SNOW & FRIGID WEATHER STRIKE NORTHWEST GEORGIA

By OLIVENE GODFREY

Snow and frigid weather moved into Northwest Georgia last night. The snow became a wintry mix and then turned to rain. As I write this, it is cloudy and very cold and more snow is forecast here for the weekend.

Chances are you'll spend more time in the house this winter and it's a good time to do the exercises you may have skipped during the recent holidays. I have been doing my balance and arm exercises the past few weeks. And, I read in Consumer Reports ON HEALTH, an article by Betty-Perkins-Carpenter about the value of balance exercises and some other suggestions for improving balance. Besides doing exercises, the article says a limp body bends and a stiff body breaks. The author says you will have to learn to fall correctly. In an accident, you won't have time to remember what to do. The author suggests you stretch in bed. She says when you wake up, you're relaxed and all your muscles and tendons are warm. You're not fighting gravity. By stretching, you have alerted your sensorimotor system and gross motor system. She also says to walk while you are on the phone. It's more challenging to stay balanced because you're thinking about something else. Another suggestion is to play ball. As you balance a tennis ball, you are looking down at the patterns on the floor which helps you become more alert to the edge of a rug, or a curb outdoors.

Betty Perkins-Carpenter is the author of "How To Prevent Falls"
(2006, Senior Fitness Productions, Penfield, N.Y.")

For years, I have wished there was a T.V. show on Saturday and Sunday nights that would appeal to me. And then son Barry switched from cable to DISH Network Satellite television service.
Barry then introduced me to the Sirius satellite music channels included as part of the DISH network versatility service and is broadcast 24 hours daily and commercial free.

My favorite of the channels is SR Roadhouse country music classics. I detest what I call "new country" music. I think it is really what we used to call "soft rock." There seems to be a market for this music, but I just wish they wouldn't call it "country music." As I listened to songs last Sunday night by the late artist, Marty Robbins, and the late Patsy Cline, I realized I haven't heard anyone within recent years whose voices could compare with these two great artists. I also like that the viewer can see the song information on display on the series while listening to the music.

QUOTES: "Some smart alec said the reason Robin Hood robbed only the rich was because the poor had no money" Snap Shots"

See you next time.