"Food" for Thought

Do you ever get tired of hearing about all the studies being done which, if we don't take them to heart, we'll find ourselves in an early grave? One making the rounds regards women and alcohol. How drinking at all spells doom, offsetting the one that says red wine is good for the heart.

Another current one is about how coffee may help deter skin cancers. The creme de la creme made the headlines last night. Which diet is the best for you? The one that works! Go figure!

Some metabolisms do better with high carb, some with low carb. I am told blood type can play a role as well as ethnic background. Some of us are just more prone to chunkiness than others. I cannot, however, argue with the calorie count as long as the type of calorie is left open for discussion.

I know myself that I do better on a high protein regime. Of course. That's because I love breads and pastas. I also know, even though the hype tells me I can eat all I want, that isn't true. Calories do count. I also know that after I've lost some excess I tend to get careless. I usually start adding in larger portions. I am not a bird, after all. Then comes the bad stuff with the good intention of making up for it the next day; then the next and so on. You get the picture. That's why my annual ritual is to go on the South Beach induction for the first two weeks in January. I get really bad during the holidays. Figuring that lasts from left over Halloween candy through New Years, even if I've held my own all year up to that point - it's blown. It's no mystery.

Contrary to competing studies, exercise also plays a role. It helps keep things in check. At the very least it maintains a degree of muscle mass and cardiovascular health. This can be particularly crucial if you believe in the adage you are what you eat.

You could suffer the same fate of that of a young Russian who was offered a tidy sum of money to satisfy his appetite with a couple of female friends. He succumbed from a heart attack after earning his fee. To assure his success he consumed an entire bottle of Viagra. This is definitely a case where he should have paid attention to the studies. The "exercise" lasted twelve hours. If I recall correctly, the ads advise calling your doctor after four. Talk about "blues" in the night!

Roses And Thorns

Will you look at that! Democrats and Republicans giving a standing ovation during Obama's speech to the joint Houses of Congress. How I hope it was sincere rather than just for show.

I've done my share of complaining about the recovery packages that are being passed into law; the cost along with the amount of pork that has been included. And I've done a fair amount of complaining about the missteps our new President has made; or rather that his "people" have not prevented him from making. Therein lies the problem and I think it's worth hammering home.

I give Obama an A for effort. He's barely a month into his Presidency and look at what he has accomplished. Whether or not you agree with its substance, it is a phenomenal accomplishment. It shows me that, in keeping with his word, he has a plan.

The Republicans are beating their breasts and screaming waste. Well. Where were they with their plans when they held the power as the Democrats do now? Most of what was heard, that has not been kept secret, was bloviating from incessant hearings with little to show at the end. The war raged and the country withered.

I listen to all the snarky comments about the "Messiah" and how he's governing by photo op and that Michelle wore a sleeveless dress in February. Ho hum. At least he is bringing forward actual ideas. He is correct. And this is so important. The old ways that have been tried haven't worked. It's time to try something new.

They may work. They may not. At least the effort is being made by the Administration, as imperfect as they may seem to many of us. What more can we ask? A lot - from Congress.

I got a kick out of watching Nancy Pelosi lead each wave of applause. No wonder she stays so slim. She had a pretty good workout last night. But she, along with the rest of her colleagues in both houses ought to remember these ideas haven't really come from them as much as Obama and his teams of advisers.

We may not agree with all that is being put forth but without viable alternatives, obstructionism for the sake of same is disheartening to say the least.

I'm proud of our President, even in disagreement. I'm proud to have someone who can articulate, I'm encouraged that he is young and vigorous. I love the fact that his daughters are a picture of youth and vitality in the stodgy world of Washington politics.

I especially appreciate how astute they are. Dinner table conversation revolves around a game called Roses and Thorns. Each recalls a "rose" moment and a "thorn" moment from their day. Malia is reported to have said to her Dad, "You have a really thorny job."

They are of a generation yet to come into their own. Astute. The country is going to be just fine.

CAT-astrophe!

We have a feral cat problem in northern Idaho and they've been breeding like rabbits. We have also had a series of exchanges in the "letters to the editor" section of the local paper that has shed the veterinary medicine community in less than flattering light.

One side of the issue has portrayed the vets as a heartless bunch unwilling to provide services unless the client can pay. The other side has defended them citing the fact that they are businesses and have to cover their expenses. I certainly understand the latter and have empathy for the first. A lecture about the responsibilities of pet ownership would be futile when a pet may well be the only companionship one has in a lonely life.

It's a situation with no easy answer. We're fortunate that we are able to afford the care being given to Bacchus. But then we knew when we got him, this is the reality of having a life entrusted to you. As to the suggestion that the vets are uncaring and strictly bottom line oriented, I have trouble with that one. Unfortunately the stories as written could not be verified as to the reality of what occurred versus the reality of the frustrated pet owner's point of view.

I can say this however. Spay Day USA 2009 just wrapped up this past Sunday. Some 260 feral and stray cats, with the help of 70 some volunteers, were rounded up and taken to local animal clinics for spaying and neutering. Eight clinics took part, including the one where Bacchus has gone since we moved here nearly nine years ago. $26,000 worth of procedures were done. The event was organized by the clinics. This does not indicate an uncaring, insensitive, dollar oriented profession to me.

Still there will be many unwanted litters being born throughout the summer months and many will perish. This event is but a drop in the bucket but a very important drop. It's just like having a no kill Humane Society. It can and is being done. The culture in this rural area is contrary to life when it comes to bothersome animals but it heartens me to see the steps being taken.

I put my hands together for all the animal welfare people who make these events happen. As for the vets, at least the ones I know personally and those I've heard about from friends, not a one is in the business for the bucks. I doubt you could find more caring, compassionate people anywhere.

Those who defend them by pointing out their business obligations have their point. The other to be taken is that if you're going to have a pet, you have a responsibility to budget for the bad times as well as the good. I know. It's tough. There is no way to budget love or the need for it.

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

One reason I was so pro Obama during the election season was due to his age. No one knows better how old and tired those of my generation are then we members of it. I've felt for a long time new energy needs to be introduced into the process of running the country to the running of businesses large and small. Heck, energy period. A commodity which I find in short supply these days.

One of the more difficult aspects of adjusting to the generational difference is one of realizing attitudes differ. It is no longer taboo to have sex before marriage and children out of wedlock. In my day the guys had bragging rights and the girls were ostracized. Morality has a new definition. I don't even know what it is any more. It is a rite of passage of sorts. I well remember my Mom complaining about differences in thinking between herself and her care givers. "Why should I give up my standards just because they don't have any," she would grouse. I find myself having similar thoughts more and more often, but unlike her, I realize the realities of my generation are very different from today's.

Sometimes, though, the very young seem to have better heads on their shoulders then their parents. As in the case of Bristol Palin; she has come to realize the huge responsibility she now bears due to the loosening of what I would have defined as morality.

She is still young enough not to have had ambition and expediency take over truth and common sense. As her mother seeks constant face time in the media, Bristol has had time to reflect. While her mother is crusading for her Christian conservative principles, one of which is the teaching of abstinence for young people; young Bristol is saying, on FOX News no less, that abstinence is "not realistic at all".

When Sarah Palin said about Bristol's baby, "He's going to be just fine", she's probably correct. Because he has Bristol for a mom; not Sarah. I cannot help but wish both mother, father and son the very best. And please, continue to recognize and speak the truth.

Fuzzy Math

Yep. I voted for Obama. I was convinced that because he was well educated and considered to be exceptionally bright we would be well served. I was convinced that because he speaks so eloquently he'd be able to explain things to the likes of me and so would his appointees.

Well. Forget Treasury Secretary Tim Geitner. His first appearance on the public stage was less than impressive. Not only was it disappointing after having Obama tell us his news conference was going to be great, his lack of explanation about anything was frightening.

Then there is the man himself. Obama. A multi-billion dollar "stimulus" bill has just been passed with more spending than stimulating. States and cities are beginning to get realistic in balking. They realize that once the federal money goes away the new programs will become unsustainable unless taxes are raised to cover them. Being politicians, they are savvy enough to realize it can be a re-election killer. The same goes for the banks who don't want the money because they don't want the Feds involved. The same goes for the auto industry. At least Ford. No one with an ounce of sense wants politicians anywhere near their businesses.

Now Obama is telling us he is going to cut this deficit by two thirds by the end of his first term. How? By raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy and cutting spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Math is not my strong suit but I'm not too bad at logic. No matter how much you raise taxes on businesses, it boils down to one thing. The consumer, you and I, pay it via pass throughs. Taxing the wealthy? How many times has "wealthy" been redefined? Cutting spending in Iraq and Afghanistan? We're not out of Iraq yet and there is no solid strategy as to exactly how or exactly when of which I am aware. An additional 17,000 troops have just been allocated to Afghanistan with the generals saying it will not be enough in the long run. What's going to be cut? Equipment? Again? I don't think so!

Okay. Maybe there are plans in the making yet to be made public. I certainly am not privy to all that goes on behind the scenes. I can only form an opinion from the information given. When I'm told, with great fanfare, that the average family is going to see an extra $67 in their paycheck beginning in April, I'm always glad I haven't a mouth full of coffee.

What the heck does $67 buy these days? Certainly not groceries for a family of two what's more a family of four or larger! If this is the "stimulus" to encourage we tax payers to go out and spend, spend, spend, they've got to be kidding! Someone is smoking something funny. It isn't me. I don't even smoke legal stuff. Forgetting the health issues, I flat out can't afford it!