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Author Archives: SunnySkies

SunnySkies is a freelance writer and editor. Her life is enriched by a large and diverse ensemble of family and friends. She loves music, and if you were a fly on the wall in her home, you might catch her break into dance when the beat is right. She loves to read, often three books at a time, and often again, the same book more than once. Books she's read and enjoyed this year include Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. And, unexpectedly much enjoyed, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, which is book one in volume one of the Harvard Classics Five Foot Bookshelf, a 51 volume compilation that, at one time, was considered all that was necessary to read to be fully educated. SunnySkies figures that if she lives to be about 130, she’ll get through each book and will grant herself another diploma! Her passion is her journey aboard planet Earth, and her reason for being, is to love her fellow travelers.

How Halloween Thwarts the Winter Chill

October 30, 2007 – 10:31 am
Stored Under Topic - Special Occasions

 

jackolantern-skulls-combined

Each year Halloween arrives in the nick of my personal time.   As the leaves fall from the trees and morning frosts begin to appear, a chill sets in, in me, that  takes more than layering with clothes to combat.  For years now, I’ve relied on the caloric intake of Halloween candy to give me that little extra layer of personal self to keep the winter chill out of my bones.

 

Every year I purchased my first supply of Halloween treats around the 20th of October.  I give no thought to what the taste buds of the cute trick-or-treaters might prefer.  No, I buy what I like.  Snickers bars and Reeses Cups.  The candy might sit for several days in their sealed pouches.  I know myself

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Siddhartha, Still A Good Read

October 28, 2007 – 4:02 pm
Stored Under Topic - General Relaxation and Stress

SiddharthaI’ve spent the better part of the last year establishing an at-home business, built upon a skill that comes somewhat naturally to me, writing.  The logistics of the set-up, the time spent in marketing the business, and the actual work assignments are occupying all of my time lately.  There seems to be little opportunity to do what I love best, to read books and to write from the heart, such as on this site and on my personal blog site, where I haven’t posted in nearly six weeks.  But, in the last week I managed to sneak in reading a book.  Knowing my leisure time is limited, I chose a skinny book from the shelves in my teenager’s room.  The book is Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse.

Over the course of the last five years, as I’ve adapted to diminished health, my faith has been tested, primarily by a sense of urgency (which sometimes borders on recklessness)

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The Power of Hope

September 8, 2007 – 11:26 am
Stored Under Topic - Pain Relief

rainbowforweb

On a recent morning, in those semi-conscious seconds of initial awareness, there was an unfamiliar stillness, a silence and peace that made me question where I was.  I opened my eyes to see that I was where I am each morning, in my bed, in my house.  Everything looked as it always does, nothing was out of place.  As I stirred, it came to me that I was not in searing pain, for the first time in months.  It was a surreal calmness in contrast to

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Night Owl’s Story - Early to Bed, Early to Rise

August 25, 2007 – 1:43 pm
Stored Under Topic - Health and Healing

An Owl on the RoofA Night Owl Amidst Early Birds

All my life I’ve been a night owl amidst early birds.  It’s my nature to prolong the day. There is something about the quiet of the house after the commotion of the day that I find soothing.  During these hours I have the peace of mind to hear my thoughts, to fully absorb the events of the daytime hours, and to settle with focus on reading or writing.  Despite attempts at "sleep hygiene" (the now-a-day term for evening rituals or habits that lead to peaceful sleep), I don’t seem able to get to bed until well past midnight.  To no avail, I reason with myself  that humans were meant to fall asleep with the sunset and awaken with the sunrise, that we’ve done away with that natural cycle with the use of electricity.  

Recently, I have committed to move my bed time to 10:30 - 11:00 p.m.  But, just the thought of cutting into my night hours unnerves the night owl in me!  Still, I’m going to try to get in sync with the rhythm of the majority. 

So much of what we do, or don’t do, is the result of our attitude.  When it comes to better sleep pattern, mine needs a little tweaking.  (Or so the smug early birds have convinced me.)  To move toward this commitment I need motivation and for this, I’m soliciting your help.  Below is a list of common sleep hygiene rituals.  I’d like you to let me know what works best for you.  I’ll try whatever you think is most helpful. 

 

Which bedtime ritual works best for you?

View Results

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OK, Everyone, Listen Up! Huey Lewis Has Some Good News!

August 17, 2007 – 11:28 am
Stored Under Topic - Product Info

As we baby boomers age and our hearing diminishes, due to genetics or the wear and tear of listening to high volume rock ‘n roll, don’t worry, cause every little thing’s gonna be alright.  Clever design folks at Oticon have produced a very hip hearing aid, called Delta.  It is made with us in mind.  It’s stylish, discreet (were we ever discreet?…), and, technologically, cool.  Just as Bang & Olufsen has won design awards for the sleek look and intelligent function it gives its music playing creations, this hearing aid has award winner written all over it.

Rock ‘n roller Huey Lewis, of Huey Lewis and the News, uses the Delta and is spokesperson for the product.  His picture is prominent on the Delta brochures, making it impossible for us to ignore that we are the aging establishment. 

The slogan Oticon is using to capture our attention is "Some people love hearing aids. Those that don’t, love Delta."  They tout its "fashionable colours" and

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