This Is Why I Support Our Troops--- They Are Fighting For THIS!

You can do it!

Started training for The Over The River Run (5 miles not a 5K)on Monday! The race is in October! I have taken the last two months off so this is killing me and my legs!

Wish me LUCK and keep me and my legs (LOL) in your prayers !!!!!!!!!

Always Remember This!

Live, Love, LAUGH!!!

Your Brain on Laughter
How clowning around improves memory, mood, and motivation
By Thomas Crook, PhD, Prevention
More on this in Health & Fitness:
Laughter Is Best Medicine
Your Foundation of Friends
Age Beautifully

A couple of years ago, my wife and I were visiting her mother, Mimi, who is now 90 years old. Mimi was demonstrating her remarkable memory for names by identifying everyone in her high school yearbook from many decades ago. When she was done, Mimi turned to my wife and said, "Well, that was fun, but I guess you and... what's his name... will have to be going now."
The story is now a comic standard in my family, and the first one I thought of when preparing this column. Like most funny anecdotes, the Mimi story has elements of surprise, tension, and resolution leading to laughter. But here's what you may not know: Humor is not just a silly diversion. It also yields important neuropsychological benefits — improving your mood, exercising your brain, masking pain, even strengthening your bonds with those who share a good chuckle with you.
What happens in your brain in response to a sidesplitting bon mot? Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers at the University College London Institute of Neurology found that as study subjects tried to understand verbal jokes, areas of their brains important to learning and understanding were activated. This means that as your brain wrestles with the meaning of a clever punch line, it's getting the same kind of workout it would from a brainteaser.
A good knee-slapper also produces a chemical reaction that instantly elevates your mood, reduces pain and stress, and boosts immunity (suppressed by both stress and pain). A recent fMRI study by Allan L. Reiss, MD, and colleagues at Stanford University traced this activity to a region called the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), which rewards behaviors such as feeding and sex (and laughing) by releasing dopamine, a natural opiate.
Laughter promotes good health in another way, too — by strengthening connections. We use laughter to deflect anger and aggression and to communicate goodwill. In fact, a good sense of humor is consistently rated by women as among the most desirable attributes of a potential partner.
Here are some ways you can reap the benefits of humor every day:
1) Keep an eye out for the unexpectedly silly side of daily life to combat negative thoughts. For example, at the end of a recent worry-filled day, I turned on a news channel that referred to its meteorologists as "the Weather Team That Tells the Truth." I thought the implication that other weather teams lie was hilarious. I laughed and immediately felt my worries melt away.
2) Make sure you don't go to bed stressed-out — keep your evening entertainment light by reading a comic novel or watching a funny show. My wife and I were latecomers to Seinfeld, so we purchased DVDs of the early seasons, which we now watch at night.
3) Reframe unpleasant situations with humor. For example, I once heard a flight attendant deal with a surly, complaining passenger by saying: "You know, Sir, on every flight I try to pick one passenger and ignore him or treat him poorly. Today, you are the passenger I chose." The result was laughter by both parties.

Thomas Crook, PhD, a clinical psychologist, has conducted extensive research to improve our understanding of how the brain works. He is a former research program director at the National Institute of Mental Health and is CEO of Cognitive Research Corp. in St. Petersburg, FL.

Never Forget Em

Someone I Love Has PD!

Support Parkinson's Research!

Support Stem Cell Research The Life You Save May Be My Daddy's!

This is not a political agenda it is more important than that .... It is a matter of life and death!

Riderless Horse Adds Poignancy To Military Burials

Story Highlights:

1) Riderless horses honor high-ranking fallen U.S. troops, government officials

2) Many recall horse with empty saddle during 1963 JFK funeral

3) Army's ceremonial "Old Guard" unit prides itself on its military funerals

4) Tradition of riderless horses at funerals dates to ancient Rome, soldier says

ARLINGTON, Virginia (CNN) -- Staff Sgt. Travis Nielsen had no idea when he joined the U.S. Army that his duty would include one of the most solemn and hallowed ceremonies in the military. During funeral processions at Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, Nielsen walks the riderless horse, a powerful military symbol that stands among the highest honors for the fallen. Images of the so-called caparisoned horse, often referred to as the "cap horse," remain emblazoned in the memories of millions of shocked Americans who watched President Kennedy's funeral procession shortly after his 1963 assassination. According to Army tradition, a ceremonial horse is led by a "cap walker," like Nielsen, in a procession with boots set backward in the saddle's stirrups. In addition to high-ranking government officials such as the president, the cap horse honor is reserved for officers of the rank of colonel or above. The tradition dates "to Roman times, or Genghis Khan," Nielsen said, "as a high honor bestowed on high-ranking fallen warriors." Watch Nielsen lead a riderless horse at Arlington » The ancient riderless horse ceremony didn't include backward boots, he said, but it did include an unusual meal."They were shrouding their horses or putting him in battle armor or escorting the fallen to their grave," Nielsen said. "When that was done, they would eat the horse, and they would have a big feast."Today "the boots facing backward symbolize [that] the fallen won't ride again and [the rider is] looking back on his family one last time," he said.Nielsen serves with the ceremonial Caisson Platoon of the 3rd U.S. Infantry regiment, also known as the Old Guard, based at Fort Myer, Virginia, near the cemetery. Formed in 1784, the Old Guard ranks as the oldest active duty unit in the Army."Memorial Day weekend is very busy around here," said Nielsen, who joins Old Guard comrades in the annual tradition at Arlington called "flags in.""We are responsible for going out in the cemetery and placing the American flags on all the headstones."Platoon soldiers rarely know any details about the troops or civilians they honor."Sometimes someone who served with the fallen or maybe went to [military] academy with them will come up to you and tell you what a great guy they were," Nielsen said.When choosing Old Guard members, commanders "want guys who are punctual and disciplined and picky about the way they look and the way their horses look," he said.The focus of much of Nielsen's duties involves drilling and training horses such as Kennedy, a cap horse whose previous career involved running around harness racing tracks.Cemetery ceremonial horses are washed and brushed until their coats have a bright sheen. Saddles and brass are buffed and polished until they shine like mirrors.Ancient caissons that carry flag-draped caskets are cleaned and readied for a day of service. As for the soldiers, Old Guard members' woolen uniforms are flawless and take hours to prepare, as each inch is inspected again and again.Uniforms are pressed and ironed. Shoes and brass are polished and shined."In the winter, it can get pretty cold out there," Nielsen said. "In the summer -- it's no joke -- the summers get extremely hot. There will be heat indexes of 100 to 115 degrees."Nielsen described his duty as rewarding. "We carry America's heroes to the final resting place," he said. Soldiers in formation lead the procession. An Army band plays, and the unit marches to muffled drums.The caisson passes, led by six horses, either black or white. The horses' harnesses jangle and the caisson wheels rumble through the hallowed paths of Arlington.Bringing up the rear of the procession is Nielsen, leading Kennedy.They pass in formation directly behind a flag-draped casket carrying the body of a soldier or Marine; Navy and Air Force officers do not use cap horses at burial ceremonies.After a casket is carried to a burial site, the caisson and cap horse depart.Nielsen and Kennedy head back to the stables alone, to prepare for another ceremony.All About Arlington National Cemetery • U.S. Armed Forces

Have a GREAT summer

Lest We Forget

Thank You Doesn't Seem Like Enough!

Remember All Those Who Serve And All Those Who Have Served....

It Is Because Of Their Service And Sacrifice

You Are Free!

Needed Email Addresses

All you Dixie Thunder folks and just email buddies I need your email addresses again just send me an email and that should do it! Thanks

National Police Week May 12 - 16

Honor the THIN BLUE LINE;

This is National Law Enforcement Officers Week.

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is Thursday.

Honor those who put their lives on the line everyday to "Serve And Protect"

My grandfather John Pat Malone Sr. was one of those officers who died in the line of duty and our nephew Jonathan Prewitt is a rookie cop. So honor those who have given all for you by flying your flags on Thursday and thank a cop!

Don't Forget Them!

Remember The Dogs and other pets when sending storm aid to areas hit by tornadoes and flooding this spring!They are victims too and they suffer in silence ---- because they have no voice to say "I'm homeless; I am hungry; I am afraid; I am hurt! Help me!" Well after seeing the above photo on CNN--- I want to be their voice! Please send along with flood buckets and other storm aid; milk bone dog biscuits; heartguard heart worm chewables; dog and puppy chow; cat and kitten chow; cat litter; hamster and gerbil food; any other pet supplies you can think of! If the red cross and salvation army will not take it find someone who will (ASPCA or PETA) ...... Thanks and I will get off my soap box now!

Happy Mother's Day Ya'll

I love you," - Carl Sandburg
I sit here quietly

Watching them while they sleep

I wonder

And my heart is torn

How my love for them

Grew so strong

That I feel breathless

It sometimes even hurts

Yet I am never tired

Of watching their little faces

As they sleep.

I can see

That they are running

In their dreams

Their legs move

Back and forth...

Are they on a beach?

Or in green grass fields?

So what if when I am tired

They ruin the room again

Are they not the reasons

Which makes me forget every pain

Oh Lord! Tell me

How possibly could I live?

Before I was a mother

I never knew this bliss.