Pausing With God

The piano is a widely recognized instrument for its beautiful sound.  Each key has a different range, from soft to strong.  One would think the greater the force, the louder the sound. Actually, it’s not the applied pressure that determines the volume, but the speed with which the keys are depressed.  In addition, relaxed hands tend to give you more control and produce a better sound. Although some are gifted and can play the piano without acquiring any lessons, there are those; like myself who are challenged.  During my first lesson, I was amazed to find that when you sit down to a piano; there is a correct posture for your hands, arms and feet. I have dispelled the myth that you cannot study this instrument while sitting on the couch.   

THE LEGENDARY MENSTRUAL CYCLE IT STARTS AND ENDS WITH …a period, which is also known as menstruation. Our menstruation is a healthy and natural part of our life, which we experience in what are known as cycles.  These cycles are counted from the first day of 1 period to the first day of the next period.  An average menstrual cycle is 28 days long. Women normally have two ovaries that store and release eggs. Each ovary is about the size of a walnut, and one ovary is located on each side of the uterus. One ovary produces one egg each month, and this process starts a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. The majority of women not only have the task of enduring the menstrual cycle, but also the journey through menopause.  So now you are probably wondering what the Menstrual Cycle has in to do with Menopause.  For one both of them begin with three common letters: M-E-N.   But seriously…because Menopause has four stages, Premenopause, Perimenopause, Menopause and...

Take the Menopause Quiz (1) Menopause is defined as: A.  Two or more irregular periods after age 40 B.  The start of hot flashes C.  No menstrual period for 12 consecutive months D.  An increase in mood swings. CORRECT ANSWER IS C.  No menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.  Explanation: An absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. The menopausal transition starts with varying menstrual cycle length and ends with the final menstrual period. You will find that there is an insect who we have some things in common with - the butterfly.  Starting out as an egg; progressing as a newborn- eating, growing and spending a large amount of time on our belly.  We then transition into puberty and from there blossoming into an adult - the reproductive stage. For millions of women, one stage that we do not share with the butterfly is that when our reproductive stage comes to an end, we are faced with the challenges of having to deal with the sympto...

Age Ain't Nothing BUT A Number         (Part 1 of 2) I've been "HOT" since I was twelve. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be vain or even funny, I'm actually talking "hot flashes." I've been experiencing them off and on in varying degrees of severity for 26 of the last 33 years. I was 12 when I had my first hot flash and like any child of 12, I had no idea what was going on. One minute I felt fine and the next I was hot and there was nothing I could do to cool myself off. Just as soon as it passed I was cold. It went off and on like this all day so I figured I was probably getting sick. That was just the beginning. They started happening pretty regular after that. I would be totally comfortable and suddenly find myself flushed and hot from head to toe. If it stayed long enough I'd start sweating profusely. It was as if someone else had control of my internal thermostat and was bumping it up and down as they pleased. Then we ...