health Archives

Do These Things Only Matter To Me?

March 8, 2026February 28, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, safety, Travel, writingTagged health, respect, safety3 Comments

Thank you … there are times I appreciate hearing “thank you”. Other times it is appropriate to send a written, through snail mail, thank you card to another who deserves a thoughtful thank you. In my opinion, I feel it is worse when discovering some people never acknowledge anyone with thanks. I believe this tells you something about a person. I am just saying it matters to me.

Trail etiquette … when hiking a trail and another hiker is coming toward you. Whoever is hiking uphill has the right of way and the other person steps aside. It does happen, at times, when the uphill hiker wants to take a breather and waves you on; it is their choice. Trail etiquette is simple courtesy and that matters to me!

Traffic signs exist for a reason. I get it; many people drive 5-7 miles per hour above a speed limit sign. But why does one drive in a lane clearly marked with a red “X” on a bridge? The driver I saw doing this was speeding also! I prayed no construction person was working further down the lane with their little work sign up. I think this mattered to others on the highway as we saw that vehicle in a closed lane.

Honesty, truth, science, telling it like it is really … do not lie, embellish, or make something up. I am most happy to talk with anyone, even if our beliefs are not aligned, as long as he/she can be respectfully honest to have a productive conversation. We may part still not on the same page; however, each of us had been heard as we shared our thoughts/points of view. This matters to me especially as this nation is polarized. We, all as Americans, can work to solve issues so our country moves forward in the 21st century … that matters to me.

Respect… you are you, I am me. What makes anyone think we should all be the same? We are not. Don’t dictate the cookie cutter of your choice. The reason I travel the world is to view the differences around the world. Culture, religion, politics, environment, music, food, art, personalities, beliefs … with no expectation of others being like me or thinking like me. Respect for another’s choice for their life within the government they live. The USA is not the only country in the world. We must all learn how to work and play together so as not to destroy our planet and ways of life. This matters a whole bunch to me, especially as I travel the world. I wish everyone good health, safety and joy.

Hydrate: I Should Know Better!

September 18, 2025Posted in blogging, fitness, safety, Travel, writingTagged first aid, health, travelLeave a comment

Keeping one’s body hydrated, especially when in hot temperatures and participating in an outdoor activity, must be a priority. And I should know better as I live in the desert! But in vacation mode, I was not paying attention to how much water-rich foods or fluids I was ingesting. Also, I was visiting friends living at a higher altitude than my hometown. With my faster breathing in the thinner, dry air and my sweat evaporating from my skin exposed to sun and wind, my body was dehydrating as I hiked.

My backpack carried a full water bladder, yet apparently I soon discover, it was not enough water for this 5 mile hike. Knowing the early symptoms of dehydration, unfortunately because I have had serious dehydration events in my past, I quickly took note of headache and fatigue setting in.

My hiking buddy and I turned back on the trail, stopped in shady spots, and I sipped from her water container a couple of times. We eventually made the decision to cut away from the main trail and hike a social trail to a road. I know the forest service wants everyone to stay on the main trail, but this shortcut would be a half mile less of walking as we returned to our vehicle down the road.

So how did this happen to me? I had water in my backpack and was sipping it while on the trail. Days prior to this hike at a higher altitude than home, I should have been sure to be hydrated then and not wait to the day of the hike to hydrate. Lemonade, milk, water, juices, water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables all would have helped. I soon realized, a colonoscopy and illness the week before probably left me dehydrated. The bottom line was I did a lousy job being hydrated for this hike and I should have known better!

So the moral of the story…stay hydrated every day… carry plenty of water on a hike… know the symptoms for dehydration and return to a safe place to get hydrated. Be ready to hike on another day safely!

Lemonade, a delicious fluid, to be part of my hydration!

CURE SMA … What?

June 2, 2024May 15, 2024Posted in blogging, writingTagged Cure SMA, health, spinal muscular atrophy1 Comment

SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) is a rare genetic condition. I recently became aware of it through a family member with a child who has been impacted. People with SMA are robbed of their physical strength to walk, swallow or breathe. The disorder affects nerve cells in their spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. With the muscles not responding to signals from the nerves, they weaken and shrink from inactivity.

One in 11,000 births are affected and one in 50 people is a genetic carrier. There is no cure, but the goal of CURE SMA is to fund research to develop therapies beyond what has occurred in the last 8 years.

Fortunately my family member received a groundbreaking treatment at 15 days old and knows there are now other drugs available. Five years ago she fortunately was born in a state that included SMA in the prenatal genetic screening.

Now CURE SMA has reached a goal of 100 percent newborn screening of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in all 50 states with Hawaii at the start of 2024. Receiving early diagnosis of any condition allows one timely access to powerful treatments and cures.

June 2nd there is a CURE SMA Walk-n-Roll event at Villanova University from 9am – noon. Check it out if you are in the area and/or find an event in your area at https://www.curesma.org. Or research spinal muscular atrophy if you wish to learn more. And be sure prenatal genetic screening is accomplished in your state if you know someone having a newborn baby. Always take care of your and your family member’s health!

Science Can Help Us …

July 2, 2020June 17, 2020Posted in blogging, TravelTagged health, scienceLeave a comment

Once upon a time I was a grades 7 – 9 science educator. I loved teaching science and would tell my students the world revolves around learning science! You learn math, English, history and science all at once, plus some basic info to care for yourself.

Wherever I travel in the world, I visit a local school. Some I have donated materials because I know the value of quality education for our young people and other educators appreciate books and supplies while working with their students.

Recently I was looking at my photos from a school visit in India. I decided this scientific message needed to be shared… really nothing new, but why can people not follow this science?