Lynn Kelley, Author

Happy Valentine’s Day – Do the Cupid Shuffle Line Dance

Posted on February 14, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Happy Valentine’s Day! I couldn’t resist sharing Cupid Shuffle with you. Do you like this song? Do you know how to do the dance?

I’ve been at a few wedding receptions and parties when Cupid Shuffle was played, and whippersnappers jumped up and joined in. I felt like a wallflower, too intimidated to learn a new dance in a crowd of people, so I would sit in my chair and keep the beat, but it’s time to change that.

Wallflowers, unite! Here’s a Cupid Shuffle tutorial (below). Learn it, practice it, and be ready to show off your new moves the next time you’re at a fun gathering.

There are a lot of Cupid Shuffle tutorials, but this one takes it a little slower than the others. Just my speed. It seems I need to learn new dance moves in slow motion. It’s not just my age because when I took karate 20 years ago, I did the same thing when I learned the forms, slow and easy.

How about you? Are new dance moves and other routines easy for you, or do you need to learn in baby steps, too? Pat yourself on the back for sticking to it if that’s the case.

If you already know the Cupid Shuffle and want to kick it up a notch or two, there are other tutorials on YouTube that teach more advanced moves. Here’s one that starts with the basic moves, then shows you some “flavor to add to it so you can be the best Cupid Shuffler out there”:

Okay, let’s dance. You’ll not only get a good cardio workout, but you’ll also exercise your brain by learning a new skill. Once you’ve learned it and it becomes easy or mechanical, time to learn another new skill in order to keep your brain young.

What’s your favorite exercise? Do you like to go to the gym? Do you like to dance? If so, what’s your favorite dance? Are you doing anything special for Valentine’s Day?

I’d love to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Images courtesy of Pixabay

Posted in Dancing, Holidays, Lynn Kelley, YouTube Video | Tagged advanced Cupid Shuffle moves, Cupid Shuffle line dance, Cupid Shuffle tutorial, easy line dancing, exercise your brain, Valentine's Day | 5 Comments

Ambidextrous Tennis Player Celebrates 85th Birthday

Posted on February 6, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Help me celebrate my dad turning 85 years old.

Lynn Kelley, ambidextrous tennis player turns 85

Dad plays tennis for two hours at a time two to three days a week. He learned to play tennis when he was 40.

Being ambidextrous has helped his game. This three-minute video shows him switching the racquet from one hand to the other. You have to watch closely or you’ll miss it.

There’s a full game on YouTube titled “Old Guys Playing Tennis.”

I interviewed Dad last summer. This is the shorter version, which is over eight minutes in length.

He has slow-progressing Alzheimer’s, and I believe it would be much worse if he wasn’t physically fit. According to the study in my post about activities that help prevent Alzheimer’s, tennis isn’t beneficial in preventing the disease, but I’d be willing to bet staying physically fit has helped slow it down. That’s just my opinion, though.

Lynn Kelley

This photo of my father as a boy is on the cover of an altered art book I made for Mom and Dad as a Christmas gift in 2009,

Dad’s mother divorced his father when he was about three years old. She worked as a secretary through the Depression and later remarried. At age 13, Dad got a job setting up pins at a bowling alley. He worked at that job for about four years and gave his money to his mother and step-father to help out with expenses. “That’s what you did back then,” he said.

Newlyweds

He met Mom when he was 17 and she was 14. They eloped a couple of years later after Mom’s step-mother slapped her for not handing over the money from her first paycheck, but Mom didn’t get any money from that check because the employment agency took their cut.

Mom asked my father to marry her so she could get out of the house. Her mother died in childbirth on my grandfather’s birthday, leaving a newborn baby girl and six other daughters. Mom was only 13, the third oldest child.

Dad got drafted into the Army at age 20 during the Korean war. He was stationed in Austria. Mom gave birth to my oldest brother while Dad was overseas and she sent a telegram informing him he was the father of a baby boy.

After serving the required two years in the Army, Dad was discharged, got into sales, and worked long hours to support a growing family.

Our family in 1974

This video is 38 seconds long. The clown bike belonged to my nephew. Dad’s always been one to clown around.

For their 65th wedding anniversary last July, my parents celebrated in small ways, like going out to lunch and an afternoon at the beach. They weren’t up to having a big party like they did for their 60th.

Celebrating 65 years of marriage. Still married to the same wonderful girl.

Happy 85th Birthday, Dad!

Husband for 65 years, father of five, granddad to 16, great-granddad to fifteen and two on the way. May he continue to play tennis and do all his favorite things for many years to come. He says he’s enjoying life to the fullest.

Cheers!

What are your thoughts? Do you celebrate milestone birthdays? Do you play tennis? Are you ambidextrous?

I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for stopping by!

Posted in family, Lynn Kelley, YouTube Video | Tagged 85-year-old tennis player, ambidextrous tennis player, Happy 85th birthday, interview of father 84 years old, old man riding a clown bike | 8 Comments

Everyday Heroine – Do You Know One?

Posted on February 5, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Do you know an everyday heroine?

Aunt Sam as a school girl

Everyday heroes and heroines are people who commit random acts of kindness without giving a thought as to how their kindness will impact those around them, and they expect nothing in return.

My Aunt Sam’s real name is Walda, and this is a true story from her childhood:

“When I was in third grade, I was taught by the most dear and gentle nun. It was obvious that Sister Saint Hubert should have retired years before, but she was still patient and kind when dealing with her class of seven- and eight-year-olds.

“One day, giving in to temptation, I took a quarter from Shirley’s desk and dropped it into my pocket. In the school year 1947/48, a quarter had a bit more value than it does now. Especially to a third grader. Sister made a plea to the class stating that Shirley needed her quarter for the streetcar fare home.

“My conscience being pricked, I stood up. Sister didn’t let me say anything, but took me by the arm into the coat room. There were no words exchanged. I handed her the quarter and began to cry. She took me in her arms and held me for a few minutes.

“Then she exited the coat room and shouted back to me so that the class could hear, ‘Walda, please straighten up the coats for me.’

“She then told the class, “Walda said Shirley can have her quarter.’

“I still fill up with tears when I remember that incident, and I’m wiping tears from my eyes as I type this. Never underestimate the impact your little acts of love, kindness, understanding, and forgiveness can have upon a young heart. I’m sure Sister Saint Hubert is enjoying her reward in heaven today.“

Thanks for sharing your story, Aunt Sam. So very touching.

It’s wonderful how a kind person can steal our hearts and leave an everlasting impression.

Do you know an everyday hero or heroine? Did you ever steal when you were a child? If so, did you get caught and get in trouble? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for visiting my website!

Posted in Heroes and Heroines, Kids, Lynn Kelley | Tagged acts of kindness, child caught stealing, everyday heroine, PA, Pittsburgh, Sister Saint Hubert - St. Raphael Catholic School, sweet story | 2 Comments

What If The Shoes Don’t Fit

Posted on February 3, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

I’m not comfortable teaching other writers how to write, but sometimes I like to have fun writing about writing. If you’re not a writer, this post might give you an idea about the many aspects fiction authors have to take into consideration when writing fiction.

If the shoe fits . . . well, it sure makes it easier to step into the role of your character. What if you’re a male writing about a female? Stepping into her shoes might be difficult.

It can be tricky to balance, especially in spikes. At first it’s awkward. You might fall. Dust yourself off and get back up on those heels. You’ll soon find yourself strutting or prancing through your plot.

Does your character need to move with the poise and grace of a prima ballerina? Impossible? Not if you practice, practice, practice.

Lynn Kelley There you go. Much better!

Venturing into a new genre, exploring terrain your psyche never dared to conquer before? Those magic shoes could carry you off into mysterious, mystical realms. Try them on.

Lynn Kelley Don’t forget to pay attention to little details. Does your teen female curl her toes when Dreamland Dude flirts with her?

What if you’re a female stepping into a male character’s shoes? What kind of stance does he have? Are you taking note of his features, like those hairy legs? With a little creativity (and some black eyeliner – yes, those hairs are drawn on), you’ll be on the right track.

Whether you’re a female writing about male characters or a male writing about female characters, in the beginning you might have to tighten the reigns to head them in the right direction. Once they come to life, you could find yourself wrangling with the keyboard to keep up as they gallop down the trail, daring to leap off the edge of the page. Whoa!

Do you find a good fit filling your character’s shoes when they’re the opposite sex or from a different culture? It certainly can be challenging.

“Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were thought up only a little more than a century ago?”
~ Bernice Fitz-Gibbon

What are your thoughts? Do you like creative writing? Have you ever written in the viewpoint of the opposite sex? Was it easy or hard?

I’d love to hear from you!

Photo credit: Man with banana – RyanMcGuire at Pixabay

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Posted in Humor, Lynn Kelley, Writing | Tagged challenges of fiction writers, fiction authors, writing, Writing Lesson, writing POV of the opposite sex, your character's shoes | 6 Comments

How to Press Flowers – Small Roses

Posted on February 1, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Do you like pressed flowers? It’s easy to press them.

In this video tutorial, I cut fresh flowers from my garden, put them on a sheet of wax paper, fold it over, then put them between the pages of a heavy book. More books are stacked on top to help speed up the process.

I used small roses, which seem to work well as pressed flowers. The petals don’t have much moisture, so they dried out well and retained much of their original color.

Flowers with thick petals don’t work as well, at least for me. I have better luck with small flowers that have thin petals.

These sweet pressed roses will make precious embellishments in the altered art book I plan to make for my youngest daughter and her husband. I’m way behind in getting started on it and their one year anniversary is quickly approaching. Here’s an altered art book I made as a wedding gift for my niece. I used pressed flowers on some of the pages for that book.

Suzee and Brett’s altered art book will be just as special but completely different because each altered art book is as unique as the people I make the books for.

Pressed flowers were used on this page of an altered art book. The pink flowers at the top left and the white flower at the bottom are pressed and coated with Mod Podge.

You can also embellish candles with pressed flowers. Melt clear wax and use a small paint brush to apply a coat of wax over the pressed flower so it will adhere to the candle.

Getting back to blogging and blogging more frequently is taking up most of my time, plus getting back to writing novels. I have a few works-in-progress that I started years ago, so this is the year to finish them.

Wish me luck in keeping up with the blogging, writing, spending time with family, and making progress on Suzee’s gift. Time is passing by way too fast.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever pressed flowers? Do you have too many irons in the fire? Is time passing by too fast for you?

I’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to receive future posts, add your email address in the “Subscribe” window in the sidebar below the welcome video.

Thanks for stopping by!

Photo credits: Lynn Kelley, Ramdlon at Pixabay, Wild0ne at Pixabay

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Posted in Arts and Crafts, Lynn Kelley, YouTube Video | Tagged how to press flowers, pressed flowers as embellishments, pressed roses | 2 Comments

Old, New, and Weird Facts About the Flu

Posted on January 31, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Lynn Kelley, preventing the flu

Note: It is recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking new supplements or medications or starting any new health program or treatment.

If you missed my post about the large study that shows Vitamin D can help prevent the flu, it’s worth taking the time to go here and read it.

Pretty much everyone and their cousins know how important hand washing is to avoid getting the flu. I guess knowing it and doing it are two different things for some people.

One Man’s Study – Eeek!

One man did his own study in a public rest room while standing at a sink, washing his hands off and on during a short period of observation. He noted 11 men used the rest room. Seven walked out, never bothering to even glance toward the sinks.

Lynn Kelley, Lynn Kelley Author, children's author, Curse of the Double Digits, BBH McChiller, Monster Moon Mysteries,

Two acted like they were washing their hands, but they didn’t. Of those 11 men, two actually did wash their hands.

That little study makes me want to find a nifty pair of gloves to wear whenever I have to go out in public, especially if shaking hands is likely.

There’s a short video that’s new on YouTube that I almost added here, but it was extremely upsetting because it showed pictures of children who died from this year’s influenza outbreak. So heartbreaking.

If everyone watched that video, we’d all be diligent about washing our hands and preventing more germs from being spread. Such a simple act that can make a huge difference.

The Flu and Stomach Flu (Norovirus) Are Different

Many people confuse these terms. The flu is influenza, which affects the lungs. Stomach flu (norovirus) is actually a gastrointestinal virus. You can learn more about the differences here.

For more info about norovirus, watch this 3-minute video.

Note: Norovirus survives on surfaces much longer than influenza and it can live in food, thus causing people to think they have food poisoning.

How Long Does the Flu Virus Survive on Surfaces?

Various sources cited different information. Generally, influenza can survive on surfaces up to 8 hours.

According to “NHS Choices” the flu virus can survive on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours.

“The influenza virus can survive on paper money for 10 or more days,” according to an article in “The New York Times.”

Three Cheers for Copper, Brass, Bronze and Zinc!

The exception is copper, brass, bronze, and zinc, which kill the virus almost immediately.

Wow! That’s an excellent tidbit of information, don’t you think? Further research revealed copper’s efficacy against MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has been demonstrated in several independent studies.

What if all doorknobs were replaced with influenza fighting metals? I was feeling hopeful when I Googled, “What metal are most doorknobs made out of?” and the answer was “brass.” Less germs being passed around. Yay!

Then I clicked on a link titled Antibacterial Doorknobs – Science Updates – Science NetLinks, thinking I’d find more interesting info about brass doorknobs.

What a bummer to read “Sweat disables copper’s antibacterial properties, with implications for doorknobs and handles everywhere.”

Bob Hirshon from AAAS the Science Society commented, “So even if an institution has germ-resistant copper fixtures, they still need to clean them and encourage frequent hand-washing.”

More Things You Can Do to Help Prevent Getting the Flu

Stay Hydrated. I’m sure you’ve heard that advice a million and one times. If you have dry mouth, you may be dehydrated. Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day to help your system run smoothly and ensure your saliva is doing its job. Yes, we’re talking about spit. Who woulda thunk?

Saliva “provides a defensive barrier against bacteria, fungi, viruses” according to Health Blurbs.

Old Folks With Beneficial Saliva

As if this post could get any stranger, an article in a June 2013 ACS News Service Weekly PressPac explains “Saliva proteins may protect older people from influenza.” It states that in addition to starting the process of digestion, “Saliva also contains germ-fighting proteins that are a first-line defense against infections.”

That wasn’t new information to scientists, but Zheng Li and colleagues looked into how this benefit of saliva affects different age groups as related to influenza:

“Their tests of 180 saliva samples from men and women of various ages suggested that seniors, who fought off the bird flu better than the younger groups, might thank their saliva. Glycoproteins in saliva of people age 65 and over were more efficient in binding to influenza than those in children and young adults.”

According to an article in “Letters in Applied Microbiology,” flu vaccines aren’t always sufficient because “viral mutagenesis occurs rapidly (Ujike et al. 2010). Therefore, it is desirable to boost the immune system and promote resistance against IFV infection in daily life.”

Eating probiotic foods or taking probiotic supplements can boost your immune system.

An article in “US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health” reports the results of a study done on a probiotic drink made from a Japanese pickled turnip, Lactobacillus brevis KB290, works against the flu virus because it produces flu-specific antibodies and it’s tolerant to stomach acids.

Probiotic Foods Recommended by “Eat This Not That”

Fermented pickles are a probiotic, but not all pickles are fermented.

An article in “Eat This Not That” titled 18 Probiotic Fermented Foods for a Healthy Gut lists foods which have probiotics. You’ll want to read up on each specific food for the details:

Dark chocolate (Yippee!)
Greek yogurt with “live active cultures”
Peas
Sauerkraut
Kombucha
Kimchi (spicy and yummy)
Beer & wine (in moderation)
Green olives
Natto
Kefir
Fermented pickles (not all pickles are fermented)
Miso (I love miso soup)
Sourdough bread
Beet Kvass
Cottage cheese with live and active cultures
Tempeh
Soft, aged cheese (not all have probiotics, so read the article for the details)

Were you surprised by some of these foods? Me, too!

Unfortunately, this year’s flu vaccination isn’t as effective as experts had hoped, so if your immune system has been weakened, do your best to build it up with a probiotic supplement or fermented foods mentioned above.

Also, get plenty of sleep and exercise and eat well-balanced meals. Same advice you’ve been hearing for years. This is a reminder from Grammy. 🙂

If you’re in the high-risk category, avoid crowds as much as possible.

If you get the flu, stay home. You may save a life.

What Does the Future Hold?

Research is underway to develop a Band-Aid vaccine. It’s supposed to be pain free, doesn’t require refrigeration, and remains stable at room temperature for a year or so. One side looks like a Band-Aid and the other side has 100 microneedles that feel similar to velcro pressing against the skin when applied to the back of the wrist.

Band-Aid vaccines would eliminate the need for needles or syringes to vaccinate against influenza, plus the patches would be much easier to distribute.

Antiviral Proteins Designed By Computers

“Radio New Zealand” reported “Scientists are digitising our immune system so they can quickly design custom-made antiviral proteins that shut down deadly and rapidly evolving diseases like influenza and HIV.”

Wow! Honestly, who woulda thunk? Technology has come a long way since I was a kid. What do you think about the advances being made?

Here’s an interesting article about Why This Year’s Outbreak is One of the Worst.

If you do get the flu, here’s a video with some helpful suggestions to help you get through it:

Note: It is recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking new supplements or medications or starting any new health program or treatment.

What are your thoughts? Anything you’d like to add that I didn’t cover? I had to pick and choose from all the info online and I could have spent another month on this, but you’d have been long gone.

I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by!

Photo credits: Pixabay – ErikaWittlieb, dennisflarsen, mohamed_hassan, deligraphy, Peter-Lomas, geralt

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Posted in Health and Wellness, Lynn Kelley | Tagged antibacterial doorknobs, antiviral proteins designed by computers, Band-Aid vaccine, facts about the flu, flu and stomach flu are different, flu hacks, how long does flu survive on surfaces, Lactobacillus brevis KB290, preventing getting the flu, probiotic foods, probiotics boost your immune system | 4 Comments

Every Picture Tells a Story – What Story Does This Picture Tell?

Posted on January 30, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

If every picture tells a story, what story does this picture tell?

Lynn Kelley, Every Picture Tells a Story

Think fast. What flashes through your mind at first glance?

Those brick steps are really cool?

Her boots are to die for?

The guy’s got his eye on that girl?

A Matter of Perspective

Did you do a double-take? Got a nagging feeling something’s off kilter?

If so, you get a cookie for being perceptive.

So, what’s up that photo? There are clues.

Some of you have already figured it out.

Others, like me, who suck at puzzles, are still trying to piece it together.

A Few Hints

Focus on the bricks.

Now, check out that wall.

Look at her body language. Does she look comfortable?

What color is the sky?

(Okay, that was a BIG hint.)

Here’s another hint: GRAVITY

Hmm, what’s up with her hair? Bad hair day?

Or, bad hair moment?

Can’t defy GRAVITY, although more hair spray would have helped.

Do you love a good story with twists you didn’t see coming?

Kind of like that picture, in a way. It’s got a twist to it. A sideways twist.

Time for the BIG REVEAL (in case you’re still stuck).

If you have a laptop or cell, turn your screen. If not, tilt your head sideways.

The guy and the girl are on the sidewalk. What looks like brick steps are actually parts of a building that jut out. You can’t see the sky because that’s the street at the top of the photo.

Here’s what the scene actually looks like. This couple’s having engagement pictures taken near Union Station in Los Angeles.

The trick photo was the guy’s idea, and the photographer went along with it, just for fun.

This is what the setting looks like in proper perspective.

For Pete’s sake, stop checkin’ out her boots. I love ’em, too, but I’m trying to make a point here!

Same setting from another angle.

A penny will hide the biggest star in the Universe if you hold it close enough to your eye. ~Samuel Grafton

It isn’t that they can’t see the solution. It is that they can’t see the problem.~G.K. Chesterton

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself. ~Henry Miller

What are your thoughts? Do you strive to notice extraordinary aspects in ordinary things? Turn things sideways, upside-down,or stand on your head to find a new perspective or add dimension?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Posted in Creativity, Lynn Kelley | Tagged every picture tells a story, Perspective, puzzling picture, story with a twist | 12 Comments

Dad Gets Locked Out – Parenting Plights & Delights

Posted on January 29, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Have you ever been locked out? By your kid?

Mariam Taguchi shared one of her favorite parenting stories with me. She took her oldest daughters to her niece’s baby shower while her husband, Derek, stayed home to look after 23-month-old Noelle, who was too rambunctious to take along.

Frantic Phone Call

While Mariam was enjoying herself at the shower, she received a frantic call from hubby, who had run to the neighbor’s to use their phone. Derek had stepped out front for a moment. Noelle closed the door and locked him out.

“She’s in the house crying and crying,” he told Mariam. “You have to come home NOW.”

“Stay calm,” Mariam said, then told him where she hid the extra key.

Not What He Expected

By the time Derek got inside the house, he found a mess in the kitchen. Noelle had spilled water from the dog’s dish all over the floor, in addition to throwing dog food everywhere.

He then discovered his free-spirited toddler had taken off her clothes and was running through the halls, screaming with laughter, which Derek had mistaken for hysterical crying!

What are your thoughts? Have you ever been locked out? Do you have a parenting or grandparenting memory or another story you’d like to share?

If you’re not a parent, memories from your own childhood count, too!

I’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to receive future posts, fill in your email info in the “Subscribe” window in the sidebar under the welcome video.

Thank you for stopping by!

“Home” photo credit: Comfreak at Pixabay

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Posted in Humor, Kids, Lynn Kelley, Parenting Plights and Delights | Tagged funny parent story, getting locked out, Parenting Plights & Delights, rambunctious toddler | 6 Comments

Large Study Shows Vitamin D Can Help Prevent the Flu

Posted on January 24, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Note: It is recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking new supplements or medications or starting any new health program or treatment.

According to an article in Medical News Today by Tim Newman, “A large-scale meta-analysis using more than 10,000 participants concludes that vitamin D supplementation may help to prevent a major cause of global death – acute respiratory tract infections.”

Wow! I don’t know about you, but this is huge news to me that taking vitamin D supplements may help us avoid the flu.

This study came out in February 2017 and I’m wondering why it hasn’t received more coverage.

That same article also mentions: “Some researchers have concluded that vitamin D has the ability to trigger an immune response to certain viruses and bacteria.”

However, despite the large number of participants and thoroughness of the study, due to limitations, some researchers remain skeptical of the effect.

Here’s what the British Association for Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy had to say about the study:

“BANT welcomes the publication of the study by Martineau et al., which concluded that taking Vitamin D supplementation was safe and it protected against acute respiratory tract infection overall. Patients who were very vitamin D deficient and those not receiving bolus doses experienced the most benefit”.*

I, too, welcome the information provided in the study. Influenza is bad enough when we get it ourselves, but worse when our children or grandchildren get it. Or an elderly family member.

It’s not only heartbreaking, but in many instances, life threatening.

So, I’m getting the word out to all my friends, loved ones, and readers. I hope you’ll help me spread this valuable info.

Based on the study, some doctors suggest healthy adults take 5,000 to 8,000 IU (international units) daily during flu season to prevent influenza.

The Vitamin D Council recommends that healthy adults take 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. Their site also lists the lower doses recommended by the Endocrine Society, which recommends 1,500 to 2,000 IU a day for adults. The Food and Nutrition Board recommends 600 IU daily for adults, but 800 IU for seniors.

The Food and Nutrition Board’s doses are the U.S. government’s official recommendations.

If you’re wondering why there are discrepancies in the recommendations from these various sources, The Vitamin D Council explains, “Some researchers believe that there isn’t enough evidence to support taking higher amounts of vitamin D yet. On the other hand, some researchers believe that research is proving, or will prove, that taking lower amounts isn’t enough.”

To learn more about Vitamin D, you can find a wealth of information on The Vitamin D Council’s website. It lists certain medical conditions and medications that you will need to take extra care and check with your doctor or a specialist before taking Vitamin D.

Next week, we’ll cover more on preventing the flu.

What are your thoughts? Had you heard about this study? Have you had the flu? What do you do to prevent it?

I’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to receive future posts, fill in your email address in the “Subscribe” window under the welcome video in the sidebar.

Thanks for visiting!

*According to The Free Dictionary, a bolus dose is a quantity of fluid or medicine given intravenously at a controlled, rapid rate.

Sources:

The BMJ: Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data

BANT – British Association for Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy: Vitamin D – Not Just for Bones and Muscle.

Medical News Today article: New evidence that vitamin D prevents respiratory infections.

Images: Courtesy of Pixabay: kdbcms, geralt, gfhjkm123, mohamed_hassan, ElisaRiva

Note: It is recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking new supplements or medications or starting any new health program or treatment.

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Posted in Health and Wellness | Tagged recommended doses of Vitamin D, study on Vitamin D, taking extra Vitamin D during flu season, The BMJ, Vitamin D Council, Vitamin D supplements | 5 Comments

Disastrous and Funny Hair Stories

Posted on January 23, 2018 by lynnkelleyauthor

Do you like funny hair stories? I sure do.

Lynn Kelley, funny hair stories

It seems almost everyone has a disastrous or funny hair story. I had an endless supply of ideas for scenes in Curse of the Double Digits, my humorous children’s book for kids ages 7 to 10.

A Few of My Favorite Funny Hair Stories

First up, Annie Howland, award-winning author of Hobo Annie Hits the Road : “I was camping with a group of friends up in Big Bear, and as we stood around in the woods listening to a campfire speaker, I leaned against a big ol’ pine tree. When I stepped away, my hair was stuck to the trunk!

Hobo Annie and her husband, Len

“Turns out the sticky icky sap had been dripping into my long locks the whole time! It was a gooey mess! Fortunately my McGyver hubby knew enough to coat the mess with MAYONAISE, which softened and removed it! Unfortunately, I smelled like a sandwich for the rest of the weekend!”

Smelled like a sandwich! You crack me up, Annie.

Here’s a funny hair story from Rhonda Hopkins: “When I was about 8, my aunt decided to trim my bangs. Not only were they nearly to the top of my scalp but they were cut at an angle. I cried and cried. Once my nieces were old enough to understand I’d tell them, “If Aunt Dell ever tries to cut your hair, run screaming and tell another adult.”

“One day, I heard this yelling and my oldest niece came running and jumped in my lap screaming that Aunt Dell was trying to cut her bangs. I thought I was going to bust a gut laughing so hard. Good thing my aunt has a sense of humor.”

Lynn Kelley, funny hair stories

Wow, I can sure relate to that story, Rhonda. Here’s a screen shot from a home movie of me at three years old. My mom used to cut our bangs really short. Maybe a tad uneven, too. Haha!

A Strange and Interesting Hair Story

My writer friend, Nancy O’Connor, shared the following story with me:

Nancy O’Conner with some of her books, part of the Flying Start collection, Okapi Educational Publishing.

“My nephew, Sean, came to visit one fall. I hadn’t seen him for a while, so I was a bit surprised to see his new hair style. Although he was a quiet and polite kid, he was very proud of his red and blond spikes, which made him look like a punk Statue of Liberty! To make the long spikes nice and stiff, he used Elmer’s glue.

“When I asked him how he ever washed his hair, he patiently explained that when he took a bath, he leaned back into the water and went, ‘Crick, crick, crick, crick,’ bending the spikes back and forth until the water softened the glue enough to shampoo his hair. Then, once it was clean and dry, he started the process over again. When he started looking for a job, he had the audacity to comment on the narrow-minded employers who judged his abilities by his hair style.”

Lynn Kelley, Funny hair stories

Your nephew is quite creative, Nancy. I never would have thought to use Elmer’s Glue. I might try it sometime.

For another funny hair story told in my one-minute animated video, check it out here.

Thanks for the chuckles, Annie, Rhonda, and Nancy. We all need a little giggle getaway!

What are your thoughts? Have you ever had a bad hair experience, or do you know someone who has? Are you having a good hair day? 🙂

I’d love to hear from you.

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Posted in Funny, Hair, Humor | Tagged Annie Howland, disastrous hair stories, funny hair incidents, hair disasters, Nancy O'Connor, Rhonda Hopkins | 8 Comments

“When I was in third grade, I was taught by the most dear and gentle nun. It was obvious that Sister Saint Hubert should have retired years before, but she was still patient and kind when dealing with her class of seven- and eight-year-olds.

“My conscience being pricked, I stood up. Sister didn’t let me say anything, but took me by the arm into the coat room. There were no words exchanged. I handed her the quarter and began to cry. She took me in her arms and held me for a few minutes.

“Then she exited the coat room and shouted back to me so that the class could hear, ‘Walda, please straighten up the coats for me.’

“She then told the class, “Walda said Shirley can have her quarter.’

One Man’s Study – Eeek!

How Long Does the Flu Virus Survive on Surfaces?

Three Cheers for Copper, Brass, Bronze and Zinc!

More Things You Can Do to Help Prevent Getting the Flu

Old Folks With Beneficial Saliva

What Does the Future Hold?

Antiviral Proteins Designed By Computers

A Matter of Perspective

A Few Hints

Frantic Phone Call

Not What He Expected

That same article also mentions: “Some researchers have concluded that vitamin D has the ability to trigger an immune response to certain viruses and bacteria.”

A Few of My Favorite Funny Hair Stories

A Strange and Interesting Hair Story

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