Bullying Awareness

My goal every month is to offer a free workshop (info seminars, training, etc.) to the 55-unit community where I run an after school program. Friday February 17^th was the first event of its kind. I opened it to the entire community where we addressed what bullying looks and feels like to everyone regardless of age, gender, race or class.

Tricia Rayonez from Alternatives to Domestic Violence, Hemet office, spoke with several young people. She left some materials for the children to take home to their parents along with leaving other resources for the residents that couldn’t make it. She said that she would be more than happy to come back once a month to talk more on this topic. Bullying comes in all shapes and colors so to speak – it can cover: 1) physical and emotional abuse from a spouse, parent, teacher, classmate and/or even a supposed “friend”, 2) sexual abuse, 3) teen dating violence, 4) text threats including threats made on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. It can sound like blaming, this for that manipulation techniques, withdrawal, apology and blowups, etc.

If you’re in a violent situation, you can call their crisis-hotline and speak with a client advocate who will plug you into resources in your local area.

For more information on this local non-profit organization, please visit: www.alternativestodv.org. Tricia's contact information follows. Be well. 

Tricia D. Rayonez
          (Client Advocate)

Alternatives to Domestic Violence
Phone: (951) 929-3079
    Fax: (951) 929-2749
24-Hour Crisis Line:
    (951) 683-0829
       1 (800) 339-SAFE

Ms. Tricia Rayonez in black. 

Honeysuckles

A couple weeks ago, my son and I walked around a local lake and as we were finishing up our first lap, we could smell the fruity, sweet scent of honeysuckles. 


Honeysuckles bring me back to my childhood. I grew up on the East Coast and honeysuckles were everywhere! With the change of Winter to Spring and with the smell of fresh cut grass came the sweetness of honeysuckles. The honeysuckle season seemed to last only a month or so. They were gone well before Summer. Living in Southern California provides many benefits and in this particular case, honeysuckles lasting well into June (and possibly longer)!


I'm usually pressed to finish my laps but this particular evening, I decided to teach my son the beauty of eating the nectar from a honeysuckle. We stepped aside and popped a squat on the grass next to a shrub of honeysuckles. Looking around there weren't that many to choose from. The landscapers had came through the day before and cut most of them down. I don't know perhaps they're a nuisance of some kind? I hope that's not the case because they smell beautifully and the nectar is sweet to eat! I recently learned that there are over 100 species of honeysuckle! I had NO clue! I'm only familiar with the white flour type. I know there is a scientific word for it but I have some pictures below that will show you exactly what I am referring to.


After popping a squat, I picked out a few white flowered honeysuckles and showed my son how to pull off the bottom and pull out the "stamen [to] reveal a small drop of honeysuckle nectar" (M. Holt) then I gave him a few turns. He got it in no time. He's a fast learner for being 2. Here are some pictures of our adventure. 

For more information on honeysuckles check out eHow's site.

Enjoy the simple pleasures of life and Be Well.