Beech Tree News Network

Sometimes I am a little random. This week has been one of those times. Several things have been on my mind that I want to share.

First, July 12 was my father’s birthday. He would have been 91 this year, but he’s been gone for almost 9 years. The passing years don’t lessen the ways I miss him. I believe my siblings feel the same. He was a good father, husband and provider. My mom chose well. Certainly, my dad was imperfect; but, I never doubted that he loved and would protect us. Parents have such an influence on their children – at least mine have. And parenting is a lifelong task.

Second, if we can help our community, we should. Most of us have things we don’t use that someone else might. The Morgantown Mission does an excellent job of recycling items to others. The Mission also makes available donated non-perishable foods and personal items to those who need them. Many churches in our area support the Mission through donation of items and/or funding. This is only one way to help others in the community, but it has an impact. Also, can we agree that littering our landscape is detrimental to the community? Teaching children not to litter might be something we could do by example.

Third, I read an article on the Better Homes and Gardens website (https://www.bhg.com/health-family/fitness/workouts-programs/walk-this-way/) about walking that provided good advice, including the following:

·         Try on shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are largest, with the type of socks you'll wear while walking. Choose shoes that don't slip at the heel, and leave a thumbnail's width between your big toe and the shoe's tip. For rough trails, you'll do better in a high-cut light hiking or rugged walking shoe.

·         Replace your walking shoes at least every six months or after walking 500 miles, whichever comes first…. One of the best ways to hurt yourself is to wear old shoes.

·         Veteran walkers know that socks should be made of a cotton blend to avoid any blister-causing dampness. Also, fight the heat by wearing a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light colors to reflect the sun.

·         Drink 8 ounces of water an hour before you start walking, then another 4 to 5 ounces just before you start…. To determine how much fluid you need to replace after exercising, weigh yourself before and after. For every pound lost, you should drink 16 ounces.

·         To avoid injury, you'll want to increase the length of your walks by no more than 10 to 20 percent from week to week.

I enjoy walking, and hope to have the health to continue doing so. Thanks, City of Morgantown, for improving and extending the sidewalks.

The Bible advises in Matthew 6:34, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  We don’t choose our parents, but we can choose our community and how to care for our health. And maybe we should take a few worry-free minutes each day to enjoy our surroundings – it can’t hurt.