First off, I want to thank Melissa and Julie of the BBGG for a great meeting this past Tuesday. Faith’s presentation regarding climate change was fantastic. I won’t go into the whole thing here, but she did ask us each to think about these 2 things:
What small, simple change, will you make to help with your impact on the environment?
What big change are you willing to make?
On Wednesday I attended the 19th Annual Matthew & Marcia Simons Research Symposium on Alzheimer’s Disease. Matthew lost his life to Alzheimer’s in 1989 and his wife, Marcia, dedicated her time caring for him and then to the cause in general. It was through their generosity that an endowment enables the research symposium to help educate those with the disease and their families and caretakers.
The presenter this year was David A. Bennett, MD. As is stated in his bio “Dr. Bennett is internationally known for his work on the Religious Orders Study and the Rush Memory and Aging Project, the two largest, ongoing, multi-year studies of aging and Alzheimer’s Disease.” In these projects, participants are basically in controlled environments and their physical and mental state is reviewed regularly; they also must agree to donate their brains upon their death so that the state of their brain can be studied as well.
I will now attempt to summarize some of the information he imparted (without the science behind it.) Disclaimer – I’m writing this from notes that I took, so please view it as very general info that could have some flaws and things that are missing.
Dr. Bennett talked about behaviors and traits that in combination are more likely to manifest as Alzheimer’s Disease. Some of these make one more vulnerable and others more resilient, as he has determined in his studies.
Things that may make you more vulnerable – depression; psychic distress such as neuroticism, worry, tenseness, helplessness; and finally loneliness including social isolation.
Things that may make one more resilient, help protect against developing the disease – the number of years of education, 18 years in fact is remarkably more so than 15 years; cognitive activities including reading, playing games, visiting museums, and even watching TV if not to the exclusion of everything else; physical activity, the more the better; social engagements such as going to restaurants, sporting events, volunteering, spending time with family/friends; conscientiousness – being self-disciplined, scrupulous, and purposeful; social networks – relatives and friends that you see regularly; processing resources – perceptual speed, mental comparison, working memory; and finally, purpose in life.
He noted that AD may affect decision making, even before diagnosis.
Some things one can/should do – control diabetes and high blood pressure; relax; engage in the resilient behaviors listed above.
For more information on Alzheimer’s Disease and resources, in the Boston area please visit http://www.alz.org/MANH (leave off that last bit to find a chapter in your part of the world) or telephone 617-868-6718.
The final thing for today is to note the passing of a very dear friend last Thursday. Her name was Marie. We attended the same exercise class (Jazzercise), first spoke in the local Stop & Shop one night after class, and hit it off immediately. Her granddaughter and my daughters were in the same recreation department gymnastics classes for years, and eventually on the high school team together. In 2000, I started a knitting group which meets at my house once a month; Marie was one of the original members. We also attended many folk music events together (a story for another day).
Marie was a warm and caring person, always putting everyone else before herself. She is, and will continue to be, sorely missed.
Peace to all, Judi
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Fun Weekend
On Saturday and Sunday I participated in the Arlington Open Studios, a local event held within the old Gibbs Junior High School.
This building is divided and rented to several organizations including the Arlington Center for the Arts, the organizers of the open studios event.
My booth or shop or space was located in the gymnasium. I had a nice corner directly opposite the entrance to the room.
These first three shots are of my booth as I set it up Saturday.
Following the helpful advice of my neighbors on either side, I did change the set up quite a bit on Sunday, but sadly forgot to take additional pictures.
Thank you to all of my customers, and friends and family who came by to give moral support. Sales are great, but words of encouragement, from strangers as well as those I know, are just as important.
And thanks to Peggy Hodge for her wonderful custom cut matting, you can see my TTV images in them in the middle of the table here. Look for these images soon to be in my Etsy shop!
Here are a couple of my brand new necklaces which sold this weekend, look for some of the others to be posted soon in my shop!
Thanks to everyone for making it a very special weekend!
Peace to all,
Judi
This building is divided and rented to several organizations including the Arlington Center for the Arts, the organizers of the open studios event.
My booth or shop or space was located in the gymnasium. I had a nice corner directly opposite the entrance to the room.
These first three shots are of my booth as I set it up Saturday.
Following the helpful advice of my neighbors on either side, I did change the set up quite a bit on Sunday, but sadly forgot to take additional pictures.
Thank you to all of my customers, and friends and family who came by to give moral support. Sales are great, but words of encouragement, from strangers as well as those I know, are just as important.
And thanks to Peggy Hodge for her wonderful custom cut matting, you can see my TTV images in them in the middle of the table here. Look for these images soon to be in my Etsy shop!
Here are a couple of my brand new necklaces which sold this weekend, look for some of the others to be posted soon in my shop!
Thanks to everyone for making it a very special weekend!
Peace to all,
Judi
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thoughtful Thursday - Thankfulness!
My thought today is about thankfulness. How often do we stop and think with gratitude about all we are given - without judgment of "good" or "bad"?
I am especially grateful today. One of my photographic prints is included in this treasury. You can click here to see it for yourself until Sunday at 12:34 PM.
Thank you TrinityLynn for including it with the other wonderful items in this tribute to autumn's gorgeous colors.
Peace, Judi
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thoughtful Thursday
For the last few weeks I have been feeling overwhelmed with all of the technology and sites I’ve been trying to maintain. Meanwhile my printer has broken (just when I’m trying to prepare for a show) and my laptop is often as “slow as cold molasses running up a hill on a winter’s day” as my father used to day. As a result, I have really backed off from everything to a certain extent.
I started the photography business because of the creativity it allowed, but that has taken a back seat to the networking and marketing aspects – not a good place for me to be.
I read some time ago that one should pick 3 things to focus on, any more than that and none of them are done well. I am going to determine my 3 things and start doing just that.
So that brings me to today's thoughtful question, or in this case questions – it’s a three-fer today.
1. Do you have 3 things you focus on each day or week?
2. Can one really get more done when multitasking or does this just cause more self-induced stress and thus less productivity?
3. What if you vowed to be technology free at least one day a week?
Peace,
Judi
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Seth Glier on TV
I hope you'll be able to see this video. If not, please come to my blog to check it out.
Peace to all, Judi
Peace to all, Judi
Friday, October 2, 2009
It's October
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