Simple Pleasures

I love that the weather is getting warmer. One of my favorite things to do is visit a farmer's market. We have them all over where I live. This last Saturday I spent some time at a small one in Salem. 

There wasn't a lot of produce yet, but there were plenty of plants. I perused for a bit then spent some cash. I bought the plants I needed for my garden - tomatillos, peppers and some herbs. I found some early strawberries and they were so sweet and juicy! One booth sold radishes. Many different varieties of radishes - and sweet Japanese turnips. These little white, radish sized roots were fabulous just as a snack! Carrots, rainbow chard...A bag full of fresh goodness.

When I returned home to put everything away and plant the herbs and vegetables, I was reminded how blessed I am to live in the place I do. Yes, we get a lot of rain here in the Pacific Northwest, but that rain is what makes the forests so lush with flowers and ferns and greenery.

 It's what turns a dry, barren field into a picturesque scene from a painting. I am driving distance from the desert, the mountains or the beach. There are wilderness hiking trails close enough to traverse every day if I choose. 

My backyard is 1/4 acre of trees and birds and peace. 

I am grateful for this wonderful place I live.

© Copyright 2018 Helen Fern

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National Wear Your PJs to Work Day

What? Wear you PJs to work? Now that could cause quite a stir depending on what you call PJs! Who comes up with these things? #WearYourPajamastoWork - There is even a website dedicated to it! National Wear your Pajamas to Work Day - There's a movement!

It's a day to relax after working so hard on getting your taxes done (mine were done in February). It's the day after tax day every year - except this year tax day is April 17, so it's the day before tax day!

Now I don't know about you, but what I wear to bed is not for public viewing. I suppose I could wear my sweats, or perhaps my leggings and a long shirt. You know, the stuff you wear when you sit around the house. And what if you don't wear PJs? What then?

Hmmm....

Just a few thoughts to ponder on this day of relaxations. Happy Wear your Pajamas to Work Day!

(Note: this is as close as you get to me in my PJs)

Hoppy Easter

American Diabetes Alert Day

It’s the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Alert Day. Type 2 diabetes is different than type 1. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks cells in the pancreas causing it to produce very little insulin, and ultimately shut down. So far, no one quite knows what causes it. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is not an autoimmune condition. It is an insulin resistance condition, caused by a combination of heredity and lifestyle. More than 23 million people in the U.S. have type 2 diabetes and that is only the ones that have been diagnosed. Statistics show that there are most likley more than 8 million more that don’t even know they have it! And it’s on the rise! The ADA reported that since 1988 the number of people with the condition has risen by more than 380 percent!

It's National Let's Laugh Day!

Well who knows who thought of this one, but I think it's a great idea. We live with so much stress in our lives these days, a day dedicated to laughter really is the best medicine! Laughter gives us joy. Laughter gives us peace. Laughter just makes us feel good all over - and it makes everyone around you feel the same.

So what makes me laugh?

I love to watch my crazy cats playing in the house. Their antics almost always bring a smile!

I work with young children. The things they say and do can make you laugh - and their laughter is so contagious! You can't help but join them.

My grandkids can really crack me up. And what better thing to do than to laugh with your grandchildren?

I'd love to hear the things that make you laugh! Share them in the comments below!

Have a silly day!

Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links through Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Daylight Savings?

Time changes. What the heck? Why do we do this? Daylight savings, then standard, then back again. So why?


                                                                     

Well I hear that it all started with the farmers. They moved one hour from the morning hours to the evening hours. It gave them more time to work in the fields. But the truth is, this time changing habit didn't become a regular practice until WWs I and II. It was done in an effort to have more daylight for war production - so out the window with the farmer idea! The problem here was that times were so different in each city that congress decided to standardize it in 1966. Now everyone did it together.

So then, what is the point? For the daylight savings, there have been studies that energy was actually saved by having more daylight at the end of the day than in the morning. They say that energy consumption is related to when we go to bed! OK - that makes a little sense. Problem here - many of us are up before the sun with this new time. So on go the lights and the TVs and stereos - and computers. So where is the energy saving now? We use it in the AM instead of the PM. When I get home I relax with a glass of wine and read! And the closer you are to the equator, the less sense it makes.

And then there is "falling back" in November. Why? We just got used to this new time to save daylight for the afternoon and use up energy in the morning. Why do we switch back? Do we really gain an hour? Of course not. It just feels that way because we now need to reset our body clocks - again.

Oh well - now off I go to use up energy in the dark morning hours to get ready for work.



                                      

International Women's Day

Today in International Women's Day - a day to celebrate the achievements of women. This year's theme is Press for Progress. Women have already come so far, it's sad to think about how far we still need to go. But on this day of celebrating women, I'm called to think about the women that have made a difference in my life - and there have been so many.

My mom, of course, was a part of who I am. She left this earth far to soon, but I am thankful for her progressive way of thinking. She taught me that I can do anything I want if I'm willing to work for it. And as women, we often have to work harder, but nothing is beyond my reach.

My sister continues to cheer me on in everything I do. She's my best friend and my confidant. And she's one of the strongest women I know. She keeps my grounded but allows me soar.

And my best friend in California - my oldest friend (besides my sister). She pushes me to think harder and questions my ideas. Sometimes she frustrates me with it, but always stretches my thoughts. And always respects my choices.

My mother in law, for the short time I knew her, welcomed me as part of the family with open arms. She was a career woman by choice, long before it was an accepted practice. She was strength and love and compassion and joy all rolled into a small little bundle. I wish I could have known her longer.

And there are so many others - my college adviser, my thesis second reader, supervisors in several of my jobs...The list could go on and on.

And so to all of these women, mentioned and not, thank you. Thank you for setting the example of what a woman is. For encouraging me to be all that I can be.