And as computer literate as so many are these days, Marvel and DC will have to start developing more online games and virtual universes of all their characters that you and I will be willing to pay a monthly fee to access through our computers and game consoles. Ka-ching, Ka-ching. DC has already announced a deal with Sony Online Entertainment and Marvel is working with Vivendi Universal Games. With massive successes of X-Men and Spiderman movies, this has proven that Marvel characters still have life and relevance in today’s pop culture.

While DC may be playing a bit of catch up, they are quick to point out that they and Warner Bro. have been more successful on small screen with TV shows like “Smallville” and several animated cartoon series. And further since their TV and film projects are filmed and aired by Warner Bro. conglomerate, DC gets to keep more of profit than Marvel does on their projects.

What do we, consumer public, get out of all this? Well, for one, we get to see our heroes in a more realistic light than ever before. We can grab that popcorn and maybe an extra drink and watch our comic book heroes and characters come to life in a real world setting, at least for a few hours, and walk out with a little more joy in our hearts. Go out and get immersed in Batman Begins and hold your breath for Fantastic Four. And besides, this new revelation in Hollywood may just increase value of our old mint condition comics. We can only wait and see.

Fresh lavender flowers can be used to flavor syrup for jellies. Mix 6 flowerheads into each pint of apple jelly syrup. Remove lavender before bottling. It is also used to flavor fruit salad and milk and cream for deserts. Flowers be candied to decorate cakes and puddings. Use lavender instead of rosemary when cooking chicken. Lavender ice-cream is a real treat.

Medicinal Uses

Use an infusion of lavender on insect bites. Dried flowers and seeds are used in herbal sleep pillows and baths for soothing and calming frayed nerves. Lavender oil applied at temples will relieve a headache. Three flowerheads in a cup of boiling water makes a soothing tea at bedtime.

Other Uses

Bunches of lavender are said to ward off insects. Fresh or dried flowers are used in rinsing water for clothes and hair. Dried flowers and seeds are often used in potpourri and sachets. The stems are used to weave decorative baskets.

To dry flowers, cut them as soon as they begin to open and hang upside down in bunches in a well-ventilated area.

Easy Lavender Soap

10 tablespoons finely grated castille soap 8 tablespoons boiling water 2 tablespoons crushed dried lavender flowers 4 drops lavender oil

Melt soap in water in a bowl placed over a saucepan of hot water, stirring frequently, until smooth.

Crush flowers to a powder and take bowl off saucepan. Stir flowers into soap with oil.

Store in a glass or plastic bottle.

Night Cream Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel 1 tablespoon shea butter 2 teaspoons grated beeswax 1 tablespoon rosewater 1/4 teaspoon lecithin oil from two capsules of vitamin E 3 drops chamomile or lavender essential oil

Instructions Melt oil, butter, and beeswax in heatproof glass measuring cup, over boiling water or in microwave. (low heat) Remove from heat just before beeswax is completely melted. Finish melting by stirring in warm oil. Add vitamin E oil and lecithin and stir in between additions. Mix rosewater and aloe together and slowly add to main mixture. Continue stirring with a small metal whisk. Once mixture is cooled, add essential oil and stir. Store inside drawer or cabinet. Try to keep away from sun and heat. Use nightly-especially in cold or dry weather.

Vinegar of Four Thieves

One part each {all plants are dry] Rosemary, Wormwood, Lavender, Sage, Mint

Place in a jar and cover with vinegar let set 7 days

Put on cloth and exposed skin repels ticks, fleas, and chiggers