Today Is a Day for Celebration

I'm dropping all pretense of a myriad of strangers reading the blog and writing directly to you, the people who know me well, having said that, everyone is most welcome here.

Actually it's nice having people that know me read this blog. I never get harsh criticism because why would you want to hurt my feelings?

Having attained the age where my bladder is the size of a walnut and has the elasticity of an under inflated New England football the first thing I do in the morning is pee and then I get on the scale.

Most mornings this is my third or forth trip to the bathroom since retiring the previous evening. I always pee before getting my weight, because, after all, the liquid waste may add a fraction of an ounce to the total.

Every year we stay at the same motel in Nevada City, California. The Outside Inn is located on top of a slight hill three short blocks from the downtown area. Wanda and I have always walked the half mile to town. Eight years ago I was huffing and puffing and had to stop half way back. 

I also got winded bending over and tying my shoes.

I have mixed emotions about shoe laces verses clog like slip-ons or Velcro secured footwear but that is for another day.

Eight years ago I weighed 193 pounds, when I started wearing the Fitbit last October 153 and this morning 140.

I stopped over eating and doing a little exercise just in time. I was 58-years-old and headed for some certain medical issues. I hope I'll never need to deal with any of them.

I know this is a frustrating issue for those of you dealing with your weight. I know you probably don't need or want a reminder from me. But, the longer your wait (see what I did there, wait...weight) the more difficult the journey to wellness will be.

So I have this terrific topic for today, food and weight loss. 

Here I am planning to write about how pizza is loaded with calories, saturated fat and salt. That pizza is the second highest calorie source—running second only to grain-based desserts like cookies and cakes—in the diets of kids aged 2 to 18 and according to researchers' pizza is one of the most popular foods for many children and teenagers, with a surprisingly high number eating cheesy slices every day. 

Researchers and dietitians aren't asking parents to go cold turkey or completely remove pizza from the menu but to cut way back. 

But giving up pizza may not be easy for busy parents.

A working mom from Rhode Island says evenings when the family barely has a half hour to squeeze in dinner, pizza is the perfect choice. “It’s imperative some nights as a single parent. It’s fast and you figure it’s got some carbs and some protein from the cheese. You just can’t overdo it."

For some, grabbing pizza for dinner means more family time.

“Obviously, it’s a convenient food and, obviously, we don’t recommend having it at every meal,” says a dad from Arizona. “Not a lot of fruit and vegetable companies deliver. And at the end of a 13- or 14-hour day, my wife and I would rather spend time with our kids than spend time cooking and cleaning."

The new research is not about being the pizza police but it’s important for people to be aware of what they are consuming.

Yesterday I wrote about dismantling pork and sausage smokers in China and the elimination of backyard meat smokers in Northern California to help reduce air pollution and today I was going to write about diet, food and the over consumption of pizza, which is most likely due to our very busy lifestyle and how it relates to the ever growing cost of living and the incessant need to have things, or simply because it tastes so darn good, when Wanda sent me a text to inform me today is Squirrel Appreciation Day.

And what could be more important than that?

Date When Celebrated: Always January 21st

Squirrel Appreciation Day is an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate your tree climbing, nut gathering neighborhood squirrels. It's held in mid-winter when food sources are scarce for squirrels and other wildlife. Sure, squirrels spent all fall gathering and "squirreling" away food. But, their supplies may not be enough. And, the variety of food is limited. So, give them an extra special treat today to supplement their winter diets.

Not everyone likes squirrels. While they are fun to watch skirting around the yard and trees, they are aggressive at bird feeders. Squirrels tip almost any bird feeder and spill the seeds in search of the particular seeds they want. In the fall, they attack pumpkins on front porches in search of the seeds inside. For gardeners they dig up and steal flower bulbs, and may eat some of the veggies in your garden.....this is rather hash on squirrel appreciation day.

When you think about it, mid winter is the best time to appreciate squirrels. In the winter they provide a little entertainment. During other times of the year, you may look at them as a pest in the flower and vegetable gardens.

According to Christy Hargrove, the founder, "Celebration of the event itself is up to the individual or group -- anything from putting out extra food for the squirrels to learning something new about the species.

My life is so devoid of excitement each time I do something out of the ordinary like clip my fingernails it becomes something to remember and celebrate. I'm starting to realize much to my dismay that it's becoming an event.

Didn't I just do this, I ask myself. It sure seems like it was just a few days ago. Rather than appreciate the fact that one, I even have fingernails and two, they are healthy and growing, I could have some terrible fungus to deal with, I complain about having to repeat the process again.

I will not become like Howard Hughes or Shridhar Chillal.

My Uncle Harry, who was Grandma Sophie's eldest son, had nail cutting duty.

I will never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever ask that of my children.

I really need to get over my pedicure fears.