 Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday and a federal holiday observed every year on the last Monday in May. It honors those who died serving the United States military. In 1971, Memorial Day became a national holiday by an act of congress.
This holiday honors fallen American veterans, is celebrated at family barbecues and marks the unofficial start of summer. All non-essential government offices are closed including schools, people usually have the day off work, and some local businesses may not be open as well. Memorial Day Quotes: In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr. ************ My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy ************ I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Nathan Hale ************ Memorial Day isn’t just about honoring veterans, it’s honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that’s a reminder of when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It’s a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it.” Pete Hegseth ************ “On what rests the hope of the republic? One country, one language, one flag!” Alexander Henry Memorial Day 2021 Poem: © Victor C. Kleinschmit Someone’s child, left long ago, A strange land, Someone’s foe. An unmarked grave, fields of green, Resting quiet, Just eighteen. Winds of freedom, wash us now, Remember him, This I vow. Source...
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Petunias are a great Colorado summer flower. They are tolerant of heat so they require less water. However, we check ours every day to see if they need a drink. Wave petunias are especially nice because they create gorgeous cascades of color in hanging baskets and decorative pots. However, it’s important that these vigorous flowers get their space. Don’t over pack them…just a few plants go a long way in a container. You want to encourage them to trail over the sides which they will do if they aren’t “fighting” for root space and nutrition.  Planting Petunias
Care of Petunias
Container Plants When planting petunias in containers, be sure not to crowd your plants. Limit yourself to three per 12-inch pot. If they start to flag or grow leggy, cut them back and fertilize them. They should branch out with vigor. Cut flowers for bouquets frequently to encourage new growth and remove dead flower heads as soon as they appear.Every few days, give them a long, slow drink. Wetting the flowers and foliage can promote disease, so water either from below or close to the surface of the soil. In order to not waterlog the roots, make sure your container has very good drainage. Petunias are heavy feeders. Apply a slow release fertilizer at the time of planting. Follow up with a liquid fertilizer every week or two throughout the season. Source… Related Post Summer Activities: Summer Camping  Gyms and fitness centers typically see a rush of new clients in January and also when the weather starts getting better in springtime. This year, after a year of pandemic-related disruptions, those two trends could combine: People wanting to get back in shape and lose the “COVID-19” just in time to look better by the pool and beach.
But experts say exercisers and instructors need to be careful, or it could lead to a spike in cases of a rare but serious -- even life-threatening -- condition called rhabdomyolysis. “We have an enormous number of people who have become less physically active over the last year or more,” says Eric Rawson, PhD, a professor of health, nutrition, and exercise science at Messiah University in Pennsylvania and a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. “We have the opportunity for some bad things to happen in terms of an increase of cases” of the condition, which is more commonly known as rhabdo. “We’ve never had such a massive reduction in physical activity like this for such an extended period of time.” What is Rahabdo? Rhabdomyolysis is a disorder involving muscle breakdown and damage. When muscles are injured, they release their contents, including a muscle enzyme, into the bloodstream. The enzyme can harm the kidneys and can cause kidney failure in up to 40% of cases. The disorder is dangerous but rare. In one study, 22 people out of 100,000 were known to have it. It is easily treated but can lead to death in rare cases if it goes undetected. The three main symptoms are:
It often happens when people are doing more of a repetitive resistance exercise than they are used to. And now, too many gym-goers could return and not realize that they are not as strong or as fit as they were before COVID-19 sent them home last March. Instructors and trainers need to make clear to newcomers that they should take it easy, stay hydrated, and work their way into fitness. Experts advice when you start exercising after a long break:
Have you thought about what and how "aging in place" applies to all of us Over 50? From a Senior Resource Website to further define the term “Aging in Place”: “We are using the term “aging in place” in reference to living where you have lived for many years, or to living in a non-healthcare environment, and using products, services and conveniences to enable you to not have to move as circumstances change.” As people grow older, a significant concern is that they may have to leave their home. They like their comfortable setting in a familiar community and the many memories that go along with it. They feel that a certain amount of control is lost when a person leaves their home. They want to have “control” which is the basis of their feelings of dignity, independence and quality of life. One’s home is a strong element in the sense of security. There are several reasons for this strong aging preference: 1. Comfortable Environment 2. Feelings of Independence 3. Safety and Security 4. Familiar Environment 5. In close proximity to family 6. Convenience to Services  We also want to address the basic challenges of aging. Some of them are subtle and not so obvious. However, they usually include some of the following:
To keep all of this in perspective, here are the facts! In 2000, there were just over 35 million American citizens aged 65 or older. By 2030, according to the US Census Board, there will be about 70 million Americans aged 65 or older. It makes this age group almost 20% of the total US population. Source… You can find out where most older adults live and how old your state is by clicking here. Something else to consider is the importance of home inspections for seniors looking to age in place. Here is an excellent resource addressing this important topic: click here. Living in an “Aging in Place” home may be a wise choice for you or a loved one! For additional information: Aging in Place...  Ever wondered what Cheyenne Mountain is all about? Where did it gets its name? What’s its history? What do you know about Cheyenne Mountain? What are those towers on top? Is NORAD still in Cheyenne Mountain? Just some of the answers to the questions above: Where did Cheyenne Mountain get its name? Named for the Cheyenne people. Native Americans found that Cheyenne Mtn was a good wood source for teepee poles. It was also visited by the Arapaho people. They sought spiritual inspiration from the mountain’s waterfalls. The Mountain was also used by the Ute Tribe to safely cross from the plains and benefit from its steep slopes and hidden valleys. Its history – what do you know about Cheyenne Mountain? Cheyenne Mountain is a triple-peaked mountain. The mountain serves as host for military, communications, recreational, and residential purposes. It was designed to withstand bombing and the fallout from a nuclear attack. The underground operations center for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was built in the 1960s during the Cold War to monitor the potential intrusion to North American airspace Soviet missile launches and military aircraft. Homesteading activity began in 1867. The mountain was the site of resorts and retreats beginning in the 1880s. Spencer Penrose, who built and widely promoted The Broadmoor in 1918, bought several properties on the mountain. Penrose built the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Highway, Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, a lodge on one of the mountain peaks, and a retreat at Emerald Valley. The site of the lodge recently became the wilderness Cloud Camp. Emerald Valley is now the site of The Broadmoor’s Ranch at Emerald Valley. Land on The Mountain once owned by The Broadmoor is now the site of numerous luxury homes. The two parks on and at the base of Cheyenne Mountain are Cheyenne Mountain State Park and North Cheyenne Cañon Park. What are those towers on top? You cannot miss the noticeable tower feature on the top of one of Cheyenne Mountain’s peaks. Those features are an antenna farm with transmitters for cellular phones, radio, television, and law enforcement transmitters. They are not related to the military installation in the mountain. They are obviously hidden from public view. During the 1950s, an antenna farm was built on the middle peak of the mountain when Bert Swisher deeded ten acres to Bud Edmonds and several backers and Swisher signed a non-compete agreement. Edmonds, John Browne, and Buck Ingersoll agreed to replace the trails to the area with a real road, which was opened in 1960 by the Cheyenne Propagation Company. Currently there are 700 cell phone, television, radio, and law enforcement transmitters on the antenna farm. The Cheyenne Mountain radio repeater site, 145.160, covers south central and southeast Colorado along the Interstate 25 corridor from Monument to the New Mexico border. Since 2002, it has been operated by Cheyenne Propagation Company. Is NORAD still in the Cheyenne Mountain? NORAD used to offer public tours, but due to security concerns they were suspended after 9-11. Most of the center’s operations moved to Peterson Air Force Base in 2006,. Then in April 2015, the Pentagon reported that some operations would be moving back. For more info, click here... Find out more about Cheyenne Mountain: More information on Cheyenne Mtn (Parks) – Click Here! Did you know that the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve has the tallest dunes in North America? The Sand Dunes of Colorado can reach as high as 750 Feet! The sand dunes constantly shift with the wind, water and time sculpting its appearance and beauty. The dunes are in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo (“Blood of Christ”) Mountains. The Dunes stretch across 30 square miles with an average elevation of 7,500 feet.   Interesting Facts About the Sand Dunes in Colorado: 1) Members of the Ladies P.E.O. sponsored a bill to Congress asking for national monument status for the Great Sand Dunes. The bill was signed into law in 1932 by President Herbert Hoover. 2) In 2000-2004 the Sand Dunes in Colorado was expanded into a national park and preserve. 3) About 300,000 people visit the Great Sand Dunes every year because of the oddly beautiful combination of desert dunes and high mountain peaks, the spring-time flow of Medano Creek, and dark, quiet nights in the Dunes wilderness. 4) Camping, hiking, and photography opportunities are plentiful in the area. “Visitors must walk across the wide and shallow Medano Creek to reach the dunes in spring and summer months. The creek typically has a peak flow from late May to early June in most years. From July through April, the creek is usually no more than a few inches deep, if there is any water at all. Hiking is permitted throughout the dunes with the warning that the sand surface temperature may reach 150 °F (66 °C) in summer. Sandboarding and sandsledding are popular activities, both done on specially designed equipment which can be rented just outside the park entrance or in Alamosa.” Source… The Great Sand Dunes of Colorado is a “Must See” Attraction! Mothers Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed throughout the world. The American origin of Mothers Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day most commonly falls on the second Sunday in May. It traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts.  Anna Jarvis also began the custom of wearing a carnation on Mother’s Day. A colored carnation if your mother is living and white if she’s not. It was intended to be a simple, inexpensive symbol of love and respect for the person who loved you before you even knew how to spell the word. Unfortunately, the story of Anna Jarvis has a bittersweet ending. At first, people observed Mother’s Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and spending time together. As the years passed though, more people began buying cards, presents, and flowers. Anna felt that Mother’s Day became much too commercialized. She was outraged when the price of carnations rose significantly and attacked florists as “profiteers.” Jarvis filed a lawsuit to stop a 1923 Mother’s Day festival. She was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a war mothers’ convention where women were selling carnations to raise money. Said Anna: “This is not what I intended. I wanted a day of sentiment, not profit.” Thank You, Mother
Once upon a memory Someone wiped away a tear Held me close and loved me, Thank you, Mother dear. ~ Anon Happy Mothers Day from Colorado Springs Over 50! Who doesn’t love Mothers Day Cookies? So many of us associate cookies with our mothers baking cookies for special occasions and after-school treats. We have a few ideas for you that makes a plain sugar cookie into a “master piece.” But first a little history about Mother’s Day… Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed throughout the world. The American origin of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day most commonly falls on the second Sunday in May and traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts. To make these Mothers Day cookies, use your favorite sugar cookie recipe. Then, decorate them as you see in the photos. This is a great time for your creativity to shine! Mothers Day Cookies #1  Mothers Day Cookies #2  Mothers Day Cookies #3  A tip for decorating sugar cookies: Make icing with confectioners’ sugar and milk. Make it fairly thin and ‘paint’ the icing on the cookies with a pastry brush. Thin enough to spread easily but not so thin that it just makes your cookies wet and runs off. For Cookies 2 & 3 above, you might want the frosting a little thicker.
For more Recipes, Click Here & Click Here  Walking and maintaining your balance (not falling down) have conventionally been considered relatively straightforward balance and mobility functions. But for many, growing older means a decrease in balance and mobility, amplified chances of injuries, and a decline in happiness and fulfillment.
Approximately, 35% of adults over age 70 and the majority of adults over age 85 have clinically diagnosable gait abnormalities. Gait abnormalities can lead to mobility limitations, which are associated with loss of independence, substantially reduced quality of life, increased fall risk, hospitalization, and premature death. (1) What is Balance and Mobility? Balance is the capability to evenly allocate your weight in such a way that you can remain still or move in any direction without tumbling over. Balance necessitates the cooperation of many muscles, bones, joints, the central nervous system, and inner ear. Creating mobility while keeping balance requires the same cooperation but to a higher degree. Why the need for balance and mobility training? A study published in British Journal of Sports Medicine found exercising, including balance and mobility training, reduce falls that lead injuries by 37%, serious injuries by 43%, and broken bones by 61%. (2) To improve balance and mobility we must indulge in physical activity. Physical activity can include everyday activities such as walking, going up and down stairs, running, bending, lifting, and carrying. It can also include structured exercise like weightlifting, swimming, HIIT class, Balance & Mobility class, and yoga. I recommend both! Once we reach a certain age that doesn’t mean we should stop doing the usual everyday physical activities like, walking, carrying, and taking the stairs. You’ve heard the phrase, “Use it or Lose it”, well that applies here. If you quit taking the stairs soon you won’t be able to take the stairs. The only way to improve balance and mobility is by strengthening the entire body. Balancing exercises and weight bearing exercises that focus on the muscles of the core, back, legs, and glutes, will greatly improve balance and mobility. Balance and mobility training does not involve high intensity workouts, throwing your body on the floor, or lifting the heaviest weight. It consists of systematic movements that create tension on the muscle, tendon, and nerves, causing them to respond in such a way as to firmly secure you in place. Over time the muscles, tendons, and nerves learn and adapt, improving after each session. Body weight is all that is required, although dumbbells can be used to add resistance. Adding a balance and mobility session to your workout routine will enhance your training, get you in shape quicker, and ultimately lead to a better quality of life. Some of the many benefits of balance and mobility training are: it burns more calories by making the body work harder, creates muscular balance in the body, works and tones deep muscles, improves neuromuscular coordination by getting the brain to communicate with the muscles, increased blood flow, teaches your body to use the core for stabilization, and flatten that tummy. Balance and mobility training is excellent for improving poor posture and adding refinement in which you move. These exercises contribute to better overall energy expenses, maximizing your exercise session, and faster recover from DOMs [Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness]. Basically, balance and mobility training will keep everything working as if the body were much younger. Normal everyday functions that have become difficult will return to their once easy ways. Wait no further. Schedule a Balance & Mobility session with me and let’s get you walking tall, head held high, feeling good and looking even better! Will Winsborrow, ACSM-CPT Khronology Functional Fitness and Nutrition Personal Training – Group Fitness – Nutrition Counseling – Massage Therapy Khronologyfit.com Will Winsborrow, ACSM-CPT Stevie Winsborrow, NDTR, LMT contactus@khronologyfit.com New classes available! Join us! 1) https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/ 2) https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/20/1348 |
Colorado Springs Over 50We would love to hear from you on ideas you would like us to investigate and write about. Archives
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