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Dine Out for No Kid Hungry in September
September 4, 2015
— 3 Comments
Dine Out
During the month of September No Kid Hungry is sponsoring a drive with participating restaurants in the US. Each restaurant decides how to reward the customer for donating. Since we are regular restaurant patrons we like to enjoy a good deal and contribute to a group effort to feed the children of America when this opportunity presents itself. Some places offer gift cards for future visits, others match the patron’s donation. To find restaurants near you, and learn what the special offers are go to No Kid Hungry.
This year the restaurant most appealing to our palettes near home is Romano’s Macaroni Grill. We have enjoyed meals at this well run chain very much in the past. Both my carnivore craft beer drinking partner and my vegetarian cocktail drinking self have plenty of choices on the menu. They make fresh pasta, and I remember the pizza is good too. The offer they are making for the entire month is excellent. What is not to like? Take your friends out to eat this month. Every dollar raised helps feed a kid up to ten meals. Everyone needs to eat. For some of us it is much easier than it is for others. Please help end childhood hunger in America by patronizing great restaurants this month.
No Kid Hungry Dine Out
Back to Class-Fall for Fitness
August 30, 2015
— 3 Comments
Tucson Racquet Club
I enjoy my membership at the Tucson Racquet and Fitness Club very much. The facility is open 24 hours and is kept clean by a friendly and competent staff. As a steam room fan I am mighty particular about the cleanliness of our spa. The indoor jacuzzi/steam area is thoroughly cleaned, and the water in the jacuzzi drained and replaced twice a week. I have worked at fancy expensive spas that do not maintain such a level of attention to cleaning spa facilities. The steam room is the only one I have seen with a view of outdoors. The natural light and view of the mountains adds to the pleasant steam experience for me.
The Racquet Club an open, family oriented place with acres of space for recreation. The tennis, handball and volleyball teams are active. Pickleball and even a ping pong table add extra fun for the competitive sport. Two olympic sized heated pools provide plenty of room for lap swimming and classes at the same time. The cooler lap pool is shaded from the Arizona sun. Since I use the private pool at my condo village I have not used the pools very much. In the 7 years I have been a member I have taken two classes. I am happy to do my own thing in the weight room without a set time. This has suited my lifestyle and may still be my favorite way to use the club. However, Medicare Advantage, for which I will qualify next year, will give me a Silver Sneakers membership at no cost. If I want to include all the classes offered I will be charged $22.50 a month. This is a screaming bargain, but only if I go to class. The next step in my health care journey is to analyze the cost benefits of taking fitness classes.
This is ironic because I have taken and taught thousands of fitness classes and private lessons. At one time in my life I spent lots of money and time to seek teaching from accomplished yogis and other master teachers. I do appreciate the value of good instruction, but I believe I have become jaded and stagnant. I don’t know exactly why I took such long break, but I now see many reasons to go back to fitness school this fall. For the next four months, while I still pay full price for my membership I will take classes at least five days a week in order to establish a habit. I can only benefit from what I learn during this fall fitness semester of training. To pick and choose from the wide variety on menu of classes is a luxury I might as well enjoy. If I find that I like classes attending again the $22.50 monthly fee will be super reasonable in the future. The classes I plan to incorporate into my schedule on the first week are:
- Postural Fitness- an excellent system based on the work of Pete Igoscue
- Pilates- there are two levels of mat classes for me to try
- Yoga- the club offers 5 kinds of yoga for all kinds of tastes and abilities
- TRX- I have never tried this popular training method
Do you have a fitness routine, gentle reader? Are you loyal to classes or do you like to mix and match with your own thing? My investment into trying new classes this fall will be an adventure back to the future for me. Whatever the outcome I am sure the time I spend will be well rewarded. Health is our only real wealth.
Summer Sun and Skin Safety
August 10, 2015
— 3 Comments
reflection in my pool
Summer ends with monsoon season here in Tucson. The humidity builds and storms bless the desert with rain in July and August. September can go either way, but normally it is dry, and just a little cooler. I do love our hot weather and spend time chilling in the pool to stay cool. I wear protective clothing, hats and sunscreen when I am outdoors. Recently my dermatology exam revealed a couple of spots worth of further testing. I had two biopsies taken, one from my shoulder, and another from my forehead. The results have not yet returned, but the physician’s assistant was certain that I am heading for surgery soon for both of them. This is the first year I am glad to see the hours of sunlight receding.
I am freaked out by the idea of cancer growing my skin, but am very happy that I can take care of them now before they become serious. A friend from the beach in California had a similar experience recently, but her medical doctor had to be convinced to examine her spots more carefully. She had to ask for a second opinion, and then was correctly diagnosed. (scary) Dermatologists can recognize the potential problems based on their extensive experience and training. The dot that will be removed from my forehead is practically invisible. It shows itself as a tiny red blotch, no roughness. The spot on my shoulder is a little rough to the touch, but I did not suspect it was cancer. Neither of these seemed like anything to me.
You may guess where this story is going, gentle reader. Sunscreen and hats are no guarantee against damage. We do owe it to our skin to be careful with exposure and use products to guard against damage, but the best defense is regular consultation with your dermatologist. With the expertise they possess and the techniques available now your outcome is likely to be good if you stay on top of your visits and exams. I am lucky my doctor, Dr Hu, at Specialists in Dermatology is located very near my home. I have spoken to a friend who had mohs surgery from Dr Hu for a spot on her nose. She is very grateful also to have nipped it in the bud. In both of our cases the early diagnosis when few apparent signs of danger were obvious to the untrained eye has made a big difference. No matter where you live, plan to visit the dermatology office on a regular basis. The face you save may be your own.
Tucson Sun
Summer Spa Evaluation, Good, Bad, and Surprising
July 22, 2015
— 4 Comments
mangos for chutney
This summer I designed a home spa program for myself with an emphasis on positive change. My staycation planning evolved from the original agenda in ways I had not expected. I thought I was in a very artful groove, and needed self expression as a top priority. I listed poetry writing and art as a daily therapy for wholeness because I know these practices do make me healthier. For reasons not yet fully examined my poet and artist have been dormant with no interaction. I have taken a few photos, but what I saw as my big chance to work on my creativity with words and visuals has been channeled in other directions.
I have become a food prepper in my own way. I don’t attempt to pack or create meals for a whole week in one day as the real serious preppers on Pinterest do. I have learned from them to make my own diet healthier by planning and using contrast. My style of food prep involves a constant experimentation and learning new recipes. I have been trying many salad dressings and cold soups that are new to me. I am making a conscious effort to include anti inflammatory foods such as ginger and turmeric in my diet. I am on a huge tea safari of new flavors and types of tea, a journey that will take a lifetime. This summer I have given up coffee and never miss it because I drink tea, often spiked with ginger tea to keep the anti inflammation theme. I have tried more new dishes and teas in the last two months than I did in the previous year. I am hopping enthusiastically out of my culinary rut. I feel good, and find great satisfaction in mastering new cuisines. This afternoon I am making mango chutney for the first time. I might even make an attempt at curry. Who knows where the food muse will lead?
The most successful element of summer spa is the trend toward minimalism. If you knew me in the past you knew one of the biggest maximalists that ever lived on earth. I did everything with way too much over production. I accumulated mass quantities of stuff I never used, and crammed my space with items. I made decisions earlier that have cleaned up much of my act, and I continue to go in this direction. Each time I have the opportunity to donate to the Big Brothers Big Sisters, who provide pick up service, I gather a big bag and leave it outside. Each time I find things that have not been used in years and have little chance of being used. The upgrade is fabulous. I now own…and can find easily in my clean clear space…only things I love. I am in no hurry to fill the space with more items, since I still have more than I really need.
My exercise routine has been enhanced by the free Apple music subscription I am enjoying. I dance around my house for 5 miles in the morning listening to Apple music. By tracking I see that I dance at almost the same pace as I walk outside. My air conditioned house is much more comfortable now than it is outside. The Apple library is vast, so I switch albums and playlists all the time, never listening to the same thing twice. I don’t believe I will cover everything I want to hear in three months, but for now I am having a very good time with it. The good news is that the minimalist in me does not need that giant library and will not mind at all returning to the very big library at Amazon music. I highly recommend that everyone take them up on the free offer just to see how much is available. Even minimalists like free stuff.
grilling vegetables
Urban Agriculture in Tucson
July 14, 2015
— 3 Comments
Ophelia Camera Shy
In Tucson we have a harsh climate and sparse rain, both of which make gardening a challenge. Arizona had thriving agricultural crops until the ground water became too scarce and too deep to pump to the surface for many growers. Around Phoenix one can find large citrus groves abandoned, full of dead mature trees. It is a sad sight. Our large pecan groves are starting to compete for water with the surrounding residential users. Since the water is finite this problem will only increase with time. Our state needs to be very conservative with water, finding solutions to feed the population without depleting the water table. We are lucky that Nogales, Arizona is the main port for Mexican produce into the states. Most of the year we are able to buy deeply discounted produce from Mexico which is brought to Tucson by the Santa Cruz County Food Bank to save it from the landfill.
In Tucson there is a thriving urban agriculture movement. Small growers and producers are encouraged to bring produce to market through some innovative programs operated by the Community Food Bank Southern Arizona . The Food Conspiracy and Native Seed Search are strong supporters of local gardens as well as purveyors of local products. This enriches our community by supporting options that decrease food waste and the costs of food storage and transport. What could be better than allowing fruits to ripen on the vine, then harvesting them for dinner in your own back yard? Not everyone can have a garden, but those who do add to the beauty and sustainability of the neighborhood.
I like to garden, but many folks around town enjoy keeping hens for eggs. My neighbor Heidi had 6 lovely chickens in her back yard for many years. Suddenly the city zoning department demanded that she remove the chickens and tear down their home. This was in response to some complaint which can’t be traced to any neighbor. There are laws on the books that are never enforced unless somebody complains. The chicken rules have been ignored, then randomly enforced when complaints are made. This has become some kind of political football. Finally after many years of working on a new proposal that is more friendly to small time egg farmers the issue will come to a vote by our city council. The final touches of the zoning committee will be presented to the mayor and council for review and decisions. The Tucson Clucks are organizing and hoping that all their illicit coops will be permitted to stay in place. I think it is not only reasonable, but good for the city to promote food growing that does not disturb neighbors. Roosters will still be outlawed because of the potential noise, but responsible chicken owners will no longer be outlaws.
Doing a Rain Dance
June 24, 2015
— 4 Comments
monsoon clouds
The Aztecs worshiped the sun, but in Arizona we worship the rain. Our rainy season is dramatic and somewhat predictable. Summer heat draws moisture up from the Sea of Cortez to form clouds. The monsoon season lasts from late June until August, shifting slightly from year to year. Winter rains are scattered at best, but in the heat of our dry summer we are guaranteed to get some rain. Tropical style thunder storms fly around, dropping a big loads of water and filling the sky with lightening. They can be dangerous because of lightening strikes. Almost every year someone here is stuck by lightning on a golf course. The most severe safety issue that comes with rainy season is flash flooding. Washes fill with water and swell so quickly that anyone in the bed has to hustle in order to avoid being swept away. The rivers that flow through the city can flood the banks and cause damage along the shore, but normally it just carries debris and silt down from the mountains rapidly. Hiking this time of year carries with it risk that other seasons just don’t have. There is erosion of the soil because the surface becomes so compacted that the rain does not sink into the earth when it begins to rain. If we are lucky we will have many afternoons that run in to thunder storms for a few hours. It is rare that it would rain all day. These tropical events are short and sweet.
desert
I catch water from my roof in a rain container in my backyard. It is empty and ready to receive. For those who live in cloudy places it is hard to explain the full significance of these first glimpses of our holy rainy season. It holds promise and humidity for the future. We know that we spend more water resources than we can afford, but for a brief period every summer we can immerse ourselves in storms and lightening, floods and washes overflowing. Water, water, everywhere….but not for long. Here is to a glorious monsoon that sinks into the ground and makes everything bloom with happiness.
ocotillo
Pool Party Pointers
June 9, 2015
— 2 Comments
Pool at Mission Inn
Summer is perfect for outdoor partying. Staying safe to enjoy the entire season injury free is important. Families in Arizona enjoy trips to lakes, some river rafting, and many gatherings around pools. Since the heat is intense and the sun is strong we take precautions. Sunscreen, or better yet, sunscreen garments and hats are needed even when the weather is cloudy. Altitude is a factor in the intensity of solar damage. Well above sea level, at 2388 ft, Tucson delivers sunburn fast. We need to be mindful for cosmetic reasons, and especially because we risk skin cancer from too much exposure.
When adults and kids gather poolside it is frequently assumed that “someone” is watching the kids next to the water. In settings where there is no lifeguard on duty it is imperative to designate one or more full time sentries to watch the pool. Switch frequently in order to share the responsibility and still enjoy the party. The person who is watching does not need to be a strong swimmer, but does need to establish order and discipline. With young people this is best done with humor and a complete up front understanding of what is permitted and what is prohibited. A teen who is mature can help guard the younger kids, but only if adults are on hand to deal with decision making. In the event that a person in the pool is in distress for any reason please remember to assist them in this order:
- THROW- any floatation device to assist the swimmer
- TOW-use a buoy with a cord to toss to the swimmer, then pull them to the side
- ROW-since a rowboat is not for pools this could be a raft used to reach the victim
- GO- swim out to the swimmer only if you are trained to do a rescue
These rules apply for open water, where row boats are discharged before sending a swimmer. In a pool setting lots of things can be used to tow such as towels, floating noodles, or even a chair cushion. If you lie down on the deck and extend your arm you will be able to pull your swimmer to shore without being pulled in yourself. You can also wade into the water where you can stand and extend something to tow the person. Even if you think you are a strong swimmer avoid a swimming rescue if at all possible. Drowning folks find super human strength and are often irrational. The very worst pool parties end in double drownings.
Using good judgement avoids injury and trauma in the water and around the edge of the pool. If you establish a rule, such as no running, you must stick to it. I think when kids of different abilities to swim are together a no dunking rule is a wise one to make. In general, respect for all involved is the aim of regulating water fun. Lightening storms are common here, and come with a great deal of danger. Err on the side of caution getting out of the water when lightening is spotted. It can travel surprisingly quickly. Insist calmly that everyone exit the pool in order to be able to swim again another day. I have seen very intelligent people resist this notion. You may have to be very firm. It is so much better than crispy critters on the bottom of the pool. Good luck striking the right balance between cannon balls and discipline. Enjoy!!!
pool at night
Self Surveillance
May 25, 2015
— 9 Comments
I recently shopped my brains out to select a surveillance camera to mount outside to catch the casual thieves who steal things in our neighborhood. I selected the D Link system, which offers many different styles and models for both inside and outside. It is mounted on the wall over my front entry walkway. It is motion activated, which means on windy days it records frequently because when the trees move it captures 7 seconds of that too. I have needed to reset it a couple of times, but it works really well. No incidents have occurred since I placed it out there, but I am pretty surprised at the amount of traffic we have after midnight here in my residential condo village. There is nothing illegal about that, I am just surprised.
My friend Ms Cheevious held a contest on Mothers Day to win a Piper system, which I entered. Lisa was so impressed with the quality of hers, so I decided maybe I would like it. I won!!!! This is really a thrill, since I rarely even enter contests. Now that it is here and I have installed it I am a huge fan of my new Piper. It is for indoor use. My dog has end of life issues. At the moment she is doing pretty well, but she needs more attention than she used to. Her issue is kidney problems, so she needs to urinate frequently. She does let us know and has had very few accidents inside the house. When I go out I start to wonder if she needs me, so I keep my trips away from home short. More often than not when I come back to check on her she is in deep slumber exactly where I left her and does not wake for hours.
The Piper can show me a shot of her on her bed, and record a clip of 35 seconds if it detects motion. It also records if it detects a loud sound. I have set each of these up on a menu. The set up could not have been easier, and there is no chip to record. It all goes to the cloud, and then is easily deleted after you see the clips. It has a huge wide angle lens that captures the whole room, and the audio quality is excellent. Since I have the one camera I can tell if my dog is still passed out or howling at the door. If I chose to combine several cameras I could follow her in all rooms of the house. The app on my phone tells me if an event has been recorded, and gives me a live view. I also have the capability to talk to the dog remotely. That should be funny. Piper did have pet parents in mind when they created the system, so one of the settings is Pet at Home. I am a very happy customer who may extend my coverage one day with more cameras.
The Piper has elements that measure temperature, light, and activity in the area. If you install the interactive switches in your home you can remotely turn your lights on and off or change the thermostat. You get a read out on the high and low temp, the humidity, the light, and activity during the last 24 hours. If one of these were drastically wrong you can also set up alerts to call trusted friends if you are in vacation mode. They have put this together with all the options of a home security company, for which you pay monthly, in a permanent and versatile solution for which you pay only once. I like to be able to see the entry to my house as well as my snoozing hound from wherever I may be with my phone. I had no idea how satisfying it would be.
Codepending with the Cops
May 17, 2015
— 1 Comment
TPD
In a co-dependent relationship each side wants the other to be different. One striking example today is the relationship between the public and the cops. Police departments across the country are found to be engaging in all kinds of costly and illegal practices that are not in the best interest of the taxpayers. One such practice is the use of public safety disability systems to pay off and retire problem (and criminal) cops. We foot the bill for all the retirement and disability payments retired cops are given, whether they are valid or not. Obviously we want to protect, heal and compensate those who are legitimate victims of on the job injuries. To do otherwise would be irresponsible and thoughtless.
Since this system is so easily deceived by bogus medical claims it only makes sense to examine the system for fraud. Tucson has unreasonably high disability figures compared to the national average for cops, which drains our coffers in an unsustainable way. Either we are really doing something that injures our employees more than other cities, or we are being taken for a ride much more than other cities. I sense that it may be a little of each. If they do nothing to take care of themselves they will not be healthy as they go through their careers. Obesity, drug addiction, depression, mental health issues, and low back problems would naturally arise from a work life sitting in a patrol car all day or wearing a bullet proof vest to compress the spine. There are significant risks to health besides getting shot or killed. I think this problem needs to be addressed. They have direct exposure to the worst of general public all day, every day. None of us could do that without experiencing a loss of optimism and bliss. PTSD is as real for the cops as it is for the people who go to war.
In Tucson our police department is drastically understaffed by the city council. They loose more to retirement and atrophy then they can replace by training because they are so far behind in the process. The lack of personnel leads to highly impaired service. I hear people say they can’t get through to 911 after holding for 5 minutes to report gun shots next to their home. I don’t try to call 911 because I have never had a response, and am not expecting that situation to improve by itself. I do report and send in pictures of suspicious activity and crime I see on a phone app. This is a way for me to contribute to better law enforcement without wasting my own time. I think most of the crime in my neighborhood goes unreported. People have no faith that there will be a response or a solution.
To provide protection under the law for our city Tucson needs:
- Engagement- Citizens and cops need to work on the same side to improve our neighborhoods
- Evidence- Citizens need to know that they are being heard and that evidence we provide is being considered and used to stop crime
- Ethics- Taxpayers need to know that our law enforcement budget is spent with return on OUR investment in mind.
TPD
Principle Based Community Rejuvenation
May 12, 2015
— 5 Comments
Truckload sale
Tucson, the city I call home, is a large sprawling city in a valley. Development has taken place in spurts, causing a race to the distant suburbs, followed by a race back to downtown. There are significant advantages to life in a university town with a very mild climate. Economic opportunity as well as cultural and educational enrichment are the city’s gifts from the University of Arizona and even from Pima College. I live in a neighborhood close to the university and downtown as yet untouched by urban renewal that has vastly improved the city center. Our new trolley system and upscale development along the route it serves has revitalized a sagging economic scene downtown. I am pleased that we finally have desirable business and residential options for students and others who want to live close to the university. With a long history of serving the community, the Food Conspiracy has grown to meet the needs of the downtown neighborhood.
The Food Conspiracy Coop was founded in 1971 by a small group of people who met in the alley behind the present storefront once a month to divide bulk food. We used the bed of a pick up truck, in which the food was delivered, to weigh out and package our orders. It was as crude and basic as you might imagine, but it worked. Soon we rented the building, but had no store. Later we opened the storefront to the public, but retained the values of our cooperative. Today the Coop is a vibrant and vital part of the new downtown. By sticking to the Roachdale pioneer Principles developed in 1837, the business has survived, thrived, and expanded. The statement of cooperative identity defines the purpose: “A cooperative is an autonomous association of people united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations, through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.”
This weekend we have a chance to see how well this mission is working at a Truckload Sale. I love the idea that on May 16 and 17 the truck will offer special deals for purchase from approximately the same spot on which we started this co-op 44 years ago in a truck. There are now gardens, a full kitchen, and an educational space. In honor of the 7th Rochdale Principle, Concern for Community, the sale will feature a beer garden to benefit BICAS. The store will offer 10% off, while the beef and veggie hot dogs and beer will flow in the back yard (parking lot). Garden tours will be offered both days at noon and 5 pm. Come on downtown to celebrate the ongoing success of the co-op.
Truckload sale
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