Something About Charlie by guest blogger Caryn Ritchie

I was first introduced to Wildtracks one year ago, while visiting Sarteneja. I have been involved with animal rescue and rehabilitation for most of my life but never had a hands-on opportunity to work with manatees or monkeys. When I met with Paul, the director of Wildtracks, he offered me the opportunity to volunteer there and I knew I had to make it happen.

One year later, I am entrenched in the everyday world of monkey and manatee care. I initially was given a general orientation and introduced to all the animals in residence at Wildtracks. Volunteers are matched with the animals they care for by interest, personality, and length of stay. 

I was matched with the “Front Spider Monkeys”: Rafiki, Charlie and the pair Frisky and Frolic. They are all adult spider monkeys, three males and one female. Everyone except Rafiki will be released into the wild when they are ready. Rafiki has a severe spinal scoliosis and cannot fend for himself so he will remain at Wildtracks.  

My special chore aside from cleaning and feeding these four monkeys is to socialize both Charlie and Rafiki. It is perfect for me because it is hard for me to not touch and talk to monkeys. I love them all, but Charlie is special.

Charlie has intense eyes and white markings on his face that make him look like he is always smiling. He had a terrible life prior to Wildtracks - he was kept chained to a peccary pen and sustained two severe bites that got severely infected. Despite what must have been extremely painful, he allowed Paul to treat his wounds daily. Charlie loves being around people.  

Every day I spend time sitting with him and telling him stories about the jungle, freedom and beautiful lady monkeys. The enclosure mesh separates Charlie and me because adult spider monkeys can be unpredictable, but this doesn’t stop us from feeling intensely connected. He holds onto my hands or my shoulders and tries to get as close to me as possible by pushing out his chest.  

Charlie vocalizes with me when he becomes excited. At times I feel Charlie can look into my soul. He touches my heart. I have been rewarded by having Charlie become less anxious when I am around. He looks more comfortable and doesn’t startle as easily. 

After one month with Charlie it will be very hard to leave him. I think the separation will be difficult for both of us. I know he will be given another volunteer to care for him in my place. I know they, too, will fall in love with Charlie and help him continue with his rehabilitation.  

Charlie makes me believe that he will not forget me, but that may just be what I want to believe. I know I will never forget Charlie. Caring for him and understanding the struggles he has already overcome, and the struggles he has ahead of him, will keep Charlie in my heart and my mind forever.  

I hope to return to find Charlie released and happy in a troop he can share his love with. 

To read more of Caryn’s Belize adventures visit her blog: Belizeanatheart.com

For more about Wildtracks Rehabilitation center visit: www.wildtracksbelize.org  

Cover Reveal! BLOOD OF A MERMAID by Katie O'Sullivan

Get ready for summer reading on the beach!

The second book of Katie O'Sullivan's mermaid series will be published later this month, and today is the big "cover reveal" - take a look at this gorgeous cover the publisher has created! Cool, right? The way her dress resolves into a wave, or maybe it's the other way around. Magical. If you look closely you can see the fairy sparkles all around the figure, as well as the mermaid tail splashing off shore.

If you haven't heard about this mermaid series, they're set on Cape Cod, in the fictional West Harwich neighborhood of Windmill Point. The first book takes place along that stretch of private beach and dock, and far below the surface of Nantucket Sound. In the second book, the action and adventure expand, with the hero and heroine journeying to far off places like the Aegean Sea as well as dungeons in the Arctic Circle.

Here's the back-of-book blurb:

Mermaid blood.

When Shea MacNamara fell into the ocean for the first time, he found he could breathe underwater. The son of a mermaid, the sea is in his blood. Literally. The best part of Shea’s new life? His girlfriend Kae, who also happens to be a beautiful mermaid.

But darkness lurks under the sea. When evil mermen kidnap Kae, the king reminds Shea that having royal blood means making tough choices. 

An Arctic dungeon, a fiery plane crash, the legendary halls of Atlantis…and narwhals?

Having mermaid blood just got a lot more complicated.

* ~ * ~ *

If you haven't read the first book yet, what are you waiting for?

Get your copy of
SON OF A MERMAID 

on Amazon

Mindful Eating, by guest blogger Stacey Richmond, RD

When I was in grade school March was known as the month that comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. This winter for me has felt like an angry lion’s roar... forcing me to retreat to my comfort zone… a cozy blanket with a cup of tea and yummy treats.

Comfort eating is a natural part of our human eating experience, but what happens when the occasional spree with treats becomes an over powering urge that we find difficult to control?

Winter days are shorter and colder, leading to less physical activity, feeling more sluggish and depressed. What is a quick comforting way to boost energy, elevate mood and experience pleasure? FOOD - usually something that contains some form of sugar and carbohydrate. Why? It works!

Food is information - the biochemical messengers activated by food actually are working perfectly. The yummy foods we crave are often layers of some form of sugar, fat and salt - the perfect ingredients to raise dopamine, a feel good brain chemical. When we are depressed we eat to feel better.

For a moment.

This is usually the beginning of a cycle of depression, eating, guilt, restriction, leading to more extreme overeating followed by restriction, which for some people spins into an all consuming spiral of binge eating.

So how can you break the cycle to feel more peace with food and your body? Mindful awareness. 

Mindfulness is rooted in the ancient Buddhist tradition and is finding its way into the fabric of our daily living environment - it is being taught in schools, corporate America and even professional football teams.

Mindfulness is being fully present in the moment without judging. Applying mindfulness skills to our eating behavior is proving to be an effective way to treat eating disorders, manage weight and feel more positive about food and body as a whole.

Trying out new eating skills can be a great opportunity for personal exploration to see what you notice for yourself. Here are a few ways to explore mindful eating for yourself:

- Become curious about what is motivating your food choices – is it hunger, emotion or impulse?

- Tune into your body to look for your physical signals for hunger and fullness.

- Practice mindful bites of your favorite foods - tune in to your senses - look at your food, smell your food, notice its flavor and texture.

- Practice forgiveness for any “mistakes” with food. Kindness and compassion will strengthen a positive relationship with your body.

My hope for you as you emerge from the winter to spring is a sense of gentleness and kindness with yourself as you grow as a mindful eater.

Allow your inner lamb to shine this season

Stacey

Kind Eating with Stacey Richmond

CWO Columnist has new Cape Cod Romance, coming this month!

Our regular contributor and Write Way columnist, Katie O'Sullivan, has a new publisher and a new release coming exclusively to Kindle at the end of March!

The "World-Wide" release of all ebook formats and print books on the shelves will be July 30th, but for the first few months, Kindle readers have the exclusive first look!

MY KIND OF CRAZY is set in Harwich Port, a story of love and second chances at finding happiness for everyone involved - including the rambunctious foster puppy! Here's the teaser from the back of the book:

Kendall Roarke is betting everything on making her Harwichport Bed & Breakfast into the premier wedding destination on Cape Cod, despite her recent messy divorce.

Jonathan Reynolds moved back to the Cape to take over his uncle's business and start fresh after his own marriage ended. He's not looking for anything complicated - until he meets Kendall, with her big plans and wild mop of curls.

Throw an unruly foster puppy and an uptight new neighbor into the mix and things get a little crazy. Now Kendall has to decide if it's the kind of crazy that she can live with... for the rest of her life.

 Add it to your summer reading list, and watch our events page for summer book signing events with Katie and our other talented CapeWomenOnline contributors! 

A Snowy Look at February

Bring on the Spring already...

Tax Season 2014 - Get Ready for the Ouch! by Guest Blogger Sherri Mahoney-Battles

Tax season 2014 is right around the corner, and a host of tax changes that become effective this year will be particularly painful for taxpayers in a higher tax bracket. A former 39.6 percent bracket has been reinstated for taxpayers with higher taxable incomes. For 2013, the 39.6 percent bracket starts at taxable income levels of $400,000 for single and $450,000 for married couples. This newly reinstated tax rate is now permanent until Congress changes it.

Capital gains rates of 0 and 15 percent are now permanent, but a new 20 percent rate applies for taxpayers with higher taxable income. This 20 percent rate applies to taxpayers with long-term capital gains that fall into the above-mentioned 39.6 percent tax bracket.

Beginning in 2013, medical expenses will need to exceed 10 percent of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (previously 7.5 percent) in order to be deductible. Taxpayers over sixty five, however, will be able to deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income for taxable years 2013-2016. An additional 2013 change to itemized deductions is a phase-out of itemized deductions for higher income taxpayers. The phase-out level is $250,000 for single and $300,000 for joint filers.

Two new and potentially painful taxes will also rear their heads this year. The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) tax went into effect January 1, 2013. Taxpayers with incomes over $200,000 for individuals or $250,000 for married couples will be paying an additional 3.8% tax on income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents. Capital gains on a primary home sale that exceed $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for a married couple, meeting the income threshold, will face the 3.8% tax realized on the excess gain. Although this tax is aimed towards higher income taxpayers, it can include anyone who has a big one-time shot of investment income or gain. Also, beginning in 2013 is an additional .9 percent Medicare Tax assessed on individuals with wages or self-employment earnings that exceed $200,000.

All of these changes are part of the American Taxpayers Relief Act of 2012 and the Affordable Care Act and are geared towards generating additional tax from higher income taxpayers. Some taxpayers will be surprised to find themselves in this situation and many will feel the impact of not just one hit but multiple hits coming from different areas. For example, taxpayers in the higher 39.6 percent tax bracket will have additional federal income tax, a higher capital gains rate, lower itemized deductions, an additional .9 percent Medicare Tax and an additional 3.8% investment tax. Unfortunately, many of these people will also be paying tax on 85 percent of their social security benefits as well. Just a few weeks ago I did a tax planner for a couple and these tax hikes added a whopping $18,000 to an already steep tax bill.

Now more than ever, a proactive approach to tax planning and strategizing is necessary. Armed with the above information taxpayers have the ability and should strategically plan asset sales and expenses like medical payments so that they can take advantage of tax bracket changes and phase outs. Higher taxes for taxpayers with income in these ranges may be inevitable, but taxpayers who plan strategically can act accordingly and potentially reduce their tax liability.

Sherri Mahoney-Battles, Enrolled Agent

For more information about how Sherri can help you to navigate these taxing matters visit her website at www.taxingmatters.com