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Showing posts from May, 2019

Grandma's Ninja Warrior Diary: About that Rotator Cuff

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So, it is not a pretty picture, and also, it was bound to happen, I guess. A rotator cuff injury -- from weed-wahcking, not from fitness training. My fitness trainer is very careful to make sure I don't overstress my rotator cuffs, knowing that a torn rotator cuff could end all my ninja hopes and plans. But that weed-whacking... So, what have I learned? Still learning, actually. 1. I cannot force the use of my arm and expet it to get better. No powering through, So, pull-ups are out for a while. I wonder if the strength I have built up (not very impressive yet, honestly speaking) will return. Well, I will the answer to that question in time -- and will share. 2. I should not "grin and bear it" because analgesics not only help with pain, they also help with inflammation, which is very important for healing. 3. I do NOT want surgery; that is the scariest part because it may really put me out of commission. So, I need to help the rotator cuff heal naturally. 4

Book Review: Helping the Disabled Veteran (Joanna Romer)

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Review from MidWest Book Review, April 19, 2019 Reviewer's Choice Helping the Disabled  Veteran Joanna Romer MSI Press 1760-F Airline Hwy, #203, Hollister, CA 950243 http://msipress.com 9781942891789, $14.95, PB, 124pp, www.msipress.com/shop/ "Helping the Disabled Veteran: How to Assist Your Disabled Veteran's Adjustment to Civilian Life" by Joanna Romer suggests 'real world practical' ways to assist disabled veterans leaving the military and trying to integrate back into mainstream society in spite of their disabilities. The chapters comprising "Helping the Disabled Veteran" contain recommendations, suggestions, and practical suggestions, based on a large number of wide-ranging interviews with disabled veterans about their experiences after returning from war. Impressively informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Helping the Disabled Veteran" should be a part of every community, college, and university library collection

Guest Post: Stop Summer Slide (Cindy McKinley)

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With Summer Vacation just around the corner, now is the perfect time to check in with your child's teacher and see what s/he suggests your child works on over the loooooong break.     Does he need to memorize multiplication facts?    Does she need to improve comprehension? We'll check in every so often and give you FUN ways to STOP that SUMMER SLIDE.   To start you off, try something like this to make sure your child at least gets in some reading and writing every day. Happy Summer! (from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents )

Grandma's Ninja Warrior Diary: My "Homework"

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So, last month when my trainer was having her baby, she gave me homework for the time she would be out. I found the homework so useful that I continued it even after she came back. Just the right aount for me right now, and I can start to see some small (wish it were large, but it is small) differences. Still, a year and a half ago, I was much pudgier, 11 pounds heavier, and with no muscles. So, since pictures do not lie (well, not usually and not unless doctored), here is my first attempt at recroding some progress. The pictue is so helpful, I will start to do updates for my 6-month assessments. (Short-term goals are as motivating as andmore doable than long-term goals.) For the record, here is the daily homework: 30 minutes of cardio (yeah, I get to choose and to mix and match) 100 abs (another choice and can mix and match) 50 squats Monday, Regular Tuesday. Sumo Wednesday. Chair Thursday. Jump  Friday. Front lunges Sat-Sun. Burpess (really difficult right now,

In Listicle: Everybody's Little Book of Everyday Prayers

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Congratulations to Cynthia MacGregor for snagging  a mention in a listicle for her book Everybody's Little Book of Everyday Prayers as a "gift beginning with E." Check it out! GIFTS THAT BEGIN WITH E

Book Alert: Girl, You Got This!

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Pregnant? Want to stay fit? Need to become fit? It is all goood for your baby and for you! Fitness training Brittany Renz, herself pregnant for the second time, tells you how in this beautifully illustrated book, due out July 1. Pre-order today at MSI Press's webstore. Read more about the book: Press Release .

Weaponizing Syria's Reconstruction

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Read Omar Imady's new article, "The Weaponization of Syria's Reconstruction" in the latest issue of " Syria Studies ":  Find Omar's MSI Press books at our webstore: 

Author in the News: Irit Schaffer (Glood Blood) Lectures at Florida State University

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Today, Irit Schaffer, author of Good Blood, conducted a guest lecture at Florida State University, where much interest was shown in her book -- and a good many copies sold. For information about Irit and her book, click HERE .