Shouldn't Complain

I feel very guilty for complaining about our heat wave here in Duluth, last night I heard on the news how bad the heat wave in the East coast and NE area, where most of my family live, has been! I feel badly for you and and those readers who are from other parts of the US who are also having unusual heat waves. (But, remember, a lot of you have air condition in your homes!) Not many of us here in Duluth do!

Well, I'm off to work to the air conditioned office (thank goodness!) Some days, though it doesn't seem cool enough.

Enjoyed my Day Off!

Quiet 4th of July..... and I liked it that way! Saturday and yesterday were so hot and muggy here in Duluth, that without an air conditioned home, I just couldn't move... the humidity really bothers me. You'd never know I grew up in this stuff back in SE Pennsylvania! But, I've been here 40 years, so like most native Duluthians, I can't handle it. Back in PA so many people now have air or central air in their homes (not when I was young...but now most people do)...but here in the Northland, we usually only get this heat in humidity for a week or two, usually in July. Not enough to warrant spending money to get central air installed. (Unless you have to buy a new furnace, they say it doesn't cost that much more to get the air then)...but we can't afford a new furnace, so am certainly not hoping for that. It really was too hot for me to go outside, and I know as beautiful as it looked, I really should have gone out, and I do feel guilty about that. I stayed in with our ceiling fan on in the living room, and our fan in the bedroom! I tried sitting out on the deck to read last evening, but the mosquitoes came out...and they love me! So, back in I came. We don't go down to bayfront to watch the fireworks, since the kids have grown up. If we had the Grandchildren here in town, I know we would. Watching the kids watch the fireworks, is what is fun about them! Duluth does put on a wonderful fireworks display, and I heard they did so again this year. I did get my Fourth of July spirit though, by watching "Yankee Doodle Dandy", and last evening I spent three hours watching about The Battle of Gettysburg" on the "Military" channel, that I found by accident. It was from a different prospective and very interesting. Also, an hour about President Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address. (Which I memorized in 5th grade, and can still recite!). I also watched "John Adams" series on cable, about our country's beginning. Very good.

So, I got nothing done, on Sat. or yesterday, except to go to church (we all sweltered), and on Sat. I went to the grocery store, and didn't mind it one bit, spent quite a bit of time there, in their air condition.....took my time and cooled off nicely. But...I got a lot of rest and relaxation.

Today, the humidity was better, and because I was rested up for two days... I was ambitious! Haven't felt as energeric as today, in a long time! I got a lot accomplished! I did laundry while Bob was golfing (he usually does laundry), and I cooked for meals for the rest of the week, made us a good supper, cleaned the kitchen, refrig., bathroom, and hit areas I don't usually hit. I even feel good enough to write a post on my neglected blog, at 8:45 pm!

I think I will feel refreshed and good about going back to work tomorrow...and it will only be a 4 day week. I can only hope that I will feel this ambitious next Saturday!!

Hope your 4th was a good one!

Help Toward the Cancer Cause

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - 19th Annual Duluth Community RELAY FOR LIFE EVENT

WHAT: The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is a unique celebration of life in honor and in memory of those whose lives have been touched by cancer. It has been described as a “huge compassionate support group” – a place where friends, family and loved ones join to celebrate survivorship and to honor those who have lost the battle. Relay For Life involves teams of 5-15 people who take turns walking or running around a track all night long. A party-like atmosphere prevails as team members camp out on the surrounding grounds for the duration of the event to enjoy music, food, fun, entertainment and activities while building camaraderie with fellow teammates and participants. Money is raised through donations received by team members prior to the event , secured from family, friends, companies or corporations, and/or team fundraisers.

WHEN: July 16th and July 17th 2010 -- 6:00 P.M. – 6:00 A.M. - Fun and entertainment throughout the night, while team members walk the track.

WHERE: College of St. Scholastica, Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN - In front of Science Building (construction there will be all completed).

WHO: Everyone is welcome! All interested in the cause join teams of individuals representing clubs, corporations, organizations, neighborhoods and families at this fun, community-oriented event.

HISTORY: Relay For Life was the idea of Gordon Klatt, M.D. In 1985, Dr. Klatt ran and walked for 24-hours on a track in Tacoma, Washington, traveling about 81 miles and raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. From there, Relay For Life was born and is now held nationwide. Over $20 million was raised at 372 Relay For Life events held in the Midwest Division alone in 2000-2001. The region that is represented by our Northern Lights Team through the Duluth Office, have 30 relay events between April and the end of August, the Duluth event is one of these, along with the Relay in Superior, WI, across the bridge, held Friday, July 9th.

WHY: The money raised helps support American Cancer Society programs in research, education, advocacy, and service – locally, statewide and nationally, to help everyone celebrate MORE BIRTHDAYS. The American Cancer Society is the "Official Sponsor of Birthdays"!!

BENEFITS: Great community exposure. Opportunity to be a community leader. Terrific group outing. Raise money for a good cause. From the opening lap, led by the cancer survivors, to the emotional candle-lighting ceremony, through the triumphant final lap, Relay For Life is something participants will always remember!

HIGHLIGHTS: SURVIVORS VICTORY LAP: Cancer survivors from around the community are invited to take a victory lap and be cheered on by fellow participants. This is a true celebration of their courageous battle.

LUMINARIA CEREMONY: A candlelight ceremony that pays tribute to those who have been affected by cancer. Luminaries are purchased in honor of those who have survived their battle with cancer, for those still fighting, and in memory of those who have courageously battled this disease, but lost. The Luminarias are kept burning throughout the night to represent the healing power of community and the importance of funding to find a cure.

It's not to late to participate. We are still looking for teams of 5-15 people to walk that evening. It is not a “race” and you don’t need to run, you don’t even need to walk all night, that’s why you have team members, to take turns. If you are interested in joining this good cause by getting a team together, call me at the local ACS office in Duluth. You may also join our "Crazy With Hope" team, from Hope United Methodist Church.

You may also click on my web site link on the left for the site on line. You may register or donate from there also. Click on "CRAZY WITH HOPE" team and my name, if you wish to donate on my behalf for the team. Thank you.

See event on line – register, donate: www.acsevents.org/relay/duluth/mn (or on my facebook profile page)

Fourth of July, 2010

Yankee Doodle Dandy!

Happy Fourth of July! Happy Birthday to our great country!

We just finished watching "Yankee Doodle Dandy", 1942 movie about George M. Cohen's life. He won the Congressional Medal of Honor" for his War World I songs that he wrote, "Over There", and "Grand Old Flag" and his other patrionic songs and plays that he wrote, which contributed encouragement and patronism to the soliders and country through our wars. Great movie!

I used to watch this movie when I was growing up, and now, as a adult, everytime that it comes on I watch it again, and my husband too! We weren't even born when this movie was made, but we both still love watching it!

When growing up, I didn't know much about George M. Cohen, other than what I saw in the movie. Vaudeville was over and living in the country, I sure wasn't in tune to any broadway shows! But, today I looked up on the internet (in childhood we would have looked him up in our World Book Encylopedia). I read about his life, and it was good to fill in things that the movie didn't have.

So, I have posted a photo of him from "google images". Doesn't exactly look like James Cagney, but I'm sure he would have agreed that James Cagney did a good job portraying him.

Happy Birthday to our USA!!!