Odds and Sods 4

I've just finished creepy Virus Clans by Michael Kanaly, which is enough to keep germaphobes up at night for a week. Forget it, resistance is futile, as in the novel's subtitle: A Story of Evolution. You can't stop evolution!

As the viruses start running the joint, everything goes to hell in a handbasket (as you might well imagine) and Kanaly's book has elements similar to J. G. Ballard's High Rise and Concrete Island. The "science" is something of a blur, but takes off on ideas also in Greg Bear's Blood Music, one of the most amazing science fiction short stories of all time.

Somewhat leaden prose, but provocative ideas.

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Another commercial for my talented friend Penny, who brought me a beautiful, multicolored, geometric-patterned dichroic-glass cross for Christmas! I am honored and humbled, thank you, Penny and Rachael!

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Graphic of Neem leaves from Neemproduct.com

Winter skin issues need NEEM! Neem has been around forever as a staple of Ayurvedic medicine, but here in the West, we are only just now learning of its super-powers. Neem oil is great in whatever form you choose, but most people with dry skin, burning, rashes, chapping, eczema, psoriasis, new tattoos (!) seem to respond best to Neem-based lotions and butters.

Neem lotion, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste are available from Organix South, but you can also buy an unscented lotion and add a dropperful of Neem oil to it. Some people prefer to apply the oil directly. It has a very distinctive, almost soapy-citronella-ish scent; not that bad, but nothing you'd seek out to wear, either. (That's why I recommend adding it to lotions.)

Try it, you won't be disappointed!*

*Full disclosure: No, I did not get paid, nor get any freebies, to write any of this. I have received freebies from Organix South in the past, not connected to blogging.

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Today is December 17th, which is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Please educate yourself about the genesis of the event, and what it really means!

Annie Sprinkle offers Ten Things You Can Do to Participate!

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Listening to: The Kinks - Rock & Roll Fantasy
via FoxyTunes