| Wednesday, 25 August 2010 10:05 |
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| Ah-CHOO! |
I’m not sure if there is any difference between a “summer cold” and a cold that you get at any other time of the year — but I’ve always heard about the misery of a summer cold and now I again know, first-hand, what one is like. Sneezing, coughing, sore throat, ear-ache and ache in the lower back (but I’m not sure if that’s related to the cold or not).
Anyway, I got it shortly before I was scheduled to leave on vacation. I left and less than three days later came back home to fight off the miseries on home turf. The worst of it is the coughing – and that is far more intense at night than in the daytime. It pretty much disrupts any real sleep. So another symptom is simply feeling worn out and lethargic from getting inadequate rest.
Other people are complaining of this cold, too. Let’s all hope it doesn’t strike the kids right now as they head back to school.
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| Wednesday, 18 August 2010 14:56 |
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| An old idea that's come around again |
| Here’s a good idea. Catch rainwater in a rain barrel and then save the water for use in your lawn and garden. It will save you money and an added bonus is that the pure water is good for your plants.
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Written by Virginia Park
Monday, 09 August 2010 10:00 |
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| Where are the mosquitoes? |
| Although it is now mid-August, I have not seen (or heard) many mosquitoes this year? Are you readers seeing them? Did the hot dry weather in July take away the wet places where they usually multiply? I’m not sure. But I do hear the cicadas every evening now. It sounds like late summer and the sound is wonderful. It hearkens back to childhood and playing outdoors at night when the work was done and the heat of the day started to cool off a bit.
It’s fun to take time to go down to the Sutton Center these days. There is a great new coffee house there and an art gallery has been added to the mix. The artwork exhibited will be coordinated by the Port Clinton Artists Club. Some of it is for sale. Purchases may be made at the coffee shop called Common Grounds. It’s right on the premises.
Also, Chris Galvin, executive director of the Ottawa County unit of the United Way, is hosting a Saturday morning radio talk show broadcast from the coffee shop. Chris and her interesting guests discuss all kinds of activities going on around our county. I went down two weeks ago and talked about the County Recorder’s office. The Recorder makes a permanent copy of important real estate documents and Chris had lots of questions to ask about the age of the documents, about their historic value and also about how they are preserved for future generations. She is an interesting conversationalist and it was fun to be interviewed.
The music schedule at the Oak Harbor Log Cabin (downtown in the village of Oak Harbor) is Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30. Take along something to sit on — if you want to sit down — and just enjoy the entertainment. There are still three Sundays left, through Aug. 29. This is a chance to enjoy performances by local vocalists and musicians.
The Salvation Army is currently taking applications for youth who need a bit of help to get ready for school. The “Tools for School” program will assist them with needed supplies. Call 419-732-2769 for information about the program or to find out how you can donate money to help.
Another very successful local endeavor was raising funds at the auction to benefit the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society. It took place on July 10 and all the items to be sold were on view by noon with auction set to begin at 4 p.m. The place was the Crescent Tavern and Pavilion in downtown Put-in-Bay. There were 80 auction items plus 20 silent auction items and proceeds were more than $20,000. Congratulations to Lake Erie Islands Historical Society on another great event.
And don’t forget that the Society is celebrating 25 years as a museum on Aug. 28. Here’s what the newsletter says, “We will board the Miller Boat … 4:30 p.m. at the downtown (dock) and ride over to Middle Bass … a Pig Roast with all the trimmings will be served at J.F. Walleyes … After dinner … the (boat) will take us for a cruise around the islands, returning … about 8:30 p.m.”
Reservations must be made by Aug. 15. Call 419-285-2804. This sounds like a great evening. I hope that many folks can attend it.
Late this summer Stein Hospice is opening a resale shop at 126 Columbus Ave. in Sandusky. That’s across the street from the Sandusky State Theatre. Volunteers to staff the shop will be needed to price or repair resale items, serve as cashiers or do a number of other tasks. A “Meet and Greet” at 7 p.m. on Aug. 10 will introduce the shop to the community. Donations for sales items are now being accepted. Call 1-800-625-5269 or visit www.steinhospice.org.
Have you ever wondered how to cook in a fireplace? If so, there will be a demonstration you will want to see at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 25. “Hearth Cooking” will take place at the Keeper’s House, 9999 E. Bayshore Road, Marblehead. A potluck meal featuring some of the hearth-cooked foods follows at 5 p.m. You’re invited. But please call 419-797-2244 and make a reservation with Nancy Dunham. Tableware, beverages and meat (ham) will be provided. Take along your special dish and enjoy the food and company.
I didn’t have an opportunity to see the “new” Island House Restaurant and Inn the last time I was on Kelleys Island, but I keep hearing about it. It isn’t really new but it has been refurbished and then was re-opened this summer. Exterior upgrades (and that’s all that I saw) included enlarging the patio and a new bar. Sleeping rooms are available. Call 248-719-6362 for information about foods, their special flavored martinis or accommodations.
The Ritz Theatre in Tiffin has published its schedule of performances for the 2010-2011 season. “Swing for Victory,” featuring almost 60 classic songs by Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, Cole Porter and many others, begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24. Call 419-448-8544 for information about that show or to inquire about season tickets.
Other stellar performers who will be coming to the Ritz are Michael Bolton, Dionne Warwick, LeAnn Rimes and Gordon Lightfoot. “Ricky Nelson Remembered,” a tribute to their father by twins Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, will feature the music of Ricky Nelson who died 25 years ago in a plane crash. There are lots of other good programs scheduled for the upcoming season, too.
Recently I have been doing a bit of research into stress and tension. I was not aware that so many people are afflicted with an overload of stress but “The Well Workplace” newsletter observed in its April 2009 edition that not only is it a major health problem in our country but also that one-third of Americans are living with extreme stress.
A little bit of stress or tension probably won’t hurt you but if you have stress over the long-term it can make you sick, even to including heart disease. More common results are fatigue and obesity or unhealthy dependence on alcohol or drugs to try to keep the stress at bay.
If you feel stressed here are some things that may help you:
• Recognize your own indicators such as headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, apathy, anger, lack of energy or other signs. If you know you are stressed you may be able to do something about it right then.
• Try to determine when your stress occurs. Is it brought on by certain people, by work situations, by certain events or incidents? If so, what can you do to avoid those stressors? It is worth the time to find out what is troubling you and then to get away from it.
• Relaxation exercises, meditation, yoga and physical exercise may be of help. Also try to eat right (and eat more slowly) and drink plenty of water.
• Give yourself a break. Listen to some music. Read a book. Take a walk. Go to a movie.
• Don’t be embarrassed to accept help from friends or professionals if you need it.
• Be less of a perfectionist. Realize you’re not perfect and never will be, so don’t try to be. We are all flawed individuals. Do what you can on a project, job, relationship or whatever. Then walk away from it.
• Accept that some people will always be your critics. And criticism hurts and produces stress. Try to brush it off or walk away from it and then let it go mentally, too.
• Stay away from people who “bug” you. Are they negative, pessimistic, critical or demeaning? You don’t need them in your life. And even if they are relatives and you can’t walk away, you can find ways to minimize their influence over you. Again, a professional counselor can help with that.
• Relax. Unwind. Enjoy the rest of summer! And the rest of your life. |
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Written by Virginia Park
Wednesday, 04 August 2010 12:05 |
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| August — wonderful August! |
So. Here we are at the “last” month of summer. Where did those first two months of summer go? I remember years ago thinking that summer (when we were on vacation from attending school) went by much too quickly. And it seems to do so even now, years later. Summer is the charmed season!
And as to reminders that it is high summer: last week there were small hordes of mayflies around Port Clinton. There must have been a second crop … and there are lots of tourists in town these days.
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Now You Decide with Ron Miller
updated May 5
