Hersonissos

Crete

April 2008

Dear David,

 A Trip to Ierapetra, The Dikteon cave, Onions, a Meal Out, the Extending Ladder, a Village in The Clouds, Easter Fireworks, and Gay Tourists!

 Yes of course you are quite right, this month is my birthday and I will be nineteen, again. It is also 3 years since Steve passed away and since you ask, yes I do miss him sometimes even still. I think this is only natural after 22 years with the same person, don’t you?

 I am pleased that you think it would be a good idea to publish these letters as a monthly travelogue, and you seem to have been doing your homework on what Crete has to offer for the gay or lesbian traveller! Most gay travel sites only send visitors to Mykonos, which is all very well if all you want to do is party all night and sleep all day, but if you want to come to Crete as a gay tourist and see the sights and walk the walks, then you have to ‘do it yourself’. Any gay travel agents that do have hotel accommodation on Crete usually only have the expensive ‘gay friendly’ (supposedly) hotels on offer, rather than cheaper self-catering apartments or bed and breakfast lodgings.

 With the arrival of April so we get the arrival of the first tourists even though many places are still not open and parts of the Port look like a lunar landscape with piles of builders rubble and timber where desperate attempts are being made to rebuild and refurbish before Easter which is the last weekend of the month.

 As this building work reaches its peak, so does my popularity in the village, to paraphrase a well-known British comedy show ‘I am the only gay in the villa ge with a triple extending aluminium ladder that goes up 7 metres.’ This to you may seem only a small thing but if you have ever seen a Greek ladder you will know what I mean, as they usually consist of two pieces of 3×2 with planks nailed across as the rungs, none too evenly spaced or level I might add. Why ladders should be so expensive here I do not know, anyway mine came from B and Q in England on the back of a truck courtesy of ‘King’ Philip the roving rabbi.

 Around the house birds are nesting in every available corner, and a pigeon is trying to build a nest in a big flower pot on the top balcony, but at least this year I do not have a pair of those daredevil, boy racers of the sky, swallows. Why is it that swallows only seem to have two speeds, very fast and stop? Mind you the aerial acrobatics and the swoops and about turns are really something to watch. Dog didn’t like them much because they used to swoop down nearly on top of her. And they do like to come indoors too, I have had them swoop in the front door, do two circuits of the lounge at breakneck speed and fly back out again!

 You will please to hear that the onions are in and are doing well, not only mine but George’s, which I planted of course. The first tomatoes are forming on the vines, and my peppers and other salad plants will soon be ready to plant out. I am also growing lupins this year although I not quite sure why!

 Now I did say that there wouldn’t be any more travelogues but as I mentioned a couple of British guys were staying here with a friend in Elounda further along the coast and they asked if I would drive them around for a couple of days so having hired a suitable vehicle from Manos at Orion Car Hire, I trotted off to Elounda to collect them one sunny morning. Elounda takes about 40 minutes from my place, skirting around Agios Nikolaos to avoid the traffic, particularly as it was Wednesday, which is market day. Whenever I go to Elounda I think of that Hayley Mills film from the 60’s, The Moon Spinners, which was filmed around that area. In the opening scenes they are on a bus which rounds a corner and before them and down a hill is a small village, these days the view is considerably altered of course, with 5 star hotels and lots of other development on the hills opposite.

 Finding my tourists at the bus stop was easy and we headed off to Knossos, which they had never been to in spite of coming here several times. This also meant of course that I actually drove back past my own house!

 The trip to Knossos takes about half an hour from my place, provided the traffic is not too heavy, and there is now a new slip road off the National Road, which I missed, so had to go to the Mires turning and come back again! The road works are nearly complete on the Knossos road with the addition of a lot of mini roundabouts, which noone seems to know what to do with, but it was the usual chaos when we approached the hospital.

 I refused the offer of a free ticket to walk around Knossos with them as I have been there six times and sat in a cafe across the road with my crossword.

 Two hours later my charges reappeared suffering from ‘Knossos overload’! It is a big site with many interesting features and you really do have to limit what you try and see on any one visit! Heading back into the city we found parking was best in the car park, it is so much easier to pay €3 than drive round for ages trying to find a free place!

 The museum is currently undergoing massive renovation so there is a small display open in a building to the rear of the old museum, why they didn’t just build a completely new museum out by Knossos I don’t really know. The visitors had a joint ticket for Knossos and the museum. I had to pay €4. The displays contain the best of the finds from around the island, including the ‘Phaistos Disc’. Some of the frescoes are also on show, regrettably not my favourite, the Blue Dolphins’, that have become a symbol of Crete.

 Our next stop was to be The Dikteon Cave where Zeus was born, high up on the Lassithi plateau, where there not any windmills anymore, even though some of the guidebooks still insist in printing a photograph of them.

 Heading East back along the New Road we took the turning for Lassithi and headed into the hills towards Potamies, passing on the way the earthworks for the new resevoir, although there is still some doubt about how much water it is going to collect. I do hope that they take the opportunity to utlilise it as a tourist attraction either for birdwatchers or for sailing or perhaps both!

 I prefer this route on to the plateau as the road twists and turns as it climbs ever higher and unnerves the passengers no end as if they look to the right there is often a sheer drop! Stopping at Kera for lunch turned out to be a mistake for us, but a bonus for the restaurant as shortly after we sat down two more busloads stopped as well. The normal stop for lunch at Kera is the Monastery but we tried a small family run place called Ilias, on the roadside, very passable it was too!

 As we completed the final ascent I stopped where the road passes through a cutting as there is a parking place which makes a good photo stop, as you can look back across the villages you have just passed through and see right out to sea. Unfortunately a reinforcing steel fence has been erected along the crash barrier so the view is a bit spoilt. Either side of the cutting is a row of ruined stone windmills standing like sentinels, these must have looked quite impressive when they had their white sails still attached, but of course in this modern era we use electricity instead of wind power, so we have those characterless wind turbines everywhere. How nice it would be if they could re-use those old stone mills for the same purpose!

 After all that climbing it often surprises visitors as you pass through the cutting and there, before you lies the plateau, which you then have to drive DOWN to! As we hit the plateau we took the turning to the right and passed through a few small villages such as Metochi (where you can get, I am told, a very good meze lunch) and it did not take long to get to Psichro and the Dikteon Cave just outside the village and up the hill. There is a large car park and a couple of cafes as this site does get a bit busy, so I sat with a Greek coffee while the visitors climbed up to the cave, returning shortly afterwards because it closes at 3pm! Hence the mistake referred to earlier, we should have gone straight to the cave and had a late lunch! More recent visitors have told me the cave is still closing at 3pm, and it would be helpful if they put a sign up at the bottom of the hill before the climb up to cave.

 Not deterred we continued our trip around the plateau and descending at the eastern end by a winding, twisting road we rejoined the National Road near Neapoli and then back to Elounda.

 My second day as impromptu tour guide started early again as I always feel it is nice to take a leisurely drive and see the scenery.

 The route for today was to Kritsa to the Church of Panagia Kera, famed for its rich decorations, a short trip to the ancient hill village of Lato, the archaeological site at Gournia and then on to Ierapetra, in time for lunch naturally!

Kritsa is only a short trip from Agios Nikolaos (I resisted the temptation to stop at Lidl on the way past) and the church of Our Lady of Kera has many Byzantine frescoes, I think this was possibly the model for the church used for ‘The Moon Spinners’ as I don’t think the church itself was used as the film set. The visitors did not spend long inside and although I have never been inside I left my own visit for a future time!

 By this time it as time for morning coffee, which we took in Kritsa a village populated by many resident foreigners. The place is pleasant enough with an abundance of cafes and tourist shops but of course at this time of year it was only just opening up so there was quite a wait for the coffee while they found the cups they put away last year I guess!

 On the way back to Agios we diverted to the site at Lato, unfortunately it was closed, however some intrepid French tourists, having taken the trouble to drive there, had climbed over the fence to have a look anyway. My guests didn’t like this idea so we carried on back to the main road, heading for Ierapetra. This is actually the road to Sitia, which I have mentioned to you before so I will not go into too much detail, suffice it to say that on the previous trip I passed the site at Gournia. This time I stopped but sat in the car with a crossword while the visitors did the archaeology. I did find something else of interest though, some of our native orchids in full bloom!

 From here it is not a long run to Ierapetra, which is the main commercial town in the area, is surrounded by agriculture areas and greenhouses, and is the most southerly town in Europe. The town itself seems to be more of a city than Heraklion but with more traffic lights that seem to take forever to change! On the plus side there is a nice local museum, a Venetian fortress, and a small port with fishing boats, this is also the place where the ferry leaves for Chrissi Island. As is usual here the beach front has many places to eat with ‘tents’ actually on the beach a few feet from the water, then a road, and then the buildings housing the kitchens etc. I didn’t make a note of the name but we got an excellent meze lunch for four including the drinks for under €50!

 Now you know me, always ready for a trip into the unknown, and one of the visitors had expressed a desire to visit a nearby village called Agios Ioannis, about 20km away to the east of Ierapetra. The purpose of the visit was to check on a house belonging to one of his friends in England, just to make sure it was all secure and so on. This turned out to be quite an interesting little excursion as after leaving the main coastal road we took a small winding road which climbed steeply into the hills and high above clinging to the side of the mountain we could see occasional glimpses of the village, which if it had been any higher up would have been on top of the mountain, and as it was, was nearly in the clouds.

 As we left the car on the outskirts of the village, the only sounds to be heard were the gentle sighing of the wind and spring water rushing on its way down the precipitous mountain (probably why the village was located here as running water is rare on Crete). We stopped to admire the view down the valley and out across the Libyan Sea.

 Entering the village we became aware that all was not as it should be and as we walked the narrow hilly streets the atmosphere became quite eerie as we realised the place was deserted and that what from a distance appeared to be a typical Cretan hill village, was, in the main, ruins.

 So used we are to the constant hum of humanity that the absence of noise seemed absolute and yet somehow our passing by the open doors and blind windows gave new life to the surroundings and in the echoes of our subdued conversation perhaps we could imagine that we could hear the laughter of children, the wailing of the fractious baby, the rapid click of the dice and counters as the men played tavli in the golden evening light, the rattle of dishes, the trilling of caged canaries, and somewhere close by, the sobbing of the bereaved widow.

 It is enough to say that we found the house we were looking for, and walking further found that some of the larger properties, originally homes to the more wealthy, have been restored and are used as holiday homes, many of them by Italians who perhaps find similarities with their own hill villages. As far as we could work out the only inhabitants seemed to be a couple who ran the kafenion, and the only activity we saw was in the churchyard as a grave was being prepared to receive another son or daughter of the village, long absent perhaps, but finally returning home.

 For my part I felt a little subdued on the way back to Ierapetra, and the conversation certainly didn’t sparkle as you would expect it to with four gay men in the car! Very ‘Englishly’ the visitors decided it was time for afternoon tea and cakes which lifted the slight depression that I think we all felt.

 While down this way I had hoped to take the visitors to the memorial to the Cretan Massacre and then inland through the mountains passing one of the few large bodies of water on Crete, time was against us though and so we headed back to base the way we had come, so there are two more things left to do another day!

 Sorry to say this is almost certainly going to be the last of the monthly travelogues as I will be too busy from now on, but I will write next month and answer some more of your seemingly interminable questions and explain the difference between ouzeries, kafenions, meze houses, and estiatorios!

 As usual I have given some links with pictures and a bit more information for you. 

Some photographs can be found here http://www.villaralfa.com/ierap.html

And a gay blog on Crete is here http://gaycretegreece.blogspot.com/

Yours as ever,

You’ve finally moved into your new home and have bought some art prints to decorate your walls. Well, finding places to hang art is easy. However there are certain places you should try to avoid hanging art for reasons of prolonging the life of the art print and also for the safety of your family members and visitors. This article will give you some pointers on places you should try to avoid hanging your art pieces if possible.

1. Narrow and dark corridors

Some homes, especially small apartments, have narrow and dark corridors leading from the living area to the bedrooms. As someone walking along the corridor will be of very close proximity to the walls, an art piece hanging there could be unnoticeable. If you still want to hang art in this area, stick to small art pieces, and group several of them together to add a nice balance. If the corridor is dark, use some lighting to bring focus to them. This will make the art pieces more noticeable to your visitors. Try not to use a large art piece in this area, as large pieces are better appreciated from a distance. Another thing to be concerned about when hanging art in small and narrow spaces is safety; avoid hanging it in an area where someone could accidentally knock it off the wall while walking by, causing damage to the frame and also hurting himself. To avoid someone brushing against the art piece and knocking it off, you could put a small side table against the wall to create some space between the art piece and human traffic.

2. Next to your child’s bed

If you want to hang art pieces in your child’s bedroom, avoid hanging it next to his bed or cot (If the bed is against the wall). If it is not hung high enough, your child could easily reach out and accidentally dislodge it from the wall, thereby hurting himself. Hang the art pieces in areas where your child can’t easily reach them. Also, try to use small and light art pieces just in case your child dislodges it and it falls on him. To be on the safe side, you can avoid framing the art prints that you want to hang in the baby’s room. Although this may look “poster” like, it will definitely give you peace of mind that your child is safe.

3. Kitchen

You might see it often in interior design magazines. Hanging art in the kitchen could make it look a lot more beautiful. But for practical reasons, I would advise against doing that. This is especially so if you cook regularly. The oil and grease coming from the cooking could be damaging for your art in the long run. Try hanging it elsewhere; the dining area, if it is outside the kitchen, will be a good choice. If you still want to hang your art in the kitchen, you can do that but you should frame it with a good quality frame, and you also need to maintain it regularly by cleaning off the grease and grime that might accumulate over time.

4. Avoid hanging an art piece next to a mirror

Avoid hanging an art piece right next to a mirror. People almost always prefer to look at their own reflection rather than at art, no matter how beautiful it is. The mirror will pull attention away from the art piece. But that said; putting an art piece next to a mirror is still somewhat subjective. Some people do it and it still looks quite pleasant.

5. Anywhere that’s in the path of direct sunlight

Avoid putting your art anywhere that’s in the direct path of sunlight. The long term effects of sunrays could cause discoloring and fading of your art piece. Put it in an area that’s shaded from direct sunlight, and use creative lighting to bring attention to it. Choose a good quality frame with ultraviolet filtering glass for extra protection against UV light.

There you have it! I hope the above pointers will help you in every little way to prolong the lifespan of your art pieces so that you, your family and friends can enjoy them for the years to come. Enjoy your art!

Copyright 2007 Edwin Mah

Let’s go back to the early 1900’s (way before the boomer years). In those days, the life expectancy of an average person was only 47 years, which is now considered a young age to die, by civilized societies standards.  Today’s statistics show that men and women are now living way longer than before, with an expectancy of 75 years for men and over 79 years for women. How has that happened? Well, during the last century, people ate what was readily available, not taking into consideration the idea of proper and good nutrition. Moreover, a lot of medications for diseases (some even considered common nowadays) were not yet discovered or developed. Life was also way harder back then. Think of working in sweat factories, spending cold nights without central heating and really hot summers without air – conditioning. So modern medicine, good nutrition and an easier life has played a huge role in increasing life expectancy. But the question is, even if we reach 70 or even 80 or 100 – will we be healthy, or will we be stuck in our beds or wheelchairs looking outside our bedroom windows?

Face it, with all the luxuries and conveniences that we have, we have succumbed to living an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle. Think about fast-food, take out and TV dinners, and lying on the couch while watching DVDs. Sounds familiar, right? Because of this, a lot of sedentary – lifestyle caused diseases and complications are more common than ever; Obesity, osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, cancer –to name just a few. And for baby boomers, inactivity and poor eating habits are particularly dangerous, because we’re at the age when our unhealthy lifestyle is beginning to catch up to us.  Starting to notice a decrease in your metabolism? Or a decrease in your muscle mass? Having a hard time eliminating body fat? Trouble performing aerobic activities? Having a hard time breathing while walking, climbing up the stairs or running? These are what you call bio markers – or signs of aging. If you’re starting to feel that, the chances are if you ever reach 75 or 80, you’ll be having a hard time enjoying your golden years.

This brings us to exercise – a very underrated and easy activity that the average person usually takes for granted. But a little exercise (just twenty minutes a day) is enough to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. More so, exercise rewards you with great circulation, reduced cholesterol and stronger bones. With just a little exercise, you’re on your way to a fitter body, so you can enjoy the expected years ahead.

Want helpful tips on keeping fit and healthy for the years to come? Have ideas you want to share? Visit boomeryearbook.com to learn and share, and while you’re on it – connect with other boomers!

www.boomeryearbook.com is a social networking site connecting the Baby Boomer generation. Share your thoughts, rediscover old friends, or expand your mind with brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join today to discover the many ways we are helping Boomers connect for fun and profit.

For www.boomeryearbook.com

There are different type of the kids toys available in the market. Some very popular among them are swings, climbing structures, chime ball, simple floating items, telephone, cars and trains, plastic animals and many others. These items are available from various online shops and retailers across India. Among the soft toys, one may have teddy bear, doll, bear, elephant, classic bear, rocky bear, fancy bear and balls. All these items are very soft. They are available in different shapes and sizes in the market. One can choose various from different colours as a variety of colours are available.

The soft toys keep your child happy and smiling. There are millions of the toys available in the market and one can choose any according to one’s convenience and budget. Choosing them for the toddler may not be an easy task. Therefore, one needs to consult those who have already bought them. One may also visit various websites that give the users some tips on buying toys.

Among toys, the teddy bear is one of most popular among children. It is almost the first choice of the children. It is available in different shapes and sizes. Two cute teddies in the basket is also a very famous item among the kids. There are also two teddies in the basket who are holding a heart shaped cushion. They are perfect gift for the babies. Another well-known gift is the premium brown teddy. It is very big. It is made of premium fur which is extra soft and cuddly. It is one of the best gift for the teddy lovers. So, buy it and make your child happy.

Among the teddy toys, the teddy with bow is also good for the children. It has a height of 19 and width of 13 cm. It is available from various retailers of India. One can avail it online as well as from various online shopping portals. It is washable and hence there is no need to worry about if your baby gets it dirty. Another very attractive item is the cute teddy that is quite soft and wears a very attractive look. It is made of high quality fur. It is available in different colours at various shops. It is also washable and people can wash it whenever they want to.

The soft teddy bear items bring comfort if the child is worried about something. They can stop a weeping and crying child. They can be cuddled in bed giving the child a sense of security. They are loved enough by families and this is the reason that they are being sold in large volumes. Among other gifts, one can buy the soft heart shaped cushion and gift it to his or her child.

So, if you are looking for soft toys, then once you visit the current market, you may find lots of items to choose from. Modern and traditional toys can be found out from various markets.

Hospital is a place where patient come for their wellness, cure or treatment. Hospital is hence an institution providing health care by offering best treatment by the specialized staff and equipment. Hospital Furniture is thus an equipment or instrument used in any hospital whether be it a charitable, government hospital or privately owned hospitals. Hospital furniture should be designed in a particular way keeping in mind the comfort, facilities and convenience of the patients.

Hospital furnitures should assure reliability, durability and standard quality as it secures live of many people. Hospital furnitures are designed as per the requirement of the hospital. Hospital furniture therefore should be highly equipped along with every technical aspects which will surely help doctors, nurses as well as the patients.

Hospital is a place where people are in one way or the other tensed, stretched along with pain and sufferings etc. Hospital should therefore be a place where patients can relax comfortably without bearing additional pain and suffering, rather soothing down their mental tension. Hospital furniture is an add-on factor in making the hospital a perfect place for mental peace along with a proper cure and treatment.

In the modern world of high technology and scientific advancement taking place, research and development for medical science is also of a higher concern. Therefore hospital furniture and instruments should be designed keeping into consideration new advancement and technology in the medical field. Hospital furniture and equipment should be of latest design, style and advance functionality. At the doctor’s & staffs point of view it should be easily manageable and convenient to use.

HOSPITAL FURNITURE WORLD therefore offers a vast variety of hospital furniture & equipment of best quality and assuring high durability & affordability. Our products are engineered by highly skilled people providing quick and advanced solutions.

Our range of hospital furnitures includes : Hospital Beds Hospital Bed Accessories Hospital Chairs Hospital Stretchers Hospital Trolleys Hospital Wheelchair Hospital Stool Hospital Stands and Racks Baby Ward Furniture Hospital Bedside Screen

For further details visit : www.hospitalfurnitureworld.com

If you pride yourself on being like your mailman…neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night will prevent you from outings with baby then the following accessories are just what you are looking for. From rain protection to illumination, these gadgets and gizmos will protect your children from all types of weather.

Rain

Feel free to take a delightful stroll in the rain with your children. There are now rain covers available that will fit over your double stroller. They have a clear plastic front so the children can watch the rain fall. In addition many have side ventilation netting to prevent moisture build up. Most of these protective rain covers are very easy to attach and remove from your double stroller. In addition they wipe clean with a sponge or damp rag.

Another simple means to keep your children dry is the all-purpose umbrella. There are umbrella mounts available that clip to the side of your double stroller.

Snow and Cold

Specifically made for fun winter walks is a thermally insulated covering for the whole double stroller. It forms a barrier around the babies protecting them from the biting cold of winter. The fabric is water repellant and breathes to prevent stuffiness and moisture buildup. Many of these stroller covers also have a built in blanket to keep you children comfortable.

Another form of protection from the cold and snow is modern day bunting. With this protective barrier surrounding the baby, there is no need to bring along extra blankets and sweaters for the children. Its inner cotton fabric and outer cold resistant nylon shell will keep the children cozy and warm.

Another gadget to help keep the babies warm in their double stroller on a cold day is the foot muff. It is lined with a soft fleece and can be unzipped if the weather gets warmer.

Sun

With skin cancer being so prevalent in today’s society, protecting infants from the sun as soon as they are born is vitally important. Unfortunately it is not wise to use sunscreen on infants. However, there are now sun protection covers available to go over your double stroller to keep out the dangerous rays of the sun. These covers will shield your childrens’ eyes from the UV rays. In addition they protect the skin from the sun’s cancer causing factors.

Mosquitoes

On of the most annoying outdoor elements is the pesky mosquito. It is not advisable to use mosquito repellant on infants. That is why there are mosquito nettings that will now cover the double stroller. The mesh is very fine and it is still easy for the children to look out and the parent to look in.

Dark of Night

There are now headlights available to add to your double stroller for those nighttime walks. The lights attach to the front of the stroller and are run using AAA batteries. They illuminate both the path in front of you and off to the sides for additional safety. They are easy to mount and to remove from your double stroller.

As you can see there are plenty of accessories available to make strolling with your children a year round activity. So feel free to get out there in any kind of weather and have fun!

Hello

Is your sex life going down and is your marriage about to hit the rock

Men don’t like to talk about it; neither do their partners. But loss of libido in men or inhibited sexual desire stresses a marriage more than any other sexual dysfunction, according to Barry McCarthy, co-author of Rekindling Desire: A Step by Step Program to Help Low-Sex and No-Sex Marriages.

Losing interest in sex may not be as common an occurrence for men as it is for women: It affects about 15% to 16% of men, and at least double that many women. “But when men lose interest in sex it scares them more than women — their masculinity is so linked to their sexuality that it is very threatening,” says Esther Perel, a couples therapist in New York city and author of Mating in Captivity.

Loss of libido also makes men more unhappy about the rest of their lives than it does women. Only 23% of men with loss of libido say they still feel very happy about life in general vs. 46% of women, says Edward Laumann, professor of sociology at the University of Chicago co-author of The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States. “It bothers men more.”

But loss of libido is not something you have to live with. There is much you can do to regain your sex drive and your happy outlook on life.

How Do You Know if You have a Problem With Loss of Libido? 
Libido loss doesn’t usually happen suddenly – it’s not like catching a cold where you wake up one morning and whoops, there it is. It can be a gradual process. Though difficult to define precisely, Laumann measures it as follows: “It is a lack of interest in sex for several months of the past year.”

Frequency of sexual activity is not the best measure of sexual interest – so many circumstances can get in the way of an encounter, even if the desire is there. But if you are in a committed relationship and having sex less often than the norm — about once a week – you might ask yourself whether you are happy with things as they are.

If you’re not happy about your loss of libido, researchers agree that it is best to grapple with these issues before they become entrenched. To help identify the early warning signs, see whether you answer the following questions true or false:

Touching takes place only in the bedroom. 
Sex does not give you feelings of connection and sharing. 
One of you is always the initiator and the other feels pressured. 
You no longer look forward to sex. 
Sex is mechanical and routine. 
You almost never have sexual thoughts or fantasies about your spouse. 
You have sex once or twice a month at most. 
“If you answered true to many or most of these questions, you may be on your way to losing sexual desire,” writes McCarthy. Understanding the various causes is the first step to finding the appropriate resolution.

What Accounts for Loss of Libido in Men? 
The causes of this complex problem range from the physical and medical to the psychological and social. Quick fixes don’t solve everything.

Erectile Dysfunction Causes Loss of Libido 
Impotence, or ED, erectile dysfunction, is not the same as loss of libido, but when you experience one, sooner or later you are likely to feel the other as well. “Only 7% of young men report being unable to keep an erection,” Laumann says. Though ED does increase with age: “It’s 12% by age 40, 18% for ages 50-59; and then a sharp rise by age 60 to 25%to 30%,” says Laumann.

The good news: depending on the cause, “drugs can help that,” Laumann says. Vasodilators, such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, enhance blood flow to the penis. It also helps to understand that it’s normal for erections to come and go during lovemaking — “It can happen two to five times in a 45-minute sexual session,” McCarthy says.

Performance Anxiety and Loss of Libido 
Men report two major problems — anxiety about performance and climaxing too early, according to Laumann. Almost one in three men report premature ejaculation, while under one in five are worried about performance, according to Laumann.

And the anxiety doesn’t stop there. Many modern, loving, and conscientious husbands feel they have not truly “performed” unless their partners climax during sex, too. And as Laumann’s statistics show, only 26% of women report that they always experience orgasm during sex, compared with 75% of men. No wonder men feel the pressure – and performing under pressure can cause loss of libido.

Stress Leads to Loss of Libido 
Job stress and self-esteem are also big factors. “If a man’s performance at work is challenged, and he doesn’t feel he is achieving or doesn’t feel self-worth, he often numbs himself sexually,” says Perel, “Desire is a healthy form of entitlement — when you don’t feel deserving, you shut down.”

Medical Conditions Can Cause Loss of Libido 
A variety of medical problems and chronic physical conditions can diminish a man’s sex drive. Serious illnesses, such as cancer and depression, can certainly dampen any thoughts of sex. Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes can reduce blood flow to the body, including the genitals, wreaking havoc on libido as well. Chronic alcoholism and even occasional excessive alcohol consumption are notorious for inflaming desire but impeding performance. Conditions such as thyroid disorders and tumors of the pituitary gland (which controls most hormone production, including sex hormones) can also lower libido.

Medications Can Interfere With Libido 
The class of depression drugs called SSRIs can inhibit desire. So can tranquilizers and blood pressure medications. Illicit substances, such as heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, when used heavily and chronically, may also cause loss of libido. On the positive side, when you talk to your doctor about these issues, there are alternative drugs for depression and other conditions that may have less of an impact on sexual desire.

The Quality of the Relationship Is an Important Part of Libido

What Accounts for Loss of Libido in Men? continued… 
It is not only women who respond – with sexiness or inhibited sexuality – to how happy they are in their relationship. Problems with sex can – but do not always – signal other problems in the relationship that need to be addressed. Anger and disappointment often carry over into the bedroom.

Too Much Togetherness Can Sap Libido 
The paradox of modern relationships is that greater intimacy may not make for better sex. “Sometimes too much closeness stifles desire; fire needs air,” says Perel.. “Separateness is a precondition for connection. When intimacy collapses into fusion, it is not lack of closeness but too much closeness that impedes desire.”

The Wrong Kind of Respect Can Cause Loss of Libido 
For some men, the very love and respect they have for their partners – especially after the birth of a baby – can become an obstacle to sexual desire. “A lot of men find it difficult to eroticize the mother of their children. It feels too regressive, too incestuous,” says Perel. And of course, if they are pulling their weight in the care of a baby or young children, the resulting exhaustion can sap libido for men as surely as it does for women.

Even where children are not involved, Perel reports that some men say things like, “I can’t do that with my wife.” Her advice? In the first instance, get some sleep. In the second, you never know until you try.

8 Tips for Rekindling Libido 
The advice here is not so much about getting more, but getting better. Frequency is not the only measure of libido. Feelings count, too. If you look forward to sex, and feel good about it before, during, and after, that is the true measure of whether your libido is healthy. Here’s how to help combat loss of libido.

Get physical and Boost Libido 
“When you have no desire you feel frozen. Juice is not flowing – so movement is important, figuratively as well as literally,” say Perel. “It gets people unstuck.” Take up a sport, go walking, with or without your partner. If you already walk or run or work out, try challenging yourself just a little bit further, so you feel a sense of accomplishment and vitality. That physical confidence will carry over into sexual confidence.

Keep Expectations Real 
It may take the pressure off performance anxiety to bear in mind that not every sexual encounter has to be perfect. Probably only about 40% to 50% of sexual events can be mutually satisfying, McCarthy writes in his book. If you laugh off moments when things don’t work right, your partner will be more likely to want to experiment the next time around, since it takes some pressure and guilt off of her, too.

Use Imagination to Fight Loss of Libido

Yes, exploring your fantasies is now regarded by marriage therapists as a good thing. If you want your partner to share in the joy, you may want to both explore further some of the newer erotic literature and films that include female fantasies as well as male. After you’ve shared yours, ask your partner about her fantasies. If she says she doesn’t have any, don’t stop there. Instead, ask her to name just one thing she has ever wished a man would do to give her pleasure. (That’s a fantasy, but she may not call it that.)

Build Anticipation to Combat Loss of Libido 
Sure, the idea of sex being utterly spontaneous — no planning, just the heat of the moment — sounds great. But for anyone with jobs, family, and real lives, there just may not be enough hours in the day to wait for the inclination to arise. Instead, turn planning into an opportunity to build anticipation, the way you look forward to going to a basketball game. Take pleasure in the details – get your partner a little gift, put on your favorite music from college days, turn off the phones and hire a babysitter to take the kids out to a long movie so there will be no interruptions.

5. Focus on the Whole Body to Boost Libido.

For men, sexuality tends to be focused disproportionately on the genitals. Focusing on the other erogenous zones can ease performance pressure – and add new pleasure. Where sexual satisfaction is concerned, the shortest distance between two points – from arousal to orgasm — is not necessarily a straight line to the genitals. Take detours along the whole body, for yourself and your partner. Be pleasure oriented, not goal oriented. Tease and touch and take your time.

Talk About What You Want to Increase Libido 
Talking is hard in the best of times, but even harder if you have been avoiding sex together and tension is high. So if you can’t talk, get one of the dozens of excellent sex books out there and point to a chapter. Cozy up and read it together. Look at the pictures, laugh – and let your partner know you’re open to making things better between you.

7. Go Out With Friends Together

how to Rekindle your sex life naturally

Brand endorsement by celebrities is a modern day trend. This is a natural fallout of the increase in use of the different types of electronic media that we see all around. From broadcast television and cable television to satellite communication and local programming, the different options in electronic media has made us more aware of all that is happening in our world. We can now see what our favourite stars are wearing at event nights and try and get our hands on these products. When celebrities endorse a brand, there remains little doubt in our minds regarding their quality and comfort. And more often than not, the leading brand delivers on many of its promises. Skechers shoes â?? for one â?? have been sported by celebrities; Skechers is one of the premium brands to watch out for.

This leading footwear company started its journey in 1992 with utility styled work boots. However, over time, it diversified its product portfolio, and as of now it is creating an amazing range of shoes for men, women, and kids. There are sandals, sneakers, casual shoes, and shoes that go with formal dresses.

The company â?? founded by Robert Greenberg – started its operations from Manhattan Beach California. The founder of LA Gear shoe company brought with him years of experience and expertise. Within a short span of time, the company launched its own line of footwear. It was not long before many celebrities started promoting this brand, and since then, there was no looking back for the company or its owners.

Skechers shoes that can be used with skateboards are highly popular amongst young people and teenagers. There are also a lot of options for people who are fashionable and love to go with latest style trends. For women, there are the dressy sandals, trendy sneakers, and cool and trendy boots in some amazing colour options.  

The ultra hip and urban style of the sneakers and sandals combined with their slip on designs and funky colours make them hugely popular amongst buyers. The padded foot beds, the leather or synthetic uppers, and the bright colour options make many of the Skechers shoes very popular.

The girls shoes from this brand are trendy, sporty, and very feminine. They combine style and functionality with comfort and are just right for fashion conscious girls. The boys shoes come in attractive design options and are great for the feet as well. One can also find baby boy shoes and baby girl shoes from this company. The Skechers kids trainers are great for little boys â?? more so in their growing up years.

The best styles in Skechers shoes are now available online â?? thanks to the initiatives of some leading retailers who are showcasing all the major footwear brands in one place. The customers â?? wanting to get their favourite brands – can now do so quite easily. They can check out the different types of footwear available and select the ones that best suit their requirements. To know more about Skechers shoes, an interested person can visit shoesonline4u.co.uk.

Are you having a hard time getting a good night’s sleep during the winter months?  Are you tired of being cold while you are sleeping? Have you ever thought about purchasing an electric blanket?  These helpful heating aids really make a difference in the quality of sleep thousands of people and I get during the cold winter months.

Why do I need an electric blanket anyway?

1) electric blankets save energy! Remember, saving energy = saving money!
2) Stay warm all night during the cold winter months! (no more rolling over onto a freezing bed!)
3) Sleep like a baby during the cold winter months! (Wake up feeling well-rested!)

Are electric blankets safe?

Electric blankets have been around since the 1930’s. Back they were very big and dangerous by today’s standards. Electric blanket technology has improved significantly and now many homes use these helpful heating aids. Modern day electric blankets can even be machine washed! The electric blankets made today are very safe, however, it is recommended to perform routine inspections each year. For example: run your hands over all of the internal wires, feeling for any areas that are broken, frayed, stiff or tangled. Some people recommend that the blanket should be turned on before you get into bed (to make the bed nice and toasty) and turned off when you get into bed. I like to keep mine set to “low” all night. My blanket automatically shuts off after 10 hours!

Are electric blankets Affordable?
Yes!

Price’s increase as the blanket size increases (just like buying a regular sized candy bar and a king sized candy bar). When you factor in the amount of money you will save on heating bills, you will be spending more money if you don’t buy an electric blanket! When you sleep, turn the heat down in your house (to save money) and enjoy sleeping in a nice warm bed! Just ask yourself: “Do I want to be cold when I sleep and spend more money, or do I want to be warm while I sleep and spend less money?” Of course you want to be warm while you sleep! Of course you want to spend less money! This is a no-brainer for me!

For more information on electric blankets, including links to order, please visit:

http://www.squidoo.com/electric-blanket-review

Stay warm this winter!

The children need an environment where they can take pleasure of being a child. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to give your children a room where they can have full fun and entertainment. Childrens bedroom should be organized in such a way that creates calm and fresh atmosphere and encourage them in learning and development. You can make your children’s room a colored, comfortable and interactive learning place with the various conducts. You can place all the educational toys, enjoyable stuff and good looking colored furniture.

First specify modern and required bedroom decorating ideas for your child and plan kid’s room with the right furniture which are designed especially for children. The perfect childrens bedroom furniture motivates them to get their first step towards creativity and life long skills. You can find stylish and attractive furniture that are built exclusively for kids and small babies. These exciting pieces of furniture are great to furnish your little one’s room and gives lovely colorful dreams. Whether you are looking for Childrens Beds, bedsides, desks or chairs, you just need to select right set of furniture for your child’s bedroom.

Kinder bed

Kinder bed is the beautiful and unique bed with flat slatted base. The pleasant kinder bed is perfect for the small children for the comfortable and safe sleep. You can choose pink or blue color bed that charms and look great in your child’s room. This exciting bed is available excluding mattress and soft furnishings. As fun is essential for children, therefore purchase imaginative unique kids furniture.

Kinder bedside

Kinder bedside is designed without any glue, screw or mechanical fixing from children safety point of view. The whole bedside is fixed together like a jigsaw or a kidsaw puzzle. Kinder bedside reduce the storage space issue for your children. It has cupboard with plenty of space to place little niknaks of your kids. This Children bedroom furniture piece is available in pink and blue with white painted finish. With its simplicity, it is perfect for eye-catching childrens furniture.

Kinder desk

Kinder desk frame has a high quality finish with a jigsaw inspired design. It is created without the use of screws or fixings. This childrens bedroom furniture range features an open desk top and thin storage tray. The strongly designed kinder desk structure doest not loosen with any kind of pressure or force. Your kids can use desk for any creativity and also let them to eat their dinner on. The kids like to have such bedroom furniture with bright colors.

Kinder chair

Kinder chair is designed perfectly to fit under kinder desk. Children can easily maintain their balance in sitting as the back of the chair forces children to sit properly. Young children can move chair in and out safely. Childrens Kinder chair is available in either pink or blue colors to attract curious kids. The chair can be easily adjustable under the desk when not in use.

Furniturenet offers exciting range of colorful and vibrant kid’s furniture. We provide you the best deal for the beautiful childrens bedroom furniture at the best price. Our main aim is to supply the most innovative and best quality designed online childrens bedroom furniture. All pieces are solid and secure once assembled and are completely safe for your children. To explore best contemporary childrens furniture, simply visit our website.