Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Deep Thoughts

In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!

 

My First school:

My First film:

My First trip:

My First car:

My first car was an old ugly green Dodge Duster. It had a killer stereo but the bracks were hell. This was my 16th birthday present from my father.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What To Do Before Starting A Home Garden

A home garden offers loads of benefits beyond boosting your home’s curb appeal and increasing your property’s value. It plays a significant role in improving your physical and mental health. It also helps reduce your expenses (depending on what you grow in your garden) and establish sustainable measures in your home. But if you’re new to gardening and thinking about creating one for your home for the first time, the last thing you want to do is jump right into planting a garden. Here are some things you need to do before you start a home garden. 

Photo by Yan Krukov on Pexels.com

Decide on the best garden spot

The first thing you want to do is consider the best place to grow your garden. Of course, this will depend on your home and how much space you have. Be sure that your ideal spot offers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Therefore, it would be best if you took the time to observe your preferred spaces to figure out which spots receive the most sunlight. If you have too much shade in your yard, all hope is not lost, as there are two options you can try. On the one hand, you can remove the source of shade, depending on what it is. On the other hand, you can consider growing indoor plants that thrive with little sunlight instead.

After deciding on the best spot, clear the ground of weeds, dead trees, stumps, etc. You can hire experts to remove some of these stubborn obstacles if necessary. You can visit websites like duvaltreeandbobcat.com for experienced and safe tree removal services. 

Decide on the most suitable plants to grow

The next thing you want to do is decide on what plants you want to grow. Would you like to create a vegetable garden to supplement your grocery needs? Or do you want to spruce up your curb appeal with lush flowers? Knowing the purpose of the garden will help you decide what to grow in it. If you want to grow a garden for food, think about what vegetables, fruits, or herbs you need the most. Also, consider which food items are difficult or expensive to purchase and see if you can grow them. If your garden is for curb appeal, think about what plants or flower pieces you love the most and can thrive in your location. 

Know what’s needed to encourage wildlife

Wildlife is an important part of your garden because it helps encourage growth in all aspects of the space. From pollinating flowers to creating an experience for you and your household to enjoy. You might also want to think about adding some wildlife that remains in your garden, like fish in a pond or chickens in a pen. For this, you’re going to need to have the right setup required like this automatic chicken waterer for example.

Invest in essential garden equipment

Gardening can be very relaxing, but it can also be very tasking, especially if you don’t have the right garden tools. You can take advantage of many tools, facilities, and equipment in the modern gardening world to make growing your plants easier. Of course, you don’t need to invest in a comprehensive range of garden equipment when you’re a beginner. You only need the basic and most essential tools, such as a rake, hand trowel, hoe, spade, garden fork, and pruning shears. Also, before considering gardening, be sure you’re willing to devote the time and effort a home garden demands. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Quote of the Day — Guest Blogger Don’t Lose Hope

“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain, and you feel the rain, but you are not the rain.” – Matt Haig This is an important truth to grasp. You may struggle with mental illness. You may be displaying the effects of trauma. But none […]

Quote of the Day — Don’t Lose Hope
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-The Orange Rose

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, The Orange Rose.

The Orange Rose

Shedding the old and creating the new! Please join me for a world of poems, food reviews, self healing content, and mindful thinking content. Thank you 😊

The Orange Rose is a blog for everyone. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Travel

Adventures Added To My Bucket List

I love to dream about all the places and things I want to do. They’re not quite goals since the list is long but they’re a reminder of where to go when I’m planning an advantage. I hope this will prompt you to think about all the things you want to do in life and to write them down. Something written down is more likely to turn into a goal or be successful. I learned early in my career, the more I wrote about what I wanted to accomplish, the more accomplished I became.

Here’s the link to my previous Bucket List.

 

Here’s the link to my previous Bucket List.

Dive with Whales

Dive with the big Manta Rays

Go in a pressurized capsule deep into the ocean to look at a shipwreck.

Ride a Camel (ethically)

Bathe an Elephant in the river

Spend the day talking with Elon Musk

Become a wildlife rescuer

Create a Hydroponic garden

Lavish the countryside and shops in Greece

Own a Shiba Inu dog

Hike Nevada and Verna Falls at Yosemite National Park a second time

See Niagra Fallas

Have a proper greenhouse to grow veggies and flowers year round and grow plants from seeds

Complete my Ancesesty charts

I’ll update again after I have so time to contemplate.

What is on your Bucket List? don’t have one?…start today.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Proriasis Awareness Month

Psoriasis Awareness Month or Psoriasis Action Month holds throughout August yearly. This holiday aims to educate the public about psoriasis and enlighten patients on topics surrounding causes, triggers, and treatment methods. The event was first observed in October 1997 as a full-scale national awareness campaign, publicizing relevant facts about psoriasis through newspapers, radio, and television. Thankfully, psoriasis is treatable; however, dissemination of vital information on all aspects of the disease is necessary, which is the aim of this month.

Psoriasis is a condition characterized by scaly, red, and raised patches on the skin, especially on the elbows, knees, and scalp; however, it could also affect other areas in the body. Psoriasis often causes itching, burning, and stinging in affected areas. Though its etiology is unclear to medical experts, psoriasis occurs when the life cycle of skin cells increases, causing a buildup of excess skin cells that form red patches and scales. Scientists believe that genetics and the immune system are contributory factors to the development of psoriasis.

Psoriasis affects people differently, with varying levels of severity. For severe cases, 10% or more of the patient’s skin may be affected by the disease. In mild cases, less than 3% is affected by psoriasis; however, psoriasis affects between 3% to 10% of the skin in moderate cases. Because psoriasis is often cyclical, particular triggers, such as infections, skin injuries, heavy alcohol consumption, vitamin D deficiency, stress, emotional trauma, certain medications, and smoking, may lead to an episode. Thankfully, psoriasis has various treatment options — creams and ointments can clear skin patches in mild-to-moderate cases. Light therapy, including U.V.B. phototherapy, Goeckerman therapy, and psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), can also be employed. For severe psoriasis, retinoids, methotrexate, and cyclosporine are the drugs of choice.

5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT PSORIASIS

  1. Plaque psoriasis

    This is the most common type of psoriasis and manifests as raised, red patches covered by a white buildup of cells.

  2. Guttate psoriasis

    This type of psoriasis is common in children and young adults and usually appears as lesions.

  3. Inverse psoriasis

    This type of psoriasis usually appears as red lesions in skin folds, such as behind the knees, the breast folds, the armpits, and the groin.

  4. Pustular psoriasis

    It causes white skin eruptions and commonly occurs on the hands and feet.

  5. Erythrodermic psoriasis

    This type of psoriasis leads to painful and itchy redness over large areas of the skin.

    To your health!

    Melinda

    References:

    https://nationaltoday.com/psoriasis-awareness-month/

Celebrate Life · Fun

Today in History August 28, 2022

Hi! So glad you are enjoying the Today in History each Sunday.

 1963

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the African American civil rights movement reaches its high-water mark when Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech to about 250,000 people attending the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The …read more

1996

Charles and Diana divorce

After four years of separation, Charles, Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, and his wife, Princess Diana, formally divorce. On July 29, 1981, nearly one billion television viewers in 74 countries tuned in to witness the marriage of Prince Charles, heir to the British …read more

1917

President Woodrow Wilson picketed by women suffragists

On August 28, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson is picketed by suffragists in front of the White House, who demand that he support an amendment to the Constitution that would guarantee women the right to vote. Wilson had a history of lukewarm support for women’s suffrage, although …read more

1774

St. Elizabeth born in New York City

Elizabeth Ann Bayley is born in New York City on August 28, 1774. She went on to found the first Catholic school and the first female apostolic community in the United States. She was also the first American-born saint beatified by the Roman Catholic Church. Elizabeth Ann Bayley …read more

1869

Three leave Powell’s Grand Canyon expedition

Convinced they will have a better chance surviving the desert than the raging rapids that lay ahead, three men leave John Wesley Powell’s expedition through the Grand Canyon and scale the cliffs to the plateau above. Though it turned out the men had made a serious mistake, they …read more

 

Have a great day! 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts

Hi, thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week. We learn some interesting things don’t we?

Michael Jackson offered to make a Harry Potter musical, but the offer was rejected.

The world record for stuffing drinking straws into your mouth at once is 650.

Nutella was invented shortly after WWII ended because chocolate was so expensive.

North Korea has its own space program.

According to Genesis 1:20-22, the chicken came before the egg.

 

Enjoy!

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Do You Take Supplements? Are They Safe?

Do you know what’s in your supplements? At one time I was taking 12 supplements, after reading many stories of people who had dangerous side effects from a supplement, I quit taking them. The only supplements I take are Calcium, Vitamin D3, and sometimes a Probiotic.

Below is an example of supplements gone wrong, causing death.

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.com

Kaiser Health News obtained documents of Congressman Tom McClintock’s wife who died from taking the supplement white mulberry tree. The 61-year-old died of dehydration due to gastroenteritis — an inflammation of the stomach and intestines — that was caused by “adverse effects of white mulberry leaf ingestion.”

The report states that a “partially intact” white mulberry leaf was found in her stomach.

The white mulberry tree, which is native to China, is often used in traditional medicine for ailments such as weight loss, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, according to WedMD and Healthline. It is typically taken in capsule, liquid or tea form.

White mulberry plants are generally considered safe — only two cases of people sickened by mulberry supplements have been reported to the FDA since 2004, according to KHN.

Dr. D’Michelle DuPre, a former medical examiner in South Carolina who reviewed the documents, told KHN that white mulberry leaf also “tend to cause dehydration, and part of the uses for that can be to help someone lose weight, mostly through fluid loss, which in this case was just kind of excessive.”

St. John’s Wort

Taking St. John’s wort may also reduce the effectiveness of other medications, including birth control pillschemotherapyHIV or AIDS medication, and medicine to prevent organ rejection after a transplant, according to the NIH. Before taking St. John’s wort, read up on potential drug interactions, and ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of this supplement, as well as how it compares to your other options.

A study found that 28 percent of the time St. John’s wort was prescribed between 1993 and 2010, it was administered in dangerous combinations with antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication, statins, the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin), or oral contraceptives. For example, combining St. John’s wort with an antidepressant can cause serious complications, including a life-threatening increase in the brain chemical serotonin, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Fish Oil ( Chose Fish Oil Not Flax Seed)

The NIH said, currently, there’s not enough positive evidence for doctors to prescribe fish oil supplements to every patient, though. Aside from the mixed research results, omega-3 deficiency is very rare in the United States, according to the NIH. One important drug interaction with omega-3 supplements is coumadin (Warfarin).

Here’s a breakdown of the ways to get you Omega 3’s.

EPA and DHA

  • Fish and other seafood, especially cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines

DHA

  • Fortified foods, such as certain brands of eggs, yogurt, juices, milk, and soy beverages (may contain other forms of omega-3s, depending on the brand)

ALA

  • Nuts and seeds, such as flaxseedchia seeds, and walnuts
  • Plant oils, such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil

Kava: Overuse Can Harm Your Liver

Taking too much kava, or taking it for too long, has been linked to serious liver damage, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. As a result, according to the NIH, the FDA has warned that people, especially those with liver disease or liver problems, or those who are taking drugs that can affect the liver, should talk to their healthcare practitioner before using kava. In addition, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that heavy consumption of kava has been associated with heart problems and eye irritation. 

Several drugs may interact with kava, from anticonvulsants to anti-anxiety medications, and any drug metabolized by the liver. What’s more, people taking kava need to avoid drinking alcohol due to potential liver harm.

Here’s a list of supplements considered dangerous.

Aconite

Bitter Orange

Chaparral

Colloidal Silver

Coltsfoot

Comfrey

Country Mallow

Germanium

Greater Celandine

Lobelia

Yohimbe

Rauwolfia Vomitoria

Tripterygium wilfordii

Pueraria Mirifica

Here’s a short list of others to be cautious of.

Red Yeast Rice

Ginkgo

Beta Carotene

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Mushrooms

Alternative Medicine

Ayurvedic Supplements

Tip

Curious about what other herbal supplements may not live up to the marketing? Check out these NCCIH factsheets and talk to your doctor before trying any supplement to make sure it’s safe for you.

Should You Take Supplements?

It can feel like there’s a new pill, powder, or gummy popping up every day claiming to support your health. But should you even take supplements?

“There’s no population group that specifically needs supplements other than those with a documented vitamin or mineral deficiency who are ordered by their doctor to take supplements,” says Andrea Paul, MD, physician and medical advisor for Illuminate Labs.

“Certain supplements can be a good first-line solution to some health problems, as they tend to have fewer side effects than pharmaceutical drugs. But purity is much more of an issue with supplements than with prescribed drugs,” she says.

In short: Talk to your doctor before taking a supplement, and make sure it’s a good quality product.

These are just a few supplements that you need to know more about before taking them. The other important test is to see if the pill dissolves. Put a little vinegar and water in a cup and let it set for several hours, if the supplement hasn’t dissolved, it won’t break down in your stomach. You wasted money on a supplement that only travels through your body and out the other side. 

Tip

Curious about what other herbal supplements may not live up to the marketing? Check out these NCCIH factsheets and talk to your doctor before trying any supplement to make sure it’s safe for you.

How to Spot a False Promise

Per the NSF and Tufts University, here are some buzzwords to look out for that may indicate a supplement is making a far-fetched claim:

  • “Pharmaceutical strength:”​ There is no such thing as pharmaceutical-strength over-the-counter supplements.
  • “Promise” or “guarantee:” ​Many supplements swear they’ll help you become thinner, stronger, smarter or otherwise “improved” in some way. These promises are typically false.
  • “Quick fix:” ​This type of language takes advantage of wishful thinking by suggesting that a supplement is an easy cure for a problem.

Approval and regulation of dietary supplements is a tricky subject. No, the FDA does not have to approve supplements before they hit the market. That doesn’t mean, however, that the world of vitamins and supplements is a free-for-all. Still, you are smart to take precautions when it comes to picking the right supplement for you.

More Reading Material

FDA warns of dangerous drugs in weight loss supplements: Tainted …

The Most Common Food and Drug Interactions

Many Men Are Using Online Drugs For Bodybuilding, But They Aren’t Safe

Finding a pure supplement that dissolves and works is not an easy task. I get so frustrated when a pill does not dissolve, it’s a waste of money. I would like to see manufacturers provide a sample you can check out before buying, but I don’t see that happening. Once you find a brand that meets the requirements, stick with that brand. Be cautious of outrageous claims, chances are they aren’t true. I even check to see if my prescription medication dissolves. 

The best way to decide if you need to take a supplement is to be sure to do your research, and not from the manufacturer. The reading material above will provide some of the answers. 

Melinda

References:

CBS News

Eat This 

Review Scout

Live Strong

Legional Athletics

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

New 23 & Me Report on Fibromyalgia

23 & Me is a DNA Testing and has a Family Tree maker too. This is an interesting study.

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

 

August 17, 2022

This week, we released a new report (powered by 23andMe Research) on Fibromyalgia for 23andMe+ members.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic pain and tenderness throughout the body. That pain can be intermittent and move to different parts of the body. Fibromyalgia symptoms can also include fatigue, problems sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.

Because of the pain, discomfort, and chronic nature of the condition, people with fibromyalgia often experience depression and anxiety as they cope with their symptoms.

Understanding Fibromyalgia

The causes of fibromyalgia are not well understood, but genetics and other factors influence how likely an individual is to develop the condition.

 Researchers believe people with fibromyalgia have higher pain sensitivity. That may reflect differences in the nervous system for these individuals, especially in the brain and spinal cord.

While the exact causes are not understood, certain non-genetic factors are associated with a higher likelihood of developing the condition. A family history of the condition also increases the odds of developing it. It’s also associated with other health conditions, like depression, viral infection, arthritis, and lupus. Stress or trauma also is associated with higher chances of developing fibromyalgia.

 While the condition can affect people of any age, it tends to develop in middle age. It’s estimated that as many as five million people in the U.S. live with fibromyalgia, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but it’s also believed that the condition is under-diagnosed, especially in men.

A New Report

Our new report is powered by data from people who have consented to participate in 23andMe research and uses machine learning techniques to estimate an individual’s likelihood of developing fibromyalgia.

 This estimate is made using a statistical model that includes 13,040 genetic markers and information on an individual’s ethnicity and birth sex. In this white paper, you can learn more about the science and methodology behind our new report. 

Managing and Treating Fibromyalgia

Although it’s not life-threatening, fibromyalgia can make day-to-day life difficult.

Beyond the symptoms already described like chronic pain and fatigue, people with the condition also may deal with headaches, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, or even a painful bladder.

Often those with the condition benefit from counseling or participate in support groups as part of a broader effort to manage their fibromyalgia.

In addition, many experts agree that lifestyle habits may help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with fibromyalgia. Regular exercise, good sleep and sleep habits, and stress-reduction or mindfulness techniques have been shown to help manage symptoms.

Learn More

23andMe’s new Fibromyalgia report (powered by 23andMe Research) is available to all 23andMe+ members. To view your report, go here.

Not a 23andMe+ member? To become a 23andMe+ member, or to find out more go here.

The post 23andMe+ Report on Fibromyalgia appeared first on 23&Me Blog.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share-Boston-More Than A Feeling

I’m so glad you dropped by today, thank you. I hope you have a great weekend.

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

8 Ways To Help You Make Friends In a New City — Guest Post Olivia Lucie Blake

It’s natural to feel lonely when you move to a new city, especially if you move alone and have to start all over again, it’s hard to make friends. With so much going on in these first few weeks, you almost forget that you should have a social life, and by the time you remember, […]

8 Ways To Help You Make Friends In a New City — Olivia Lucie Blake
Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

I’m Afraid of Stairs, Fall Once and You will too.

In December 2018 I was home alone and walking down the stairs with both hands full. I don’t know what happened but I took a nasty fall halfway down the stairs. Landing with all my body weight on my head and neck. I was so afraid that if I moved I would be paralyzed, you can’t imagine the fear. I had no choice but to slowly get up and call 911. 

I was rushed to the hospital after they gave me some pain medication and wrapped my wrist. The fall caused some good road rash on my face, sore muscles, and a shattered wrist which required surgery and a plate implanted. 

What made me think of that fall is what happened today. I was walking up the stairs and not paying attention or holding the rail. Taking my shirt off as I approached the top and lost my balance and slammed into the wall. 

I know I’m having problems with dizziness but it’s hard to be on guard 24/7. I will make more effort to always hold the rail, that’s been my mission since my horrible fall but I get lax sometimes. 

The fall was caused by me being very sick and going down the stairs with my hands loaded instead of on the rail. 

Take care of yourself and go slow if you are prone to dizziness and be aware of trying to take too much downstairs a one time. 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Deep Thoughts

In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes or questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!

My first pet:

My first failure at school:

My first cooking:

My first smoke:

Enjoy!

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Great Reasons To Invest In Property When In Your 20’s

If you make smart investments when you’re in your 20s, you can set yourself up for a much better financial life. Real estate is one of the best things you can put your money into. People in their 20s are told to try to get a foot on the property ladder as soon as they can. Why? Well, check out these three amazing reasons:

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Don’t Waste Your Money 

When you’re young, a house is a great way to spend your money. Yes, you will need a mortgage, which means making payments every month for years. But it’s much better to do this than to pay rent to a landlord for years.

What does rent get you? Hardly anything, just a roof you don’t own over your head. You don’t have any say over the property; you can’t even change the way it looks without permission. When you invest in real estate, you might end up with a house that you own and are in charge of. So, even though money is spent on mortgage payments, it’s not wasted because it goes toward something very valuable. Have a look at some real estate tips if you need more convincing. 

Make An Investment That Will Make Money 

Some investments are better than others in terms of safety. Putting thousands of dollars into the stock market could be a good or bad idea. There’s a chance that the stocks you buy will go down, which means you’ll lose a lot of money.

On the other hand, the value of a property will almost always go up. The long-term trend of history shows that house prices go up. If you buy a house when you’re in your 20s, you can sell it when you’re in your 40s, 50s, or when you retire and make a lot of money.

You Have Full Control Of The Investment 

As the last point shows, you can buy a house, live in it for years, and still make money on it if you keep it in good shape. But one of the best parts about climbing the property ladder is that you can decide how much your investment is worth.

You can’t legally do anything to change how much shares cost on the stock market. There are many things you can do to make your home more valuable. In a couple of months, you can increase the value of your home by making a few changes and then selling it for a profit. Or, you can make changes over time so that when you go to sell it, it’s worth a lot more. You are in charge either way.

Basically, the best investment you can make in your 20s is in real estate. You need to remember you are committing to long-term borrowing, but it could be worth it

If you’d rather buy the house outright, the best thing you can do is save up for a mortgage. You’ll need enough money for a down payment, and you’ll need to make sure your credit is good enough to qualify for a mortgage.

Getting your foot on the property ladder is a great idea, no matter how you do it. Try to do it as soon as you can.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How to Protect Yourself from Stalking

There is nothing quite as frightening as being stalked. Having somebody knowingly follow your moves, put devices in your car to follow your car goes, and generally invade your space in a very intrusive way can be scary. Being a victim of stalking can create a lot of trauma, and it can mess with your ability to trust people, create paranoia and anxiety, and or even give you the symptoms of PTSD.

You need to know how to protect your phone from hacking, and you need to know how to protect yourself if you suspect that somebody is following your movements. Stalking behaviors can include things like threats of violence, hacking your devices, asking people about you to gather information about you, loitering outside your home, turning up and bombarding you with text messages, emails, and cyberstalking – it’s quite the list. Here are some of the ways that you can protect yourself from stalking.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Call the police. The most obvious beginning if you believe you are being stalked is to call the authorities and get help. The majority of people who are being stalked know who the stalkers are, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to seek help from somebody that you can trust to keep you safe and report to the authorities as well. 

Stop communicating with them. If you suspect that somebody is following you or trying to learn more about your whereabouts, then stop communicating with them. Stop emailing, stop texting, and change your phone number if necessary. Put the important phone numbers for people you can trust on speed dial, two because then you’ll be able to dial the numbers at the touch of a button from your pocket if necessary.

Lock down your social media. You should be very vigilant about the type of information that you put on the Internet anyway, if you believe you are being stalked then hiding from view and removing any pictures or location settings is important. This way, you will be in the best position to protect yourself from online stalking. You don’t want somebody to know what your movements are even from a distance, because this is going to be invasive.

Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right the chances are that it’s not right. If you feel like something is not quite right at any given moment, ask for help. Ask the security of your office building to walk you to your car, and ask somebody to walk with you on your commute. Arrange for a taxi pick-up service at the same time every day so that you can be sure that you are being protected no matter where you go.

Have a panic button in your home. If it has got to the point that somebody keeps turning up at your front door because I have learned your address, you need to have a panic button installed in your home so that you can contact the authorities in an instant. You shouldn’t have to live in fear.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

Today in History August 21, 2022

Hi! So glad you are enjoying the Today in History each Sunday.

Hawaii becomes 50th state

The modern United States receives its crowning star when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union as the 50th state. The president also issued an order for an American flag featuring 50 stars arranged in staggered rows: five six-star rows and four five-star rows. The new flag became official July 4, 1960.

The first known settlers of the Hawaiian Islands were Polynesian voyagers who arrived sometime in the eighth century. In the early 18th century, American traders came to Hawaii to exploit the islands’ sandalwood, which was much valued in China at the time. In the 1830s, the sugar industry was introduced to Hawaii and by the mid 19th century had become well established. American missionaries and planters occupied the islands and brought about massive changes in Hawaiian political, cultural, economic and religious life. In 1840, a constitutional monarchy was established, stripping the Hawaiian monarch of much of his authority.

1980

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is founded

On August 21, 1980, animal rights advocates Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco found People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Rising from humble beginnings, PETA will soon become the world’s foremost and most controversial animal rights organization. Newkirk’s interest in …read more

2004

Michael Phelps wins eighth medal

On August 21, 2004, American swimmer Michael Phelps wins his eighth medal of the 2004 Athens Olympics in spite of sitting out his eighth scheduled event, the final of the 4 x 100-meter medley relay. Phelps left Athens with six gold and two bronze medals. His eight total medals …read more

1911

Theft of “Mona Lisa” is discovered

An amateur painter sets up his easel near Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris, only to discover that the masterpiece is missing. Earlier in the day, in perhaps the most brazen art theft of all time, Vincenzo Perugia had walked into the Louvre, removed the famed …read more

1944

The seeds of the United Nations are planted

On August 21, 1944, representatives from the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union and China meet in the Dumbarton Oaks estate at Georgetown, Washington, D.C., to formulate the formal principles of an organization that will provide collective security on a worldwide …read more

Have a great day! 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts

Hi, thanks for stopping by today. I love hearing your comments each week. We learn some interesting things.

Queen Elizabeth II can’t sit on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones.

An apple, potato, and onion taste the same if you eat them with your nose plugged.

The longest word you’re likely to encounter on an everyday basis is “uncharacteristically.”

A company in Poland makes dinnerware out of wheat so that you can eat your plate!

The average person walks the equivalent of five times around the world in their lifetime.

 

Enjoy!

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share- BONUS-REO Speedwagon – Roll with the Changes- I saw them in Concert! WOW!

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share: REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling (Official HD Video)

 

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

World Humanitarian Day 19th

It takes a village

There is a saying that goes: It takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes a village to support a person in a humanitarian crisis. With record-high humanitarian needs around the world, this year’s World Humanitarian Day (WHD) builds on this metaphor of collective endeavour to grow global appreciation of humanitarian work

Whenever and wherever people are in need, there are others who help them. They are the affected people themselves – always first to respond when disaster strikes – and a global community that supports them as they recover. Far from the spotlight and out of the headlines, they come together to ease suffering and bring hope.

Logo for the 2022 Observance

Background

On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).

Each year, WHD focuses on a theme, bringing together partners from across the humanitarian system to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises, and for the safety and security of aid workers.

For this year’s WHD, we show the importance, effectiveness and positive impact of humanitarian work.

WHD is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

  • In 2021, 460 aid workers were attacked: 140 killed, 203 wounded and 117 kidnapped.
  • Of the aid workers who died, 98% were national staff and 2% were international (expatriate) staff – more than half (53%) were staff of national NGOs.
  • Most of the violence took place in South Sudan, Afghanistan and Syria.
  • Casualties are expected to rise significantly in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, where rocket attacks and shelling threaten civilians and aid providers equally.
  • The 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview estimated that 20.7 million (67% of the population) people need humanitarian assistance, 12.1 million of whom are estimated to be in acute need, which makes Yemen the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

Statistics from Humanitarian Outcomes

Please check out the great resources to find information on how to educate and participate.
Melinda
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

National Immunization Awareness Month

Get Back on Track with Routine Vaccines

bandaid forming a heart - National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Use these resources to assist you in communicating about vaccinations during August and throughout the year.

Resources:

This week Polio was found in an American city. That’s crazy, we had wiped out Polio in this country.

Vaccines are more important today than ever. Not only do we need a yearly Flu shot, but we need a wide range of vaccines like Polio, Measles, and Covid, All the required vaccines for kids of school age. As we reach 65 years old, you will need a Pneumonia and Shingles shot.

If you are immune-compromised your doctor may have you take your Pneumonia and Shildgles shots early. I had to take mine early because of my health. Both are a two-shot dose and the Shingles hurt for a couple of days but are much better than getting Shingles.

Melinda

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

National Airborne Day 16th

National Airborne Day, August 16th, is a day of celebration for the accomplishments, bravery, and service of the Army parachute tradition. In 2001, President George W. Bush proclaimed this date to be the annual day to respect airborne activity in honor of the Airborne Rangers. Then following in 2009 the Senate made full recognition of the holiday through Resolution 235. National Airborne Day is on this specific date for this was the day of the first-ever United States military parachuting attempt.

Army parachuting was introduced as a tactic in combat following World War I. The first person in service to notice this style of combat was Brigadier General William Mitchell brought up the notion of trying this tactic. Then to quote Benjamin Franklin who stated, “Ten Thousand Men descending from the Clouds…”, agreed with Mitchell and advocated for this strategy for it brought a new look to combat.

The first parachute jump was completed by the United States Army on August 16th, 1940 to test and see how effective it could be in combat. The first unit of paratroopers was a collective group of 48 soldiers of the 29th Infantry Regiment who would do their training in Fort Benning, Georgia. The biggest question of this new tactic was will it be safe to drop in soldiers behind enemy lines. This new form of attack from the air was seen as dangerous but ultimately has become a critical and successful tactic in combat strategy.

National Airborne Day is a way to celebrate and appreciate ones who are brave enough to do these acts, but there are other ways of honoring the ones who make these heroic jumps. All soldiers in current duty and those who are veterans may receive medals and badges for their service in airborne activities. The medals and badges range from a lot of acts of duty, like training at Fort Benning, being certified to jump and participate in active duty as a paratrooper you receive an Army Parachute Badge for the service that is being done.

US Army Parachute Badge Full Size Reg FinishMelinda

Reference:

https://www.medalsofamerica.com/blog/national-airborne-day/

 

 

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

4 Activities To Try While Camping

Are you thinking about going camping with your kids? This can be a great way to reconnect with your family and ensure that you escape the pressures of urban society. You might be worried that you’re going to be bored while camping or that your kids are going to be agitated. However, this is not the case. Below, we’ll reveal some of the awesome activities that you can try while you are camping with the kids. 

Photo by Mac DeStroir on Pexels.com

Fishing 

First, you should think about going fishing. Fishing is a great way to relax while you are camping. You might think that fishing is something that you can only do if you have the right level of skill or experience. In reality, anyone can go fishing and have a lovely time. You just need to make sure that you have the right level of patience and don’t end up getting annoyed when you don’t catch fish straight away. You should also check the local regulations which may encourage you to release any fish that you catch back into the wild.

Wild Water Swimming 

Another activity you can explore is wild water swimming. Wild water swimming describes swimming in any open stretch of water that is not man-made. This could include anything from a river to the ocean or perhaps a lake. You just need to make sure that wherever you are planning to swim is safe and won’t leave you in peril. You also need to make sure that you are a strong enough swimmer to manage the currents and you should never risk going wild swimming alone. 

Off-Roading 

Next, you should consider going off-roading with the kids. This is one activity that they are guaranteed to absolutely adore. Off-roading can include the use of the best UTV. It’s worth checking the reviews and different vehicles on the market before settling on the right one for your family. 

Mountain Biking 

Mountain biking is an awesome activity for you to try when you’re camping in the mountains. Take the bikes with you on the back of your car, and get ready for an experience that will blow your mind. It’s difficult to get the hang of because of the steepness of the mountain on your way up, but the adrenaline rush on the way down is something that you will never forget. 

The point of mountain biking is to find tough terrain, making it a bumpy and more difficult ride. You will have to control your bike as best you can, keeping yourself upright at all times. 

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the fun activities that you can try while you are camping. Try to make this as fun and adventurous as you can for everyone involved, as who knows when you’re going to get the opportunity to head out on this kind of adventure again? We wish you the very best of luck and hope that you have the best time ever on your camping trip.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-You Really Reddit

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, You Really Reddit.

YouReallyReddit

Amanda Redd holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She is a fourth-grade teacher in Florida. Amongst teaching, she is a wife est. 2013, and a mother of two boys.

Amanda enjoys writing specifically about life experiences that she believes that others can relate to and benefit from.

This blog is a no-judgment zone where you can get an honest take on all things that life throws your way. 

 Be sure to check out her blog.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight