Top 7 blog posts --Blue bird family

We enjoy our bluebird family.  As you may remember, our mama bluebird was killed early this year. The papa bluebird found himself very busy trying to feed his mother-less children.  David helped by providing extra mealworms (their favorite food). 

The day came for the two orphaned bluebirds to leave the nest.  Several months went by and we wondered if the bluebirds survived.  Recently on a cold, sunny December morning, five bluebirds visited our house.  We were pleased to see them. 

Top 7 blog posts --Memories of Christmas Past

This 4” tall silver tinsel Christmas tree brings memories of my childhood.  My parents bought this tree when I was a child.  Mom hung red satin balls on the tree and the color wheel made it shine yellow, red, blue and green.  

After Dad died in September 2006, we were preparing to sell the house. This Christmas tree (in the original box) was one item no one cared to keep. No one wanted this tree until my David spoke up and said, ‘if no one wants it, I will take it.’ I am so glad David rescued this tree from the give-away pile.  That very Christmas we used this silver Christmas tree.   

Again this year (5 + years since Dad died) we are enjoying our silver Christmas tree.   When I see this tree, I smile deep in my heart.  

Top 7 Blog posts--Good news for diabetes mellitus

In this serious illness of diabetes mellitus, there is some good news.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) handbook, National Diabetes Fact Sheet 2007, “Improved glycemic control benefits people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.  In general, every percentage point drop in A1C blood tests (e.g. from 8.% to 7.0% can reduce the risk of microvascular complications (eye, kidney and nerve diseases) by 40%.”  What are they saying?  When a person works to control his blood sugar, his risk of complications decreases substantially. 

How can a person control his blood sugar?  Once a person is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the treatment involves insulin replacement.  For a person with type 2 diabetes, the treatment may be oral medication, diet management, exercise and/or insulin replacement.   

When a person is diagnosed with diabetes (either type), it’s important to learn about the illness and how to manage it.  Work with your doctor/healthcare provider to manage your blood sugar level.  Many people benefit from diabetic teaching.  Diabetic teaching can include a nurse and a dietitian who teach how to cope with diabetes and maximize your health.   

The American Diabetes Association provides much information at http://www.diabetes.org/

Top 7 blog posts--Fried chicken leg

Why would I post a picture of a fried chicken leg?

We seldom eat fried chicken (two family reunion picnics a year) so that's not the reason.

After David ate the meat off this chicken leg, I took a picture of the naked chicken leg to show articular cartilage as I began discussing osteoarthritis for Arthritis month (May) last year.


Articular cartilage is the translucent (clear) shiny tough covering on the end of bones (both chicken and ours).  When it becomes damaged, the bones rub together and cause pain.  Millions of people deal with osteoarthritis symptoms.

Top 7 blog posts of 2011--- My roll model practiced gratitude

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”-Epictetus, Gratitude Quotes at http://www.abundance-and-happiness.com/gratitude-quotes.html

My mother practiced gratitude.  She and Dad worked hard to provide for their three daughters.  They didn’t often have money lying around in the bank, but they used what they had wisely.  They raised a big garden every year and would freeze and can vegetables and fruits for the cold winter months.  Mom knew how to sew; her daughters were among the best dressed in our social groups. 

It was a normal occurrence to hear her humming (and occasionally singing) hymns as she worked around the house and cooked supper.  We heard mom say statements like, “life is 10 % what you make it and 90% how you take it” and “you have the same clothes to get glad in that you got mad in.”  In times of plenty and times of little, Mom showed a positive, thankful attitude that she shared with the world and her family. She was a great role model for us. 

Top 7 blog posts of 2011 --Choices

Today we begin 7 days of our favorite blog posts of 2011.  These were selected by several criteria:  number of viewers that day; large number of comments,  and favorites among my readers.  I hope you've had a great New Years holiday and enjoy my top 7 posts of 2011. 

We make many choices throughout our lives.  Some are simple.  For example, should I wear blue jeans or dress pants to the concert tonight?  Some are complex.  What do I want to do with my life?

Each person's choices affect his health.  Each day we decide whether to go to the gym and exercise or drive by on the way home.  Will I drive through a fast food restaurant and eat a burger and fries for supper?  Will I eat a salad instead?  Many small choices become a habit and then a way of life.  Soon our way of life affects our health.

We cannot change our genetics, our inherited genes.  Some people are tall and thin.  Others are short and heavy.  Some people are fair and blonde; others are dark skinned and brown eyed.  We live with the genes our parents gave us. 

For many diseases, doctors talk about risk factors.  Risk factors we cannot change include our genetics, our age and sex (whether you are male or female).  However, often there are other risk factors that we can change and improve through healthy behaviors.  For example, when the doctor says your blood pressure is high and your cholesterol is out of sight, those are two risk factors that you (with the help of your doctor) can work to improve.

The experts are telling us how to improve our health.  Should we heed their advice, talk to our family doctor and begin a journey to healthy living?  It's our choice.

Resolutions or Not.

Do you make resolutions every New Year?  I quit making resolutions.  I found that I felt guilty when I discarded my resolution.  It’s not worth it to me.  

I do, however, work to make new habits and changes for the better.  For example, I’ve quit being a couch lizard and started back at the gym.  David has been my encourager; he has been meeting me at the gym when I get off work.  It makes it easier for me if I have a buddy (him) there to cheer me on.  If I can get past the first few minutes, I find my energy level rises and I can make it through 15 minutes of weights and 30 minutes on the treadmill.  

I especially like the newer treadmills that I can watch/listen to a TV show or listen to music.   Sometimes I can catch a rerun of NCIS; those days I stay on the treadmill to finish the show.  (I can’t leave Gibbs and his gang until they solve the murder).  

My wish for you is a healthy, happy, blessed 2012.