Eva Peron

I was very young when I first heard of Argentina’s Eva Peron. Her story captivated me. She was dead by the time I was born, yet I have always been fascinated by her, even before I fully understood what she had accomplished in her short life. I don’t remember why I was so awestruck by her as a young girl (probably by her beauty) , but as a woman I love that she inspired millions to help the poor and to give women their right to vote.

Eva Peron was not born into wealth, in fact she was born in rural poverty. She was the fourth of five illegitimate children. At the age of fifteen, she left home for Buenos Aires where she hoped to pursue a theatrical career and to work her way out of the intense poverty she had always known.

She found work in the theatre soon after she arrived in Buenos Aires. At that time, even at her very young age, she joined in the campaign for women to be given the vote and to deal with the widespread poverty in Argentina. By the 1945 she had met and married Juan Peron and six months later he became President of Argentina. During the presidential campaign, Eva often appeared with her husband, becoming the first woman in Argentine history to do so. (She also was the first woman in Argentine public life to wear trousers). It was in her role as Argentina’s First Lady that she accomplished so much for women and for the poor. She founded schools, orphanages and hospitals. She was much loved by the working class of Argentina. Representing Argentina, Eva Peron toured Europe and met with the Pope. She worked tirelessly to establish equality of political rights between men and women and universal suffrage in Argentina. In 1946, a law granting this was unanimously passed. She then created the Female Peronist Party, which was the first large female political party in the nation. By 1951, the party had 500,000 members and 3600 headquarters throughout the country. Thousands of women entered politics because of Eva and were the first women to be active in Argentine politics. Even today, almost sixty years after her death, Argentine women involved in politics still credit Eva Peron for their ability to take part in government.

Like so many others who lived life to its fullest, accomplished a great deal in so little time, and had an immense impact, Eva Peron died at a young age. In 1952, at the age of thirty-three, she died of cervical cancer. Honouring the ambitious and passionate women who blazed trails for the rest of us . . . it’s a good thing.

Allison Bohmann

I have always considered myself to be a “rocker” and have always loved rock music. I always dreamed of being up on stage, strutting my stuff in front of enthusiastic and loving fans. Unfortunately, as much as I love the music, I have no talent. So I am, by default, one of those enthusiastic and loving fans. If, however, I could be a rocker, I would want to have the voice and style of a very talented young lady whose concert I went to last night: Allison Bohmann.
“Allison Bohmann” – remember that name. You will, no doubt, hear it again and again. Someday that name will be known through-out the world. I know what I saw last night was talent that won’t be held down, charisma and personality that is meant for greatness and a songwriter who has many more songs in her. Those of us who watched her concert last night witnessed someone who is on a sure road to fame. Bohmann sang for almost two hours and every song but the last one was written by her! She is personable, likeable and talented. More importantly, she loves the stage. That is where she is meant to be. She began singing and song-writing as a child, and she has had her eye on the prize ever since, slowly but surely working her way to making her dreams come through. I have no doubt that we will someday be saying about Allison “I knew her when”. Having the opportunity to watch a star in the making . . . it’s a good thing!

Coco Chanel

If you look at pictures of women through-out history, you will find that prior to the twentieth century they are all wearing dresses. What happened in the twentieth century that caused women to start wearing pants? Well, what happened was Coco Chanel! Chanel was born in 1883 in France. She worked in a milliner in Paris as a young woman and in 1912 opened a shop and founded a couture house. She decided it was time to revolutionize woman’s clothing. She began by encouraging woman to wear casual but elegant clothing and to liberate themselves from corsets. Coco Chanel created clothing for woman that was simpler and more practical. Many of her styles were inspired by men’s clothing. The best thing she did was to introduce trousers and suits for women – something which had not been done before. As someone who wears slacks much more often that skirts, I am grateful for Coco’s vision. The 1920’s were a period of liberation for women. It was the decade in which women received the vote in many countries. Women began to work in professions and jobs which had previously been held by men. Coco’s fashion was a reflection of these social and political changes. Proudly wearing pant suits, many years after Coco Chanel’s inspiration . . . it’s a good thing!

Another Reason To Go To The Gym

Do you need another another reason to convince yourself to hit the gym this winter? New research shows this may be the best defence against colds and flues! Researchers studied 1000 adults and found that those who did at least twenty minutes of aerobic activity five days a week reduced their number of sick days by 40% when compared to those who averaged one day or less of exercise. The researchers believe there are several reasons why exercise is such a good sniffles-fighter. It quashes stress and help you sleep, which they already knew. They now believe that more immune cells are triggered by aerobic exercise and this increase our ability to fight infection. So now we have even more reasons for dragging ourselves to the gym. Not only is it good for weight control and body strength, but we are more likely to go through the winter without a cold! Hitting the gym because you know it's the best thing for you . . . it's a good thing!

Jessica Cox

Jessica Cox is an amazing person! She has not allowed her handicap to hold her back, even though her handicap is that she was born without arms! Jessica was born with a rare birth defect that had not shown up in any of her mother's pre-natal tests. Jessica never let her missing arms destroy her spirit and love of life. Using her feet, she can write, type, drive a car, brush her hair ad use the phone. As a child and a teen-ager, she was a dancer. Jessica has a double black belt in Tai Kwon-Do. The most amazing thing Jessica does is to fly a plane! Jessica has a passion for life and the will to accomplish anything she sets her mind to. She has no time to feel sorry for herself. She has a t-shirt she often wears when flying which says "Look Ma - no hands!" What an inspirational person she is. Admiring amazing people like Jessica Cox . . . it's a good thing!

Who Do You Love?

Sometimes life goes along without incident and we tend to take our good fortune for granted. We are six siblings in my family and we have been fortunate that we still have each other and we have never had to deal with the death of a brother or sister. I realize now I have taken this for granted and trusted that we would all be together for a long time to come.
There is an almost twenty year span between the first three siblings and the last three. I am from the younger three. So why would it not have ever occurred to me that I could lose one of my brothers or sisters? There have been serious illnesses in our family which we have dealt with, but I still always assumed we had many years together ahead of us. Most of us keep in close contact with each other and are close. I think we have never stopped to appreciate that it won’t always be like this.
That changed last week. While I was on holidays, I received a text that my oldest brother was in the hospital and was being scheduled for emergency quadruple by-pass surgery. It finally struck me, all those thousands of miles away, that there won’t always be the six of us. And while we speak to each other on the phone and get together often, I have rarely told my siblings the important things I want them to know. Do they know how much I love them? Do my older brothers and sister know how I looked up to them when I was growing up? Do they know what an impact they had on my life? Are they aware that it was fun having them as brothers and sister while we, the younger family, grew up with their children? Do they understand the reason we are so close to their children is because our brothers and sister were so important to us and so an expanded family circle was created? I have never told my youngest sister how excited I was when Mom brought her home and how I suffered right along with her watching her cope with an illness even the medical community knew little about. Does my younger brother know how sorry I am that we were apart all the years he was away working?
I’ve come to realize how important it is to just tell loved ones how you feel. I am fortunate enough to have people to love. I am blessed that I still have the opportunity to tell them. I will no longer take that for granted. Having brothers and sisters you love, and having the opportunity to tell them . . . it’s a good thing.

The New Diet - Sleep!

Now this is a diet plan I can follow! Researcher at the University of Chicago have concluded that overweight dieters who averaged seven and a half hours of sleep a night for two weeks lost over 50 per cent more weight that those who slept for five hours a night! How’s that for a easy diet tip? The study also found that if you don’t sleep enough, you are hungrier the next day and that can cause your diet to fail! I think those of us with busy lives can now use this as the perfect excuse for getting those extra guilt-free hours of sleep every night. “It’s part of my diet!” The perfect excuse for going to bed earlier and getting up later . . . it’s a good thing!

Perks Of Owning A Pet

Researchers at several universities, including the University of London, the State University of New York and Henry Ford Hospital have found there are several perks to owning a pet. Besides the obvious reason of the benefits of the love between a pet and its owner, there are several health reasons which make owning a pet good for you and your children!

Researchers have found that children with dogs take 360 more steps a day and exercized 11 more minutes each day. They believe owning a dog could be an answer to childhood obesity. Other research indicates that cuddling with a furry friend helps children relax. Petting animals actually slows down the heart rate and makes you feel calmer. Adult pet owners had lower blood pressure when responding to stress than adults who do not own pets. Studies have also shown that taking care of their pets teaches kids empathy. Pets help children and adults cope with stress such as moving or dealing with a divorce. Therapy for traumatized Bosnian children included pet therapy. It works because pets provide companionship and unconditional love. As well, they encourage play and laughter. Adults dealing with depression respond to pets because of this; pets can make them laugh and play when nothing else works. The biggest surprise to me was finding out that children living with a pet are 50 percent less likely to develop allergies! Studies done at Henry Ford Hospital and the Medical College of George indicates that this may be due to compounds called endotoxins found in the mouths of cats and dogs. Kids are exposed to them through petting and playing with their animals. These are all benefits of owning a pet, but I think the best reason is to bask in the unconditional love of our furry friends. Enjoying all the benefits of owning a pet . . . it’s a good thing!

Fania Fainer

Fania Fainer is an Auschwitz survivor. Now 86 years old and a Canadian citizen, she tells a remarkable story of a little heart which she credits with saving her life in that terrible concentration camp.

Fania arrived at Auschwitz at the age of 18 and witnessed many acts of terrible cruelty at the hands of her captors and acts of unbelievable kindness from her fellow prisoners. She became close friends with a small group of girls her age. On her 20th birthday, as she was working at a factory work table, she noticed her friends were handing something down to each other, from hand to hand, and it was finally given to her. It was a piece of bread. In the bread was a booklet with pages in the shape of a heart and was covered with a piece of cloth on which the letter F was embroidered. It was small enough to fit in her hand. Each of her friends had signed the heart. What makes this story so amazing is that in order to make this card, her friends had to steal paper, scissors and a pen; had they been caught stealing, it would have meant their deaths. Fania says "But even in that inhuman place, they insisted on remaining human beings. They risked their lives to make me a present".

A month after receiving her little heart, Auschwitz was evacuated and Fania and thousands of other prisoners marked for days and days. She weighed only 70 pounds and ate grass to keep alive, but she held tightly to her heart. Most of the time she hid it under her arm. Fania had lost everything: her family, her home and her way of life. That heart was all she had and it is what kept her going. She survived that terrible ordeal. In 1949 she came to Canada. She brought her heart with her. Some of the girls who had risked their lives to give her this birthday present did not survive the camp and others moved to other parts of the world, but Fania kept the heart they gave her.

Amazingly, Fania considers herself to be lucky. She says "Yes I lived through hell. But I am a survivor. My little heart survived with me. I consider myself the luckiest human being alive". Never allowing even the most cruel human acts to break your spirit . . . it's a good thing.

Tourist - Take Care of Yourself

"Tourist – Take Care of Yourself”. That sign says it all. While this particular sign was displayed about half-way down as we were descending into a cenotes (Spanish for “sink hole”), it accurately describes safety precautions throughout Mexico: look out for yourself, because no one else will! As we observed workers in buildings, on resort grounds and city employees, it was obvious there is little regard for worker safety or even for life. The struggle to meet everyday needs is so great among the working poor in Mexico, things like labour or safety legislation are far from the minds of people and their politicians. My husband, a trades person, could not believe the danger employees face on their jobs, whether it was unsafe methods or unsecured job sites. How fortunate we are to live in Canada and in particular in Saskatchewan, where we have led the world in safety in the workplace legislation. While we may sometimes complain about “big” government or that the government interferes in our lives too much, here there is a regard for life and a respect for the wellbeing of our workers. Those who came before us and wrote the laws that continue to protect us today had great insight and a strong respect for the workforce. Knowing our work environment – and those of our loved ones – is as safe as possible, under the law . . . it’s a good thing!

Tall . . . For A Week

Those of you who know me know that I am only 5’2”. So, unless I am wearing heels I am used to looking up to other adults when I speak to them. In fact, on the rare occasion where I am face to face with an adult who is actually shorter than I am, I feel a little uncomfortable, a little “off kilter”. Having said that, it did not take me long to become used to being a “tall one” on my vacation at the Mayan Rivera. Mayan people are all very short. Even most of the men are not quite five feet tall. At the resorts, one of the requirements of the servers is that they be short! The managers and hotel workers are a little taller, but the servers are short in stature. This was a whole new adventure for me! I felt so tall among the Mayan people – at least until I paid attention to all the other tourists there. You know, the tall people, the ones who are always taller than me. Being the “tall one” even if it is just for a little while . . . it’s a good thing!

Living Above The Clouds

As our plane flew over the Gulf of Mexico, we were suddenly flying over the clouds. These clouds were so thick and solid they looked like a field of pristine snow. From that airplane window, the whole world appeared clean and soft. The clouds enveloped our plane as if to embrace our little flying village and to demonstrate its magic. One could forget what was happening in the world below those clouds. Here in the sky there were no wars, no hunger and no disaster. We flew over our beautiful field of clouds for over an hour. I admired those marshmallow clouds, as I listened to the drone of the airplane, and pondered how wonderful it was to live in a perfect and beautiful place, even if it was just for a short amount of time. Just as suddenly as we had flown into the cloud, we emerged out of them into the sunlight of Mexico. Living above the clouds and looking down on a perfect world . . . it’s a good thing!

Saskatchewan Northern Lights

Those of us who grew up in Saskatchewan take our beautiful northern lights for granted. Not so, those who live in other parts of the world! While we do appreciate their beauty and comment on the striking lights when we see them, we are not as awe-struck as others. People from around the world plan trips to the prairies, to Churchill and to Norway and travel to remote northern areas just to take in the sites of these mysterious lights. Saskatchewan is listed in most travel guides as being the best place in North America to see them, a fact most of us are not even aware of! I found this out by reading an article about the Norwegian northern lights! I guess when you grow up under something so beautiful, you do take it for granted. The next time the Northern Lights shine above you, take a moment to realize how fortunate we are to have such beauty in our skies. Loving our northern lights . . . it's a good thing!

Wilma Rudolph

I love stories of people who, despite incredible odds, work toward their dream and accomplish it. Many of the entries in my blog tell the story of incredible people who accomplish amazing things in their lives. Wilma Rudolph is just such a person. She was the 20th of 22 children born in Tennessee in 1940. She was born prematurely and it was believed that she would not survive. She survived, but life would not be easy for this child. At the age of four, she contracted pneumonia and scarlet fever. She was left with a paralyzed leg and needed braces to walk. The family was told she would always wear the braces. At the age of nine, she removed the metal leg brace and began to walk without it. Doctors said she would always walk with a limp, but the age of thirteen she had developed a rhythmic walk - something which her doctors considered a miracle. She went on to be a basketball star in high school, setting state records for scoring and leading her team to a state championship. She then turned her attention to track. She was so skilled that she went to her first Olympic Games in 1956 at the age of 16. She won a bronze medal. In 1960, she went to the Olympic Games in Rome and became the first American woman to win three gold medals. From a struggle to survive at birth to physical roadblocks to an Olympian champion, Wilma never gave up! Becoming the best you can be against all odds . . . it's a good thing!

W. Mitchell

W. Mitchell was a former American marine and was forty-six years old when he was burned in terrible motorcycle accident. He had sixteen surgeries to more than 65% of his body. He endured skin grafts and was left without fingers. He didn't give up and fought his way back to life after each surgery. Mitchell decided he was going to live his life to the fullest. Mitchell bought a home in Colorado, some real estate, a bar and a plane. With two friends he developed a wood-burning stove company, which grew to be a very successful business.

W. Mitchell's life was good, despite his painful surgeries and the fact that he looked very different with his burn scars. Four years after the motorcycle accident, Mitchell was piloting his plan when it crashed. The crash left him paralyzed from the waist down! With his usual spirit, he worked tirelessly to regain his independence. Eventually he was elected mayor of Crested Butte, Colorado on the platform that he would stop mineral mining around Crested Butte so the town would save its natural beauty. Later he ran for Congress, using his appearance as an asset with a slogan that said "Not just another pretty face". This man with the unbelievable positive attitude began white water rafting, earned a master's degree in public administration and continued flying. He fell in love and got married. He did very well in the business world and became a millionaire. He continued to be an environmentalist and began public speaking and is in much demand. I love this quote from W. Mitchell: "Before I was paralyzed, there were 10,000 things I could do. Now there are 9,000. I can either dwell on the 1000 I lost or on the 9000 I have left." W. Mitchell has chosen to focus on the 9000. This inspirational man also said, "It's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it". Choosing to live life to the fullest, no matter what happens . . . it's a good thing!

Flea Market

I love flea markets! Not that I buy a lot of items at flea markets, becauseI don't. I just love to look at everything. Once in a while I may purchase an item, but most times I don't. I enjoy looking at the "treasures" people have on display. I am mesmerized by the objects for sale. I often wonder where they came from, who purchased them new so many years ago? Were they much-loved creations? Did the owner have to scrimp and save in order to purchase them? I wonder at the joy they must have brought to that person. These items also remind me that you can't "take it with you when you go". The bottles, collections and knick-knacks were someone's pride and joy long ago. Would those people be sad to know that their prizes have ended up at a flea market? Or would they be pleased to know that their prized possessions are bringing joy to a new generation of collectors? Wondering about the stories behind each flea market item . . . it's a good thing!

My List Of Things To Be Happy About

I came across a wonderful website the other day. It is called My List of Things To Be Happy About. The website is the creation of Chris. She is compiling a list of things that make her happy. Each update is accompanied by a beautiful picture. What I find most amazing about Chris is that has two boys who are on the Autism Spectrum. While others may feel sorry for themselves, Chris looks for things to be happy about. These "happy things" range from a childhood book she still loves (Charlotte's Web) to a cup of hot tea in a lovely china tea cup. Chris' website is colourful with amazing pictures. She lives by the sentiment expressed by Abraham Lincoln: "Most folks are as happy as they make their mind up to be". You can find Chris' blog at: www.squidoo.com/chrisfavs. Finding a really awesome blog . . . it's a good thing!

Big Mac

"Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun". Do you remember it? That little jingle was popular when I was a child. I could never remember the phrase (not that I tried very hard, I guess), but my friend Danita could recite it at double speed. The jingle was part of an ad for MacDonald's Big Mac. The hamburger was very popular, probably due to the advertising. I remember people speculating on what the "special sauce" actually was. Most people thought it was simply Thousand Island Dressing. I recently found the actual recipe on Chris' website: http://www.squidoo.com/chrisfavs. If you have ever wondered about Ronald and company's special sauce, here is the recipe:

1 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing

1/3 cup sweet relish

1/3 cup French dressing

1 tbsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. dry minced onion

Combine ingredients and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Solving one of the little mysteries of your childhood . . . it's a good thing!

The Red Cross

Have you ever wondered who started the Red Cross? Me neither - but once I heard the story I knew I had to share it. Henri Dunant was a very wealthy Swiss banker and financier. He would have continued enjoying a life of wealth and luxury if the events of June 24, 1859 at the age of thirty-one had not occurred.

Dunant was sent to Paris by his government to speak with Napoleon III to discuss a business deal that would have benefited both the Swiss and the French. However, Napoleon was away on the plain of Solfereino to do battle with the Austrians. Dunant hoped to reach Napoleon before the battle started to work out his business deal and quickly return to Switzerland. He arrived just as the battle began. He watched in horror from a hilltop as the men below him battled. He witnessed suffering and death, and could hear the screams of pain. However, it was what he witnessed later which really changed Dunant's life. When he entered the small village nearby after the battle, everywhere he looked, every house, every building was filled with people who were mamed, injured or dead. He was driven by their suffering and stayed in the town for three days after doing everything he could to help. Dunant was never the same again - he became an advocate for peace and mercy. He travelled all over Europe preaching his message. His business suffered and he was soon penniless. But he continued on, so firm were his convictions. At the first Geneva Conference, he spoke passionately against war. As a result, the first international law against war was passed; this movement grew into both the League of Nations and the United Nations. In 1901 the very first Nobel Peace prize was awarded to Dunant. Although he was broke and living in a poorhouse, he gave the entire amount to the movement he had founded, a movement which was by then world wide and called the Red Cross. Dunant had taken his home flag, the Swiss flag and reversed it so that it was a red cross on a white background and made it the symbol of his organizaiton. This symbol is the same today and is still recognized around the world. When Henri Dunant died in 1910, he was almost forgotten by the world; but his organization lives on and has helped millions of people all over the world in their times of need. The next time you see the flag of the Red Cross, think of Henri Dunant and how his dream and passion live on today. Knowing that one person can make a difference in the world . . . it's a good thing!

Rider Nation

On Saturday, we went out to a restaurant for lunch. It seemed like a good way to start off the new year. As I wrapped my Rider scarf around my neck, I noticed my husband was wearing his new Rider bunnyhug. At the restaurant, the parking lot was full of vehicles - obviously other people also thought going out for lunch was a good way to start the new year. I couldn't help but notice that many of the vehicles had the special Rider Pride plates one could purchase in honour of 2010 being the 100th anniversary of the Riders. As we waited for our food in the restaurant, I looked around and noticed that at least a quarter of the people there were wearing Rider t-shirts, sweat shirts or jackets. One little boy was telling his Grandpa that he had received a Rider piggy-bank for Christmas. One young woman was excitedly telling her friend that her boyfriend had given her shares in the Riders for Christmas. The restaurant itself had a Rider flag hanging behind the front counter. As we went to the front of the restaurant to pay for our meal, there was a man ahead of us, wearing a Rider cap. In his arms, he had a little boy who looked to be about two years old. The little boy had the cutest winter boots on - with the Rider logo on them, of course! Whether you like football or not, you cannot deny that we love our Riders and we truly live in Rider Nation! Bleeding green . . . it's a good thing!