The final Calvin and Hobbs comic strip, 19 years ago today...

The final day of 2014

     I'm back!  I accomplished my marathon drive from here to Austin and home again.  Sixteen hours to get there, sixteen and 1/2 to get return, and I made it home before the extreme weather hit. Yay.

     I had a wonderful Christmas there with my kids and grandkids.  Thank you everyone.

     I took Charleigh along.  She wasn't fond of the long drives but absolutely loved her time there.  She got so much attention and playtime and loving and treats. Now that we are home it has been too cold to even go outside for long.  Just walking the block to the mailbox yesterday had her limping with cold. So she pretty much has glued herself to my leg begging for attention. She misses you Sydney and Alex.

 

     In case you can't tell, we were being the star of Texas.

Merry Christmas to all

     Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.  I'll talk to you after the holidays.

Cooking and human evolution.

     Humans doubled their brain size in a relatively short period of time around two million years ago. The theory has been that this occurred due to human ability to run long distances and hunt and eat meat. They must have had meat to fuel the brain expansion, right?
     A competing theory is now in place which sounds much more likely.  Humans discovered fire much earlier than previously thought.  It was the ability to cook that may be responsible for the brain expansion. Cooking allowed for more nutrients to be metabolized from tough fibers, plus the fire kept dangerous predators at bay allowing better sleep.
     I wonder how today's nutrition is fueling future human evolution?

http://running.competitor.com/2014/01/injury-prevention/are-we-really-born-to-run_93817
   

Shared from Senator Cory Booker

Cory Booker

You were not born to be average, normal or typical.

You were not born a carbon copy.

You were born unique, born to excel, born to manifest the glory of the universe in your authentic truth.

You are not weak.

You are stronger than you imagine, wiser than you know, and have vast powers that you have yet to actualize.

Stop playing small.

Be YOU. Tell your truth - now, today, this very moment.

Manifest your true self - not a poor reflection of your circumstance.

Don’t walk through this world unconscious of your greatness, sleep walking, surrendering your light to the bland grey around you.

You were born to be brilliant,

to be light,

to be fire.

Infuse your glory into this moment, into your choices, into your deeds, into the habits you create.

Consciously choose.

Choose your body through conscious consumption.

Choose your attitude, through conscious thought.

Choose your destiny by being present right now – for remember mindful moments multiplied, totally transform tomorrow's.

Today choose integrity, choose discipline, choose joy, choose joy, choose joy.

Rejoice in your blessings AND, most importantly, know that EVERYTHING is a blessing.

And your blessings are rich soil.

So choose to grow into the boldest, proudest, most glorious version of YOU.

You were born for this.

     Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  Here are some great things to choose.

An ad from 1893....

     Here is a Quaker advertisement from 1893.  I love my steel cut oats every morning.

       shared from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Miscellany

mis·cel·la·ny, noun, a group or collection of different items, a mixture, melange, blend, variety, mixed bag, grab bag, potpourri, pastiche, mishmash, salmagundi, gallimaufry, hodgepodge, hash.

Eating less meat is essential to curb climate change says report.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/dec/03/eating-less-meat-curb-climate-change

http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/12/04/meat-consumption-climate-change



Organic farming can feed the world if done right
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/organic-farming-can-feed-the-world-if-done-right-scientists-claim-9913651.html


America has a sick health care system.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allen-frances/diagnosing-and-curing-our-sick-health-system_b_6255390.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living&ir=Healthy%20Living


Kalettes
Have you heard of the new vegetable called kalettes (brussel sprouts crossed with kale)?  It is also called brussel kale, lollipop kale, and flowersprouts.  They haven't arrived in my grocery store yet, but I look forward to trying them.
http://www.kalettes.com/


Yesterday Freedom Service Dogs graduated 25 more client/dog teams.  It touched the hearts of everyone in the packed house, as always.  25 absolutely wonderful dogs were rescued and saved from death to become best friends and life-savers to 25 humans.  It takes months of work to train the dogs. Some of the training was given by Colorado Prison Inmates, some by at-risk youth, some by University of Denver MSW interns, some by a legion of trained volunteers such as myself, and most by the professional trainers. It is win-win-win all around.


It is snowing, and "Baby it's cold outside."  Maybe we will have a white Christmas.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”

― Rachel Carson

Carrot Clarinet

     This is pretty amazing!  What a science project this could be.  Enjoy watching.

Tis the season!

     I am starting to get into the Christmas spirit. It takes me longer each December to drag myself into the mood.  I am trying to formulate a gift list in my head at least and am thinking about sending some Christmas cards.
     All the Christmas music in stores can be irritating, but this is so beautiful!  Please watch.

The Penguin

     I've written before about John "The Penguin" Bingham.  He was a non-runner who experienced a changed life by running.  He has written several books over the years.  Here is his last column.  He is retiring.  Waddle on, John.

http://running.competitor.com/2014/12/inside-the-magazine/penguin-chronicles-goodbye-farewell-amen_119059

Oops I let the cow in....

     You may have seen this adorable video before, but it is worth seeing again!