Summer Evening Walk – Where Do Dragonflies Come From?

Aug 31st, 2010

Tonight there were at least 1,000 dragonflies on the levee – a sure sign of summer.  The hotter it gets, the more of them I see.  I’d never seen so many before, though.  Maybe it’s their last hoorah before the end of summer.  It occurred to me that I don’t know much about the life cycle of dragonflies.  How long do they live, what do they eat, how do they reproduce?  Where are they all going to go once it gets cold?  Do they just die and resurface next summer? 

I’m a city person – love nature – but don’t really know that much about the specifics.  I really appreciate the flora and the fauna and study it when I get curious – like now.  I see a Google search in my near future.  And the future is now.

I had no idea dragonflies started out in the water – and kind of ugly at that.  But fascinating.  Now to find out where they go before they die … to start the life cycle over again…..

Are there any insect experts out there who can add to the description provided in this short video?  Click the comment link below.

If you cannot see the video below, your work place is blocking it—I hope you can watch it at home or convince IT to allow this feature (a long shot but worth a try).  Once you click the arrow to watch, you will need to click the link to watch it on youtube – but it’s worth it.

The Cure for Breakfast

Aug 23rd, 2010

Breakfast is a tough meal to get together every day – so I make it up ahead of time, usually Sunday evening.  Here are three of my favorite breakfasts that can be made up to eat at home or take to the office.

Favorite Breakfast #1

This week I made 5 to-go containers of Greek yogurt with fresh and frozen fruits:   pineapple, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Then, when I open a container for breakfast, I sprinkle crushed almonds on top. It’s SO good. My friend Layla turned me on to it!

Favorite Breakfast #2

When I’m eating smoothies for breakfast, I do basically the same thing.  I make up small baggies for the week with all the fruit I’m going to dump into the blender in the morning so I don’t have to open up several large baggies of frozen fruit every morning.  I just open up one that has all the mixed berries in it that I’m going to blend. 

Favorite Breakfast #3

Another good breakfast also uses the meal kit idea.  I put a mix of whole grain cereals in meal-sized containers – enough for a week.  They’re portable and guarantee a yummy meal.   I keep a container of milk or rice milk in the refrigerator so I’m good to go.

If you’re challenged to eat breakfast every morning, try these fast breakfast ideas.

Do you have any fast, healthy breakfast ideas to share?  See the comment link below?  Go there and share.

Celebrating 90 Years – my mom

Aug 2nd, 2010

At age 90, finding out you’ve got an aggressive rare cancer (stage 4), moving from one assisted living apartment to another one several states away with a husband who has dementia and congestive heart failure–that’s a lot to take in, but mom’s doing it.  She comes from pioneer stock to be sure. 

In the past month,  mom and dad moved from their assisted living apartment in Sanford, NC to their new assisted living apartment in Chelsea, Michigan to be near family for mom’s remaining weeks or months.  The surgeon removed a third of her colon and discovered that it had spread to her abdominal cavity.  She was hopeful that she could do chemotherapy but was recently informed that chemo was not recommended in her case.  She’s taking it like a trooper but confessed she wishes she had a couple more years.  Her family does too.   Her kids are heading to Michigan this weekend to celebrate her 90th birthday.  Dad turns 87 in August so we’ll be celebrating his birthday too.

The video below was made last year when mom was released for a few hours from the rehab hospital where she was recovering from a stroke.  My sister Diane and I were visiting and clearing out their home of 24 years so they could move into assisted living in Sanford, North Carolina.   She has a missing tooth (it broke when she bit into a biscotti biscuit she received in a birthday basket—tough luck!).  Other than that, she looks pretty good for 88 don’t you think.  This little snippet is so funny – she has an infectious laugh and sense of humor.

I welcome your comments and stories about your family.