Your Life, Now!

Say Shoo! to the Flu!

Just a quickie for all of you who want to fend off the flu this season!  Many of you may have already taken a flu shot - hopefully you didn't, but if so hopefully it didn't make you sick.  Unfortunately, the flu your shot is supposed to prevent, might not be the strain you get exposed to!  Not to mention that vaccines in general aren't always all they're touted to be.  Big controversy going on with this topic!  There are some better ways to keep the flu at bay without the shot.  Really!  I promise!

The flu season is starting up slow this year - who knows why, but that's good news for all of us.  What can you do right now to fend it off this year?

• Start taking a daily dose of vitamin D at a minimum of 1000 I.U.'s - 2000 I.U.'s if you don't ever get out in the sunshine.  Vitamin D is an excellent flu preventer.  Check out this amazing article for more info.  Of course vitamin C should be in your daily regimen as well, and you can take 1000 mg of it daily (more or less depending on your diet & vitamin intake).

• Start taking an immune building supplement.  There are many good ones on the market, and most of them are pretty good quality.

• Get enough sleep at night!  Not sleeping enough hours on a regular basis seriously impairs your immune system making you susceptible to many illnesses other than the flu!  See this article about it.

Of course eating right and exercising is also good for helping your body stay healthy and strong enough to fight off all the bad stuff that bombards it each day.  And all of us should know by now to wash your hands when you've touched door handles, shopping carts, or other public surfaces before you ever touch your nose, mouth, or eyes!  Keep some hand sanitizer in your pocket or purse if you can't wash when you need to.

If you are exposed to or do get the flu, my first recommendation is get something called oscillococcinum, which you can get at Walmart, Walgreen's, health food stores, and probably other stores near you.  It's an all natural flu remedy, as described below from their site:  www.oscillo.com.

"As soon as you start feeling run-down or have other flu-like symptoms, take Oscillococcinum. Oscillo^® is regulated as a drug by the FDA and is supported by published clinical studies as well as more than 65 years of use throughout the world.

• Clinical studies show that Oscillo reduces the severity and duration of flu symptoms
• Great taste and convenient to take
• No side effects or interactions with other medications
• Good for everyone 2 years of age and older"

I've taken this once or twice when I was teaching full time and was exposed through my students.  If you take it the first day you feel the symptoms, the faster it works.  I have avoided getting sick when I took this - it is truly awesome, with NO nasty side effects, doctor visits, or expensive prescriptions.  In fact, I keep it on hand when flu season hits, just in case.

Of course, if any or all of the above doesn't do the trick, don't hesitate to get to your doctor and let them help you!

So there you have it!  You don't have to get sick like everyone else.  Be the smart one and say Shoo to the FLU!

Sunlight and Sunscreens

Hello Sunshine! Well, while we're in the dog days of summer, here's a bit of info on the sun and sun protection!  Of course, we all need to be concerned with too much sun exposure which can lead to skin damage and cancers, but you might not know that you actually need a certain amount of sunlight without the sunscreen for your health!  In addition to that, the sunscreens we all use can be more toxic than you realize, contributing as much to the skin cancers as the radiation, or their protection just isn't as good as they advertise it to be.  So, for today, I'm shedding light on this subject and will illuminate you on vitamin D, sunlight, and sunscreens!

Vitamin D3 is produced in skin exposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B radiation.  That means to skin not covered in sunscreens. But wait, you say!  Isn't that dangerous?  Well, here's the info on why you  need this sun exposure, how long and when to get it, and then we'll look at the spf info:

Vitamin D plays an important role in the maintenance of organ systems. 
*Vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood by promoting their absorption from food in the intestines, and by promoting re-absorption of calcium in the kidneys.
*It promotes bone formation and mineralization and is essential in the development of an intact and strong skeleton.

*Vitamin D affects the immune system by promoting phagocytosis, which means in the immune system it is a major mechanism used to remove pathogens and cell debris, anti-tumor activity, and other immune system functions.
*It also promotes blood pressure regulation.

Vitamin D deficiency can result from inadequate intake coupled with inadequate sunlight exposure, disorders that limit its absorption such as cystic fibrosis, conditions that impair conversion of vitamin D into active metabolites, such as liver or kidney disorders, or, rarely, by a number of hereditary disorders. People with inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s and celiac disease appear to be at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially those who have had small bowel resections.  Obesity may also cause a deficiency as well.

Deficiency results in impaired bone mineralization, and leads to bone softening diseases, rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, and possibly contributes to osteoporosis. It can cause muscle weakness.  Pain Research has indicated that vitamin D deficiency is linked to colon cancer and more recently, to breast cancer.  Low levels of vitamin D appear to be associated with higher risk of heart attacks in men, according to a report in the June 9, 2008 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Did you get that?  Anti cancer and tumor, major immune system helper, muscle strength, heart helper, and bone health essential!

According to Dr. Michael Holick, as little as 5-10 minutes of sun exposure on arms and legs or face and arms three times weekly between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm during the spring, summer, and fall at 42 degrees latitude should provide a light-skinned individual with adequate vitamin D and allow for storage of any excess for use during the winter with minimal risk of skin damage.  The application of sunscreen with an SPF factor of 8 reduces production of vitamin D by 95%.

People with dark-colored skin synthesize markedly less vitamin D on exposure to sunlight than those with light-colored skin. In latitudes around 40 degrees north or 40 degrees south (Boston is 42 degrees north), there is insufficient UVB radiation available for vitamin D synthesis from November to early March. Ten degrees farther north or south (Edmonton, Canada) the “vitamin D winter” extends from mid-October to mid-March.  For those with darker skin tones, and those who live in the northenmost parts would benefit from supplementation of vitamin D, as well as specifically designed lights for use in the home.  Click here to see one example.

Vitamin D is found naturally in very few foods. Foods containing vitamin D include some fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, sardines), fish liver oils, and eggs from hens that have been fed vitamin D. In the U.S., milk and infant formula are fortified with vitamin D so that they contain 400 IU (10 mcg) per quart. However, other dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, are not always fortified with vitamin D. Some cereals and breads are also fortified with vitamin D. Recently, orange juice fortified with vitamin D has been made available in the U.S.

As for supplementation, check your multivitamin to see what amount it has.  Most people, age 12 and up can safely use 500 to 1000 mg daily with the higher doses in cases where a person doesn't get the needed sunlight, or during the winter when being out in the sun is not possible for the recommended times.  People in the north especially need the supplements and/or the sunlight bulbs and lamps available.

There are some drug interactions to consider as well:

The following medications increase the metabolism of vitamin D and may decrease serum 25(OH)D levels: phenytoin (Dilantin), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), phenobarbital (Luminal), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and rifampin (Rimactane). The following medications should not be taken at the same time as vitamin D because they can decrease the intestinal absorption of vitamin D: cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid), orlistat (Xenical), mineral oil, and the fat substitute Olestra. The oral anti-fungal medication, ketoconazole, inhibits the 25(OH)D3-1-hydroxylase enzyme and has been found to reduce serum levels of 1,25(OH)D in healthy men. The induction of hypercalcemia by toxic levels of vitamin D may precipitate cardiac arrhythmia in patients on digitalis (Digoxin) (99, 100).

*info researched at wikipedia, Linus Pauling Institute, and Dr. Mercola

Now for the sunscreen skinny! It's very important to make sure you are getting the best coverage with the least toxic additives in your sunscreen.  In fact, all the products you put on your body - especially lotions and creams can contain ingredients or chemicals that are toxic!  Putting chemicals on your skin is actually far worse than ingesting them, because when you eat something the enzymes in your saliva and stomach help break it down and flush it out of your body.  When you put these chemicals on your skin, however, they are absorbed straight into your blood stream without filtering of any kind, so there's no protection against the toxins. Instead, they are in large part going directly to your delicate organs.

There is an unfortunate situation in the cosmetic industry, that it is not well regulated when it comes to the chemical ingredients that are allowed.  The Environmental Working Group has a huge cosmetic safety database that is searchable to find out about your favorite brands.  They also have a top 10 list of the best, safest sun protection.  Check out the list here.  You will also get lots of great information from the main site of the EWG as well!

So my fellow sun lovers, get your daily dose of vitamin D, get the safest sunscreen available at your local store, and get out and get some sun, fresh air, and have lots of fun without the worries!

to enlightenment,
Majetta

Neo Hippie

Well, I've tackled fungus, poo in the pool, and maddening mosquitoes.  I think it's time now to introduce the Neo Hippie - Me!

What do I mean when I say Neo Hippie, you ask? Well, there are a number of definitions out there for neo hippies, just as the original hippie movement had.  As you can tell by my photo, I'm not a stereo-typical hippie with the long braids, no make-up, bohemian dress, unshaven, birkenstocks, and reeking of patchouli.  Well, you can't see my pits & legs or smell me, but trust me - I shave and I'm not fond of the patchouli smell!  I don't want to protest with signs or march on the Capital - unless I have to!  I believe there are lots of things we can do every day to promote peace and love and make a difference - you just won't see me wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt saying it.  And there are those folks out there that still sport the old hippie look and ideals in their own ways - more power to you!  That's just not my total definition of hippiedom.   Being a neo hippie in my world is somewhat different. . . .

For me, my transition started with my diagnosis of celiac disease, which prohibits wheat, spelt, kamut, triticale, barley, and rye (and all derivatives of) forever in my diet - at least until they come up with a safe drug or solution for the disease.  I was forced in 2000 to find my local health food store and get breads and flours that were gluten free, or free of the above mentioned grains/flours.  That's when it happened!  I saw a whole new world of healthier food choices, learned about my immune system, since celiac disease is an genetic, auto-immune problem, and found the wonders of supplements and alternative "treatments" for medical conditions and improving health!  I was hooked!

I've learned so much that has totally transformed my lifestyle!  That's a lot of what I'll be sharing here - things I've learned that have helped me and other stuff I find on my researching hunts.  In fact, I'll be adding pages on specific subjects, and adding lots of links.  So, for the official definition of what  neo hippieism is for me:  I'm into organic and all natural foods, the right vitamins and supplements, alternative medicines and treatments, exercise and fitness, body products that are not chemically dangerous, growing my own veggies and buying from local farmer's markets, recycling, reducing, and reusing, and fighting to keep the FDA & the government from taking away these choices.  One day I plan to convert our cars to use less gas until I can buy newer ones that are the best green choice.  We also dream of building a self sustaining home on a small acreage with a larger garden spot.  As for spiritual enlightenment - I found that in the One True God and Creator of the Universe!

Will I ever be a true hippie throwback? - nah!  But I do believe we can all make changes that will greatly improve our health, wealth, our world, and who we are in it all!  I hope this blog will not only give great info on a healthy lifestyle, but will also encourage you to be the best you can be - and learn how to live that out every day.

As for personal growth, you can't beat my brother's blog - Living in the Meantimes!  He's got some awesome insights and help to share.  Check it out by a click on the links above or to the left.

As for me, well, you'll just have to keep tuning in right here. . . .

Here's to positive change for your best life - and mine!
Majetta

The Fungus Among Us, II

Well, the Neo Hippie was set to arrive, however, the fungi group felt they needed a little more page time with some extra information you might just benefit from.  So I agreed, and researched a mini-lesson on fungi as a preface to the good stuff!  I personally think fungus is quite fascinating, and I hope after the mini-lesson, you'll agree.  I think you might, so here it is:

Occurring worldwide, most fungi are largely invisible to the naked eye, living for the most part in soil, dead matter, and as symbionts of plants, animals, or other fungi. Yeasts, molds, and mushrooms are examples of fungi.  They perform an essential role in all ecosystems in decomposing organic matter and are indispensable in nutrient cycling and exchange. Some fungi become noticeable when fruiting, either as mushrooms or molds. Many fungal species have long been used as a direct source of food, such as mushrooms and truffles and in fermentation of various food products, such as wine, beer, tempeh, and soy sauce. Mushroom farming and mushroom gathering are large industries in many countries.  For certain types of cheeses, it is also a common practice to inoculate milk curds with fungal spores to foment the growth of specific species of mold that impart a unique flavor and texture to the cheese. This accounts for the blue color in cheeses such as Stilton or Roquefort which is created using Penicillium roqueforti spores.

More recently, fungi are being used as sources for antibiotics including β-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporin, and various enzymes, important for industrial use or as active ingredients of detergents.   Mushrooms and other fungi are widely used in Chinese medicines, and many are now used as natural supplements or in alternative health treatments worldwide.

Many fungi can also produce compounds called mycotoxins that are toxic to animals including humans. Several species of the fungi are significant pathogens of humans, other animals, and plants and losses due to diseases of crops (rice blast disease) or food spoilage caused by fungi (molds) can have a large impact on human food supply and local economies.  Particularly infamous are the aflatoxins, which are insidious liver toxins and highly carcinogenic metabolites produced by Aspergillus species often growing in or on grains and nuts consumed by humans.   *info courtesy of Wikipedia

Wow!  Did you get all that?  Let's summarize:  fungi can be yummy, healthy, help clean things, make medicines, and yet also kill plants and harm or kill humans and animals!  One source I read also said biology considers them more animal than plant.  Hmmmm......

So, I want to talk about both the health and life-saving benefits of mushrooms and the potential danger of other fungi as well.  First, let's talk about the bad guys - molds.  Mold is a common problem in many households, especially if you have moisture problems.  Mold can cause quite a few health problems in people, and you might not realize that it's from a mold problem! 

In fact, a new study has discovered what we really didn't want to know, that the average bed pillow is home to a host of potentially-harmful fungi!  A British research team from the Univ. of Manchester found as many as 16 types of fungi in pillows they analyzed.  Keep your pillows washed and disinfected, or replace them regularly.  Washing your hair at night before bed can remove outdoor pollens and mold spores so you're not rolling them around in your face and into you pillow at night!

What can mold spores do to you?  Well, it can cause these symptoms:

Respiratory Effects

Cough

Shortness of breath

Asthma/wheezing

Bronchitis

Chest Tightness

Infant pulmonary hemorrhagae/ hemosiderosis

Ear, Nose & Throat

Sneezing

Sinus congestion/sinusitis

Sore throat

Eye

Irritation

Itchy watery eyes

Skin

Rash

Flushing

Where can mold or fungi grow in the home besides your unfortunate bed pillow?  Here are some sources:

Possible Sources of Excessive Moisture

Indoor	Outdoor
Humidifiers	Flooding
Cooking and dishwashing	Rain or snow melt
Bathing	Seasonal high humdity
Plumbing leaks	Ground moisture
House plants	Wet building materials
Firewood storage indoors
Unvented clothes dryer/indoor clothes line
Improper venting of combustion appiances

Basically, anywhere you have a moisture problem, including your heat and air ductwork, can grow a variety of molds - many which you could not see just by looking around.  Bathroom molds are usually pretty evident in the tub/tile areas, but it's the unseen mold growth that is the health concern.  There is one mold, stacybotrys, or black mold that is very harmful and potentially fatal to humans.  It is extremely hard to get rid of, and many people have had to leave their homes for good, or tear them down and start over!  It's not a commonly found mold, thank goodness, so don't freak out yet!

You can prevent mold growth from happening!  Controlling moisture is the key to preventing indoor mold growth. The relative humidity of indoor environments should be maintained at 20-40% in winter and no more than 60% the rest of the year. If and when moisture problems develop, rapid and appropriate responses are important to prevent mold spores from germinating. If wetness or spills are dried within 24-48 hours, mold growth will not likely occur.

Here are some strategies to prevent mold growth:

Indoor Sources

¸  Fix plumbing leaks, drips or “sweating” pipes is most important!
¸  Limit sources of indoor humidity/dehumidify indoor air.
¸  Improve air movement in poorly ventilated areas, like bathroom shower or bathing areas.
¸  Increase fresh air ventilation when outdoor air is not humid.
Also, check wall and floor drains for clothes and dish washing machines.  Mold loves to grow behind the walls and under the floors of these when there are leaks or there is moisture build up!  And make sure you vent the dryer to the outside, not let it blow inside.  Moisture builds up rapidly from unvented or improperly vented dryers as well.

Outdoor Sources

¸  Maintain roof and gutter/downspout system.
¸  Direct runoff away from foundation by grading, landscaping, etc.
¸  Use air conditioning and keep building closed during high outdoor humidity.
¸  Prevent leakage around windows, doors, flashing, etc.
¸  Waterproof foundations

The following steps should be taken to eliminate the presence of indoor molds.

(1) Identify moisture source and correct the problem (see lists of possible moisture sources and control above).
*Keep in mind that molds may be hidden. A moldy smell with or without visual confirmation is indicative of a mold problem, particularly if accompanied by health problems. Mold may be hidden on the back side of dry wall, wall paper or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets or pads, etc. Investigation of hidden mold should be done with caution, as disturbing some sites with extensive mold growth may result in a massive release of spores (e.g. removal of wallpaper). Consider hiring an experienced professional if hidden mold is suspected.

Once the moisture problem has been addressed, which also addresses the future growth of molds, removal of the existing mold contamination can begin. Molds can be toxic; personal protective equipment should be used to avoid excessive mold exposure during the clean-up process. The following personal protection products/procedures are recommended:

• Respiratory protection (N-95 or TC-21C dust mask)
• Goggles
• Rubber gloves
• Washable or disposable clothing
• Ventilate area well when using bleach
• Establish containment around the work area for large or heavily contaminated areas to minimize spread of spores
  

(2) Remove mold by cleaning and disposal
*Do not paint or caulk over mold.  Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel.
a. Porous materials should be removed, bagged and discarded.
b. Non-porous materials may be cleaned with non-ammonia detergent and scrubbing.
c. Disinfect using a proper ratio of bleach per gallon of water.

(3)  Dry thoroughly – keep in mind wet building materials take time to dry out completely. Fans and de-humidifiers may speed the process. The use of a moisture meter to monitor the moisture content of the material may be helpful. Moisture meters are available for purchase, but can cost up to $400.

Other sources of information:
EPA Website has two publications on indoor molds:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/index.html

*info courtesy of: Univ. of Minnesota, environmental and occupational health.

Whew!  Thanks for hanging in there with me on the lovely issue of molds!  Let's move on to a brighter note - medicinal mushrooms!  Mushrooms are fascinating on their own, and we all know that you should never eat wild mushrooms unless you are absolutely sure they aren't poisonous.  And we also know about most of the varieties of yummy 'shrooms there are to eat.  But maybe you didn't know that some mushrooms are medicine!  China and Japan have been using mushrooms for centuries in their medicines, and they are becoming more mainstream in their use around the world and here in the USA.  You can get these as supplements.  Click here for a site with more info on mushrooms as medicine.

The big boys of the 'shroom meds are maitake, shiitake, and reishi mushrooms. They have many overlapping properties: all boost immune function, all support cardiovascular health, and all show promise in lowering the risk of - or treating - cancer. However, maitake is specifically  recommended for the stomach and intestines, as well as blood sugar levels; shiitake treats nutritional deficiencies and liver ailments; and reishi promotes respiratory health.

Boosting your immune health is a key factor in overall health and wellness!  If your immune system is strong, you won't be sick - from common colds to cancer!  Your immune system is the bodyguard and bouncer against the onslaught of anything that can harm your body.  When it's strong, it or they can fight off every one of the bad guys!  More on immune system health another day . . . .

So for now, we'll close the chapter on the fungus among us.  The Neo Hippie is growing impatient, let's give her a chance next time!

Until then,

Stay well!

The Fungus Among Us

Okay, I have to start with a topic that is really important to all you public pool and water park participants.  It is swimming pool health safety issues that I'm betting most of you haven't thought of or read about.  Yet, there are lots of you out there that violate some of these rules, or you are around those in the public places that are violating them and don't know you're at risk.   Oh My! You say, what in the world is it?  Come closer my pretty, and prepare to be grossed out . . . .

First, there is fungus among us!  It's true!  I see it on your sad feet when I stand behind you in line for the awesome water slides!  Really!  Come on, you know when you're at the pool, everyone is sizing up everyone else and some of us are observant enough to look down and look at other's feet.  Some of you have clean, happy feet and some of you have open cracks with peeling skin, funky bubble looking stuff between your toes, and even the dreaded yellowish/tannish/greenish toenails from toenail fungus.  Some of you have all three of those - I know, cause I stood behind one of you last week that really made my feet feel weird knowing I was stepping in all the water you were!

"Why, that's a terrible thing to say", I hear some of you gasping, but sadly it's true, and there's a reason I'm sharing it.  If you have a fungal infection on your feet, and you go to the pool, the fungus can and will spread to others walking in all the damp or wet places you have walked.  Hence the name "athlete's foot", because athletes spread it around in the showers in the locker rooms.  Athlete's foot can also spread to the groin area, aka Jock Itch, and ladies can get that, too!  Ew!  So please, if you have a foot fungus, don't spread it in public pool areas.  Take the time to kill that fungus!  And yes, there are plenty of over the counter products - sprays, powders, and such to keep it under control or non-existent on our precious tootsies.  Even if you have a serious problem that the drugstore stuff won't get rid of, your doctor can give you prescription stuff that will get rid of the little pests.  Click here for a site that will help with more info just in case.

And, here's a few tips on managing your feet at home.  Invest in a good foot scrub or even better, a pumice stone to slough off dead, dry skin.  It's best to do this after your shower while your feet are damp, or soak them first in some nice smelling bubbly stuff.  The pumice stones are natural volcanic rock that is great for callouses, too!  Just keep it rinsed off and throw it in the dishwasher once in a while to disinfect.  You can also push your toenail cuticles down while they're soft from your bath, and it's a great time to clip your toenails - while they're soft.  Invest in some tea tree oil and put a few drops in your foot soak for anti-fungal and disinfecting.  Don't wear the same shoes too many days in a row, and air out your feet during the day.  Keep your shoes clean and give them, and your feet, a good anti-fungal spray or powdering periodically.  Also, if your feet still look really dry after sloughing, put some really emollient lotion, cocoa butter, shea butter, or foot creme on at night before bed, or a dab in the daytime if you're going out in sandals.  Keeping your feet clean, groomed, and healthy is as important as keeping the rest of yourself clean, groomed, and attractive!

Second, is spreading disease to others in the water! Really? Absolutely!  And it's not what you think, either!  People who have diarrhea, fecal incontinence, or babies and children not potty trained or who have diarrhea can spread some pretty potent diseases and sickness.  Germs in contaminated water can enter your system if you accidentally swallow the water (and who doesn't?), and can cause infection in your eyes, nose, ears, as well as in cuts and scrapes. In fact, many pools post signs that say you should not swim if you have open sores or wounds! 

A pool usually becomes contaminated with germs after someone has a fecal "accident" in the pool. These accidents may be in the form of watery diarrhea, therefore they are not  easily noticed - if at all.  In fact, some report that you don't even have to have an accident in the water to spread this - just diarrhea.  And hey, sometimes kids can drop turd bombs that are visible!  That also happened in a wave pool at a water park we were at last summer, and they had to clear the water quickly and make sure it was cleaned and safe before they let anyone back in! 

Not to mention outbreaks that have been in the news about water parks and diarrhea or fecal contamination.  What can you get from a little poo in the pool?  Well, E. Coli for one, and cryptosporidiosis, Giardia (gee-ARE-dee-uh), Shigella (Shi-GE-luh) and even Hepatitis A!  And, cryptosporidia can survive chlorine!  Some of these are potentially even fatal to some folks - the elderly, the kids, and anyone with a weak immune system. 

Ready to go swimming now?  In the words of Tantor from Disney's Tarzan movie, "Mom, are you sure this water's sanitary ?  It looks questionable to me."  That thought runs through my head, too, Tantor!  So, what to do about all this wonderful knowledge I've imparted to you today. . . .

* Don't go swimming with active fungus problems or diarrhea, and don't let your kids do it either!  And teach your kids as early as possible not to even pee in the pool!  Explain why or share this post with them!

* If you have young children that are still getting the hang of pooping in the potty, or could have accidents, keep a close eye on them and their bottoms.  You can't trust the swim diapers or pants to keep unseen fecal matter out of the water.  If they go to the bathroom, go with them and make sure they are wiped clean before going back out.  And, don't change poopy pants by the pool - go to the bathroom and make sure bottoms and your hands are properly washed. 

*  Talk to the owner or manager of the pool you go to.  Find out what measures they have in place to deal with these issues and share this information.  Find a way to keep those that frequent your pool informed about these health concerns.  It might even save a life!

Be a safe swimmer and stay healthy this summer while enjoying all your favorite water activities!  (Try not to drink the water!)   And be on the watch for a Neo Hippie making an entrance, here on the blog, it's a sight to "see" . . . .