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Friday, May 8, 2020

Reviewing "MyPillow" Pillows

I have found several things that I really like about MyPillow. Wash & Dry, Soft yet Firm, Cool, 10yr warranty, made in USA

My Pooh on My Pillow

When my husband suggested we buy a pair of "My Pillow" pillows, I was hesitant to spend more money on pillows. After all, we have tried several brands in the last few years and none have been worth the price. As a matter of fact, I have always gone back to my 20+ year old pillow that I can fold in half and make work for me. However, I do believe I can now retire that tired old pillow. Much to my surprise, the MyPillow pillow is exactly what I need.

The MyPillow website has a "find your fill" chart (on this page). I answered the 4 questions and then rebelled against the recommendation. I didn't believe for one second that I needed a "more fill" firm pillow (their green product). I have tried firm pillows in the past and hated them. I need the support under my head, but I prefer a soft pillow. After a great deal of speculation and reading the reviews in multiple places, I decided to try the site's pillow choice recommendation.

I am delighted with the results!

winne the pooh sleeping on a My Pillow pillow

Benefits of the MyPillow Pillows

My Pillow Classic Series [Std/Queen,Medium Fill] Now Available in 4 Loft LevelsI have found several things that I really like about MyPillow.

Multiple Loft Levels - Choose the one that is best for you
Comfortable for Side or Back Sleeping
Washable
Dry in Dryer
Soft Feel, Yet Firm Support
Cooler than a normal pillow
King Size Available
(I opted for the Standard/Queen size)
10 year warranty
Made in USA

Upon receipt, I unwrapped our MyPillows pillows and washed them first. I wanted to ensure they were really washable and able to be dried in my dryer. I was thrilled with the excellent results. Now, when either of us is sick, we can still use our preferred, comfortable pillow and simply wash & dry it to remove germs. That is a huge benefit for a pillow.

MyPillow 2.0 Cooling Bed Pillow King, FirmCheck Price My Pillow Classic Series [Std/Queen, Medium Fill]Check Price MyPillow Classic Bed Pillow 2 Pack [Standard/Queen, Combo]Check Price MyPillow Roll & GoAnywhere Travel Pillow (DayBreak Blue)Check Price

Friday, May 1, 2020

How to Make a Very Easy Afghan with Loop Yarn

Almost anyone can make a loop yarn afghan! No needles or hooks are required. All you need are your fingers and small scissors.

Almost anyone can make a loop yarn afghan!

Even someone with arthritis who can no longer grip a crochet hook or knitting needles can make a loop yarn afghan that is beautiful. This would also be the perfect afghan project for those who don't know how to knit or crochet.

Loop yarn is not a normal string of yarn, it is made with loops. Most of the patterns either say knit or crochet, but you really are not doing either. No needles or hooks are required. You only use your fingers to weave the yarn.

When I first spotted Yarnspirations loop yarn, I knew I wanted to make something with it. Normally, I would find a pattern and want to make a specific item. However, in this case, it was the yarn that called to me. I bought the yarn, then went on a search for a pattern. I knew exactly what I would make when I discovered this afghan pattern that resembles a cable stitch.

The Bernat Alize loop yarn is the softest yarn I have ever touched. When my son first touched my afghan while I was making it, he said if felt like a chinchilla. He is absolutely right! I had been saying it felt like petting a baby rabbit, but it really is softer than a bunny. This yarn truly is a joy to work with and to touch.

Loop Yarn Easy Afghan Pattern

I discovered this fabulous video that taught me how to make the pattern I love. Instead of trying to write out instructions, I'll share the video. It is very easy to follow and makes a lovely design.

I do have a few tips to share before you begin.

Have a pair of small scissors available. You start the project by cutting a few of the loops open. You will also need them each time you start a new skein of yarn.
Decide how wide you want your afghan before you start. I opted for a throw size afghan (100 loops - 60" wide), which is approximately half the size of a standard throw.
I originally purchased 10 skeins of yarn, but that was not quite enough for my desired length. I actually needed 12 skeins.
After you have completed the first few rows, the pattern design is easy to see, which makes continuing each row very easy.
Instead of sitting at a table, I use a lap desk that sits on the arms of my recliner. That allows me to watch a movie while making my afghan.

As you can see in my photos, I used a variegated denim blue & white colored yarn. This yarn is available in 10 - 12 different colors (see below). I highly recommend using the Yarnspirations Bernat Alize Loop Yarn.

My Lap Desk

In case you are interested, you can purchase a lap desk similar to mine on Etsy. Clearly, you can use the lap desk for a lot of other things as well as crafts. It even has a groove on each side for pens, pencils, markers, craft tools, etc.

Click my image below to see where I purchased mine. You can choose one that fits your own needs.

Yarnspirations Bernat Alize Loop Yarn Available on Amazon

Bernat Alize EZ Blanket Yarn Bundle 100% Polyester 4 -Pack Slate Grays Plus 4 PatternsCheck Price Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Yarn, ThistleCheck Price Alize Bernat EZ Blanket Yarn Bundle 100% Polyester (Bright Purple, 4-Pack)Check Price Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Yarn, Denim BluesCheck Price

To See Several Colors Available, Click Here!

Friday, April 24, 2020

Backseat Barker Dog Bed for SUV or Jeep Review

The Backseat Barker SUV Dog Bed

Dog Car Bed for Jeep & SUV - Backseat Barker Review

If Merlin had a middle name, it would be "Go"! He never wants to be left behind. Therefore, we sought and found a wonderful dog bed for our old jeep.

As you can see in the photo, we laid the dog bed directly on the jeep floor. That required us to find a dog bed that was thick enough to really cushion and separate him from the hard, unforgiving surface.

Normally the pillows on each side would lay at an angle. In our case, we wanted the larger size bed so the pillows would stand upright on the side and give him more protection from the hard side panels of our jeep. Merlin likes to stand up and look around even when the car is moving. Protecting our "big dog" is always our first priority.

When we are traveling in our SUV instead of our little Jeep, we simply move the Big Barker to the larger vehicle. Here is a picture of Merlin on his Big Barker bed in our SUV. As you can see, the side pillows tilt to the sides and make a great head rest for our big dog.

Merlin loves his Big Barker

The Backseat Barker Dog Bed for Cars, SUV, & Jeeps

There are several features about the Backseat Barker that would prompt me to recommend it for dogs. First and foremost, the thickness of the orthopedic cushion provides a more comfortable ride for our "big dog".

I left that one side up slightly after Merlin got out, so you could easily
see the thickness of the bottom pad

The size of the bottom bed cushion is perfect for our jeep floor. As you can see, the large 3" thick cushion goes all the way up to the back of the front seats. Therefore, Merlin can stretch out comfortably when he wishes to lay down and still be close to us.

As I said in the introduction, I also love the side pillows! Normally, in a larger SUV, the pillows would be slightly tilted so a pup could use them for propping his head on them.

There are several sizes of the Backseat Barker Dog Bed available. We purchased the Extra Large (61 x 45 x 3) dog car bed so it would fit snugly in the back of our jeep, which has a smaller area in the back than an SUV.

The cover has zippers on the bottom pad and on the pillow sections. That allows us to remove all 3 of the foam pieces and machine wash & dry the cover when needed. According to the manufacturers, the foam can also be washed and air-dried, but that has not been necessary for us yet.

The Backseat Barker Dog Beds come with a 10 year warranty. We all understand the importance of a trustworthy warranty.

One note, like most orthopedic foam, the foam in the beds have a strong odor. We let Merlins' bed foams air out for about 3 days and I washed the cover immediately. After a few days, all was well, no more smell!

labrador retriever standing on a Backseat Barker Dog Bed in the back of a jeep

Big Barker Backseat Barker: SUV Edition (Orthopedic Shock-Absorbing Dog Bed for Back of Sport Utility Vehicles)Check Price Big Barker Backseat Barker: SUV Edition (Orthopedic Shock-Absorbing Dog Bed for Back of Sport Utility Vehicles)Check Price

Friday, April 17, 2020

The Rebel Bride Book Review

Daughters of the Mayflower - Book 10 in the Series

When I started this historical fiction series, I knew it included a book that took place during the American Civil War. After all, it would be very difficult to write a series that includes major historical events and omit the civil war. Nevertheless, this was the one book I did not look forward to reading. I put it off for several weeks after I finished reading the 9th book in the series. Only because it has been such a wonderful and well-written series, did I decide to go ahead and chance it.

I get so tired of reading books filled with opinions or propaganda about the American Civil War. Frankly, it is one subject that will cause me to stop in the middle a book, put it down, and never finish reading if the author deems it necessary to spout vitriol. We all know wars are fought for many reasons and that evil criminal acts are overlooked in wartime. Often the real reason one takes up arms against their brother is lost long before the first bloody battle. Justification for invasion and brutality becomes the mantra of the day that reverberates for many generations that follow.

It turns out, I had nothing to fear about reading The Rebel Bride. The author did not denigrate the soldiers. She simply set up a wartime situation where individuals are challenged to be honorable instead of depraved.

Ironically, this book turned out to be one of my favorites in the series. I would like to believe that even in the midst of war, basic human decency and kindness still exist.

Plot of The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear
1863 Tennessee - American Civil War - April 1961 - April 1965

Rebel Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower)The war had already taken so much from Pearl MacFarlane. Her 3 oldest brothers are casualties of war, lost in the battles of Shiloh, Fishing Creek, and Chickamauga. Her father is mentally broken, with only occasional moments of clarity. Her mother, previously deceased. Her youngest brother, and only remaining sibling, drifts away to places unknown, presumably hunting, as soon as he rises each morning. The work of the farm is left almost completely to Pearl and there is only so much she can do.

When her cousin, a sergeant for the Confederacy, arrives with wounded prisoners of war, Pearl is not at all prepared to be conscripted to duty. She doesn't have food, beds, or even training as a nurse, yet she is required to care for these men. The physical and emotional toll on Pearl is tremendous.

Because her cousin has a soft spot for Pearl, he sends a man to help her tend the prisoners. Fortunately, Portius does know how to treat and bandage the wounds and amputations. He also has the physical strength to help the wounded soldiers move when necessary.

At first, it is difficult for Pearl to aid the very men who could have killed her brothers. At the very least, they represent the army responsible for their deaths. However, as she nurses them, learns their names, their birthplaces, and hears stories about their lives, she sees the individuals as living human beings who need help. In turn, there are a few who try to help her, if in no other way, by being respectful of her father. Unfortunately, as with any group, there are some who would prey on the isolation and her vulnerability.

Not only is Pearl faced with providing food, shelter and medical attention to the enemy, she is further challenged by her romantic feelings for one of the prisoners. In the midst of the American Civil War, a Confederate and a Yankee do not make an ideal couple.

More Factual Background

The story of The Rebel Bride takes place in Tennessee. Every county of Tennessee endured battles. Homes and farmland were destroyed along the way, many were intentionally destroyed as threatened in the book.

During the Civil War, it is a fact that homeowners were required to take in wounded soldiers from both sides depending on which army occupied their area at any given time. One renowned home, turned hospital, still stands and is located not very far from my own home.

Few people realize that Norwegian immigrants fought in the Civil War for the Union. Shannon McNear is a wounded Norwegian soldier in the group of prisoners tended by Pearl.

The only real fictional liberty that McNear might have carried too far in this book, is the marriage between a black woman and a white man (one of Pearl's older brothers). Even McNear admits that it is highly unlikely that could have happened.

Surprisingly, I highly recommend this book.

Previously Reviewed Book from the Daughters of the Mayflower Series

The Mayflower Bride Book 1 Reviewed

True American History woven into the fabric of fiction! An excellent historical romantic fiction about the Mayflower voyagers: Separatists & Strangers.

The Pirate Bride Book Review

At the innocent age of 12, Maribel Cordoba's life changes forever. Her formative years & education are guided by nuns, but she never truly forgets the pirate who stole her heart.

The Captured Bride Book Review

An unlikely team is assigned a mission that is fraught with danger. It becomes necessary to trust a previously perceived enemy. I highly recommend this historical Christian fiction.

The Patriot Bride Book Reviewed

After enduring several life tragedies, this wealthy young widow finds the strength & needed alliance to serve the patriots as a messenger. Highly recommended!

The Liberty Bride Book Reviewed

In The Liberty Bride, Emeline Baratt is sailing home to America. Her allegiance to America is greatly tested when the unthinkable happens.

Check Out More Book Reviews at
ReviewThisBooks.com

The Rebel Bride: Daughters of the Mayflower - Book 10 Reviewed by:

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Friday, April 10, 2020

Jesus of Nazareth Movie Reviewed

I remember when the movie "Jesus of Nazareth" was first released in 1977. Even though that was over 40 years ago, it seems like yesterday. It was the first time I had ever seen a visual depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Of course, I had seen still pictures, statues, and had the mental images my own mind created when reading the scripture. But none of that was as impacting as watching our Lord being led down the Via Dolorosa. Then seeing Him nailed to that cross while he was mocked and murdered.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is when Jesus told the thief on the cross next to him, "today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). The realization that all that is required for salvation is accepting Jesus as the Son of God, your savior, is phenomenal. It is recorded that the thief defended Jesus saying "He has done nothing wrong" and then the thief said “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

What a glorious revelation to the world! So much was required of Jesus, but so little is required of us.

Jesus of Nazareth Movie Synopsis
Scriptural Accuracy vs. Artistic License

To this day, this is still my favorite movie about Jesus, and I have seen several. There are some areas where the movie deviates from scripture. Perhaps, that is for dramatic effect, or scripture interpretation. It may well be nothing more than combining scripture passages into one event. Regardless, it can be distracting. I recommend reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) for the complete truth.

Jesus of Nazareth
(40th Anniversary Edition)
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, or Prime VideoCheck Availability Now In spite of the directors artistic liberties, I still recommend this movie. The main reason I prefer "Jesus of Nazareth" over others is because it starts before Jesus was born. Acknowledging the virgin birth and Joseph's obedience to God is unique and extremely important.

It includes Mary visiting Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, when they were both with child. The Bible says "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb". (Luke 1:41) That is truly a significant moment when you know that as an adult, John was a prophet that proclaimed the coming of the Messiah.

The movie includes the baptism of Jesus, preformed by John the Baptist. (Matthew 3:13-17) However, the movie takes some liberties here that I am not too thrilled about. Scripture says: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”   Instead of being scripturally accurate, the movie had John speak instead of God. That is a major difference for me. God did not speak through John.

For the most part, I liked the depiction of the disciples, as well as the choice of actors to play the parts. I know of nothing in the Bible that depicts Judas as graciously as this movie does. It is possible that Judas was tricked and deceived by people, but I haven't found that supported by scripture.

The last discrepancy that I would note about the movie, is with the discovery of the empty tomb. Scripture tells us that John and Peter ran to the tomb when Mary Magdalene told them the tomb was empty. (John 20:1-18)   Sadly, that verification by John & Peter was omitted in the movie.

Scripture also records in John 20:17, "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." Only a portion of this scripture was quoted in the movie.

I would also recommend reading about the multiple accounts of Jesus appearing and interacting with the disciples after his resurrection. This is an example of how the movie combined several events into one.

Why I Recommend Jesus of Nazareth

In spite of the discrepancies above, I would still recommend watching "Jesus of Nazareth". The movie is a reminder of what happened on Good Friday and Easter. It also serves as an introduction that will, hopefully, cause anyone to seek further knowledge of Truth through the scripture.

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Friday, April 3, 2020

Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo Review

The Teton Trek

I absolutely love zoos! My all time favorite zoo is in Memphis, TN. They have been improving and adding new additions to the Memphis Zoo for years. Every time I go, it is like a new adventure.

The Teton Trek opened on Oct. 2, 2009. Needless to say, I was thrilled when my husband took me to Memphis the very first week it was open for my birthday.

The Memphis Zoo really outdid itself with this gorgeous exhibit. The Teton Trek is stunning! Not only is the lodge beautiful, but the Grizzly Bear and the Grey Wolves are delightful and mesmerizing to watch.

I wish they had rooms in the lodge to rent. I would move in today!

The Teton Trek Lodge at the Memphis Zoo

Early on this beautiful, glorious day, I donned my new black Keds tennis shoes, jeans and blouse that my daughter gave me for my birthday, grabbed my new camera which was a birthday gift from my son, snatched my sunglasses and jumped in the car for our new zoo adventure.

Let me tell you, this place was breathtaking! The entrance to Teton Trek is through this huge lodge. The entire area is surrounded by magnificent trees and there is a water fountain in front of the lodge were several people were wading.

fireplace in the lodge at the Memphis zoo

This is the perfect setting for Grizzly Bears and Grey Wolves. I was so excited to see the animals, that I practically ran through the lodge when we first got there, but I did go back in hours later to explore. The picture on the right is actually the last picture I took that day at Teton Trek.

Even now, I find myself wanting to skip over writing about the gorgeous lodge and get right to the animals on exhibit, but I will try to contain myself long enough to describe the inside of the lodge.

It is a two level structure with second level decks on both the front and the back of the building where chairs have been placed so you can sit and watch the animals from afar. There were a lot of Moms with their small children on the deck facing the Bear exhibit. I didn't blame them. It is a nice, shaded area out of harms way where they can rest and watch both the children and the animals at the same time.

Downstairs, there are tables and chairs sitting around the vast, open area. This would make a great meeting room or party area. There are also indoor restrooms in this lodge. A necessity when you spend the whole day hangin' with the Grizzly Bear.

Grizzly Bear Habitat in the Teton Trek

WOW!!!

Step outside the lodge and the first thing you see is an expansive enclosure with a beautiful waterfall. The entire area has been designed to replicate a wilderness most of us would not traverse without a ton of provisions.

waterfall in the grizzly bear enclosure at the Memphis zoo

The Teton Trek Path

walkway above the wolf enclosure at the Memphis zoo

The entire Bear exhibit area is surrounded by a paved walking path. On the outer side of the path, are additional animal exhibits. Since we were there the first week, some of the animals, like the elk, had not arrived so their new homes set empty, ready and waiting for their future inhabitants.

The Trumpeter Swan and the Crane were already in residence by their pond. There were also a few ducks and a lot of area birds filled the trees.

See More Photos, plus read Grey Wolf Facts on AmazingWildAnimals.com

Grey Wolves in the Teton Trek

I have always loved wolves. They have such an intelligent look and they often seem to be trying to communicate something.

The Grey Wolves at the Memphis Zoo appeared to be like playful dogs.

One was busy tearing up the new square of sod while two others were busy fighting over a stick. But I was not fooled. They knew we were there. They're just not as interested in us as we are of them.

Take a look at my pictures and tell me they weren't posing for the camera.

Grey Wolf Ripping up Sod

Two Wolves Playing

Beautiful Grey Wolf

Grizzly Bear in the Teton Trek

Baby Grizzly Bears at the Memphis Zoo (2009)

These are the little guys I had to see and they were definitely worth the trip!

There are currently three Grizzly Bears in Teton Trek.

When they first arrived (2009) they were babies and were absolutely adorable. I knew that even the babies would be dangerous up close, but I found them captivating. Like all babies, they were sleeping when we first entered the Teton Trek, so we waited. When they woke up, they were ready to play. They ran back and forth across the enclosure at a shocking speed.

They chased each other. They swam. They slapped, splashed, snorted and roared their way into the hearts of everyone present.

We were all completely enraptured with their every move.

The Game of Chase

Searching for Fun

Swimming Together

One Sad Thing

This was such an excellent day! Very little could have rained on my birthday trip parade.

However, when we got back home and I had a chance to upload the hours of video that I took of those precious grizzly bear babies, I made a sickening discovery. My brand new video camera records when the light is red. I thought is was recording when the light was green, thus all I video taped were my feet walking on the pretty walkway.

Dang! I guess that means we just have to load up the car and go back to Memphis to video record those grizzlies.

One good thing I discovered: My video camera makes great still shots.

The Babies Have Grown Up
And, I have been back!

Adult Grizzly Bear

Adult Grey Wolves

Still Enjoying the Limelight

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Make Your Own Public Restroom Survival Kit Reviewed

Protect Yourself in Public Restrooms!

My husband and I enjoy making day trips as well as traveling. What I hate most about traveling whether for a day, or even a week, is the necessity to use public restrooms.

By now, we have all heard that you should use a paper towel to open the bathroom doors since so many people do not wash their hands before touching the door knobs. As if that is not enough to make you cringe, I was recently told that drug addicts will clean their needles by poking them in the toilet paper in the restroom stall. This takes things to a whole new level of contamination concern.

To be fair, I did check Snopes to determine if needle cleaning in public restrooms is a valid concern and found that none of the health services questioned had ever heard of that happening. Still, it made me hesitate to trust the provided toilet paper in public restrooms.

For me and my family, I have decided better safe than sorry. After all, we know there are germs in any restroom. With the flu, a multitude of viruses, and the concern for cleanliness, why take the risk if not absolutely necessary?

Some might consider this an extreme and unnecessary precaution. Perhaps it is. But, like any other precautionary measure, if it gives you peace of mind, why not. You are certainly not hurting anyone else by carrying your own public restroom survival kit.

Items Needed for Your Public Restroom Survival Kit

Make Your Own Public Restroom Survival Kit

I assemble my own public restroom survival kit. I include individually wrapped toilet seat covers, my own toilet paper in a sandwich bag, flushable single pack wet wipes, camp soap sheets, and a few of my own paper towels.

I carry two different types of toilet seat covers. One is the typical paper cover that you see in many public restrooms. The other is a plastic toilet seat cover. The plastic seat cover is not flushable, but I find it required in some public rest stops. Even though it is made to encase the seat cover, I simply lay it on the seat. If I won't sit on it, I certainly will not lift that seat to "gift wrap" it.

You all can stop laughing now! No, I am not a germaphobe, but over the years I have truly seen some pretty nasty things in public restrooms. I won't go into the graphic details and descriptions. Suffice it to say, I've seen enough to know I believe in the proverbial "ounce of prevention". In this case, I would alter that saying slightly to state an ounce of protection.

If you think I am alone in this concern, allow me to point out that Amazon.com even offers a pre-assembled public toilet kit.

Public Toilet and Restroom Survival Kit, Toiletry Bag for Germ Protection, Flushable Wipes and Toilet Seat Covers, Compressed Towels

In a pinch, I would totally invest in that "go bag"! Because I have time to prepare my own survival kits packed with my preferred supplies, I don't mind putting them together myself.

If you plan on traveling by plane, you may prefer a clear bag for supplies in your carry-on. There are no liquids in my public restroom survival kit, but a clear bag might keep baggage inspectors from opening it and touching everything. Hand sanitizer would need to go in your clear liquid carry-on bag. If you are traveling by car, you can choose any tote bag.

I prefer a tote bag that will clip to my jeans belt loops or my camera backpack loops. This is a nice inexpensive trio that I found. I only need the medium sized bag in this set for my restroom survival kit, but I can always find different uses for the other two.

50PCS Travel Disposable Toilet Seat CoversCheck Price Charmin Ultra Soft Cushiony Touch Toilet PaperCheck Price Simpleaf Flushable Single Pack Wet Wipes | Eco- FriendlyCheck Price Coleman Camp Soap Sheets, Travel Soap Sheets - 50 countCheck Price

How Do I Know I Am Not a Complete Germaphobe?

A real germaphobe would recommend two more items! After all, the dirtiest places in a public restroom are the floors, the toilet handle, and the faucet.

Eek! Perhaps I should rethink this! After all, I do wear my shoes in the car and in my home! And, those gloves and shoe covers are disposable.

Dealmed Medical Exam Gloves – 200 Count Small Nitrile Gloves, Disposable GlovesCheck Price Blue Shoe Guys Professional Grade Disposable Boot & Shoe Covers BootiesCheck Price

And if you really want to do things right, be sure to include your Poo-Pourri! It was previously reviewed by Dawn Rae and would make a fabulous addition to your public restroom survival kit.