Ocean Minds and More

Ocean Minds

The web site Ocean Minds is a collection of news stories about the ocean, marine life, and nature in general.  The news stories are displayed under several headings including Oceans on Google, Twitter Oceans, Underwater Times, Deep Sea News, Science Daily Oceans, and so on.

There is a lot to explore on this site. The Underwater Humor section will bring a smile to your face, and the Ocean Gallery section has some awesome photographs.

At the bottom of the home page is a Sustainable Seafood Guide. Be sure to look up your favorites.

A menu at the top of the home page provides links to other sections of the web site including Freediving In Mind, an Ocean Minds Blog, and a Feedback page.

Visit Ocean Minds on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as well. Links are at the very top of the home page.

"Ocean Minds, Where Fish Get Their News."


Recipes

Mermaid Cupcakes

Readers of Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs will find a recipe for Mermaid Cupcakes at the end of the book.  I have made them and they are quite good.  This is a great recipe to make with your kids, and perfect for mermaid themed birthday parties.  Note, however, that this is not a quick recipe.  It does take some time.

Cynthia's Tarter Sauce

I realize that a lot of merfolk are vegetarians, or just don't eat seafood. For those of you that do, I wanted to share my secret tarter sauce recipe. Exact measurements will not be given for most ingredients, it's all a matter of taste. This recipe can be a starting point for your own experiments.

Mayonnaise (regular or lite, about 1 tablespoon for one person)
Sweet Relish (just under half as much as mayo)
Black Pepper (freshly ground)
Oregano
Thyme
Lemon Juice
Cayenne Pepper (the secret ingredient...  shhhh)

Combine Mayonnaise and Relish in a custard cup. Add small amounts of the remaining ingredients, more or less according to personal preference. Mix well and use as soon as possible.

Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com


Blog Index

Something New

Tail Flip

Tail Flip is the name of a new online magazine for the merfolk community.  The first issue came out recently, and the initial reviews are quite positive.  The magazine is completely free, and includes interviews, tail making tips, mermen in the community, a mermaid horoscope, and a lot more.

I was honored to be asked to contribute my article on the 2011 World Mermaid Awards and Convention to the first issue.

Tail Flip was inspired in part by the MerNetwork discussion forum...  Be sure to pay them a visit as well.

Mission of Mermaids

Mission of Mermaids (MOM) is a short film by Susan Rockefeller.  According to the web site, the film is "Both a poetic ode to the seas and a plea for their protection."

Susan Rockefeller is a board member of Oceana and Chairwoman of the Ocean Council, so she knows of what she speaks.

"The message of the film is simple and straightforward:  We must take responsibility for our seas by taking immediate action to save them.  In keeping with this, MOM is a low carbon-emission production.  Comprised of “found” footage from YouTube videos, scanned images, and archival, licensed, or donated footage and music, the film has a gritty, guerrilla aesthetic that reflects Susan’s long-term engagement in innovative, organic and less materialistic practices."

In addition to information about the film, the web site also contains a blog.

If you are a mermaid, merman, or just love the ocean, then you may also want to connect with the MOM folks via Facebook and Twitter.  Look for links on the web site.


Quote of the Day

I find myself at the extremity of a long beach. How gladly does the spirit leap forth, and suddenly enlarge its sense of being to the full extent of the broad, blue, sunny deep! A greeting and a homage to the Sea! I descend over its margin, and dip my hand into the wave that meets me, and bathe my brow. That far-resounding roar is the Ocean's voice of welcome. His salt breath brings a blessing along with it.

~Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Foot-prints on the Sea-shore"

Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com

Minutes and Fins

Mermaid Minute

Photo by Reuben E. Reynoso

Well known mermaid and freediver, Linden Wolbert of Mermaids In Motion, recently announced a new project. She is producing a video series geared toward teaching children about the ocean. The series is called Mermaid Minute, and the first episode is entitled 'Meet a Real Mermaid, Linden!'

Through this series of short videos, children as well as adults can learn about dolphins, sharks, fish, and a lot more. Children will enjoy learning about the sea from a real mermaid! Viewers are encouraged to ask Mermaid Linden questions. These questions may help guide the content of future episodes.

Inspiring children is Linden's passion. Be sure to share these videos with your kids. The ocean can always use another fan!

Here is more information on the Mermaid Minute series from Mermaid Linden:

I thought of the idea of the Mermaid Minute in 2011 while swimming... naturally!

It took months and months to digitize and import all of the underwater footage from my friend Reuben into Final Cut Pro to be edited. Then it took a long time to research every animal and write the scripts for the first several episodes.

The footage of me in the mermaid tail on the beach was a big green screen experiment... I am very happy it turned out pretty well. That thanks to my friends who helped me while I was stranded in my 35-pound mermaid tail on a giant piece of green fabric!

I co-wrote the opening theme music with my friend Chris Ward who is a pro film and television composer, which was a really fun process!

I worked hard to improve my skills as an editor with the help of another neighbor... where would I be without my friends?!?!? I have really used my background as a film student (Emerson College '03 grad) to pull this together. I am so grateful for each and every person who helped me with the Mermaid Minute... you know who you are!

A new episode will be released every week!

At this point, the Mermaid Minute could appear in any number of venues. There are possibilities "floating" about ;) I am unsure at this point about podcasts or iTunes. I would like to keep the Mermaid Minute FREE as long as possible for any child who has access to computers.

I grew up learning from PBS shows since I didn't have cable TV as a youth. I wish for kids to have the same opportunity to learn today as I did then... from shows like Jacques Yves Cousteau and NOVA, Marty Stauffer's Wild America, etc... and I realized kids could really use some oceanic education, so that was the inspiration behind creating the Mermaid Minute! 

Teasers? Well, there will be fun episodes about all manner of creatures, ocean phenomenon and more!!! What else can I say... it's a Mermaid Mystery each week with the Mermaid Minute. ;)

You can find Mermaid Linden on Facebook and Twitter. The official YouTube channel for the Mermaid Minute is mermaidsinmotion.


Just For Fins

Fans of the 'Fins' series of teen novels by Tera Lynn Childs have been waiting somewhat impatiently for news of a third book in the series. 'Forgive My Fins' and 'Fins Are Forever' are both excellent books, but they do leave a number of plot lines unresolved.

The third book is called 'Just For Fins', and it will be available on July 3, 2012. The book may be pre-ordered now at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble for $10.52. A friend of mine was heard to say, "I am soooo pre-ordering!"  Note that you don't have to be a teen to enjoy these books.

The Fins series follows the adventures of Lily, a student at Seaview High School and a girl with a secret... she is also a mermaid princess.  For more information on these books, see my earlier blog post, Mermaid Adventures.

Ms. Childs can be found on Twitter as well as her very own web site.


Best wishes and starfishes,
-Mermaid Cynthia
cynthia (at) goldmermaid.com