Summer brings so many opportunities for fun activities, but those activities can leave us sweaty. Here are 5 ways to stay cool.
Put cooling towels in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer. If you don’t have a cooling towel, use a towel that will go around your neck. Pull one out and put it on when you start sweating. You can also wrap some ice in the towel.
A buff which is the neckpiece that you can put around your neck or use as a headband will also work.
Keep your sunscreen in the cooler or refrigerator. It feels so good when you spray it on.
Use a water mister that has been in the fridge or cooler. A quick mist to your face can make you feel much better.
Eat a popsicle. Remember when you were a kid and a cold popsicle was a must? They are a low-calorie way to cool off.
Put ice in a bag and stick it under your hat.
Of course, you can always jump in some cool water and escape the heat, but if that’s not an option, I hope these other options help.
Is there a place from your past where you formed so many wonderful memories? St. Malo and Brittany in general in France are those places for me. I have been there many times as a student, with family, and with students of my own. My husband, oldest daughter and I will be going there in July. The last time I visited was 2019 right before Covid.
Although I have visited Paris even more times than St. Malo, there is something special about St. Malo. I feel something spiritual there, and I have so many amazing memories of times with my students there. I think it will be difficult and wonderful at the same time. It will bother me to be at a place that I loved to show to my students and not have any of them there. I know I will have the ghosts of memories.
When I was a college student, I spent my junior year in France, and one of our excursions was to Brittany. We spent a day and night at Mt. St. Michel which is not far from St. Malo. I was a 19-year-old from a small town at one of the most impressive spots in the world.
Spending the night at Mt. St. Michel was a spooky honor as we ran up and down the winding paths, and the whole experience I will never forget.
After a memorable night at the monastery, we stopped at a cookie factory where I first tasted the cookie that would be my all-time favorite.
After college, I decided to become a French teacher, and I knew I wanted to bring my students to Brittany, St. Malo, and Mt. St. Michel. During the next 40 years I brought 19 groups of students there. I have so many memories with them in this amazing part of France.
One year, we knew our hotel was right next to the ocean, so even though we were going in April, I promised my son and his friends we would swim in the ocean. When we arrived I was hoping they would forget, but at 7:30 p.m.(it gets darker later there) they arrived at my door ready to swim. When we arrived at the receptionist this is the conversation.
“They are going swimming?”
“Yes.”
“Do they know how cold the water is?”
“Probably not.”
“Do they know the barometer is rapidly dropping?”
“No.”
The conversation was all in French, so the students had no idea what they were in for. When we arrived on the beach, I told the students we would count to three and all run in together. I counted one..two..three. Everyone ran in except for me. I mean someone had to take the video. A couple was walking by and the man said, “Did they just dive in?” When I said yes, he said, “Ooh là, là!”
Many years later, we were walking the ramparts along the ocean, and we realized they had formed boundaries for an ocean pool and children were jumping off the wall into the ocean. One of my students, Brandon, begged me to let him jump in, but our tour guide had plans for us, so I promised if he came on the next trip I would let him go in. Well, he came on the next trip, I had to keep my promise, and most of the other students wanted to go as well, so I said, “Brandon, lead the way to the pool!” He remembered the way and we were surprised to discover that the man-made pool now included a dock and a high dive and low dive.
It was amazing to watch the students having so much fun. They kept saying, “Madame, jump off the high dive!” I’m afraid of heights so I hesitated, but I was about to climb up when one of the girls yelled, “Look! A meduse!” A meduse is a jelly fish and I had no desire to share the water with it.
When we went to visit Mt. St. Michel on that trip, I approached Victor, our bus driver and asked if we could go to the cookie factory. He looked surprised and said, “You know about the cookie factory?” When I said yes, he looked so happy. The kids loved it and we all left with bags full of goodies.
On another trip to Mt. St. Michel, I told the students to not go into the bay around the monastery during low tide because there was sinking sand and the tide came in at over 300 miles per hour. I was at the top of the abbey looking over the bay when I realized that a group of my students were walking out in the bay! I should have known they would want to investigate the danger.
Crêpes originated in Brittany, and they taste better there than anywhere else. Food in general in Brittany is phenomenal.
The last time my daughter was in Brittany was 20 years ago. When we were planning the trip, she asked me if we could go back to the castle. Mt. St. Michel is so much more than a castle, but I understand that she would remember it that way.
I am excited to return, and I’m hoping I won’t be sad because of who isn’t there and instead I can make even more memories.
My daughter runs a very successful online business. She worked very hard to be in her current situation. She let other people’s doubts of her fuel her motivation, she put in countless hours learning what would work and what was important, and she watched the people who had made it to where she wanted to be. None of it was easy. Even now, there are challenges like the haters every time she does a video. She told me that people criticize her voice and her looks. She has learned to ignore the empty noise.
She told me certain questions about her success bother her, and I understood what she meant. She told me she hates it when someone asks her what the secret to her success is. She believes anyone who asks that question wants to know what the secret pill is to have instant success. She said, “Mom, there isn’t a secret sauce. You have to show up and put in the work. You have to be patient and constantly learn and be better. The people who ask that question don’t want to work hard, they just want to reap the benefits.”
There is a difference between someone who wants an easy answer for success and someone who is willing to do the work but needs some guidance and mentoring. I speak with many people who want to be more serious about writing, but they are not sure how to begin. I love helping people who are excited about writing and are grateful for someone who can offer some resources.
Showing up and putting in hard work consistently is the key to success in any area. I was listening to an interview with Wynona Judd today. The interviewer asked her how she prepared for a tour. She said she showed up and put in the work every day. I have heard that from so many entertainers. When someone is enjoying success and labeled as a new artist that person often mentions they have been working at the craft for years.
When you are discouraged because you aren’t finding the success you hoped for, ask yourself what you need to do differently. Do you need to invest more time or resources? Don’t give up on your dreams. Keep moving forward and trying new things.
My friend is an expert in essential oils and that knowledge has helped me numerous times. Here are a few ways you can use them to stay healthy.
#1. Peppermint oil is a natural headache reliever. When I was teaching my students would often complain of headaches, so I would dab a small amount of peppermint oil on their temples. Several minutes later they would tell me the headache was gone. They used to call it the magic oil. There are some people who are allergic to peppermint, so ask that question before you offer it to someone. Don’t touch your eyes with it on your fingers!
#2. Breathe is great to put in a diffuser for aromatherapy and it helps with respiratory health. I used to diffuse it in my classroom, and I had fewer colds during the time I used it.
#3 Lavendar can help more than your sleep. I had developed a slight case of tinnitus which is a ringing in the ears. When I told my friend, she suggested I put some lavender behind my ears before I went to bed. At that time I was willing to try anything to stop the ringing, but I was surprised to find out it actually worked. I haven’t had any ringing in my ears since using it. I have also heard it is good for bruises.
#4 Peppermint can clear congestion. Pour some in your palms, rub your hands together and breathe deeply.
#5 Peppermint can give you an afternoon boost. Put some on tired feet, your wrist, or the back of your neck.
Essential oils can help you with all types of ailments.
Have you heard the expression spiritual warfare and wondered what it meant? It has been presented to me twice during the past week in different contexts, and I decided to pay attention to the message I was meant to be sent.
Let’s look at the definition of spiritual warfare first. Spiritual warfare is when we have to deal with our enemies who fill our minds with discouragement and defeat. Obstacles and attacks are meant to destroy our peace and faith.
You are under spiritual attack is situations like this.
One thing after another seems to go wrong.
You have a series of health issues
Life seems chaotic and filled with drama
Feelings of being overwhelmed/depressed. You are in a funk.
The first time I heard it last week was in a conversation with a neighbor who said she was on a much-needed vacation. She had hired a dog sitter, but another neighbor texted her to say the sitter had not been at the house to let the dogs out all day. A drama ensued with a call to the dog sitter. My neighbor said she felt like it was a case of spiritual warfare because her need for peace and relaxation was being attacked.
The second time the concept came to mind was when I had a series of health issues. I had an intense Mohs surgery for skin cancer, I threw up for a day because of the pain pills and then didn’t eat for several days, the wound became infected, and then on the way to a follow up appointment I had an a-fib attack, and I didn’t have my medicine.
When we came home, I took my meds and lied down to wait for my heart to find it’s rhythm, I started to think about how we can’t always choose what happens to us, but we always have a choice about how we react. Here are a few things we can do to win at spiritual warfare and be an example for others who need help fighting the enemy.
Keep things in perspective and remember it could usually be worse.
Be grateful for the blessings you have.
Stay calm and guard your peace.
Have faith that the storm will pass.
Pray
Ask for help
Rest
Find the positive
Handle struggles with grace
Good luck as you deal with the ups and downs of life. We all have struggles, but fight them the right way.
Do you try to fight a migraine when you feel it coming? I do and I lose the fight every time.
Migraines can be caused by many different triggers. It could be from fatigue, stress, diet, hormones as well as other factors. The type and severity of migraines varies too. You could have one with auras or not, but a common factor is they are usually debilitating. If you love someone who has migraines you need to realize they are not mere headaches, and they often come without warning.
I hate taking medicine, but after I had a migraine with auras so bad I couldn’t see, I asked my doctor for a prescription. I decided that I was going to find some alternatives to the medicine. Here are a few things that have worked for me. I hope they will help you.
Block out light. Wearing sunglasses, turning off the lights, or lying down and closing your eyes can help since migraines seem to make you light sensitive.
Coke/fries. I heard this from a doctor. When the migraine first starts, chug a coke and eat Mcdonald’s fries. The combination of sugar, carbohydrates, and salt helps soothe your head. The doctor said if you wait too long it won’t work.
Cold compresses. Buy a mask that you can put in the freezer and place over your eyes when the migraine hits.
Drink water. I have stopped a migraine before by drinking several glasses of water.
Discover your triggers. When you have a migraine look for clues about what caused it. Do you have one each time you eat or drink something? Are you going through hormonal changes? My worst migraines were when I was going through menopause and my hormones were wacky, but I have also had them when I was overtired or stressed.
Do you measure success in your life by numbers, or is there something more or equally important? Think of all the times we look at a number to determine how we are doing. We might be concerned with how many social media followers we have, how much money we are making, and how much engagement we see connected to our work.
As a writer, it’s important for me to have followers and subscribers. I need to have an online presence, and several publishers have asked for it, engaging with my readers is crucial do increase those numbers, and writing without engagement is not enough.
When I taught Advanced Placement French, there was always pressure to have a high pass rate, but I have always thought the special moments that class offered were as important as the final grade. The experience can be the important part.
The experience and my reader’s reactions are how I measure my success. It means so much to me when someone takes the time to tell me she liked the book, and several readers have sent me videos that show children listening to or reading the children’s series.
When my numbers our down, I focus on whether I am helping someone with my writing or making them feel something. Two of my books do this the most. I have a children’s book called, What I Hope for You. The theme is the hope of a parent that a child can maintain a joy of life and see the beauty instead of only feeling the burdens. I vend at a local market, and I have had women who start crying while they read the book. I am so touched that the book resonated with them.
The second book is a self-help called 101 Tips to Lighten Your burden. I was wandering through the farmer’s market that is next to the art market. I stopped at a stand to buy flowers and told the woman and her daughter that I was vending books next door, so they started asking me about my books. When I told them about this book, the daughter said, “I probably need that.” Her mom encouraged her to come with me to look at it. She opened it, but told me she didn’t have any money, so I gifted it to her. She teared up and gave me a bear hug. I watched her walk back, sit down and start reading. Giving her something that might lift her up was more important to me than a sale.
I would love more followers, subscribers, and more sales, but the connections with readers will always be my sign of success. What about you? What’s your definition of success?
Are you comfortable asking your doctors questions, or do you blindly trust them because you consider them the experts? I always hope I can rely on my doctor’s expertise, but through the years, I have learned that while my doctors have a wealth of medical expertise, I am the expert for my body. Each one of us is unique so a one size fits all remedy is not always going to work. The best way to help your doctors take care of you is to keep open communication with your doctor, do your research and ask good questions. Here are a few questions you may want to ask.
When medication is prescribed. Ask questions about why a medication is being prescribed. We have become a take a pill to solve everything society. Sometimes there may be alternatives to medication. What are the ingredients in the medication and are there side effects? How long do you need to be on the medication, and will the doctor monitor your use?
After the covid shot and the booster, I developed Afib. The doctor in the hospital prescribed me a beta blocker and told me to keep taking it until I saw my cardiologist. It made me so tired because it was slowing my heart down. I have never liked taking medication and one that slowed me down was definitely not on my list. When I went to the cardiologist he found nothing wrong with my heart but told me to keep taking it just in case. I hated the fatigue it caused, so eventually I stopped taking it and thankfully, I have not had an attack since. I would have liked more guidance with the medication.
When a procedure is suggested. My favorite type of doctor is one who provides options because there is often more than one way to solve a medical issue. When your doctor suggests a procedure like surgery, ask what the other options are. Research your medical issue and ask any questions you have before you commit. Ask the doctor what to expect from the procedure and what your recovery will be like.
The first time I had Moh’s surgery for skin cancer on my face, I had no idea it would be as intense as it was. We were in the office from 9-4:30 and I had not brought any food or water. No one talked to me about what to expect and I foolishly did not ask. There were three days when I didn’t want to do much besides lie in bed and it took me a week to get my energy back. The second time was even worse, but this time I called up the office and asked questions.
If a doctor does not let you feel comfortable to ask questions, you need to find someone else. I just broke up with my dermatologist because his answers to my questions were sometimes condescending or defensive. The final straw was when I had to request a biopsy for a spot on my nose that he claimed was fine. My Moh’s surgeon made me an appointment with a new dermatologist before I left his office. I will be keeping him on my care team.
Remember your doctors need to work with you to keep you in good health, so keep open communication, research, and if a doctor isn’t the right fit for you. Break up with him.
Although I am blessed with some amazing health care providers, I have learned during the last five years that you have to be your own advocate, research, ask good questions, and not blindly trust what a doctor suggests. I will use my own experience to explain what I mean.
Last Wednesday, I had my second Mohs surgery on my face in two months. Both of these were because I was a sun worshipper and I am a runner who loves to be outside, but they are also because I trusted a dermatologist who did not listen to me when I expressed concerns about the spots. Both spots were burned off but returned later. When I expressed concern I was told they were fine until I asked to have a biopsy done on both. I was not excited about being right, but the final straw was when he pointed at a spot near the biopsied area and said, “Look we burned that off and it’s doing so well.” When my Moh’s surgeon came in after the first cut on my nose, he said, “Jen, the spot next to it also had cancer, so I took that too.” I took a deep breath and said, “I’m breaking up with my dermatologist.” He recommended a good one and I will be meeting with her in three weeks.
I was prescribed a painkiller after the surgery. I hate taking medicine, but I was in pain that night so I took two pills and two more later in the early morning. It was too harsh for my stomach and I threw up all day Thursday. When we called the office, they prescribed an anti-nausea pill that wasn’t ready until 6 that night. I was prescribed an ointment and by chance my husband looked at the ingredients right before I took it. “Jen, this has sulfate in it. Aren’t you allergic to that?” I am and it is marked in my chart. Imagine if I had not seen that ingredient. I definitely didn’t need an allergic reaction on top of everything else.
Most doctors want what is best for you, but everyone is different, so what works for someone else might not work for you. After I strained my knee and went through physical training, my orthopedist said, “You are done with distance running.” He told me during our first meeting he thought runners were dumb, but he never realized how much running has done for my mental and physical health. I have done 20 ultra marathons since then, so I’m not done. Please don’t do something that will hurt you, but make sure the restrictions your doctor puts on you are valid ones.
Before covid, I would have followed most of what a doctor suggested. I had the Covid vaccine and the booster and shortly after I developed A-Fib. Three different nurses said it was probably from the vaccines. I haven’t had an attack in three years, so I’m hoping to keep that streak going. Please know I’m not anti-vaccine but I do think we weren’t 100% sure what was in that.
I am in no way a health care expert and I don’t want you to do something against your doctor’s wishes, but I am hoping you will self-advocate, ask questions, and do your research. No one knows you as well as you do.
Jennifer’s writing 