Danube Cruise Blog #39: Linz, Austria: Kepler's Laws, World War 2 History

Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz art museum

 The next stop on our Viking River cruise was the Czech Republic, but in order to get there,we had to dock at Linz, Austria on the Danube River. Linz has quite an interesting history. It was Friday, May 24th when we docked in Linz and learned a lot about the city during the 90 minute bus ride to get to the beautiful little city of Český Krumlov. Today, we'll explore Linz, because there's a lot to know about its most famous resident and ties to World War 2! Read on! 

Cruise ships on the Danube

ABOUT LINZ- Linz was the most important Roman harbor settlement in 1 AD. The city was founded by the Romans, who called it Lentia.The name Linz was first recorded in AD 799. 
It became an industrial city and is the home of a steel plant today. There are 271,000 residents, and 100,000 more come into town to work each day.

Johannes Kepler

MOST FAMOUS RESIDENT- Astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler. He taught mathematics in the city for several years. He discovered, on 15 May 1618, the distance-cubed-over-time-squared — or 'third' — law of planetary motion. The local public university, Johannes Kepler University Linz, is named after him.

KEPLER'S LAWS - In astronomy, Kepler's laws of planetary motion are three scientific laws describing the motion of planets around the Sun. The orbit of a planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one of the two foci. A line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas during equal intervals of time.

HITLER WAS HERE TWICE- Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn (Austrian town near the German border) and moved to Linz during his childhood. Hitler spent most of his youth in the Linz area, from 1898 until 1907, when he left for Vienna. Hitler considered Linz to be his hometown, and envisioned extensive architectural schemes for it – including a massive new Fuhrermuseum to house his collection of looted art – wanting it to become the main cultural centre of the Third Reich, and to eclipse Vienna, a city he hated. In order to make the city economically vibrant, Hitler initiated a major industrialization of Linz shortly before, and during, the Second World War. The city was badly damaged during World War II

TODAY'S ATTRACTIONS - Baroque buildings, including Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) and the old cathedral or Alter Dom, ring Hauptplatz, the old town’s main square. The riverside Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz has a major modern art collection. Across the river, the striking Ars Electronica Center focuses on society, technology and life in the future.

FAST FACTS - In 2009 Linz, together with the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, was chosen as the European Capital of Culture. Since 1 December 2014 Linz is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities (UCCN) network as a City of Media Arts.

NEXT: Arrival in Český Krumlov

Danube Cruise Blog #38: A Fantastic Austrian Meal!

L to R; Don, Tom, Rob, Mary Margaret

On the Viking Cruise, in every country's port, they have a standard American food menu and a menu of local favorites. It's really cool. In today's blog we'll tell you about an Austrian meal we enjoyed as we departed Austria for the next port.

pumpkin encrusted chicken

AUSTRIAN FOOD IS TASTY! 
The Austrian dinner consisted of bread dumplings, jumbo pretzels (Tom's favorite), pumpkin encrusted chicken, sauerkraut, and potato salad. 
  Of course, the wine never stopped flowing either, so that helped. :) 
The meal was delicious !

A giant pretzel before dinner

WHAT IS PUMPKIN CHICKEN? - It's called "Backhendl" and it's one of the most important dishes of Styrian cuisine (Styria is an Austrian state). It’s chicken pieces coated in flour, dipped in beaten egg and coated in breadcrumbs and crushed pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil to flavor.

NEXT: Arrival in the Czech Republic!

Another Great Mystery in the Murder She Wrote Series: Manuscript for Murder

When author Donald Bain passed away some years ago, author Jon Land took over writing the Murder She Wrote mystery series (I think there are now 37 books in the series and I've read them all). I wasn't sure if I would love them, but I do. Jon Land carries on the tradition of Donald Bain's writing style and captures Jessica Fletcher and the whole cast of characters perfectly in the latest paperback in the series "Manuscript for Murder." - All of the books in this series are keepers and I've read several over and over- this will be one. The mystery surrounds a manuscript Jessica is given to read by her publisher, and so many people who read it are found murdered... and Jessica is in danger, too.  - The book will keep you guessing all the way to the end.  - Rob
  Here's the book description from Amazon.>>>


ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jessica Fletcher investigates a mysterious manuscript with deadly consequences in the latest entry in this USA Today bestselling series...

Jessica Fletcher has had plenty to worry about over her storied career, both as a bestselling novelist and amateur sleuth. But she never had any reason to worry about her longtime publisher, Lane Barfield, who also happens to be a trusted friend. When mounting evidence of financial malfeasance leads to an FBI investigation of Lane, Jessica can't believe what she's reading.

So when Barfield turns up dead, Jessica takes on the task of proving Barfield's innocence--she can't fathom someone she's known and trusted for so long cheating her. Sure enough, Jessica's lone wolf investigation turns up several oddities and inconsistencies in Barfield's murder. Jessica knows something is being covered up, but what exactly? The trail she takes to answer that question reveals something far more nefarious afoot, involving shadowy characters from the heights of power in Washington. At the heart of Jessica's investigation lies a manuscript Barfield had intended to bring out after all other publishers had turned it down. The problem is that manuscript has disappeared, all traces of its submission and very existence having been wiped off the books.

With her own life now in jeopardy, Jessica refuses to back off and sets her sights on learning the contents of that manuscript and what about it may have led to several murders. Every step she takes brings her closer to the truth of what lies in the pages, as well as the person who penned them.

Idiot of the Week: Texas pastor who Calls for Criminalizing Abortion Molested teenage relative for years

fat, white, straight, sexual molesting pastor is idiot of the week

This  idiot of the week repeatedly raped and sexually molested a female underage teenage relative. He's also a PASTOR in Texas! It's messed up people like this (and conservatives) who say that women who get abortions and doctors who perform them should be put in prison. Yet, these white, straight, "religious" sexual molesters continue to impregnate young females, including family members.. Here's the story>  
Texas pastor who defended proposed bill criminalizing abortions accused of molesting teenage relative for years
Published: NY Daily News June 17, 2019

A former Texas pastor who testified in support of a bill that would have banned abortions and threatened to prosecute women for criminal homicide was arrested Friday and accused of sexually assaulting a teenage relative.

Stephen Bratton, a 43-year-old father of seven, allegedly began assaulting the teenager in 2013 and escalated the assault to “sexual intercourse multiple times a day or several times a week" before it ended in 2015, Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland said, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into Bratton in mid-May after he allegedly confessed to three Southern Baptist clergy members, according to court documents acquired by the Chronicle.

Bratton was charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child and has been released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond.

“This activity is wrong according to Biblical and civil law and the church condemns the behavior as abhorrent," his former church, the Grace Family Baptist Church, said in a statement to Click 2 Houston. "Stephen Bratton was also excommunicated by the church the following Sunday, May 19. Therefore, he is no longer a member of the church.”



Bratton previously threw his support behind Texas House Bill 896, the anti-abortion bill that would have made it possible to charge women who had an abortion with homicide and sentence them to death. Doctors who performed abortions would also have been charged with assault or criminal homicide

“Whoever authorizes or commits murder is guilty,” he said at an April 8 hearing. “They’re guilty already in a court that is far more weighty than what is here in Texas.”

The bill failed in April after Republican Rep. Jeff Leach said he would not allow it to leave the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence and move on to a full House vote.

In the News: Cancer-sniffing dogs 97% accurate in identifying lung cancer

Dogs are Amazing!! As dog dads, we can tell you that there are so many things dogs can do that people cannot. Here's
one instance from the headlines of New Research: Cancer-sniffing dogs 97% accurate in identifying lung cancer


Cancer-sniffing dogs 97% accurate in identifying lung cancer, according to study in JAOA

Researchers say dogs may help develop over-the-counter test capable of earlier detection

American Osteopathic Association

CHICAGO-June 17, 2019--Three beagles successfully showed they are capable of identifying lung cancer by scent, a first step in identifying specific biomarkers for the disease. Researchers say the dogs' abilities may lead to development of effective, safe and inexpensive means for mass cancer screening.

After eight weeks of training, the beagles--chosen for their superior olfactory receptor genes--were able to distinguish between blood serum samples taken from patients with malignant lung cancer and healthy controls with 97% accuracy. The double-blind study is published in the July edition of The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

"We're using the dogs to sort through the layers of scent until we identify the tell-tale biomarkers," says Thomas Quinn, DO, professor at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and lead author on this study. "There is still a great deal of work ahead, but we're making good progress."

The dogs were led into a room with blood serum samples at nose level. Some samples came from patients with non-small cell lung cancer; others were drawn from healthy controls. After thoroughly sniffing a sample, the dogs sat down to indicate a positive finding for cancer or moved on if none was detected.

An image of Blat, the tumor-sniffing dog.Credit: cancertherapyadvisor.com

Dr. Quinn and his team are nearing completion of a second iteration of the study. This time the dogs are working to identify lung, breast and colorectal cancer using samples of patients' breath, collected by the patient breathing into a face mask. Researchers say findings suggest the dogs are as effective detecting cancer using this method.

The next step will be to further fractionate the samples based on chemical and physical properties, presenting them back to the dogs until the specific biomarkers for each cancer are identified. The goal is to develop an over-the-counter screening product, similar to a pregnancy test, in terms of cost, simplicity and availability. Dr. Quinn envisions a device that someone can breathe into and see a color change to indicate a positive or negative finding.

Early detection key

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide for both women and men, and more than 200,000 people annually in the United States receive a diagnosis of lung cancer. The five-year survival rate for stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is 92%. That drops to 13% in stage IIIC NSCLC, and after metastasis, the five-year survival rates range from 10% to less than 1%, depending on the stage.

Additionally, screening and imaging for lung cancer is costly and not always reliable. Chest X-rays have a high false-negative rate, while CT scans with computer-aided diagnosis have a high false-positive rate. Previous studies indicated that 90% of missed lung cancers occur when using chest X-rays, and CT scans have dif?culty identifying small, central, juxtavascular lung cancers.

Dr. Quinn believes his research can lead to better screening and diagnosis solutions, potentially creating a change in cancer detection.

"Right now it appears dogs have a better natural ability to screen for cancer than our most advanced technology," says Dr. Quinn. "Once we figure out what they know and how, we may be able to catch up."

###

About The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA) is the official scientific publication of the American Osteopathic Association. Edited by Robert Orenstein, DO, it is the premier scholarly peer-reviewed publication of the osteopathic medical profession. The JAOA's mission is to advance medicine through the publication of peer-reviewed osteopathic research.

Danube Cruise Blog #37: Gottweig Abbey's Attic, Ancient Tiles

steel support structure holding up the fresco over the monumental stair.

In this final blog Danube Cruise Blog about Krems, Austria's Gottweig Abbey, we'll climb into the attic and tell you about the architecture (well, because Tom is an architect). We'll tell you about the funny situation with the guide, Fresco support, show you ancient tiles and tell you what a Terracotta roof means.   Read on!


FUNNY - After the tour guide finished giving the general tour of about 40 people, he asked (reluctantly) if anyone had purchased tickets for the attic tour. Of course, we did, and we convinced our friends Mary Margaret and Don to accompany us, so there were 4 of us. I could almost sense a heavy sigh from the tour guide..

FRESCO SUPPORT - In a previous blog we showed you the giant Fresco over a grand stair case. Well, in the attic we saw the steel support structure holding up that fresco ! It was really long and impressive.

>terracotta roof tiles
IN THE ATTIC - There was a narrow set of wooden planks that allowed people to walk the periphery of the attic, so we did. The number of beams in that attic holding up the ceiling below and keeping the roof on, was amazing.

UNESCO Steel beams

UNESCO COMMISSIONED STEEL - When the Abbey became a UNESCO world site, the organization paid for steel beams to better support the 300 year old (rebuilt) abbey attic.

ANCIENT TILES - Terracotta can last a long time on a roof. In the attic, there was  an easel displaing the original 300 year old terra cotta roof tiles!

A view from the attic

WHAT ARE TERRACOTTA ROOF TILES? - Terracotta, which literally means 'baked earth' in Italian, is a type of clay-based ceramic which is used to create roof tiles. Tiles made from terracotta are a very commonly used roofing material in Australia and around the world, and they've been widely used on roofs for a very long time.;

NEXT: AN AUSTRIAN MEAL TO REMEMBER

Danube Cruise Blog #36: Gottweig Abbey: Becoming a Monk, the Church, Creepy Skull

L to R: Rob, Don, Mary Margaret and Tom

In today's travel blog along the Danube we  continue to explore the Gottweig Abbey in Krems, Austria. In today's blog you'll learn what it takes to be a Monk, explore the linked  Church and see a Creepy Skull!!
  Of course, Tom wasn't that uncomfortable because I call him "Mr. Monk" after the OCD detective. haha. Here's the story of the visit>>

What a big 3,500 pipe organ they have!

TO BECOME A MONK - First, this isn't recommended. It's a lonely life and there are just a few men who can endure it. Nope, there are no female monks.  To be a monk you need to be a guy, at least 18 years old, single and in good health. After 6 months they ask if you still want to be a monk. If so, the other monks vote to make you a novice. If that happens you have to change your name (they give you choices). The other monks vote to accept you and you take a vow of celibacy and obedience. Monks pray 5 times a day, too.

Mr. Monk the detective

TO BECOME A MR. MONK - Tom can teach you how to arrange the cans in the closet all facing the same way, clean the kitchen countertops many times a day, and make the house floors clean enough to eat off of. :LOL   Since I didn't have a picture of a monk, I thought I'd use a pic of the TV detective Adrian Monk, the OCD detective obsessed with cleaning. :) 


THE CHURCH - The church associated with the Abbey is dark and about 300 years old. It made me feel very uncomfortable - like there was a lot of depressed energy in there.Being piano players, our friend Don and Tom were impressed  by the 3,500 pipe organ that is still in use!  We learned that almost monks know how to play it, too. 

The skull of the Bishop inside

THE CREEPY SKULL - There's a crypt under the altar. We learned about that from our handsome, dark haired, bearded tour guide (whom I found out went to school in New England, where I'm from- yeah, I'm a flirt). But he was nice to look at. In fact, I missed most of what the crypt was about staring at him... so I'll just say this. In the crypt, you won't find an entire body. Instead, there's a glass box about 2 feet wide by 3 feet long and about 2 feet high. Inside, there is an ornamental box that has little windows on the side. Inside is the SKULL of  Bishop Altmann. You could see his teeth... and his profile was creepy. Needless to say, I didn't stick around. 

Close up of the skull- you can see the teeth!

NEXT: THE ABBEY ATTIC TOUR

Danube River Cruise #35: Gottweig Benedictine Abbey, Krems Austria

Tom took this pic of the Abbey from the main courtyard

In today's travel blog, were continuing to explore Krebs, Austria. In the last blog we explored the wineries here. Today, we'll focus on the Gottweig Benedictine Abbey, tell you about the history, show you a famous Fresco and see the music room with Don and Mary Margaret! Read On!

ABOUT THE ABBEY - Göttweig Abbey is a baroque Benedictine monastery. It was founded in 1083 as a proprietary monastery by Altmann, Bishop of Passau. It became a Benedictine monastery in 1094. It was newly built in its current baroque form in the early 18th centuryy according to plans by J.-L. von Hildebrandt.

300 year old wooden inlaid floors

TOM IMPRESSED WITH THE FLOORS - There were 300 year old wooden inlaid floors that caught Tom's attention.  

WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF? - Göttweig became a famous seat of learning and strict monastic observance. There is a monastic school, a library, and at the foot of the hill, a nunnery.

Top of the stairs

RUN BY MONKS - It serves as a spiritual center in the heart of Lower Austria and is run by a community of about 45 monks.

BEAUTIFUL STAIRCASE AND FRESCO (Ceiling Mural) - In the museum in the imperial wing, was saw the monumental imperial staircase with the ceiling fresco by Paul Troger from 1739. , one of the largest and most beautiful baroque staircases in Europe.

Looking at the Fresco from the stairs

The Fresco

Mary Margaret and Don pose by the Piano

WHAT'S THE FRESCO ABOUT? The fresco decorating the imperial staircase is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Austria. Executed by Paul Troger in 1739, it represents the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI as Apollo. 

The huge music room

THE HUGE MUSIC ROOM - One of the last rooms in the tour is the music room. It was hue, and it had massive murals on the walls, rows of chairs and 1 piano. We stopped there, because our friend Don teaches piano, and Tom plays piano for fun. 


BIG FIRE IN 1580 - Almost entirely wiped out the monastery.

Architect's Schematic of the entire Abbey

ABANDONED FOR 50 YEARS - During the 15th and 16th centuries, the abbey declined so that between 1556 and 1564 it had no abbot at all, and in 1564 not a single monk was left here. .Michael Herrlich, a monk of Melk Abbey, was placed there as abbot to bring it back. The new abbot held his office until 1603, restored the monastery spiritually and financially, and rebuilt it after it had been almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1580.

BURNT DOWN ON PURPOSE AND REBUILT! - In 1718 the monastery burnt down and was rebuilt on a grander scale during the abbacy of Gottfried Bessel (1714–1749) to designs by Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt[1] inspired by the Escorial.



FOR INFO ABOUT THE ABBEY, visit: It's open from March to October. 

NEXT HOW TO BECOME A MONK, THE CHURCH, AND A CREEPY SKULL 

NOW AVAILABLE! My Latest book: Kindred Spirits: When a Medium Befriends a Spirit

My New book is available in paperback and E-book! : Kindred Spirits: When a Medium Befriends a Spirit went live on Sunday, July 21, 2019!

It's about how a spirit has connected with me so much over the last 14 years that he's become like a best friend.  Here's the Interesting part: I never met him in life!  He died in 1996.  - It will be available on Amazon.com for just $6.99 paperback and $3.49 Kindle...   - Rob Gutro

Kindred Spirits: When a Medium Befriends a Spirit 

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's uncommon for a medium really get know a spirit so well that the living person considers the spirit a best friend. But that's exactly what happened to medium and paranormal investigator Rob Gutro. When Rob met his partner Tom in 2005, Ed's spirit came along for the ride. Rob never knew Ed in life, but Tom did. Now, Ed often communicates to Rob and has revealed his sense of humor, his heart, and helped solved the mystery of his passing. Ed's "Spirit Treasure Hunt" showed his family he's with them, too. Ed even sent a look-alike to rescue Rob during a vacation in England. As you read about this special spirit named Ed and his sometimes funny communications, you'll learn signs your loved ones send. This book will teach you how to be more aware of messages from your loved ones in spirit.

"Being a friend with Ed in spirit is like having a friend who lives in another state" - Author Rob Gutro describing his relationship with Ed's spirit.

Danube River Cruise #34:Welcome to Wine Country - Krems, Austria!

Gruner Veltliner Wine, Austria

In the last blog about our May vacation Viking River Cruise on the Danube, we were in Vienna, Austria. Once we saw the city we returned to the ship and cruised overnight north on the Danube to the next stop, Krems, Austria. Today we'll tell you about Krems and its famous wine making!  We visited there on Thursday, May 23, 2019 and the weather was awful! It was 47 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind-swept rain, and wind chills in the upper 30s. Not a nice day for seeing vineyards, so we went indoors, but we'll tell you about that in the next blog. Now, on to the wine... 

A view of the Wachau Valley and some vineyards

ABOUT KREMS - Krems, actually named "Krems an der Donau" is a town of 23,992 residents. It is located in the federal state of Lower Austria. It is the fifth-largest city of Lower Austria and is approximately 44 miles (70 km) west of Vienna. Krems is both a municipality and a district. It's a small university town at the eastern end of the Danube's Wachau Valley and surrounded by vineyards!

MORE IMPORTANT THAN VIENNA IN 12th CENTURY- During the 12th century, Krems was the place for the iron, grain, salt and wine trade.

Driving through rainy Wachua Valley- Abbey in the distance

FAMOUS FOR WINE- Krems and the Wachau Valley are famous for the best Riesling and Veltliner wines in the world. In 2019, there were 306 known wineries in the Wachau Valley. You can learn about them and the wines from this website:

NOT WORKING IN WINERIES COULD COST A BODY PART (in 11th century) - By the 11th and 12th centuries, Vienna and Krems were exporting wine all over Europe. Wine production was so important that the penalty for stealing grapes was having your ears lopped off. If you didn’t help out during the grape harvest, you risked having your hands chopped off too. History does not record how many ear-less and hand-less people were wandering around Austria during the early middle ages, according to an article in Thailand's Pattayamail newspaper:

Church in the Valley from atop a hill where the Abbey sat

WINERIES DATE BACK TO 5TH CENTURY - Remnants of wine vessels have been found that date back to the fifth century BC. Viticulture thrived under the Romans and amazingly they grew at least one grape variety that is still cultivated today – Grüner Veltliner.

FAST FACT - the German word winzer means a vine grower.

LARGEST WINE MAKER IN AUSTRIA - Niederösterreich is the home of Winzer Krems (VINT-ser Kremz), Austria’s largest wine producer. It’s a cooperative made up of over 1,500 grape growers located in and around the town of Krems which has a winemaking history that dates back more than two thousand years. The entire Winzer Krems harvest is carried out by hand.

OUR WINE TASTING - The Abbey we visited had a "wine tasting" opportunity at the end of the tour and Tom tried the Reisling. He doesn't like sweet wine, so he wasn't big on it. I like the sweet stuff. :) 

View of the Valley

NEXT: Visiting the Gottweig Benedictine Abbey on a Rainswept Hill

Idiot of the Week: U.S. Congressman's Wife Admits To Misusing Campaign Funds After Family Vacation In Italy

Congressman Duncan Hunter, Wife Indicted On Corruption Charges

Credit:  IVN.us

 

This week's idiot is another politician... and Surprise (NOT)! It’s a Republican! BILKING the U.S!
 
U.S. Congressman's Wife Admits To Misusing Campaign Funds After Family Vacation In Italy

 

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Reuters) - The wife of a U.S. representative pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal charges alleging misuse of $250,000 in campaign funds and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors who are also bringing charges against her husband. The move by Margaret Hunter, wife of Republican U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter, came after she and her husband entered not guilty pleas in August 2018 that they spent campaign funds on items ranging from a holiday in Italy to Minnie Mouse ear headbands at Disneyland.

The move by Margaret Hunter, wife of Republican U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter, came after she and her husband entered not guilty pleas in August 2018 that they spent campaign funds on items ranging from a holiday in Italy to Minnie Mouse ear headbands at Disneyland.

“I have accepted full responsibility for my conduct. I am deeply remorseful, and I apologize. I am saddened for the hurt I have caused my family and others,” Margaret Hunter’s attorneys Tom McNamara and Logan Smith said in a statement on her behalf.

The plea agreement recommends a five-year prison sentence, five years probation and a fine of up to $250,000, according to U.S. Attorney’s office. No sentencing date has been set.

Duncan Hunter said in a statement on Thursday that the Department of Justice “went after her to get to me for political reasons.”

“As Margaret’s case concludes, she should be left alone. I am the Congressman, this is my campaign and any further attention on this issue should be directed solely to me,” he said.

A San Diego grand jury indicted the Hunters for allegedly using campaign accounts to pay for their children’s private school tuition, lavish travel including restaurant meals that frequently cost hundreds of dollars.

The indictment alleges the Hunters lied about how the money was spent, with the couple saying it went to charity or campaign events when prosecutors said it was really used for groceries, restaurant meals and clothing.

Duncan Hunter, whose father, Duncan Hunter Sr., also served in Congress, represents conservative portions of San Diego and Riverside counties in a seat that is generally considered safe for Republicans.

Margaret Hunter pledged to provide testimony to a grand jury investigating the campaign violations and “and tell everything she knows”, according to the plea agreement filed in court.

Hunter, a supporter of President Donald Trump, easily won re-election last November despite being indicted for corruption. He is scheduled to go on trial in September.

Hunter appeared to blame his wife for the violations in an interview with Fox News last year, saying he gave Margaret power of attorney when he was deployed to Iraq as a marine in 2003, and that she oversaw his campaign finances.

Reporting by Marty Graham in San Diego, California; Writing by Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Editing by Bill Tarrant and Lisa Shumaker
Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Interesting Book: The Happy Medium by Kim Russo

I like to read books by other mediums because everyone can approach the paranormal from different angles and we can all learn from each other. I had never heard of Kim Russo, and was grateful to my brother when he sent me the book "The Happy Medium" by Kim Russo, as a gift.

ABOUT THE BOOK "HAPPY MEDIUM"- Kim's book was really interesting, and described how she developed her abilities. She also provides some great chapters on Chakras, recognizing your own potential, and the types of abilities. 

DIFFERENT BELIEFS - Kim has a strong religious belief, so she references that several times in the book. However, she also points out that people can apply their own religion to the afterlife. 
    I'm not a religious person at all, so whenever people start lingering on their own religion it starts to irritate me - and honestly, I almost stopped reading at page 75 - BUT, fortunately, I didn't. The book is very informative and I recommend it.

WHO IS KIM RUSSO? - According to her website, Kim Russo is an internationally-renowned Psychic Medium, intuitive counselor and spiritual teacher. Kim's abilities have been tested and verified and is certified as a highly evidential Medium by The Forever Family Foundation and The Windbridge Institute for Applied Human Research. Kim is the host of the long running series "The Haunting Of..." and "Psychic Intervention" and is the author of "The Happy Medium - Life Lessons From The Other Side" and "Your Soul Purpose - Learn How to Access The Light Within." Kim is very proud to be one of the recommended Mediums on The Goop Guide to Energy Healers, Intuitives & Mediums. Kim has also been nominated and won the title of Best Psychic Medium on Long Island in 2015 and 2017.
HER WEBSITE: https://www.kimthehappymedium.com/

VERY POPULAR - I checked her website in June, 2019 after I finished reading the book, and she's not accepting new clients.
EVENTS - I believe she's based out of New York, because that's where her next event is located.

My NEW BOOK Coming in Days: Kindred Spirits: When a Medium Befriends a Spirit

 I am so excited about the publication of my latest book and it's coming out in a day or two. 
It's about how a spirit has connected with me so much over the last 14 years that he's become like a best friend.  Here's the Interesting part: I never met him in life!  He died in 1996. 

BIG THANKS -A huge thanks to Tom for providing full edits on my latest book. I actually wrote this book after getting an idea in April, AND a huge thanks to my friend Bill C. who, over breakfast one morning when I was discussing the book idea, gave me the idea for the title when he said "sounds like you're kindred spirits." That was it!

     I came up with the idea for the cover, and my friend Jackie told me about a woman named Lisa who makes book covers for her romance novels.. So, after explaining my idea for the cover, Lisa came up with this Amazing cover - with one man "Ghosted."

   So, my thanks to Tom, Bill and Jackie for helping me create this book.

 - It will be available on Amazon.com for just $6.99 paperback and $3.49 Kindle...   Watch for the Publish Date!! - Rob Gutro

Kindred Spirits: When a Medium Befriends a Spirit 

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's uncommon for a medium really get know a spirit so well that the living person considers the spirit a best friend. But that's exactly what happened to medium and paranormal investigator Rob Gutro. When Rob met his partner Tom in 2005, Ed's spirit came along for the ride. Rob never knew Ed in life, but Tom did. Now, Ed often communicates to Rob and has revealed his sense of humor, his heart, and helped solved the mystery of his passing. Ed's "Spirit Treasure Hunt" showed his family he's with them, too. Ed even sent a look-alike to rescue Rob during a vacation in England. As you read about this special spirit named Ed and his sometimes funny communications, you'll learn signs your loved ones send. This book will teach you how to be more aware of messages from your loved ones in spirit.

"Being a friend with Ed in spirit is like having a friend who lives in another state" - Author Rob Gutro describing his relationship with Ed's spirit.

Danube River Cruise #33: Schonbrunn Palace Part 4: Ghost of Napoleon Room

In this 33rd blog about the Viking River Cruise on the Danube, we are still in Austria, and the Schonbrunn Palace where you will now meet the 4th ghosts we encountered. The Ghost of Napoleon Room !

Napolean Room

THE NAPOLEON ROOM - This room has quite a history. French Emperor Napoleon had visited the Schonbrunn Palace and stayed there. He later offered his daughter, Maria Louise's hand in marriage to one of the Habsburg men after he conquered the territory. So, in 1810, Maria Louise married into the Habsburg family.

ABOUT THE NAPOLEON ROOM - Today known as the Napoleon Room, this was previously the bedroom shared by Franz Stephan and Maria Theresa from 1746. During the nineteenth century it was refurbished several times, as revealed by restoration work carried out in 2007.

 FLASH FORWARD - Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in 1850.

THE GHOST - As I walked in the Napoleon Room, I experienced a very heavy feeling pressing down on my chest. There was also a dull pain in my chest, as if it were difficult to breathe.

Napoleon II, Portrait by Moritz Daffinger

WHO IS THE GHOST? I learned the Napoleon's son stayed in Vienna, and this was his room. He contracted tuberculosis and died in that very room at age 21. The bed he died on still remains in that room today and there is a marble sculpture of him . Napoleon's son continues to haunt the very room he stayed in during his visits, and the room in which he died.

ABOUT NAPOLEON II- Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte (20 March 1811 – 22 July 1832), Prince Imperial, King of Rome, known in the Austrian court as Franz from 1814 onward, Duke of Reichstadt from 1818, was the son of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, and his second wife, Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria. In 1832, he caught pneumonia and was bedridden for several months. His poor health eventually overtook him and on 22 July 1832 Franz died of tuberculosis at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.[8] He left no issue; thus the Napoleonic claim to the throne of France passed to his cousin, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who later successfully restored the empire as Napoleon III.

WEIRD FACT- Some of Napoleon II's organs REMAIN in the Schonbrunn Palace. The rest of his remains were transferred to Paris, but his heart and intestines remained in Schonbrunn, which is traditional for members of the Habsburg house. They are in Urn 42 in the "Heart Crypt" (Herzgruft) and his viscera are in Urn 76 of the Ducal Crypt.
**THAT'S why he's here. He wants all of his remains put in the same place next to his father's remains.""

NEXT: TO KREBS, AUSTRIA

Danube River Cruise #32: Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace Part 3: Stallions Room Ghost

Stallions Room

In today's blog, Danube River Cruise #32:, we're going to introduce you to two more ghosts we encountered in Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace. These ghosts were in the Stallion Room and the Napoleon Room and I was able to determine their identities!


THE STALLIONS ROOM
The Stallions Room was used as a dining room during the nineteenth century. Displayed here today is the so-called Marshal’s Table, a festively decorated table set for a dinner of the highest-ranking military officers and court officials, who dined without the emperor, as was customary in Franz Joseph’s time.

Franz Joseph

THE GHOST - It was when I walked into this room ,that I experienced a sharp pain in my heart, and realized that it was a male ghost who was telling me he died here of a heart attack. I also heard the ghost call out the name "Franz!" I didn't know who Franz was until later. Then I learned that he was rule Maria Theresa's husband! What's more, I also learned that Franz died of a heart attack... so he was sharing his pain of death with me to prove his identity and told me his name.  I'm unsure why he's in the Stallions room,but it was a room where he and his wife entertained a lot- and perhaps it was his favorite room.

WHO WAS FRANZ JOSEPH? - Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary (ruled 1848–1916)
Born 18 August 1830 Vienna (Schönbrunn Palace)
Died 21 November 1916 Vienna (Schönbrunn Palace)
Franz Joseph ascended the throne of the Austrian Empire in 1848. His concept of rulership was informed by a great sense of duty and mission. After the upheavals of the 1848 revolution he endeavoured to re-establish the legitimacy of monarchical rule and to hold together the multinational state that was threatening to break apart. He was forced to make far-reaching concessions, notably in the creation of the dual monarchy through the Compromise with Hungary in 1867 and in consenting to a constitution.


NEXT: THE GHOST IN THE NAPOLEON ROOM

Danube River Cruise #31: Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace- Part 2: Two Ghosts

The Lantern Room - filled with residual anxiety

In today's blog about our Viking River Cruise, we're still in the Schonbrunn Palace in Austria. Since the palace prevents photography, I had to use photos from the Palace website to show you the rooms in which there was either a ghost or residual energy.
  For those who don't know, we both belong to a paranormal investigation group. I've been able to sense people and pets who have passed since I was a teenager, and there were definitely earth-bound ghosts in this palace.  In today's blog you'll visit the Lantern Room and the Carousel Room where I met one of those ghosts.  

Lantern Room- Residual Energy of Anxiety
ABOUT THE ROOM: Before electric lighting was installed in the palace the lantern-bearers used to wait in this room. Their task was to light the way of the imperial family or members of the court household after dark. The room is also remarkable for the marble door panelling dating from the time of Joseph I.

The Carousel Room

THE ENERGY: Upon entering the room, I (Rob) felt a lot of anxiety (the previous room had no energy). I learned that servants had to light candles in this room for residents. The anxiety those servants experienced was likely impressed upon the walls, and that's what I felt.

Carousel Room
ABOUT THE ROOM:  The Carousel Room served as the antechamber to the apartments of Maria Theresa and Franz Stephan of Lorraine in the East Wing of the palace.  This room has a mural of the 1720s with Spanish horses. 
WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS ROOM? - Maria Theresa's father died in this room in 1790. He had eaten mushrooms that
turned out to be poisonous.

Charlex VI

WHO WAS HER FATHER? Charles VI (1 October 1685 – 20 October 1740;) succeeded his elder brother, Joseph I, as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia (as Charles II), King of Hungary and Croatia, Serbia and Archduke of Austria (as Charles III) in 1711.

THE GHOST IN THE ROOM - As I entered this large room, I suddenly got very, very dizzy to the point where I felt like I was going to fall over. They I experienced a pain in my heart. I realized that it was the pain that Maria Theresa's father experienced from the poisoning, and felt that he was still there.

NEXT: Ghosts in the Stallion and Napoleon Rooms