Well the time is drawing near when the sun will shine upon us nearly all day long. I LOVE Springt!!! Spring's warmer days are perfect for starting an outdoor walking program. Walking is an ideal exercise. It's weight-bearing, so it strengthens bones. It's aerobic, so it improves heart and lung function. And other than the price of a good pair of walking shoes, it's free! So if your doctor says it's okay, it's time to hit the ground walking. Having a walking partner is great but if you don't have one simply change where you walk often to make it more interesting, seeing different scenery and people.
How Far? A good beginners goal is to head out the door, walk 5 to 10 minutes, then head back. The next time walk 10 to 15 minutes increasing the time by 5 minute increments. Focus on how you feel not how far you're walking.
How Fast? Aim to walk a bit faster than normal, as if you were late to an appointment. But slow down if you feel winded. You should have enough breath to be able to keep up a conversation.
How Often? Walking 5 days a week is ideal, but any amount of exercise is beneficial.
Be SAFE! In two ways, first wait until you've walked awhile before stretching so as not to injure muscles. Second, and most importantly; don't walk alone on secluded trails, and always carry a cell phone fully charged. Protect your skin with sunscreen. Wear reflective clothing if you're walking at dawn or dusk. Make sure you kinow where you are and what's around you. And if the weather is uncooperative you can always find a Mall to walk in.
Here's is hoping Spring is good to you. . .
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Special post for SAMMIE SUE
Sammie Sue is an African grey parrot that is one of the smartest and most vocal birds I know but she sometimes isn't kind to her loving owners Dianne and David Schwartz. Recently she was in a foul mood for some reason, no one knows why because she is a spoiled princess in her home. Anyway when Dianne tried to pick her up on this particular day she acted out and bit poor Diannes fingers. When reading about this on Sammies Facebook and then on her website I wrote her a comment. I told her she was very bad, and I had a joke that might work to teach her a lesson. I didn't want to take up too much space, but leave room for other comments, so I decided to write it here for Sammie to come and read... Here goes!
A lovely older woman on her way to work passed the same Pet Shop daily. One day there was a huge cage sitting out in the shade and inside was a beautiful parrot. She stopped and told the parrot how beautiful he was. With that the bird squaked and out of his mouth came a dozen swear words #@$%(*& and then told the woman she was an ugly, fat cow. "Well," said the woman and hurried on by. By the time she arrived at work she had cooled off and began to feel sorry for the bird wondering who had taught it such language.
The same thing happened three days in a row, same bird behavior and same rushing by, by the woman. For a week the woman got a ride from a friend so didn't see the parrot. Once her friend wasn't going in her direction she again had to walk. As she approached the Pet Store, no cage or parrot. She went inside to inquire as to the situation. The owner said, "oh, dam bird insulted so many folks I had to remove it, I'll never be able to sell it anyway with that filthy mouth."
The woman said, "maybe I could buy it and retrain it to speak pleasantly."
The man said, "lady if you want it you can have it and I'll throw in the cage and deliver it too." They shook on it...
The following Saturday the Pet Shop owner delivered the bird and cage to the womans home.
Three months passed and everyday the poor woman would try for hours to get the parrot to speak kindly to her, and each day he swore and called her names. When she had friends over they had to sit out on the front stoop or the parrot cursed them too. Finally even the kind woman was losing her patience and on a Sunday after she returned home from church she tried singing a lovely hymm to the bird who began swearing up a storm. That being the last straw the woman reachecd into the the cage, grabbed the startled bird, opened up the freezer door and tossed the parrot inside among the other meats. After about 5 minutes the woman heard pitiful squaking and muffled words coming from her freezer. She opened the door to find the parrot shivering as he pleaded with her to get him out of here, and promising to never swear or call her names again.
She reached inside and took him out setting him on the kitchen table, saying sternly, "if you ever do; right back into the freezer you'll go, and maybe for good!" The bird climbed onto her arm as she walked into the living room and put him into his cage. She said, "remember what you promised bird!"
Later on that evening as she was covering the parrots cage he said, beautiful, kind lady may I ask one question that has been bothering me?"
She answered, "yes of course, what is it that has been bothering you?"
The parrot replied, could you please tell me. . . . . . .
What did that chicken do???
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
By the way to everyone who follows my blog, a THANK YOU you, and wish for a:
Happy St. Patricks Day
and may the wind always be at your back!!
A lovely older woman on her way to work passed the same Pet Shop daily. One day there was a huge cage sitting out in the shade and inside was a beautiful parrot. She stopped and told the parrot how beautiful he was. With that the bird squaked and out of his mouth came a dozen swear words #@$%(*& and then told the woman she was an ugly, fat cow. "Well," said the woman and hurried on by. By the time she arrived at work she had cooled off and began to feel sorry for the bird wondering who had taught it such language.
The same thing happened three days in a row, same bird behavior and same rushing by, by the woman. For a week the woman got a ride from a friend so didn't see the parrot. Once her friend wasn't going in her direction she again had to walk. As she approached the Pet Store, no cage or parrot. She went inside to inquire as to the situation. The owner said, "oh, dam bird insulted so many folks I had to remove it, I'll never be able to sell it anyway with that filthy mouth."
The woman said, "maybe I could buy it and retrain it to speak pleasantly."
The man said, "lady if you want it you can have it and I'll throw in the cage and deliver it too." They shook on it...
The following Saturday the Pet Shop owner delivered the bird and cage to the womans home.
Three months passed and everyday the poor woman would try for hours to get the parrot to speak kindly to her, and each day he swore and called her names. When she had friends over they had to sit out on the front stoop or the parrot cursed them too. Finally even the kind woman was losing her patience and on a Sunday after she returned home from church she tried singing a lovely hymm to the bird who began swearing up a storm. That being the last straw the woman reachecd into the the cage, grabbed the startled bird, opened up the freezer door and tossed the parrot inside among the other meats. After about 5 minutes the woman heard pitiful squaking and muffled words coming from her freezer. She opened the door to find the parrot shivering as he pleaded with her to get him out of here, and promising to never swear or call her names again.
She reached inside and took him out setting him on the kitchen table, saying sternly, "if you ever do; right back into the freezer you'll go, and maybe for good!" The bird climbed onto her arm as she walked into the living room and put him into his cage. She said, "remember what you promised bird!"
Later on that evening as she was covering the parrots cage he said, beautiful, kind lady may I ask one question that has been bothering me?"
She answered, "yes of course, what is it that has been bothering you?"
The parrot replied, could you please tell me. . . . . . .
What did that chicken do???
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
By the way to everyone who follows my blog, a THANK YOU you, and wish for a:
Happy St. Patricks Day
and may the wind always be at your back!!
Friday, March 4, 2011
All About SHAMROCKS
In March, shamrocks seem to pop up everywhere. The three-leaved token of Irish luck has roots in both Druid and Christian traditions, but in Irish lawns, the plant is considered to be a weed. Here are some other facts about shamrocks...
Sham shamrocks?
Scholars, botanists and florists argue over the species of the Irish shamrock of lore. The shamrock is often counted as part of the clover family, but in drawings of the plant, the typically heart shaped leaves indicate wood sorrel, a member of the oxalis family.
Badge of rebellion.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, some Irish wore shamrocks to display their dissatisfaction with British rule. Thus the phrase "the wearing o' the green," is said to have originated during this period.
Snake stopper?
The shamrock was believed to be a remedy for snake and scorpion bites. Tradition holds snakes are never seen near shamrocks.
A wee bit of protection.
Shamrocks are thought to ward off any mischief a leprechaun might cause.
Here comes the luck!
To encourage a fortuitous union, shamrocks are sometimes placed in a brides bouquet or worn on a grooms lapel.
Note: To wet the appetite of its customers, McDonalds created in 1970 a seasonal specialty beverage called a Minty Green Shamrock Shake which they say is still as popular as ever.
A Mark of Ireland
While the Celtic harp is the official emblem of Ireland, the shamrock is a popular symbol too. The Irish airline Aer Lingus uses the shamrock in its logo, and the flag of Montreal features a shamrock to represent the Canadian city's Irish population.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
EATING GREEN
It's easy eating GREEN. . .
We've all heard we should try to live a greener lifestyle by reducing, reusing and recycling. But what about our diets? Making enviromentally conscious choices can be better for our waistlines, our wallets and our planet.
BUY LOCAL:
When you purchase locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, and dairy products, you're supporting area farmers and cutting back on the fuel it takes to truck food across the country.
GO ORGANIC:
Treating soil with pesticides can pollute the soil, groundwater and possibly us. If you're budget conscious, at least aim for organic when buying produce with thin, edible skins such as grapes, berries, bell peppers, and radishes.
EAT LOWER ON THE FOOD CHAIN:
Producing a pound of meat takes much more water and energy than producing a pound of grain or vegetables.
DITCH THE DRIVE-THROUGH:
Idiling in line in a fast-food restaurant waates gas. Park the car and order inside if you must frequent these restaurants. Better to whip up a quick meal at home. You'll save packaging waste and money too.
BANISH BOTTLED WATER:
Even if you recycle those plastic bottles, it's still taking energy to produce, transport and recycle them.
TAKE BABY STEPS:
You don't have to go cold turkey on cheeseburgers. Even small changes, such as eating one meatless meal a week can make a big difference over time. . .
We've all heard we should try to live a greener lifestyle by reducing, reusing and recycling. But what about our diets? Making enviromentally conscious choices can be better for our waistlines, our wallets and our planet.
BUY LOCAL:
When you purchase locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, and dairy products, you're supporting area farmers and cutting back on the fuel it takes to truck food across the country.
GO ORGANIC:
Treating soil with pesticides can pollute the soil, groundwater and possibly us. If you're budget conscious, at least aim for organic when buying produce with thin, edible skins such as grapes, berries, bell peppers, and radishes.
EAT LOWER ON THE FOOD CHAIN:
Producing a pound of meat takes much more water and energy than producing a pound of grain or vegetables.
DITCH THE DRIVE-THROUGH:
Idiling in line in a fast-food restaurant waates gas. Park the car and order inside if you must frequent these restaurants. Better to whip up a quick meal at home. You'll save packaging waste and money too.
BANISH BOTTLED WATER:
Even if you recycle those plastic bottles, it's still taking energy to produce, transport and recycle them.
TAKE BABY STEPS:
You don't have to go cold turkey on cheeseburgers. Even small changes, such as eating one meatless meal a week can make a big difference over time. . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)