mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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K9 Piper Salutes the Blue Angles
July 2, 2016
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My latest K9 crush is a border collie who works for the US Coast Guard on Lake Michigan, at an airport. K9 Piper patrols for wildlife around the airport and fulfills various duties with his human partners. Because he often works on an active runway he is fitted with special goggles to protect his eyes. He looks darling in them, but they serve a very useful purpose. He also wears ear muffs to protect his hearing when a plane or helicopter is landing. The look is so cute I can hardly stand it.
This week he is working his popular instagram profile to salute the Blue Angles Navy flight team. I love the way his eyewear provider custom designed tribute goggles to honor fallen Angel Captain Jeff Kuss. Piper’s eyewear represents the best kind of partnership when he lets folks know about high quality dog goggles (for those who need this sort of thing) and sends his own personal canine message of tribute at the same time. #HappyFourthofJuly #airportk9 Piper. You rule.
Say it in Latin, Mortui Vivos Docent
June 23, 2016
— 2 Comments
Anatomical theater Leiden 1610
Anatomical theater in Padua 1594
The dead teach the living is the meaning of the phrase mortui vivos docent. It was used to justify dissection of human bodies for science. In the middle ages there was fear of dead bodies that, coupled with real danger present in corpses, made dissection dangerous. The biggest danger faced by science, however, was the long arm of Catholic Church. Miguel Serveto (1511-1553), was a physician and theologist who studied medicine in Paris at Sylvius’. He published work describing post mortem examinations of corpses. For this sin Serveto was burnt at the stake along with his books, both medical and religious, sentenced to death by the Holy Inquisition.
The Greek physician Gallen taught anatomy in the second century, teaching by direct empirical observation. Ironically, his teachings were used to dissect one or two executed prisoners a year in the Middle Ages, but this practice was done more for theater than for research. In 1543 of Andreas Vesalius published his masterpiece, De Humani Corporis Fabrica. Vesalius, a young physician and professor at the University of Padua, changed the course of medical history. He demonstrated the importance of direct observation, creating illustrations of anatomy in action, teaching the secrets of the inner workings of the human body. Public dissection for educational purposes became popular.
The Middle Ages were plagued by the black death. Those dark ages were characterized by superstition and ignorance. The Renaissance occurred when science, art, and humanism gave rise to new philosophies. Some of these same ideas drove my ancestors to colonial America in the 1600’s. One of my ancestors, Dr John Greene, was perhaps the first surgeon in America. I have to wonder if he ever did any dissection in his training. I have not. I puked in the clay bucket for the art class (located right next to the science lab) in the 10th grade and was excused for frog dissection. It was never mentioned again, and boy was I glad.
How to Cure Inflammation
June 14, 2016
— 2 Comments
I have been a client and fan of Justine Robbins for many years. She is a very talented and skilled cranio-sacral therapist as well as a lymphatic drainage expert. She knows my body well, and has always helped me keep my health in balance. I believe regular lymphatic drainage by a competent therapist is one of the best investments I can make to my long-term well-being. The lymphatic system is an often overlooked key player in the body’s defense against disease. The lymph carries away inflammation and infection. When it is out-of-order consequences can be very serious our health. The lymphatic flow can heal itself and rebuild pathways to bring back function to the area. If it is damaged therapy relieves swelling and inflammation by rerouting the lymphatic fluid. In time the body establishes working routes for this crucial drainage.
Any time you have an incision you will cut and disrupt the lymphatic system. I recently had a surgery on my arm that resulted in some puffiness around the site. It is not serious or painful, but I wanted to test Justine’s new laser system. Her new office is close to home, which I love. The treatment consists of socially catching up with Justine (in my case) while she runs the laser over the area for about 10 minutes. She has discovered the therapy works best if short consecutive sessions are used. Of course I can’t know how my arm would be if I had done nothing, but I can see and feel a difference in the swelling present today. I will continue the series to speed the healing on my incision. I am pleased to know that this space age treatment is available to me in the future. Theralase is my new best friend.
If you live in Tucson you can visit Justine’s practice, LightSpeed Therapy at 3333 N. Campbell Ave, Suite 2. She can be reached at 520-908-8907. I highly recommend her services and this new cool tool. Some Canadian insurance covers this kind of treatment, and we hope in time the US will discover the efficacy of this non invasive therapy.
Justine and Theralase
#WorldMeatFreeDay on This #MeatlessMonday
June 13, 2016
grilling goodness
I am extremely happy to see the popularity and creativity devoted each week to #MeatlessMonday. This idea is catching on fast with all kinds of people. I am not sure why this trend has caught the attention of everyone. Do they notice because they want better health, the end to the suffering of the animals, or because they want a better outcome for the planet? Whatever it is, the world is starting to understand the benefits of plant based diets. When I gave up eating animals in North Carolina in 1969 I was viewed as subversive at the very least. I have eaten some fish and a few bites of a chili dog (circa 1970) since my decision on Easter of 1969 to become a vegetarian. Since that time the regular diet of my fellow Americans has steadily slid down a very unhealthy slope of factory farming and addiction to foods and drinks devoid of nutrients and full of chemicals.
I credit my good health to my dietary regime, although it has not been perfect. Too much strict avoidance of anything sets up a magnetic attraction to the forbidden. Meat is not forbidden for me, but I would never want to eat a dead animal. I still eat dairy, honey and eggs although I do see the vegan alternatives as better and worth trying. I do make more vegan cuisine than ever before, and may someday embrace it fully. For now, Monday will suffice for inspiration and dedication to the vegan cause. What I love about this trend is the ease with which anyone can find information, recipes, and guidance. I love the website TryVeg.com, full of helpful tips for anyone interested in the subject.
I have never found that bugging people to follow my diet was an effective way to approach this. I am a great cook, and would rather seduce them with gourmet succulence than beat them over the head with the cruelty issue. I encourage you to find a recipe today, or any day, under the hashtag #MeatlessMonday. See why the vegans are all the rage. Bon Appetit, gentle reader.
Snitch, Tattle and Tell by @UnMakeaBully
May 31, 2016
— 3 Comments
This excellent production from down under shows how bullying can be contained by communication. I found the twitter account @UnMakeaBully, a brilliant collaboration of students around the world creating anti-bullying content. Their creativity and first hand knowledge of school bullying make the kids own content the ideal catalyst for reform. This piece highlights students’ unwillingness to reveal the truth to authorities. They have a cultural belief that snitching is a betrayal of their other student colleagues. They maintain a stone wall because of peer pressure. By finding the rapport with the kids, the school authorities can change the situation for the better. I am a huge fan of this movement. Let’s stop little bullies from becoming grown up bullies.
The group maintains an instagram account where they showcase the productions and the students who participate in them. I am happily impressed with the very creative solutions these young people are finding and promoting. If there is a starter drug for a lifetime of violent tendencies, it must be school bullying. It is an excellent place to start to reduce needless violence in our society. “Don’t Wait” is the group’s motto. I could not agree more. Please check out this group for more innovative ways to bring bullying (child as well as adult) to heel.
Thelma and Louise Ride Again
May 24, 2016
— 3 Comments
Thelma and Louise presented a new way to look at feminism. The film became an iconic historical snapshot of the time in history. The actresses, who are still singularly beautiful and charismatic, predict that had they survived they would be surfers. I love this idea of the two as champion surfers who own a surf club and bar in Mexico. Now that all the Thelma and Louise references have been about the doom of desperation I think it is funny to picture them as ex pat entrepreneurs. I wonder what an updated version would be. It would be phones rather than Polaroids, but they would still have a T-bird.
The subject of domestic abuse and violence against women was taboo, barely mentioned in the mainstream, when this film was first released. The influence of the movie was a catalyst for more public awareness of this dark reality in America. The movie was popular at the time, but over time it has become a cult favorite. The Hollywood landscape is still a challenge for women. The pay equity discussion is still happening in every walk of life. We have changed our ability to be informed, but I am not sure we have enlightened ourselves. The statistics on domestic violence are always stilted because it is not all reported. That is one of the complexities of the issue. Using data from the reported cases we know that 3 women a day (on average) are murdered by domestic violence and a woman in America is beaten every 9 seconds. This situation needs our attention:
domestic violence fact
Peach Preservation
May 16, 2016
— 2 Comments
We grow a variety of small cling peaches called Early May. The tree was loaded this year with a big crop. They are so small and easily bruised that I decided not to take surplus to the food bank community farmers’ market. They would be ruined just by handling them. I found some friends to share the bounty, and today I will work on the ripe ones in order to preserve the harvest. We have almost finished our latest batch of mango chutney, and peach chutney is a natural substitute. I will not even peel my fruit, and will slip the seeds out after I cook them down in a combination of spices, sugar and vinegar. This will make preparation very simple.
Early May peach crop
I also plan to slow cook a batch of peach butter in the crock pot. I will treat the peaches in a similar fashion, just washing them before cooking. I also will amend this version by adding a vanilla bean to the mix and substituting honey for the sugar. When both the chutney and the vanilla peach butter are wafting into the air in my kitchen my house will be a really heavenly place to be. I like to pop them in my mouth and eat them straight up, but there are too many for us to handle that way. These are fun ways to keep the flavor going for months. Have you preserved peaches, gentle reader? I may dry a few, but that takes more effort since you need to cut them off of the seed.
Navigating Health Care
May 15, 2016
— 2 Comments
rose is a rose
In order to navigate the tricky changing tides of health insurance coverage today we need experts. Since I switched to Medicare this year I went shopping last year for referrals for a good agent. I found Karyn Damschen of Retirement Navigators who helped direct me to the plan that works best for me. I am extremely pleased with my coverage and my care at iora primary care. Karyn is such a star Medicare expert that I carry her cards with me to pass out when I meet anyone who needs a health care insurance agent. Who, in my opinion, needs a health insurance agent? Absolutely everyone who has a choice in the matter. If coverage by your employer is set, you probably would not benefit from a consultation with an agent. All others need to be advised by those professionals who spend their time keeping current with regulations and changes in the market. The market becomes more complex all the time. The result for consumers is an unsettlingly confusing set of offers from which to choose. After the coverage is in place we cross our fingers and hope anything that happens to us will be covered by our policy. To make the best of this frequently changing situation I feel really great that I have Karyn representing my best interests and keeping me informed about all my options.
Recently I received the news that my primary care physician is leaving the brand new practice. First my personal paraclete (health coach) from iora called to explain the change and transition. The next day I got a call from the fabulous Karyn at Retirement Navigators who was busy calling all her clients who were effected by this situation. She was ready and willing to change providers within the limits of my Medicare policy, or do anything I might want, in light of the new circumstances. This was evidence to me that the front line of my health care system, my agent and my paraclete, are the best. They spend all the time needed to match my needs with the best available medical care. They have specialties and expertise in the insurance system that the doctor does not, and should not, be bothered to learn. Although I liked my first doctor, I love the new system iroa is pioneering here in Tucson. The team approach has worked very well for me so far, and I expect that it will continue to evolve with a different doctor. I am pleased with the choice I made to use iroa. I have no wish to change because I like it now and think it will only improve with time.
Do you have a health insurance agent, gentle reader? It is worth the time to find one to represent you. They can read the map and keep you on the road to the best health care available to meet your needs.
rose is a rose
Fire Escape
May 11, 2016
— 1 Comment
structure
The flames swirl around the stairwell growing hotter
Banisters on fire fall, crashing melting decorative copper
Elegant mythology and theories made in the distant past
Have been blown to pieces shattering with a loud balst
Where is the mental door that leads to the blissful truth?
Does the fire escape lead us to the place of nothing to prove?
Find Your Bossiness
May 3, 2016
— 4 Comments
The Judge
I was born with ample bossiness, and raised to rebel. I entered professions in which people paid me to tell them what to do. In travel (in the old days) clients planned trips with the advise of agents. I was an outside sales travel agent, meaning I worked for and found my own clients outside the agency. It was a perfect job for me because I have travelled extensively and don’t mind at all sharing my opinions. Agencies were full of very well-travelled agents because the suppliers used to treat us like royalty. If I had not been to a destination I had only to ask around the office to find someone who knew the place. It was a very cosmopolitan place to work. Everyone was very jolly until the airlines cut commission, signaling the end of supplier/agency relationships. It was very good while it lasted, and I am glad I was there for the gravy train.
I taught fitness and swimming in fancy spa settings. This required a different kind of bossiness, which required very little encouragement to bloom. The guests relinquish entirely too much power and responsibility in the spa atmosphere. The real key is not making them mind you in your presence (which they are paying big bucks to do). Success can only be measured after the student has returned to home/work/family and all the habitual triggers that exist there. When they try to integrate what they learned at the spa into real life, if they whip out the hand out you provided and do something (anything) they learned, you have succeeded in the mission. If they mind you back at home, then you are a boss.
I like the current fad to label things done with confidence “like a boss”. I agree that taking charge and speaking one’s own mind can be the difference between success and failure, and even between happiness and depression. Finding ones voice as a boss is valuable and must be done with respect and caution. Do not surprise unsuspecting members of your family or workforce with your newfound authority. Practice safe bossiness with appropriate subservients. Use your head.
- Take control of all the political calls/posts/real life discussions
- Evaluate your use of free time to find more for yourself/eliminate waste
- Polish the rhetoric used to ask for services in daily life/be particular
- Identify the areas in which you do not care to boss/make sure they are covered by a qualified and enthusiastic boss
- Focus your attention and education on the areas you intend to rule
- Explore new areas of conquest with respect to current sovereigns
Remember the fall of Rome when Caesar obviously just took on WAY too much dominance over the Romans. Don’t let things get out of hand with your bossy self. Use discretion as you boss your way around this world.
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