Dalai Lama

Yup. I'm going there.

I was disgusted before I saw the video.

Now I'm even more disgusted. 

By his actions.

And by the people trying to justify what he did because he's a "spiritual leader", a "holy man".

The justifications are ridiculous. 

"He was just joking around."

"In Tibetan culture, this was not scandalous "

Please tell me this is not true.

In what culture is it acceptable for a man to forcibly kiss a child on the lips and then ask him to suck his tongue?

It's not the least bit humorous either. 

What started as an innocent request by the boy for a hug became a completely inappropriate and potentially traumatizing situation for that child, as an audience sat there laughing nervously. 

Hopefully no parent will ever let their child near him again.

If any good comes out of this, maybe we can have more conversations about the importance of a child's bodily autonomy and their right to say no at any point to physical affection, from anyone, even if they were the one to initiate it.

librarianintx 

Movement

I wrote a post similar to this on February 20th. But I want to emphasize the importance of movement here. Any movement is helpful. If you can move - do it.

Movement can benefit your mental as well as your physical health. Movement can help you battle depression and chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Movement can also help you maintain a healthy weight.

You don't have to shell out a lot of money for gym memberships and fitness equipment. YouTube is a treasure trove for free movement videos - yoga, pilates, chair fitness, dance, just to name a few.

You don't have to follow a structured plan. Do what you enjoy. Do what feels good to you, what makes you smile and gives you enjoy. Mixing up what you do can be fun too. 

I find it very helpful to listen to music or an audiobook while I move. Sometimes I watch a TV show.

Start out slow and work your way up.

Drink water and eat protein after movement. 

Some people are daunted or scared off by the term "exercise." That's why the word movement can be helpful.

Finally, "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." If you have a routine and don't feel like doing the whole thing, do half. Part. Ten repetitions instead of twenty. And don't consider it failure. Congratulate yourself for what you DID accomplish. Silence that inner critic with positive self-talk.

And make time for movement. 

Movement is part of self-care and a healthy lifestyle. 

librarianintx 

"Be on Time Chronicles" - The Gratitude List

No waiting for BOTH rides!

DIRECT morning ride!

Heat on in the "short" bus

Remarkably smooth ride for a "short" bus

The lift on the short bus - I still want to try the stairs sometimes, but they have become a bitch

The handle to hold on the lift

The driver dropping me off on 12th street instead of Brazos, so I don't have to be walked across the street like a grade schooler.

Good list, especially for a Monday.

Librarianintx 

Storms

I always hoped it would happen, but as the years went by and nothing changed, I figured I would be this way forever. 

Terrified of storms. 

In reality, my phobia has evolved. I have been able to pinpoint the aspects of a storm that scare me the most: wind and tornadoes. 

And the anticipation.

It was the anticipation that would actually cause me the most distress. 

Because I was convinced I could not make it through a severe storm by myself. 

This thought pattern caused me so much stress and anxiety. 

It made me worry uselessly for days and do things that were embarrassing and made me feel so bad about myself. 

I could say that I did everything I could think of to change - but it's not true. 

I WANTED to change. But I lived with this fear - and in the storm of this phobia - for decades. 

I didn't do anything different - I made the same mistakes over and over and over and over. 

And then two nights ago - it happened. 

I knew a threat was looming. I haven't completely altered how I deal with an approaching storm. I watched the weather. We were under a level one - slight risk. A front was coming in from the Pacific. Warm, humid air clashing with cold, drier air. Strong winds aloft. And the lift in the atmosphere needed to generate the severe storms. 

Yeah, I know the lingo. That's what happens when you watch the weather religiously. Some people who know me say I should have become a meteorologist. But I couldn't, for two important reasons: 1) I'm not good at science and 2) Nobody is going to hire a meteorologist whose heart pounds and hands shake and barely controls the urge to run when there's even a mention of bad weather. 

So I can't be a meteorologist, but there has always been a fascination aspect to my fear, which has helped to root me to my phobia. As scared as I am, I have wanted to ride in a storm chaser car for as long as such a vehicle has existed. Why? Not because I wanted to be that close to a storm. But because I would be with someone else, and we would be in a vehicle that could flee if there was too much danger. As a person who cannot drive, I have always feared a looming deadly tornado that I could not escape from, even though trying to out-drive a tornado is never recommended. No one said plans made in terror are the intelligent choices. 

So, back to two nights ago. I knew there was a threat. Not a high one. A low end chance. And that definitely helped. We were not under an enhanced or moderate risk. The last update I heard was storms were expected around 11 pm. We were not under a watch, but counties just north of us were. 

The time was around 9 pm. I was at my computer. My roommate walked in from work. IT WAS ONLY THEN that I noticed the deep, low, CONSTANT rumble of thunder. I said, "Is that thunder?" "Yes," he replied, "Lots of lightning out there too." 

I had not noticed. 

No pounding / racing heart. 

No fight or flight response.

No pacing.

No constantly checking every tv channel, news and weather app, radar, favorite weatherperson on Facebook

No planning to get somewhere safe. 

I had FINALLY learned how to feel safe. At home. By myself. 

GAME. CHANGER.

We were under a severe thunderstorm warning. 

I didn't know. 

And the most amazing thing: I didn't CARE.

I'm not calling myself cured. I will still be scared sometimes. And having a healthy fear of storms is not a bad thing. 

But to have FINALLY achieved this level of comfort and independence - it means the world. 

It is never too late.

librarianintx

"Be on Time Chronicles": The "Take Time to Smell the Flowers" Edition

I wish I had the option today.

It is an exceptionally abundant wildflower season so far, and we haven't reached the usual peak yet. 

Now, on my ride home especially, I see bluebonnets and other wildflowers - the pink and yellow ones - blanketing the sides of the freeways and side streets, even the lawns of schools, businesses, and homes. The colors are gorgeous and make me smile no matter what mood I'm in. 

I thought about asking the driver if we could pull over somewhere and take the obligatory "Texan in the wildflowers" photo. And by Texan, I mean adult, teenager, child, toddler, infant, dog, cat, heifer, steer, horse, pig - you name it, someone will sit it down in a field of bluebonnets and take a picture of it. Especially around Easter, you will see plenty of families pulled off on the side of the road, posing for phone photos or video to send to grandma and grandpa, or to post on social media. Bonus points if Fido or Fefe is there too, and if everyone is smiling and looking in the same direction. 

But anyway, I didn't ask, because I already knew the answer. Schedule! Gotta keep to the schedule! Plus all the liability issues.

Don't feel bad for me, Blogosphere. I have plans for a wildflower excursion soon. So today I just enjoyed the scenery. 

librarianintx

Free photo from the Internet

"Be on Time Chronicles" - The Post-Oscar Hangover Edition

No, I didn't imbibe any alcohol during the Academy Awards - I just felt like I did when I woke up. My post-COVID body requires an absolute minimum eight hours of sleep - and I did not get that. Add the fact that it was a Monday, AND the first workday after the fresh hell known as the time change (Why the HELL is it SO DARK outside?!) and you get my morning. 

PLUS: newly dyed red hair makes the morning routine a bit longer (my secret is out.) 

Also: jeans first worn after a washing can be a bitch to button. Keepin' it real for y'all. 

How about one more delay? The Universe gave it to me. The zipper on my red jacket...would...not...move. Tug. Pull. Nada. Repeat.

But ha ha on you, Universe! This is when librarianintx sashays over to her FORTY PLUS collection of jackets. Red jacket zipper stuck? Simply grab ANOTHER red jacket! Psych! I have three!

Now the one I substituted is technically a sweater jacket, and is slightly dressier than the red jacket I ordered from Amazon in the boys department (I'm giving ALL the secrets today.) Still, I didn't think any of the twelve people I saw today would look at me, eyes wide and mouth agape, and utter, "Really...that sweater with.... jeans?!" I mean, c'mon. Florence Pugh wore a nude-colored gown with a slit wide enough to display her black booty shorts at the Oscars last night. Clearly my fashion, or lack thereof, is completely irrelevant. 

After all of that though, the Universe was kind for the rest of the day when it came to rides. NO waiting for either trip! In both cases, they were early and waiting for ME. I saw the morning ride as I was headed for jacket #2. The afternoon van was parked in front of the library as I raced out after peeing. The driver was not in the van - likely she was inside, also peeing. But I peed upstairs and she has to pee downstairs. TMI? #reality

The morning ride was completely full - two drivers (one in training) and four passengers. You don't see that very often. I didn't have to crawl into the far back seat, so I was relieved. (did you catch the pun? See paragraph above.)

All three young women we picked up were from the same group home. I initially panicked when one of them talked about how she was handling her pregnancy, but the driver was calm in her line of questioning - "What are you going to name him/her?", "What will he / she like to eat?" - so I relaxed into their world of fantasy. 

Sorry to end the post on a downer, but again - #reality. Entirely possible that she could be pregnant, but I don't think she is. Either way, none of my business, so I didn't ask. This is Texas, so I'll say "thoughts and prayers" - and mean it. 

librarianintx

"Be on Time Chronicles" - The Birthday Edition!

Since I've been going in to work an hour late post-COVID, I don't have to rush on the mornings I journey to the library. (Cue Irene Cara singing "What a Feeling")

At some point I'll have to see 6 am again. But for now, I get a nice shower, and the luxury to pee at least four times before I have to ride for who knows how long. 

I even had time for a wardrobe crisis. Does this jacket REALLY go with this shirt? Maybe this one is better? I held up the second jacket. Mmmm, I don't know. Dang. What color IS this shirt anyway? Pink-y? Lavendar-ish? Why did I choose this shirt?! Fine. Lavender jacket wins. That was the OG pick if you're wondering.

Since it was chilly outside, I decided to forgo looking pathetic and waiting at the curb like I'm supposed to. I despise waiting outside, dealing with the weather, sometimes ants and mosquitos, and watching people exercising, walking their dogs, and worst of all, getting in their cars and driving themselves wherever the hell they want to go. But this is the deal I have with Metro. "We'll waste your time for thirty minutes (or more) and THEN we'll give you a ride." That is in the manual!

How many people thought there was actually a manual for paratransit?

Anyhoo, not yesterday, dear Metro! Yesterday my time was not wasted. I used my thirty minute window wisely. I made my bed (SO nice to come home to a made bed). I wrote in my daily journal. I peed again. TMI? Get used to it.

Since this post is already too long, I won't go into detail on the rides to and from. Just a few phrases. New drivers. More on them later. Passenger making incessant noises. Non-new driver saying passenger's name to get him to stop. Successful for about 10 seconds each time. But I was serene. Cause it was my birthday.

And I knew I was coming home to a bed I had time to make.

Little things matter.

librarianintx 

The Frustration of Contraindications in My Health

I'm not sure if contraindications is necessarily the correct terminology here. 

What I am referring to is that taking one medicine is helpful for one condition but could make another situation worse. 

And one exercise is beneficial for one condition but detrimental to another. 

Two examples:

My thyroid medicine is necessary is for my hypothyroidism, but too much thyroid medicine can exacerbate my osteoporosis.

Strength training exercises are helpful for at least maintaining bone density, but these exercises can further weaken pelvic floor muscles. Both conditions can worsen as you age. 

Sigh. 

Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. 

My endocrinologist monitors my TSH levels (thyroid) and I get a DEXA (bone density scan) once a year. My thyroid levels are steady. My bone density is dropping, but I am on medications, supplements, and an exercise regiment to at least slow or hopefully halt the bone loss. 

I am doing both strength training and pelvic floor exercises. I don't know what else to do. 

In the case of the thyroid / bone density connection, my doctor informed me of this and laid out the treatment plan. 

In the case of the strength training / pelvic floor exercise conundrum, I read about that online. 

Makes me wonder what else I don't know about when it comes to my health. 

librarianintx

"Why You Shouldn't Avoid Eating Processed Foods" article and My Thoughts

https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8029985/why-you-shouldnt-avoid-processed-foods-according-to-dietitians/

I think this article is so important. It talks about the difference between "minimally processed" and "ultra-processed" foods.

The bottom line is that some minimally processed foods can actually be healthy. And just as important, minimally processed foods are often cheaper and stay good for months, which cuts down on food waste. 

Some examples of minimally processed foods from the article

canned food

frozen food

chopped fruits and vegetables

microwave rice

Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as healthy as fresh, and they last much longer. 

The key is to look at the ingredients. Some frozen vegetables have a cream sauce or frozen fruits have added sugar. Canned vegetables often have added salt, and canned fruit might be in heavy syrup. So when you are choosing frozen or canned food, look at the ingredients and the nutrition information, and pick items that are as minimally processed as possible. 

The other thing I think you should look for, which the article doesn't mention, is BPA-free cans. 

I was very happy to read this article. I am trying to eat healthier, but my appetite is small, so often fresh food goes bad because I can't eat it fast enough. 

One thing I struggle with, though, is my own advice about BPA-free cans. Some vegetables, specifically peas and carrots, I prefer canned rather than frozen because they are softer. But I haven't been able to buy peas and carrots in BPA-free cans. So I break my own rule here. Green beans are available in BPA-free cans now, why not peas and carrots? 

Another thing I struggle with is salt. I do NOT like sodium-free canned vegetables. I do NOT like no-salt beans. I just can't eat them. I have tried adding other seasonings. I guess I'm not using the right combination of spices. So I don't buy sodium free canned goods. For now. 

When I make beans in my Instant Pot, I don't add salt until I eat a portion, and I try to keep it to a small amount. 

So just to recap, canned and frozen food ARE good for you! Make sure you read the labels and buy the items that are minimally processed, without added sugar or salt (if you can, which I can't yet on the salt) :) And choose BPA-free cans when you can. 

ETA: Also, when it comes to cost, canned or frozen can sometimes be cheaper. An important example of this is a protein - salmon. Fresh salmon can be pricey, and you have to prepare and consume it quickly, unless you freeze it. But you can buy salmon in a pouch or a can for significantly less money, and it is just as good for you. Chicken also comes in a can or pouch, but the consistency is different from freshly cooked chicken, plus it has added salt. I prefer rotisserie chicken, but I don't mind canned chicken.

librarianintx

Changing Culture of Libraries

If you are as old as I am, or older, you remember what libraries used to look like:

They were quiet places for choosing books and magazines, reading, and studying. 

Stereotypical librarians, predominantly female and middle aged, wearing skirts and cardigans with their graying hair in buns, often enforced hushed voices with stern looks and fingers to lips. 

Oh how libraries have changed. 

Nowadays, librarians come in all genders, ages, and manners of dress. 

Public libraries, especially main libraries, are active and and bustling centers for multiple activities in addition to locating, borrowing, and reading materials. 

Some examples of what public libraries feature / offer:

book club meetings

author talks / book signings

community events and continuing education

private spaces for organizations or other groups to meet

technology use, training and support

activities for children - storytimes, games, summer reading programs, movies, storywalks

activities for teens - access to computers, video games, movies, social events, book clubs

Some libraries provide even more:

private rooms for telemedicine appointments

programs for the unhoused community

music, exercise, gardening, cooking, and other activities

the ability to borrow a vast array of items, from sports equipment to games to gardening supplies: https://www. nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/things-you-can-borrow-from-the-library/

Feeling bored? 

Need activities for the kids?

Have a desire to learn something? 

Want to meet people who share your interests? 

Visit a library

librarianintx

 

 

Do It When You Remember It

Hi, I'm librarianintx, and I am a procrastinator.

But maybe I'm becoming a recovered procrastinator? 

As I age, my short term memory is sometimes flickering. 

I remember something, go to do it, and then poof! It's gone. 

Sometimes it comes back quickly. Sometimes it takes longer.

So to combat both short term memory AND procrastination issues, I am trying to "do it when I remember it." 

I have lots of examples, but I'll give a few:

I hear a quote I like. I make a note of it before I forget it. I do this one of two ways: I put it in my phone. I write it on a notepad.

I remember something to add to the grocery list. I do this one of three ways: I put it in my phone. I write it on a notepad. I tell Alexa.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays I change my HRT patch (TMI?) :) The patches are with my medicine in the kitchen pantry. When I think of it, even a day or two before, I put a patch in the bathroom drawer. 

I read or hear about a book I'm interested in. I go into my Amazon app, look it up, and add it to my Kindle wish list right away. 

I see something on Facebook that could be a great gift for someone. I DO NOT BUY IT FROM FACEBOOK!! Sorry for the shouting, but I have been burned twice buying from Facebook, and I've learned my lesson. I go to Amazon and look for it. If Amazon has it, I add it to my gift ideas list. 

One more.

An idea for a blog post pops into my head - Hey! :) I do one of two things: I put it in my phone. I write it on a notepad. 

As you can see, having multiple ways to remember something helps me. 

I have a Keep app on my phone where I can make lists. 

And I have a plethora of notepads, but I only use three at a time. One is by my computer in the dining room. One is in my room by my journal. And one is in the bag I take to work. 

Oh hell, wait. I have four. 

One is in the bathroom. 

Yes. Full disclosure. Things I want to remember come to me when I'm in all stages of attire. 

librarianintx

"Love Me More"

This morning I woke up mad.

Angry at my fatigue.

Frustrated by my self-sabatoge.

And then I started playing Sam Smith's new album for the first time.

The first song is called "Love Me More."

"Every day I'm tryin' not to hate myself
But lately, it's not hurtin' like it did before
Maybe I am learning how to love me more."

Everything happens for a reason. 

librarianintx 

Reading

Reading and writing have been my two favorite hobbies for as long as I can remember. 

Last year was tough. 

So was 2021.

And 2020. 

Last year I went through a reading slump. 

It was painful. 

I still achieved my goal of reading 24 books. I actually exceeded my goal - I read 28 books.

I really liked some of the books I read. But I struggled with concentration and making time for reading. 

Reading felt like a chore. 

I absolutely hated that feeling. 

I'm a part of two Facebook groups about books and reading. Plus I join a book club every other week where people talk about what they are reading. 

Often in the Facebook groups there are threads about how many books people read in a year. Invariably those threads devolve into bickering, jealousy, comparisons, and competition. "I read a hundred books last year!" "How nice for you, I only read three, you must think you're better me." "I'm raising four kids alone and have a full-time job; I don't have time to read." "You must be reading kid's books if you're reading two hundred books a year." "I read very long books; that's why I've only read ten this year." The squabbling goes on and on.

Hobbies shouldn't be about competition. 

They should be about enjoyment. 

Read what you want, when you want, for as long as you want (or have time for).

Don't compare your interests in or amounts of reading to anyone else. 

I am coming out of my reading slump. 

I still have my same reading goal for the year, but I'm trying not to focus on it. 

I am taking the time to savor each book, not reading to get through it so I can move on to the next one. 

I'm also taking the time to write a review of each book.

This is what is working (so far) for me. 

I prefer to read when I have enough time to finish a chapter, but I'm learning that I don't have to do that. If I only have a few minutes, I read a few pages. Also, if I try to read and the concentration isn't there, I move on to something else and try not to get frustrated. 

My previous post can apply to hobbies too - "Every Little Bit Helps".

Keeping your mind engaged is part of a healthy lifestyle.

Whatever you like to do, whatever makes you feel fulfilled and energized - do it. Even for a few minutes at a time. 

librarianintx

Every Little Bit Helps

When it comes to exercise, my new mantra is "every little bit helps." Having that mindset is helping me exercise more consistently, and earlier in the day. 

I've only been exercising on a regular basis for a few years. I wish I would have started earlier. Maybe my osteoporosis would be less advanced. Maybe I would have been healthier as I entered menopause. But living with regrets and "maybe's" doesn't help. Move on and carry on!

I've had a bad habit of waiting to exercise until the end of the day. I put it off for as long as possible. Then I would get too tired and it would be too late to do some of the exercises. "I'll do those tomorrow," has been my mantra for too long. It became a vicious cycle of staying up too late, having to rush in the morning, and punting certain exercises until the weekend, if then. And of course the exercises that I wasn't doing were the ones I most needed to do - the ones that benefit my bones the most. The ones that are the most challenging. 

So for the past three days, during my three-day weekend, I have kept to a different schedule. Well, almost. One day I didn't. But anyway, I have started the day with my bed exercises. I don't know the names for all the exercises. Leg lifts - 50 of each leg. Clams - 60 of each leg. Bridges - 40. Stay in the bridge position for 90 seconds. The leg lifts and clams are done with one-pound weights. Then I hold each leg to my chest for a count of 25. 

Then with the one-pound weights I sit on the edge of the bed and do leg lifts - 50 on each leg. I'm trying to add an elbow to opposite knee touch for 50 times, but I can't do that every time yet. 

Next I move to the bathroom for balance and leg exercises. I do 8 minutes of balance exercises - one foot in front of each for a total of four times, then standing on one foot each for a total of four times. I do 60 foot stomps on each leg. And sometimes toe raises - forty to fifty. 

The hardest exercise for me to do every day are my arm weights. They are SO important and they take less than ten minutes - why do I procrastinate? They are usually the last exercise I do before I go to bed. So now I am trying to do them in the morning.

The whole time I was doing my other exercises this morning, I was thinking about my arm exercises. Correction: I was thinking about NOT doing my arm exercises. I was trying so hard to procrastinate. And then I remembered my mantra: "Every little bit helps." Just start doing them. Attempt the usual 20 reps of each exercise. If I can only do 10, at least I did some. 

I did the 20 reps of each arm exercise. Success!

On the days I work at the library, this schedule will not work. I don't have the time or the energy to do this much exercising then. Even if I can do a modified schedule during the week and the full schedule on the weekend, that's a good start. 

"Every Little Bit Helps"

librarianintx

Rihanna's Superbowl Halftime Performance - My Thoughts

Nearly a week late, but I'm throwing my two cents in anyway. 

Most importantly: I am a fan of Rihanna's music.

I have a playlist of my favorite songs of hers. 

For me, the problem had more to do with my expectations. 

My favorite and memorable Superbowl halftime shows have been spectacles.

They have had most of these elements:

big productions

costume changes 

set changes

special guests

dancing

stunts / acrobatics

Rihanna's performance ticked some of those boxes. 

It was a big production.

There was dancing - but very little by Rihanna. 

There was a special guest - her baby bump

Live singing - the jury is out on that one. 

I am impressed by what she did do. Singing twelve songs while that high in the air and pregnant is quite an accomplishment. I honestly don't know how much of the singing was live. There were a lot of far away camera angles, plus she covered her mouth at times, so the allegations of lip syncing are unfortunately valid. If she sang every song, props to her and apologies.

The moving stages were visually impressive. I liked all the dancers, although I didn't love their costumes, or Rihanna's. Someone said the dancers looked like tampons, and Rihanna was the spot of blood on the tampons. Not a good description for a Superbowl visual. 

Unfortunately, I just kept waiting for something to happen. A set change, a costume change, a guest to appear...I believed something more exciting was coming at any moment. But nothing ever did. I had been spoiled by Madonna, JLo, Shakira, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga in previous Superbowl performances. Even though rap isn't my favorite type of music, I enjoyed last year's Superbowl halftime with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent, because it was that big production / multiple sets / guests / (mostly) live singing that I expect and want in a Superbowl Halftime performance. I say mostly last year because apparently 50 Cent wasn't singing live. 

So yes, I was disappointed when I watched the first time. Because I expected something more. When I watched it a second time, I enjoyed it more. Because I appreciated it for what it was and didn't focus on what it wasn't. 

Although I was unhappy that she didn't sing my favorite Rihanna song: "Please Don't Stop the Music".

librarianintx

 

Foods that Improve Circulation - Article and How Am I Doing?

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-increase-blood-flow

How am I doing?

Terrible :(

I only eat three of the foods regularly - fish, tomatoes and berries

I eat garlic and onion, but mostly in powder form. I don't know if that counts. 

I am trying to eat more leafy greens and walnuts, but I don't eat them consistently yet. 

The article also mentions lifestyle aspects that can help with circulation:

no smoking - I never have

exercise - I do some every day

maintain a healthy weight - I'm underweight, so I'm not at a healthy weight.

follow a healthy diet - I'm trying! :)

stay hydrated - still failing here

reduce stress - trying every day

So what grade would you give me? 

I would say between a "C" and a "C-"

librarianintx

 

When the Power Goes Out - Article and My Thoughts

 https://www.rd.com/article/how-long-can-food-last-in-fridge-without-power/

This is a very good article about what to do when the power goes out, ways to keep your food in the fridge and freezer safer for longer, how you know when food is bad, and what foods might be safe to keep after an outage. 

Bottom line: "When in doubt, THROW IT OUT!"

People are often hesitant to throw out an entire fridge and freezer worth of food, because of waste and the expense of food. But as the article wisely stated, you could end up spending a lot more on a hospital bill or losing wages due to the inability to work while dealing with food poisoning. 

I have health conditions and am underweight, so I fear food poisoning more than your average person. I am extra careful to avoid eating or drinking something that might make me sick. It sometimes drives the people around me crazy, but that's the reason I'm hypervigilant. "Praying to the porcelain gods" could be dangerous for me.

My roommate and I lost power for nearly three days during a recent ice storm. We left some nuts and mustard in the refrigerator. Everything else went in the trash. 

A few points I want to emphasize (only one is in the article):

I have heard it's not safe to put food in a box outside even in below freezing weather.

If you are lucky enough to find other accommodations during the power outage, ask your electric company about text alerts, so you can find out when the power is restored. 

Do not taste test food or drinks to check for safety. Even a small amount of spoiled food or liquid can make you sick. Check the smell and the appearance of the food. If you have any doubt, throw it out.

If you have renter's insurance, read the policy. You may not have to do a lot of work to get money for lost food. Check to see if a deductible applies. If you don't have renter's insurance - get it. It's like $10 a month. 

If the outage was city-wide, food distribution centers might be set up. My city did this. It took a few days, but the food bank offered several drive-up locations where they gave away non-perishable and some perishable food like produce. If you need to, take advantage of that. And get in line early. If you don't have a car, or don't drive, ask for help from a friend or neighbor. Call the city to see if they are making accommodations for older people / people with disabilities. 

If food leaked in the fridge or freezer, be sure to clean thoroughly. I had put fruit in plastic bags in the freezer, and the strawberries leaked all over the freezer. Good times! Luckily, since I waited until the freezer was cold again, the juice froze and was easy to remove. Then I scrubbed the floor of the freezer with a soapy scrub pad. It looked like a daunting task, but it was surprisingly easy. And hey, the freezer sure looks nice and clean now. :)

The article talked about making extra bags of ice in preparation for a power outage. In addition to that, consider eating your refrigerated food first, to lessen the chance of waste. I'm talking about before the power goes out, so you still have the ability to cook / reheat food. 

librarianintx

Causes of Cold Feet

 Cold Feet (Literally)? Here's Why, According to Experts — And What You Can Do About It (yahoo.com)

Causes:

Poor blood flow / circulation

Chronic conditions - heart disease, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and thyroid disorders

Certain medications - beta blockers, migraine medicines, and decongestants

Reynaud's Phenomenon - often associated with conditions like Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary hypertension, and thyroid disease.

Anemia 

Stress 

I have cold feet due to poor circulation. 

The blood flows down to my feet but pools there. 

My feet often turn purple.

Here are some things that help me deal with my cold feet / poor circulation:

wearing heavy socks

sleeping on a heated mattress pad

using a foot warmer / massager

limiting my exposure to cold temperatures - for me that means under 50 degrees

exercising / moving - even chair and bed exercises help

elevating my feet when I'm sitting

Two lifestyle changes that would likely help if I actually did them (sigh):

limiting my salt intake 

drinking water 

ETA: Okay, I wrote this late last night / early this morning. And now it's time for my confessional. I don't do the things I should be doing to protect my feet. I am writing these blogs to give advice, to promote health and wellness, but then I don't take the steps to keep myself healthy. It's called self-sabotage, people. And I am working on it. 

librarianintx

Article about Dietician-Approved Grocery List - How Am I doing?

 This Dietitian-Approved Grocery List Will Ensure You’re Stocked With Healthy and Versatile Foods (yahoo.com)

The article breaks the grocery list into groups:

Group #1 Produce

I am most successful in the berry category. I need to be eating them every day though. I like strawberries and blueberries. I don't care for raspberries and blackberries.

I finally bought baby spinach week before last. But it takes me a long time to eat even a small bag.

I like mushrooms but they go bad so fast. 

I eat peaches and pears - are they citrus fruits? 

Group #2 Protein

I eat a good amount of beans, eggs, and quinoa. 

I eat salmon twice a week. 

I also eat almond butter but need to add walnuts to my diet. 

I eat chicken and occasionally turkey. I eat very little meat. 

Group #3 Bread and Pasta

 I eat too much bread, and while it is wheat bread, it is not whole wheat. 

I also eat rye bread, but both have sugar and are not especially healthy. 

On the positive side in this category, I have switched to whole wheat pasta. 

Group #4 Dairy

I eat cheese and drink milk pretty much every day. 

I like yogurt and cottage cheese, but I don't eat them much. 

When I do eat yogurt, it is not unsweetened. Bad me. 

Group #5 Snacks and desserts

Unfortunately, I excel in this category. :(

I have a sweet tooth and I love salty snacks.

Bad for someone with poor circulation who is also chronically dehydrated AND has an inner ear disorder.

In my defense, I am consuming less sugar. Nowadays I eat a Kind breakfast bar or an Enjoy Life bar as my sugary snack. I rarely eat baked goods like cookies or brownies. My afternoon snack used to be angel food cake slathered in Nutella. Now are you proud of me? :) When I have the time and energy I make my own muffins with no refined sugar.

When it comes to salty snacks, my go-to lately are tortilla chips. I tried the Whisps that were mentioned in the article - the cheddar ones were VERY cheesy for me. Maybe I'll try another flavor. They are also quite expensive. Chips of any kind are so dangerous. When I have them in my apartment, I try to portion them out so I don't eat half the bag. 

So my goals are:

more fruits and vegetables

more leafy greens

more walnuts

less sugar and salt

more cooking

and MORE WATER!!

librarianintx

Mrs Kelce

"What a hard job she had, cheering for both, worrying about both, finding a way to celebrate with both - and luckily her boys rose to the occasion and handled the situation with grace and humor. She raised them right. Congrats to the Kelce family."

My thoughts on Donna Kelce, as she watched her sons Jason and Travis play on opposite teams in last Sunday's Super Bowl

librarianintx 

"Be on Time Chronicles"

After yet another mix-up where I was no-showed because the driver was at the loading dock and I was in front, but luckily he found me so I didn't have to wait for another ride, we dropped off a passenger at the Regal Cinema on Stonelake Blvd. There were maybe four cars in the parking lot. A little strange, but it was an odd time of day, plus COVID maybe, so...

But then we exited the parking lot on to Stonelake Blvd, and there were no cars on Stonelake. Zero. The street was empty in both directions. No people walking either.

"Wow, this is kinda weird," I said.

"Yeah," said the driver. "Did the rapture happen, and we got left behind?"

We were both relieved to see the usual traffic when we got to the light at 183.

:)

librarianintx 

My Favorite Grammy Moments 2023

 I'll jump right in:

1) Lizzo!! - Lots of excitement for Lizza and her fans. First, she stunned on the red carpet in a floral cape and Dolce & Gabbana corset gown. Then she took us all to church in a mashup performance of "It's About Damn Time" and "Special." And then she won Record of the Year!! The last time a black woman won Record of the Year was Whitney Houston. Lizzo dedicated the award to her mentor Prince, and she got emotional as she finally had the opportunity to tell Beyonce in person (from the Grammy stage) how much of an impact Queen B has had on her life as well as her music. 

2) Adele winning the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance - I love her music, and I love her. 

3) Bonnie Raitt winning Song of the Year - She looked as shocked as Jon Batiste did when he won Album of the Year last year. 

4) The Motown performance - Love Motown! - Stevie Wonder and Chris Stapleton jamming together was awesome! 

5) Kim Petras' accepting the Grammy for Best Duo or Group Performance for her and Sam Smith's song "Unholy." Kim received shouts of excitement and a standing ovation when she announced she was the first trans woman to win a Grammy.

6) The fans segment - Okay, I agree with the criticism that the segment was too long, especially on an awards show that is already too long. But I LOVED the representation - black, white, Asian, Latino, LGBTQ+, mature adult, and a person with a disability. When Trevor Noah invited the fans onstage to help present the Album of the Year award, I said, "There better be a ramp!!" I didn't see one, but the lady in the wheelchair was on the stage, so they got her up there somehow. Librarianintx meltdown averted. :)

librarianintx

Plan for Emergencies

I've been a worrier for most of my life.

I'm learning that there's two kinds of worrying:

Useful and useless worrying

Useful worrying helps you plan ahead, be resourceful, and can keep you safe in an emergency. 

I'm figuring out that I did some things right and some things wrong during our current power outage due to an ice storm.

The main thing I want to talk about is food. I ordered and received a food delivery at the beginning of the situation. So we have food. But I needed to think more about me being a person with a disability. 

I am very lucky to have a roommate, and he helps me whenever I need assistance. I'm mostly self-sufficient, but in this case, I needed more help than usual, because I can't use a manual can opener. I also can't open pull top cans. Over the years I have crossed my fingers, held my breath, and purchased a number of gadgets that promised they could easily open jars, soda cans, and pull top cans.

Nope.

Not for me, anyway.

So next time, just in case I'm alone, I need to think about non-perishable food that I can open. 

Here are some ideas (I have a few of them):

Crackers,, including peanut butter crackers and cheese crackers

Breakfast bars, granola bars, and meal replacement bars

Fruits and vegetables that are packaged in single-serving disposable containers with plastic lids that peel off. Examples: peas, corn, peaches, fruit cocktail 

More foods these days are available in pouches. Examples: tuna, salmon, refried beans, peanut butter, and almond butter

I don't eat cold cereal, but those come in single serving options now, so having a few is a good idea

Chips are a favorite food group for me :) but if they are in my apartment, I will overindulge and won't have any left for emergencies, so scratch that.

Same with cookies, brownies, sweets...

I'm trying to focus on at least somewhat healthy food here! :)

So we will get through it.

Tomorrow the ice will be gone.

And hopefully power restored. 

With every tough situation,  lessons are learned. 

librarianintx 

The Twenty Healthiest Vegetables

These Are the 20 Healthiest Vegetables Of All Time, According to Registered Dietitians (yahoo.com)

Here's the list if you don't want to read the article:

avocado

broccoli

tomatoes

cauliflower

hot peppers

bell peppers

spinach

eggplant

peas

beets

carrots

sweet potatoes

brussel sprouts

onions

kale 

cabbage

leeks

jicama

spaghetti squash

celery

My thoughts:

hooray! 

I like a lot of these vegetables!

My favorites are avocado, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and peas.

I want to eat more onions, spinach and sweet potatoes.

I don't usually eat bell peppers, celery, spaghetti squash, leeks, cabbage, or eggplant, but I like them. 

I don't care for kale, beets or brussel sprouts but I have tried them. 

I don't like hot peppers. 

I've eaten jicama once - it doesn't have much of a taste, but it was okay. It reminded me of apple. 

I'm surprised that kale and spinach weren't higher on the list. 

Three vegetables that I eat frequently that didn't make the list: zucchini, yellow squash, and cucumber.

librarianintx

Netflix Dahmer Docuseries - SPOILERS!

In case you missed it in the title - SPOILERS

I am fascinated by serial killers, and true crime in general, but I only knew the basics about Dahmer. 

So the first thing you're going to say is, you are interested in true crime and serial killers, but you can't handle gore? 

Point taken, dear reader.

I don't do well with gore. 

But I will watch at least some of Ryan Murphy's shows. 

Because he is a genius, and his shows are brilliant. 

I will deal with gore if it's a Ryan Murphy production. 

Now that we have that out of the way....

I'm not here to talk about the gore. 

I am here to talk about the unfathomable, unspeakably horrifying, 100% blatant RACISM and HOMOPHOBIA on the part of the Milwaukee police department that allowed Jeffrey Dahmer's killing spree to continue. 

He committed his first murder in 1978, and his last in 1991. 

Despite reports from neighbors of suspicious behavior and foul odors coming from his apartment, PLUS the fact that he was a convicted sex offender, Dahmer was not considered a suspect, even though men of color were disappearing from his area. 

Three black women called police when a young, mixed-race male of unknown age was found nearly naked and apparently heavily intoxicated outside of Dahmer's apartment building. Dahmer told police the boy was an adult, that they were live-in boyfriends, and that the man (boy) was very drunk. Dahmer allowed the police to follow him and the boy back to his apartment. He allowed the police INSIDE his apartment. He explained away the foul odor in the apartment. AND THE POLICE BELIEVED HIM. Because he was white. And because they didn't want to deal with the situation of a gay couple. 

This is how much the police fu**ed up:

The boy was 14, not 19.

They did not press to see an ID

They did not wait until the boy was coherent.

They did not look in the refrigerator (to investigate the smell)

They did not search the apartment, even though Dahmer gave consent. 

If they had, they would have seen the body of Dahmer's previous victim on the bedroom floor. 

They did not listen to the black women.

They did not believe the black women. 

They did not wait around to listen to, or believe, the mix-raced man (boy)

They did not take him into protective custody. 

They only listened to, and believed, Dahmer. 

I know there is a lot of controversy regarding this series. 

People say the show is glorifying Dahmer.

And I know the families of the victims are very upset. 

I am not at all trying to minimize or disregard their pain and outrage. 

At the same time, I am glad this story is being told. 

Evan Peters said it best, when he accepted the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Limited Series earlier this month, "...I want to thank everyone out there that watched this show...it was a difficult one to make,  a difficult one to watch...but I sincerely hope some good came out of it..."

Yes, it's sad that many people, myself included, are having to learn about such a horrific time in our nation's history from a television show. 

But at least we are learning about it. 

librarianintx

Caveat To My Last Post

I know what many of you are saying if you read my previous post:

I work full time

I have a family

I am taking care of my parents.

How nice for you that you can section your tasks and activities.  

I don't have that luxury. 

I hear you.

I apologize. 

I understand that I can live my life this way because I have fewer responsibilities. 

I am going to offer some suggestions,  with the stipulation that they are not options for some.

When it comes to your job:

Request a flexible schedule 

If you have a disability, ask for reasonable accommodations 

Invest in short and long term disability insurance through your employer 

Take sick leave 

If you are low on sick leave, ask if there is a sick leave pool.

When it comes to family responsibilities:

Talk to spouse and children about pitching in more

Ask family and friends to help. There are web sites where loved ones can set up schedules to share duties

If financially able, hire a maid service and/or have food delivered, or do curbside

Ask siblings to help with parents, or to take on more responsibilities for a period of time.

I hope these ideas can help.

librarianintx 

Do What You Can

It is imperative that when you have a chronic illness, or are recovering from a transient one, that you only do what you can manage.

You need time to recover and heal.

For me, that means sectioning activities into small amounts of time. 

I do what I want when I feel like doing it.

Fatigue and some brain fog are affecting me as I recover from COVID. 

So, for example, yesterday i:

Read for a few minutes throughout the day

Played one or two games of something at a time

Wrote a note or two

Exercised for a few minutes at a time

Organized my bathroom throughout the day.

Accomplishing activities in batches can make it easier when you are unwell.

Be prepared for frustration that completion is taking longer than usual - but giving yourself grace during this time is vital for your recovery. And if you have a chronic illness and then get sick or injured in addition, this means giving yourself grace until you return to baseline health, then continuing to give yourself grace as you deal with constant health issues. 

For many people who deal with chronic illness or disabilities, they already implement these concepts of short duration activities, patience and grace.

I'm still learning.

librarianintx 

Year in Review 2022 - Accomplishments

Accomplishments:

I started playing Wordle at the beginning of the year, then added Spelling Bee. 

I took Pickup for the first time (Austin's answer to Uber)

I fixed an Internet outage in the apartment.

I've learned to enjoy the challenge of figuring something out (never thought that would happen)

I read 27 books. I need to update my Goodreads account.

I learned how to take a COVID test. :-/

I'm studying a little Spanish and sign language (emphasis on little)

I have made surprising and exciting strides in my mental health:

My storm phobia is not gone, but it is much improved. I don't check the weather obsessively, and I can now stay by myself during a storm - sometimes. :) 

My re-entry anxiety from the pandemic is also much better. I haven't been to a big event like a concert for health reasons, but I can be out in public without anxiety - most of the time.

I can also talk about my mental health, which is huge for me.

Finally, I am becoming more open about my physical health. I started using a rollator a few months ago. Her name is Poppy - more about her in future posts.

librarianintx 

Year in Review 2022 - Cooking

I'm surprised at how much I accomplished this year.

Rather than one long post, I'm writing a few.

Topic one: Cooking

My friends gave me an Instant Pot, and I LOVE it! I can cook independently with ease using an IP, and that is a game changer! This year I made:

Black Beans

Pinto beans

Taco pasta

Tuna casserole 

Chicken and barley soup

Chicken pasta alfredo

Creamy turkey tomato pasta

Only the tuna casserole was a fail. :)

I also did some baking. 

I have made egg bites previously.

This year I made several batches of...

Vegan sugar free banana blueberry muffins

and

Sugar free chocolate muffins (sweetened with honey)

Also, probably my biggest accomplishment this year -

I made Filet of Chicken (a family recipe) by myself. The apartment stunk for three days, but the chicken was yummy!!! It wasn't as difficult as I expected, and totally worth the effort. 

librarianintx 

Damar Hamlin

So many thoughts about what happened to Damar Hamlin last night during Monday Night Football. 

Too many thoughts.

So I'll keep it to a few.

First and foremost:

This is about a human being.

A son

A brother 

A friend

And yes, a teammate.

It was absolutely the right decision to end the game.

I think more games should end after a serious injury.

Players have suffered serious concussions, broken bones, and possible paralysis. 

But the games continue.

What message does that send to our society?

We have become desensitized to the brutality that football has become.

The sport has to be made safer.

Safety protocols that have been developed apparently aren't sufficient.

Are they being adhered to?

If not, why not?

Also if not, are the punishments strict and swift?

What can be done to make the sport less dangerous?

Is padding to protect the chest possible?

Will it help?

They wear helmets, but they still get concussions.

So many questions still. 

Football is a tremendous industry.

And risk is an inherent part of life.

Freak accidents and injuries happen every day.

Also, anyone can have both a natural talent and innate love for football.

Last night a former player said, "I loved the game from the moment a ball was put in my hands. I never wanted to do anything else. I had no Plan B."

So in my way of thinking, you don't end football. 

You make it safer.

You strictly enforce safety.

You create a culture of safety.

And no one plays football until this happens.

librarianintx 

Quote of My Life

THIS

QUOTE

DEFINES

MY 

L.I.F.E.

Yes, I'm on Facebook way too much.

I hope to be on it less after this year.

But then I find this:

No explanation needed if you really know me.

librarianintx 

A Monday

Ultimately, today was about gratitude for what I was able to accomplish and giving myself grace for what I was unable to achieve.

This was not about anxiety limiting me.

Or a lack of motivation preventing me.

It was about still recovering from illness

And less than ideal weather

Plus an inability to schedule transportation 

There was no anger or self-criticism.

I knew I did the best I could.

I gave myself credit for that.

And chose to focus on what I was able to do.

Today was not about courage, but I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes:

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is that still, small voice at the end of the day that says, 'I will try again tomorrow.'"

I faced the shortcomings of the day with a calm determination that I will complete my tasks another day. 

A healthier approach to a challenging day.

Progress feels good.

librarianintx

Gratitude

It is during times of difficulty and frustration with life that focusing on gratitude can be the most beneficial and enriching:

So today I am grateful for:

The ability to work from home

Potato soup

A brownie

Three new shirts (on sale!)

Cough drops and green tea with lemon

Organizing

And...

Believing that tomorrow will be better. 

librarianintx 

DWTS Season Finale - Who Should Win?

The show starts in forty minutes as I am composing this - I am SO excited!

Because of the move to Disney Plus, I have missed some of this season. However, I would say that this is one of the strongest final four I have seen. In my opinion, they all deserve to be there, and any one of them could take that mirrorball trophy.

I have been rooting for Shangela and Gleb all season. I CANNOT wait to see their freestyle! And I will be THRILLED if they snatch the crown...I mean win the title. 

But at the same time, I think Charli is one of the best contestants the show has ever had. She looks like a professional dancer. And she is so sweet and humble. Gabby and Wayne are also extremely talented. It's one of the few seasons where I will feel happy and satisfied with whoever wins. 

A lot of it boils down the freestyle. I have seen some frontrunners do some lackluster freestyles, and I have seen some less capable contestants do some highly entertaining freestyles. What will happen tonight? Will they all make us jump off the couch and cheer?

Enjoy the show, and the ride dance fans! Good luck to the final four!

librarianintx 

Always Someone to Cheer For

I am not a good sports fan.

I get into a sport when one of my teams gets into the playoffs.

That's not fair.

I should be rooting for them from the beginning. 

Celebrating the wins and suffering through the losses.

Believing in them when they're down as well as when they're up.

But anyway...

The point of this post is that while it sucks when a beloved player retires or is traded, it's important to know that a new player always has the ability to steal your heart and earn your respect.

I was so upset when Carlos Correa left the Astros. He was one of my favorite players. He is an excellent Short Stop. I loved his "bromance" with Jose Altuve. I missed that magic.

But now the Astros have a new Short Stop. And I know there are MANY people smitten with and very impressed by Jeremy Pena. What a season this rookie had. ALCS AND World Series MVP! Youth, vitality, athleticism. A winning smile, a team player, and a surprising lack of ego for someone who has catapulted to stardom in the sports world.

The Astros are awash in talent. Every member of the team contributed to their World Series victory. It was a magical season. I'm thrilled for the players, the city of Houston, and for their manager, Dusty Baker Jr. At 73 years old, Dusty finally gets a WS ring.

librarianintx 

Fourteen Brain-Healthy Foods that Will Help Protect Your Memory and Cognition

From Prevention.com

green leafy vegetables

coffee or tea

poultry

citrus

fatty fish

whole grains

eggs

beans

nuts

olive oil

berries

dark chocolate

raisins

red wine

My thoughts:

Hooray! I like and will eat or drink everything on this list, except coffee and red wine. I already eat whole grains, poultry, eggs, beans, and berries several times a week. I can't chew or swallow nuts well, so I have started eating adding a tablespoon of walnut flour to yogurt. I also use olive oil as my base for homemade Italian dressing, and I am going to start substituting olive oil for butter on my red potatoes. I bought some frozen spinach this past weekend, and I have packets to make green tea. I like salmon a lot, but I don't make it very often. And I like raisins and citrus but don't tend to eat them because they are both high in potassium, and I have to watch my potassium. And dark chocolate - yes please! I eat dark chocolate sugar free pudding sometimes - does that count? 

librarianintx

Fifteen Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Cognitive Decline

Here are fifteen ways to reduce your risk of cognitive decline:

1. Manage your blood pressure

2. Keep healthy cholesterol levels

3. Keep a consistent and stable blood sugar range

4. Rack up enough physical activity

5. Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet; the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet are Alzheimer's Association favorites, and the MIND diet is a perennial neurologist pick

6. Consume fewer refined carbs and more dietary fiber

7. Don't smoke (talk to your healthcare team about quitting if you do)

8. Seek treatment for symptoms of depression, if present

9. Keep socially connected

10. Limit alcohol use

11. Score 7 to 9 hours of sleep regularly

12. Challenge the brain through puzzles, reading, music or other hobbies

13. Treat hearing loss, if present

14. Meditate—even 12 minutes per day can move the needle

15. Take steps to protect from head trauma—wear seat belt in vehicles, wear a helmet during sports and "fall-proof" your home from slippery surfaces and rugs

Thoughts on my risk:

My blood pressure tends to be on the low side. But I also have anxiety and because of that I think my cortisol levels are elevated sometimes, so that increases my risk. 

I don't get my cholesterol levels checked often enough. They've been okay so far, I think, but I need to find out what my numbers are yearly. 

I also need to work on blood sugar. The last time I got my blood sugar checked, it was slightly out of range. Not bad enough to concern a doctor. But what I think I need to work on is not getting overly hungry. I need to eat more frequently, and more complete meals. And I am chronically dehydrated. That is a big problem for me. 

I exercise every day, but it never feels like enough. And it's getting harder as I get older. But I'm still doing what I can. I am trying to incorporate more yoga and strength training. 

I am REALLY working on eating better. I definitely eat healthier than I used to. For me, I have to balance eating healthy with also getting enough calories, because I need to gain weight. 

I eat fewer refined carbs than I used to. I used to eat white rice. Now I eat quinoa and bulgur wheat. But I still consume too much sugar. 

I have never smoked.

I am working on reducing anxiety and depression. 

I was very sheltered during the pandemic but am working my way back to being more social. 

I don't drink. 

Sleep - I average six and a half to eight hours a night. For my age I think that's very good. 

I do Wordle every day and play a variety of games on my phone. I am trying to learn some Spanish and sign language, but I need to practice more. I want to learn how to play the piano. I journal and blog. 

I get my hearing checked every other year. 

Meditation is on my list of activities to start. :)

I always wear my seat belt, but my balance has become worse. I need physical therapy and am trying to get set up with home PT. 

librarianintx

Leslie Jordan

Emmy-award winning TV actor

Film actor

Stage actor

Playwright

Singer

Author

Social Media sensation

Leslie Jordan made the most of his too-brief 67 years on this earth.

His shocking death today has left us bewildered and mourning this comedic talent and lovable personality.

The amazing thing about Leslie was his ability to take the characteristics that could make him the object of ridicule - his effeminate qualities, his short stature, his Southern drawl, and spin it all into comedy gold. Leslie wasn't only a comedic actor. But it will be what he is remembered for. That, and the smiles and comfort he brought to a lonely and sheltered world through his social media presence during the pandemic. 

"I was baptized 14 times. Every time the preacher would say, 'sinners, come forward,' I would say, 'Oooh, I was out in the woods with that boy, I better go forward.'" Leslie Jordan

"Karen Walker...I thought I smelled gin and regret" Beverly Leslie

"Beverly Leslie...if you sat on a phone book, it'd be nice to see you too." Karen Walker

librarianintx 

Dancing with the Stars: Disney+ Nite

Disney+ Nite, not to be confused with Disney Nite - Promotion, Dance Fans, it's all about promotion!

Okay, disclaimer at the outset: The judges are the dance experts. I am not. So when I say my scores differed from the judges, I understand that they know far more than I do about technique. Still, I think the judges were inconsistent with their scoring on Monday night. Read on to find out when we agreed and when we didn't. 

I am with the judges on their critiques for Charli and Gabby. For me they were the top of the night. But I think they should have both received 10's. Charli should have received a perfect score for dancing with that Marge wig and dealing with hundreds of bobby pins in her head. Seriously, though, both of those routines were full of content, musicality, and personality. 

I was slightly less impressed with Wayne & Witney - I thought the dance was a little slow to take off. But I love him and I'm glad he did well. 

On the flip side, I thought Jordin & Brandon deserved all 9's for their beautiful jazz routine. 

I COMPLETELY agreed with Len on Daniel & Britt's High School Musical-themed Quickstep. The desks and extra dancers got in the way and interrupted the flow of the dance. But I also felt that the umbrella in Heidi and Artem's Mary Poppins routine was distracting and should have been cast aside earlier than it was. I think one judge mentioned the umbrella, but they weren't as vocal about it as I would have been. 

Okay, first big gripe of the night: Shangela & Gleb's Charleston received the same score, and about the same amount of praise, as Selma & Sasha's Quickstep. I love Selma. As a person with a disability, I am very happy to have Selma in this competition. But Len talks about how he doesn't want dancers "messing about", being out of hold, etcetera, and that is exactly what Selma & Sasha did. Did Sasha choreograph the dance that way because Selma could not physically do a proper Quickstep? It's fine if that is what had to be done, but why did she get 8's for that dance? I don't think the two routines deserved the same score. 

Gripe Number two: Trevor & Emma and Vinny & KoKo both did Samba routines. Trevor had hip action, good energy and partnering, musicality. Trevor had technique. Vinny had no technique that I saw. No hip action, no musicality. The dances came right after each other; Trevor's was first. I gave Trevor an 8 and Vinny a 6. The judges scored Vinny one point higher. HOW? What am I missing? Yes, I think Trevor is hot and I particularly enjoy dances where he is moving his hips with his shirt open, but that is not why I gave him an 8. 

Okay, main rants over. 

I pretty much agreed with the judges on the remaining three contestants: Joseph, Jessie, and Sam. Joseph's lifts were sloppy and made me nervous for Daniella. The routine was too challenging for him. I thought Jessie and Sam both improved from last week. Jessie's kicks and flicks were on point, and Sam showed surprising musicality and attack in his Paso Doble. 

Trevor DID NOT belong in the bottom two. In my ballroom, Vinny and Joseph would have been up for elimination.

These are my opinions, and I am sticking to them. 

My ranking for this episode would be:

Charli

Gabby

Jordin

Wayne

Heidi

Shangela

Trevor

Jessie 

Selma

Daniel

Sam

Joseph

Vinny

librarianintx

Twenty Heart-Healthy Snacks

 www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/20-registered-dietician-approved-heart-210000282.html

 I'm happy to see this list, because I like several of these foods. 

1) almond butter and fruit - I eat almond butter sandwiches occasionally. Not too often because I eat the stir-no kind that has palm oil in it

2) red grapes, cranberries and pomegranates - I like grapes but have not tried the other two, other than cranberry juice

3) avocado toast - I like avocado toast, but rarely make it. 

4) hummus and veggies - I like hummus. Sometimes I eat hummus in a tortilla with mushrooms and tomatoes 

5) bread and olive oil - When I go out for Italian food, I eat bread dipped in olive oil and spices. YUM

6) tuna, avocado, and cucumber slices - I have eaten tuna salad with avocado and cucumber slices. I have also eaten tuna salad with diced cucumber in it. All tasty. But I have read not to eat tuna too often because of the mercury content. 

7) tuna salad - I eat tuna salad about twice a month. I would eat it more often if it weren't for the mercury levels. 

8) salmon and crackers - for the holidays my mom always makes lox and cream cheese spread that I eat on bagels or wheat bread. I need to make this for myself sometimes. 

9) walnuts and fruit - I'm not a big fan of nuts, and they are difficult for me to chew and swallow. Sometimes I eat Greek vanilla yogurt or sugar free pudding with walnut flour mixed in. I need to do that more often.

10) bean salsa with sliced bell peppers - I eat refried beans, black beans, and pinto beans often

11) popcorn - I do not eat popcorn due to the choking hazard. It's not worth it to me.

12) Roasted chickpeas - I like hummus but otherwise I don't eat chickpeas

13) edamame - I don't like or dislike edamame. I just don't eat it. 

14) pumpkin seeds - I don't usually eat any kind of seeds.

15) cheese and whole grain crackers - I eat cheese at least once a day. I like veggie crackers - are they whole grain? 

16) trail mix -  I don't eat trail mix

17) peanut butter and whole grain toast - I was not raised on PB&J. I liked peanut butter for awhile as an adult, but I prefer almond butter. 

18) overnight oats with nut butter - I've tried oatmeal, and I know how healthy it is, but I don't like it. I eat grits and cream and wheat, but not oatmeal.

19) corn chips and guac - YES! Now you're talking! My mouth is watering.

20) yogurt or cottage cheese - I like both. But I don't eat plain yogurt. I like Greek vanilla yogurt, especially with walnut flour or fruit mixed in - blueberries, strawberries, or peaches. I also like cottage cheese with fruit.   

librarianintx

 

 

Today

Today was tough.

But I did not give up.

Had a cry.

Then breathed and sighed.

Made a decision 

Resolved it will come to fruition. 

Now will lay in bed

Rest my achy bones and head

A new day will dawn

And I will carry on.

I know the choice I need to make

To hopefully ensure I do not break.

librarianintx 

Lizzo and the Famous Flute

 www.yahoo.com/news/republicans-mad-library-congress-allowed-170710690.html

Okay, can someone please explain to me what the problem is here? 

Why do some Republicans have their panties in a twist about this? 

Here are the facts as I understand them:

Lizzo asked permission to play the flute during her DC concert. 

The Library of Congress granted her request.  

The Library of Congress sent the flute in a protected case with a curator and security officer to guard it. 

End of story. 

Except it's not. 

Suddenly people involved are being threatened with deportation (absolutely ridiculous) and of course Lizzo is being degraded for her weight, her clothes, and her dance moves. 

Y'all. 

Get a hold of yourselves. 

She didn't fornicate with the flute. 

She didn't throw it on the ground and stomp on it. 

She played it. 

She is a talented singer, rapper, lyricist, and CLASSICALLY TRAINED FLUTIST / FLAUTIST.

She is not, as one Republican claimed, famous for being the most morbidly obese person in the world. 

She is famous because she has won Grammy, Emmy and MTV Video Music Awards, as well as having hit albums, producing a reality television show, and having her own clothing business. 

Please quit finding ways to trash Lizzo. 

And by the way, if you're keeping score:

Librarians: 2

Republicans: 0

Quote of the day: "We just did a DNA test. Turns out: It's 100% that [crystal] flute @lizzo played at her D.C. stop on the #SpecialTour tonight," The Library of Congress 

librarianintx

Self-Care

In August I went to my yearly dermatology appointment. 

My dermatologist, Dr. R., did a mole check and examined the psoriasis on my scalp and the dry skin on my feet.

"Are you using the medications on your scalp and feet?" he asked.

"Occasionally," I reply, squirming a little. "Not as often as I should be."

"How often? He inquired. "Once a week? Less?"

"Less," I admitted.

I didn't want to say that it was much less than that.

How long does it take to slap some cream on my head before I wash my hair, and do the same with my feet (a different cream) before I put my socks on?

I am not good at developing habits.

I am not consistent. 

But since that appointment I have started "self-care Saturdays." Every Saturday morning I treat my scalp before I get in the shower, and I treat my feet when I get out of the shower.

Once a week isn't enough.

But it's a start.

I've only missed one Saturday so far, so I did a "self-care Sunday" that week.

librarianintx 

Oral Health

 A few years ago I attended some online webinars to earn a CHIS (Consumer Health Information Specialist) designation from the NLM (National Library of Medicine). 

I take my role as a disseminator of health information seriously. These blog posts aren't exciting, but if they help at least one person, I am pleased.

How good am I at following the health guidelines that I blog about?

To be honest, often not as good as I should be.

I am a work in progress.

Now on to the topic of this post: Oral Health

Taking care of your teeth and gums are important at all stages of life, and especially as we age.

Here are some points to consider:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. And don't forget your tongue. Use a soft toothbrush and apply light pressure. If you have a condition that affects using your hands, use a battery-operated toothbrush, or one with a long handle. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

Floss at least once a day. Floss on a stick is often easier to use than string floss.

Eat nutritious food. Sugary, starchy and acidic foods can weaken tooth enamel.

If you have dry mouth, drink a lot of water. Bacteria often thrives in a dry environment. Some medications have dry mouth as a side effect.

If you use a lot of cough drops, chew gum, or suck on hard candy, use sugar free varieties. 

Avoid tobacco products.  

See a dentist every six months to a year - more often if you are having symptoms such as a toothache or bleeding gums.

Certain conditions can affect oral health, including diabetes, HIV / AIDS, osteoporosis, and dementia. In turn, poor oral health can be a contributing factor in cases of endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and pneumonia.

Source: www.mayoclinic.org/healthy lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475 

librarianintx