NAPS

NAPS.  I take naps relatively often.  I love them.  Not long ones, maybe anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours, depends on the day.

Today I had a nice long, restful Sunday nap...over an hour. The nap energized me and gave me enthusiasm to cook a great Sunday baked pork chop & gravy dinner and also bake lemon-lime bars: both new recipes.

From the  "Eight Benefits of Napping" by Brett & Kate McKay (link below):

Sadly, napping is often frowned upon in our workaholic American culture. When we think of napping men we think of Dagwood passed out on the couch after consuming a giant, delicious sandwich. Naps are for the lazy and unambitious. Or for retirees with plenty of time on their hands. The man who falls asleep at his desk at work is laughed at. And when we doze off, we feel guilty.

But in reality, the nap stigma is incredibly misplaced. Naps can be one of the most powerful tools for self-improvement; they can increase not only our health and well-being but our intelligence and productivity as well. This is something great men have known all along. History is full of famous nappers. Famous thinkers and leaders like Edison, JFK, Churchill, and Napoleon were all ardent nappers.

Naps are good for us for many reasons (some are links):

• Restore the spirit
• Good for your heart 
• Eight benefits of napping, I like one listed here: save $30 a week on Starbucks and energy drinks...just take a nap.
• Boost your memory
• Seven secrets to a GREAT NAP

Well, that's it for today.  Tired?  Take a NAP.  You will be doing yourself and everyone around you a favor.

Credit for pictures: 1) napping child: www.divinecrash.com 2) napping coworkers: Janet Hamlin/AP

Melba - a Small Tribute

February 2012

Melba, my mother in law,  passed away recently.  She was kind and always worried she wasn't doing enough for others.  She never understood cruelty.

The last meal she made for us was a stark contrast to so many elegant, delicious meals she had made for us throughout my life knowing her (about 27 years).  While her always apparent desire to please and feed us was there, the one can of tomato soup among 5 people was sad but funny at the same time. Her table was set nicely, but not like I recall with great elegance and care. But, she insisted we eat. Somehow, I felt full after I had some toast and a few spoons of soup.  It made me think of Jesus feeding a crowd with the 5 loaves and 2 fishes!

Soon after, she went into a nursing home for Dementia/Alzheimer patients. A few months later she fell, broke her hip and died in the hospital a few days later.

Those last months of Melba's life were not who she really was, although there were glimpses.  I will choose to remember a woman who loved shopping with me, nice clothes, pretty jewelry, her family and close friends.  I will miss her.    Sometime I will come back here and write more about her. For now, my simple thoughts will suffice.
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