Sure, It's fun to show off and be proud. 

But beware of your audience.

If you want to keep what you got for yourself,

keep it to yourself.

Cumulative beauty rest deprivation over enough time can have dire consequences.

Raise a Kid, Improve Your Mind

Being a Grandparent or Stay at Home Mom May Improve Your Mind

Contrary to what some mothers may believe, when it comes to improving memory and slowing down the aging process, scientists have discovered that leaving the workforce and careing for the young, actually makes it all better. Att least if you are a honeybee. 

Research using honeybees has shown that when bees stay in the nest and take care of the larvae (baby bees) they remain mentally competent.  However, once the bees fly out of the nest to gather food they age very quickly.  This can be seen in their worn wings, hairless bodies, and loss of brain function after just two weeks.  Brain function was measured by their ability to learn new tasks. The researchers began this new study, questioning what would happen to the bees if they went back to the nest to take care of the larvae once again.

The researchers found that honey bees reverse brain aging when they take on responsibilities in the nest that are normally handled by the younger bees. The researchers tricked the older bees into performing social tasks within the nest.  This effectively changed the molecular structure of their brain.

The researchers removed all of the bees from the nest with the exception of the larvae and queen bees. When the older bees returned to the nest, activity was diminished.  Some of the older bees left to gather food again while others stayed in the nest to take care of the larvae.  After 10 days, about half of the bees taking care of the larvae had an increased ability to learn new things.  The researchers also found that there was a change in the proteins of the brain when they stayed back at the nest to take care of the larvae.  They found Prx6 which is a protein that is also found in humans which can help to protect the brain against dementia.  They also found what they referred to as a “chaperone” protein that protects other proteins from being damaged when the brain or other tissue is exposed to stress at the cellular level.

A study like this once would be difficult to reproduce in the human population because you would be interfering with the social lives of the participants.  This could possibly have a detrimental effect on their brain health.  However, this study does show promise as the proteins in the human brain are the same as the ones that were found in the bee’s brain.  It provides some evidence that maintaining social relationships may have a positive effect on memory and may provide protection from age-related dementia and may reduce the chance of memory loss and forgetfulness.

How I feel a few hours after a wonderful meal at a friends house.

Where Am I Going to Put All This Stuff?

"Now that I got what I wanted, where am I going to put it all?"

Pyrex 14-Pc. Storage Set (Google Affiliate Ad)

Trapped Inside Our Mental Limitations

If we see ourselves as victims and helpless, we will act that way. It's true: The chains that bind us are often more mental than physical.

The last picture in the camera was...

Sometimes the last photo

you takes is the best one you take.

Feather Envy

Interview with Mrs Cardinal: 

"Yeah, I get feather envy sometimes. But then I remember: 

the cat's going to see him first."

Not all advise works equally well for everyone...

Swimming will improve your figure, they said... 

Eating lots of fish will help you lose weight they said... 

*sigh*

Cat Proof Nativity Scenes

A painted rock Nativity scene. 

Finally, a Nativity scene my cats can't knock over and destroy.

These ones in the ad below are expensive, but made of a durable painted resin:

Searching for Snacks Can Make You Stronger!

You can get in great shape if you put as much work in earning your food as you do in eating it.

Friends Help Friends to Shut Up

 

A good friend helps you to shut up before you embarrass yourself any further.

New Worlds Await the Brave of Heart

The leap of faith that gets us out of the nest is a scary thing, 

but new worlds await the brave souls that take it.

Decoy Keyboard

If you have a cat and a computer and work to be done, you will understand. Sometimes the best way to deal with a distraction is to distract the distractor. 

Unwelcome!

Danger!

Girl Talk in Progress. 

You are NOT welcome.

No matter how fabulous and well meaning you may be, not everyone enjoys your grand entrance.

They might actually prefer their own 

conversation to your interruption. 

Maybe it's time to get "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and actually read it.

A Small Circle Can Be The Best Circle

The family circle can be very small and very tight, but also very full of love and comfort that is very big and very liberating.

Learn to Please Your Mate

One of the benefits of a long lasting marriage is that you can thoroughly learn and get good at meeting your partner's needs.

Make sure you do.

The Best Nest

Kids have a better chance of survival in the world if there are two committed parents and everyone stays together in the nest.