Friday, February 23, 2018

HEIDI LATSKY / DURHAM PERFORMANCE FOR "ON DISPLAY"

https://vimeo.com/251972350?ref=em-v-share

BEST EXERCISE FOR AGING MUSCLES

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/well/move/the-best-exercise-for-aging-muscles.html


FROM NEW YORK TIMES



ALSO:  http://tiphero.com/9-flat-stomach-exercises/


http://tiphero.com/9-foods-to-eat-to-lose-that-belly-fat/   (HAS ILLUSTRATIONS FOR EXERCISES)

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Another Look at the Big Book

Another Look at the Big Book
By Dana Stone, February 18, 2018

I first read the Big Book over 10 years ago.  In the early 2000’s I was concerned about my own drinking enough to start going to AA and pour my alcohol down the drain.  I’d become a social drinker of the kind that I had a glass or two of wine almost everyday with dinner.  I’d been embarrassed by my behavior after drinking at least twice.  I reached the conclusion that I didn’t need to drink, that it served no real purpose in my life.

I attended some AA meetings nearby, then realized my real problem was with food –eating too much.  A bulletin board at my dr.’s office had the 15 questions on it.  I sure could relate.

Bill’s Story:  As I started reading the Big Book again, I was struck by the fact that it was written over 80 years ago. 

One of my favorite pages in literature is the beginning of Bill’s Story:  “war fever was on.”  Bill fought in World War I, just like my dad.  Bill discovered the pleasure of alcohol there.  I wonder if my dad did too.  My dad stopped drinking before I was born, nevertheless the situation affected me and the rest of the family:  my brother the over achiever and heroic figure, me the child with “frozen tears.” 

Being a lover of history, Bill’s story of the tombstone outside the Winchester Cathedral really hit me.  I checked the net and yep, it’s there.  I wonder how many visitors inspired by the Big Book have visited it.  I shall have to find out.

Also, I think this chapter mentions the visitor Bill had. Chapter II:  was this Ebby?  Was it Dr. Silkworth Bill saw who told him he’d never seen “such a bad case?”

Chapter II:  I was struck by the amount of alcohol that Bill drank – a quart at a time wasn’t unusual. 

Likewise, I’m amazed by the amount of food I used to eat.  Two cans of black beans mixed with mayo while watching documentaries.  God!  Hard to imagine!   Eating a box of cookies intended for the neighbor child or my church group.  I just can’t have the stuff around!

Then there was my Christmas escapade at the Carolina Inn.  The chocolate chip cookies called to me and I listened.  Eight or so eaten in my beautiful hotel room surrounded by inspiring documents associated with the University of North Carolina.  This is “spree eating”.  It happened again recently when I was disturbed by Morry’s comments.  I used things like that as an excuse to eat a half-gallon of ice crème.  “Taking the poison” so to speak.  I know now to avoid Morry (I did so for two years).   Maybe avoiding that meeting until the guideline about sharing specific foods is removed.  This is a big trigger for me.
Chapter III:   This chapter talks about the irrational beliefs of alcoholics.  The guy who thinks he can add a little to his milk and it “won’t hurt.”  This chapter touches on relapse.  When relapse happened, my ED was worse than ever. It lasted about two years, I think.   I started frequenting places that flirted with my abstinence.  I really didn’t care, but I became concerned that the ED would kill me.  I HAD to stop COE and couldn’t.  However, a Higher Power intervened and revealed to me the many benefits of not eating compulsively.  Thank you!  Around this time I worked with a new sponsor also.  What a miracle!  I have three days of abstinence now and want to hang on to it for dear life.  Divine Intervention indeed.

This chapter also describes the crazy things we did while [drinking].  Using in the car, for example.  My car is a mess because of this.  We also justify a spree:  someone hurt our feelings or whatever.  In the BB it says we started to find new “playmates” -that is certainly true for me.  I really need to avoid people who are triggers for me.


Eating to solve problems is like having a headache and hitting yourself in the head with a hammer.  Eating will NEVER solve our physical or emotional pain – it only makes it worse.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Sunspot Explodes

http://www.spaceweather.com/?utm_content=buffer92342&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Bringing a good chance of auroras to Northern climes.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Do I Really Need a Microwave?

     My microwave bit the dust 2 weeks ago and I've been managing without one fairly well since then.   I've just about decided not to get another one.  My thoughts go back to the early 1980's when a friend in Alaska got one.  That was the first one I'd ever seen.  I didn't get my own until 1992 and it got a lot of use.  My son and I were big popcorn eaters and the microwave really did the trick!  I even got a beautiful stand for it.

     So I've always had a microwave since for about the past 25 years or so.  For now, I've decided not to get one.  I have a small kitchen with not very much counter space.  I have my laptop now on the counter where the microwave used to be, and I've taken to writing standing up.  Ernest Hemingway did, and look what he accomplished!

     I also like the aesthetic of not having a microwave, typing at the counter, and looking out the kitchen window at the beautiful woods behind my apartment.  Sweet!

     I drink tea and miss the microwave for heating it up (I'm a long sipper), but think back to the time when I didn't have a microwave.  Now, I really don't like the idea of the "big black box" on my counter.

     I decided to buy a tea cozy, like the English use.  It reminds me of the wonderful 9 months I spent in England.  Who needs a microwave?


Sunday, February 4, 2018

Missa euge bone : Great Sacred Music

16th century

Christopher Tye

mass litergy

c.1573

Christopher Tye was Choir Master at Cambridge and wrote beautiful sacred music.
Apparently a very pious man, as can be shown in this portrait.



The piece can be heard here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvGam-l6gSo


Robert Kennedy, host of Great Sacred Music,  on WCPE f.m.