The Heimlich Maneuver

I had the honor of talking to Dr. Heimlich himself when he was on a local radio talk show. Everyone knows that the famous, and easily done, maneuver is the way to dislodge food from a person that is choking. But, did you know that the same procedure works for reducing an asthma attack? The maneuver opens up the airways. So, it dislodges food or pushes out the mucous that blocks the airways into the lungs during an asthma attack. And, as he told me when I asked about the use during an asthma attack -- if the mucous is blocking the air from getting into the lung, it is also blocking the medication from the asthma inhalers. He was saying that there is currently research going on to find out if an asthma sufferer performs the maneuver as prevention daily, it could reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. How cool is that? All the info is available at the following website: http://www.heimlichinstitute.org/howtodo.html.
Best of all, the Heimlich can be easily done by any one of any size. Interestingly enough, you can also do the maneuver on yourself or by using the back of a chair if need be.

Global Warming

Global warming is not a new topic for me to think about, but it is still disturbing for me. I read that some tiny tree frogs in Costa Rica are now going extinct (they think 122 species are already gone) because the global warming is encouraging growth of a tree moss that is poisonous to the frog. So more moss grows, the frogs eat them, and so the story goes.
Everyone knows that "The March of the Penguins" is a documentary film about the breeding habits of the penguins returning to ice caps -- but do you know that these are shrinking annually due to, guess what, global warming? If you saw the movie, you will never forget the sadness of the fathers at the ruined eggs or mothers when their chicks did not survive the cold in their nesting spots on their feet.
The film crew went to document the penguins, with the intent of showing the impact of global warming in a way that people could relate to. Ski resorts without snow are a bit closer to home, but no less disturbing. Can we change what we have started? Well, since people STILL litter while driving or throw lit cigarettes out the window, we are doomed. And so are those cute penguin babies and tiny tree frogs.

Vintage Automobiles

This morning, on the way to exercising, I saw a Model T driving down the street. This time of year, around the time of the annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction (and other car events), you start seeing lots of old cars coming out of people's garages and out on the road. It is sunny and warm, not too hot, and perfect convertible weather. I like seeing all the old cars, as they are well-cared for, shiny, in good shape, and often brightly colored. I will miss seeing all the old cars ready for auction at Rawhide, particularly those old pickup trucks. I respect that people put so much time and effort into maintaining their cars. They are part of our pop-culture past and a fun trip down memory lane. I would love to go gawk at the cars and celebrity car collectors that attend, but, I must confess -- I would not recognize most of them without my husband's help.

New Year's Day Blogging

As we wandered about town today in 70 degree weather, we were in search of the two teams playing in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game tomorrow -- Ohio State and Notre Dame. We gawked our way through the host hotels for each team, looking at players, their families and friends, fans and souvenir goodies. We saw more players, including the quarterback of Notre Dame at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, noting some really big tennis shoes by the edge of the pool and spa, which were packed as it is probably at least 60 degrees warmers than their home town in Indiana. I noted one player, at the Tostitos Bowl, eating a big bag of Doritos. Seems like for the weekend he could have changed brands?
On the way home we stopped for some groceries, and I encountered "Santa Sweets", a little cherry tomato. The package sported Tom, Matt and Otto, wearing Santa hats which, of course, made it necessary for me to buy these sweet, non-squirty morsels. It lead me to their website (www.santasweets.com) where I was delighted to discover a company that gives back to its community as well as growing interesting products. Some of their sun-dried Santa Sweets and ugly ripe heirlooms will be winging their way here very soon.
I love finding new food products -- off to a good start this year!

"Slow Down and be safe"

Those were the words from the policeman that gave me a warning as I was speeding down our nearby road, which I know is monitored closely on weekends. I had no real excuse for going fast, but, since I found my current insurance card, he issued a warning to "slow down and be safe."
That could be the message for my 2006 -- a warning I will take to heart, since it came early on Jan. 1, 2006 when I was headed out to pick up my daughter after yet another sleepover.
Our year ended with a comedy show and wonderful, casual bbq dinner at BBQ City in Mesa and the year ahead holds much to look forward to. This may include seeing Sinbad a week before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. Will it yield a Barry Bonds sighting like the Cedric show did?
Life is good when your end-of-the year excitement is going to different Walgreen's stores to find out where the pharmacy staff that we used to like at our closest store may have relocated. I know it sounds silly, but, as often as we visit Walgreen's, a friendly and accomodating pharmacy staff makes a big difference. We also went looking for the Notre Dame and Ohio State football teams, practicing before the Fiesta Bowl. We are not alums at either school, but that search continues today, while we drive slowly and stay safe, of course.