RIP Pete Seeger (May 3, 1919 to January 27, 2014)

   I've always admired the folk-singer activist Pete Seeger and loved his music.  I found it interesting to learn he dropped out of Harvard after 2 years as a disillusioned sociology major because his professor said, "Don't think you can change the world. The only thing you can do is study it."  Maybe sociologists can't change the world, but Pete Seeger sure did.

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

Health hazards of sitting.

     It is winter and I sit too much. I find that my hips are getting stiff.  I read this article at the sportsgeezer.com blog today and found that it really applies to me.  In it there is a link to a great graphic showing what happens to our bodies with extended sitting.  It also gives a few suggestions for things to do about it.    Read it and stand.

     The above mentioned graphic did finally get me to make some changes.  I put empty shoe boxes under my computer monitor, my keyboard, and my mouse.  This gives me an easily movable option for a standing desk...at least in trial form.  I'll see how it goes.
   

A day in the life at Freedom Service Dogs

Comfort Zone.

               shared from Be the change you want to see in the world

Life*

                          shared from Be the change you want to see in the world

MLK Quotes to inspire

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.


The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.



The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.


In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

                           


Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
                               Martin Luther King, Jr.

"It's the rule."

                                                         Sunday January 19

     A friend performs in a local band, Strange Radio.  I went out to hear them play last night at a local sports bar. It was hard to get myself out of the house at 8:30 PM into the dark and cold.  Usually I am curled up in bed with a book, with my big cuddly dog by my side, by that time of night; but I did want to support my friend..
     The band is extremely talented, although the music is not the music of my generation.  The only person I knew there was the wife of my friend.  The music was too loud to talk over anyway.
     Then this comic-strip was published today.....real life wisdom in the funny pages.  It is good to stretch and grow sometimes even though it feels thoroughly uncomfortable at the time.  I'm glad I went.

"Cozy cocoons aren't supposed to be permanent.......you have to become a butterfly.  It's the rule." 

Wow.

Me.....


                     shared from Run The Edge


Not these guys....two 90 year olds compete in a sprint race!  Way to go!  (email subscribers must go to blog to view the video)

     

     Here is a link to a New York Times article on whether jogging is bad for older people, in case you weren't convinced as of yet.
      Read more in the New York Times.

Adalia Rose

     Are you on Facebook?  Did you enjoy yesterday's TED talk video by Sam Berns?  If so, go to the Facebook Page of Adalia Rose and click "like."  She is the cutest little 7 year old on the planet.  You will love her.  She happens to have progeria, as did Sam Berns.

The Life of Sam Berns

     Sam Berns died Friday at age 17.  Don't miss this video of his TED talk in December of last year.  You will be inspired.  And have some tissues handy.

(email subscribers must go to my blog to view videos)

It is all in the perspective.

 The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.
  Rumi

A funny for Saturday

                               shared from George Takei

     I really got a chuckle out of this.  My dog feels she must accompany me where ever I go, as well, but not quite to this extreme.

Today's funny

     This is for Dr.Jason and PT Phil:

Sky Pilot

     I heard this song by Eric Burdon and the Animals this morning for the first time. It is from 1968.  It made me wonder about the meaning.  It seems ironic so I did a bit more research.
     It helps to know that by definition a Sky Pilot is a Chaplain in one of military services. In contemplating the lyrics you will see this is an anti-war song and reveals the hypocrisy of having a religious man blessing  all the killing.
     Great song!
   

    The final verse:
          In the morning they return
          With tears in their eyes
          The stench of death drifts up to the skies
          A soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot
          Remembers the words
          "Thou shalt not kill."
          Sky pilot,
          Sky pilot,
          How high can you fly?
          You'll never, never, never reach the sky.

(Email subscribers to my blog need to go to my blog to view the video of Sky Pilot)

Use it or lose it.

     "The common belief that we inevitably lose muscle as we age is being debunked by research.  There is mounting evidence that muscle loss has more to do with lack of use than age."  This is from an article at RunningTimes.com

     Study Debunks Muscle Loss Due to Age


     That is good news for all of us in the baby-boom generation.  There is one caveat....older athletes heal more slowly from the wear and tear of training.

     Today's cross-training exercise will be.scooping snow, if and when it stops snowing.

P.S.  Afternoon update......8 " of snow scooped off of front and back walks by me before a kind neighbor with a snow blower helped with the driveway.  It is still snowing, but not as hard. The snow is to continue tonight and tomorrow, but at least our temperatures are on the + side of zero.  Cross-training for the day is complete and it felt great.

Reminds me of the old Texas slogan, “Big Hat, No Cattle.”

     Have you listed your fitness and other goals for the new year?  I know a lot of people hate the idea of New Year's resolutions or goal setting and absolutely refuse, but it does help me if they are reasonable ones. Granted, my fitness/health goals are the same as last year's goals, but if I keep at them maybe someday I will succeed.

      Accountability is my first priority, otherwise I'll be guilty of  "big hat, no cattle."  I must follow through, and registering for a race, for example, gives me motivation to stay accountable. This blog helps, too.

     I've already gotten off to a less than ideal start due to the cold, windy, icy weather, however.
   
     Remember:  Don't aim for the mediocre.

     Goals:  I'll share mine if you'll share yours.  Please do share.  My list is a work in progress, as am I.

                                        ********************************

          I will be more consistent.

          I will try again to reach 1500 total miles run in 2014.  I came up short in 2013. I would have made it had I run consistently.
       
          I will run some races in the early part of the year.

          If that training goes well, I will maybe??? consider running another marathon in the fall to improve my time; but if it doesn't go well, I won't,and won't feel bad about it.
   
          I will definitely continue my plank-a-day core workout.

          Getting a bit more speed would be nice. I will work at that

          I will try a little harder to eat healthy.  There are many ways I could clean up my eating habits.  I will continue to eat plant-based and will work on cutting out processed foods.

          I will not obsess.
       
Training is the opposite of hoping.   I <3 to run




“We’re burnin’ daylight.” 
― John Wayne

Simple gifts for a happy new year....

     I want to share a blog post by Leo Babauta on the "Things Every Man Should Own" (and woman). It is a wonderful list to keep in mind this holiday season. Maybe, just maybe, we don't need as much as we think.  Leo Babauta writes the blog "Zen Habits."

Things Every Man Should Own

By Leo Babauta

Many sites have created lists of things “every man should own”, coincidentally around the holiday shopping season.

A reader suggested I create a Zen Habits version of this list.

This list is definitive.

1. Pen and notebook. For jotting down life lessons, and starting a novel.
2. A library card. To read the Tao Te Ching, Anna Karenina, and Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind.
3. A phone for calling friends, so you can spend time together. Email works too, and this can be done for free via the library internet computer.
4. A set of clothes, plus another set to change into. Second set is optional.
5. A tea cup. You can use any cup. Goodwill has some if you don’t own a cup.
6. Soap. Hygiene is important.
7. A gym membership, so you can have the satisfaction of canceling it when you decide to work out outside, doing bodyweight exercises, and going for hikes and runs with the abovementioned friends. Actually, the gym membership is optional.

As an aside, I think every woman should own these too.

Free Things Every Man Should Do

In addition, I have recommendations for things you should do without needing to own something:

1. Meditate. You don’t need to own a cushion to do this. You can use a chair or couch, or do it outside for free.
2. Learn self sufficiency. Stand on your own two feet, be content with yourself, know yourself. This will help when you get involved in a relationship with someone.
3. Exercise or do something active outside.
4. Practice compassion.
5. Learn to cook simple, whole vegan food.
6. Read often.
7. Create every day.
8. Learn something new. Practice often.
9. Practice letting go of the ego.

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