The government issued a warning today that mosquitoes have been found in our area with the West Nile virus. I don’t like to wear bug spray, but getting bit by a mosquito and coming down with West Nile virus is not a good outcome. I think I’ll pick up a spray bottle of OFF when I go to the store this evening.

Well like the old saying goes, ‘If you love someone, set them free.’ Yeah I know there’s more to it but that’s all you need to know when you read the rest of this story. It seems a man in Michigan handcuffed his wife to their bed. I guess a little playfulness is good for any marriage.

Well the only problem with this situation is………………..he lost the key. Can you imaging the 911 call? I bet the people there were rolling laughing after the call was over. The police arrived and used a universal key to free the mans wife. I guarantee they had a good laugh when they got back to headquarters. I would have.

They didn’t feel there was anything going on like a hostage situation or unlawful imprisonment. They figured out it was just a little fun that went a little wrong. Now I know for sure no one will ever handcuff me to a bed no matter how much fun it might seem like.

Here are some simple ways to prevent and help with the swine flu.  I really hope it is true and works well.  Just in case, I needed to help all I can.

With the constant fear of H1N1 symptoms, the following measures can be practiced by one and all. This is information which I just received from someone whose father is a Consultant General Surgeon & Gastroenterologist, based in India and I do hope it could be beneficial to the students and their families alike.

Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps – not fully highlighted in most official communications – can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc/bioflavonoids to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long lines outside public hospitals.

I have come to the point in my life where I have realized a lot of different things about not only myself but also about:

Who matters,

Who never did,

Who won’t anymore…

And who always will.

So, don’t worry about people from your past, there’s a reason why they didn’t make it to your future.

Concentrate on this Sentence

‘To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.’ When God takes something from your grasp, He’s not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence… ‘The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.’

I don’t know how spiritual or religious you are but  I am a very spiritual person and count my blessing daily.  In fact, I sometimes count them as the day goes along.  It gives me comfort.  It just might you too if you try it.