Happy 238rd Birthday, USA

So as our country nears its 238^rd Birthday on July 4, 2014, I was thinking back over the different 4th's that have been important to me. I came up with four that currently rank as what the 4th mean to me.
So as our country nears its 238

As a kid growing up in rural Southeast Missouri, the fourth was when the whole family would gather for a barbecue. It all started in the early afternoon with hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, fresh vegetables from the garden, watermelon, homemade pies and cobblers. Of course, the most important part of the day was at dusk. The kids would have to take turns turning the crank on granddad's ice cream maker.  You know, we are still trying to locate that ice cream recipe, great-grandma just kept some secrets.  When you completed your turn at the crank, you got your box of sparklers. The fathers would gather out in the field across from the gathering with all the fireworks and begin the show as we all sat around with our dishes of ice cream.  Now those were great 4^th of July's.

Then there was 1976 and our country was celebrating its 200^th Birthday as a nation. It was the summer before my junior year of high school and everywhere you turned there were 1776/1976 posters. Red, White and Blue Banners, clothing, dishes, everything was patriotic that year.  It was the biggest 4^th of July I can ever recall in our small town of Matthews, Missouri. Farmers decorated their tractors, kids decorated their horses or other farm animals, it was a time that everyone knew what it meant to be an US citizen.

After graduating from college, I lived a few miles from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, home of the Army's 101^st Airborne division. I was able to attend a 4^th of July celebration at Ft. Campbell. It was the most amazing display of fireworks synchronized with military and patriotic music that I have ever experienced.  Lying out on a blanket in a large open field with hundreds of other army families and friends.  I remember it was so amazing; it brought tears to your eyes with pride to be part of such a strong and proud country.

The last 4^th of July that is very important to me was in 2007. That was the last 4^th I had with my mother, I had not been in Missouri for a 4^th of July in over 25 years.  Mom had told me how everyone still in made a big fuss on the 4^th of July and I was totally surprised by the evening that unfolded before my eyes.  It was a bitter sweet 4^th because we were in the midst of dealing with my mother's cancer and she was in bed prior to the fireworks that evening.  I can honestly say I am proud to be from the heartland of this country. The display of fireworks that individual farmers and homeowners put together in the small rural part of Missouri was overwhelming. I sat in my parent’s front yard and had a 360 degree display of the most amazing fireworks. I took as many pictures that I could to show mom the next morning.  The next day as I sat on her bed and showed her the pictures, I told her I was just amazed at how people in the area still pulled together for events like this. Her only comment was we may be simple country folk but we are damn proud of whom we are and the country we live in.

I am not sure how this 4^th of July will be celebrated at this writing; I am still looking through old family recipes for that ice cream recipe.   Dad has decided to come over from Missouri, so we will be able to spend the holiday weekend with him and Sister. So here's to your 238^rd Birthday United States of America. May you have another 238 more, with prosperity and pride.

Happy 4^th of July to everyone...

 

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Meditation 101

Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused.  Practitioners of this art report increased awareness, focus, and concentration, as well as a more positive outlook in life.

Meditation is most commonly associated with monks, mystics and other spiritual disciplines.  However, you don’t have to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits.  And you don’t even have to be in a special place to practice it.  You could even try it in your own living room!

Although there are many different approaches to meditation, the fundamental principles remain the same.  The most important among these principles is that of removing obstructive, negative, and wandering thoughts and fantasies, and calming the mind with a deep sense of focus.  This clears the mind of debris and prepares it for a higher quality of activity.

The negative thoughts you have – those of noisy neighbors, bossy officemates, that parking ticket you got, and unwanted spam– are said to contribute to the ‘polluting’ of the mind, and shutting them out allows for the ‘cleansing’ of the mind so that it may focus on deeper, more meaningful thoughts.

Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input – no sights, no sounds, and nothing to touch – and try to detach themselves from the commotion around them.  You may now focus on a deep, profound thought if this is your goal.  It may seem deafening at first, since we are all too accustomed to constantly hearing and seeing things, but as you continue this exercise you will find yourself becoming more aware of everything around you.

If you find the meditating positions you see on television threatening – those with impossibly arched backs, and painful-looking contortions – you need not worry.  The principle here is to be in a comfortable position conducive to concentration.  This may be while sitting cross-legged, standing, lying down, and even walking.

If the position allows you to relax and focus, then that would be a good starting point.  While sitting or standing, the back should be straight, but not tense or tight.  In other positions, the only no-no is slouching and falling asleep.  Loose, comfortable clothes help a lot in the process since tight fitting clothes have a tendency to choke you up and make you feel tense.

The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere.  It may be in your living room, or bedroom, or any place that you feel comfortable in.  You might want an exercise mat if you plan to take on the more challenging positions (if you feel more focused doing so, and if the contortionist in you is screaming for release).  You may want to have the place arranged so that it is soothing to your senses. Silence helps most people relax and meditate, so you may want a quiet, isolated area far from the ringing of the phone or the humming of the washing machine.

The monks you see on television making those monotonous sounds are actually performing their mantra.  This, in simple terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for these practitioners, holds a mystic value. You do not need to perform such; however, it would pay to note that focusing on repeated actions such as breathing, and humming help the practitioner enter a higher state of consciousness.

The principle here is focus.  You could also try focusing on a certain object or thought, or even, while keeping your eyes open, focus on a single sight. One sample routine would be to – while in a meditative state – silently name every part of your body and focusing your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body.  Mentally visualize releasing this tension.  It works wonders this is my favorite method.

In all, meditation is a relatively risk-free practice and its benefits are well worth the effort (or non-effort – remember we’re relaxing). Studies have shown that meditation does bring about beneficial physiologic effects to the body.  And there has been a growing consensus in the medical community to further study the effects of such.  So in the near future, who knows, that mystical, esoteric thing we call meditation might become a science itself!

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Ancient Medical Secret

When you get sick, you go to the doctor. The doctor will, of course, prescribe medicines. You will go and buy the medicines. You take them, and hopefully, you get well. This is how the health profession goes on nowadays – a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.

If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine, you would probably say that person was a quack. Yet studies are being conducted to see if there really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of natural methods, herbal medicines, and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures, village medicine men served as the doctors of the community, passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.

Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine. Natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine. This includes herbal medicine, or phototherapy, which is prevalent in Chinese, Ayurveda (or Indian), and Greek medicine.

Upon the advent of modern medicine, many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.

For example, opium, digitalis, quinine, and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine. Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases, natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine

Before I continue, it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.

Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However, only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough, colds, fever, skin rashes are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects.

There exist today many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However, not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.

Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now, the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In the case of minor ailments many experts actually advise to take natural therapies instead.

The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet, healthy living, and the regular natural treatment.                      

It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. A healthy lifestyle will do no harm to our well-being and is the foundation of natural medicine – may it be massage, herbal medicine, aromatherapy or others.

It is funny but true that science, in its quest for excellence, is studying the knowledge of sages past. This leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging.  So yes, basically we are looking at what our ancestors knew from the beginning of time that nature provides we just have to rediscover what knowledge we have lost to modern thinking.

Keep Dancin' Larry B

National Ice Tea Day

My favorite day this coming week is National Iced Tea Day on June 10th. With the official start of summer just a few days away, the timing is perfect for National Iced Tea Day. It is definitely one of my favorite beverages from childhood to now. My Mother could make the best Sweet Tea.

Chances are it is already hot in your area. Today may serve as a good reminder to make and enjoy your first (of many) Iced Tea drink of the season. Have it plain, add a little lemon, or sweeten it with sugar. Iced Tea is certainly a favorite summer cooler of millions of Americans. And best of all, tea is good for your health! It takes no imagination to decide how to enjoy this great day: Grab an Iced Tea and head out to the hammock strung under a shady tree.

In 1904, English tea plantation owner Richard Blechynden set up a booth to sell hot tea at the St. Louis World Fair. The account goes that it was an extremely hot day and fair visitors didn't want anything hot. Rather, they needed something to quench their thirst... something cold. He dumped some of his hot tea into ice and served it cold. It was an immediate hit. This was the first known use of iced tea. 

June 12th, Red Rose Day. This is a time to enjoy and appreciate America's favorite flower.....the red rose. A red rose signifies love. A June setting for Red Rose Day is very appropriate, as this is by far the most popular month for weddings.  In addition to being the most popular cut flower, roses are also the most popular flower in flower beds and around foundation of houses, garages and sheds.

Each rose color sends a different meaning to the recipient. Make sure you send the right message.  Here is a brief list that I found of the most popular: Red- Love, beauty, courage and respect; White-Purity and innocence, silence or secrecy; Pink-Appreciation, "Thank you", grace, perfect happiness; Dark Pink- Appreciation, gratitude; Light pink- admiration, sympathy; Yellow- joy, gladness, friendship, delight; Orange- desire, enthusiasm; Red and white- given together signify unity.

The date for this special day is all over the map (sorry... calendar). June 12th is by far the most common date for this day.  And, it's logical, as roses are in full bloom in June.

I close this entry with another favorite which occurs on the first Friday 13^th of the year, Blame Someone Else Day.  What a great time you can have on this day. Imagine all the problems, errors, and mistakes you could heap on someone else today. On this day you don't have to take responsibility, or the blame, for any faux pas on your part. On the downside, this day comes as a double edged sword. While you are busy putting the blame elsewhere, someone might just be putting the blame on you!

So.......if the is something wrong whif the spellin of this artickle, it's not my fallt.....its' yours.

Blame Someone Else Day could just be your day. But, watch out..... Any blame you place today, can come back to bite you tomorrow. After all...what comes around goes around.

I discovered no substantial information about the origin of this day. In the spirit of the day, I will tell you that it wasn't me. I’ll put the blame on someone else for starting this day.

Perhaps the blame goes to Anne Moeller of Clio, Michigan for creating this day. On the first Friday the 13th of 1982, Anne's alarm clock did not go off, and she over slept. As a result, she was late for appointments all day long. According to the story, she spent the day spreading the blame, and making excuses for being late.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B