Drink Up

If your doctor told you that you needed to drink more dihydrogen monoxide your first question might be Why?, and then you might wonder What is it?, and finally Where will I get it and How much will it cost. In most cases you can relax. Dihydrogen monoxide is water.

The earth is about 71% water. All known life forms on this planet depend on water to stay alive. Humans are no different. We need water to survive.

Our world is an almost sealed ecosystem. What is here stays here and what is not here has a real hard time getting in. That means that our water supply is the same water supply that has been here from the beginning of the world.

You may wonder how that is possible. Plants, animals, and all humans consume water. Is there a never ending supply? In a way, yes there is. The water cycle keeps recycling the water to replenish our lakes, oceans, and ground water. Water evaporates into the air. When the air is saturated with water and conditions are right the water returns to the earth in the form of precipitation.

Water is the only substance that naturally occurs in solid, liquid, and gaseous form. On the surface of the Earth it is salty, frozen, and fresh. Fresh water comprises about 3% of the water and less than 1% of that is available for plants and animals to drink.

The human body is about 66% water. It makes sense that we need to replenish the water in our bodies because we lose some of our water through urination, bowel movements, perspiration, and other bodily functions.

Our skin is about 70% water. In order to have healthy skin water is necessary. Studies have shown that hydrated skin has a healthy glow. Hydrated skin tends to wrinkle less and water helps flush toxins from the body so there will be fewer blemishes on the skin.Washing with water rids the top layer of skin of the dead cells that accumulate. If your skin still feels dry you can use moisturizer but you should always start with water.

Water is about 75% of the brain. It stands to reason that if you want your brain at optimum operating level, you need to drink water. Your brain controls all body functions. If it is not functioning properly the brain does not always send out the necessary signals for the rest of the body to do what it needs to do when it needs to do it.

Even bones are 25% water. If we want stronger bones water again is the answer.

Human blood is 83% water. Our blood carries nutrients to the cells and carries waste products to the proper organs to be disposed of. The correct amount of water is needed to push the blood through the body too. Too little water causes toxins to pool in lower regions and that can only lead to bad results.

Lungs are 90% water. Besides keeping the membranes moist, the water in the lungs help filter the air we breathe. It contributes to the absorption of oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide.

Nursing mothers know to keep a glass of water close while they are breastfeeding. While the baby is feeding the mother loses a huge amount of water and almost immediately feels thirsty.

Endocrine glands make and release the hormones needed to make our bodies operate. Water is needed in all parts of the process. The production of hormones requires water. Then those hormones are released into the blood stream in a liquid form to be taken to the parts of the body that will use them.

Water is necessary to make saliva and other digestive juices. It keeps nasal passages and nasal cavities moist.Water provides the fluid that keeps our joints moving smoothly. It keeps our eyes and other mucous membranes moist and clean.

You get the idea. Water is necessary. We need to put water into our bodies. But how much do we need?

The old saying is 8 glasses a day. Actually the amount depends on so many factors. What is your size, how active are you, what is the weather like, and how is your health? Those are a few factors.

Larger people need more water because there is a larger body to hydrate. Often large people retain fluid in their lower extremities. Other people do too. It used to be thought that by limiting water intake you would lessen the pooling of fluids. The opposite is usually true. Drinking a bit more water flushes the fluids from the cells that retain. Clean fluids take their place to accept more toxins that are then flushed some more. The fewer toxins there are, the more the cells can heal themselves so they will not retain as much fluid.

People who play sports know that they must stay hydrated in order for their bodies to operate at the high levels needed to compete. For instance, baseball players who know they will be playing in a city that is usually hotter than they are used to will begin hydrating several days prior to those games. Then they drink more water as they are playing.

Active people perspire more than someone relaxing. Water needs to replace fluids lost in the process.

When the weather is hot and you are perspiring more you need to to replace the moisture with water. Gulping down several glasses of water all at once will not benefit you so you should sip often. Drinking copious amounts of water can overload your system and cause problems too.

If you are not feeling well water is extra important. Remember that flushing toxins is a function that water performs. Water also cools your body so if you have a fever water is the drink for you.

Many people will tell you that you can get water without actually drinking water. It is true that sodas, coffee, and tea are made primarily of water. And they will provide some hydration. The problem is that they also contain caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic. If you drink those drinks water might not stay in your system to do its work completely. Enjoy your cup of tea but remember to drink water too.

Juices and fruits and some vegetables have high water content and other nutrients too. By all means they should be a part of your diet but they should not completely replace water. Water does not need to be broken down into water in you digestive system before it can work.

Water contains no calories. Actually there are no other nutrients unless they are added. This makes it a good dieting tool. Drinking water instead of soda for instance means no empty calories have been consumed. Studies have shown that drinking a glass of water before and during meals makes you feel more full. Fewer calories consumed means weight loss.

How do you know when to drink? I have read that if you feel thirsty you are already beginning to dehydrate. Try to drink a glass of water every morning when you get up and another when you go to bed. Then keep water close by and sip it throughout the day. Usually that does the trick.

Often when you know you should not be hungry but you want something to eat it means that you are actually thirsty. When you get those cravings try drinking a glass of water to see if they go away.

To tell if you are getting enough water there is one simple test. If your urine is more clear than yellow you are probably fine. Now it is true that some medications and some foods will color the urine so the test is not fool proof.

Personally I think you will feel better if you are more hydrated. You will have more energy. Your skin will look better. Your eyes will be clear and sparkling. So drink up. It is good for you.

Rock The Fun

When you were a child did you ever find that perfect rock? You know the one. It was flat and felt just right in your hand. You knew it was a good skipping stone. You would hold it just right and then throw it in a certain way to see how many times it would skip across the water before it fell to add to the bed of the river. What fun!

There are other things that can be done with rocks that will last longer than the few seconds it takes for a rock to skip on the water. They will keep the children busy and give some lasting and cherished results. Most take little effort and a minimum of expense.

It has been my experience that children love rocks. If we went on vacation when my children were small their most prized souvenirs were rocks they had picked up along the way. I can remember my father-in-law being completely baffled when my son actually paid for a rock at a souvenir stand. After all you can pick a rock up off the ground anywhere.

So encourage the little ones to collect stones when they are out and about. Sometimes a rock will seem to call you. It wants to be yours. As long as you aren't raiding something that belongs to someone else it may long for a good home. Always wash them with soap and water to make sure they are not hiding anything harmful.

Another thing to keep in mind is that crafts are messy. The children should not be inhibited by trying to be neat. Make sure the work area is protected.  

How many of you remember pet rocks? They were a huge "thing" when my children were younger. They are so easy to make and imagination is the only limitation.

To make pet rocks you will need rocks, paint or crayons, and any other bits and pieces you may have left from other projects. These might include yarn, small buttons, etc. Craft glue will be necessary if you use any of these items.

Pick up your stone and study it for a moment. Try to decide what type of pet it might be. It could be a person, animal, or even a plant. Then use the materials you have to enhance the features you recognized. Perhaps the color will help identify it as a lion. Maybe a bit of yarn will make hair for a lovely lady. Create every feature until you have your pet rock.

Those who remember pet rocks will also remember that whole families and villages of pet rocks were made by enthusiasts. That meant they needed places to live and work. You might begin a passion if you are not careful.

Paperweights are easy to make and make wonderful personal gifts. There are several different ways to make them so different days can be used for different types of paperweights. Of course each begins with a solid weighty rock.

You could cut a small picture from a magazine or catalog. Then paste it to the rock with glue that has been watered down to make the paper more pliable. A small paint brush works well for smoothing the picture onto the rock.

Painting designs or pictures encourage creativity. After the paint has dried a simple coating of water with a bit of flour in it will give a glossy finish.

This one is a lot of fun. It will require a lot of supervision and care. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the rocks on the cookie sheet and let them heat in the oven for about 15 minutes. While they are heating the children can unwrap crayons of whatever color or colors they want to use.

When the rocks come out of the oven they will be very hot. Make sure the work area is heat resistant and especially make sure the children use pot holders or something similar to handle the rocks.

Set the rocks on the heat resistant work area. Sometimes they can be a little too hot right away so a testing might be wise. Touch a crayon to the hot rock. If it melts to a watery consistency wait a minute.

All you need to do to make your artwork is touch the crayon bits to the hot rock. They will melt. Many colors or one color can be used. The longer you hold the crayon to the rock the larger the swirl of color will be. You can also shred crayons onto the rock.

You can use these colorful rocks as a paperweights. Another way to display them is in a candy dish to add a bit of color to your decor.

Nice flat rocks are easy to stack. Take about 6 of them (more or less) and glue them one on top of the other. Add gloss if you like. You will have a small stack of rocks that make a good paperweight. It can be an interesting decoration on a bookshelf too.

Rocks make beautiful jewelry. To make a necklace you will need an interesting rock. It does not even need to be a shiny rock. One yard of hemp is fastened to the rock by using a glue gun. Then wrap the hemp around the rock a few times. Tie the ends of the hemp together and you have a necklace.

Magic stones or lucky stones are easy to make. Spread a little glue on the rock and sprinkle glitter on it. After the glue dries you can glue on other small colorful stones or paint a lucky word or something inspirational. Keep it with you at all times.

Speaking of lucky stones it is nice to have one with you. A fairly flat smooth stone works best. You must touch it often to make a bond between you and the stone. Keep it in your pocket and rub it often to ensure good luck at all times.

Working with rocks is limited only by imagination. They can be used to make almost anything if you put your mind to it and use a bit of ingenuity. If you have any crafts you can make with rocks I would like to hear about them. I do like to keep the little ones busy.

An Apple A Day

Apples will be ready to pick soon. Since they are so good for you and they taste so good I thought you might like a few ideas.

What smells better than something baking or cooking? The good smells permeate the house and make everybody hungry. The smells often make a person feel good. They might invoke memories of a happy occasion of something from childhood. One of the things I like to smell cooking is apples.

Most people immediately think of apple pie. I love it myself. But there are so many other ways to use apples. I would like to share a few with you. Perhaps you will share a few of your favorites with me.

Here is one of my favorite snacks. It makes an interesting thing to serve with tea or drinks. It is also something the children can easily make and they love it.

Cut an apple into four or eight pieces depending on the size of the apple. Cut the seeds from each section. Fill the space left with peanut butter. You can use smooth or chunky. Or you can use cheese. Children like those spray cans with cheese spread. Arrange attractively on a serving tray.

I like apple dumplings. The way I make them is to take pie crust dough and roll it out. Instead of the round crusts for a pie I cut them into 6 inch squares. Into the center of each square place a large amount of apple pie filling (homemade is always the best). Pull opposite corners of the crust together and pinch them tightly. Then pinch the sides so the juice will not run out while cooking. A few fork marks will allow steam to escape.

I sprinkle the top with a bit of cinnamon and sugar with a touch of nutmeg. Place them in a long cake pan or on a cookie sheet and bake just as you would bake a pie.

My favorite way to eat apple dumplings is to put one in a bowl and pour milk over it. The hot dumpling and cold milk make a fun feeling in my mouth. Some people like ice cream on top of the dumpling while others like cheese. You can even eat them plain.

Cut into bite sized pieces apples are a tasty addition to any salad. They add a nice crunch to fruit salads and a sweeter flavor to garden salads. Here is my favorite fruit salad.

I mix apple pieces with bits of grapes, oranges, pears, bananas, or whatever fruit I happen to have. Then I mix a chunk of cream cheese with Cool Whip or whatever topping of that type is on sale. When it is evenly mixed I add nutmeg (you could use mint instead) for flavor and pour it over the fruits. Gently combine. This is so good it can even be used as a desert.

Apple sauce is good by itself. It is a good fruit for babies. It mixes well as a side dish with meat.And it is easy to make.

Peel, core, and quarter 3 or 4 pounds of cooking apples. Add 4 strips of lemon peel, 3 inches of cinnamon stick, 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar, about 1/4 cup of white sugar (depending on your taste), 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 cup of water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil then lower to a simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. After removing the cinnamon stick and lemon peel mash with a potato masher. If you want to make it even finer for a baby food you can mash it through a sieve. Serve it hot or cold. It can be frozen.

Really the only limit to using apples is your imagination. If you gave my mother apples the first thing she would make is apple butter. It is so good on a warm slice of homemade bread. You can line the bottom of your cake pan with apples coated lightly with cinnamon and sugar before your pour in the cake batter. Apple upside down cake. If you want to mix a few small pieces of apple in with the cake batter I am sure no one will complain.

If you take bread dough and mix apples with cinnamon and sugar and deep fry chunks of it you have apple fritters. Place a few apple slices in the pan when you are cooking meat and it will add just a touch of flavor and juice. You can even mash an apple and add it to meatloaf. The list of deserts is too long to show here but I believe you get the idea. If you are the really ambitious type you can make jelly and can apples for later use.

Raw apples are probably the best nutritionally and they taste so good. But they add so much to almost any type of dish.

Superstitions Aboout Feathers

My granddaughter is constantly finding feathers. When she was small I repeated to her what I had been told, that when you find a feather, it means that someone who died is thinking of you. She often finds them in groups of three. She is certain that they are from her great-grandmother and two great aunts. They were very important to her and now she feels that they watch over her.

This is a superstition, right? What if it isn't? I began to wonder if there are more tales involving feathers. I did some research and I will share what I found.

White feathers signify either a guardian angel or a loving message from a loved one who is not alive. If you are gifted with a white feather you should save it and keep it close for good fortune. 

Peacock feathers are considered to be bad luck, especially in the house. Actors and circus performers do not allow them in the tents or on stage. Some believe that the "eyes" on a peacock feather are synonymous with the evil eye and can even be a sign of impending death. In the Mediterranean the feathers are associated with Lilith the she-demon said to be responsible for killing children.

In Greek mythology Argus was a monster whose body was covered with 100 eyes. Hera changed him into a peacock and his feathers were covered with eyes. The feathers symbolize the vault of heaven and all-seeing knowledge. Roman mythology sees peacocks as Juno's birds. The coins they appear on are to denote the female lineage of princesses.

The peacock is associated with Lakshmi for Hindus. The feathers represent fortune, compassion, kindness, and patience. Kwan-yin in Asian culture is a similar figure and the feathers have similar meaning. Buddhists associate peacock feathers with openness because of the display the peacock makes when spreading its tail. Because peacocks eat poisonous plants their feathers are considered to sustain the ability to thrive in times of suffering.

Resurrection, immortality, and renewal are what Christians see in peacock feathers. They also symbolize an all-seeing church. In Persia and Babylonia peacocks are thought to be guardians of royalty and feathers adorn thrones. Muslim legend uses feathers as a symbol in temples, the royal garden, and at the gates of paradise. Mongol warriors wore peacock feathers which caused Eastern Europe to view them as bad luck.

Sleeping on a bed that has peacock feathers will bring death to the person sleeping. Some women get tattoos of peacock feathers to show that they are protective of their children. Another myth says that peacocks slay serpents and transform the venom into solar iridescence that is seen in the feathers. Feathers of the peacock are used as adornment on clothing and hats. Those who wear them are considered to be vain. One last thing about peacock feathers... they are said to be bad luck if they are in the room at a wedding.

Just before 1880 a house was demolished in England. Found in the attic were a chair, four brooms, and a string of feathers. It was announced to be the house of a witch. The chair was for resting, the brooms for flying, and the string was called a witches ladder.

The witches ladder was speculated to have several uses. It was one and a half meters long and made of cock's feathers. It may have been used to help the witch to cross the roof. It may have been used to cause deaths. It was most certainly used to take milk away from neighboring cows.

Some thought that it was not a witches ladder, but a sewel. A sewel would be held in the hand to turn back deer while hunting. A second string of feathers was found with much newer feathers. And finally another form of witches ladder was found. It had feathers fastened loosely in a line of black wool.

Each feather was said to represent an ill feeling or bad wish. It was to be thrown into a pool where the feathers would eventually loosen and pull away from the wool, releasing the bad wishes and ill feelings. They would appear as bubbles in the water. Modern witches are said to use witches ladders for good wishes instead of bad.

A pillow with feather stuffing is believed to hold a dying person in this world. Replacing the feathers with another type of pillow will allow a peaceful passing.

The Voodoo religion makes wide use of feathers. Pillow magic is the practice of placing objects into the pillow of a person to cause wasting sickness and even death. Feather pillows are the best type to use because of feathers' magical properties. By using secret spells the "Voodoo" can cause bird or animal monsters to take shape out of the pillow feathers. It will grow slowly and only at night. When it is completely formed the person who has been sleeping on the pillow will die.

In another form of Voodoo pillow magic, a living bird is torn apart and portions of the wings are put into the pillow. Or charms or fetishes made of concoctions containing feathers, bones, hair, rags, and string are used.

Some believe that placing kernels of corn in a child's pillow will keep it from growing. Many Voodoo charms are made using feathers.

Many people associate feathers with Native Americans but they mean different things to different tribes. Even then it depends on the kind of bird the feather came from. Many Indians use feathers only as decoration. Plains Indian warriors were awarded a feather when they took coup or were particularly brave in battle. The females probably did not wear them at all.

The Crown of Feathers is another object having to do with pillows. They are made of down feathers of the same size, all swirled into a circle, and all joined at the center of the circle. When a person dies on a feather pillow and goes to heaven, the angels leave a crown of feathers in the pillow. The older the person, the larger the crown.

In England cock fights used to be great sport. Certain cocks with white tail feathers would show their white feathers and turn from the fight. They were said to be cowards. During World War I any male of appropriate age who was not in the military was also considered to be a coward. The White Feather Society was made up of women who would approach any such male and present him with a white feather to show that she thought him to be less than manly. The practice is thought to have begun during the Boer War.

If you find a white and black feather after a prayer, it is believed that the feather is a sign your prayer will be answered.

Feathers from a wren are used by sailors to prevent shipwreck. The wren must be chased, caught, and killed on Christmas Eve. Then it was carried on top of a pole with its wings outstretched. For a coin one feather was bought. At the end of the day so many sailors would have purchased a feather that the wren was practically featherless. It would then be buried on the seashore. The sailor would keep the feather on his person in order to make it home safely.

In East Anglia, it was a custom that anyone carrying a split goose feather must be given help and protection by the Fenmen. During the English Civil War King Charles I and his soldiers escaped by showing their split goose feathers to local Roundhead soldiers. Oliver Cromwell took no action against his soldiers for honoring the custom. However when King Charles was again captured, he sent a message to Cromwell along with his split feather asking for clemency. Cromwell ignored the plea and the King was executed. Cromwell suffered from guilt for the rest of his life.

Carrying the feathers of the kingfisher is good luck. It will protect you from negative energies and bring good health.

Pigeon feathers in a feather bed or pillow prolong the pain and agony of dying.

A swan's feather sewn into the husband's pillow will ensure that he will be faithful.

Wren feathers protect you from drowning.

The magical qualities of a feather can depend on its color. Here is a list of some of the magical properties by color.

WHITE: Purification, spirituality, hope, protection, peace,
blessings of the Moon.

GREEN: Money, fertility, growth.

BROWN: Health, stability, grounding, the home.

ORANGE: Attraction, energy, success.

YELLOW: Intelligence, blessings of the Sun.

RED: Courage, good fortune, life.

PINK: Love

GRAY: Peace, neutrality.

BLUE: Psychic awareness, peace, health.

BLACK FEATHERS: Not recommended.

RED AND BROWN: Healing animals.

BROWN AND WHITE: Happiness.

GRAY AND WHITE: Hope, balance.

BLACK AND WHITE: Union, protection.

GREEN AND RED: Finances.

BLUE, WHITE, AND BLACK: Change.

BLACK AND PURPLE: Deep spirituality.

The last thing to remember is that many birds and all of their parts can be subject to laws. In some cases it is illegal to possess a feather even if you find it on the ground. Make sure you know which feathers are okay for you to have before you decide to make a collection.

Do you have any feather beliefs that I did not find? I would love to hear them.

Where the Deer And The Jackalope Play

Because I am on vacation I am reprinting some articles that originally appeared in Nature Center Magazine. This is one of my favorites. It was written by Copas who is no longer with us.

Late at night the cowboys sat around the campfire relaxing from the long day. Tall tales were told. Loved ones were remembered. Then the cowboys started to sing.

But what's that? In the distance something was singing back at them. Other cowboys? None in the area. Rustlers? They wouldn't let themselves be known. No... it's the jackalopes joining in.

Are you asking what is a jackalope? It's a supposedly mythical animal that is a cross between a jackrabbit and an antelope. It looks like a jackrabbit except that it has horns like an antelope or deer. Occasionally it might have a tail like a pheasant too. Is that a jackalopant? Nope. It's still a jackalope.

A jackrabbit is actually a hare. It is usually bigger than a rabbit and has longer ears. The babies are born above ground and able to see and have all their fur when they are born. They are able to fend for themselves.

Deer and antelope are much larger animals. They often have magnificent antlers. Often they are hunted for more than meat. The antlers and heads make trophies for the hunter to brag about.


How did these two kinds of animals unite to form a new animal? Nobody seems to know. Maybe the same way that other hybrid animals of mythology were made.

Now the jackalopes are able to make their own little jackalopes. They are still very rare because they mate only in a storm. Lightning is an essential ingredient to successful mating.

As I said before baby jackalopes are able to fend for themselves from birth. But they are mammals which means that milk from the mother helps the young grow stronger and faster.

Jackalope milk is valuable. It has many medicinal uses, including as a powerful aphrodisiac. It's hard to get though.

The female sleeps belly up so it's fairly easy to get the milk if you can get to her. The milk comes out homogenized because of the powerful leaps made by those strong hind legs. The problem is that jackalopes are either shy or ferocious depending on who you talk to. There aren't too many of them either so it's kind of hard to find them to begin with.

Jackalopes can mimic any sound. We've already learned that they can sing like us. When they are being chased they will often send their hunters on a wild goose chase by yelling, "There it is. Over that way!" It makes it hard to find them.

The best way to catch a jackalope is to set out a flask of whiskey. They love the stuff. They are easier to follow and catch when they are drunk. Just be careful. They're mean drunks and will fight to the end.

Jackalopes are found mostly in the western and prairie states of the United States. Cousins can be found in the alpine regions of Europe. Some of the names they go by there are Wolpertinger, Blutschink, Dahu, Dilldap, Elwetritsch, Hanghuhn, and Rasselbock. In Sweden there is the Skvader.

President Ronald Reagan had a jackalope trophy mounted on his wall. He said he had captured it himself. A senator from South Dakota gave him another one a few years later as a gift.

Douglas, Wyoming, calls itself the Jackalope Capitol of America. In June each year they have an official Jackalope Day. Celebration of all things jackalope to be enjoyed. In fact you can even purchase a jackalope hunting license. The season is short so you will have to be prepared. Only one day, June 31 (not a misprint) and the time is only 12 midnight to 2 in the morning. If you go hunting for jackalope, I wish you luck.

It Is Hot. Stay Hydrated

Summer has hit us with a vengeance. After a late spring with a lot of rain suddenly we are experiencing scorching hot temperatures. Fields that were flooding under torrential downpours are now flourishing under the bright sun.

We can enjoy the outdoors now too. Some of us garden, some of us go camping, and some of us just like to sit in the shade. The children can play outside and make as much noise and be as rambunctious as they like.

The thing we all need to remember in the heat is to stay hydrated. That means drinking copious amounts of water. Remember that besides the normal amount of fluid loss you will perspire (or sweat) a great portion of fluids away.

Water is my drink of choice but it is so hard to drink 8 glasses of water a day. That is a whole gallon! I just cannot do it. Children prefer something sweeter but those drinks do not hydrate quite as well as plain old water. To supplement the water you drink try some of the foods that contain large amounts of water. Each one of the foods I name have at least 90% water by weight.

Salad is a good meal on a hot day. Iceberg lettuce has the highest water content of any lettuce. A lot of lettuce and some of your favorite garden vegetables make a good salad. Add some chicken strips and boiled eggs and you have a complete meal. You can also place lettuce leaves on sandwiches and even wrap the sandwich contents with lettuce if you would like to do away with the bread.

Radishes are lovely little red roots. They have a spicy sometimes even sharp taste. Radish in salads adds color and crunch as well as water and nutrients. Try slicing them and adding them to cole slaw. With very little practice you can make pretty radish roses to decorate a vegetable tray. They also make a chewy snack.

Another vegetable tray item is cauliflower. The florets are attractive and especially tasty with a little vinaigrette to dip them in. If family members cringe at the sight of cauliflower in salad try crumbling the florets a bit. They look similar to feta cheese and your loved ones may not notice the difference.

You can get star fruit in both sweet and tart varieties. It makes a good mixture of flavors for a fruit salad or to garnish a glass of lemonade or iced tea. The star shape of the slice makes a unique and attractive addition. One word of caution... if you have problems with your kidneys you should probably stay away from star fruit because of the high content of oxalic acid.

Grapefruit is one of my favorites. I peel them and eat them just like an orange.They are delicious in citrus salads. The nice thing about grapefruit is that not only do they lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides, they are a great food if you are dieting. They also help stabilize blood sugar which helps you feel better on hot days.

Children's meals often contain baby carrots. They have a sweet flavor and are nice and crunchy. Baby carrots have more water content than "grown-up" carrots. They are a staple for vegetable trays. Dipped in guacamole they are extra good. Slice them and soak them in ice water so they curl a bit and they are pretty in salad. Baby carrots are another good snack food when you want to munch while watching television.

Want a delicious breakfast? Take a cantaloupe, cut it in half, and scoop out the seeds. Fill the center with a nice serving of yogurt. Mmmm. Cantaloupe is low in calories with a big nutritional payoff. Blend cantaloupe, mint, and orange juice for a refreshing smoothie. Chunks of various types of melons make a good cool salad, no dressing needed. It could also be used as a light desert.

Broccoli is a misunderstood vegetable. Most people know that it is good for them but they think they do not like it. Broccoli adds a lovely dark green to a vegetable tray. Dip it into a creamy cucumber dressing and most people will enjoy it. Florets of broccoli and cauliflower along with curled carrot shavings make a nice salad.

Another green leaf to use in salad is spinach. It is darker green than lettuce so it makes a nice contrast of color. Or you can use it in place of lettuce if you like. Spinach is good in sandwiches too. Spinach also makes a good dip when mixed with plain yogurt. You can dip your other vegetables in that.

You can eat them like apples. Bell peppers are a refreshing snack on a hot afternoon. Slice them or make them into strips and place them on a leaf of lettuce to brighten the plate for a meal. Because of all the colors they are very attractive. Green bells are higher in water content than the colors but not by a lot. And each color tastes slightly different so your taste buds will be happy. They are pretty on the vegetable tray. Try them with a little creamy dill dip. The colors also add an appetizing contrast to salads. They are good in sandwiches too.

Celery has a nice clean flavor. It is good for dipping because it is long and firm. That makes it a necessary addition to a vegetable plate. Slices in salad are good. Keep slices in a baggie in the refrigerator to snack on.

Cucumbers have the highest water content of any solid food. Slices or chunks can be used in salads. Slices or strips look good on that vegetable tray. I keep slices in a bowl of cold salt water in the refrigerator. When I want a snack all I need to do is rinse a handful and they are ready to eat. Hummus is a good dip to use. Blend cucumbers, yogurt, mint, and ice cubes. Instant cucumber soup.

What can I say about the versatility of tomatoes? Slices are good and they add color to a plate. Wedges are a favorite in salad. Sliced tomato on a burger is almost a must. They can be a little messy but you can eat them like apples too. And that is just the larger variety of tomato. Cherry and grape tomatoes are good snacks too. A filling snack might be these smaller tomatoes with nuts or cheese. For a handsome appetizer cherry or grape tomatoes with basil leaves and chunks of cheese on a toothpick will make you look very urbane.

Take one medium tomato and cut it about 3/4 of the way down to make 4 sections. One scoop of tuna salad or chicken salad right into the center. Set on a nice bed of lettuce with a boiled egg cut into quarters also. Serve with your favorite crackers or hard bread. There you have a whole meal for a hot day.

Carefully melt some chocolate chips in the microwave. Take strawberries by the stem ends and roll them in the melted chocolate. Lay them on waxed paper until the chocolate cools. It is a decadent snack. Strawberries have the highest water content of the berries. You can eat them straight from the berry patch. Take some pound cake, put strawberries over it and cover with whipped cream. Some people add ice cream to the mixture and it is good. Quarter strawberries, add whole berries of your choice, chopped nuts if you like, and fold in some cool whip. It can be used as a fruit salad or a dessert.

I saved my favorite for last. Watermelon as its name implies is full of water. Cut a watermelon into huge "smiles" and let everybody be a kid again. For a flavored water, cut some cubes of watermelon and place the into a pitcher. Cold water sitting in the refrigerator atop these cubes make a refreshing drink when it is hot. Watermelon is an essential ingredient to a melon salad. Keep watermelon cubes in a covered container in the fridge and you will always have a cool sweet snack.

As I stated before these foods are meant to supplement water to keep you hydrated. Keep drinking plenty of water. You can also drink other fluids. Just remember to avoid salty, sweet, and alcoholic drinks when the weather is hot. They take away some of the liquid benefits of the drink.

Alike? Different?

It amazes me how alike my four children are. Yet they are so different.

My oldest son was the ugliest thing when he was born. His little face was all pushed to a point. I thought, "Oh my God! He looks like a buck-toothed idiot" But I loved that ugly little baby so much. ( After a couple of hours he was beautifully normal looking.)

He was so tiny... the smallest of all my babies. He also had an extra thumb on one hand.  Leave it to me to have a baby with extra parts.

My second son was beautiful when he was born. He was the personification of that blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby with rosy full cheeks. You know... the kind that people wanting to adopt would look for.

The problem was that for the first couple of days he would not wake up even long enough to eat. When he finally decided he was hungry all he wanted to do was eat. Then he would not burp for me. When he settled into  regular eating schedule I was greatly relieved.

My third son was loooong. He was 23 1/2 inches at birth. He was also lavender. The cord was wrapped loosely at his neck but it was enough restriction of blood flow to affect his color. No lasting damage from it though.

The first time he was brought to me for a feeding I noticed a small spot in one of his blue eyes that looked yellow. His dark hair was a little lighter. By the time I took him home he had green eyes and blonde hair.

My fourth child was my daughter. She was beautiful with dark little ringlets of hair all over her head. And she was the color of a beet. Deep, deep red.

She weighed the most of all my babies. She was an easy baby to care for. She fit wherever I put her which was good because her brother was still a baby himself. She amused herself when she woke up. She would make a little noise to let me know she was awake but was not too concerned if I did not get right to her. (Oh how I came to long for those days.)

As they grew older they had their own personalities. The oldest was born an old soul. He has a strong sense of right and wrong with very little room for the grays in between.

My second son is more adventurous. He wants things to happen for him now instead of waiting. He is generous to a fault.

My third son has a strong love of family Even more than the others. He likes nice things and works hard to provide them for his family. He wanted to be grown from the time he was very young and went headlong into being grown.

My daughter has been an experience for me in ways the boys were not. She was very much a girl in the traditional sense of the word. She was not interested in sports and did not watch television.She did have dance class but will no longer dance.

She is a hard worker. She also provides well for her family. Perhaps because she always knew she has the support and back-up of her older brothers she is very outspoken. She did not speak at all until she was almost a year old. Then she began speaking in sentences and has not shut her mouth since.

As you can see they are so different and unique. But they are also the same.

All of my children are strong willed. They like having things done their way. They are leaders and definitely not followers. Even if the people they are with want to do something my children do not agree with my children either try to change minds or stay out of it.

Of course as their mother I know they are all beautiful. They do not look completely alike but not one of them looks like me. They look like their father.

My oldest is the only one with dark hair. The rest are varying shades of blonde. Blue eyes are for three. The exception is the green-eyed one. My second son is several inches over six feet tall. The other two boys are just a bit under six feet. My daughter (who you will remember was the biggest) is tiny.

They often fight among themselves. Siblings usually do. But no one else is allowed to do so. It will bring on the wrath of all four. Heaven help them.

All four are stubborn. They are quick to anger (like their father) and hold a grudge (like their mother). It is not a good combination.

I simply find it interesting. Siblings have some things in common yet they are still individuals. Does that compare to you and your siblings?