Mother Goose Day

by Diane Forrest

May 1, 2011

Mother Goose Day was created only recently, as a day to appreciate nursery rhymes and stories. They are a favorite of children and their parents.

The term "Mother Goose" dates back to the 1650's. It referred to stories like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. It does not appear to represent a particular person, as many of "Mother Goose" stories were written both before and after this term was first used. And, the stories were written by numerous authors.

Enjoy "Mother Goose Day" by reading Mother Goose stories and rhymes to your children or grandchildren.

When I was a child I had the big hard back Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme book with the black and white checkerboard cover. I loved spending hours reading the rhymes and looking at the colorful pictures. Later, as I got older, I learned that many of those rhymes were based on actual events that took place during the time they were written. Poems like Georgie Porgie and Peas Porridge Hot. They were such a memorable part of my childhood, that now I buy a copy when every new baby is born into my family, making sure it’s the big hard back cover edition. My favorite verse is the days of the week, I was born on a Friday.

Monday’s child is fair of face,

Tuesday’s child is full of grace,

Wednesday's child is full of woe,

Thursday’s child has far to go,

Friday’s child is loving and giving,

Saturday’s child works hard for its living,

But the child that’s born on the Sabbath day,

Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

Origin of Mother Goose Day:  According to the Mother Goose Society: "Mother Goose Day was founded in 1987 by Gloria T. Delamar in tandem with the publication of her book, Mother Goose; From Nursery to Literature.

Tornado's - Deadly Storms Hit the South

We mourn for those who lost family and friends, homes, property during these series of deadly storms; you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Reading the accounts, watching the news, looking at still pictures and watching videos of the swath and aftermath is hard to imagine for many who have never been in a tornado.  The 1996 movie "Twister" with Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton provided excellent documentation and video of just how dangerous these storms can be and can happen any time day or night.

I remember one winter, that a Tornado touched down in Illinois, during a snow thunder storm killing several people and leaving hundreds homeless.  I asked my Dad, how will they survive in cold and the snow.  I had never heard of them and he explained that a twister can happen at anytime.

EF-5 Tornado’s hit Deep South, first EF-5 in three years.  So what does EF-5 mean?

In our earlier article on Tornado’s (http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2011/04/tornados-often-referred-to-as-twister.html) we discuss what they are, what to do during a tornado, and to know where you should go for protection.

I grew up in the mid-west and tornado’s were just another fact of live you learn to deal with them. We had a basement in most of our homes and the southwest corner was always kept clean for that reason.  Flash lights, bottles of water, transistor radio, blankets, first aide kits, matches and lots of batteries are always on hand. .If someone yells “HAIL” in our home, there is a mad rush to the basement by everyone, including our cats.

The recent outbreak of tornados really brings home the need for everyone to be prepared, regardless of where you live or are, to know where to go in the event of sever storms.

National Honesty Day 2011

How to celebrate this day

1. Be Honest. This is a given on this day. National Honesty Day which is on April 30th every year is a holiday where you show you can be honest. Being honest might be hard but it shows that you have respect for others when you can be truthful about how you feel or think.
2. Spread the word. This was a day I was unaware of so I say spread the word about National Honesty Day. Nothing beats celebrating a day where we may need a reminder to be honest.
3. Research. Look around online on what it means to be honest and put that into your day on April 30th, as a matter of fact do it everyday. People like to be around people that are honest sometimes it may hurt but it is a good trait to have
   

National Honesty Day encourages us to be honest today, and everyday. We honestly believe you try your best to be honest.

Honesty is a great virtue. If we want people to believe us when it’s important, then we need to be open and honest all of the time. We all know about the boy who cried wolf. When a wolf actually appeared, no one believed him.

Celebrate National Honesty Day in a completely open and honest way. There are few rules for this special day......just be honest.

National Honesty Day also reminds Americans of the honesty of its forefathers, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Remember, Washington cut down a cherry tree, but ‘never told a lie’. It also provides a good reason just to be completely honest for a day.

If anything, National Honesty Day encourages personal honesty, which in turn, creates a domino effect and brings out honesty in others. It’s really not a bad thing.

We've all heard that honesty is the best policy, so save your lies for another day. And if your first thought upon reading that sentence is to think of situations in which dishonesty triumphs, then may we remind you of another popular idiom: liar, liar, pants on fire.

email

As parents, teachers, friends, and love ones – it is our responsibility to set the right example for those around us every day – Honesty is one of those essential traits!

So, with all that above from various sources on the internet I leave you with this thought.

If you tell the truth, it is easy to remember, time and time again.

National Raisin Day April 30

Raisins are a tasty and convenient snack to enjoy. They are also extremely healthy because they are low in fat and contain many nutrients including phenol and boron.

Raisins are made by dehydrating grapes in a process that uses the heat of the sun or a mechanical oven. This practice goes back as far as 2000 B.C. in Persia and Egypt. Raisins were also highly prized by ancient Romans who used them as barter currency and prizes at sporting events.

Today, half of the world’s supply of raisins is grown in California. Fresno, California has even been named the “Raisin Capital of the World!” Raisin’s commercial popularity was discovered in 1873 when a heat wave destroyed the California grape vines. One grower creatively decided to try to sell the grapes instead as raisins, a “Peruvian delicacy.” The raisins soon became immensely popular throughout the rest country.

Celebrate National Raisin Day by baking some raisins into your favorite recipe or getting a box of raisins to snack on throughout the day!

Cookie...mmmmmm

National Dance Day 2011

by Diane Forrest, RN

In Ecclesiastes 3 it states,

" ¹To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;

Being brought up in a Southern Baptist Church, we didn't hear much about this verse. In fact I remember once when the music minister brought in a ballet group it put the whole congregation in a uproar.

Dance is a wonderful thing, with plenty of benefits. Dancers can:

1. become flexible;

2. gain strength;

3. increase endurance; and

4. establish a sense of well being.

Dancing increases the heart and lungs as well as provide for a social and fun atmosphere.

Each culture has their own ritualistic way of dance that has been around since the beginning of time. When I think about tribal dances I recall the scene from The Jewel of the Nile with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner where she dances to capture her man's heart or in the movie Crocodile Dundee when the aborigines men perform their dance around the campfire.

Every Spring our local Indian village hosts a Pow Wow where Native Americans travel from all across the country to join others in traditional dances. This event is open to the public and is a joy to watch the young and old practice the skills passed down from generation after generation.

These days’ people are tuning into Dancing with the stars to watch as some of their favorite personalities learn difficult dance moves to compete for the grand prize, a mirrored ball trophy. This fascination with dance has also prompted several video games that allows people to dance along to their television screen for fun and exercise.

I have never been much of a dancer; I never took dancing as a child because, well as my daddy tells me, I lacked coordination. I couldn't even walk and chew gum at the same time. When I asked my friend if he planned to dance he said "Sure! In my office at home!"

Dancing is great for you, gets the heart pumping and the blood flowing. In the words of the Lee Ann Womack song, "when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!"

So get up and dance to your favorite tune, enjoy the moment!

Arbor Day 2011

Arbor Day is a day to show your respect for forests and plant life by volunteering your time to plant trees in your neighborhood or by donating money to the cause. Rain Forests around the world are being destroyed. Although they only cover 2% of the Earth's surface, they provide habitat and nutritional support for almost half of the known living species on Earth.

The first Arbor Day took place in 1872 when a Nebraska journalist suggested that a special day be set aside for planting trees and increasing awareness of the importance of trees. His impact was felt immediately - on the first Arbor Day, an estimated one million trees were planted! His idea quickly spread to other states and today Arbor Day is celebrated around the world. Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree in your yard or community! (Thanks again punchbowl for your information - still working on the widget thing.)

How to Celebrate Arbor Day go to Arbor Day Foundation and click on their downloadable Guidebook .

Trees

By Joyce Kilmer

1 I think that I shall never see

2 A poem as lovely as a tree.

3 A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

4 Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

5 A tree that looks at God all day,

6 And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

7 A tree that may in Summer wear

8 A nest of robins in her hair;

9 Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

10 Who intimately lives with rain.

11 Poems are made by fools like me,

12 But only God can make a tree.

My Visit to the Lord's Clinic

(Yes dear readers, below is another email worth share and we hope you enjoy.)

I have never seen it worded like this;

I really liked it .... hope you do too!!!

Hello, sorry to bother you, but it is very urgent! I have a friend who came from far away and need a place to stay. As well, I suggested your place. I ask you to receive and love him. His name is Jesus Christ. Now say quietly: You can enter, Lord, I need you, cleanse my heart with your blood and bless my family.

When He gets to your PC, escort Him to the next stop.

Please don't allow Him to sleep on your PC.

The message He's carrying is very important and needs to get around.

May God bless you! AMEN.

National Blueberry Pie Day

mmmmm...good looking pie

Blueberry pie is a gooey, delicious comfort food that is perfect for any occasion! This sweet type of pie can be filled with fresh or frozen blueberries, blueberry filling, or even blueberry custard.

Pies with fruit filling have been around since Colonial Times in America. Women would often pick ripe fruits like apples, peaches, blueberries, and strawberries and bake them into pies.

Today, blueberry pie is one of the more popular pie flavors in the United States. It is also quite common at summer picnics and July 4th celebrations when blueberries are in season.

Great brain food too!

Did you know that Maine produces more blueberries than any other state? In fact, Maine produces 25% of all low bush blueberries in North America. That makes this New England state the largest producer of blueberries in the world! 

Head to your favorite bakery or make your own tasty blueberry pie to enjoy on National Blueberry Pie Day!



For dessert after lunch!

 (Special thanks to Punchbowl.com.)

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)



April 23 - 30, 2011



National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual celebration of the significant role immunizations play in keeping our children and our communities healthy. Immunization is one of the best ways parents can protect their infants and young children from potentially serious diseases. Check to see if your child is up to date on immunizations.

In our research for this article, we found many site on the Internet with excellent information to share, one of them is the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (http://www.aap.org/).  We also noticed that nearly all the states, many counties, and major cities in the U.S. also have a web presence for Infant Immunization and special activates to celebrate this week.

When a baby is developing in the mother's womb it is in a sterile environment. The baby's immune system goes into action at birth, as the child confronts bacteria outside of the womb.

At the end of this article the "2011 Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 years old."

According to the Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons 0 — 6 years of age, children may receive up to 24 vaccinations to protect them from up to 14 diseases by the time they're 2 years of age.

Why Vaccinate?

Simply put, vaccines save lives. You have the power to protect your baby from dangerous illnesses like measles, tetanus and hepatitis. Being a parent is a big responsibility, and the best thing you can do for your child's health is to learn the facts so that you can make the best choices.

Preventing Disease

Vaccines have become essential tools in preventing previously devastating, widespread disease by significantly reducing childhood infection rates.

Protecting Public Health

When the children in your community are vaccinated, they aren't the only ones who are protected. They're also doing their part to keep your child healthy and to help stop the spread of disease in your community.

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Active vaccination programs have helped to reduce, or in some cases virtually eliminate, the threat of some of the most dangerous childhood diseases.

National Prime Rib Day

Prime rib is a delicious meal that can be enjoyed at any occasion! Just thinking about prime rib gets your mouth watering. And of course, the only way to correctly celebrate National Prime Rib Day is to enjoy a big, juicy cut of it cooked your favorite way!

It all starts with the grade of the meat. Real prime rib is graded USDA Prime, and can be quite difficult to obtain. Other grades of meat in the United States are Choice, Select, Cutter, and Canner. The best type of meat to use for prime rib is Prime, but Choice meat will work as well

Once you have the meat, then you just have to trim the fat, add whatever types of seasoning or sauces you like, and cook it! The heat should be applied slowly, steadily, and evenly until the internal temperature of the meat reaches a specific degree.

After it's cooked, just carve and enjoy! Happy National Prime Rib Day!

Where are the plates?

(Article from the fine folks at Punchbowl.com - thank you)

Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN)

800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org

Greeting fellow readers and welcome – today’s hot topic - Rape, Abuse, and Incest under the umbrella of the Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN) organization that has become the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.

I would venture to say that rape, abuse and incest have been around since mankind has been on earth. Bold statement, but there seems to be good historical evidence to support that.  Regardless of gender, race, location, or religious background it has and continues to be an issue, generally accepted, in different periods of time. it is in fact, an act of violence and abuse on mankind as a whole.

Over thirty years ago, while stationed in the greater Norfolk, Virginia area, my wife was an active counselor for the local rape crisis hotline for several years.  We both learned a lot about these difficult sexual violence topics, many times after the fact.  In addition, she saw some of the ugliness as a nurse in one of the local hospital while working the graveyard shift.

While several organization have worked hard to raise the awareness of this topic over the past four plus decades, there has really been little headway made in reducing the numbers.  Here are some key numbers from RAINN.ORG:

·       44% of victims are under the age of 18;

·       80% are under age 30;

·       Every 2  minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted;

·       In 2007, there were 248,300 victims of sexual assault;

·       60% of sexual assaults are not reported to police;

·       15 of 16 rapists will never spend a day in jail;

·       Approximately 2/3 of assaults are committed by someone known to the victim; and

·       38% of rapists are a friend or acquaintance.

As parents, grandparents, siblings, citizens and Americans – what are we as individuals and communities doing to resolve these crimes?

Lets look a little deeper into these topics and read the summaries below.

Types of Sexual Assault [from www.rainn.org]

Unfortunately, sexual assault can come in many forms. In order to better understand the wide range of personal violence’s that can occur, we have included definitions of different types of rape and sexual assault, as well as other kinds of violence that often arise hand-in-hand with sexual assault. Click on the title below to read more about each type of sexual assault.

Was I Raped? [ http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/was-it-rape ]

How can you figure out if what happened was rape? There are a few questions to consider.

Sexual Assault [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/sexual-assault ]

Be aware: Some states use this term interchangeably with rape. For a precise legal definition, check the laws in your state.

Rape [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/definition-of-rape ]

Rape victims may be forced through threats or physical means. In about 8 out of 10 rapes, no weapon is used other than physical force. Anyone may be a victim of rape: women, men or children, straight or gay.

Acquaintance Rape [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/acquaintance-rape ]

Acquaintance assault involves coercive sexual activities that occur against a person's will by means of force, violence, duress, or fear of bodily injury. These sexual activities are imposed upon them by someone they know.

Child Sexual Abuse [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/child-sexual-abuse ]

Sexual assault of children often includes incest as a subset of this form of sexual assault. While there is a substantial amount of overlap in the two types of assault, for the purposes of this website we have separated them in recognition of the different needs that victims of each type of assault may have.

To provide you with a little more insight on the type and kind of information that is available on these issues, I’m including the next level of detail for your review.

Child Sexual Abuse

Introduction

Sexual assault of children often includes incest as a subset of this form of sexual assault. While there is a substantial amount of overlap in the two types of assault, for the purposes of this website we have separated them in recognition of the different needs that victims of each type of assault may have.

Contact Can Include:

·        Fondling

·        Obscene phone calls

·        Exhibitionism

·        Masturbation

·        Intercourse

·        Oral or anal sex

·        Prostitution

·        Pornography

·        Any other sexual conduct that is harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare

Additional Features

·        May consist of a single incident or many acts over a long period of time.

·        Abuse is more often perpetrated by someone known to the child.

·        Abuse may escalate over time, particularly if the abuser is a family member.

Adult Reactions

Many adults tend to overlook, to minimize, to explain away, or to disbelieve allegations of abuse. This may be particularly true if the perpetrator is a family member.

NOTE: The absence of force or coercion does not diminish the abusive nature of the conduct, but, sadly, it may cause the child to feel responsible for what has occurred.

Warning Signs

Physical Signs

·        Difficulty walking or sitting

·        Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes

·        Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area

·        Pain, itching, or burning in genital area

·        Frequent urinary or yeast infections

·        Sexually Transmitted Infections, especially if under 14 years old

·        Pregnancy, especially if under 14 years old

Behavioral Signs

·        Reports sexual abuse

·        Inappropriate sexual knowledge

·        Inappropriate sexual behavior

·        Nightmares or bed-wetting

·        Large weight changes/major changes in appetite

·        Suicide attempts or self-harming, especially in adolescents

·        Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact

·        Runs away

·        Overly protective and concerned for siblings, assumes a caretaker role

·        Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Rape Trauma Syndrome symptoms

Common Reactions

·        Withdrawal

·        Depression

·        Sleeping & eating disorders

·        Self-mutilation

·        Phobias

·        Psychosomatic symptoms (stomachaches, headaches)

·        School problems (absences, drops in grades)

·        Poor hygiene/excessive bathing

·        Anxiety

·        Guilt

·        Regressive behaviors - thumb-sucking, etc.

What should I do if I suspect my child is being sexually abused?

Additional Resources

Child Abuse [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/child-abuse]

Child abuse takes place when a child is harmed by someone else physically, psychologically, or by acts of neglect.

Dating and Domestic Violence [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/dating-and-domestic-violence]

Dating and domestic violence occurs in all socio-economic, educational, racial, and age groups. The issues of power and control are at the heart of family violence.

Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/drug-facilitated-assault]

Drug facilitated sexual assault is the type of sexual assault in which drugs or alcohol are used to compromise an individual's ability to consent to sexual activity.

Hate Crimes [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/hate-crimes]

A hate crime is the victimization of an individual based on that individual's race, religion, national origin, ethnic identification, gender, or sexual orientation.

Incest [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/incest]

Incest is the type of sexual contact that occurs between persons who are so closely related that their marriage is illegal (e.g., parents and children, uncles/aunts and nieces/nephews, etc.).

Male Sexual Assault [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/male-sexual-assault]

Men and boys are also the victims of the crimes of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and rape. In fact, in the U.S., over 10% of all victims are male.

Partner Rape [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/partner-rape]

Partner rape includes sexual acts committed without a person's consent and/or against a person's will when the perpetrator is the individual's current partner (married or not), previous partner, or co-habitator.

Sexual Exploitation by Helping Professionals [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/sexual-exploitation-by-helping-professional]

Sexual exploitation by helping professionals involves sexual contact of any kind between a helping professional — doctor, therapist, teacher, priest, professor, police officer, lawyer, etc. — and a client/patient.

Sexual Harassment [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/sexual-harassment]

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects an individual's work or school performance.

Stalking [no link]

The impact of stalking can be profound and life altering. Individuals who are stalked often change many of their behavior patterns and have strong emotional responses to the stalking.

Stranger Rape [http://www.rainn.org/get-information/types-of-sexual-assault/stranger-rape]

3 major categories include Blitz Sexual Assault, Contact Sexual Assault, and Home Invasion Sexual Assault.

In summary, we all need to be more diligent and proactive and help get the word out to folks, get help, donate, and get active in your community.  Contact your local RAINN-related office and see how you can be part of the solution.  Thank you.