Sometimes things that "come to mind" pop up in a variety of seemingly unrelated ways.
My sister was just here for a short visit, recuperating from double hip surgery and taking an opportunity to see her only granddaughter before she started kindergarten. It was interesting to see how well Ava and the other "grandpa" she inherited enjoyed so many things together.
It was also hard to keep from saying, "When you start school you will have to..." Not a good thing to say, because I am sure those words can appear threatening to a child.
There are so many things for those little minds to think about and changes to be made. There will be differences in time schedules, the foods they eat and when, as well as getting to know so many new people. But somehow they handle it.
I am sure many of the things both students and parents have been worrying about will soon slide into place with the help of skillful teachers. I wonder how well we as adults would be able to handle such a big transition in our lives, but we once did, and we seemed to have survived. But things are probably harder now because there are so many more things to learn.
The official end of summer may well be a few weeks away, but many believe it ends when school starts.
I was very pleased to hear our local bus drivers provided that personal touch recently and called each of the families on their route to let them know that they would be their bus driver this year. It may seem like no big deal, but it really is.
Can you imagine what it is like for those little kindergarten students, many who not only have to catch one bus, but also have to make the transition of catching a second bus? All buses are yellow and look alike. Yes, they are numbered but it can be difficult during those first few days to find the correct bus to get on. Soon they will recognize their bus drivers’ faces, and the bus drivers will get to know them as well.
Homecoming is close at hand. (Do alumni still recognize it as a "homecoming" event? Now there are so many sports involved besides just the big football game.) Homecoming seems to be a school event many remember long after they have graduated. They may have forgotten some things they learned in school, but can recall scores, players and games they were involved in or attended. We are blessed in our communities to have so many outstanding athletes and students who don't mind going that extra mile to make our school outstanding.
Success comes from hard work and dedication and it encourages others to do their best as well.
Celebrating birthdays recently was fun, especially when we dragged out photo albums and laughed about things that used to be, about how we looked back then and how we look now, about how everyone had grown and changed, and it gave us reason to talk about things — and we did! Some things are so simple we forget to do them, and yet so entertaining if we remember.
Ever had a phantom feeling in a body part that isn't there? You don't want to. How can something hurt so bad when it isn't there? If you know, I don't have to explain — if you don't, you really don't want to know! After 30 years those feelings still come back from time to time. Not complaining, but explaining. At least it lets me know I’m still here.
With shorter days and less sunshine, it’s time to think Vitamin D. The sunbathing craze has somewhat gone its way, but now the consensus of medical doctors is that we need some of that sun for natural vitamin D. It is important for us to pick the times of day and the length of time spent in the sun. Technically this vitamin is more like a hormone, due to the fact that our bodies can create a certain form of it through exposure to sunlight.
Most people get enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure, but many don't, especially those who typically work the 9-5 desk jobs. People with darker complexions require longer sunlight exposure than people with the lighter skin. People tend to stay indoors when the sun is out and bright and hot. If they are outside and the temperatures rise, they try to stay in the shaded areas. The amount of sunlight changes with the weather, the time of day, how bright the sun is shining, which changes as the seasons change. Overcast days won't burn your skin, but they also won’t provide enough vitamin D.
It is estimated one in three Americans of European descent suffers from a deficiency of this vitamin vital to bone health, to preventing immune dysfunction and certain preventable cancers, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and even the common cold. What we weigh also makes a difference. Body fat binds to vitamin D and prevents it from entering our bloodstreams. The older we get, the harder it is for our bodies to generate vitamin D from sun exposure.
A mere five to 10 minutes of sun exposure a day gives each of us 3,000 units compared to 1 cup of vitamin D fortified orange juice, which typically provides 137 units; a cup of vitamin D fortified milk equals 115-120 units; 3 ounces of cooked sockeye salmon equals 447 units; 1 large egg yolk, provides 41 units; a typical multivitamin equals 400 units or 2 sardines canned in oil equals 46 units.
Living a beautiful life is easier than you think. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was a switch you could flick for success? A touchpad you could tap to make your dreams come true? There is! You've got a built in "app" for a happy future: believing in it. When you say yes to dreams, dreams don't say no! (Women’s World)
Wishing everyone a great year at our local schools, as well as a beautiful fall season, which will soon be upon us!
P.S. Thank you to the lady on the KATE party line who suggested using a hair dryer to loosen those "stuck on" labels that are often so hard to remove. Just a little heat works wonders.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
Thursday, September 12: Stacy Kubiatowicz, Joan Vanden Heuvel, Chloe Sue Walterman, David Wacek, Robert Kasper, Courtney Thostenson, Nikolas Zimprich, Eric Hunnicutt, Jennifer Wallerich, David Jepson, Tuyen Vu, Kris Klocek, Ken & Marian Hoffman.
Friday, September 13: Tali Wayne, Jaxon Richards, Russell Goette, Jason Ingvaldson, James Plunkett, Clifford Tufte, Sherre Utpadel, Lisa Zamora, Andrew Zinke, Korey Peterson, Amber Stohr, Lisa Ritz, Ruby Troxel, Ann & Rodney Hamilton, Rhonda & Derike Shelton.
Saturday, September 14: Rick Wangsness, Reece Breidenbach, Issac Wacek, Chris Hanson, Linda Pederson, Jill Peterson, Jack Jensen, Caleb Lunning, Ethan Lunning, Johnny White, Gerald & Becky Edwards, Rick & Charlotte Miller.
Sunday, September 15th: Korbin Wayne, Aiden McClasky, Daniel Hemingway, Ryan Johnson, Nancy Nelson, Tyrel Peterson, Wendy Schultz, Eric Nelson, Jarred Hanson, Dorothy Reichl, Roger & Patty Langlie.
Monday, September 16: Evon Damon Lucas, David L. Christenson, Carmen Fetterly, Emily Laudon, Howard & Carrie Peterson, Shane & Kelly Christensen.
Tuesday, September 17: Duane Edwardson, Karen Hemingway Core, Al Routh, Kara Ladlie, Allen Brandt, Sue Tasker, Brock David Routh, Terry & Marlys Van Kampen.
Wednesday, September 18: Torsten Wayne, Laura Groth, Carla Scripture, Kevin Christenson, Ron Farr, Chris Larson, Becky Axmann, Laura Davis, Julia Spande, Randy & Cindy Horan, Andrea & Nick Miller, Todd & Mary Wayne, David & Malinda Hanson, Jill & Brian Wolff, Nicholas & Katie Wayne.
