IN PRAISE OF FISH OIL

By OLIVENE GODFREY

I've been reading lately about the many benefits of fish oil.
Son Barry and I have been taking fish oil supplements and eating fresh grilled fish for sometime now. And, we can testify to the truth of some of the findings of researchers.
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A recent study found that the fat in salmon and sardines saved more lives than did staten drugs such as Lipitor and Zocor,
But, the articles said don't quit your statens without consulting with your doctor as more tests are needed.

According to an article on the Internet, health benefits attributed to omega-3 fatty acids are smoothing blood flow through constricted arteries of heart disease patients, lubricating painful joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients, cutting risk of women of breast cancer and preventing an intestinal inflammation known as Crohn's disease.

One recent study concluded that chemicals in the fish oil
were believed to be at work in the test subjects brains.
The study showed the omega-3 fatty acids effect the brain in a similar way to the effect of anti-depressants although the mechanism by which either work wasn't certain.

It seems clear that more tests are needed on fish oil but no drug company is likely to conduct tests as the fish oil can't be patented or profited from.

See you next time.

SPRING-LIKE GREENERY IN JULY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA

By OLIVENE GODFREY

The month of July is usually so dry and hot here that the green grass and foliage turn a brownish hue. But, this year, after all the rains we have had and continue to have most every day now, everything is so fresh and lush and green.

Our patio plants are all thriving, too, including son Barry's large tomato plant. The large asparagus fern loves the rain and humid days. And a tiny humming bird, hovers like a helicopter, over the impatient flowers which looks like a big red ball now. Our lawn is so pretty and green. Barry has been having a chance every week to mow the grass with his new riding mower.
Our crepe myrtle bush is about to burst into blooms and it is a memorial to my mother who died five years ago. My late husband Ralph's brother, Ray and his wife, Joyce, gave me a check to buy a plant for the yard that would be in memory of Mother.

This week, I was reminded of another summer long ago in our northwest Georgia mountains. Ralph and I, and our three-year old son, Barry, moved to the small town of Chatsworth, GA and it was so small that everybody knew each other by name. (Now when I go to the grocery store, I don't see anyone I know.)
That year, the spring and summer through July was unusually wet and cool. I remember going to a picnic and wearing shorts and nearly freezing before we got home.

But, in August, everything changed. That month is normally very hot and that year I think it broke records. We lived in a small house and didn't eve own a fan. And, at that time, few people had air conditioned homes. One night it was so hot inside the house that we couldn't sleep. Finally, Ralph said he couldn't stand it any longer. He got up and went to the phone in the little hall and called the owner of the only furniture store in town and asked the man to meet him at the store as he wanted to buy a floor fan. A short time later, Ralph, placed the floor fan in the hall where the air could reach both bedrooms and when that breeze hit us, we all felt wonderful and were able to go to sleep.

The weather this week is very hot and humid so the rest of the summer may be hot and dry. Still, showers are forecast for this coming week so only our Maker knows how the weather will be in the future.

See you next time.

HURRICANE DENNIS DUMPING RAIN ON US & MORE....

BY OLIVENE GODFREY

As I write this early Monday morning, the wind is howling and with torrential rain and I am hoping the electric power doesn't go out before I finish this (I am cooking a roast in the Crock Pot today and hoping power stays on long enough for it to cook).
The weather people say we will have showers and storms for the rest of this week from Hurricane Dennis. When I woke up today and heard the sound of wind and rain, I was reminded of two hurricanes that hit the Florida gulf coast long ago.

Ralph and I lived on the Florida gulf coast for four years and our son, Barry, was born in St. Petersburg. When Ralph and I were living on the beach at Treasure Island, FL and I was seven months pregnant, a hurricane hit the gulf coast and we were evacuated over to the mainland at St Petersburg. I remember packing a bag and when we arrived at a friend's house to spend the night, I discovered that about all I had in the bag was tiny baby clothes that I had bought and received as gifts for the baby. I guess I thought if our small duplex got blown away, I would at least have the infant clothes.

Later, after Barry was born, we lived in a small cottage at St Petersburg and the yard was a bird sanctuary and we saw many interesting birds. The back yard had about half a dozen large avocado trees and as many pink grapefruit trees and in the front yard were tall palm trees. We had a hurricane when Barry was about a year old and we watches TV until the power went off.
We went to bed and then we heard an awful sound coming fro m the rear of the house. Ralph got up to investigate and discovered the strong winds was blowing the large avocados off of the trees and they were pelting the house. He closed the door to our bedroom in case some of the avocadoes hit a window. I looked outside and the palm trees were bending all the way to the ground. It was a scary night but we survived okay.

Barry and I think we had a stomach virus all weekend and I still feel a bit woozy. And Barry had a double whammy. He decided late Friday afternoon, to re-arrange some of the furniture in his den and he pulled a muscle in his groin, the same place where it had happened about a year ago when he lifted his tomato plant in a large container. He thinks he has Tendonitis, an inflammation of a muscle tendon. From his research on the Internet, he found out that ice packs and rest are required to heal. He didn't sleep any Friday night as the pain was so intense. He used ice and rested all day Saturday. And, he went to bed at 6:30 P.M. Saturday night and slept 12 hours. Our doctor has told us that we heal from injuries when we sleep and he agreed that it really helped him. He was able to get up and move about and stayed busy Sunday. He was careful not to lift anything heavy. He went to work this morning and I hope he will be all right the rest of the day.

It is getting dark outside and I don't like the way the wind is blowing. WE have so many tall trees in our yard that I worry about the wind blowing them over on the house.

See you next time.

REMEMBERING MY MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY & THINKING OF HOMEGROWN TOMATOES

By OLIVENE GODFREY

As I write this, we are winding down from our long July 4th weekend and will cook steaks on the charcoal grill on the patio later today. We have eaten delicious food, both at home and eating out, shopped a little, rested some, and did some chores here at the house. This morning, son Barry, who has been in and out all weekend, cleaned the carpet in the den and in my office before rushing off to the huge mall in Chattanooga to "get in some walking" and will probably shop a little.

While we have enjoyed the holiday, we still live with a sadness on this day. My mother's birthday was July 4th and for many years we gave her a cookout-party on the 4th with a cake and gifts here at the house. She looked forward to the party and we all had a great time.

On her 92nd birthday, she looked peaked and tired. And a couple of months later, she passed away, leaving a void in all of our lives. And the date will never be the same again for us.

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Barry's patio tomato plant is huge and dark green and healthy and loaded with little green tomatoes. My mouth waters when I look at them, thinking of the day when they will be large, red and juicy tomatoes. I know people who eat homegrown tomatoes like they are apples and eat so many they get skin rashes. I don't do that but I love them in BLT sandwiches, salads, on beef burgers and other sandwiches and just sliced as a vegetable with a meal. My late husband, Ralph, grew big, delicious tomatoes and he loved to eat a large slice between two slices of bread covered with mayonnaise. He often started his tomatoes from seeds, planting the seeds in small paper cups and transferring them to the garden spot.

Barry has all of my patio plants looking good and they are just exploding this year with growth. Since my accident in April, I haven't been able to work with the plants and he took over and has proven once again that he has a green thumb like his dad. I am able to keep the plants alive but Barry, like his dad, just has a special touch with plants and they thrive under his care.

See you next time.