"If God didn't want them sheared, he would not have made them sheep." Calvera, The Magnificent Seven

     (email subscribers, go to blog to see video)
     Turn your speakers up loud to listen to this as you read.

   

     Every few years I re-watch 1960's "The Magnificent Seven" and then watch Akira Kurosawa's 1954 film "The Seven Samurai".  I did this again yesterday.  The Magnificent Seven is a western-style remake of The Seven Samarai.  They are classics. The Seven Samurai is one of the greatest and most influential films ever made.
     It reminds me of the episode of the TV show "Cheers" where the gang all go over to Sam's house to watch the Magnificent Seven.  As I recall, they are all humming the theme song as they walk out of the bar.  I can just imagine them shouting out the lines of the movie together.
     If you haven't seen these movies in a while, watch them.  You won't be sorry. Maybe have a "Magnificent Seven" party.
     FYI, there may be a remake of The Magnificent Seven in the works starring Matt Damon, Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman (as Calvera), and Tom Cruise. I can't imagine their improving on the original, but I would watch.

"The old man was right.  Only the farmers won.  We lost.  We'll always lose." ---Chris, The Magnificent Seven

"So.  Again we are defeated.  The farmers have won.  Not us."---Kambei Shimada, The Seven Samurai

To my often under-appreciated dog

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"I look up as I walk"

   From the way back machine:
   (email subscribers, go to the blog to see videos)
   Fifty years ago this month there was a Japanese song which reached the Billboard Hot 100 charts.  It was called "Ue o Muite Arukou" or "I shall walk looking up."  It was sung by Kyu Sakamoto and went by the awful alternative title "Sukiyaki" here in the US., which is probably how you will remember it. I do.
     Here is the video of this version, with lyrics.  It is hauntingly beautiful.
       

 

     Later English cover versions with entirely different lyrics were sung by "A Taste of Honey" in 1981, and then by the group "4 P.M."  Here is a video of the "4 P.M." version with lyrics, also very beautiful.  It was done 20 years ago in 1993.

      Our copy is from this version.  Dean bought me the cassette tape for my birthday when he first heard it, back in '94 or '95.  It was one of his favorite songs.  Mine, too.  I really enjoy finally knowing the original lyrics from the Japanese version from 50 years ago.  I thought you might, too.

Interesting stuff

     (Email subscribers head to blog to view videos)

     Watch an NFL player run 25 mph on a treadmill.  This is Robert Gill of the Arizona Cardinals.  By comparison, according to Runners World, Usain Bolt ran 27.78 mph during his 200 meter world record.  A cheetah's top speed is 59 mph.

      Here is a funny dog-shaming video to start your day with a laugh.

     

I need this

My very creative Grandson who got to watch a movie if  "he was on the treadmill":

I'd use the treadmill more this way, too.

For Jason

                                                    In the Bleachers, 6-25-13


     I have no solutions, but maybe a laugh will help.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever!
                                                     

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me" (us) "but I think she enjoyed it."  Mark Twain



     I chose the above quote because of the flowers, and I know you love flower gardens.  Have a beautiful day, Mom.

     (email subscribers, go to blog to see video)

Thought for the weekend....

     More than a dozen wildfires are being fought in Colorado this weekend.  Our weather continues hot, windy, and very dry.
http://www.denverpost.com/coloradowildfires2013/ci_23518218/crews-battle-more-than-dozen-colorado-fires-dry-weekend

   http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/22/19085538-3-towns-at-risk-from-colorado-wildfires-100-foot-wall-of-flame-reported?lite=

Happy Summer

George Takei

It's summer.  It's Friday.  Enjoy.


I had to throw in a turtle picture. Sing.  Have a great weekend.  Fear the turtle.

Hippie Peace Freaks

                                       A Summer Song.............

       (email subscribers must go to blog to see video)

I can do anything.

     Do you do daily affirmations?  I never have, but after seeing this video I may start. Oh, to feel this good about myself!  (email subscribers must go to the blog to view video).

     I went to the Wednesday night run group last night for the first time in a year.  I stopped going because I got tired of always being the slowest, and because it is really hot at 6 pm in the summer, and dark and icy in the winter.  Those are my excuses and I'm sticking to them. Actually, it was a lot of fun and felt good. We did one slow lap around the lake to warm up and then did 2 minute faster intervals which I alternated with 2 minutes of walking for a second lap.  Total was just 2.8 miles including warm-up, so it was easy.  There was a nice breeze off of the lake so the 90 degree temps were not a problem.  I'm the one in the pink shirt.

Some of us, waiting to start

With my friend Ellen who was kind enough to run and talk at my pace

Information Wednesday

     Here are two interesting articles for today.  The first is on climate change.  It is going to reshape the world in our lifetimes, not that of our grandchildren.  It will happen in less than twenty years, with flooding of major cities and crashing food production.  China is finally getting involved.  We need to do so, as well.
      http://www.trust.org/item/20130619113907-3nmrs/?source=fb





     The next subject links increased running injuries with low vitamin D levels.  Running injuries are increased over the the winter months with less sun exposure.  Running performance is increased over the summer months with more sun exposure.  I don't take supplements, but may start taking some vitamin D in the winter months.  My chronic running injury, the proximal hamstring tendinopathy, did occur in the winter.  Maybe there is something to this.
     http://runnersconnect.net/running-nutrition-articles/vitamin-d-and-running-performance/

     http://running.competitor.com/2010/10/nutrition/vitamin-d-and-endurance-exercise_6776

     http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/vitamins-supplements-vitamin-d-sufficiency-may-enhance-athletic-performance.html


Run The Edge

I love this.

                                               
           

Hippie Peace Freaks

     Now to view my own repaired chips and cracks as being so beautiful.

    

Crawl and throw up.

     I so had to share today's comic from "Get Fuzzy"!  I love running humor.


     Here is an "In the Bleachers" comic strip from June 4, 2013. This was me at mile 10 in my last race.


     On a serious note, here is an excellent TEDxTalk by Dr. Thierry Vrain on the gene revolution and the future of agriculture.  (email subscribers must go to my blog to see the video).

     Here is a blog reporting on research showing that genetically engineered foods severely damage animal health.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_27713.cfm

     Last, here is an interesting blog on why Monsanto is the most hated company in the world.
http://www.undergroundhealth.com//why-is-monsanto-the-most-hated-company-in-the-world/



     To summarize:  laugh, run, eat healthy and know what you are eating.

Have a great day, Dad!

If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Rivers in the Ocean

     I love the above quote and believe it.  I feel its truth.  To my kids and grandkids, look into the palms of your hands.  Can you feel your Dad, your Grandpa?  He is with you in every cell of your being, and is so proud of you.  Do an "ouga chaka" in his memory today.  Make some pancakes, play golden oldies on the radio, and dance around.

   (email subscribers must go to the blog to view the video)


     Ben reminded me of this.  It was one of Dean's favorites and a great one for Father's Day,  Listen to some Peter, Paul and Mary and dance.

Be a force of the awesome.

     There is little going on in my life at present that can compare with the fires in Colorado.  Here is an update on the Black Forest fire, which is the worst one in Colorado history. 15700 acres have burned, 473 homes are a total loss, 40000 people are evacuated, 2 people have lost their lives, it was probably human-caused, and is 45% contained.

     For the rest of us this weekend:

                                                       

Run Junkees

   

What a week!

     The fires continue in Colorado.  There have been 2 deaths in the Black Forest fire near Colorado Springs.  378 homes have been burned. 38,000 people have been evacuated.

     Meanwhile, life elsewhere goes on, nature goes on. The yuccas in the South Valley are starting to bloom.

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper."---W.B.Yeats

Wildfire

     A brief wildfire update....3 wildfires continue in Colorado.  In the Black Forest fire north of Colorado Springs, 92 homes have been decimated, other homes damaged, one person is missing.  Yesterday the Colorado state prison near Canon City was evacuated due to smoke.  It was smoky and windy here in Denver last night. It smelled like camping.  See http://www.denverpost.com/ for more.
UPDATE, 6-13-13 afternoon, the Black Forest fire has now burned 360 homes and 15000 acres!  Parts of Colorado Springs are being evacuated.  Oh My!  The missing person has been found, thank goodness.

     There was a song from 1975 stuck in my mind all day yesterday.  It is related in name only.  Enjoy.

What exactly is for dinner?

     There are at least 5 wildfires currently burning in Colorado as temperatures reached triple digits yesterday and as dry winds prevailed.  Up to 60 homes have been damaged or burned thus far. This photo is from www.DenverPost.com.  You can read more there.  None are close to the Denver area.




     Here is an interesting article from The Environmental Working Group on antibiotic-resistant superbugs present in meat. Their report is based on government tests of supermarket meats. If you are still eating meat, you need to read this. It is disturbing.
http://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/superbugs/?inlist=Y&utm_source=201306superbugsfull&utm_medium=email&utm_content=image&utm_campaign=food

     Another interesting article links antibiotic-resistant bladder infections in humans to antibiotic-fed supermarket chickens.  This is becoming a serious problem.
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/07/research-linking-chicken-to-bladder-infections-gets-national-attention/#.UbhwJuezd8E

Less breast cancer in Asia

     Here is a great article from Nutritionfacts.org on why there is less breast cancer in Asia.  The research offers simple dietary additions that can lower chances of breast cancer by up to 90%.  It is definitely worth a read.

http://nutritionfacts.org/2013/06/11/why-less-breast-cancer-in-asia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-less-breast-cancer-in-asia&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=53318e9699-RSS_BLOG_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-53318e9699-23307913

     It is so hot!  I am listening to my body, staying indoors, drinking iced tea, and skipping doing exercise.  I am putting off mowing the lawn for today.  I tried pulling weeds but I wilted after just 5 minutes. Neither lawn, nor weeds, are growing any taller in this heat.  98 degrees on a June morning in Colorado is too much.


     For the Grandkids.....How hot is it?  It is so hot I saw Optimus Prime transform into an air conditioner!

     This is so me....couldn't reach them if I tried; and I do try....daily.


Scrambled Legs Running

Friday Funny

     Here is a Friday funny video shared from the Weighty Matters blog.  Enjoy. This could be my nephew Michael 16 years ago. (email subscribers go to the blog to see the video)

   
     This funny is shared from Live Free and Run.  Why am I always the Gollum on the right?

The smiles, the cheers, the cowbells, the laughter, the jumping out to give me high fives, the grandkids running along with me for a few moments, these are the biggest rewards for training. There's this intangible thing that sinks into my heart every single time. Sharon Cuoto, RW Challenger of the Week

     Here is a great blog from Run Junkees on why you should not be embarrassed to run outside.  I think this is a problem for most of us with body-image issues...bat-wings, muffin-tops, jiggles and all.  Runners will be proud of you because they have been there. Non-runners who are runner-wannabes will admire you no end. I thought this was a great blog-post for National running day.

http://runjunkee.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-you-should-not-be-too-embarrassed.html

  

"Dance like no one is watching."......William Purkey

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

     Today is National Running Day.  Just get out there a move a little.






     It is damp and foggy today, and this song is stuck in my mind.

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Well, Duh!

     Here are two new studies reviewed in MedPage today.  They confirm what we all already know....that lifestyle and diet affect chronic disease formation and length of life. Reminders to eat better and exercise more never hurt.  What more proof do we need? Let's go for it.

     The first research article showed that people eating a vegetarian diet had lower risks of death from all causes.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/39581?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2013-06-04&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&eun=g523196d0r&userid=523196&email=turtlewomandeb@yahoo.com&mu_id=5642310

     The second study showed that living a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of dying.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Prevention/39564?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2013-06-04&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=WC&eun=g523196d0r&userid=523196&email=turtlewomandeb@yahoo.com&mu_id=5642310

"Truly wonderful the mind of a child is."........Yoda

     I just had to share another video today.  This little boy's comments are so beautiful.  They are translated into English.  You will need to watch full-screen to read the translation.  Please watch.

   
(email subscribers to my blog will have to go to the blog to view the video)

Stand by me

     This is one of my favorite songs ever,  probably because we would slow dance to it whenever we heard it.  Watch it being sung around the world.

     Enjoy your weekend.

     (email subscribers will have to go to blog to watch video)