Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously. ~ St. Francis of Assisi
Month: August 2024
Today’s Poem: here’s to opening and upward by e. e. cummings
here’s to opening and upward
e. e. cummings
here’s to opening and upward, to leaf and to sap
and to your(in my arms flowering so new)
self whose eyes smell of the sound of rain
and here’s to silent certainly mountains;and to
a disappearing poet of always,snow
and to morning;and to morning’s beautiful friend
twilight(and a first dream called ocean)and
let must or if be damned with whomever’s afraid
down with ought with because with every brain
which thinks it thinks,nor dares to feel(but up
with joy;and up with laughing and drunkenness)
here’s to one undiscoverable guess
of whose mad skill each world of blood is made
(whose fatal songs are moving in the moon
Health Facts: Want to Stay Healthy? Take Time to Wash Your Hands
Here are two lesser-known but important facts about handwashing:
- Handwashing Helps Prevent the Spread of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Proper handwashing can help reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When we frequently wash our hands with soap and water, we remove bacteria from our skin that could potentially contribute to the spread of these resistant strains. If bacteria are regularly removed before they have the chance to multiply and spread, it reduces the likelihood of them transferring to other people or surfaces.
- Handwashing Is More Effective with Friction and Duration: Many people don’t realize that simply rinsing hands under water isn’t enough. The friction created by rubbing your hands together while washing, along with the duration of washing (at least 20 seconds), is crucial for dislodging and removing germs. This mechanical action, combined with soap’s ability to break down oils and contaminants, ensures that more germs are effectively removed from the skin.
Today’s Joke: Joe Disagrees with His Psychologist
Joe: “My psychologist told me I’m suffering from delusional thoughts.”
Pete: “What did you say to your Psychologist?”
Joe: “I said, ‘No I’m not. I’m enjoying every minute of them.”
Today’s Thought: Give Them Something to Talk About
A friend asked me the other day if I liked to dance. I said that I enjoy dancing. My friend then asked me what kind of dances I like to do. I said, ‘When I feel the music I go out on the floor and have fun.” My friend pressed on, ‘No, I mean specific dance types.’ I said, ‘My dancing genre is fun and joy. I don’t have time to think about the rest of it.” Then my friend asked, “Do you care what other people will think?” I quoted a Bonnie Raitt hit song, “I’ll give them something to talk about.” Get on the dance floor. Have fun, enjoy life, don’t worry about what other people think. Give them something to talk about.
Brain Teaser Alert: Can You Decode This Anagram?
Welcome to our daily anagram challenge! Test your word-solving skills with today’s anagram puzzle. Unscramble the letters to reveal the hidden word or phrase, and submit your answer to see if you’re correct. Happy puzzling!
Today’s Anagram:
Today’s Quote: Experience is a Teacher
Everyone gets the experience. Some get the lesson. ~ T. S. Eliot
Today’s Poem: A World Worth Living In by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
A World Worth Living In
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
One who claims that he knows about it
Tells me the earth is a vale of sin;
But I and the bees, and the birds we doubt it,
And think it a world worth living in.
——
Whatever you want, if you wish for it long,
With constant yearning and ceaseless desire,
If your wish soars upward on wings so strong
That they never grow languid, never tire,
Why, over the storm cloud and out of the dark
It will come flying some day to you,
As the dove with the olive branch flew to the ark,
And the wish you’ve been dreaming,
it will come true.
Health Facts: Maintain Muscle Strength as You Age
Maintaining muscle strength becomes crucial for overall health and functionality. Here are two lesser-known but important facts about retaining muscle strength:
- Protein Timing Matters: It’s not just the amount of protein you consume, but also the timing that can influence muscle maintenance as you age. Consuming protein evenly distributed throughout the day, rather than in one large dose, can be more effective in stimulating muscle protein synthesis. Research suggests that aiming for about 20-30 grams of high-quality protein at each meal can help maintain muscle mass and function.
- Eccentric Exercises Are Key: While traditional strength training is well-known for muscle maintenance, eccentric exercises—where you focus on the lengthening phase of a muscle contraction—are particularly effective for older adults. These exercises help preserve muscle mass and strength by enhancing the muscle’s ability to handle heavier loads and reducing muscle soreness. Examples include lowering weights slowly during bicep curls or descending slowly during squats.
Incorporating these strategies into your routine can significantly impact your muscle health as you age.
Today’s Joke: Joe’s on a New Diet
Joe: “I’ve been on a new diet for a week.”
Pete: “How’s it working?”
Joe: “I drink beer whenever I’m thirsty. So far I’ve lost three days.”
