Ten years ago, then-13-year old Julia Bruzzese was unable to walk, due to complications of Lyme disease. Her family took her to JFK airport, to see Pope Francis, who visiting the United States at the time.
She made the national news, when the Pope stopped and blessed her.
Now, after the death of Pope Francis, Julie recalls how that moment changed her life. See this report from ABC7 New York:
Melinda
Reference:
My Grandparents had learned so much in their lifespan, and I always sought their advice. My husband is my trusted partner for advice for close to 23 years, and the only person I’ve turned to since my Grandparents died.
Have a great day.
Melinda
May is packed with awareness topics and there are too many to list, you can find the entire list HERE.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/may-awareness-days-months
Being lost in life is par for the course; while it can feel like you’re the only one who understands it, in truth, everybody does on some level. The COVID-19 pandemic has truly made us all question who we are, and what is important to us. This can lead people to feel lost in their lives, or frustrated with the feeling that they have no control over what goes on around them.
There are so many ways to cope with change, but one surefire way to center calm in your life is to start a garden. You don’t have to have a huge amount of space or much experience – and in this blog, we’re going to show you how.
Psychologists have studied the psychological benefits of gardening for years. Gardening is often an activity that is practiced in rehabilitation facilities, elderly care centers, and mental health recovery centers because it helps people nurture the growth of living things.
If all this sounds good to you, but you only have a small yard or even just a balcony, you might be thinking, ‘There’s no way I can start a garden in such a tiny space.’ Well, luckily, you’re wrong about that!
Firstly, find plants that are easy to grow in pots. These could be herbs, flowers, house plants, or even small vegetables, as long as they are able to grow in a potted environment rather than in the ground. This makes them easier to maintain in a small garden.
Next, you should research through reading books or watching YouTube videos, how to maintain your plants through hydration, the right kind of soil, and the right light levels. This research will help you expand your garden gradually as you cultivate these important skills for life!
If your garden gets out of control, you can contact local lawn fertilization and weed control services to help tame the wild beast!
Having a garden can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, burnout, or lack of focus. Plus, you’ll have a beautiful little green space that you can keep nurturing for years to come.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
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Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me to travel with you. I have not visited your country but there’s always tomorrow.
Melinda
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share. Thank you for stopping by.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
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 use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
If your child feels tired and achy, you may not worry initially. After all, there’s nothing urgent about what seems to be mild, general discomfort. However, if your child is constantly in pain, exhausted, having trouble sleeping, and experiencing intense moods, he/she may have fibromyalgia.
This condition is fairly common in adults, but parents and clinicians may overlook the possibility of juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome — that is, fibromyalgia in children.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by pain and fatigue. According to experts, children will often describe this pain as “stiffness, tightness, tenderness, burning or aching.” This pain can last for months and is often accompanied by other symptoms that affect a child’s overall well-being, energy level, and emotional health, including:
If your child is experiencing these symptoms, you should see a doctor. There’s not one test to confirm it, so he/she will go through a range of tests to rule out other conditions.
Unfortunately, there is no one “cure” for fibromyalgia, which can be frustrating for patients, especially children. If left untreated, symptoms can lead to issues at school or making friends. Many parents describe this as a “vicious cycle” where symptoms continue to feed the condition.
Experts still aren’t sure what causes fibromyalgia or how it develops in the body. Some believe that mixed-up pain signals in the brain cause greater pain chemicals and/or overactive pain receptors. Others think it might be triggered, in part, by an emotional event like an illness, injury or psychological stress. But even if the cause involves emotions, the pain is still real.
It’s important to create a support team and get your child’s primary care doctor, pain specialist, psychologist, physical therapist, and teachers on board. The more people are aware of your child’s condition, the more they can help him/her cope with symptoms at home and school. You may also want to look for pain support groups near you, for both your child and you as a parent.
Your doctor can help you decide whether medication, such as anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, or nerve pain medications, may be right for your child. He or she also may recommend therapies like injections or topical creams. In conjunction with these interventions, your doctor will probably prescribe treatments like physical therapy and behavioral changes, which are crucial to long-term management of fibromyalgia.
Let’s go over some nonpharmacological strategies for coping with fibromyalgia.
Although fibromyalgia may disrupt your child’s life, affecting school and friendships, you may be able to improve your child’s quality of life with these natural therapies and changes. Of course, there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but by managing symptoms, you can help your child get back to some sense of normalcy.
Exercise can be incredibly valuable for managing your child’s fibromyalgia symptoms. Exercise can relieve muscle stiffness and tire out the body physically so that your child can fall asleep more easily. In particular, pool exercises have been shown to help patients because the warm water can have a soothing effect on pain and also promote blood circulation.
Consider signing up your child for swim class to get regular exercise that is both fun and good for symptoms. Start with limited intervals of exercise at first, and slowly increase them as symptoms allow. Aquatic physical therapy can be extremely beneficial for patients whose fibromyalgia is too severe for regular pool activities.
While your child may not be interested in meditation, try to incorporate some of the practices in your child’s daily life. After playtime, encourage your child to take a moment to relax and reset. In addition, teach your child how to use relaxing breathing exercises when he/she feels overwhelmed during school or before bed.
Studies show that meditation can help reduce fibromyalgia patients’ stiffness, anxiety and depression. In the least, promoting a stress-free environment and creating a sense of relaxation will help your child feel less anxious.
Your child’s sleep routine is essential for improving fibromyalgia symptoms. Chart out the best routine for your child together. Make sure he/she goes to bed at the same time every day and start “sleep-ready” habits an hour before bed. This routine could include a break from screen time, reading a story together, listening to a relaxing song and/or taking a hot bath. Promoting a relaxing environment will help your child get to sleep.
Make sure you’re not giving your child food late at night, especially items with any caffeine or sugar. Also, be sure take away tablets and cell phones. The blue light can wake up your child instead of helping him/her get sleepy. Sufficient sleep is essential to managing pain.
Some experts recommend following an anti-inflammatory diet to prevent aches and pains. In general, an anti-inflammatory diet is based on the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fish, fish, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil.
Update your child’s lunch to include a handful of nuts, or add an apple for a snack. Anytime you can add fruits and vegetables to his/her diet, do it! This boost of nutrients will fuel your child for success. Try to limit junk food as well, which has no value and could actually inflame your child’s pains.
Your child could benefit from seeing a physical therapist or chiropractor near you. Recent studies show how physical therapy or chiropractic can have a positive impact on fibromyalgia patients. Finding the right physical therapist is important. Call in advance to ensure they have experience with fibromyalgia and/or with children. Specific exercises in physical therapy can help to improve your child’s core strength and incorporate techniques to soothe muscle aches and pain. Similarly, regular massage therapy sessions with an experienced masseuse can improve your child’s exercise, sleep and mood.
A fibromyalgia diagnosis can be challenging, but doesn’t have to take over your child’s life. It’s a good idea to talk to an expert to come up with the most effective care plan for your child, one that ideally includes a diverse range of strategies, like those listed above. Together, you can talk about your child’s specific issues and needs, and figure out the best way to improve symptoms.
About Dr. Brent Wells
Dr. Brent Wells is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his bachelor of science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. He founded Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab in Anchorage in 1998. He became passionate about being in the chiropractic field after his own experiences with hurried, unprofessional healthcare providers. The goal for Dr. Wells is to treat his patients with care and compassion while providing them with a better quality of life through his professional treatment.
Melinda
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Christmas is my favorite holiday without a doubt. When I was little it was all about the gifts, now my focus is on Jesus Christ. Sure, gifts are nice but that is not why I celebrate.
Melinda
Fewer and fewer companies follow through on their commitments. We had a new grill delivered today and it required two people to haul away the old grill. They only sent one person and my husband had to lift the heavy old grill to the front of the house. I can be a hard ass but if you commit then follow through.
There is no reason for children to have a phone at school. They are a distraction to listening in class. Parents do not need to call to chit-chat or ask questions during school hours. If it’s something pressing, call the Principle. Some will say they need them in case of a school shooting, BS. The kids need to focus on the teacher and the directions given to them from the Safety Plan.
Give kids wings, they will build confidence by making their own choices.
These were heartbreaking news stories. Recently three small children were out after dark, I mean late night. All three didn’t go to the crosswalk and all were hit by cars. None lived. This a lesson for parents, young children do not need to be out alone after dark.
If you notice a different behavior in your kids, watch closely. Has their language changed? or running with a different crowd? Talking about dark subjects? This is a good time to check out their social media accounts and the people they follow. Many times the police have found that social media accounts have clues or even threats. This may give you a better idea of what is happening in their life. Help your child before they ruin their life and the lives of others. Most importantly keep all guns in the house with a safely lock on them and locked in a safe your kids do not know the combination to.
When you call a company ask and write their name down. Over the last month, my husband has been dealing with our new medical insurance company who’s giving a different wrong answer every time he calls. It makes it harder to bump up the call and share who you’ve talked to if you don’t have names. Today he was told that the system was broken. I’m sure that is not what she meant.
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
The roses look red but they are bright orange.
Melinda
Enjoy!
Melinda
A jar of homemade scrub or infused oil, or bath salts, is a superb gift in itself, but making your own aesthetically pleasing packaging to it elevates the gift even more.
Wax paper
Glass jar: small
Twine
Driend Lavender srpig
Mini-clothespin
Fold a piece of wax paper so it’s almost square. Place the folded wax paper on top of a small glass jar and secure with twine. Insert a dried lavender sprig and secure with a mini-clothespin.
Be sure to use an airtight jar and secure the lid tightly. You don’t want the contents to leak into the packaging.
Use your imagination when decorating the jar.
Melinda
Reference:
Willow & Sage by Stampington
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series. I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their blog with you. This week, I highlight The Mindful Migraine.
I’ve had migraines on and off since I was 11 years old. More recently, my ‘episodic hemiplegic migraines’ began to merge together, and I was diagnosed with ‘chronic migraine’. Chronic migraine reduced my ability to parent, work, study, travel and socialize. It is a debilitating condition, which is not yet fully understood and is not currently curable. It’s more than ‘just a headache’ – it’s a ‘full body catastrophe’ – and perhaps not surprisingly, can lead to isolation and depression.
Remember it’s ‘your brain – your pain – your journey’ and since every body and every situation is different, you should always work with your health care support network on which strategies will best suit your individual condition.
M. What is your favorite post and why?
L. My favorite post is probably “The face of (dis)ability” – it aimed to show that people with chronic illness are still capable – we might be down but we’re definitely not out. It was one of the rare posts that I include a photo of myself, and in it, I’m celebrating my successes (showing myself as a uni student and a new blogger) AND acknowledging my limitations (I’m wearing my brain-fog shirt and my invisible disability lanyard). I think it’s a nice reminder that life is complex and there’s often more to everyone than meets the eye.
M. Looking back at your blogging experience, what stands out the most to you personally?
L. By far the greatest joy to me has been the sense of community that Blogland provides. When I first started blogging, I was lonely and felt as if my chronic illness had left me on the outside of my local community (no one I knew had chronic migraines, so no one really “got it”). Reading other blogs, commenting on their posts, and replying to their comments on my blog soon saw a network of bloggers grow around me. Those that had similar experiences helped me feel seen and understood, whilst those who were not annoyed by chronic illness helped me feel part of the wider world. Imagine logging on each morning and hearing from people like yourself, positioned all over the world!! What a wonder!! That same network now helps me stay motivated to keep writing, keep reading, keep encouraging others to speak their truth and be there for others
One of my favorite posts is Foot yoga for migraines. I shook my head at first, then realized it made sense.
Be sure to visit Linda’s blog, say hello, and enjoy her archives.
Melinda
Here we’ve compiled a few examples so you can start experimenting.
Bergamont: sweet, fruity
Lemon: fresh, crisp
Orange: sweet, fruity
Grapefruit: fresh, citrusy
Peppermint: strong, minty
Lime: fresh, citrusy
Spearmint: fresh, minty
Clove: warm, spicy
Clary Sage: herbaceous
Juniper Berry: floral
Eucalyptus: strong, fresh
Tea Tree: medicinal, herbaceous
Lavender: herbaceous: floral
Lemongrass: strong, citrus
Cedarwood: mild, woody
Black Pepper: spicy, sharp
Cinnamon Leaf: spicy, strong
Patchouli: earthy, musky
Vetiver: war, spicy
Yalg-Yalg: strong, floral
Sandalwood: woody, warm
Melinda
Reference:
Willow & Sage by Stampington
Boy, do topics change at every stage in life. A few topics that get me engaged are art, travel, and gardening.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
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 use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
At 40 years old and divorced, I took a chance on getting married again. I felt strongly that he was the one who would stay until the end. 22 years later, we’re going strong and closer than ever. No regrets for me.
Melinda
Weight lifting and stretching are useful at any age, but there are specific benefits for older adults.
With aging comes concerns about strength, balance, and mobility. But integrating resistance training and stretching into your routine can keep you feeling healthy and strong.
Not sure where to start? Read on for a primer on how movement can make a difference, plus a full-body workout and stretching routine that you can do at home.
Committing to and maintaining an at-home strength training program can be the first step to preventing — or delaying the onset of — many age-related ailments.
The best part is, it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
Your at-home strength training program should:
Combine these 6 strength exercises for an effective and comprehensive full-body workout.
Unless otherwise noted, do 3 sets of 10–12 reps of each of these exercises.
With balance declining as you age, proactively focusing on improving it is key. Start with this one-legged drill to suss out any imbalances you may have:
The squat is a powerhouse exercise, not only for building muscle but for preparing you for daily life. If you ever sit in a chair, you’ll benefit from squatting. Here’s how to do it:
Pushups are one of the most effective exercises to gain upper body strength, and you need no equipment to execute them. Start on a wall, and then try a pushup kneeling if you want more of a challenge. Here’s how to do it:
A strong back is key for good posture, among other things. Use a resistance band here to strengthen those muscles:
A boon for both balance and stability, bird dog will challenge your full body.
An effective exercise for the posterior chain — or the back of your body — glute bridges will build strength in no time. Add a dumbbell to your hips if you need added resistance.
Do these 5 stretches to hit all of the major body parts and help improve your flexibility and mobility.
If not indicated, hold each stretch for about 30 seconds total. As you focus on breathing — deep inhale, deep exhale — try to go deeper into the stretch.
Particularly if you sit a lot, stretching the hamstrings is important to maintain good movement in the hips. Here’s how to do it:
Hip functionality is key to many movements in our daily lives, like walking, so keeping these muscles and joints mobile is important. Try this seated stretch:
Combat the forward-lean posture with this chest-opening stretch:
Another good stretch if you find your shoulders rounding forward, this rotation will target and release your upper body:
Stretch your back and core with this move:
Consistently strength training and stretching, even for short periods 3 times per week, can help tremendously in delaying or preventing many age-related ailments. Start slow and watch your strength, balance, and mobility improve.
Last medically reviewed on October 11, 2024
Melinda
Reference:
Mary and I have become good friends, and her encouragement, positive attitude, and motivation have helped me grow. Her book has expanded my life in new ways. Thanks, Mary.
Author Mary K. Doyle has a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Theology. Her fluid, conversational writing style results from an extensive career in feature writing, advertising, and publicity over more than thirty years. Her latest book is Navigating Alzheimer’s: 12 Truths about Caring for Your Loved One. This information was taken from the back of the book.
Whether readers are praying the rosary for the first time or are already praying the rosary daily, they will find that The Rosary Prayer by Prayer is an invaluable resource and aid to promoting a deeper prayer experience. It is a treasure chest of information about the history and benefits of the rosary, suggestions for meditation on the mysteries, exquisite artwork, and references. This book is also an easy way to learn how to pray the rosary.
You can find Mary’s book on Amazon.
“I grew up Catholic, but didn’t know that there were multiple devotions to saying the rosary. And, as an adult and lapsed Catholic I was a bit fuzzy on the basics as well. This book does a soulful job of detailing the steps and introducing the special devotions of each of the mysteries. The pen and inks are a beautiful accompaniment to the text. A very nice gift book for anyone who wants to reaquaint themselves with the devotion of the rosary.”
Mary has written nine books; you can see the collection HERE.
The book’s layout flows nicely and leads smoothly into the next topic.
Each Prayer shares the history of the Rosary prayers and references the Scripture where the prayer originated. Each prayer has an illustration of the Rosary, and the bead to start the prayer is circled.
The book is informative, not technical, and written with a gentle heart.
The Rosary is written for everyone, and her writing is easy to understand. I’ve learned so much. The Rosary Prayer By Prayer is a must-read for all Catholics or those who are curious. It’s a book for your bookshelves to reference for years to come.
Major Thumbs up!
Mary’s blog is Midwest Mary. Her writing is informative and inspirational. Stop by her blog, say hello, and enjoy the archives. You’ll be glad you did.
Melinda
This post is not a rant; it’s based on facts that may set you ablaze, too.
Here’s a brief overview of how he is taking private medical records without permission to gather information and track people with Autism.
What is next? Americans with no right to privacy?
This is appalling, and it opens the door for our government to use and misuse our private information.
Be sure to read the article in full; the information was taken from an interview on CBS.
Melinda
Reference::
https://people.com/rfk-jr-to-launch-autism-registry-using-private-health-records-11720156
Make smaller quantities, approximately what you will use in three months.
Make sure you only use absolutely clean and sterile equipment, utensils, and storage bottles.
Take out only as much product as you will use in the next week, and always store the rest in the refrigerator. If properly made and stored, the backstock will last three to four months.
Don’t dip your fingers in the container because you can introduce contaminants that will make the product go bad sooner. Instead, use a sterile spoon or spatula to transfer product from the backstock container to a daily-use container. Similarly, either use a spoon to scoop out the product for daily use or keep it in a pump bottle.
Store the daily-use container away from direct sunlight and heat.
If the recipe separates or smells off, discard it and make a new batch.
Melinda
Reference:
Willow & Sage by Stampington
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday, and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
I am nervous about several things: snakes, fire, tornadoes, and running late.
Have a great day.
Melinda
Wrapping your gifts has never been easier, and you may have many items needed at home.
Fabric scraps
Wax paper
Parchment paper
Twine
String
Greeneery
Dried natural elements
Brown paper bag
Muslin bags
Cheesecloth
Glass jars
Scizzors
Tape
Glue
Naturally dyed materials
Ephemera
Decorative tape
Writing tools
Whole spices
Melinda
Reference:
Willow & Sage by Stampington
Melinda
I’m retired, so my days are not as demanding. Stress is a different story. To relax, I go to my office with no noise, social media, phone, and no dogs. I meditate for as long as I can, which clears my mind, and then I go downstairs to eat dinner.
Mellinda
Together, these herbs create a potent skin-healing and infection-preventing preparation that is great to have on hand.
Digital scale
0.5 oz. yarrow
0.3 oz thyme
0.2 oz lavender
5 oz vodka: 120 proof
Glass jar
Parchment paper: unbleached
Fine-mesh sieve
Cheesecloth
Large bowl
Dropper bottle/spray bottle
Melinda
Reference:
Wolllow & Sage by Stampington
lookingforthelight.blog 
