There are travel warnings and travel restrictions not to mention all the “fees” airlines now impose on the traveler.  Oh for the days when one could check two bags for free.

The pool, restaurant and bar at Torres Mazatlan

Having vacationed for over 22 years in Mexico, it is disheartening to see the travel warning out for Mexico.  We were there just a year ago and felt super safe where we stayed.  Do we dare chance it again in 2014 when we plan to celebrate our 50^th anniversary somewhere warm during the winter?  Should we stay in the US?  I’m not altogether sure it is much safer here.  One can encounter danger anywhere and it is usually unexpected.  How do you structure your travel so you are safe?

I can’t speak for everyone but it just seems some common sense is in order.  For instance – be aware of your limitations.  As we age we are less agile and therefore not as able to respond to things as quickly as we used to.  So – while someone young might think it to be a great adventure to go off exploring in offbeat areas, others may recognize the dangers of that and go elsewhere.  When we are in Mexico we seldom go outside of our resort area after dark unless we are in a licensed taxi.

Torres Mazatlan at Night

When we want to try a new restaurant, we go for a late breakfast or midafternoon lunch.  Shopping is always in a tourist area in broad daylight and sometimes in an organized group.  We do not interact with those asking for money or trying to sell us something on the street.  We seldom carry large amounts of cash and usually take only one credit card along, which is usually kept in the safe deposit box in our unit.  We do not have flashy jewelry – anything like that gets left at home.

Hotel Safe Deposit Box

Unfortunately it now appears those who would attack tourists are getting braver and actually hijacking a bus and demanding money etc.  I’m sure you can probably add some more ideas here.

On to the Airlines.

Fees are almost synonymous with Airlines now.  There is a “fee” for everything:  luggage, seat assignment, pillow, blanket, headsets, meals etc.  I suppose one can argue the airlines have to make up for the increase of gas and oil etc.  The only bone I have to pick with that argument – when the prices of gas, oil, coffee, sugar etc. go down, the “fees” do not.  So – what is next?  Maybe pay toilets?  Would that shorten the lines at the toilets in the back of the plane any?  Anytime you push the “help” button above your seat, you pay?  You pay for using the overhead light? If you want the bulkhead seat, you pay more?  For those who are frequent fliers, perhaps you could get a discount if you volunteer to do the “speech” for the stewards while the plan is leaving the gate and heading toward the runway (you must know it by heart if you fly frequently)?

Enjoy this rather long video on the airlines as only Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway could do it.  Prepare to tickle your funny bone with this one.

What are your thoughts on the airlines and on travel today?  Share with us please?

one had to send letters and go to the Library to get information.

The Library

With the advent of the internet that all changed. 

Now one only has to log in and search.  For many of us born prior to 1984, the computer is an enigma.  The internet is a wonder to behold and the cell phone is a wonder you hold.  Pats on the back to those who have learned how to use these tools.

Well - I think that's what you are supposed to do!

Why 1984 –

well 1984 seems to be the benchmark for this proliferation of electronic miracles and those born after that date are sometimes referred to as digital natives and the rest of us are digital natives. 

When it comes to retirement, there is a plethora of information on the net and it is sometimes time consuming and boring to be checking out everything you find.

Here are some selected sites that you might find interesting –

sites containing information about retirement.

• First on the list are two government sites
  

  Retirement Planning Gone Awry

www.ssa.gov/retirement/  information on retirement planning

www.ssa,gov/retire/2/  Social Security retirement and planner

• These next three are relative to employment issues in retirement
  

  I'm Availablt

www.retiredbrains.com jobs, finances, health and senior living information

www.retirementjobs.com/  jobs for people over 50

www.retirement-income.net/blog how to live better in retirement

• These two links have resources that are broader in scope relative to Senior Living
  

  A Retirement Home

www.retirementliving.com a gateway to resources for senior living

www.retireearlyhomepage.com an online magazine for people who used to work for a living

• One devoted to places to live

www.retirementhomes.com search for retirement communities

• One unexpected site that showed up in my searching

www.trfinc.org the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation – yup – information on retirement for race horses.  You might find it interesting to see what they do with old race horses (not the glue factory).  Enjoy this short video about a place like this.

One site that really stood out though was on where to retire.  Click here to access that information.

The only thing that is certain as we age is that there will be a lot of change.  It seems the only permanent thing we have now is change.  Enjoy checking out the links and that you find the information useful.

Please share your thoughts – would love to hear from you.

Whether it is someone new you just met or your lifelong partner, do you know how to keep the relationship going?  Here are three strategies you can use to keep a relationship going or to rekindle a relationship you already have.

Expectations - What's Next?

Establish Expectations. 

Why is this important?  When you met “the one” – and talk of marriage begins, find out whether or not the other person wants to have children.  This could be the deal breaker for one or the other.  Find out what the other person wants in a relationship.  This needs to be repeated throughout a marriage so both of you are on the same page.  Having clear expectations helps to avoid those unpleasant times that occur when there is a vast difference in expectations.

Looking at Communication

Communication. 

When you talk to anyone about buying a house you will be told there are three things to be concerned about:  Location, Location, Location.  In any kind of relationship there are three things to be concerned about:  communication, communication, communication.  I’m not a mind reader.  How can you find out what the other person is thinking:  Ask, of course.  And you can’t expect someone to know what you’re thinking if you don’t tell them. Nobody likes an over-communicator.  There are so many ways one can communicate with words and without words.  Body language, facial language, tone of voice and volume are just a few.  Establishing the frequency and types of communication might also be a good idea.  For a new relationship, you want the other person to know you are interested and want to continue.

A Clock for Telling Time

Timing. 

Timing is everything.  In communication it is important to know when to say something and when to zip it.  You may want to discuss something and your partner is just not in a good place to discuss anything.  If you proceed – and many of us have done that – you learn quickly that the timing was all wrong.  Just like the timing in a car – if it is off you know right away.  Timing is the key to building any relationship.

Knowing expectations, using communication, and watching the timing for your communication are all vital to a successful relationship.  Using these basic principles you will be on your way to build fulfilling, mutually beneficial relationships.  Here are some more tips – enjoy this short video.

What are you doing to improve or keep your

relationship going with your partner?

A Young Beethoven

The following information is from Gabe Mirkin, M.D. 

It is not earth shattering but mildly interesting – to some.  Enjoy

More than 150 years after the death of arguably the world’s greatest composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory are finally able to explain what made him sick and how he died. Beethoven was healthy through his early life and studied with Mozart and Hayden.

When he was 17, he started a life-long practice of visiting spas and drinking the mineral water. In his early 20s, he developed belly pain for the first time, and these terrible pains tormented him throughout the rest of his life. At age 31, while being acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest composers, he started to lose his hearing and became totally deaf at 42. Then he started manic-depressive rages. His friends described Beethoven as very gruff with a good sense of humor. Those who visited him didn’t know whether to expect him to be just charming or to go into irrational rage.

At age 57, he died of pneumonia, and a young Jewish musician named Ferdinand Hiller, snipped some hair from the head of Ludwig Van Beethoven and for a century, the hair was kept by descendants of the Hiller family. During the Holocaust, a Danish doctor named Kay Alexander Fremming helped rescue Jews by helping them reach Sweden by boat. The Hiller family gave the hair to Dr Fremming in gratitude for her heroic help. After Dr. Fremming died, her daughter consigned the hair for auction to Sotheby’s in London and 582 strands of hair, 3 to 6 inches long were sold for $7,300 to Ira Brilliant, Alfredo Guevera and other members of the Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies at California’s San Jose State University.
This week the results of special tests at the Argonne National Laboratory reported that Beethoven suffered from lead poisoning as his hair contained lead at more than 100 times the highest level of normal. Lead poisoning probably came from the mineral spas that he attended. Lead poisoning causes nerve damage and that could explain his deafness, brain damage and that explains his manic depression, horrible intestinal cramps to explain his terrible belly pain, and death.

Enjoy this short video of Beethoven – in the most unusual setting and for the most unusual purpose.

These elephants are all injured or disabled in some way.  Beethoven’s music was thought to be somewhat healing for them.

Do you find Beethoven’s music to be soothing music that relieves stress and anxiety- much like the elephants in this video? 

What’s your favorite piece from Beethoven?  Share please? 

President Lincoln

The Third Monday in February We Honor Our Past Presidents. 

President Washington

The two that come to mind are Washington and Lincoln.

That’s because prior to 1971 we actually had two Presidential Holidays – one for Lincoln on his birthday, which is February 12^th and one for Washington, whose birthday is February 22^nd.  President Nixon changed this in 1971 when he and the congress named the third Monday in February as President’s Day – a federal holiday.

Washington is the first President of our country.

He was the Commander of the American Army during the Revolutionary War.  Although many of us think of those times occurring in 1775, not many realize that our first President did not take office until 1789, some 14 years after this all started.  Washington governed only 13 states.  He was an experienced surveyor and a planter.  Prior to becoming a delegate to the Continental Congress, he served in the Virginia House of Burgesses.

The Virginia House of Burgesses

Lincoln was born about 10 years after Washington passed away. 

He came from a poor family and was mostly self-educated.  He had a string of failures in business and politics but was elected President in 1861.  He guided our country through the Civil War.  He was assassinated on April 15, 1865, a few days after Lee and his army surrendered.  His speeches were known to be simple and one in particular, the shortest speech ever made by a President and one of the greatest ever made by a President.

Mt. Rushmore

 National Park Service

Today there are many places one can go to celebrate President’s Day.  Just about every president has a monument or park or library in their honor.  Many of these are under the care of the National Park Service.  Any one of these places will have something going on for President’s Day.

Enjoy listening to Lincoln and his famous speech at Gettysburg.

What are your memories of President’s Day Celebrations, or, if you are old enough – Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday?

Cupid and Valentine’s Day – a great combination. 

Two Cupids aiming for your Heart

 Valentine

But how did they become entwined with each other?  St. Valentine is noted to be the origin of Valentine’s Day.  As with many Christian holidays, this one was designated in the 5^th century by Pope Gelasius.  It was to occur and replace Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman God of Agriculture and the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.

The God Faunus

Well you had to know the Gods would become involved in this somehow!

Cupid

OK – here’s where the Gods really come in.  Cupid was the son of Venus.  He had a mortal bride – Psyche.  Interesting name there?  Their story is also interesting and involves a lot of intrigue etc.  Eventually Psyche was made a Goddess because of her love and devotion to Cupid.

Cupid & Psyche

Fertility and Love

During the middle ages in France and England, it was the beginning of the bird’s mating season and this added to the idea that Valentine’s Day should be about romance.  There is no greater image of romance than that of Cupid with his arrow and two hearts pierced by Cupid’s arrow.

The Valentine

Valentine's Greeting Card

The first valentine was sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.  Several years later, King Henry V hired John Lydgate, a writer, to compose a valentine  for Catherine of Valois.  The Valentine has grown in popularity and is now holding 2^nd place for the most cards sent for a Holiday (the first being Christmas).

Enjoy this short video about Valentine’s Cards that should exist.

How did you celebrate Valentine’s Day?  Did you get any cards?  Enquiring Minds Want To Know!!!

Maxine and her author, John Wagner

Maxine…where do you come from?

From someone with a warped mind and sense of humor most likely!  Or perhaps someone who is quite ordinary?  Actually she is the product of one man’s imagination (yup – a man) with a little help from some real people.

John Wagner is the creator of Maxine.  He works at Hallmark and says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother.  He remembers doodling as a preschooler 
and says both his grandmother and his mother
 encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually 
attended the Vesper George School of Art in 
Boston and landed at Hallmark as part of a
 new artists group. With the birth of the 
humorous Shoebox Greetings 
(a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986, a new dimension was added to John’s 
professional life.

The Blame Game

“Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of 
the world; we just try to humanize them,”
he says. 

“If Maxine can get a laugh out of
 someone who feels lonely or someone who 
is getting older and hates the thought of 
another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal
relationships, then I’m happy. Putting a 
smile on someone’s face is what it’s all about.”

The Middle of the Road

 John Wagner’s “Old Lady”

When people at Shoebox 
started referring to the character as
”John Wagner’s old lady,” he knew that would 
not fly with his wife.  The Shoebox team had a contest among 
themselves to name the character and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested
”Maxine”.   John says the name is perfect.

    What does Maxine have to say about politics?  Well – here’s what she says….

Maxine on Bail Outs

Maxine on Health Care

The New Guy in the White House

Maxine’s Motto:

Live your life in such a way that in the morning,
when your feet hit the floor, Satan shudders and says…
“Oh Crap!  She’s awake!”

Enjoy this short video, compliments of Maxine -

What’s your favorite Maxine cartoon?  Share please?

Information for this post was taken from the following website;

http://www.tcnj.edu/~hofmann/Maxine/John_Wagner.htm

Part I

I love cats and have had them most of my life. 

As a psychologist I have enjoyed learning comparative psychology—the study of psychology across species.  For most of my adult life, my home has been an experimental lab for the feline species.

I currently have two 3 year old sister cats who are American shorthair breed, Mariah and Sophia.  They were raised in a shelter from the time they were weaned until last March, when they joined me in my home (lab).

Cat Cage

Sophia and Mariah on Guard

Since then they have been working on adapting to life in a household. 

Not an easy feat as previously they lived in a 6ft x 5ft x 6 ft wire cage with two or three other cats.  Being naturally curious about their environment, this was less than an ideal situation.  At first their claws kept getting caught on soft surfaces when they ran, which was humorous to watch.   They would have that look of surprise when they found themselves facing the opposite direction of where they were running.  Wonder what they thought with all their freedom to explore everything and anything?

They hid in my bedroom for the first two weeks. 

Perhaps fearing their new found freedom to “roam about” the premises, hiding most likely felt like security to them.  I didn’t let them have access to the rest of the house because of my fear of what they would get into that wouldn’t occur to me that I should cat proof.  I used rope lights and cheap mirrors that normally hang on doors to light up and make visually accessible spots under furniture where they hid.  I wonder what they thought the first time they saw those lights and mirrors.  Then I would coax them out at night when I would come home, with those toys with feathers on a string attached to a wand.

Feather Cat Toy with a Wand

If I could get them used to me in places they felt safe, I could slowly get them to accept my petting them. 

One cat was more social then the other.  Both cats would panic if picked up.  I’m sure everyone knows what a cat does when panicked, especially if you are trying to hold them…ouchy ouchy ouchy.

Here’s a short video on the American Shorthair Breed of cat.

Tune in again to find out how they are doing in their new surroundings in my home (lab).

Taz - the embodiment of mischief!

Afterall the Ground Hog only gives an overall opinion.  And everyone knows the “devil” is in the details – pardon the pun.

How did this unusual ritual come to be such a big deal? 

And how did a place called Punxsutawney get the honor for this ritual?  Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is a small town in west central Pennsylvania.  The name comes from the Indian name “ponksad-uteney” which means “the town of the sandflies”.  Woodchuck comes from the Indian legend of “Wojak, the groundhog” considered by the Indians to be their ancestral grandfather.  Hmm – what does “the Town of the Sandflies” have to do with a groundhog?  Scratching my head on this one….

Punxsutawney was settled by Germans in the 1700s.  They brought a tradition, known as Candlemas Day, with them.

Candelmas Day in Denmark

Candlemas was seen as the midpoint between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.  Its early origin is the pagan celebration of Imbolc.  The superstition comes from the idea that if the weather is fair, the second half of winter would be stormy and cold.  In Europe it was customary for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to people in the dark of winter.  A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home.  If the sun came out February 2^nd, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.  Well…where does the badger/groundhog come into play here?  Still scratching my head….

The old English Saying:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Winter has another flight.

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

Winter will not come again.

In Germany, they watched a badger (a badger – are you kidding?) for the shadow.  In Pennsylvania, they chose to awaken a groundhog.  Anyone ever try to get close to a badger, much less pick it up?  They are one mean animal when aroused.  So give the immigrants from Germany some credit for being smart about this.  So, there is the connection between Candlemas and the animal.

Pennsylvania’s official celebration began on 2-2-1886 with a proclamation in the local press.

“Today is groundhog day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow.”  The beast (really???) was given it’s name ‘Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sages of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary.”  The town was thus named “Weather Capital of the World.”  This whole ritual happens, since 1887, in a particular spot called Gobbler’s Knob.  One wonders why they didn’t use a turkey? ;0)

The Inner Circle in Gobbler's Knob

How many of you remember the movie, “Groundhog Day” from 1993 with Bill Murray.  A classic.  If you have not seen it, find it, rent it or buy it and enjoy.  The movie created a lot of interest in Punxsutawney and the Groundhog Day ritual.  Every year the ritual draws more and more people.  The town itself has a population of under 7,000.  On Groundhog Day you will find well over 35,000 in attendance.  Just wondering – where do they all stay?

A groundhog is actually a woodchuck. 

I know – how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?  Couldn’t resist putting that in here….  The wood chuck is a member of the Marmota Monax species from the family of Sciuridae and the order of Rodentia and the class known as mammal.  Check in next Groundhog Day for more information the Woodchuck.

The Groundhog

In case you are in doubt about the crowds and the ritual, watch this short video of the ritual of 2012.  Someone in Punxsutawney is pretty smart about marketing this day – all around the world.  Watch for the Inner Circle and how they perform this ceremony.  Check back next year for more on the “Inner Circle”.  Enjoy the video.

How did you celebrate Groundhog Day?  What is your prediction for the rest of Winter?

Information obtained from the following websites:
www.groundhog-day.123holiday.net
www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm
www.infoplease.com/spot/groundhogday1.html
www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/woodchuck.htm
www.groundhog.org

The Heart Muscle and Coronary artieries

Although a lot of progress has been made, heart attacks are still the leading killer of men and women in the United States.  1.2 million people in the United States have heart attacks each year.  Many die but more could survive if they got help faster.

Acting fast can save a life and limit damage to the heart.  Symptoms can include but are not limited to:  Chest pain or discomfort; upper body discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach; shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort; nausea, vomiting, light-headedness or sudden dizziness, or breaking out in a cold sweat.

Do you know what to do if someone near you goes down with a heart attack?  Hopefully someone near you will know how to do CPR.  What if no one else is around you that can help?  And do you know that CPR is not the recommended procedure anymore for heart attacks.  Now you can apply CCC.  That stands for Continuous Chest Compression.  Continuous Chest Compression can be done by anyone with no training whatsoever.  Although it is somewhat like CPR, it is not the same.  This new procedure was pioneered in Arizona at the Sarver Heart Center.   Through the SHARE (Save Hearts in Arizona Research and Education) program, research shows a higher survival rate when CC is used versus CPR.  CPR is still better than nothing but is fast becoming the second choice for bystanders who want to help.  Please note that CPR – the traditional method – is still recommended for respiratory arrest.

This short video illustrates how to use CCC.

I hope you learned something new today – I sure did!  Please leave your comments about this new procedure and let us know what you think?