Frivolous Friday

September  28,2012

Reflections 

Well, here it is  the end of  September already, and we in this part of Canada are wondering where our summer went and how did it get away so quickly.

Wordless Wednesday

September 2,2012 

Learning about some of the sea creatures @ the Touch Pool at the Aquarium in St. Andrews,N.B.

 Another interesting fellow.......

Wellness

September 25,2012

-Benefits of Having Pets-

Many of us have, or had pets at one time or another. Our reasons for getting them are as varied as the people and pets, but for this post I am referring to the rather generic form of pets and that is cats and dogs.

Wordless Wednesday

September 19,2012

New sculpture for Saint John Park.

Wellness

September  18,2012

The All Too Common, Common Cold

As I sit here thinking about what would be a suitable "Wellness" post for this week's blog, I am also attending to my husband's very infrequent illness. The symptoms are "common", the effects are "common" and the treatment is also "common".

Wordless Wednesday

Q.       What does this spider and Google have in common?  

Wellness

Tempus fugit sed vita bonum est *

The annual ceremony surrounding the "first day of school and  "back to school" tradition continued again this year.

Frivolous Friday

Lying on my back gazing skyward through out Maple tree.

Hello!  Well, how was your summer?  Did you get time to do all the things that you planned? You know,  when "summer" is in the near future and we are eagerly anticipating a time of  childlike freedom and endless hours at a setting of our choice..ie, beach, camp site, travelling etc., or just not doing what were usually do, every single other day of the year??

Walking on a beach with Grand daughters.

Do you know that I would have to answer "YES" to that question.( sorry, but felt compelled to use "shouty capitals" here).  I enjoyed more freedom, restful sky gazing, and countless meals outside than I have had in my entire adult life. I kept waiting for  sky to fall, or to wake up and find that I was just having a great dream, but you see, that never happened.   The truth of the matter is  that I am thoroughly and completely enjoying a "pre retirement"!

There is still part of me that has some guilt feelings about not dragging my weary self out of  bed in the am and frantically  rushing off to work, but I am putting serious effort into ignoring that part and replacing it with peace and quiet....... so far so good.!!~

Enjoyed many beautiful sunsets with my husband.

I am, however, hoping to return to some semblance of a  schedule with my blogging, so I plan on continuing to blog on Tuesday about health issues with a focus on  mental health and on Fridays.... like today, about what ever happens to tickle my fancy!!!! Humour is an important aspect of  my life and I try to convey that in whatever I do. Life is serious enough so a little levity now and again is needed!

Wordless Wednesday

Low tide in a area with 28ft tides, leaves this old house perching precariously on the shore awaiting the new tide.

Wordless Wednesday

This one was sheer luck.  Just happened to have a camera at snack time~

Wordless Wednesday

A view of the marsh from observation tower  in Irving Nature Park

 

Wellness

July 3 ,2012
                                                                                                      
Being "almost" retired means that I should have more  time on my hands, but lately I feel the time is on someone else's hands 'cause it sure hasn't been staying too long on mine!  Not that I  mind as it sure makes the time fly, but with summer finally upon us and the knowledge that we only have about 8 weeks of "summer-like" weather, I plan on making the most of it.

I love posting my blogs each Tuesday on Wellness and  on Frivolous Friday  about what ever happens to tickle my fancy!. Wordless Wednesday is also a fav, but usually only requires a picture and not a lot of words. However, there is a certain urgency and pressure to maintain the quality of each post, and with that in mind I am giving myself permission to take a "vacation"from deadlines and pressures!
I plan on spending a few days camping with my two sisters , you probably know them, Monica, from Older Mommy Still Yummy   Kathy, from Oak Lawn Images
When the three of us get together, minus hubbies, kids, grand kids, computers,phones and such, it is pure relaxation. Walks on the beach..... yes, we really do that and we are not looking for "friends"!! Walks /hikes through the woods, and endless hours contemplating the flames of a campfire!!! The rest of the summer I will spend with my husband of many many  years and our wonderful family and friends, doing what ever the mood and the moment asks of us. It really doesn't get much better than that, does it??!!

I hope everyone that takes the time to read this post, takes the time to relax,  to enjoy the everyday pleasures and to be grateful for all that we have. As I wrote about in an earlier post it is all about perspective!  Will be back on track either later this summer or in early autumn ( with occasional posts in between). Have a safe  and happy summer!!

Be well and be safe!!
                                                                                                             
Patricia

Wellness

June 26,2012



Congratulations to all the participants of the Biannual  Blogathon Bash! It was a fun week-end and a great learning experience.  But for now, back to what is "usual", and for me that is a post on  Wellness. After a brisk walk along a harbour front and the smell of sea air I feel rather invigorated. Also noticed that despite what you would think, I actually feel less tired,less stressed and better able to deal with  whatever this day has in store for me.

What  a  topic for  "Wellness" , says I!!!    Q. What causes this feeling of wellness?

A.  Endorphins are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which function to transmit electrical signals within the nervous system. At least 20 types of endorphins have been demonstrated in humans. Endorphins can be found in the pituitary gland, in other parts of the brain, or distributed throughout the nervous system.
In addition to decreased feelings of pain, secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress.

 Certain foods contain endorphins.  Chocolate..... that's right... and spicy foods, like  chili peppers, also release endorphins.The release of endorphins upon ingestion of chocolate likely explains the comforting feelings that many people associate with this food and the craving for chocolate. Endorphin release varies among individuals. You and I could both exercise the same amount, experience similar amounts of discomfort but not feel the same effects  of endorphins.

I came across this video  that discusses endorphins and  thought perhaps you might enjoy it.
Here's to chocolate, spicy foods, and....... feeling well!!  Cheers!

Take care !

Information for this post was obtained from MedicineNet.com

For  further information on this topic see: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55001

Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.

Biannual Blogathon Bash Day #3

 The finish line is in sight ( barely) now!  Although I have not been on my laptop as many hours as I had hoped , I still have been here longer than I was for  the Blogathon in the winter!!
The object, I believe is to learn something new or thanks to our Mini Challenge hosts, teach something new. That object has been achieved for me. Still more to learn but I am still at the point where I" don't know what I don't know"!!
Checking out the list:

1. Learn more about the basics of blogging
2. Learn more about how to successfully use the HTML thingy!!- I see there is a mini challenge for this
3. Interact with more bloggers and hopefully have them reply in kind!
4. See how to change my home page to something more "catchy"
5. Become acquainted with  product review aspect of blogging.
6. Have fun!(continues)
7. Clean up my home page and rewrite my "about me" section.                       

Well, that's 5 1/2 out of 7..... Not so bad at all. After all I have to leave room for improvement the next time!!
 I have spent (aprox)  19 hours at this Bash. 6hrs Friday, 8 hrs, Sat and only 5 today.

Tons of thanks to all of those who put so much effort and ability into this season's Blogathon Bash, special thank-you to Kathleen Garber for her tireless efforts... Hope you have time to catch up on your sleep!!

Pat

http://sugarspiceallthings-nice.blogspot.com/>Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice

Biannual Blogathon Bash

Here it is  Day #2 of the Blogathon Bash!!!
I have to thank  Callista's Ramblings for the expertise she showed for my mini challenge on" How to write a better tweet on Twitter".
Also to Geek with Style  for the Challenge "HTML-the Basics"
I gave them both a try and have learned something, and that, at least for me is what it is about!

Now on the more mini challenges and hopefully to cross a few more items off my list.
I have been trying to "meet" followers but have encountered a bit of trouble. Many of you are so advanced and have so many "gadgets", to click I am not sure which one to "follow". Any ideas to help?

Here's how my list is progressing:


My Goals for this Blogathon  are - (  list subject to change as much as I change my mind!!!)

1. Learn more about the basics of blogging
2. Learn more about how to successfully use the HTML thingy!!- I see there is a mini challenge for this
3. Interact with more bloggers and hopefully have them reply in kind!
4. See how to change my home page to something more "catchy"
5. Become acquainted with  product review aspect of blogging.
6. Have fun!(continues)
7. Clean up my home page and rewrite my "about me" section.

I am now off and running in the rain here in our city. Hope you have a great morning.

This is my attempt to do something on the mini challenge  re HTML sponsored by Aeryn Lynn in Basics of HTML 

This is a picture that was added to a post of mine several weeks ago.

 This is my attempt at a "subheading"

I seem to be having difficulty with the "table" thing...... funny 'cause at my house the TABLE is the thing that I am most familiar with!!!!LOL

I see that another blogger was advised to "copy and paste" so am applying that strategy here so that the mandatory requisite is met!!

  After doing this I was unable to go any further as my cursor kept refusing to go beneath the table. ? to do?  

 This was fun... take care!

    
    
    

    
    
    
                                               

Not quite sure what this would be used for, but at least it is here!!			<--

Biannual Blogathon Bash

Alright, I am off and running.... well, perhaps it's only a brisk walk for now... will start the running part after I have "warmed up"!!!

My Goals for this Blogathon  are - (  list subject to change as much as I change my mind!!!)

1. Learn more about the basics of blogging
2. Learn more about how to successfully use the HTML thingy!!- I see there is a mini challenge for this
3. Interact with more bloggers and hopefully have them reply in kind!
4. See how to change my home page to something more "catchy"
5. Become acquainted with  product review aspect of blogging.
6. Have fun!
7. Meet new bloggers!!

Cheers all,
Patricia

Wordless Wednesday

This was ``growing`` next to our house. Used as a science project for a little girl!

Wellness

June 18,2012


Although I am trying to keep my blogs short and hopefully sweet, I cannot  contain them in one word, but if I could that word for today would be "appreciate".Now, this word covers a huge range of emotions and feelings.

Frivolous Friday

June 8,2012

Marigolds on Main

I live in a comparatively small city on the east coast of Canada. We have   a fantastic view of the Bay of Fundy.... which empties into the Atlantic Ocean for those of you not familiar with the area.... four beautiful seasons  to enjoy each year, friendly people and an amazing population of young people,aka, kids!!

Every year for the past 15 years, the children of our city are bused or walked to one of the main streets in the  city which  is called....hmmmm,  what is it called again, oh yeah, Main Street!! Here the children, accompanied by their faithful and patient teachers and family come to plant Marigolds. The students have nurtured these plants from seeds, and in the process have learned first hand about biology, history of that part of the city,  community  involvement,planning, patience, co-operation and  the immeasurable joy of seeing the fruits of  ones labor. I personally think their teachers should each receive an award of merit as well!!!

Here, little guys, you stay here and grow up strong!!

Each year  over 1,000 children give 30,000 marigold plants a  new home down the center of the street and provide beauty and a sense of pride to all that view them.  To date about  2.5 million plants have been planted by students from neighboring schools.  This project has served as a model with more than 50 other sites  taking part in other areas.

I happened to be present at the fun exercise this year and was able to get a couple of pictures to show you what can happen at the grass roots....  or  in this case, the marigold roots, level!!!!

Just a bit of water to get started!

It was a cool day so some of the pre-K youngsters sought refuge after their work was done.

Everyone loves a day away from the books!!

For more information on this project see the following sites:

http://www.marigolds.ca/

http://www.saintjohn.ca/en/home/cityservices/communityenrichment/neighbourhoodsupport/marigoldsonmainstreet.aspx