The population of Three Rivers is down a bit from what it was a month or two ago. The reason is because there are some folks who prefer to spend the winter months in the southern part of the United States where the accumulation of snow is minimal and the temperatures usually remain above 50 degrees. You might say the weather is downright balmy. The “Snowbirds” will return in a couple of months. There are some who might consider moving south and living there permanently. If you have ever considered this, here are some things you’ll want to know about “Southern Living”.
- A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road. Possum Belly is considered a delicacy in a couple of southern states.
- There are 5000 types of snakes and 4998 of them live in the South.
- There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 of them live in the South, plus a couple no one’s seen before.
- If it grows, it’ll stick ya. If it crawls, it’ll bite cha.
- It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy.
- People actually grow, eat, and like okra.
- There is no such thing as lunch. There is only dinner and then there’s supper.
- You only own five spices: salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, Tabasco, and ketchup.
- Everyone you meet is a Honey, Sugar, Miss (first name), or Mr. (first name).
Because I’m a candidate for Heart By-Pass surgery, I’ve become more conscious of my heart health. Heart Disease is a top killer of older adults, so here are four ways to stay “Heart Healthy”: - Don’t become a couch potato. It’s important to move your body and elevate your heart rate for at least 150 minutes every week. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, we should throw in twice-weekly strength training sessions. This can be done by working out at a local gym.
- Monitor your alcohol intake. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, cause irregular heartbeats and have a direct toxic effect on the heart. Everything in moderation.
- Getting enough sleep. Untreated sleep apnea, or poor-quality sleep can lead to high blood pressure and as a result, damage your health, which includes your heart. Not getting enough sleep has also been associated with diabetes and weight gain, and this affects your heart health.
- Opting for unhealthy foods. A heart-healthy diet includes an assortment of tasty options: fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nuts and whole grains.
Great truths that adults have learned: - Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
- Wrinkles don’t hurt.
- Families are like fudge….mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
- Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground.
- Laughing is good exercise. It’s like jogging on the inside.
- Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
See you Out and About!
