Today was a day for education. At Cardiac Rehab, the nutritionist talked to the group about healthy eating, which included a demonstration of portion sizes using plastic "food" items, like half a chicken breast and a piece of steak (each about the size of a deck on playing cards), an orange (the size of a fist), cooked rice and spaghetti (half a cup), a hamburger bun (counts as two servings), and a slice of bread (one serving). Since Mother and I are Weight Watcher members, I was already aware of the concept of portion control.
An American Heart Association booklet the nutritionist provided contains some information that I was unaware of, however. It states that adults aged 51 years and older need four servings of fat-free or low-fat milk products...the same required by children and teenagers 9-18 years old. I don't think I'm getting that much every day.
The other informational tidbit is that albacore (white) tuna contains more mercury than canned tuna. We haven't been eating albacore, but now that I know about the mercury, I'll be avoiding it for sure.
This afternoon, Mother and I attended a session on maintaining a healthy brain, sponsored by the local agency on aging. The informative workshop included fun brain teaser and crossword puzzle games. Mother and I both love puzzles. She works crossword, cryptogram, and word search puzzles almost every day. Time constraints prevent me from working puzzles every day, but I keep crosswords, word searches, Sudoku, and brain teaser puzzles on the end table in the den for when I have a few minutes of down time.
Before we went to the healthy brain session, we stopped by the art gallery so Mother could see a fiber arts exhibit. Hubbie and I saw it a few weeks ago at a reception for the artist, but Mother opted out of going that evening. The artist creates whimsical human figures on wall hangings that are fashioned from fabrics and found objects. She also makes fabric jewelry, and creates quilted postcards. Her work is very interesting, and I thought Mother might enjoy seeing it. She did.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Another Monday
At the end of this week, I will have completed 31 of the 36 required days of Cardiac Rehab (three months). But since I'll be gone next week to teach photography at a museum in our capital city, I'll have to make up the remaining five days after I get back.
Today, I was given an exit interview packet...questionnaires testing what I've learned during my session, plus a satisfaction survey. The Cardiac Rehab team will get a good score from me, since they've been very attentive.
I was down two pounds today, after a three pound gain last week. Following exercise, my blood pressure was 86/52, prompting the exercise physiologist to ask if I felt okay. I did. My heart rate came down faster than it did last Thursday, too. I work hard, so it takes a while for my heart rate to decrease, meaning that I'm the last one in my group to be dismissed each session.
Cardiac Rehab has been very good for me, so I think I'll sign up for Phase III of the program. I can take either a two or a three-day-a-week session, and I'll do the two-day one, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That way, I can be free to go to water aerobics Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
After lunch, I mixed fresh chemicals for the photography session next week, and then Mother and I went into the "darkroom" (a small bathroom with no windows that Hubbie set up with my photography enlarger, chemical trays, safe light, etc.) In order to test photo papers, we created a variety of sunprints. Mother is satisfied enough with one of hers to frame and use as a county fair entry. I might scan one of mine and manipulate it in a photo workshop program.
By the time we finished our projects, it was close to suppertime. We enjoyed a succulent beef roast, using a variety of no-salt spices like garlic and thyme, as well as onions, carrots, and potatoes, then roasted several hours in a slow cooker.
It's been a busy day, and I'm ready now to wind down.
Today, I was given an exit interview packet...questionnaires testing what I've learned during my session, plus a satisfaction survey. The Cardiac Rehab team will get a good score from me, since they've been very attentive.
I was down two pounds today, after a three pound gain last week. Following exercise, my blood pressure was 86/52, prompting the exercise physiologist to ask if I felt okay. I did. My heart rate came down faster than it did last Thursday, too. I work hard, so it takes a while for my heart rate to decrease, meaning that I'm the last one in my group to be dismissed each session.
Cardiac Rehab has been very good for me, so I think I'll sign up for Phase III of the program. I can take either a two or a three-day-a-week session, and I'll do the two-day one, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That way, I can be free to go to water aerobics Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
After lunch, I mixed fresh chemicals for the photography session next week, and then Mother and I went into the "darkroom" (a small bathroom with no windows that Hubbie set up with my photography enlarger, chemical trays, safe light, etc.) In order to test photo papers, we created a variety of sunprints. Mother is satisfied enough with one of hers to frame and use as a county fair entry. I might scan one of mine and manipulate it in a photo workshop program.
By the time we finished our projects, it was close to suppertime. We enjoyed a succulent beef roast, using a variety of no-salt spices like garlic and thyme, as well as onions, carrots, and potatoes, then roasted several hours in a slow cooker.
It's been a busy day, and I'm ready now to wind down.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Art Auction
Friday night, we attended an art auction event, which is the primary fundraiser for the local arts council. Not as many folks turned out as have in the past, but there was still a pretty good gathering.
We planned not to bid on silent auction items this year, but ended up doing so, anyway, coming away with a lead crystal vase, a cross on a chain necklace, a 12-box container of thin mint Girl Scout cookies, a season pass to 2008-2009 community theatre productions, two tickets to a dinner/theatre show in another town, and tickets to two Branson shows. Since no one else bid on these items, we got them for the small opening bid amounts. We're glad to get the Branson show tickets, which we'll use when we travel there in the fall to see the new musical show, "Noah." We're always looking for new things to do in Branson when we go, so these two extra shows will help round out the vacation.
The refreshment table was loaded with goodies that I couldn't eat, including pork loin for mini-sandwiches, a brisket, pepper Jack feta cheese ball, hot stuffed mushrooms, a caviar dish, chocolate bon-bons and lots of other tasty looking dishes. I stuck with raw veggies and fruits, and a sampling of the cream cheese dip with crackers that I provided as my contribution. Hubbie, who has no diet restrictions, chowed down.
The event took place at the college president's home, where a chamber music ensemble entertained in the parlor, and a guitarist with harmonica played country ballads on the patio. The evening ended with a live auction of a watercolor painting by an internationally known local artist. I have a print of one of this artist's works, which I love.
There was also a drawing for a cruise. We bought chances on this prize, but did not, boo-hoo, win it. The lady who won the bid for the photograph I donated also won the cruise.
It was a fun evening that provided a great opportunity to visit with lots of folks.
We planned not to bid on silent auction items this year, but ended up doing so, anyway, coming away with a lead crystal vase, a cross on a chain necklace, a 12-box container of thin mint Girl Scout cookies, a season pass to 2008-2009 community theatre productions, two tickets to a dinner/theatre show in another town, and tickets to two Branson shows. Since no one else bid on these items, we got them for the small opening bid amounts. We're glad to get the Branson show tickets, which we'll use when we travel there in the fall to see the new musical show, "Noah." We're always looking for new things to do in Branson when we go, so these two extra shows will help round out the vacation.
The refreshment table was loaded with goodies that I couldn't eat, including pork loin for mini-sandwiches, a brisket, pepper Jack feta cheese ball, hot stuffed mushrooms, a caviar dish, chocolate bon-bons and lots of other tasty looking dishes. I stuck with raw veggies and fruits, and a sampling of the cream cheese dip with crackers that I provided as my contribution. Hubbie, who has no diet restrictions, chowed down.
The event took place at the college president's home, where a chamber music ensemble entertained in the parlor, and a guitarist with harmonica played country ballads on the patio. The evening ended with a live auction of a watercolor painting by an internationally known local artist. I have a print of one of this artist's works, which I love.
There was also a drawing for a cruise. We bought chances on this prize, but did not, boo-hoo, win it. The lady who won the bid for the photograph I donated also won the cruise.
It was a fun evening that provided a great opportunity to visit with lots of folks.
Another Busy Day
Wow! We had a busy Saturday. Our local historical society and other organizations sponsored a Civil War re-enactment event downtown today. Re-enactors from several towns in our state, dressed in period costumes, demonstrated square dancing, blacksmithing, spinning, butter churning, outdoor cooking, and laundering for the soldiers.
Soldier re-enactors, in authentic costumes, demonstrated firing rifles and a cannon, and displayed a variety of artillery. There was even a medical corp re-enactment of a doctor "amputating" the gangrene leg of a soldier. Two ladies, decked out in hooped skirt finery, greeted visitors from the porch of one of the historic homes downtown, and related a historic incident of the area. Another lady, a local Master Gardener, talked about herbs, while a gentleman played a dulcimer nearby.
One of the organizers of the event asked me to take pictures, so I was busy going from spot to spot around town snapping photos. I got some pretty good ones, some of which I'll submit to our state newspaper for publication
Later, at the museum, a Civil War historian talked about encampments in our town, which at one time numbered 5,000 soldiers. Years ago, this gentleman wrote a play about the Civil War, which he produced for our local community theatre. The cast of the play included only one woman, the mother of a soldier about to be hanged...I portrayed that hysterical woman.
Before the re-enactment events began at 10 a.m., there was a community yard sale downtown. Various businesses and individuals participated. Other than a small plastic drawer organizer, and a small ornamental iron bicycle, we didn't find much of interest. Mother plans to use the little bicycle in one of her flower beds, and we'll use the drawer organizer to contain scrapbook paraphernalia.
Saturday night, we went to see the community theatre perform two fairy tales..."Little Red Riding Hood," and "Jack and the Bean Stalk." These were aimed at children, naturally, but we went just to support the organization. From "Little Red Riding Hood," the wolf decided that fruits and vegetables are a better diet than "grandmas;" Grandma decided to take up jogging for exercise after running away from the wolf; and Little Red Riding Hood learned she should obey her mother, that it's dangerous to stray off the path, and that she shouldn't talk to strangers.
From "Jack and the Beanstalk," the characters learned, among other things, that stealing is wrong (Jack couldn't take the golden egg without permission); that it is good to be charitable (the giant gave Jack and his mother the egg, and did other things to make their lives better); and that you shouldn't betray a friend (Jack selling his beloved cow for a handful of beans).
The adapted plays were cute, and the actors, mostly children and young people, did a good job. The simple sets were effective, too.
Soldier re-enactors, in authentic costumes, demonstrated firing rifles and a cannon, and displayed a variety of artillery. There was even a medical corp re-enactment of a doctor "amputating" the gangrene leg of a soldier. Two ladies, decked out in hooped skirt finery, greeted visitors from the porch of one of the historic homes downtown, and related a historic incident of the area. Another lady, a local Master Gardener, talked about herbs, while a gentleman played a dulcimer nearby.
One of the organizers of the event asked me to take pictures, so I was busy going from spot to spot around town snapping photos. I got some pretty good ones, some of which I'll submit to our state newspaper for publication
Later, at the museum, a Civil War historian talked about encampments in our town, which at one time numbered 5,000 soldiers. Years ago, this gentleman wrote a play about the Civil War, which he produced for our local community theatre. The cast of the play included only one woman, the mother of a soldier about to be hanged...I portrayed that hysterical woman.
Before the re-enactment events began at 10 a.m., there was a community yard sale downtown. Various businesses and individuals participated. Other than a small plastic drawer organizer, and a small ornamental iron bicycle, we didn't find much of interest. Mother plans to use the little bicycle in one of her flower beds, and we'll use the drawer organizer to contain scrapbook paraphernalia.
Saturday night, we went to see the community theatre perform two fairy tales..."Little Red Riding Hood," and "Jack and the Bean Stalk." These were aimed at children, naturally, but we went just to support the organization. From "Little Red Riding Hood," the wolf decided that fruits and vegetables are a better diet than "grandmas;" Grandma decided to take up jogging for exercise after running away from the wolf; and Little Red Riding Hood learned she should obey her mother, that it's dangerous to stray off the path, and that she shouldn't talk to strangers.
From "Jack and the Beanstalk," the characters learned, among other things, that stealing is wrong (Jack couldn't take the golden egg without permission); that it is good to be charitable (the giant gave Jack and his mother the egg, and did other things to make their lives better); and that you shouldn't betray a friend (Jack selling his beloved cow for a handful of beans).
The adapted plays were cute, and the actors, mostly children and young people, did a good job. The simple sets were effective, too.
Friday, June 20, 2008
MG Picnic Photos, Part Two
These are more photos from the gardens of the folks who hosted the Master Gardener picnic last night. Not only are there well tended flower gardens at their home, but there is also a plum tree laden with fruit, as well as grape and blackberry vines, also bearing fruit. One of the photos shows squash, which is among the many vegetables these folks grow, including tomatoes, corn, other varieties of squash, cabbage, and onions.MG Picnic Photos, Part One
These photos are from the gardens of the Master Gardeners who hosted a picnic for the group last night. More photos will follow in another blog.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thursday. Whew!
This has been a very busy day. It started, as it always does on Thursdays, with Cardiac Rehab. The scale showed that I'm up three pounds today, which is probably water weight from the barbecue birthday lunch Tuesday. Otherwise, my vital signs were good, and I got an intense workout.
After the session, I stopped by the medical clinic for a doctor's appointment. By the time I got an antibiotic prescription filled at the pharmacy, it was 11:30 before I was back home. Hubbie arrived around noon, after attending a Master Gardener monthly meeting.
After lunch, Mother and I went to our monthly scrapbook meeting at the Extension Services Office, where five of us worked, visited, and admired each others creative pages. Of course, the main topic of conversation was grandkids and great-grandkids. Since two of my great-grandsons were born earlier this month, Mother and I had plenty of photos to work with.
We got back home about 3 p.m. and relaxed for a while before getting ready to go to a Master Gardener picnic at 6 p.m. this evening. Various members are assigned (according to letters of the alphabet) food dishes to contribute to the meal, and our assignment was salad. While I was at Cardiac Rehab this morning, Mother put together a "Picnic Bean Salad" of kidney beans, cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes in ranch dressing, seasoned with dill weed and pepper, and topped with parmesan cheese. Most of the folks who attended must have been in the salad assignment block of the alphabet, because other than one rice dish and one couscous dish, there was nothing but salads, with most of those prepared in creamy dressings.
Among the meat dishes, there was pulled pork barbecue (wouldn't you know it), hamburgers and hot dogs, and grilled chicken. I opted for the grilled chicken, of course. I did sample a couple of desserts, but only very small portions.
The hosts' gardens, which feature wooden bridges, and a goldfish pond, are well-planned and beautifully manicured...the perfect setting for a picnic. The weather was mild, with an overcast sky, and we enjoyed this pleasant outing.
After the session, I stopped by the medical clinic for a doctor's appointment. By the time I got an antibiotic prescription filled at the pharmacy, it was 11:30 before I was back home. Hubbie arrived around noon, after attending a Master Gardener monthly meeting.
After lunch, Mother and I went to our monthly scrapbook meeting at the Extension Services Office, where five of us worked, visited, and admired each others creative pages. Of course, the main topic of conversation was grandkids and great-grandkids. Since two of my great-grandsons were born earlier this month, Mother and I had plenty of photos to work with.
We got back home about 3 p.m. and relaxed for a while before getting ready to go to a Master Gardener picnic at 6 p.m. this evening. Various members are assigned (according to letters of the alphabet) food dishes to contribute to the meal, and our assignment was salad. While I was at Cardiac Rehab this morning, Mother put together a "Picnic Bean Salad" of kidney beans, cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes in ranch dressing, seasoned with dill weed and pepper, and topped with parmesan cheese. Most of the folks who attended must have been in the salad assignment block of the alphabet, because other than one rice dish and one couscous dish, there was nothing but salads, with most of those prepared in creamy dressings.
Among the meat dishes, there was pulled pork barbecue (wouldn't you know it), hamburgers and hot dogs, and grilled chicken. I opted for the grilled chicken, of course. I did sample a couple of desserts, but only very small portions.
The hosts' gardens, which feature wooden bridges, and a goldfish pond, are well-planned and beautifully manicured...the perfect setting for a picnic. The weather was mild, with an overcast sky, and we enjoyed this pleasant outing.
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