Out and About – Week of May 15th

If you are a Snowbird and have just migrated back to Pure Michigan from the balmy south, may I say, “Welcome Home”. You missed a pretty nice winter, and according to some, you might have been better off to stay here, rather than risk the flooding and storms of some of the southern states. I received several phone calls from Michiganders who felt disappointed in not being able to attend the Three Rivers Lions Club Citizen of the Year banquet honoring Jo and Del Barton. This gala event took place last Tuesday and was very well attended. For future reference, you might want to let someone know that you are interested in attending this annual event, and that tickets should be purchased for you. Every year someone is honored as the year’s Citizen of the Year, and the banquet usually happens in late April or early May. The food is always tasty, the attendees are always friendly, and the honoree is always very deserving of the recognition.
We are approaching the season of backyard cookouts and barbeques. The time of burgers and dogs on the grill and enjoying the company of family and friends. Maybe even an old-fashioned hog roast. Nothing compliments burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill like a cold beer. I mean so cold that it’s difficult to hold on to the bottle or can. The only problem that comes from this is that there are some folks who have difficulty controlling their intake of alcohol, and this results in an enormous hangover. I’ve experienced one hangover in my lifetime, and that was enough to set my mind right.
I have a few suggestions that might make you or someone you know feel better after consuming too much of the bubbly. You may follow these hints if you like. They are free and there isn’t too much free advice going around anymore. Of course, there are some who feel they know it all, so they might as well skip the next paragraph or so.
There are four antidotes that might make you feel better. The first is water. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means you become dehydrated if you consume too much of it. If you drink lots of water before you go to bed, it will replenish the lost fluids in your body. Another thing to try would be to drink a large glass of water after an alcoholic beverage. Of course, having a lot of water in your system before going to bed, means you’ll probably make several trips to the bathroom throughout the night, but at least you’ll be less likely to be kneeling at the porcelain throne. Fresh air is the second antidote. This doesn’t mean that you need to walk around with an oxygen tank strapped to your back, but stepping outside for some fresh air does help. Some even find that aerobic exercise provides hangover relief. The old myth that coffee is the best thing for you isn’t that weird. Caffeine constricts the arteries dilated by alcohol and may actually relieve a headache. Finally, Vitamin C supplements or a couple spoonfuls of honey can help eliminate the alcohol more quickly.
I suppose the best thing to do for a hangover is just don’t get one. Drink sensibly and if you drink, don’t drive. Everyone enjoys a good time, but there are some who feel that to have a good time, you need to drink. However, it has been said that alcohol does make the one you’re with look better.
For you cat lovers who might be interested in knowing how our current cat situation is doing, here’s the latest. Several months ago, we adopted two cats from Animal Control in Centreville. Peaches is more outgoing than Patches. Patches, on the other hand, is very shy, and we’ve seen very little of her since bringing them home. Patches is slowly working her way into the household, which is a good thing. The two cats don’t care much for each other, but I’m sure this will improve in time. We are forcing them to watch public service announcements on bullying. Seth Meyers once said, “According to a new study, cats may have more potential than dogs to sniff out bombs. They just won’t bother to tell you.” Somehow this doesn’t make me feel very secure.
See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman

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