In the United States, the second Monday in October is designated as Columbus Day. Or was. Some years ago, Columbus Day began coming under some scrutiny. It was, some researchers and historians said, a day that gloried a man who wasn't the least bit kind to the indigenous people who were living here at the time of his arrival.  In recent years, the early history of the country has been re-evaluated and many cities and states have decided to step back and distance themselves from the legacy of Christopher Columbus. What has emerged in many places is a new holiday; Native American Day or Indigenous Peoples Day. South Dakota was the first to ax Columbus Day, replacing it with “Native American Day” in 1989. Two California cities, Berkeley and Santa Cruz, soon followed suit, renaming the second Monday in October as “Indigenous Peoples Day.” Recently, this exploded into a nationwide trend. Since 2014, about one hundred cities have started observing Indigenous Peoples Day, usually in place of Columbus Day (a few cities celebrate both). Seven states are now on board: Alaska and Oregon enacted the holiday in 2017, and this year, Vermont, Maine, New Mexico, and Washington, DC joined them. Hawaiians observe “Discovers’ Day,” which commemorates not Columbus but the indigenous Polynesians who first discovered their islands. In many places, the Indigenous Peoples Day involves parades, ceremonies, and other displays of Native cultures. And just like what happened to many Confederate statues in America's South, depictions of Columbus that are on public display are also being torn down or otherwise removed.
There's a lot more I could say on this subject but, really, the focus of my blog today is to enlighten your mind with a few interesting facts on the Indigenous peoples (Native Americans) who were the original settlers of the land.
1. The term “Native American” does not usually refer to Native Hawaiians or Alaskan Natives, such as Aleut, Yup’ik, or Inuit peoples. Most indigenous people in the U.S. use “American Indian,” while most indigenous people in Canada use “First Nations.” “Native Americans” or “indigenous Americans” are often used for people in both countries.
2.  Ishi (c. 1860–1916) is widely known as the “last wild Indian” in America. He lived most of his life outside modern culture after his tribe, the Yahi (of the Yana group) became extinct in the late 1800s because of the California Gold Rush. He lived alone in the wilderness after his family died. In 1911, starving and with nowhere to go, he walked out of the wilderness into the town of Oroville, where he would be later studied by anthropologists. 
3.  The Sequoia tree is named in honor of the Cherokee leader Sequoyah, who helped his people develop an alphabet.
4.  Native Americans and First Nations people speaking a language of the Algonquian group were the first to meet English explorers and, consequently, many words from these languages entered English—for example, caribou (“snow-shoveler”), chipmunk (“red squirrel”), moccasin, moose, muskrat, opossum (“white dog”), papoose (“baby”), pecan (“nut”), powwow (“to dream, to have a vision”), raccoon, skunk (“to urinate” + “fox”), squaw, toboggan, totem, wigwam, and woodchuck.
5.  Half of the names of U.S. states are derived from Amerindian words, such as Arizona, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Missouri.
7.  Many Native American words have entered the English language, such as chia, chili, chocolate, coyote, guacamole, mesquite, peyote, shack, tamale, tomato, abalone, bayou, cannibal, Chinook, manatee, poncho, and potato.
8. The Indian Citizenship Act (Snyder Act) of 1924 granted full U.S. citizenship to America’s indigenous peoples. It was enacted in part due to the recognition of thousands of Native Americans who served in WWI.
9.  Native Americans have been living on the American continent since about 12,000 B.C. They were not a single nation but a rich variety of cultures, peoples, and languages. Some historians believe people have been living in South America for more than 30,000 years.
10. In the early 1600s, five tribes who were former enemies formed the Iroquois Confederacy. An all-male council who was elected for life made decisions; however, women had the right to fire any councilor.
11. Benjamin Franklin, a coauthor of the Constitution, thought the idea of a government like the Iroquois Confederacy could be used by the English colonies. The eagle on the U.S. shield is the Iroquois bald eagle—also a symbol for the Iroquois.
12. The word “Sioux” was adopted by French explorers who picked it up from the Chippewa tribe. “Sioux” is the Chippewa word for “enemy,” who were the Lakota people. So the Sioux are, in reality, the same as the Lakota, a name that means, “Where the people of peace dwell.”
13. The Choctaw, Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole tribes were called the “Five Civilized Tribes” by early white settlers. They were considered more civilized because of the similarities between their cultures and those of the Europeans, such as planned villages and farms—and some Native Americans were wealthy enough to even own slaves.
​14. The Nez Perce people helped Lewis and Clark explore the Northwest Territory. They built canoes for them, drew maps of the rivers, and helped them reach the Pacific.
15. Native Americans would use porcupine hairs to make hairbrushes. Sometimes a stick was cut into the right shape and frayed at the edges to make a toothbrush.
16. The Iroquois celebrated a winter festival similar to trick-or-treating. A small group of teenagers was led singing and dancing around the village by an older woman. They stopped outside people’s houses and waited for presents to be brought out to them.
17. Some Native Americans created a “Cry Shed,” which was built of earth and represented the troubles and wishes of the community. It was set on fire, and as it burned, it was believed misfortunes were blown away on the wind and hopes were carried to the spirit world.
18. Native Americans of the Northwest like the Haida built totem poles as tall as 40 feet outside their homes to advertise their families’ status. The pole would usually depict animals or birds that were special to the family. Totem poles were also built as a memorial to a family’s ancestors. Christians mistakenly thought that totem poles were statues of the gods.
19. Over 24,000 Native Americans served during WWII. One of the most notable groups was the Navajo Code Talkers, who were a special group of volunteers who created an unbreakable secret code.
20. Most scientists believe that the ancestors of today’s Native Americans migrated from Asia to North America. It is purported that as many as 20,000 years ago, they walked across a land bridge that existed at today’s Bering Strait
And a bonus fact...
21. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the largest tribal groups in the U.S are the Cherokee, Navajo, Chippewa (Ojibwa), Apache, Choctaw, Iroquois, Lumbee, Pueblo, and Sioux (Lakota). There are about 4.5 million people of Native American and Alaska Native heritage in the U.S. This group makes up about 1.5% of the U.S. population.
I learned a lot about the indigenous people of the US while writing this blog. I hope you found it as educational and as interesting as I did. 
Tomorrow is National Grouch Day and I have prepared some useful tips on how best to deal with the grouch(es) in your life. Please stop by tomorrow for that one. Until then, I wish you a Happy Native American Day.
                                                                    PEACE.

https://www.factretriever.com/native-american-facts

Tomorrow, 12 October is National Farmers Day. Humans owe farmers a huge debt of gratitude. Farming isn't a lifestyle that suits everyone and family farming are disappearing at an alarming rate. This means that fewer farmers have to produce more food to feed the world's hungry population. Climate change is making their job even more difficult. With so many difficulties and challenges to face, it's a wonder that anyone still want to do this difficult job that requires extreme dedication, almost no time off, and long days that begin well before the sunrise.
For today's blog, I have gathered together a bunch of fun farming facts which, I hope, will honor all the incredible farmers the world over.
Farm Facts to Cultivate Your Mind
1.  Farming began around 10,000 B.C. during the First Agricultural Revolution, when nomadic tribes began to farm. Additionally, this is when the eight so-called “founder crops” of agriculture appeared: 1) emmer wheat, 2) einkorn wheat, 3) hulled barley, 4) peas, 5) lentils, 6) bitter vetch, 7) chickpeas, and 8) flax.
2.  The Industrial Revolution led to faster and more efficient farming technology, which helped usher in the Second Agricultural Revolution from 1700 to 1900 in developed countries. Many less developed countries are still experiencing the Second Agricultural Revolution. The Third Agricultural Revolution, or the Green Revolution, corresponds in the late 20th century with the exponential population growth occurring around the world. It includes biotechnology, genetic engineering, chemical fertilizers, and mass production of agricultural goods.
3.  Fruit farming began sometime between 6000 and 3000 B.C. Figs were one of the first cultivated fruit crops.
4.  Americans spend 10% of their income on food, which is the lowest of any country.
5.  Plows were invented in the Middle East soon after agriculture began. The earliest plow, called an ard, was probably made from sharpened tree branches. The plow has been cited as one of the most important inventions in the advancement of society.
6.  In the early 1900s, Mary Isabel Fraser visited China and brought back seeds to New Zealand. She grew the first crop of kiwi in 1910. Today, New Zealand produces 1/3 of the world’s supply of kiwi.
7.  More than 6,000 different kinds of apples are grown around the world. The biggest producer is China, followed by the United States, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Italy, and India.
​8.  The tallest, biggest trees or bushes do not always yield the most fruit. Controlling the height of plants helps produce more fruit in less space. Farmers may also change a tree’s shape by cutting branches or forcing branches to grow in a certain direction. The shape of the tree affects its lifespan and the size of its fruit.
9.  There are around 2.2 million farms in the United States.
10. Bananas are the number one fruit crop in the world. They are the 4th largest overall crop, after wheat, rice, and corn.  India grows more bananas than any other country. The Philippines, China, and Ecuador are the next three top producers of bananas.
11.  Farmers today produce 262% more food with 2% fewer inputs (such as seeds, labor, fertilizers) than they did in 1950.
12. One in three farm acres is planted for export.
13. More than 100 agricultural crops in the U.S. are pollinated by bees. In fact, one out of three bites of food people eat is thanks to honey bees. Bees contribute to more than $15 billion worth of crops every year through pollination.
14. According to the UN, an exploding world population, intensive farming practices, and changes in climate have provided a breeding ground for an unprecedented number of emerging diseases. Poultry farming, for example, may account for the global spread of bird flu. In fact, the majority of the 39 new diseases that have emerged in just one generation have come from animals, including Ebola, SARS, and the bird flu.
15. Today’s farmers grow more than “food, feed, and fiber”—they also grow crops that are processed into fuel. For example, corn can be made into ethanol and soybean oil can be made into diesel fuel.
I hope these facts helped enlighten your mind about farmers and farming. I know I learned a lot in doing the research, like who knew that India grew a bunch of apples? Or that bananas are the world's number one fruit crop. If you can, thank a farmer this weekend. If you don't live out in the country, you might include a stop at a farmers market this weekend. Not only can you personally thank a farmer for helping to feed you and your family, but you can also pick up fresh fruits and vegetable for dinner. I'd call that a win-win for sure. And it's a great way to spend quality time this weekend with your kids or grandkids.
Whatever your plans are this weekend, try to get outside and enjoy the autumnal beauty. It doesn't last long. Have a great weekend and please stay safe.
I'll be back here again on Monday with another week of blogs. Until then, I wish you all
                                                                      PEACE.

https://www.factretriever.com/farming-facts

October is filled with many important and fun days worth celebrating. But none of them is as important at World Mental Health Day. The 10th of October each year is designated at World Mental Health Day and it aim to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobile efforts in support of mental health. This important "day provides an opportunity for stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide."
Let's start with the question. what is mental health? "Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Throughout the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, family history of mental health problems. Mental health problems are common but the good news is that help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely." But new treatments and recovery are only possible when the stigma of mental health is stripped away and humans are no longer ashamed to talk openly about mental health illnesses.
​I have compiled for you a few educational facts about mental health that I'd like to share with you today.
1. Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents have mental disorders or problems. About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. Similar types of disorders are being reported across cultures. Neuropsychiatric disorders are among the leading causes of worldwide disability in young people. Yet, regions of the world with the highest percentage of population under the age of 19 have the poorest level of mental health resources. Most low- and middle-income countries have only one child psychiatrist for every 1 to 4 million people.
2.  Mental and substance use disorders are the leading cause of disability around the world. About 23% of all years lost because of disability is caused by mental and substance use disorders.
3.  About 800,000 humans commit suicide every year. Over 800 000 people die due to suicide every year and suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29-year-olds. There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. 75% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. Mental disorders and harmful use of alcohol contribute to many suicides around the world. Early identification and effective management are key to ensuring that people receive the care they need.
4.  War and natural disasters have a large impact on mental health and psychological well-being. Rates of mental disorder tend to double after emergencies. Recent studies have shown that students in schools where gun violence has occurred are now showing an increase in depression, drug abuse, and discipline problems. 
5.  Mental disorders are important risk factors for other diseases, as well as unintentional and intentional injury. Mental disorders increase the risk of getting ill from other diseases such as HIV, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and vice-versa.
6.  Stigma and discrimination against patients and families prevent people from seeking mental health care. Misunderstanding and stigma surrounding mental health illnesses are widespread. Despite the existence of effective treatments for mental disorders, there is a belief that they are untreatable or that people with mental disorders are difficult, not intelligent, or incapable of making decisions. This stigma can lead to abuse, rejection, and isolation and exclude people from health care or support. Within the health system, people are too often treated in institutions which resemble human warehouses rather than places of healing.
​7.  Human rights violations of people with mental and psychosocial disabilities are routinely reported in most countries. These include physical restraint, seclusion, and denial of basic needs and privacy. Few countries have a legal framework that adequately protects the rights of people with mental disorders.
8.  Globally, there is a huge inequality in the distribution of skilled human resources for mental health. Shortages of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and social workers are among the main barriers to providing treatment and care in low- and middle-income countries. Low-income countries have 0.05 psychiatrists and 0.42 nurses per 100 000 people. The rate of psychiatrists in high-income countries is 170 times greater and for nurses is 70 times greater.
9.  There are five key barriers to increasing mental health services availability. In order to increase the availability of mental health services, there are 5 key barriers that need to be overcome: the absence of mental health from the public health agenda and the implications for funding; the current organization of mental health services; lack of integration within primary care; inadequate human resources for mental health; and lack of public mental health leadership.
10. Financial resources to increase services are relatively modest. Governments, donors and groups representing mental health service users and their families need to work together to increase mental health services, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The financial resources needed are relatively modest: US$ 2 per capita per year in low-income countries and US$ 3-4 in lower-middle-income countries.
There are new non-drug treatments for depression and trauma treatment that are being developed. Some are already available and on the market. The problem is, most insurance companies won't cover them....even though they are proven to work. Humans suffering from mental health disorders are being denied good treatment options due to cost and insurance companies' reluctance to approve anything that isn't a medication manufactured by Big Pharma. I could write for days on this subject but I'll wind up this blog by saying that mental health is a disease like cancer or diabetes. There are effective ways to treat and cure these mental health illnesses but treatments only work when those affected seek help. That means it is of the utmost importance to shed light on mental health problems and make it safe and acceptable for humans to seek the health they need. In many urban counties in the U.S., the prison system has become the largest provider of mental health. 
I hope that each of you will make today the day you talk to your family members, coworkers, and neighbors about mental health. Let them know that help is available that it's okay to ask for help.
Please join me back here again tomorrow when I'll be honoring farmers everywhere. Saturday is National Farmers Day and I have some fun facts for you that I know you'll want to read. Until then, stay well and stay safe.
                                                                       PEACE.

https://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/en/
https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/mental_health_facts/en/index9.html

I didn't sleep very well last night. I have a lot on my mind and I just couldn't get my mind to settle down. I was up and ready for the day by the time my alarm went off this morning. I find it useful to keep busy when I get into one of these states and so I spent a large chunk of the early morning hours in my kitchen preparing breakfast for my teacher, The Dharma Frog. He arrived right on schedule and was quick to compliment me on my cooking. I must admit, I had prepared a pretty lavish spread for a Wednesday morning.
As we sat down to dine, Dharma noticed that I seemed a bit distracted and asked what was bothering me. I explained that I had a lot on my plate these days and felt like I was "spinning my wheels" so-to-speak. He sat quietly for a moment or two and then replied with this, "Tadpole, is a frog wants to go fast, he should hop alone. if he wants to go far, he should hop with others. It sounds to me like you're trying to do too much on your own. You're always in such a hurry Irwin, I have to wonder if you ever get anything accomplished!m You go from one thing to another and then back again. It's tiring for me to watch. It might be helpful, my boy if you joined forces and teamed up with others who want to do what you're doing. You know...hop with others." And with that little bit of froggy wisdom, my weekly lesson had begun. Dharma started by explaining to me the importance of teamwork. if you look only at the surface, it can seem as if humans and we frogs are very divided.  But once you look beneath the surface, you find that there are fewer differences than you first thought. There is a thread that binds frogs together. Dharma says it's the same for humans, too. And when we choose to follow that common thread and work together, we can accomplish great things. Working together as a team can also inspire you to go beyond what you thought was possible. We've all heard the saying, "No man (or frog) is an island." As it turns out, the sum is always greater than its parts. Outcomes are usually better when two frogs or two humans work on something together. Interestly, research has found that moods are contagious. Is someone is in a bad mood, it can bring everyone else down.  The opposite is true, as well. When one member of the team is motivated by the work, that positive mood spread and soon the entire team becomes happier and more productive. Teamwork is vital to solving complex problems whether those issues exist at work or in the community. A family is a team. And when family members come together for the common good, they can achieves great things, too. 
I was beginning to get the idea. My many projects was not what was throwing me off my game, it was the fact that I was trying to accomplish everything on my own. I needed a team! When I came to this realization, Dharma flashed me a great big smile. He's always very happy when he can see that his lesson is beginning to sink in. Since I was on a roll, I asked Dharma to give me a few additional reasons why teamwork is beneficial... just in case I need extra ammunition when I approached family and friends to join my team.
​Here is Dharma's list of the best benefits we can receive from being part of a team.
1.  Teamwork fosters creativity and learning. Creativity thrives when we work together on a team. Brainstorming ideas as a group prevents stale viewpoints that often come out of working solo. Combining unique perspectives from each team member creates more effective solutions.
2.  Teamwork blends complementary strengths. Working together lets everyone build on the talents of their teammates. While your strength may be creative thinking, a fellow team member might shine in organization and planning. Do not hesitate to share your abilities with the team.
3.  Teamwork builds trust. Relying on others builds trust, and teamwork establishes strong relationships with other team members. Despite occasional disagreements, an effective team enjoys working together and shares a strong bond. When you put your trust in a teammate, you are establishing the foundation of a relationship that can endure minor conflicts.
4. Teamwork teaches conflict resolution skills. When conflict arises in teamwork situations, members are forced to resolve the conflicts themselves instead of turning to management. Learning conflict resolution firsthand is a skill that employees can use to become efficient managers down the road.
5. Teamwork provides a wider sense of ownership. Team projects encourage members to feel proud of their contributions. Tackling obstacles and creating notable work together makes team members feel fulfilled. Working toward achieving their common goals allows the team members to feel connected to the organization and the group. This builds loyalty, leading to a higher level of satisfaction with the project. And finally...
6.  Teamwork encourages healthy risk-taking. Someone working alone may not want to stick their neck out and try something new. if the project fails, then that lone person will shoulder the burden of the failure.  While there may not be an "i" in teamwork, it's been proven that everyone benefits from both the success and the failure of a project. Sharing the ups and downs of working together can make it feel safer to suggest (and try) those off-the-wall ideas. Some of them can turn out to be pretty great!
Besides the fact that I was beginning to feel very sleepy, I was filled with hope and excitement; two things I haven't felt in a long time. After Dharma left and I tidied up the kitchen, I spent a little time deciding which two projects mean the most to me; cleaning up and beautifying our swamp and starting a fly bank to help ensure a steady supply of flies to those frogs who may have trouble catching them on their own. Now, I have to find a few friends and family members who want to be a part of my team. I may have been able to work faster on these projects by myself but I know that with the help of a team of frogs, we can easily accomplish these tasks and probably do a lot more good for Land of Lily Pad, as well. Now it's time for a nap. A long one, I hope!
Please stop back by tomorrow when I'll be taking a look at a very important and under-discussed subject. And that is mental health. October the 10th is World Mental Health Day and I'll have a few educational facts about mental health that I know you'll want to read. So, until tomorrow,
                                                                          PEACE.

https://hellohumankindness.org/story/the-importance-of-teamwork-why-we-accomplish-more-when-we-do-things-together/
​https://www.sandler.com/blog/6-benefits-of-teamwork-in-the-workplace/

I love to travel internationally although I haven't been able to do much of that lately. Still, I enjoy learning about other places and other cultures. Knowing about other countries we share the planet with not only can be fascinating, but it can help us understand world news better. It can help us be more empathetic to the plights of others. We, as inhabitants of Mother Earth, are less likely to be sympathetic toward others that live in a country we've either never heard of or can't find on a map. Once we know a little bit of simple geography, it becomes much easier to identify with those who live there.
Today's blog isn't so much about geography, although I will cover, it is about the proper pronunciation of the names of those countries. Many, I'm willing to bet, you've mispronounced your entire life. Even news people often don't say them correctly.
let's begin by saying that there are 195 countries in the world. Most humans, as well as many frogs can rattle off the names of the major countries from memory. Some, of course, are less well-known while others remain unknown to most of us who don't live in those countries. 
1.  The first country whose name you've probably been mispronouncing is Iraq. It's located in the Middle East and is frequently in the news. Do the news folks pronounce it correctly? Most do not. The two most common pronunciations are eh-rock and ee-rack. The correct way is a combination of the two...ee-rock.
2.  The next country up is Antigua. This island is a popular tourist paradise located in the Caribbean. This island is known for its 365 beaches which means you can visit a different beach every day for an entire year! No wonder its a popular place for travelers. But are you pronouncing the name correctly? If you're like me, you pronounce the name an-tee-gwa. And we'd both be wrong. The correct pronunciation is an-tee-guh.
3.  Brunei is a small state located in South-East Asia and boasts one of the highest standards of living anywhere. At first glance, you might be tempted to pronounce the name of this oil-rich country as broo-neye. The correct pronunciation is broo-nay.
4.  Next on the list of mispronounced countries is Pakistan. What? I know! I thought for sure I was saying this one correctly. Pakistan sits in the middle of a  political "hot spot" between India, Afghanistan, and Iran. The name Pakistan translates into "Land of Peace." The name is a little ironic since it has rarely seen peace in its long and tumultuous history. I've always pronounced the name pack-uh-stan. I've been wrong. The correct way to say the name of this country is pack-ee-stan.
How are you doing so far?
5.  The next country is one of those that many humans (and frogs, too) have never heard of. And if you have heard of it, you probably can't find it on a map. Djibouti is a small country in East Africa. However, Djibouti plays a significant role in international shipping because this country is situated along the Suez Canal. The name is often mistakenly pronounced di-bout-ti or di-ji-boo-ti. But both ways are incorrect. it's time to set the record straight. Djibouti is pronounced, jee-boo-ti. The "D" is silent.
6.  This country is officially known as the Kyrgyz Republic but is more commonly known as Kyrgyzstan. it's hard to know how to pronounce the name with so many consonants strung together in a row. The Kyrgyz Republic gained its independence in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. This country is focusing its economy on tourism. Lonely Planet says Kyrgyzstan is a "great gateway to Central Asia with its unspoiled natural beauty and friendly locals. So how is this complicated name pronounced? kur-gist-ann, with a hard, "g" sound.
7.  And finally, on my list of most-often mispronounced countries, is Qatar. Lately, the news people have pronouncing this correctly after years of mispronouncing it. So you may already know how to say it. Qatar is a rags to riches story. it used to be the poorest country in the Middle East. But thanks to a rich supply of oil located within its borders, Qatar's luck as changed significantly.  Qatar now enjoys the highest per capita income of any country in the world. Several of the common mispronunciations are kay-tar and ku-tar, the emphasis on the first syllable in each instance. The correct way to say the name of this very wealthy country is kut-ahr (cutter).
So that's our geography and phonetics lesson for today. I hope you learned a few things. I know I always feel smarter when I know that I am pronouncing words correctly. And feeling smarter is always a good thing.
Please join me back here tomorrow when my wise teacher and very dear friend, The Dharma Frog will be here with another very important life lesson. So, until then,
                                                                      PEACE.

https://www.traveltrivia.com/country-names-mispronouncing/

For writers, it can be very frustrating when there are multiple things of interest to write about. Deciding which one to choose can be difficult. Do you go with the one that interests you most or write about the one you think might interest your readers more? Today is one of those days where there are several important things or events that I could focus on. After some deliberation, I made my decision and I think it's the right one. See if you agree.
The first Monday of October each year is designated at National Child Health Day. The observance aims to raise awareness about how they can protect and develop children's health. This is a very important subject and one that can cover a wide range of sub-topics. To do justice to this special day, I've decided to narrow my focus and look at only one area of concern; how environmental challenges have a huge impact on children's health. As a children's book author and someone who is a lifelong advocate for environmental stewardship, it made sense for me to look at how these two areas intersect and impact one another.
1.  More than one in four childhood deaths can be prevented by cleaning up the environment. Every year, environmental risks such as indoor and outdoor pollution, second-hand smoke, and unsafe water and sanitation, takes the lives of 1,7 million children under five years of age. That's 26% of all child deaths.
2.  Asthma prevalence in children is increasing worldwide.  Worldwide 11-14% of children age five and older currently report asthma symptoms.  Many of these symptoms are related to indoor and outdoor air pollution, secondhand smoke, pollens, and indoor mold and dampness.
3.  Air pollution is the greatest risk to children's health.  Every year, more than 57,000 children under five years old die from respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, which is linked to indoor and outdoor air pollution.
4.  Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene could prevent 361,000 childhood deaths worldwide caused by diarrhea. These preventable deaths could be stopped with access to clean water and improved hygiene practices.
5.  Acute childhood poisoning from pesticides can be life-threatening. Chemical pesticides are commonly used to protect crops and to control certain disease vectors such as mosquitoes, to remove vegetation from public places, and to control pests in the home. Unsafe use, storage, and disposal of these pesticides are the main cause of acute poisoning in children.
6.  Malaria caused more than 300,000 deaths, worldwide, of children under five years of age in 2015 alone. Malaria, the most important vector-borne disease globally, is transmitted by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, which prefer clean, standing, or slowly moving freshwater. Better environmental management of these water bodies could help prevent 300,000 deaths of children under five years of age.
7.  Lead is one of the most harmful chemicals, especially for young children. Young children are more vulnerable to the toxic effect of lead and can suffer profound and permanent health effects, particularly on the development of the brain and nervous system. Since young children spend most of their time on the ground and frequently put their fingers and other objects into their mouths they have an increased risk of exposure to lead. 
8.  Unintentional poisonings cause an estimated 23,000 deaths globally in children under five years of age every year. Because of their smaller size and less developed physiology, they often come into contact with poisons such as cleaning products, weed, and insect killers, medicines, petroleum products, solvents, seeds, berries, mushrooms, and venomous snakes and spiders.
9.  early exposure to environmental risks contribute to childhood cancers. there's still a lot unknown about the causes of childhood cancers but environmental risks such as solar and ionizing radiation, second-hand tobacco smoke, aflatoxins (agricultural toxins found in crops like peanuts, corn, tree nuts, etc.), and some pesticides can lead to cancer in children or lead to an increased cancer risk later on in life.
10. Climate change increases the risk of disease, especially children in developing countries. Climate change is one of the greatest new threats to children's environmental health. Higher temperatures and higher levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide favoring pollen growth are associated with an increase in childhood asthma. Disruption to
freshwater and food crop harvests will exacerbate malnutrition and stunting of growth. More frequent heat waves also put children at risk of heat stress, renal disease, and respiratory problems.
Not all of these problems are found in every country, but every country has environmental issues that are affecting their children. All I can say is, Humans....PLEASE clean up your act! The health of your children, the planet, and we critters depend on each of you doing all you can to combat climate change, clean up drinking water, and to stop using harmful chemicals and pesticides. Please do your part. And encourage others to do the same.
If you are a frequent traveler or even an armchair traveler, I think you'll enjoy tomorrow's blog. That's all I'm gonna say for now. Enjoy your Monday and have a fabulous week!
                                                                      PEACE.

https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/children_environmental_health/en/

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you already know that I like to do something fun on Fridays. I either write about plans that I have for the weekend or, as is the case today, offer up something fun and worthwhile that you might want to do over the weekend. The 5th of October is Do Something Nice Day. This observance is very similar to Random Acts of Kindness Day which is celebrated in February. Twice a year, at least, we have the opportunity to do something nice for somebody else. This not only will make the recipient's day but will also make the doing of the deed feel pretty incredible, too.
These little things that we can do for somebody else don't have to be elaborate or even cost any money. The only requirement is that the act comes from the heart.
Kindness should never be sacrificed to get ahead in the world. So no matter whether we're rich or poor or somewhere in between, doing kind things for others can (and should) become part of our daily routine.  To help you get started on becoming a better, kinder human (or frog, as the case may be) I have assembled a list of some small acts of kindness that you and your family or friends can do this weekend.
1.  Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line. 2.  Pick up something someone near you may have dropped. 3.  Hold the door for someone. 4.  Lend a hand to someone who looks like their struggling. 5.  Offer to do a little yardwork for an elderly neighbor. 6.  Visit a nursing home and talk to someone who is lonely. Or call and find out who's celebrating a birthday (and will be alone) then drop by with a card and a flower or two. 7.  Got coupons that you can't or won't use? Share them. They're like free money! 8.  Donate clothes that you no longer wear. Fall is here which means that winter isn't far off, so donating warm clothes can help someone keep warm. 9.  Say "thank you" more. 10. Smile at everyone you see. 11. Listen to someone's story. 12. Donate food to a homeless shelter. 13. Volunteer at an animal shelter. 14. carry someone's groceries or help them load them into their car. 15. bake cookies (or buy some donuts) for your local police station and/or fire station. 16. Give a homemade treat to your trash and/or recycling collector (they're never appreciated nearly enough). 17. Compliment a stranger. 18. make cards for cancer patients. 19. Read to children. 20. Offer to take some's shift, if you can, so they can spend time with extra time with their children.
There are a zillion other small, simple, yet powerful ways that you can use to celebrate Do Something Nice Day. Can you think of a better way to spend the weekend? And what a great opportunity to show your children or grandchildren how wonderful being kind is!
That does it for me this week. I hope you've enjoyed the blogs I've written. I strive to write on various topics so that there's always something for everyone. If you can think of a blog you'd like for me to write, all you have to do is email me or leave your suggestion in the comments spot.  I do always aim to please.
Have a great weekend, whatever you do. Thanks for reading and I'll see you again on Monday!
                                                                     PEACE.

https://thoughtcatalog.com/becca-martin/2016/02/75-tiny-but-nice-things-you-can-do-to-brighten-someones-day/

Atlantis was a fictional island that appeared in an least two of Plato's works over 2,000 years ago. But almost since the beginning, humans have wondered whether or not Atlantis existed twenty centuries ago? If it did, what became of it? Is it a lost continent hidden under the sea? "His tale has inspired plenty of nonsense in the centuries since, but now it seems that Plato was onto something. New research shows that lost continents are a real thing, and they have had a big impact on human life — though not in the way Plato imagined."
Douwe van Hinsbergen, a geologist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, has been exploring one of the most dramatic of these lost continents — known as Greater Adria. In a paper published in early September in the journal Gondwana Research, he and his colleagues studied rocks around and beneath the Mediterranean Sea to reveal the full extent of Greater Adria for the first time. “It’s enormous! About the size and rough shape as Greenland,” he says. You've never heard of Greater Adria? You're not alone.
​The reason you've never seen it on a map or met anyone who's ever vacationed there is because it completely buried. And I don't mean under the sea. No, I mean Greater Adria is buried beneath southern Europe! A land under a land. How did that happen? Read on.
"About 140 million years ago, the two continents began to collide. Greater Adria got bulldozed and buried in the process and mostly sank beneath what is now Italy, Greece and the Baltics." And Greater Adria isn't unique, either.
Emerging studies of the Earth's mantle show likely traces of past lost continents. "Analysis of ancient rocks suggest that almost all of Earth’s earliest continents might have disappeared, taking with them much of the history of life on this planet. The evidence of how life first appeared may be lost somewhere down there in the depths."
The good news, however, is that lost continents are not entirely lost. They leave traces behind, if you know how to look for them. And just as Sherlock Holmes followed clues that others missed to solve the case, so do some of the world's greatest "sleuthing" geologists follow clues to help us better understand the world we live on. "Van Hinsbergen notes that rocks from Greater Adria got scraped off and incorporated onto the Alps, while whole chunks got embedded in southern Italy and Croatia. Even the parts of Greater Adria that got shoved dozens of miles down into the mantle, the layer below the crust, continue to influence modern Europe."
Under tremendous heat and pressure and over tens of millions of years, limestone rocks from Greater Adria turned into marble. Friction between Greater Adria and Europe then pulled the sunken rocks back to the surface, where people found them and mined them. “That’s where the marble came from that the Romans and the Greeks used for their temples,” van Hinsbergen says. As it turns out, Plato was standing on a real Atlantis, only he never knew it!
Greater Adria long remained unknown because it has been almost completely obliterated and obscured. But at least one other lost continent has been hiding in plain sight. "Maps of the ocean floor show a vast elevated region surrounding the islands of New Zealand, a formation known as Zealandia. Two years ago, a team led by geologists Nick Mortimer of GNS Science, a geological research company, and Rupert Sutherland of Victoria University Wellington, both in New Zealand, combined those maps with measurements of surface gravity and analysis of seafloor samples to show that Zealandia is much more than a bump in the ocean: It’s a single, continuous continent, the eighth in the world (or the seventh, if you lump together Europe and Asia as Eurasia), about two-thirds the size of Australia and more than twice as large as Greater Adria."
Scientists and researchers believe that a few million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs, it made up a large part of the supercontinent called Gondwana. I don't know about you, but that is a name I'm not familiar with. "“Then it got separated 85 million to 100 million years ago,” says Rupert Sutherland, a New Zealand geological researcher. “It got stretched and thinned, resulting in a lower elevation, and it was also affected by the development of the 'Pacific Ring of Fire,' a zone of volcanic activity that rims the Pacific Ocean." If we were able to look at maps of the ocean floor, we'd see that Zealandia is much more than a bump on the ocean floor: It’s a single, continuous continent, the eighth in the world (or the seventh, if you lump together Europe and Asia as Eurasia), about two-thirds the size of Australia and more than twice as large as Greater Adria.
According to geophysicist Derrick Hasterok of the University of Adelaide, it now seems that Zealandia and Greater Adria are just two recent examples of what was once a regular Atlantis-like process. Continents were not always stable fixtures of our planet. So what caused all this instability? It is believed to be the result of radioactivity. The Earth was born with a lot more radioactive elements than it has now and much of them have since decayed away. The only way we know they ever existed is by the curious lack of high-radioactivity rocks in the modern continents. Those rocks don’t exist, because the continents in which they lived are long gone. Isn't science amazing?
Nobody will ever know what kinds of events took place on these lost continents. But it's important to learn as much as we can about the lost continents and to find out if there are more than these two that we're not currently aware of. Finding our past could help improve our future. "Just as Greater Adria pulled marble up to the surface in Europe, other continental collisions have excavated precious ores and minerals." It is hoped that this exploration will lead to the discovery of new deposits. “The world needs more copper and rare-earth elements for the green revolution. This could help us find them.”
I know this was a long blog today but I found it so fascinating that I wanted to share all the relevant details with you. It's extraordinary that after millions of years, we're still learning so much about the planet that we all call home.
Please join me back here tomorrow for what will be a far shorter blog, I promise! And for those of you who stuck those one out to the end, you have my deepest gratitude. I hope that you found it worthy of your time.
                                                                       PEACE.

https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/real-life-atlantis-lost-continent-found-under-europe-revealing-earth-ncna1055856

With fall officially here, I now find that on most days I am up well before the sun. This morning was no exception. If you're new here, Wednesday is the day that my beloved and wise teacher, The Dharma Frog, arrives for my weekly lesson on living a better life. It's a wonderful experience. We eat a nice breakfast, share a pot of tea, and then Dharma shares a little of his froggy wisdom with me. Today is no exception. Dharma arrived at his usual time. I had our morning repast prepared and in the table for him as soon as he sat down. He poured our tea and we exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes.
I'd been saving a question for my wise teacher and decided that this was a good time to ask. "Dharma, why is it that I feel calmer and even smarter when I am out in nature?" Dharma gave me one of his famous all-knowing smiles. "Tadpole, that's because a frog's best and shortest road towards knowledge of truth is nature. Nature has everything under control and we can learn many valuable life lessons from her if we choose to pay attention." "So it's not just me? Everybody feels calmer and wiser when they spend time with Mother Nature?" "Yes, my boy, I find that to be a true statement. Nature can be if we allow her to, become one of the best mentors we'll ever have. She gives freely of her time and is available to us whenever we need her. All we need to is stop and listen to her answers." I thought about this and wanted to know more so I asked Dharma a two-part question. The first part was what lessons we frogs can learn from spending time outdoors? And the second part was can my human friends could benefit from these lessons, as well? His answer to the second part was a resounding, "Yes! Of course, humans can learn from nature." But his answer to the first half of my question was a little more complex. What follows is a summary of Dharma's lesson on nature.
1.  Naturalist intelligence. "On the most basic level, nature will teach you about the actual physical environment that sustains all life on this planet. There’s a huge difference between learning about nature from a book, versus having our own real-life experiences with birds, plants, trees, and forests. But naturalist intelligence is not just about knowing things related to plants, trees, and birds. It’s also about our larger capacity to observe patterns and tune into the physical surroundings in all areas of life. You see, my boy, humans are biologically designed to be surrounded by nature. With naturalist intelligence, humans gain the skills to care for our shared environment and make life better for everyone in the process...including we critters."
​2.  Presence and awareness. "Nature is possibly the world’s best teacher of how to be truly present and have awareness in daily life. All we have to do is sit quietly and observe your surroundings. Many modern people lead lives that are almost entirely driven by a lack of presence and awareness. They get stuck in a loop of painful memories from the past or worrying and planning for the future. Humans seldom allow themselves space to simply sit in the present moment and observe our experience without judgment. Being immersed in nature is like the exact opposite of being driven by technology. It’s filled with so much timeless beauty that it pulls you out of the internal world of thoughts & ideas. As nature calls our senses outwards, we find ourselves being less absorbed with what’s happening in our heads and more tuned in with the daily experience of life." And that is truly a beautiful thing!
3.  Using our senses. One of the biggest lessons any of us can learn from nature is that it’s possible to increase the capacity of a frog's or human's sensory awareness. Most of us dramatically underestimate the importance of basic seeing, hearing, feeling & observation skills. Try consciously practicing sensory awareness skills outside by looking at plants, trees, and listening to distant bird sounds. It will open up a whole new world of discovery that can dramatically transform your mental clarity and capacity to learn faster by watching and listening carefully.
4.  Authenticity. Authenticity is one of the big secrets to success in life. Nature teaches authenticity by giving us opportunities to be alone with ourselves in a truly non-judgemental environment. Nature helps us build authentic self-awareness because it doesn’t try to change who we are or influence our decisions. Instead, it removes all the outside influences of the media, as well as the opinions of others while at the same time amplifying the quiet voice of truth that so often gets ignored. Nature doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. There’s no judgment. Just the pure freedom to be ourselves just as we are. 
And finally,
5.  Awe and wonder.  "Many adult humans these days feel like there isn't any magic in the world; that they've lost the excitement that inspires true creativity and progress. But immersing themselves in nature can offer the opportunity to regain those magical feelings of amazement and wonder. Nature is filled with so many mysteries and beautiful moments that inspire the mind. It’s also filled with the unfiltered realities of both life and death in the forest. If we spend lots of time in nature, eventually we encounter both the gift of new life, and also the realities of death. These moments of awe and wonder can help to put things into perspective. They also help to clear out the cobwebs of negativity from our minds."
"Irwin, there are many more lessons that we can learn from nature but I think that this is a good place to stop for this week. Maybe we can pick it up from here at another time." I was kind of sad to see the lesson end, but I was looking forward to learning more about the lessons that we can each learn from spending time in nature.
Dharma stayed a little longer to help me tidy up my kitchen before hopping off to see his next student. It's always a bit sad for me to see him go but I am always filled with a sense of deep gratitude for his wonderful and insightful lessons. Dharma is truly one of a kind mentor and I am so lucky to have him in my life.
If you like ancient history and archeology, I know you won't want to miss tomorrow's blog when I'll be looking at a newly discovered lost continent. Could it be, perhaps, Atlantis? Stop by tomorrow and find out! Until then, stay well and please stay safe.
                                                                     PEACE.

https://nature-mentor.com/nature-lessons/

There are all kinds of working dogs. I've read where all breeds were, at some point, used to help humans with their various tasks. Even the tiny Pomeranian was, in a former life, a larger and far more powerful sled dog. But one of the most common and most beloved of all work dogs is the Dalmatian. Dalmatians have been employed by fire departments all over the globe for quite some time. Often, they're more mascot than anything but Dalmatians have been successfully used to help firefighters to save saves. Today is National Fire Pup Day and to honor these brave dogs, I thought I'd write a brief history about how these spotted beauties came to used and loved by firemen.
​The image of a polka-dotted dalmatian riding shotgun in a fire truck is indelible in American pop culture and lore, but the story of how they got there is lesser-known. In honor of National Fire Pup Day, I've delved into the history, evolution, and enduring legacy of the dogs who keep firefighters company. Early fire dogs were employed as far back as the 17th century where they dutifully rode with carriages. From that time on, fire dogs have served as a heroic symbol for their brave humans. Occasionally, however, fire dogs are asked to get in on the action.  Well-over a hundred years ago, dogs were trained to trot alongside of horse-drawn carriages to protect both the human occupants as well as the horses that pulled them. Although there weren't any specific breeds used to guard the carriages, they did have to possess a few general characteristics; long legs, good temperament, motivation, energy, and endurance. "Enter the dalmatian. According to the American Kennel Club’s Complete Dog Book, quoted on the Dalmatian Club of America website, dalmatians were the perfect carriage dog because they have the “strength, vitality, fortitude and size to keep going gaily till the journey’s end.' Dalmatians also happened to have a reputation for getting along great with horses, and it wasn’t long before they became the favored carriage dog among wealthy citizens of England and America." In the late 1700s, carriage dogs became fire pups. "Dalmatians were perfectly suited for the job, not only because of their carriage-trailing abilities but their grace under fire. Dalmatians were known to have a calming effect on horses, so while firefighters battled the blaze, the fire dog could stay with the horses ease their stress. Back at the station, the fire dog would typically bunk in the stable alongside their equine charges."
But once motorized vehicles came along, it seemed that the graceful dalmatian was out of a job. Or were they? By that point, the public was used to seeing dalmatians alongside firefighters. Firedogs needed a new job description to suit the modern age of gas-powered fire trucks. In the 20th century and beyond, fire stations across England and America kept dalmatians on-site as firehouse residents and mascots. The tasks of a modern firehouse dog can include 1. Serving as companions to the firefighters; 2. guarding belongings in the firehouse and hunting vermin; 3. Riding along to fires and standing guard over the truck; 4. Acting as the fire company mascot.
During the 20th century, dalmatians and other fire pups also made an important move into education, helping firefighters demonstrate fire safety and emergency preparedness for school and community groups. But dalmatians are the only fire dogs around. It’s become common for firefighters (and sometimes entire fire teams) to adopt dogs rescued from fires. These lucky pups, whatever their breed, become symbols of the resiliency, bravery, and fortitude of firefighters and the individuals they help.
Moving ahead to the 21st century, fire dogs have taken on additional duties. "Other dogs take on important fire safety jobs outside the firehouse, such as accelerant-sniffing “arson dogs.” According to the State Farm Arson Dog Program, arson dogs are specially trained to “sniff out minute traces of accelerants (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) that may have been used to start a fire.” These super-sniffers are trained and work alongside individual firefighters or law enforcement officers to investigate the scene of a fire after the blaze has been extinguished."
Firedogs have come along way from their origins as carriage dogs running alongside wagons and buggies. These days, a fire dog can be any size, shape, or breed. Of course, dalmatians remain the most popular firehouse mascots thanks to their centuries-old reputation as the perfect fire dog. But whatever they look like, firehouse dogs are a reminder of the advances in firefighting technology, the lifesaving work of firefighters, and the loyalty of man’s best friend.
Tomorrow is, of course, Wednesday so that means my wise teacher and dear friend, The Dharma Frog will be here with my weekly life lesson. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be interesting and offer a powerful message. They always do. So please join me here tomorrow and see what Dharma has to teach us all. Until then, take care and stay safe.
                                                                     PEACE.

https://www.rover.com/blog/fire-dog-history/