In another of the “Who Knew” Holidays… National Read A Book Day is observed annually on September 6th. Don’t keep it to yourself. Share the experience! Read aloud to anyone who will listen. Reading improves memory and concentration as well as reduces stress. Older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline …
Tag: video
May 09
It’s Mother’s Day :)
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as …
Apr 06
Tartan Week!
April 6 is National Tartan Day. This is an official national holiday which kicks off Tartan Week. National Tartan Day honors all the Scottish heritage that flows through this nation. From its earliest beginnings, Americans with Scottish ancestry endeavored for that freedom as much as any American. It was in their blood. It was 400 …
Apr 06
April 6: National Tartan Day
NATIONAL TARTAN DAY April 6 is National Tartan Day. This is an official national holiday. April 6th has been designated as National Tartan Day, a day for celebrating Scottish heritage and pride. The New York Tartan Day Parade is usually held the Saturday nearest Tartan Day. The 2017 18th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade …
Mar 01
The Music Man
A few years ago TCM was doing 31 Days of Oscars. I first sort of noticed this when I looked ahead in the scheduling and noticed that all TCM shows were alphabetized. At first, I thought maybe that this scheme was some sort of placeholder before I realized what they were doing. Personally, I …
Feb 14
International Book Giving Day
Some of you may know that I’m involved in Little Free Library (LFL) and is a library on my street under the auspices of the O’Connor Music Studio. When our son is home for a visit, we always go out on a hiking trail with the dog, Mimi, and sometimes my mom. On one …
Feb 12
Happy Chinese New Year!
Our wonderful daughter-in-law is Chinese, so we are celebrating, too. This is the Year of the Ox. The Ox (牛) is the second of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar, and also appears in related calendar systems. Countries that observe Lunar New Year often offer three to seven days of …
Feb 11
Washington Pipe Band Plays For Sean Connery
Washington Pipe Band Plays For Sean Connery from Toby Dodd on Vimeo. This video just came up on my Facebook feed this morning but I hadn’t seen it before. Even though Washington is misspelled, this is still a fantastic performance for Sean Connery in 1999. Sean Connery was honored at the Kennedy …
Dec 21
Lockerbie
The Lockerbie Cairn, through its 270 blocks of red Scottish sandstone, memorializes the 270 lives lost in the terrorist attack on the United States when Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed Dec. 21, 1988, over Lockerbie, Scotland. It is a gift of the people of Scotland to the people of the United States, financed …
Cushing’s
- 🦓 Day 3: Cushing’s Awareness ChallengeSleep. Naps. Fatigue, Exhaustion. I still have them all. I wrote on my bio in 1987 after my pituitary surgery “I am still and always tired and need a nap most days. I do not, however, still need to take whole days off just to sleep.”
- 🦓 Digging deep - Depression, anxiety and suicide....We lost a young woman with Cushing's to suicide in 2014. There are rumors now that another recent loss was suicide as well. In my mind, regardless of what the exact cause was, Cushing's is at fault. Cushing's led them to their deaths just as surely as if it had struck the death blow itself. […]
- 📰 Myocardial Work Impairment in Patients With Cushing’s SyndromeEndogenous Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) is associated with an increased cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic risk profile, yet the specific impact of hypercortisolism on myocardial function remains inadequately understood.
- 📰 Ivory Tower: New PET Scan Molecule Offers Breakthrough in Detecting Cushing’s SyndromeResearchers from endocrinology and nuclear medicine departments have introduced a new PET scan molecule that enhances the detection of adenoma/small tumour causing Cushing’s syndrome. This development promises to improve surgical interventions and patient outcomes.
- 📅 Adrenal Insufficiency United’s Lunch & Learn, Los Angeles California, May 3Adrenal Insufficiency United’s Lunch & Learn Events are one day mini-conferences located in different cities in the USA. We find great local speakers to lead sessions and give presentations about issues affecting those with adrenal insufficiency. These one day events will be packed full of opportunities giving attendees more chances to ask questions, share their […]
- ℹ️ Adrenal insufficiency BasicsAdrenal insufficiency is a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough of certain hormones, primarily cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. This disorder can be categorized into primary (Addison's disease) and secondary forms.
- ℹ️ Cushing's Disease BasicsCushing's Disease is a rare condition caused by excessive production of cortisol, a hormone essential for various bodily functions. It is a specific form of Cushing's Syndrome, where the overproduction of cortisol is due to a tumor in the pituitary gland. The condition affects 10 to 15 people per million each year, predominantly women between […]
- ℹ️ Cushing's Syndrome OverviewCushing’s syndrome is a rare disorder that occurs when the body is exposed to too much cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the body and is also used in corticosteroid drugs. Cushing's syndrome can occur either because cortisol is being overproduced by the body or from the use of drugs that contain cortisol (like prednisone)…
- 🦓 Day 2, Cushing’s Awareness ChallengeSo, these are only seven of the many, many symptoms of Cushing’s. I had those above – and I often felt like I looked like one of those little bearded dwarves.
- 🦓 From a Past Blogging Challenge.Today, I’m going to be talking about my Cushing’s story, which still continues, even 8 years after I was diagnosed...
Music & Local Events
- 📚 All Access Book Club, TodayI originally got this book for my mom in October 2011, then I ended up reading it – twice. Then, I read nearly everything that Erik Larson wrote… I may need to read it again before April 2. LOL
- 🛐 Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 5Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent. “Go to Dark Gethsemane” is a Lenten hymn that spotlights scenes from the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life.
- 😎 Register for Vacation Bible School (VBS)For potty-trained three year olds through ninth graders. Embark on an exciting journey with Road Trip VBS, based on Joshua 1:9 – "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Discover God's presence everywhere as we explore new places, make new friends, and experience God's goodness together. Join us in a fun-filled adventure […]
- 🧐 Brain Power, All AprilEnhance your mental fitness with “Train Your Brain” activities! Sudoku, crosswords, Color Me Happy, and word searches. Each activity is aimed at stimulating cognitive function and supporting memory improvement.
- 🐥 Raise Chicks this Spring, April 4 through 9Purchase your 4 chicks and specify your pick up day April 4-19, 2025. They sell out quickly! Add-on a care kit if don’t have one. Decide where you would like to keep the chicks, laundry room, bathroom, mud room, and set up a box to be their home. (Tips below) April 4-19: The Farm Market […]
- 📆 O'Connor Music Studio CalendarUpdated daily with music and Northern Virginia events.
- 🌎 Mini-Makers – Earth Day Edition, April 5Reduce – Reuse – Recycle! Spend a crafternoon making beads for bracelets. necklaces or even toy snakes using old magazines!
- 🍿 Coffee & a Classic: An American in Paris, April 4There’s nothing better on a Friday morning than a classic movie and a fresh cup of coffee in our meeting room!
- 🎶 More Music OpportunitiesCalling All Musicians: Join Pender’s Vibrant Music Ministry! Are you passionate about music? Do you feel called to share your musical gifts in a community of faith? Pender is seeking talented musicians to join our vibrant Music Ministry team and contribute to our uplifting and spiritually enriching worship services!
- 🥚 Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza!, April 12Event: Pender UMC's Egg-citing Easter Bash Date: Saturday, April 12 Time: 1:00–3:00 PM Location: Pender UMC Parking Lot & Grounds Event Highlights: Moon Bounce Madness: Jump and hop like a bunny in our giant Pender/KUMC Bounce House! Awesome Games: Show off your cornhole skills for a chance to win awesome prizes. Don't miss the estimation […]