A Health Musing: Movement is Medicine

 And now for a nonfiction short…

📷credit: Thank you, Leonardo da Vinci and Pixabay Vector

Movement is Medicine

It was the late 80s, and I remember our two-story house as clear as day. Smack in the kitchen was a round yellow table. It was built into the home and attached to a desk and storage area. It was around that table everything changed. 

One day Dad came home from seeing a doctor, and life took a sharp turn down 2104 Healthy Ave. Suddenly dinners went from beef or pork to chicken, fish, and turkey burgers (they are NOT the same as beef burgers, especially for children under ten). All proteins went on the grill. It didn’t matter there was a -10 degree windchill; the grill was fired up and ready to cook healthy. We ripped out a large window, put in French doors, and extended the deck. To grill. To be healthy.

Breakfast shifted to a high-fiber cereal piled with wheat germ and then drowned in powdered milk (long before today’s vast choices of non-dairy). Thank goodness my brother and I didn’t have to endure the breakfast aspect of good health.  

And then, we cue the exercise. Yep, plop a loud whirling exercise bike in the living room. My Dad would ride that bike every night after work for at least 30 minutes. 

I didn’t understand it at the time and thought he was just a weird grown-up, but that was when he started taking his health very seriously. That was his precipice, and he jumped headlong into a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. In his 40s.  

Flash forward to today, in the second decade of the next century. Dad turned 84 at the beginning of 2023. He was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in the summer of 2021. 

Wait, I thought this was about health? Keep reading.

Parkinson’s is not a one size fits all shoe. In fact, it’s uniquely designed for each individual. Symptoms and experiences can be vastly different for every person who has it. This can make it more complicated to treat.

The majority of folks get a diagnosis in their 50s or 60s. Of course, it has been known to show up in those younger (30s-40s). What’s not so common is a diagnosis in your 80s. 

Dad’s diagnosis came much later than average, and his symptoms are on the milder side (thank the heavens). Why? His neurologist believes his choice to live a healthier life and exercise regularly staved off the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. 

Take a moment to reread that: His neurologist believes his movement/exercise/healthy habits staved off the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. 

Movement. Getting up. Exercising. My Dad didn’t run triathlons or enter the UFC ring. He got on an exercise bike for 30 minutes a day and lifted light weights. He also made better food choices and chose to actively live his life: traveling, learning, and enjoying entertainment.

At this point,  he is responding well to medications and needs moderate amounts of artificial dopamine, which is fantastic. And he still moves EVERY day. We are all very lucky he made himself and his health a priority all those years ago.

So why share this? To celebrate Dad. Duh.

But also to acknowledge the truth: We only get one body/mind combo. If we treat it right now, it WILL function better later. Movement is a key factor in that equation. 

One last thought: You know, when we’re kids, we think our parents have it all figured out, but once we become adults, we realize how little they knew. They were just figuring it all out as they went along, too, like we are NOW.  

My Gen X folks…this is us… my kind, handsome Dad was our age when he decided to make changes. Changes that likely gave him 20 years… twenty extra years. GOOD years with grandchildren and family and travel and friends and laughter.  

The final bottom line is: Movement is medicine. Get up.

The End

A Tongue-in-Cheek Musing: Finger Politics

 And now for something completely different…

*I will warn you this is a VERY tongue-in-cheek problem-solving tactic. If you lack a sense of humor and/or have no appreciation for imagination riddled with dark twistedness, this is probably NOT for you. 

📷 Credit: stokpic from Pixabay

Finger Politics

What’s the best thing about the 21st century? 

“Political ads come right to your phone. No need to drive or get the mail or turn on a TV; those toxic messages are delivered DIRECTLY to me. Best thing ever.” 

I hope that was read with sarcasm, an eye roll, or at least a scoff. 

With the constant barrage of spam to my phone, I started thinking about all that goes into election propaganda… the massive quantities of time, money, and energy. Then there’s the side effect of toxic disruptions and interruptions from every media outlet, trash from signs, flyers, mailers, etc… and now direct delivery? I’ll insert my own eye roll!  

Seriously though, being a compassionate solutions-minded human, I’ve got to wonder if it wouldn’t be better to channel that immense force into something more positive, like ending homelessness, investing in mental wellness, cleaning up cities, reinvesting and refining old and dilapidated infrastructures, positively impacting education (psst...replace the political figureheads with good quality educational leaders at the helm, and the system will all fall into place. Try it. Prove me wrong.).

I digress.

ANYWAY, how do we clean up the political propaganda? Finger Politics 

This idea originated in 2018. On the way to work, I’d pull out onto Tropicana and there was nothing but a sea of political signs. Every corner was littered with faces and slogans. Every f#cking corner. As if a morning commute isn’t bad enough (*insert eye roll*). Now that elections are looming in 2022, and spam is blowing up my phone, I’ve decided to revisit an old idea.

What is Finger Politics? Each candidate…at every level…in any capacity…pledges to stand behind and back TEN issues/policies throughout their term. Every time they actively go against anything they pledged to do, they get a finger cut off. 

For example, I’m an elected official, and one of my campaign promises was to increase funding for public education, but then I voted against it, or I did anything to intentionally stand in the way of getting funding for public education; I would lose a finger. However, if I voted to increase funding and it still didn’t pass, I’d get to keep my finger. It’s not about always finding success; it’s about following through with what I promised my constituents I would do. 

Plus, with glaring truths at our fingertips (pun intended), there would be no need for dramatic, over-the-top smear campaigns. All ads would be in the same format: a picture of the candidates’ faces with fingers held high and all their pertinent information on the bottom: 

Dale Smith, 7 fingers, 4 years in office

Paula Doe, 3 fingers, 8 years in office

Stephanie Nobody, 9 fingers, 15 years in office

On the back of their face/finger card, every candidate would have the opportunity to explain the finger loss(es) and/or tout any accomplishments, like how they kept their current fingers.

One card. That’s it. Think of all the money and time saved. Plus, all the waste that’s not wasted! Not only does it clean up a literal mess of papers and trash, but there is also a bit of accountability tucked in there. 

Finger Politics may seem a bit harsh and unconventional, but it should only be worrisome for those who lie. An honest person would have nothing to worry about. And it really could be a highly effective way to streamline the overwhelming mayhem of intrusive monstrosities that have become political propaganda. Besides, aren’t we all a bit tired of the dishonest, corrupt mess politics has become?

In conclusion, Finger Politics has many benefits: Less trash in landfills. No more phone spam. No more signage on the roads. No more flyers in mailboxes. No more ads on the TV. No more toxic rhetoric. PLUS, an added element of accountability.

As an added bonus, there would be less need to pursue term limits. Once you’re out of fingers, you’re out. After all, it’s Finger Politics. Not Nub Politics. 

Want to keep your fingers? Say what you mean and mean what you say. 

Finger Politics could be a simple solution to growing and unnecessary problems. 

An Honorable Mention

I am thrilled to have earned an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest for my story A Deception, a short little tale about a god, a siren, and an entrance to the Underworld.

A sneak peek at the opening below. Stay tuned as I share more over the next few weeks.

A Deception

“Come on, old friend,” said Hades, looking entirely out of place drinking a margarita at the Tiki Hut on a beach in the Florida Keys. He stroked his beard, pulled down his sunglasses, and met Janus’ gaze, “Look, man, you know I wouldn’t ask, but things up here are a bit out of control, and it’s radically affecting the systematic way I run things downstairs. I should have most of it sorted out in a month or two, but I only need you guys to guard the Entrance to the Underworld for six weeks. Tops. Plus, Naribelle,” he glanced at the voluptuous beauty sunning herself oceanside, “she’s a natural. Six weeks is all I need…promise…”

To Be Continued

Lessons From My Dog

And now for 'a little something different'... 

Lessons From My Dog

Do you have one of those smug all-knowing dogs? Well, I kinda do. His name is Mulligan. He’s 12 and VERY wise, but he has more of a super chill vibe about him.  

In fact, he is the epitome of fantasticness and quite possibly the SWEETEST soul I’ve ever known. I like to think I’ve gleaned just a smidgen of his wisdom in our time together. Here’s the short list of things I’ve learned (in no particular order). 

1. Water is good for the soul. Get to it. Hang out around it. Find time to frolic and swim. 

2. Adventures start with getting in the truck. Anytime you’re on an adventure, you should stop for ice cream. 

3. Every time you step outside, pause and take a moment to delight in whatever you may find…sunshine, rain, snow, wind, hellish humidity, slicing cold… embrace it all. For a moment. 

4. Growing old is a bitch. Patience and willingness to adapt are essential to continuing to do the things you love. 

5. Always greet others in a friendly manner…a gentle nod, a slight smile, a quick kiss, a little sniff, or nose to the crotch (the last one is all him).

6. Fears (thunderstorms, fireworks, stairs…whatever they may be) are legitimate and real. One may not like them, but one can survive them.

7. Naps are a thing of beauty. Nap often. Nap hard.

8. Make the time to wander, smell the flowers and take the scenic route. The road less traveled is always better. 

9. Find joy whenever and wherever you can.

10. Old dogs can (and do) learn new tricks. All the time. No matter their age.

My Mulligan (aka…SWEETNESS, Sweets, Snuggie Buggies, McHandsomepants, Snugglies) lives life as a precious gift, a present. He amazes me every day. I’m honored to be his Lady. ☺️

And in case, you’ve never noticed god is dog spelled backward. Just sayin’.  😉🤷‍♀️🐾

Snippet Saturday: A Girl and Death

As a writer, I want to make the reader feel...

Check out this excerpt from... Ruby Hood, A Twistedly True Tale... the retelling of a classic fairy tale that takes a completely different path over the river and through the Wood...

Everything around her trembled, and then froze. People and trees stood still. The gray eyed raven stiffened in mid-air. There wasn’t even the slightest gust of breeze, leaving Ruby alone with a dying Kellan in her arms. Time had stopped. How had this happened? She shuddered slightly, and her chest heaved. A roulette of emotions spun inside her, and at the root of all of them, was one truth. She loved him.

Evoking Emotion in the Reader

As a writer, I always want to make the reader feel what's happening in the story. And that's no easy feat, but I've been working on it. 😉

An excerpt from... Ruby Hood, A Twistedly True Tale... the retelling of a classic fairy tale that takes a completely different path over the river and through the Wood.

Immersed in a moment of flux, Ruby hung in mid-nowhere before she landed with a thud. Blackness absorbed every inch of her space, and a deafening silence stifled her. Her senses roared into overdrive, and a panic rose in her chest. The empty nothingness of the room over-filled her lungs. Her pulse throbbed as she gasped for air. How could she have been this wrong? She was to die. Right here. Right now. 

Adding Sensory Details: The Storm

Image by Edward Lich from Pixabay

Can you feel the storm? 

...the weather shifted dramatically. The white clouds turned a dark grayish purple, sending the sun into hiding. The soft breeze sharpened into a cold pinprick pelting Ruby’s skin. Branches swayed, snapping in all directions. The thunder rumbled; Ruby steadied herself as the ground shook with the sky. Several bolts of lightning shot out of the heavens and cracked atop trees all around them.

Ruby screamed and reached for Grams.

“Oh my, Ruby! We need to get to shelter.” Grams, quite spry for 80, took off for the cabin. “Hurry.”

The thunder mumbled and groaned while lightning charged the air, just as the sky opened up. Big cold drops fell atop Ruby and Grams. They ran even faster.

When they entered the clearing, the storm continued to wage war in the stormy sky above. Ruby and Grams were soaked from head to toe, but that didn't stop them. They raced up the steps, two at a time, desperate to be dry and safe.

“Get in here, you two,” Grams shouted as she passed the two men waiting on the porch. “Don’t just stand there and get struck by lightning.”