Soon Phil and I will be Minnesota Bound. We are both excited to be going home. Not that it has not been a nice winter away from the cold and snow, but it has also been a long winter, at least for me.
I hope you will read this Blog and enjoy the photos I have taken. Comments of all kinds would be welcomed and appreciated.
HERE WE ARE!
OUR NEW, GOOD FRIEND, JACK, TOOK THIS PHOTO ( BELOW) AT THE ” GOING AWAY” PARTY EARLIER THIS MONTH. MOST PEOPLE WHO COME TO FLORIDA FOR THE COLD WINTER MONTHS ARE SOON RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES AWAY FROM FLORIDA. THIS GET-TOGETHER WAS FOR ALL OF US WHO WILL BE LEAVING. JACK & NANCY ARE GOOD PEOPLE AND WE ARE HAPPY TO ADD THEM TO OUR LIST OF FLORIDA FRIENDS. THEY ARE FROM SPOKANE, WA AND WILL SOON BE LEAVING TOO FOR THEIR DESTINATION.
PHIL AND I SHOULD ARRIVE IN GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA SOME TIME IN THE FIRST PART OF MAY. FIRST WE WILL DRIVE FROM LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA (WHERE WE SPENT THE WINTER MONTHS) TO ORLANDO TO ATTEND AN EVENT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT. PHIL’S SON, DANIEL AND A FRIEND, HAVE WRITTEN A MUSICAL THAT WILL OPEN AT THE REPATORY THEATER IN ORLANDO. FOR THE OPENING OF THE PLAY, PICKLE CHIFFON PIE. THIS IS PRETTY EXCITING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE BIG EVENT.
I want to introduce you to Codette. She and her husband are from Quebec, Canada. They have a condo where Phil and I have been staying this winter in Lauderhill, Florida. Codette knits a dozen or more of these beautiful little gowns each winter when they are here. She gives them to hospitals so that babies who are born dead or die soon after birth have one of these beautiful knitted gowns to be tucked into when parents view their baby and in which to bury them. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this woman who does this….and her husband who gives her the time to do so.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, there may be hope for us older folks.
The director of the George Washington University School of Medicine argues that the brain of an older person is much more practical than is commonly believed. At this age, the interaction of the right and left hemispheres of the brain becomes harmonious, which expands our creative possibilities. That is why among people over 60 years of age you can find many personalities who have just started their creative activities.
Of course, the brain is no longer as fast as it was in youth. However, it gains in flexibility. Therefore, with age, we are more likely to make the right decisions and are less exposed to negative emotions. The peak of human intellectual activity occurs around the age of 70, when the brain begins to function at full strength.
Over time, the amount of myelin in the brain increases, a substance that facilitates the rapid passage of signals between neurons. Due to this, intellectual abilities increase by 300% compared to the average.
Also interesting is the fact that after 60 years, a person can use 2 hemispheres at the same time. This allows you to solve much more complex problems.
Professor Monchi Uri, from the University of Montreal, believes that the old man’s brain chooses the path that consumes less energy, eliminates the unnecessary and leaves only the right options to solve the problem. A study was conducted involving different age groups. Young people were very confused when passing the tests, while those over 60 years of age made the right decisions.
Now, let’s look at the characteristics of the brain between the ages of 60 and 80. They are really pink.
*CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BRAIN OF AN ELDERLY PERSON.*
1. Neurons in the brain do not die, as everyone around you says. The connections between them simply disappear if one does not engage in mental work.
2. Distraction and forgetfulness arise due to an overabundance of information. Therefore, it is not necessary for you to concentrate your whole life on unnecessary trifles.
3. From the age of 60, a person, when making decisions, does not use one hemisphere at the same time, like young people, but both.
4. Conclusion: if a person leads a healthy lifestyle, moves, has viable physical activity and is fully mentally active, intellectual abilities do NOT decrease with age, they simply GROW, reaching a peak at the age of 80-90 years .
So do not be afraid of old age. Strive to develop intellectually. Learn new crafts, make music, learn to play musical instruments, paint pictures! Dance! Take an interest in life, meet and communicate with friends, plan for the future, travel as best you can. Do not forget to go to shops, cafes, shows. Don’t shut up alone, it’s destructive to anyone. Live with the thought: all good things are still ahead of me!
SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine.
Here is Phil wearing his Mask. Here in Florida we do not need to wear them. I think I took this photo on our trip down here. We wore masks when we first arrived, but no more. We are “mask-less” unless required!
LET’S TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Let’s take back our Freedoms.
Let’s take back our Justice.
Let’s take back our Bill of Rights.
Let’s take back our Pride.
Let’s take back our Togetherness.
Let’s take back our Southern Border.
Let’s take back our Troops.
Let’s take back our Faith
Let’s take back our Constitution.
FLORIDA GRAPEFRUIT & TOMATOES
The huge pink (yes, there is pink), or red, grapefruit have been absolutely wonderful. I can hardly wait until breakfast to eat one. They are sweet and full of juice. Both Phil and I have 1/2 each morning and sometimes we sneak in another half during the day. If you take a Statin, check on the internet to see if the one you take interacts with Grapefruit. Some do, some don’t.
And the tomatoes have also been wonderful. If you select fresh, field-grown tomatoes between October and June, chances are they’re from Florida, where they grow half of each year’s domestic tomato production.
Tomatoes are one of the three most popular vegetables. We eat more than 20 pounds per person per year according to the USDA. They are an excellent source of Vitamin A and C, contribute to our need for potassium, folate and some B vitamins. A medium tomato has less than 35 calories, no fat or sodium. Yum! Yum! You can Marinate, Roast, Broil or Grill, or Pan Fry them. Or use them as Shells filled with whatever you wish.
MAILING BABIES: In 1913 the U.S. Post Office legally delivered babies and toddlers through the mail. The babies were carried in huge maibags along with the letter mail. The rate of postage was far less than a train ticket. One article read like this….. “Little 3-year-old Maude Smith looked pretty in pink. A shipping tag was attached to her pink frock – on one side was attached 33 cents in postage stamps; on the other side was the following: ‘To Mrs. Celina Smith, care Jim Haddix, Jackson, KY from R.K. Madden, Caney, KY’.” This practice was abolished in 1914, however, babies were still being delivered through the mail until 1920. The sending of children and toddlers through the US Mail showed the trust people put into their rural mailcarriers. I wonder if anyone ever received “wet” mail?
GARDEN SEEDS
I ordered my garden seeds online and asked my good neighbor if they could be delivered to her home. My concern was that by the time Phil and I arrived at home, there would not be much seed selection left in the stores. The seeds arrived at her home safely. Thanks good neighbor.
One of the many ducks/geese we see here in Florida is this Egyptian Goose. Isn’t he handsome with his “black” eye? There are 21 different kinds of ducks in Florida. Below i a grass green iguna. Very shy as you can see, but look for the end of his tail. He is a long one.
Saw this fancy insect and it seemed to be doing morning exercises. He sat still long enough for me to take this photo.
THOUGHT THIS WAS CUTE::: When a person has worked in the garden, at the end of the day they should smell like DIRT!! I am sure there are lots of times Phil thinks I smell like dirt after I have been doing my “farmgirl” thing.
MOCKINGBIRDS
Phil and I have enjoyed being serenaded by Florida’s Mockingbirds singing at the top of their lungs while we have been in the pool. When mating, they sing all day long mimicing songs and calls of other birds, car alarms, musical instruments and most other noises they hear. Amazing. Their name means “many-tongued mimic” – certainly appropriate. Many of us will remember Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird – the famous novel about race and the loss of innocence. Not only is the Mockingbird Florida’s State Bird, but it also the state bird of Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee.
Did some artwork this winter using my tatted flowers and watercolors. Really love the fine detail needed to make these cards and bookmarks. Also did a few watercolors.
Nature’s flowers are not always perfect and neither are mine!
Bookmarks for Kids Helps to Keep Them Reading
MAN ON A MISSION (Not to Mars, but to Twitter)
I am pleased that Elon Musk’s utimate goal is to buy Twitter and preserve our Right to Free Speech. Elon Musk says “Free Speech is essential to a functioning Democracy.” I sure can’t disagree with that statement.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Of course, they do, but it seems BLM has built a “House of Cards” with their $9 million donations. I think they began as a good movement, however, they have not done anything to help the black community since the George Floyd death. It just gave hoodlums the right to burn and loot.
GARDENIA
With their captivating fragrance and deep green foliage, the beautiful white Gardenias in Florida bloom and rebloom all summer long. There are different types of Gardenias, but it seems the variety we have is called “Fool Proof.” The blossoms are double and pure white. They have just begun to bloom and I enjoy “sticking my nose in” – where it belongs!!
Minneapolis is known for many interesting facts. One is that the great Mississippi River starts rolling its way down to the Gulf of Mexico almost “trickling” out of Lake Itaska near Bemidji, Minnesota. And we have more freshwater lakes than any other state. Wisconsin is a close second. We also have more theaters per capita than New York City.
Now we have the tallest family and the 5 members of the Trapps Family have been entered into the Guinness World Book of Records. The shortest family member is Mom Krissy who is 6’3″. The youngest Adam is the tallest at 7’3″ with Dad, Sisters Savanna, and Molly in-between. End to end, they measure 1/2 the length of a regular tennis court. To qualify for the GWB, they needed to be measured 3 times throughout the day, both lying down and standing up. They made it. I notice they all have their shoes off.
Adam (the tallest) says he does as we all do – puts his pants on one leg at a time. The only difference is that his pants have really long legs. Love the Minnesota Grown tee shirts. Congratulations to the Trapps Family.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
Phil and I always thank every member of our Military we meet for their service, and hope all of you do the same. When I think of the sacrifices they and their families make, it is imperative to help them in any way we can even if it is to acknowledge with a heartfelt thank you.
If you like reading about wilderness adventures, don’t miss this one. I could hardly put it down. This guy has “trekked” thousands of miles, primarily alone, in remote wilderness places around the globe. When I think of the miles he has walked, my feet get tired! Written in a fun, educational, interesting way, I know you will enjoy it. And if you have a suggestion for a good read for me, I am listening.
MY HERO
THIS MAN IS MY HERO. EVERYTHING I HAVE HEARD HIM SAY MAKES COMMON SENSE TO ME.
He is Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana. I am paraphrasing what he said, but I took pretty good notes. My notes say he said:
- Republicans are not performing.
- Most of the other side is crazy.
- Our Leader is Biden who is almost a perfect example of ineptitude.
- More government
- Higher taxes
- Weaker Military
- Abortion on demand
- Turning cops into social workers
- Defund police (now “their” minds are changing)
- More spending
- More debt
Why is this happening? Then Senator Kennedy said that there are some smart people in the top of our government, but the Biden Administration are run by the Wokers who hate George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Zeus and Mr. Potato Head. They hate America and want to beat the crap out of it. They call us racists, misogynists, think they are more virtuous than we are, and tell us to shut up and listen to them.
They blame Inflation on Covid, greedy businesses, unemployment, Putin, and before we know it, they will be blaming inflation on a bat!!
This is why many in the Biden Administration do not trust the Biden Administration.
When a Honey Bun costs $20 and the homeless are on the beach eating seaweed, most Americans are going to blame Biden – as they should.
My comment is that I agree with all of Senator Kennedy’s comments. I feel sorry for President Biden because I believe he has been “used” and now is in a mental decline. He is confused when he wanders around the stage after a speech and has difficulty remembering words. I have also heard there are concerns about the mental decline of Senator Diane Feinstein. Who will be next?
Bottom Line: We need to remove the people who have been in Congress for so many years.
We need TERM LIMITS.
BE SURE TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER.
That’s it for this time. I hope you take the time to read what I have written and to look at the photos I have taken. Doing this Blog is great enjoyment for me, but time-consuming as I don’t really know for sure what I am doing. I would love to hear any comments you have either in agreement or disagreement. They all have value. If you have a comment you would like added to my next Blog, either annoymous or known, I would be happy to include it. Now I need to pack a few more things. Headed home soon.
Anne Pink Long
(I really like my maiden name of Pink and have decided to use it wherever I can.)