DOG’S BARK DISTURBS WALKER’S PEACE

Our city is a walker’s paradise. Although there are numerous walking paths, we also have parks and sidewalks easily accessible just minutes from home. Walking through the park has been a life saver for me, restoring serenity during some tough times and health scares. But one thing jolts me to the core, sending shock waves through my system. I’m enjoying my reverie, when suddenly, there’s a dog barking in my ear. Literally– a few feet away–a dog barking it’s head off while hanging out a car window. I don’t know why so many people in the city think its okay to do that. All I know is that a dog’s bark disturbs a walker’s peace when it’s that close, and so unexpected.

It’s very common in nice weather to see dogs sticking their heads out of car windows. Apparently, their owners believe that’s safe. Probably, they think they’re give their dog a joy ride in the fresh air. Actually, it’s dangerous.

Dog's Bark disturbs walker's peace. The dog may be anxious and frightened. . — Dog’s Bark Disturbs Walker’s Peace. It’s dangerous if they hang their head out the window, and could cause distracted driving.

Sometimes the problem is compounded when there are two dogs in one car. One in the shotgun seat, the other in the back. Both hanging out the window and barking frantically, because they’re anxious or overly excited by the experience. You wonder what goes through the mind of the driver of that car. Do they enjoy some kind of sadistic pleasure in seeing people jump in sudden fright? Or are they so self absorbed that they think it’s cute? Like a “yes” mom watching in adoration as her spoiled kid throws a temper tantrum in the checkout lane at the supermarket.

In at least five states, it’s illegal for a dog to be in a car unrestrained, because it can cause distracted driving.

According to veterinarians, it’s not safe at all for a dog to hang it’s head out the window. Even if they enjoy the wind in their face, foreign objects like leaves, insects and rocks can strike them with great force and even damage the cornea of their eye. Also, foreign bodies can work their way into a dog’s ear or nose, causing severe inflammation. Would you encourage a child to hang their head out of a car window while you’re driving? Of course not. Why, then, let a dog’s bark disturb a walker’s peace?

April 26, 2021April 26, 2021

WEARING YOUR MASK AT HALF MAST

Things are looking up in our city. Covid-19 cases keep going down, and vaccination rate is very high. About 50% of people over 65 have received 2 shots. So naturally, we’re feeling more relaxed when out in public. What I’ve noticed the past couple of weeks is that while most everyone is still wearing their masks, they’re letting them slip down below their nose. Is wearing your mask at half mast OK?

Wearing your mask at half mask feels better but it's not okay. — Now that you’ve been vaccinated, it’s tempting to wear your mask at half mask. But it’s not okay.

I can definitely see the point. Wearing a mask that covers all your breathing apparatus is a sweaty experience. By the time you’ve spent some time at a supermarket, your face is wet when you finally get back to your car. But scientists warn us that it’s no use wearing a mask that doesn’t cover your nose, because you’re still breathing in all the polluted air around you. Also, contrary to common belief, you can still blow polluted air out your nose and infect others if you’re carrying the virus.

Unfortunately, there have been several cases of people coming down with the virus, even though they’re fully vaccinated. I read that a psychologist caught it from one of his patients and died. I suppose that’s possible in a crowded room where you can actually smell the other person’s breath. Same thing if you’re on an airplane where you’ll be in close contact for a long time.

I would feel more comfortable wearing no mask at all as opposed to one under my nose. It wouldn’t look half as silly. But I have the feeling masks are going to be in style long after we’ve reached herd immunity. Especially in the winter months, it would make sense to protect yourself from all the cold and flu viruses floating in the air. But it won’t do any good to wear your mask at half mast.

April 23, 2021April 23, 2021

IS STOLEN WORSE THAN LOST?

Let’s say you have a watch that you received as a gift on an anniversary decades ago. It wasn’t a Rolex, but it was pretty and it had special meaning. Suddenly, it disappeared. You rack your brains—go all over the house, look in the bathrooms, the kitchen, anywhere you might have taken it off to keep it dry. After a couple of days you give up. How could you have lost it? Or was it stolen by someone who was doing some work in your house? The truth is, I’d rather believe I lost it. I can always buy another one. But If someone I trusted stole it, I feel violated, hurt and betrayed. Stolen is worse than lost, in most cases.

Is lost or stolen worse? A their makes you feel like a victim. — IS STOLEN WORSE THAN LOST? If someone takes your wallet, it’s much worse than losing a credit card.

A stolen credit card is far worse than lost. It means someone has found it or taken it from your wallet, and may have charged thousands of dollars before you realized it was missing. Yes, this happened to my husband, but luckily , our card provider thought they were some strange transactions, and notified us before it went too far.

On the other hand, if something is lost, you have only yourself to blame. That’s a little less painful. . My mother died many years ago, but I still use her old wooden cane for daily walks. I have prettier canes, but I wouldn’t care if I lost them. They can be replaced. But if I can’t find my mother’s cane, I panic. The cane gives me a strength and courage that can’t be bought. I have some pretty canes that we’ve picked up in foreign countries and like to use them on special occasions. But they do nothing to lift my spirits. No one would want to steal my mother’s old cane. But once, when I thought I’d lost it, I was devastated.

There’s something unnerving about being the victim of a theft. It means that the thief has no regard for your rights or feelings. They care only about themselves. Is stolen worse than lost? For me, it is.

April 21, 2021April 21, 2021

WARNING! FRIES MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH

Exercise classes are back in business. Everyone’s trying to lose that post pandemic weight. Yes, we social distance, but people can still carry on conversations which can be heard by others in the locker room or gymnasium. One thing I’ve noticed is that many people enjoy talking about food and exchanging recipes. From there, the subject matter may turn to favorite restaurants. Last week, I heard two weight watchers comparing the merits of French fries served in different places around town. To me, this was like hearing smokers compare the nicotine content of different cigarette brands. Warning! Fries may be hazardous to health.

If someone is investing the time, and making the effort to participate in an exercise class, why concentrate on food at all? Much less admit to eating French fries on a regular basis?

Hopefully, I won’t be getting a text from McDonald’s or Wendy’s corporate headquarters. Although, it wouldn’t surprise me, considering the ease with which strangers are able to find my cell phone number. If so, they might hasten to assure me that potatoes are good source of nutrients. This is true. Plain old potatoes are pretty good for you. The problem occurs when we doctor them up with butter , sour cream and cheese. And worst of all, deep fry them in fat.

As an example, one small baked potato (100 grams) contains 93 calories and 0 grams of fat, while the same amount (100 grams) of French fries contain 319 calories and 17 grams of fat.

Warning! Fries May Be Hazardous to your health and sabotage your diet. — Warning! Fries may be hazardous to your health. French fried potatoes are loaded with salt and saturated fat.

If you’re scarfing down a bag of fries that have been heavily fried in oil, they are dripping in saturated fats. Taking in too much saturated fat can raise your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and can potentially lead to heart disease and stroke.

If you long for the taste of fries, you can make roast potatoes in the oven at home. Just cut the potatoes in cubes, sprinkle them with spices like chili powder, thyme or paprika. Then lightly roll them in olive oil and bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Roasted potatoes contain less than half the calories of French fries, and they don’t have any saturated fat.

Do I ever eat French Fries? Yes, every once in awhile. But there’s one thing I can never forget: Warning! Fries may be hazardous to your health.

April 19, 2021April 20, 2021

HELP! AMERICANS ON THE DOLE

Three days a week I drive into town for various activities and trips to the library. During that short , five mile drive, I see help wanted signs everywhere. Who’s looking for help? Restaurants, of course. But also dry cleaners, manufacturers, gas stations, dollars stores. You name the place, they have jobs that need filling. At the same time, most of us know of people who have enjoyed a year long vacation due to the CARES ACT unemployment benefits, augmented by stimulus checks. And they’re not going back to work until the money runs out. Meanwhile, businesses are desperate for workers. Help! Americans on the dole.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Laid off workers have been known to postpone looking for jobs until their unemployment compensation ends for as long as I can remember. This has always puzzled me. I lost a job once, and was frantic at the thought of being without work. Within a week, I’d scouted around and found another position. Yes, I could have drawn unemployment benefits, but I wouldn’t have enjoyed them. The fear of not finding a replacement job would have eaten away at me. And there was another element: embarrassment. I wouldn’t have wanted people to know I didn’t have a job.

Help! Americans on the dole. People can sleep in, draw unemployment benefits, and not worry about money coming in. — HELP! AMERICANS ON THE DOLE. People would rather sleep in while drawing unemployment benefits, than go back to work..

All of that’s gone now. The work ethic that made this country great has dwindled away over the years. In fact, those who didn’t get laid off and aren’t entitled to unemployment checks, envy those who are enjoying all the free time. They’re wondering why in the world they’re getting up out of bed every morning to go to work while their unemployed friends can sleep in without worrying about groceries and rent.

When will it finally end? There’s talk now about a third round of stimulus money. How many small business and restaurants will have to close because they can’t pay workers enough to give up their unemployment benefits, bolstered by stimulus checks? Help! AmericaNS on the dole.

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR CAR?

Yesterday, I watched as someone in the neighborhood cleaned out his car. First, he started with towels, mats, sweaters and jackets. An old computer. Next, backpacks, toys, bottles, carry out containers. All this from one side of the car. The floor under his steering wheel contained papers and cans. When he brought out a jacket, pants and shirt from the other side. I assumed that was for the times when he needed more formal attire. By now, I had been standing at the window long enough for my knees to give out. The scene was comical, but also fascinating—like watching Pandora open her box of troubles. Then I started thinking about what a messy car says about a person. How clean is your car?

My husband’s car has always been immaculate. No stray papers or bottles, anywhere. No spills or extra clothes. Seat pockets have maps and umbrellas neatly tucked away. My car is a different story. The trunk, especially, has reusable cloth bags and miscellaneous plastic bags with things I mean to return or take to the Goodwill. The back seat is empty because I seldom have passengers. In the front seat, there’s a basket for masks, receipts, sun glasses, a cap, Kleenex. The floorboards show a winter’s worth of pebbles. The dashboard is dusty. I’ve never seen my husband manually dust his dashboard, but on the other hand, it’s always shiny and clean. How does he do it? Wish I knew.

Anyway, this got me thinking about different attitudes toward car ownership. My car has never served as a status symbol for me. It’s just a modest sedan that gets me from point A to point B. And since we have a garage, it’s not rusty or dirty . It isn’t full of junk, but it’s not perfect, either. I’m not proud of my carelessness.. I respect people who take pride in having a clean car, inside and out. I think it means they’re not only well organized, but responsible human beings. So, I’ve made a resolution to do some spring cleaning in my car. But maybe not today. I’ll wait for warmer weather.

How clean is your car?

April 14, 2021April 14, 2021

BRINGING HOME BACON COSTS MORE

The feds keep telling us that all this monopoly money they’re sending out in stimulus checks won’t cause inflation. I think the treasury secretary, or whomever is in charge of the taxpayers’ money, says it won’t be more than 2 percent this year. Ask anyone who does the family grocery shopping about that. Yesterday, I bought 12 ounces of bacon for $6.75. That was the cheapest price. The fancier brands went up to $12 a pound. In 2020, the average price for a pound (16 oz) of bacon was $5.83. No matter how you figure it, that’s about a 25% increase. Bringing home the bacon costs a lot more than it did last year.

Vegans would tell us we’re getting our just desserts for eating meat. If they had their way, we wouldn’t be able to buy bacon at all. As a dietitian, I’m all for healthy eating. But I grew up on after-church, Sunday morning bacon and eggs. My parents made it to their late eighties, so that once a week treat didn’t cause them a premature death. At our house, we have continued my family tradition—in moderation. Each of us has two strips of bacon, one fried egg, toast and orange slices, every Sunday morning. However, the rest of the week we’re very careful with portion control, and follow a Mediterranean diet that includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.. We seldom eat red meat

I can remember a short time ago-maybe a year—when a cart full of groceries cost between $50 and $60. Now’s it hard to get out of the supermarket for less that $90 bucks a pop. C’mon Janet Yellen, that’s not 2% inflation.

Let’s go on to housing. Home prices have risen 15 % in one year. Gasoline prices have risen 75 cents a gallon since the November 3 election. The unemployment rate is going down, but fewer people have jobs. I suspect most of us know someone who has dropped out of the workforce, and quit looking for a job, Many small businesses are gone forever.

The point is, we’re experiencing much higher inflation than the feds are letting on. Ask any housewife or house husband. Bringing home the bacon costs more. And fewer people can afford to buy.