Neuroplasticity

My hairdresser's wife offered me these cookies the last time I was there to have my hair done. She made the one without the hearts. It was so good, with some kind of jam in the centre.

There was an interesting article in the paper the other day.  It concerned neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity says that the brain can rewire and repair itself from injury and disease. 

 Dr Norman Doidge has written a new book on the topic. It discusses using neuroplasticity to rewire the brain and thus treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis and attention disorders.

 'And in Toronto, children in headphones at The Listening Centre listen to sound frequencies aimed at training the brain to filter noise differently and, in turn, set off a series of signal changes that may reduce symptoms of ADHD, learning disabilities and developmental conditions like autism.'

Apparently many autistic children have inflammation in their bodies, and they now think this extends to their brains.  So it interferes with how neurons in the brain connect.  Doidge thinks sound therapy can help.

Paint Party Friday - Full Moon at Dawn

Welcome to Paint Party Friday.  This piece is called 'Full Moon at Dawn' and is the final page in my art journal (5"w x 7"h).  It's done in watercolour pencil.  I found an old art sketchbook that my son K used in elementary school.  It's mostly empty so that will be my new (8 1/2" x 11") sketchbook!  It does have his name on it.

At the Grocery Store

This is my boneless brown sugar pork shoulder roast straight out of the oven.  I was inspired by a Costco sample of a brown sugar pork leg roast the other day.  Apologies to the vegetarians!

So I was at the grocery store the other day.  This lady and I had finished paying for our groceries and we were packing our stuff into bags as the final process.  The lady says to me 'I hate this part, I don't mind doing the actual shopping for the items'.  I said 'yes, where are our husbands when you need them (I was assuming she was married)'.  She considers for a bit and says 'my husband is a paraplegic.  He fell in the kitchen and hit his chin.  It was a spinal injury.'  Shocked, I asked how long ago it happened.  She said it was 3 years ago, he was fit as a fiddle.  He is now in a wheelchair.  All I could say was 'you never know what fate has in store for you'.  She nodded and I went on my way.

Senior Safety

I saw this ad in a magazine which says they can cut an opening into your bathtub to make it more accessible. It offers an alternative for some who may need this.

Here's a good video aimed at helping seniors get organized for safety.

Gourmet Coffee

My sister who broke her ankle on New Year's day finally got fitted with a boot for it.  The swelling had gone down enough to be able to do that.  Apparently they don't do casts anymore, you are able to open up the boot if you get itchy or whatever.  It sounds like a real improvement.  Except that the foot has to be re-wrapped in gauze and re-padded daily, then the boot gets put back on.  Physical therapy starts in 2 weeks.  The foot muscle has already begun wasting away (atrophied) quite a bit.  She still is not allowed to bear weight on that foot.  At this point it sounds like the cast will be on for a couple of months.

Anyway, I was at the mall the other day and noticed this great selection of gourmet coffee in a store. So whenever I feel like some Cuban coffee, or Kona coffee, or flavoured coffee, it's easy enough to just pick some up these days. Usually when I travel I will bring some home with me if I happen to be in a place that grows good coffee. Costco also has a travelling road show that will sell nice coffee.  Do you have any favourite kinds?

And here's a cute video for you today.

It's a 'boy's awsesome reaction to catching his first fish'.

A new precedent

Here's a funny video for you today, it's a BMW Call.

On the weekend, husband M and I went to a 'Christmas' gathering at a nice restaurant at the other end of the city.  There were 7 couples, consisting of his co-workers and their spouses.  It was an enjoyable evening, the person who put the party together remarked that last October, November or December didn't seem to work for everyone.  Maybe this is the setting of  a new precedent.  Or maybe it means the Christmas season is now extending well into the New Year.

And I understand the NFL Superbowl is coming up.  More reason for another party.  If you live in North America, will you be celebrating?

Sunday Sketches - Squirrel

Welcome to Sunday Sketches! This one's entitled 'Squirrel'. It's done in my art journal (5"w x 7"h) in watercolour pencil. I think I have one more page to go and the journal's finished!