what is Dementia

One general term that is used to indicate a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life is Dementia. One form of dementia is memory loss. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's . Dementia is not a life ending condition but it can be a life limiting one. Individuals with dementia can live with the symptoms and condition for many years.

In order for a condition to be labeled dementia at least two of the following symptoms must be present:

• issues with memory 
• problems with communication and language
• inability to focus and pay attention
• struggles with reasoning and judgement
• issues with visual perception

Individuals with dementia may have issues with short term memories, losing their purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood.

Dementia symptoms are progressive. They start out slow and gradually worsen. Memory issues should not be ignored. A doctor should be seen so that a cause can be determined. A treatable condition may be able to be found. Early diagnosis of dementia allows a person to get the most benefits from treatments and provide opportunities to enter trials or studies to help their selves and others. 

Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. Brain cells then struggle to communicate with each other. Thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected in the case that brain cells can not communicate. Brain cells are housed in regions each with their own job. Memory, judgement, and movement are all areas of expertise that can have cells damage making them unable to carry out functions. 

Most changes in the brain cause dementia and are permanent, worsening over time, issues that can cause memory problems that can improve with treatment include:

• Depression
• Medication side effects
• Excess use of alcohol
• Thyroid problems
• Vitamin deficiencies

No test can determine if someone has dementia. Doctor's diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on medical history.

There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type. If this occurs it may be necessary to see a specialist such as a neurologist or gero-psychologist.

I hope the information I have provided can help you understand more about what dementia is and what it is not

shared at
dare 2 share party
wow me wednesday

Who Was Waylon Jennings

In my honest personal feeling one of the greatest singers in the world was Waylon Arnold Jennings was born in June 1937. Jennings was an American singer, songwriter and musician. Music was part of Waylon's life early on when he was 8 he started playing guitar and at 14 he was performing on the radio. His first band, The Texas Longhorns, would perform on radio stations through the 1950s. Jennings would meet the great Buddy Holly in 1958 and his first chance would begin. Waylon would play the bass in Holly's band. It was the late Buddy Holly who would meet fate when the plane crashed and killed him and many members of the band. Waylong Jennings would give up his seat on the plane thus changing his own history.

Waylong Jennings would find work as a DJ in Coolidge, Arizona and Phoenix. He would also form a rockabilly club band known as the Waylors. In the `970s Jennings would become part of the Outlaw Country movement and release songs such as honky tonk heroes



The Outlaws Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser , Jessi Colter and Waylong Jennings would hit planinum country music with the album Wanted. In 1978 Jennings performed with various artisst as they documented the lives of people in the Confederacy during the War for Southern Independence.

In the early '80s Waylon Jennings would struggle with addictions to cocaine, he would kick it by 1984. After his addiction battles Jennings would join the group The Highwaymen. Waylon, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash would perform together between 1985 and 1995. This would be the last group he was part of. By 1999 and 2001 he would not be able to travel much due to health issues, Jennings would die from complications of diabetes Feb, 13, 2002.


shared at
modest monday

Global Wind Day

We all know those dominant prevailing wind patterns that blow in a constant, steady direction right?? Well, they actually are found across the earth and go by the name Global winds. Global winds are winds that have tradewinds, westerlies and polar easterlies all in one style and direction of wind. Global winds are the earth's heating and air conditioning system.

Global wind day is an event that occurs on June 15th worldwide. Many have studied and worked on global winds throughout the years. Thousands of individuals are involved in production of energy from the wind but wind energy is a mystery. Global wind day is the day when wind farms are celebrated.

A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electricity. One farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines. The land between the turbines is often used for agricultural or other purposes. The three largest onshore wind farms are located in China, India and the United States.


shared at
Mommy Monday

Old Time Fiddle Music

Old time fiddle music is a genre of American folk music. The "Old time fiddle tunes" started out in European folk dance tunes. The waltz, two step and polka are all forms that would lend a hand in fiddle music. At times you may hear a banjo or other instrument but the fiddle is often heard alone as well. The early colonies in North America would grow with fiddle music as the land was being settled by those who came from England, France, Germany, Ireland and Scotland. This soothing music lends it hand to music such as bluegrass, country blues, western swing and country rock.

The early 1900s would see young fiddlers playing the new music, their own music in their style with influnces from blues, and ragtime.




Fiddle music tells many different stories the sound of it just brings that old time feeling. I grew up in a small town with neighbors that enjoyed playing the fiddle. It was something that sounded great, the music would tell stories but they would tell them as well. just listen to some fiddle music



shared at
amaze me monday

Burl Ives

Burl Ives was born June 14th 1909. During his life time as a musician he would become an Academy Award winning actor, author and renowned folk singer. Many say that Ives found a personal connection with music when he dropped out of school and roamed the countryside. Ives would find work in New York city as both a singer and an actor. Later after WWII Ives would begin a career in film.

Ives would be branded as a communist in the 1950s. Ives would avoid being black listed by testifying in front of colleagues about Un-American activities.  Ives carreer would continue to grow and in 1964 play the voice of Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer , others were soon to come.

Ives would pass in 1995 due to oral cancer. By his side was his second wife, Dorothy and his children.

Burl Ives has been a life time citizen of Illinois being born in Hunt City Jasper County Illinois. The youngest of six children he had little fun except for his music and lots of work as the family lived on a farm. As Ives grew he shared the family songs charging a quarter a song. Ives was an active member of scouts and the high school football team.

Burl Ives would attend college at Eastern Illinois State Teacher's college in 1927 but leave early to pursue his musical career. Alone with his banjo Ives traveled the many roads learning songs along the way. The army would draft Ives to  travel with many other musicians to entertain the troops. Later, he would be found on a list of names suspected to be communist, he would clear his name by testifying.

Burl Ives became well known over the many years as he worked on stage, screen, books and records. Many T.V shows would call Ives to participate as well. Christmas movies would never be the same to me without the Burl Ives character of Sam Snowman .

=shared at
monday music

Salute to Duct Tape and a Craft Project to try

Duct tape or duck tape is a cloth or scrim backed pressure sensitive tape that may or may not be coated with polyethylene. Duct Tape was created during World War II by Revolite , product developed to use as adhesive tape made from a rubber based adhesive applies to a durable duck cloth backing. Duck tape is resists water and is often used as seal tape.

Duck tape was first used to make shoes stronger for decoration on clothing as well as for wrapping steel cables or electrical conductors to protect them from corrosion or wear. The magazine Popular Mechanics was used to make adhesive tape at home using plain cloth tape soaked in a heated liquid mixture and rubber from inner tubes.


One way duct tape is used today is through art. Here are a few pictures of Duct Tape Art

Some other craft ideas to do with duct tape include





2 11×16-inch Tyvek Priority Mail envelopes (from an Post Office)
Scissors
Duct Tape in a variety of colors (from any hardware store)

Have 2 Tyvek envelopes on hand for each messenger bag. Find colored duct tape at any hardware store. Seal the ends of both envelopes. Cut one long edge of one envelope. To make the flap, lay the short edge of the uncut envelope over the long, cut edge of the other envelope. The two should overlap about 4 inches. Tape down securely.

Decorate! Decorate all sides with tape and add a colorful edge for a finishing touch.

To make the handle, tape two 24-inch pieces of tape together.

Tape each edge to the inner corner of the bag. For a completely flat messenger bag (great for papers and sketches) – you’re done! If you’d like to make a flat bottom, start by folding over an inch of the bottom edge. Crease and release. Then, fold in the corners on each side; crease and release.

Here’s the tricky part (especially if you’ve used a lot of tape, like we did):  Coax the folded corners towards the interior of the bag to shape the bottom.

Tape on the inside.

Tape on the outside.

Now that you’re done, you can pack it with your stuff!

Have on hand for next Friday’s project:

Nylon weaving loops (like the kind used for making pot-holders) – you can buy bags of these at most toy stores. All those little plastic toys, bits and bobbles from goody-bags, the bottom of toy boxes and the back of your junk drawers, etc.

shared this informational craft post at
sizzle into summer
talk of town

Happy Birthday Army

The army of the United States of America came together on June 14, 1775. The army was created by the Continental Congress. The first army was a band of unified volunteers The colonies from where the volunteers came from would equip, arm, pay and support the individual volunteers. Two - Hundred and Forty Three years later the United States Army has grown immensely. The United States and citizens like myself are very proud of those who battle for us.  Other countries had little hope that our country could battle against others. The combined skills and courage of our troops have proved to come through trials of war.

The United States Army continues on the fight against tyranny and terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and around the world.

The United States Army is land based branch of the United States Armed Forces. The army is the oldest ad most senior branch of the U.S. military The army is headed by a civilian senior appointed civil servant, Secretary of the Army and by a chief military officer, the Chief of Staff of the Army. The army is made up by 476,000 soldiers There is another 343,000 in the Army National Guard and the  U.S. Army Reserve had another 199,000


For all those who have served in the Army or division of the army We thank you

this informational special date post shared at
a round tuit
wonderful wednesday

Treat the Flag properly

The National Flag Conference met in Washington D.C. on June 14 and 15th 1923 and again on May 15th, 1924 rules of how the flag should be treated. The United States Code has been endorsed and revised several times after the initial ones.  Covered under the code were themes of:

• How to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag properly. The pledge should be said standing at attention, facing the flag and with the right hand over the heart. Hats should be removed unless they are militia in sorts. When those in the military whether in uniform or not as well as veterans should  say the pledge they should stand at attention, face the flag and offer the military salute. 

 “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

How the flag should be displayed is also described. The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset when on buildings as well as flag staffs. The flag may however be displayed 24 hours if the flag is illuminated during hours of darkness. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously

• on days of bad weather the flag should not be displayed unless it is an all weather flag
• .The flag should be displayed on all days especially state and federal holidays as well as other important days
• The flag should be flown at half staff until noon on Memorial day
• The flag should be viewed daily on or near main administration building of every public institution, on or near polling places on election day, and on school days at every schoolhouse

When the flag is carried in a procession of flags it should always be in front of the other flags. It should never be displayed on a float in a parade unless on a staff or draped over hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, train or boat. A flag displayed on a car should be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender. 

The union part of the flag should be displayed horizontally or vertically against the wall. If the flag is displayed in a window the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. 

May our flag forever fly and now that you know more of how it is to be done properly may it always be flown correctly

sharing this post at
creative muster 

creativity crafty 

Ground Beef Jerky

may sound funny to some when I share that one of my favorite jerks is made of ground beef The reason you may ask include:

• ground beef is economical and often cheaper than a roast
• ground beef is easier to work with. Whether using a jerky gun or rolling the meat out thin ground beef is easier than cutting other pieces of meat with bone and tissues into strips
• beef jerky can be a bit chewy however, ground beef jerky has a meatier, saltier jerky taste

The recipe source is another great book you may want to check out. Mary Bell's Complete Dehydrator Cookbook – “All American Marinated Beef Jerky”.



1/2 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 pound lean ground beef

In a glass bowl, combine all ingredients and let sit (refrigerated) for at least two hours. I mixed this up at bedtime and let it sit until after lunch the next day, and it wasn't too strong.

Load the mixture in the jerky gun and use the gun to load your dehydrator trays. I do recommend using the mesh inserts or fruit leather trays for your dehydrator. This mixture is fairly soft because of the added liquid, which makes it easier to fire through the gun.

If you don't have a jerky gun, roll the mixture out very thinly (1/8 inch thick) and score lines where you would like the pieces to break apart.

Dry at 145° – 165° F (63° – 74° C) for 4 to 12 hours, until jerky is hard but still flexible and contains no pockets of moisture. For extra safety, heat finished jerky in a 275° F (135° C) oven for 10 minutes.

Jerky will last in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 – 2 months. For longer storage, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Vacuum sealing will extend shelf life.


No Dehydrator needed

Jerky can be dried in the oven. A oven set at 250 degrees with the door slightly open 2.5 hours can be used. Simply rotate the baking sheet and bake 3 hours more. Flip the jerky over at 2.5 hours marke so the underside of jerky is exposed.



1/2 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 pound lean ground beef or venison

In a glass bowl, combine all ingredients and let sit (refrigerated) for at least two hours. I mixed this up at bedtime and let it sit until after lunch the next day, and it wasn’t too strong.
Load the mixture in the jerky gun and use the gun to load your dehydrator trays. I do recommend using the mesh inserts or fruit leather trays for your dehydrator. This mixture is fairly soft because of the added liquid, which makes it easier to fire through the gun.
If you don’t have a jerky gun, roll the mixture out very thinly (1/8 inch thick) and score lines where you would like the pieces to break apart.
Dry at 145° – 165° F (63° – 74° C) for 4 to 12 hours, until jerky is hard but still flexible and contains no pockets of moisture. For extra safety, heat finished jerky in a 275° F (135° C) oven for 10 minute

Batter up for Little League

Every year my children and many others will head out and sign up for summer ball. Summer ball leagues are there for both girls and boys. Little League International is a nonprofit organization that is based out of South Williamsport Pennsylvania U.S. The organization is in charge of organizing both local youth baseball and softball leagues in the United States and around the world.

Little League was organized by Carl Stotz in 1939. Local volunteers are encouraged to help organize and operate little league programs. Little League is available to children ages 4 to 16. Many major league Baseball players started out playing in the little league.


It all started with an idea from Carl Stotz the summer of 1938 when playing with his nephews and their friends. Small fields, big fields it did not matter. games would be played. The first league in Williamsport had just 3 teams that were sponsored by local business. June 6, 1939 the first little league game was played. Years to follow would see the league grow. The years between 1951 to 1973 were for boys only. The girls would join in play after a lawsuit took place.

More than 2 million players in Little League Baseball including both boys and girls play little league these days

Choosing the Right Ears of Corn ++++ Bonus Recipe Fair Style Corn on Cob

One of my kids asked me a question that seemed odd to me today. Odd because they did not know the answer their self. What was the question??

"Can you grow corn at home?"

When I was a kid this question would not of ever been asked. It seemed in the back of nearly every yard you would find a family garden. Now days they are becoming far and few in between or at least it seems that way. Of course you can grow corn in a back yard garden.

Grilled corn on the cob, corn on cob boiled in a bot topped with lots of butter, and the list can go on and on but one thing you may want to be careful of dried out corn. No matter how you like your corn it all starts by picking the perfect ear of corn. Some easy steps to do this is:

• To check for the perfect ear of corn pull back the husks. Check the kernels size, color and that they are evenly spaced. Most stores will not allow the shopper to pull back the husk of corn. If this is the case run your fingers over the corn to feel for the kernels.

Store corn on the cob in their own husks. They should not be bagged or covered for best results. Uncooked corn on cob should really be in your fridge for 24 hours to 3 days. Once cooked the corn should be disposed of or eaten within a day.

4 ears fresh corn, husked and de-silked
8 six-inch popsicle sticks
2 Tbs zesty Italian seasoning
1 Tbs melted butter


Cut each ear in half. Use knife to make a hole through the center of one end of each piece of corn, and insert sticks. Brush corn with Italian seasoning mixed with butter. Place corn in large microwavable dish. Cover dish with plastic wrap, save for a corner to vent moisture. Microwave on high for 14 minutes until tender. Let stand 5 minutes, then serve.

Spice Up Corn on Cob Time

4 ears corn, husks removed
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 cloves garlic, finely minced
Juice of 2 limes
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish
1 red thaï chili, finely sliced, for garnish

Prepare the chili lime butter: In a medium bowl, mix together chili sauce, butter, Sriracha, garli, red pepper flakes and lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Heat your grill to medium high. Grill corn, turning every 2 minutes. Basting with a bit of chili lime butter from time to time, until tender and charred, 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove from grill and season grilled corn with more of the chili lime butter. Garnish with cilantro and thaï chili slices and serve immediately, enjoy!

recipe resource here

Birthday for Twins

This famous set of twins is celebrating a birthday. Having spanned a length of time reaching from my daughter in her 20's age group to my grand-daughters age group. Many girls like the several in our family have loved the Olson Twins since they were young.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were born June 13th , 1986. While they are each known seperately for the most part many simply know them as the Olsen twins. Both girls were childhood actresses debuting as infants in the T.V. show Full House. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen starred on T.V. , films and video projects. They started young and continued to work into adult hood. The duo is listed on the list of wealthiest women in entertainment industry at young age.

Sherman Oaks, California the twins hometown is where the twins and their parents Dave and Jamie started out. The girls are not true identical twins, but many do not realize this. The twins and their parents are only part of the family as there are several other siblings. The Olsens would divorce in 1995

The twins started acting at less than a year of age. The star role was Michelle Tanner on ABC sitcom Full House. For the next 8 years the twins would become well known as the youngest Tanner girl Michelle. During those years the twins would appear in films and videos as well as on T.V. Some videos included Double Trouble, Toil and Trouble and How The West was Fun. In 1994 a series of mystery videos featuring the twins went by the titles Adventures of Mary Kate & Ashley would span a 3 year run. That would not be the end of their videos as in 1995 a new video series was introduced and would span unit 2000

The girls would appear in a great variety of shows as well as host a fan club. The club which offered members collectibles and photos would end in 2000 During the late 1990s and early 2000s the twins were popular figures for preteen girls. Not only would they appear on movies and videos but on clothes, shoes, purses, hats, books , CDs and the list goes on .... When the girls turned 18 they became co-presidents of the company that they created.

The twins entered the fashion world with many fashion choices. Mary Kate has become known as a fashion icon for pioneering her "homeless" look. Over size sunglasses, boots, loose sweaters and flowing skirts mixed n with high and low end pieces. The clothing line was created for girls 4-14 and sold at Wal-Mart A separate couture fashion label known as The Row, a clothing line at J.C. Penny called Olsenboys and a tee line called Stylemint. 

Ashley Olsen has since retired from acting. Mary Kate still continues to appear in sitcoms such as "weeds" and films. The twins net worth as of April 2017 was staggering $400 million. 

Time To Weed The Garden

Its time to weed the garden. It is a chore that is often dreaded by often needed and one that gardeners know well. The most important role of gardening is to not just pluck the top part but take the roots as well. Yanking only the leaves will allow the weed to grow back. To remove root and all grab the week close to the ground and pull straight up.

One of the best times to weed is right after it rains. This will make the job easier as the ground is moist. Be careful not to push the soil down. Using some old boards as a walk way will help make this job easier. Watering your garden prior to pulling weeds will have the same effect.

Pulling weeds when they are still young is another tip to make the job easier. Keeping a garden fork or trowel in your pocket will allow you to easily attack baby weeds when you see them.
Weeds will shoot up in places where they are not desired as well. An old screwdriver will be of good use to help remove the weeds.

Be careful of bare spots where weeds can move in. Plants should be spaced as the tag or label states. Using mulch will help to prevent weeds as well. Herbicides may be helpful but be sure of what type of weed you are dealing with. Using the proper product hang a spray bottle filled with weed killer in a place that you will see it . A short spritz will help out when the grass is cut

Mulch helps keep the soil cool, moist and fights weeds as well. Some mulches host crickets and beetles that help devour weed seeds. Be careful what mulch you use as some has weed seeds inside of it. When needed mulch should be added to keep mulch level around 2 inches.

The garden should be weeded about one time a week. Weeding on a schedule is very important for several reasons:

• young weed ruts are easier to pull out of ground
• fight those hard to kill weeds by keeping them out of sunlight 

Preventing weeds is one thing that may save you lots of time and hard work. A few ways to do this include

• Before planting the garden roll out landscape fabric down the rows that will soon be planted with vegetables. Hold the fabric down by "sod staples" or pins around the borders. 
• After planting the veggies in the garden its time to create a layer or two of newspapers on top of the soil and mulch over it. Straw is a great type of mulch to be used here. 
• Raking, tilling or turning the dirt over may uncover dormant seeds that can lead to weeds. No til methods will help eliminate this
• crop rotation in the vegetable garden will help to provide natural weed control
• if possible pull large weeds by hand pulling root and all.
• get rid of pulled weeds as they can take root again in wet weather.