Month: December 2024

The Welcome Man ~ A Poem by Walt Mason

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The Welcome Man

Walt Mason

There’s a man in the world who is never turned down,
Wherever he chances to stray;
he gets the glad hand in the populous town,
or out where the farmers make hay;
he’s greeted with pleasure on deserts of sand,
and deep in the aisles of the woods;
wherever he goes there’s the welcoming hand
—he’s The Man Who Delivers the Goods.

The failures of life sit around and complain;
the gods haven’t treated them white;
they’ve lost their umbrellas whenever there’s rain,
and they haven’t their lanterns at night;
men tire of the failures who fill with their sighs
the air of their own neighborhoods;
there’s one who is greeted with love-lighted eyes
—he’s The Man Who Delivers the Goods.

One fellow is lazy, and watches the clock,
and waits for the whistle to blow;
and one has a hammer, with which he will knock,
and one tells a story of woe;
and one, if requested to  travel a mile,
will measure the perches and roods;
but one does his stunt with a whistle or smile
—he’s The Man Who Delivers the Goods.

One man is afraid that he’ll labor too hard—
The world isn’t yearning for such;
and one man is always alert, on his guard,
lest he put in a minute too much;
and one has a grouch or a temper that’s bad,
and one is a creature of moods;
so it’s hey for the joyous and rollicking lad
— for the One Who Delivers the Goods!

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Give Your Body a Break Before it Breaks

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Today’s Great Healthy Tip

Rest is essential; give your muscles time to recover after workouts.

I have a good friend, who, like me, is a gym rat. The difference between us is that he goes for it 7 days a week. I take the weekends off. He also does some incredible workouts, which I do not try to replicate. Here’s his problem. For the past two years he’s been in and out of doctor offices with one thing after another. He doesn’t take time to give his body a chance to recover. We all need recovery time, whether it’s from work or exercise. Be nice to yourself you deserve it. Take a break.

How Grief Transforms the Soul ~ Episode 159

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There’s a Way Through

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Have you ever taken a new position and realized once you started you were in over your head? Man, I can tell you stories. I’ve done it more than once. There was no turning back. I was married and had five young children. That was motivation enough for me. I did the only thing I knew how to do, I worked hard. When working hard wasn’t working, I worked even harder. There were times when I accused myself of making a bad decision, but I worked on. Eventually, I started to see progress. I began to understand the work culture and figure out the important parts of my new job. I never complained publicly but my sainted wife caught an earful. God bless her. When you can’t look back, the only direction you can go is forward. When times like this hit, work hard. You’ll hit and miss. Keep working at it. You’ll get it right. And, you’ll understand what author Paulo Coelho meant when he wrote, “You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.”

Anagram Challenge

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Daily anagram challenge! Sharpen your brain 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: 

QUIZ START

You Can See a Lot More by Standing Out on the Edge

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I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can’t see from the center. ~ Kurt Vonnegut

Look at Me ~ A Poem by Theodor Seuss Geisel

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Look at Me

Theodor Seuss Geisel

Look at me!
Look at me!
Look at me NOW!
It is fun to have fun
But you have
to know how.

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Healthy Foods & Recipes: Red Peppers

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Four Healthy Reasons to Include Red Peppers in Your Diet

  1. Rich in Vitamins and Antioxidants
    Red peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C (more than oranges!) and vitamin A, which support immune health, skin health, and vision. They also contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene, which help combat oxidative stress.
  2. Low in Calories, High in Fiber
    Red peppers are low in calories but high in fiber, making them an ideal choice for weight management while supporting healthy digestion.
  3. Boosts Heart Health
    The capsaicin in red peppers (even in mild varieties) has been linked to reducing blood pressure and improving circulation, promoting cardiovascular health.
  4. Supports Eye Health
    Red peppers are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two carotenoids that help protect the eyes from age-related degeneration and improve overall vision health.

Healthy and Easy Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper and Chickpea Salad

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 2 large red bell peppers
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas (or canned, rinsed and drained)
  • 1 small red onion, finely sliced
  • 1 cup baby spinach leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: crumbled feta cheese or toasted sunflower seeds for topping

Instructions

  1. Roast the Red Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the red peppers into quarters, remove seeds, and place them on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the skins are slightly charred. Let them cool, then peel off the skins and slice into strips.
  2. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
  3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, roasted red pepper strips, red onion, and baby spinach.
  4. Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
  5. Serve and Garnish: Top with crumbled feta cheese or toasted sunflower seeds, if desired. Serve as a light main dish or a flavorful side.

This salad is packed with nutrients and vibrant flavors, showcasing red peppers as a versatile and healthy ingredient.

Source: ChatGPT

Great Healthy Tips: Make Fitness Fun

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Today’s Great Healthy Tip:

Engage in activities you enjoy, like dancing or swimming, to make fitness fun.

We tend to stay with something we enjoy. I’m a good swimmer and I like swimming, but I don’t go swimming. There’s lots of reasons I stay out of the pool. Chlorine is one of them. Instead I do weights M W F and Monday through Friday I try to wear out the elliptical machine for 50 minutes each day, I’ve tried a number of different weight machines. One of my favorites is the pull up assist machine. Not too many people use it, but it works for me. Find things that work for you and go for it.

Get That Peaceful Easy Feeling

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How is your day going? I’m off to a great start. I am writing this post before I head to the gym. It’s early morning. I’ve done my stretching, child pose and sleeping baby. I did the plank, full bridges and one legged bridges. I showered and dressed for the gym. I made coffee, ate oatmeal and a side dish of blueberries, I made oatmeal yesterday and put it in two bowls in the fridge (I really like cold oatmeal with cinnamon and drizzled honey). Now I working on my blog. I am grateful for a good night’s sleep, a hot shower, being able to exercise (I find great joy in exercising), my hot coffee and oatmeal. I’m grateful for this blog and for those who read it. When I take the time to be grateful, I feel a peaceful easy feeling covering me. It’s a good space to be in. I agree with William Arthur Ward who wrote, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

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