American Hearth Month

 

Margie: Friends, it's February again so I know all our thoughts are on love, Valentine's Day, and chocolate, but it's also American Heart Month. Did you know that cardiovascular disease is still the No. 1 killer of men and women, killing about 800,000 Americans each year? 

Did you also know that up to 80% of cardiovascular disease may actually be PREVENTABLE through healthy lifestyle choices? 

The American Heart Association recommends: 

•  Healthy eating: Low salt (1500 mg/day), low fat, 3-5 cups vegetables a day (Is chocolate a vegetable)? 
•  Exercise 30 minutes a day (I go to the bathroom at least that much every day).   
• Healthy body mass index (Is that a couch potato?) 
• Control blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose (I try but Edna makes my blood pressure go up quite often). 
• Go smoke-free (I do except in winter when we have to build a fire). 
•  Listen to your body! If you feel something is not right, get it checked out. (My body talks to me every day. It says, " Snap, crackle,pop.")

Frosty Fridays

Painting by Shanti Marie

Edna:  Margie, I heard on the news that stupid groundhog saw its shadow.  I tell you what, whoever thought letting rodents predict the weather was a good idea needs their head straightened out.  That means we've got at least a month's worth of Frosty Fridays before spring makes an appearance.  How should we spend them?

Margie: Frankly, I'd like to spend them in Florida but it's even been cold there in recent years. We could move to Hawaii where we'd never be cold. Other than those two things? Drink rum toddies day and night I suppose. 

Edna:  Sounds like a plan, sister!  Maybe you should knit us up a couple of Snuggies, too.  I'll take one in purple.

Margie: Let's go sit in front of the fire, sister, while I knit. I'll even sing "Purple Rain" for you. What fun! I feel warmer already!

Margie and Edna and the end of the world

Edna:  Margie, I've been hearing a lot about the end of the world now that we've gotten to 2012.  I have to say, I don't know what all the fuss is about.  I've been ready to meet my maker for years, but maybe other people haven't been as well-prepared.

Do you really think the world will end on December 21, 2012?

Margie: Edna, I certainly hope not. I look forward to Christmas and nobody better cheat me out of it. Besides, I do so look forward to getting my new manly men calendar for the next year.

Edna:  Good Lord woman, are nekkid men all you ever think about?  You'd better hope the world doesn't end this year because I just do not know how you'd be able to face Mama and Daddy in the afterlife.  On the other hand, you probably aren't going where they are so I guess it's a moot point.

Even though I'm spiritually prepared, I am not nearly ready to leave this earth in December because there is still too much I want to do.  Maybe we'd better make a to-do list to prepare for the Apocalypse, what do you think?

Margie: Edna, you go on ahead without me. I'll do whatever you leave undone here.
Get the paper so we can make our list. I'm putting chocolate first because nobody can ever have too much chocolate.

Edna:  Pfft, think again.  I for one do not want this world to end before I hear you say you're sorry for stealing my date to the junior prom.  I think you'd better focus on making some amends, missy, or you'll definitely be going to straight to you-know-where.

I'd also like to learn something new before I die.  I was thinking snowboarding, but my old bones aren't what they used to be.  Maybe I could finally learn how to play the banjo, I know how much you hate it.

Margie: Edna, I'm not sorry for anything and I wish I'd stolen your husband on your wedding day! You're going you-know-where in a handbasket.

Sister, snowboarding sounds lovely. You should do it. On the other hand, if you learn to play the banjo then I can sing as you play!

Edna:  Then I think I'd better learn some new drink recipes, because I will surely have to be drunk to sit and listen to you sing.

You know what?  I'm starting to think it's a little silly to believe that the world is going to end in 11 months, so I'm just going to live this year as I see fit and let the chips fall where they may.  What do you say, sister?

Margie: I say that calls for an elderberry cordial. I'll meet you in the parlor!

Goodbye James Farentino

Margie: James Farentino passed away last week which made me sad. He was a handsome gentleman and I loved watching him on TV. He had a walk that was sexier than Richard Gere's and that's sexy!

Maybe you remember him from "Police Story" or "Dynasty"? He also played George Clooney's father on "ER."

He was married 4 times but only because he never met me. Maybe you remember him, too, because he got into trouble stalking Tina Sinatra. That was a very untidy situation. It never had to happen, though, because he could have called me instead.

Goodbye James.

Fifties Fridays

Happy Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

The Chinese year 4710 begins on Jan. 23, 2012. Have some fun and check your Chinese horoscope.

Fifties Fridays