and all the traditions that were associated with these holidays. Not only do I remember the Holidays that were celebrated but I remember the special birthdays I have had and the most blessed of all occasions, the birth of my children.

What is more amazing and exciting is to instill these holidays and special occasion traditions into our children. What fun it is to teach our children about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and to see their excitement rise as these particular holidays approach, and the pure joy emanating from them as they wake on Christmas Day or Easter Day to see what goodies were left for them. What fun it is to see their excitement level rise as the celebration of their birthday nears. Through each generation, these celebrations of life are instilled in our children.

As we age, it certainly won’t be the bad day at work that we had in 2005, the rainy day we had in 1997, or any other minor daily events that will be remembered. It will be the holidays and special occasions that we remember most of all.

Life is too short and it goes by so quickly. Life is meant to be celebrated and with each holiday and special occasion we celebrate our lives, our family and our friends. Each holiday and special occasion we celebrate is a milestone in our lives and leaves an etch in each of our memories.

Why not make these holidays and life occasions even more memorable for someone special in your life? Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets has something for every holiday and special occasion celebrated in life, from Christmas to birthdays to weddings and anniversaries to the birth of a new baby. Exquisite gifts and gift baskets that will WOW your gift recipient and that will earn you praises.

Celebrate your life and celebrate the special people in your life. Make each holiday and special occasion one that will be remembered throughout your life and your loved one’s life. Be the one that others think of when they remember a special holiday or event.