As soon as they welcome you to the whole, the parts start claiming you. This is really interesting for so early in the morning. Does anyone ever bowl alone? Why do we have to join something? Take sides? When are we ever really neutral? Have you ever read "Democracy In America" by Alexis de Tocqueville. Is it regretful that I haven't, maybe even un-American? I have heard it often referred to and quoted but I have never read it, actually held the book in my own hands. We'll save that for 2016.
School
is out and summer is here, which means kids and parents alike will be
looking for ways to enjoy the warm weather in fun and exciting ways.
June is National Great Outdoors Month, and Benefits.gov is sharing ideas on what you and your family can do this summer to enjoy the fresh air.
Activities like camping, hiking, swimming and biking are just a few
of the many options you, your friends, and family can partake in around
the U.S. this summer.
By visiting Recreation.gov,
you can find in-depth information on our country’s many National Parks,
make camping reservations, and see a list of outdoor activities and
events.
While on Recreation.gov, we found a list of activities that may be helpful to you:
Pitch a Tent - Reserve a campsite anywhere from destination campgrounds like Grand Canyon National Park to lesser-known gems like Maple Grove Campground on the Fishlake National Forest, to unique camping experiences that require planning and preparation like Brooks Camp in Alaska.
Hike a Trail - Recreation.gov provides information
on everything from easy day hikes with trailheads starting at the
campground, to challenging wilderness routes such as the Enchantment Permit Area within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Whitewater Raft - These challenging trips, such as the Snake River through Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge, require research, experience, advance planning, and preparation. Try the Youghiogheny for a range of experiences from beginner to advanced.
Pack a Picnic - Reserve a popular shelter like the Appalachian Clubhouse in
Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a meeting or celebration, or
one of the lakeside Army Corps of Engineers picnic shelters, such as
lovely Buck Ridge on Henley Lake.
Settle into a Cabin - These range from remote and rustic cabins accessible only by boat or float plane, like San Juan Bay Cabin, only by train, like Denver Caboose Cabin in Alaska, to those with more amenities like water, electricity and road access at Blue Springs Gap Cabin.
If you would like to find a way to give back to the community while still enjoying the outdoors, Greatoutdoorsmonth.org has information on volunteer events that everyone can participate in.
National Great Outdoors Month is not only a good reason to get
outside, but also an opportunity to encourage your friends and family to
join you in getting active and living a healthy lifestyle.
As always, we encourage you to visit Benefits.gov and take the Benefit Finder
to see which benefits you may be eligible for based on your current
situation. We hope you and your family take advantage of the great
outdoors this month!
This just might be the most poorly written story since the last poorly written story was written.
"No one, however, could have predicted that he might hang up the cleats due to an allergic reaction to hockey equipment"
Hockey players don't wear cleats. They wear skates. Neither does the the article give very much information as to exactly what the future Hall of Famer is allergic too. There are more than a few pieces of equipment that a hockey player wears so exactly what it is that he is allergic too is not clear at all.
"The
longtime Blackhawk and ex-Senators, Thrashers, Penguins and Red Wings
forward, per Friedman, is likely to send Hossa into either retirement or
long-term injured reserve.
According to several
sources, there is a legitimate possibility Hossa has played his final
NHL game. (He could not be reached for comment. Neither could his agent,
Ritch Winter. The Blackhawks declined to comment.) Apparently, he
suffers from a serious allergic reaction to the equipment he wears.
The
sources who confirmed the allergy stressed not to make fun of it, with
one saying, "It's only funny to anyone who's never had it." Details are
sketchy, because no one would give full information, but the medication
necessary to combat the allergy is potent enough that doctors wanted his
blood tested every few weeks to make sure there were no major side
effects.
That's very serious stuff, and word is doctors worried about Hossa taking the medicine for extended periods of time.
It's
a sensitive deal if, in fact, Hossa suffers from the allergic reaction.
But it's no doubt a curious one, too, seeing as though the former
Stanley Cup champion has already been in the league for two decades and
would hit Chicago hard financially if he were to step away from the
game.
Friedman has the details:
If he were to
retire now, the Blackhawks would be hit with what are called "cap
recapture" penalties -- $3.675 million off their club's cap number from
next season until 2020-21. For a team already facing a crunch, that's a
massive blow.
Marian Hossa has scored 525 goals in 19 NHL seasons and helped Chicago win three Stanley Cups.
USATSI
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
If Butterfingers are your go-to movie munchy or mini Nestle Crunch
bars were the highlight of your childhood Halloweens, this is an extra
sad Monday. Nestlé just announced that it's considering selling its American candy brands, which includes classic candy aisle mainstays like Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Gobstoppers, 100 Grand, SkinnyCow, Raisinets and Crunch bars.Now,
before you go buying up your local drugstore and hoarding Butterfingers
in your pantry, let's clarify — these products won't necessarily be
gone foreverif the sale happens. However, the candy bars could be sold under a new label and possibly have a new recipe or formula, depending on who buys the rights.
"Nestlé will explore strategic options for its U.S. confectionery
business, including a potential sale," the company said in a statement.
Basically, nothing in life will ever be the same again.
If
you're a fan of Nestlé's Toll House cookies, though, don't worry: Those
won't be part of the sale, as they're held under a separate part of the
company — as are Kit Kat bars, which are produced by Nestlé's
international arm, not its American one.
Nestlé blames this decision on Americans being more interested in healthy snack choices. We may still love our sugar, but we’re eating less of it, and industries like candy and cereal are feeling the impact.
We're
conflicted about this news. On one hand, hooray for U.S. citizens for
finally taking their health into their own hands, getting educated and
breaking our dependency (or at least starting to be less dependent) on
sugars and processed foods. With our current obesity crisis and health
care policy being very much in limbo, eating healthier is one simple way
to keep our nation in better shape. 20 desserts that use up all those broken candy canes
However,
there's definitely going to be some nostalgic sadness seeing
Butterfingers, Crunch bars and Baby Ruths disappear from the candy aisle (even if they reappear with different packaging). They were childhood staples!
Nestlé hopes to have a deal in place by the end of 2017, so if this post hasn't convinced you not to hoard candy bars, you have time to stock up.
The only people it seems who are willing to talk about death are doctors. Even given the subject matter that pervades are airwaves the one remaining taboo is death. You can write a book about it and how you fought it and overcame it but if you want to just talk about dying, well there's not to many people that want to 1) talk about it and 2) even less who want to listen to you talk about it. But my social media page is my social media page. I don't think of the miniscule number of people who see my posts are that interested in the first place and that's fine. Most of us just want to hear ourselves talk anyway.
So after my recent bouts with Influenza followed by a week or so later a mild heart attack I kind of have taken notice that saying I have 4 of the top 7 leading causes of death takes on more meaning than it has of late. The first response from people is denial in its many forms. They want you to fight it, etc. I'm not interested in fighting it. I am interested in preparing for it. The reason I think so many people are surprised by it is that they have not prepared for it when they were in a condition to allow them to prepare for it.
I have the rudimentary outline of a disaster file. The insurances I have. Where they are filed. Who to call the day I die and cancel any subscriptions, insurance premiums, and payments for services that are on draft like my phone/cable/computer payments. There are programs that cover these events more thoroughly and they need to be explored
These are only some of the considerations that need to be addressed. I am guessing the funeral home is only to willing to take care of other matters (for a FEE of course) that need to be attended to as well.
But what I want to talk about has nothing to do with these pragmatic events. I want to talk about dying in the here and now. You realize you have these conditions and you thank God everyday that you wake up because you know any day now can be your last. Not because of some unforeseen tragedy, like a tornado or car accident or murder. But because in a real sense you are on a waiting list.
You have the credentials for death.
What to consider? Have you been seeing the people you would like to see before you die. I have a few friends that fit that category. Then too, there are my children and my grandchildren. Fortunately, for me, everyone is near except Brendan, and that bothers me. I would hate to think I have seen him for the last time. So I have to start making some plans. And it can't just 'be seeing them' at a cook out or ball game. Like Friends, it has to be for a stated purpose, I'm really here to see YOU.
It is a cold reality I guess but when you once die, you are not long thought of and what difference does that mean to you the dying one anyway. You are dead. So its these preparing times that are important.
I saw a callous weather report this morning where a reporter was talking about a tornado and flippantly said the father went to the store for bread and when he came home his wife and child were dead. I could have punched him right in the face. That is what I do not want to end up being. Dead without seeing my family.
