Shower Bug

 On Saturdays I meet up with some friends for some friendly conversation and watercolor painting. We meet locally, one of the buildings here has a common area between stores. They have plenty of tables and some games out for customers to use.

This one Saturday, in the middle of my painting time, I receive a call from the child. She is in a panic and is talking a mile a minute. There are tears, a few screams and some pleas. My friend could hear some of the screams crying conversation. I immediately switched gears and put my mediator hat on and proceed to calmly talk her off the ledge.

The story goes...The child went to take a shower. While in the shower, she turns and notices a house centipede (long bug with lots of legs) on the shower curtain. Apparently, she jumped out of the shower, screaming. The bug is huge (she sent me a photo and yes, it's still on my phone - scary!). In my calm voice, I tell her she is a lot bigger than the bug and she can kill it. I wait for her to find something to kill the bug. She tries to waterboard it and finds that it is too big to go down the drain. And, yes, I tell her to grab some tissue, pick him up and toss him.

Once all is done and we are calming down I say, "Would you like to say a few words? I mean, he (the bug) didn't know he was big, ugly and scary. He probably has a family. Maybe we can say a few words to remember him." Between tears I get, "He's cute. I'm sad that I had to kill him. I'm sorry! I'm so much bigger than him. I feel sad."

The story isn't just about the bug and the fear. It's much bigger. It's about being faced with a problem (a bug, in this situation) and how you can handle it. Sometimes you can use a calming voice from the outside and a little encouragement. In the end, you find that you are able to handle all that comes your way. You also prove that you are fearless and brave. And, you also just saved your mom from said bug. (EEK!)

Music

Have you ever listened to a song and a memory comes to mind? Or maybe the song starts playing and a person, place or event comes to mind? I have a few songs that make the cut on these memories. 

The song, "Rio" by Duran Duran brings back memories of a dance routine my friend and I did to get extra credit in PE class in high school. It involved a lot of dancing, laughing and almost getting my head knocked off. We got to listen and dance to our favorite band at school plus we got full credit. A win-win for us.

There's the song, "Unforgettable," by Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole that I danced to with my dad at my wedding. My dad isn't much of a dancer so all I remember is him talking about how cute my nieces were walking down the aisle as flower girls. I also got to hear him say the classic line to me, during the dance, "Boy, this is a real long song!" It cracks me up because every time I hear that song, I think of that line.  

When I thought of this prompt, the song, "Rocket Man" by Elton John was playing at work. That's the song that I would play in the car after I gave Pippen CBD to calm him down before we went on a road trip. I pictured his mind, worries and anxiety jetting off into space. 

What songs bring back memories for you?

National Iced Tea Day

"One minute you're defending the whole galaxy, and then suddenly you are sucking down Darjeeling Tea with Marie Antoinette and her little sister."  Buzz Lightyear 

Tea has been around for a long time. Iced tea didn't win America over until the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. It happened to be a very hot day in St. Louis and Richard Blechynden, a tea plantation owner, started selling chilled tea drinks as a nice cold refreshment. And, as they say, the rest is history. 

Benefits of drinking tea (hot or iced):

A great and tasty way to boost your antioxidants

Healthy substitute for soda

How to celebrate the day:

Drink it like a Southerner. Steep some sweet tea, park yourself on the front porch and relax.

Host an iced tea party. Serve up some tea with little tea cookies.

Brew up a unique blend of iced tea

Don't forget to use #NationalIcedTeaDay on your social media posts.

I'm thinking of having a white blueberry iced tea today. What tea will you make and drink today? 

The Covid Haircut

When you think of Covid you think of Covid-19, the year 2020, Pandemic, Lockdown and Quarantine. Something that happened six years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?

I went to get my haircut recently in my small town. "Small town," that's important. I have a tendency to wait a little too long between haircuts (4-6 months?) and my hair gets a little too long. It's at the point where it's overgrown and has no style to it. I asked the stylist if she had any suggestions for my hair. I knew I really needed a cut and it would look better, but I was trying to be friendly and start a conversation. I figured, why not get a few tips, have a conversation and make the time pass as she cuts my hair, right? Such was not the case.

The conversation started out friendly. She mentioned the dryness can be anything to do with age or even the weather (it was a rough winter). The stylist told me that her mother-in-law asked about dry hair and her hair falling out. "I told her that she's old, and that's what happens when you age. I told her it could be the weather because it's winter. but then I got real with her. I told her it's because she took the Covid shot and that her hair will never be the same again. The covid shot messes with your follicles." 

I was hoping for some tips, instead I got a rant about her mother-in-law and the "effects of the covid vaccine," according to this hair stylist.

I didn't know what to say. I was just trying to make some a little small talk to make the time go by quickly. I didn't want to discuss Covid or the effects of Covid / Covid Vaccine, especially when she has a pair of sharp scissors in her hands and is cutting my hair. I was hoping for a good haircut with some friendly conversation.

What did I do? I let her rant about Covid. She then asked what shampoo I use on my hair. I told her and she immediately tells me that (the one I use) has sulfates and is like putting floor cleaner on my hair.* She then decided that I needed to buy the shampoo that they sell. I said I would think about it.

I'm happy to report that I survived the ordeal and actually got a good haircut. This happened a few months ago and I am due for another haircut. I'm asking for patience and prayers at this time.

Have you ever experienced a strange conversation while getting your hair cut?

*The shampoo that I use is all natural and does not have sulfates, parabens, etc. I do my research on the products that I use.

Repeat Day

"Pete and Repeat were in a boat, Pete fell out, who was left?"

Today is Repeat Day! Today is Repeat Day!

A day set aside to repeat an activity or adventure you already experienced. Maybe it's another visit to a spa, a trip to a favorite winery or reservations at your favorite restaurant. Repeating something can be wonderful, especially if it's an activity we love.   

How to celebrate the day:

Make a reservation - at your favorite restaurant or spa.

Repeat a donation to your favorite charity

Repeat a favorite workout or hike

Make and eat your favorite meal

Watch a favorite movie. Maybe Groundhog day?

Don't forget to tag on social media #RepeatDay

What fun activity do you have planned for today?

National Dare Day

"Truth, Dare, Double Dare, Promise or Repeat?"

Today is National Dare Day! Today gives you the perfect opportunity to break out of your comfort zone and do something different. Maybe you are a person of routine? this gives you the perfect excuse to try something new. Dare to be different!

I had a difficult time finding the origin of this day, but it might be along the lines of that childhood game Truth or Dare. Challenging another person to perform a difficult task and having the courage to perform said task. This is not a day for bullying someone into doing something, it's to have fun while doing some daring (fun, safe and legal) activities.

How to celebrate Dare Day: 

Play Truth or Dare

Do something challenging. Bungee jumping, surf boarding, kayaking.

Dare your friends to go on an adventure. A hike? Climb a mountain or sand dune? Go skiing?

Some fun dares: 

perform a rap song

write a poem or limerick

learn a new dance (or go dancing)

kiss someone

Don't forget to tag your posts on social media #DareDay

What will you do today?

Doctor availability in a small beach town

 I never thought about medical care in a small town. We moved to a small beach town and my thoughts were all on the location. Close to the beach and the cute downtown area. My last thoughts were, "Will I be able to find a doctor in the area?"

My first incident was with frozen shoulder, which happened to occur right before my trip to Europe. How convenient. I was asked for my current doctor, which happens to be the one in the town I just moved from. I made a mental note that I should find a doctor here in the area. I did a little research when I returned from my trip. I noticed that there isn't a huge selection of doctors here. Most of the doctors are, "not accepting new patients." I gave up on my search, hoping I could just stay healthy and not need any medical help.

A few months later I developed an ingrown toenail. Unfortunately, I ignored the problem for awhile thinking it must be one of my weird foot pains. I eventually looked at it and started to treat it. A foot soak. One foot soak to be exact. That should make it better, right? We have a lot going on at the moment and its quite easy for me to ignore the pain and keep moving. It all came to a head the Friday before a holiday weekend. I tried to get in to a foot specialist. It turns out that they decided to take the Friday before the holiday off but will call me to schedule an appointment, possibly for the next week or two. Do I wait till the following week or try to see someone now? What if my toe falls off before I make it in to the appointment? I decided to take the plunge and see someone at another facility. I found out that it was a swollen nail bed. Easily treatable and no vanishing toe.

I remember my grandparents visiting the doctor regularly. It seemed like they were going every week. I guess as we age we encounter more and more "weird" health issues which have us making a little trip to the doctor's office. 

Have you noticed an increase in weird medical issues (aches, pains, stiff neck, skin condition, etc.) as you age?