Cowboy Poetry Reading,Getting Better Grades, and Men's Health Issues

"It is necessary to try to surpass oneself always; this occupation ought to last as long as life."– Queen Christina

On Saturday, November 26, 2011, I plan to do a book signing at the Placer County Farm Supply located  at 10120 Ophir  Rd. , Newcastle, California  95658  from 12:00 – 2:00 PM.   Hopefully you can arrange your schedule and be there as well.  Early morning, on that date, our running group is planning to do a run also. This Saturday the 12^Th, Pam will be taking copies of “It Has Nothing to Do with Age” to the annual cowboy poetry reading in Nevada.  Placer County Farm Supply has a booth and will be selling my book there too.  Unfortunately, Secretariat and I will be running the hills at Stinson Beach in Marin County.  And as the Queen says “Do your best, as long as you can.” I am looking forward to the run  on the 26 as well as the book signing,  since both fall on my birthday . I am pleased that I have the will, strength, and health to continue  what I do at a high level.

For those of you that still take exams or know someone who does, take the following test as to the best way to study.  This article was found in the October 26, 2011 Wall Street Journal.  How To Ace the Test: 1. Review the hardest material, right before bedtime. 2.  Turn off music, text messages, TV and e-mail .3.  Test yourself repeatedly. 4.  Eat oatmeal for breakfast.  The correct answer s is?  Test yourself repeatedly before an exam, because it teaches your brain to retrieve and apply knowledge from memory.  This method is more effective than re-reading a textbook. Sleep also plays a role in test performance.  Review the toughest material right before going to bed the night before the test.  And, do not wake up earlier than usual to study because that could interfere with rapid eye movement sleep that aids memory.  A common study habit like pulling an all nighters’ is a bad idea. A high carbs, high fiber, slow digesting food like oatmeal is best to eat before a big exam.  Further, one study had 16 college students tested on attention and thinking speed.  The students were fed a five day high-fat, low-carbs diet heavy on meat, eggs, cheese and cream. The researchers found these students had poor test performance.  How could that diet be good for anybody?  Researchers also found that distractions make you less likely to remember material you were studying at that time.  Turn off the electronics.  Study, learn, and enhance your life.

Back to the previous discussion about men’s health.  Some the reasons for the poor state of men’s health in the US and around the world are numerous and complex.  And this is primarily due to lack of awareness of the health issues men face.  This can largely be attributed to the reluctance of men openly discussing the subject due to long-standing traditions, coupled with an “I’ll be alright attitude.” Men are less likely to schedule doctor’s appointments when they feel ill, or for an annual physical, thereby denying them the chance of early detection and effective treatment of common diseases.

Many men do not get regular health checks because: 1. Fear it will lead to a hospital visit.2.  Embarrassed to discuss their health issues.3.  Find it too hard to see a doctor because they just cannot fit into their schedule. 4.  Just cannot be bothered making an appointment.

Who says that men are foolish and employ such defense mechanisms as denial, rationalization, projection, and conversion?  I do!  For me, I do not want a health issue to get in the way of my life and as the Queen says”I want to be able to continue and surpass what I do.” Guess what, I just had blood work, taken for my annual physical checkup.