VICARIOUS LIVING -- VIRUS -- LANGUAGE INFLUENCES HEALTH

       "The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history." 

POV  

I'll refrain for now from elaborating more on the anger I feel toward those U.S. politicians -- who clearly aren't statepersons -- continuing to betray their oath to our constitution and protection of our democratic republic by not holding accountable those responsible for the traitorous acts and murders associated with the Capitol's assault January 6th -- another day of infamy!  Meanwhile we must keep refuting the deceptions, disinformation, lies, conspiracy theories used to undermine our democratic republic.

VICARIOUS LIVING

On a more mood-altering note, living vicariously one night this week, I virtually visited the Big Bear Mountains via the live camera focused on the vacant Bald Eagle nest.  The ferocious sound and sight of wind gusts blowing the spitting snow whipping through the tree nest tapped into sensory memories of times when I had such similar real experiences though on the ground and not hundreds of feet up in a tree.  The recollection caused me to shiver involuntarily though I was now warmly ensconced in my recliner chair far removed from this real scene.

I couldn't help thinking how glad I was the eagles first clutch of eggs had not survived to hatch.  The baby birds might well have not lived through the series of storms we're having with more snow, wind, rain and cold temperatures expected in the coming week.

This past week over 2 feet of snow in 48 hours in those mountains and the ones above where I live became welcome rain at our lower elevation.  "On average, thirteen inches of snow equals one inch of rain in the US, although this ratio can vary from two inches for sleet to nearly fifty inches for very dry, powdery snow under certain conditions" as reported by the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

Hopefully, we'll draw closer to building more adequate water reserves described by California Department of Water Resources since we're behind for the coming dry summer heat.

Will be interesting to see if after this next storm the eagles refurbish their nest which a raven couple rearranged following their devouring the first clutch of eggs.  I wonder, will the eagles try again to raise a family this year starting a new clutch in February?  Here's that Big Bear live cam link if you want to see what's happening up there.  The scenic mountain lake view and sounds can be relaxing even if nothing else is happening.

VIRUS

Here in the human world, we're busy trying to ward off a virus we cannot see but one equipped to inflict considerable disruption in our lives and even take the life of some of us.  This devious virus mutates and evolves to circumvent the medications used to treat and destroy this enemy.  So, we now have variant viruses including at least one version stronger than all others that may be somewhat immune to the vaccines our scientists have created.  

Meanwhile, in the U.S. and around the world people are rushing to obtain what they hope will be a life preserving vaccination against these viruses.   Near me in Los Angeles County at our fairgrounds free vaccinations are being administered to a never-ending line of those driving through who have been able to make a reservation.   Even more people complain of difficult time-consuming efforts on the Internet or even by phone trying to make a reservation because there are so many in need.  The necessary vaccine is limited in quantity, too, as are the distribution sites while manufacturers are rushing to meet the demand.

While I am now eligible to receive a vaccination, I have decided to simply wait for my pharmacy or physician to receive a vaccine supply and have my injection provided by one of them.  They will contact me to reserve an appointment once they have vaccine.  Until then, I will continue to follow the safety precautions I have been taking successfully the past year.   So what are a few more months or however long it takes.  I fully intend to take those same precautions for a time after I receive any vaccination, too.  Who knows, by then maybe the inoculation I receive will have been modified to resist the latest viral variants and might even be refined to require only one injection for protection -- or not.  Whatever, I'm prepared to adjust accordingly.

LANGUAGE INFLUENCES HEALTH

I may be in a better position than many to be somewhat isolated from society,  living alone as I do and no longer working.  Even the challenge of grocery shopping is eased with delivery and pick-up services coupled with the Internet's offerings.  I can still safely drive to drive-thru restaurants.  There are so many people who need to be out and about, are necessarily exposed to other people in the process of earning for their livelihood who are in more need of vaccine protection than I am.   Others seem much less able to adapt to a more confined life with limited physical contact to other people than I experience.  Even virtual contact seems to be intolerable for some after only a short period of time in their life though I'm quite satisfied with the limited amount I have.

Maybe the Just Scream hotline, closed January 21st, serves as a better form of release though I've never found that to be a successful outlet for me no matter how frustrated I feel.  I just read that, apparently, people have more to scream about, so effective February 1st they are reopening Scream's phone line -- in case you're interested click on the link above.

We all have different needs and limitations to our acceptable thresholds for being able to function effectively with the physical absence of others.  Some seem to be better able to accept their situation without becoming distressed.  Others seem to be more needy.  I think for some, just the conscious knowledge their freedoms and choices have become limited for any reason, despite the fact it certainly isn't permanent, has created so much anxiety in their mind and thinking, they seem compelled that they must resist at all cost, however illogical or irrational that may be.   I'm not much for volatile emotional outbursts as a release such as those mask wearing resistors demonstrate.  The stereotypical tale of redheads having hot tempers is another one of those falsehoods which as one I can confirm.

I do believe how and what we think with the words we choose has considerable bearing on how events unfold in our lives.  I remain quite convinced the language to ourselves we use in our heads does influence our attitude, thoughts, emotional state and behaviors to impact our health for better or worse.  When stress becomes distress our language to ourselves can alter that state as described in this Mayo Clinic link.  Self-talk benefits have been noted in various studies including even reducing pain such as discussed at Healthline.com.   I wonder if others put a premium on the words they tell themselves or if doing so matters little?

WORK, GRADUATION, REUNION, DERECHO, MOON, SLEEP

Each year progresses with increasing rapidity, or so it seems, as I realize 2013 is already half over.  “Along the way” I’ve continued with numerous activities including taking continued education classes and working part time.  In the process a few body creaks and quirks were gradually resolved with physical therapy facilitation and independent practice early in the year. 

My plans for travel east precluded my being present for the official opening of the retirement community  Green House concept Villas for which Geriatrician Dr. Bill Thomas was present – a topic about which I’ve written previously.  

The timing of my trip also prompted me to relieve myself of even more work-related obligations in that community since last I wrote here.  Then, I had a realization that I felt like more change was in order for me and the facility could only benefit from the newer younger therapists with whom I’ve previously worked.  I still may help there occasionally, since somehow I haven’t quite been able to completely retire.  Meanwhile, I continue to fulfill California medical setting professional license continuing education requirements and national certification for clinical competence.   

My east coast trip brought me together with my adult children and their families to celebrate my granddaughter’s high school graduation.  This was the first occasion we had all been together at the same time since the memorial service for their father years ago.  Our small gathering this year was a most enjoyable experience during busy days and nights coordinating our visiting with some working schedules, including my granddaughters lifeguarding duties.   My endearing young red-headed grandson was an active 2 1/2 year old who kept us entertained.  What an age spread between these cousins.

Also, she was involved with a variety of casual social activities in which east coast graduating seniors engaged that were quite unlike those of her parents, uncle and aunt and my much earlier generation when we graduated from high school.  Even the student numbers contrasted as my class had only forty seniors and hers had over four hundred. 

Beginning several days preceding graduation various seniors, or two or three friends together, would have graduation parties in their homes.  All evening students would arrive, drifting in and out of several of these parties as we discovered when we attended the one our granddaughter and two of her friends held in one of the girl’s home.  Her friend’s parents were quite accustomed to such large student gatherings throughout the school years as the father also happened to be a popular high school teacher who enjoyed these young groups.  Fresh veggies, fruit, chips, sandwiches of pulled chicken or pork followed by delicious cookies and sweets the girls had prepared earlier were tasty attractions for attendees. 

  

I was impressed with this generation of young people.  Another night the cap and gown ceremony occurred in an auditorium packed with families whose numbers had necessarily been limited despite the huge seating area. 

A few days later many students left for a traditional senior beach week trip to stay in homes specifically rented  for the occasion as parents chaperoned - fathers for the boys residences and mothers at the girls housing.   I was particularly intrigued to learn they were near an area inhabited by wild ponies.  The only wild horses I’d ever heard of in the U.S. are mustangs in the west.  

My granddaughter will begin her well-deserved college experience in a few weeks which she anticipates with great enthusiasm.  I am especially proud of her academic achievements, dedication to developing her personal talents and skills despite the challenges beginning when she was upper elementary school age and her father left the family.  This attractive personable young lady is maturing in a manner that makes this grandmother very proud (I admit that’s a prejudicial grandma statement, but it’s true!)  

While I was in Virginia we experienced a little excitement with a Derecho.  I’d heard of hurricanes, tornados, sand storms in Arizona, Santa Ana Winds here in California, and a few other type storms but “derecho” was a new term to me.  Fortunately, the burst of wind that sped through our neighborhood only broke a large pine tree in a neighboring yard that caught on a branch in my daughter’s yard which kept it from crushing her fence and the top of a shed in another yard.  Unfortunately, other areas had far more serious damage including even loss of one young boy’s life.   

Now that I’m home in California, except for a few really hot days about which I wrote last month, we’ve been having some lovely weather.  We could certainly use some more rain, but then such moisture is uncommon here this time of year.

I resumed a regular sleep schedule when I came home, then weeks later one recent night I couldn’t fall sleep for unexplained reasons.  Days later I heard a news report about a Swiss study  that had concluded sleep patterns are affected by moon phases and falling asleep was more problematic when there was a full moon.  I checked the lunar calendar and learned the night I couldn’t sleep coincidentally(?) had a full moon.  Hm-m-m!