Mind Soup

OH MY GOD!  Yes! That is a real bug. Appropriately named the rhino beetle, it sure is huge. Imagine if more bugs were this size. Aaghh! It sure is a nightmare for those who are scared of creepy crawlies and even for those who get nervous when they see one close. It does redefine entomophobia, the fear of creepy crawlies. Can you just imagine how one would react to a couple of them crawling within a few feet of distance? These rhino beetles are a wily pest and can destroy coconut crops in a jiffy. Wonder what kind of bird if any has the guts to feed on this giant bug. Nature can have a strange sense of humor. Wonder why she made a bug so huge or may be we should be wondering why she made the others so small. Nature has her share of weird things in the world, so can man be far behind? So many extra large weird stuff, man made are out there to bring our fantasy to another level. Ranging from a gigantic burger, to a coffin shaped like a giant duffel bag or a coffee table...

After cocoa beans are harvested they need to be fermented. This means that they are put in an earthen pit near where they are harvested and covered with leaves. In the hot sun they ferment (rot) and then can be shoveled out as mature cocoa beans. Of course during this process lots of insects are present. Almost all chocolate have bugs in it, because it is too expensive to manufacture without bugs. The FDA allows a certain amount of bugs or animal in most foods you eat. Almost all manufactured food you eat comes with an animal you won't think would be in it. Cottage cheese is allowed to have 10 fecal coliforms / gram (fecal coliform being bacteria like Escherichia coli that is normally associated with human and animal feces). Doesn't mean that it will hurt you either.

To my readers, "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams." -- Ashley Smith ... And to capture beauty, great photography skills and amazing photographers are needed. Perhaps I wouldn't have noticed the great detail and the stunning beauty of nature if it wasn't to one of my friends, Mohamad Sakakini, who happens to be the best photographer I have ever met. It is very intriguing how he captures his photos with great patience, detail, vivid color and astonishing focus. Below are my favorite photos of his, and you can view his complete album here . Believe me, you will regret not pressing on that link. Enjoy!