NOISE: Embody

Mama's Dairy

Do you like ice cream? How about cheese? What do you think about these two things being made with human milk? That's right, milk from human women. Are you disgusted or intrigued? Why?

Cold As Ice

My sister-in-law is doing a local 'Polar Plunge' this weekend, and she suggested I try it, too, as all the proceeds are for a great cause- The Special Olympics. But even though this seemingly-absurd activity takes place in one of our most frigid months, the positive health effects are said to last years.

Sink or Swim

I'm learning how to swim. Yes, the literal version, and yes, the metaphorical version, too. Aren't we all? The funny thing about swimming is that you always manage to keep your head above water- at least enough to keep getting air. How gracefully that is acomplished, however, is another story altogether.

There are so many things to remember: Keep your chin down; Turn to the side for air; Bring your elbows high and your fingers gently across the water...And there always seems to be someone doing it better and making it look easy to boot.

'Find your rhythm,' they say, 'Remember to breathe.' This applies not only to big fish in little ponds, but is particularly important if you happen to find yourself out of water.

 

 

 

Man Eat Dog Eat Dog

A dog in our neighborhood was shot and killed this week by an Ingham County Animal Control officer. The dog shot was large, and was killed while engaged in a physical confrontation with a smaller dog. A headline of the LSJ today announced 2 police officers shooting and killing 2 aggressive dogs that were attacking a smaller dog in S. Lansing. Without hearing any more of the stories, how do you feel about incidents like this? Angry? Sad? Satisfied?

Pursuit of Health vs. Illness

I recently was turned on to a fascinating new book about Americans being overdiagnosed. The author is a 'classically trained Physician', in his own words, and he writes about the medical community feeling compelled to use a myriad of advanced testing methods to locate disease in our bodies. His argument, however, is that many tests are unnecesary, and cause negative side-effects of their own.

End-of-Winter Survival Tactics

Winter is like a long car trip. At first, it's exciting as you take in new surroundings, keeping busy as you prepare for coming events, and remark at how far you've traveled. A little after half-way, it gets a little tedious, but it is still easy to stay preoccupied and forget about the remaining distance. Then, in the last leg, it becomes nearly unbearable, and you just can't wait for it to be over.

Don't Believe the Hype

Well, what did we learn from the big Snowstorm That Couldn't? There was mass hysteria, empty grocery shelves, and lots of media hype over our latest winter precipitation, with a line drawn clearly in the snow that separates those of us who freak out over a little white stuff, and those of us who shrug and go, "It's Michigan. It's winter."