Entry bubble An Open Letter to Punxsutawney Phil (THE Groundhog)

By: Colleen | February 04, 2009 | Category: Fun

Dear Mr. Phil from Punxsutawney,phil

I'd like to commend you for all your years of season-predicting service. I often wonder what it must be like to be the most famous groundhog in the world. While it seems that you have a pretty cushy set-up in that den of yours, it has to be a bit unnerving to be yanked from one's cozy bed in the frigid early morning hours of every February 2nd.

While your service record is impressive, I can't help but notice a consistent pattern when reviewing your performance. You tend to always see your shadow and retreat back into your comfortable abode, thus leaving us common-folk with yet another six more weeks of winter.

Perhaps it should be brought to your attention that your anxiety about your shadow has dismal consequences for those of us who must leave our cozy beds EVERY frigid early morning, and not just on the second day of February.

Have you considered counseling? I have a somewhat unreasonable disdain for grocery stores, so I sympathize with your apprehension when confronted with your shadow. However, my fear doesn't have the same consequences as yours - think of all those other who are, quite frankly, dreading another six weeks of winter. Surely something can be done to ease your fears. Our new President has asked us as a nation to help each other. So, on behalf of millions of shivering Americans, please let me know of any way which I can be of service, or aid in your plight. I would never suggest you had adopted this behavior as the easiest means to return to slumber in your hollow. I just want to volunteer to help.

We'll all be rooting for your next February 2nd - you can do it! Don't let the shadow get the best of you!

With respect and optomism for a shorter winter in 2010,

Colleen

 

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Entry bubble Beat the Heat

By: Colleen | July 23, 2008 | Category: Health

hot sunThe oppressively hot and humid summers typical of our nation's Capital have reared their ugly head this week.

It is HOT HOT HOT!

What was the first indication of this? Me looking as if I just stepped out of the shower after walking from the Metro to Gov Gab headquarters. And no, it's not cute.

While temps in the 90's are mostly just the cause of some bad hair days and being uncomfortable, for some people they pose a serious health threat.

Senior citizens, small children, and people with chronic illnesses need to be especially careful when the mercury soars. They are most at risk for heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and sun overexposure. Check out this list of signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. To avoid these, do you best to stay cool and inside. Drink plenty of water to insure that you're properly hydrated. Wear loose clothing made out of materials like cotton that allow your skin to "breathe."

Friends and family of the elderly should try and visit them at least twice a day to check for signs of heat stroke and exhaustion. Take them to air conditioned locations if they have transportation problems. Make sure they have access to an electric fan. Sometimes local governments have programs to help out.

Enjoy the summer months, just be careful. It really makes me wonder how I survived those mid-August outdoor field hockey pre-season practices, but I suppose when you're 16 you can survive pretty much anything.

What are your tips to keep cool?

| View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: citizen   colleen   exhaustion   heat   humid   senior   stroke   sun   weather  

 

Entry bubble Be Prepared for Hurricanes

By: Joanne | July 15, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

hurricane cloudLast week I wanted to talk about the sun, but this week I’ve got rain on my mind. Get out your umbrellas folks, because it’s hurricane season again. The tropical storms and hurricanes are already churning away out there in the ocean and sooner or later they’re going to hit land. Most of us think that hurricanes aren’t a threat, but the good people of New Orleans know how truly devastating these storms can be. Even if you live well inland, you need to be prepared for severe weather, because bad weather can strike anywhere.

The dangers of a hurricane or tropical storm come in a number of forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. If the big one heads your way this summer, it's important for your family and business to have a plan that covers all of these hazards.

The steps are really pretty simple:

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Entry bubble Stormy Weather

By: Nancy | April 10, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

April showers may bring May flowers, but this year, they're bringing some pretty substantial storm damage with them, too.

Friends in Jackson, Mississippi told me that they've been without power for days and that their part of town looks worse than it did when Hurricane Katrina came through three years ago. Right now, the story's similar throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

car in rainRain, drought, tornadoes or other natural disasters—no matter where you live, extreme weather is almost inevitable. A little preparation though, can get you ready to endure those tough weather conditions.

One of the best ways to prepare for a disaster is to assemble a supply kit with the food, medications, tools and other things you use on a regular basis and special items that you might need in an emergency. When I first decided to put a kit together a couple years ago, it felt a little overwhelming to assemble it all at once. So I added a few items at a time to my weekly shopping list. As I put my groceries away each week, I dropped the emergency supplies into my box and it wasn't too long until I checked off all the items on the list and had a full box of supplies. About every six months, I rummage through the box and replace food and water before it expires so everything will be safe to eat or drink when I need it.

USA.gov's severe weather section features links to information to help you get ready for and to recover from specific weather events like hurricanes and floods; extreme heat and drought; tornadoes and earthquakes; fires and winter storms.

And for my friends in Jackson, I found a great section on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website about staying healthy and safe during power outages.

What's your story? Have you been through any extreme weather events?

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