The Grim Neurology of Teenage Drinking - New York Times

The Grim Neurology of Teenage Drinking - New York Times

I never realized before how dangerous underage drinking can be. This article highlights some of the neurochemical changes that can occur. Blacking out isn't just an obscure problem for alcaholics, but a real issue. This article shows it's more important than ever to avoid binge drinking. I would even argue avoid lighter drinking because of where it may lead.

Woodpecker Symphony

Forest sounds are always amazing. Yesterday at Mont Alto I was on a logging road behind campus. The large number of old oak trees, some dead standing, make excellent drums for the woodpeckers. The natural ampitheater effect on the hillside on the as yet leafless forest helped the sound resonate. Each bird had a different rhythm and each tree gave a different sound. When you add the other birds singing it was a real natural symphony. It was well worth the morning walk up the hill.

Walking after a snowstorm

We had our first big snowstorm two days ago. It amounted to about six inches. It was not really that big a storm, although the frantic weather reports would make you believe that it was the blizzard of the century coming!

In this town, by ordinance, everyone is supposed to clear the sidewalks in front of their houses. By now this should be done throughout the borough. Yet when I went walking this morning I saw how differently everyone interprets the rule. Some of the sidewalks are completely cleared down to the bare concrete. Others have a single-width meandering shovel path. Others have cleared no snow at all and only the steps of previous walkers have marred the snow.

I want to keep up my fitness walking through the winter. It has become a habit, and I don't feel right until I have done my four or five miles. I can see now it will take some work to overcome the obstacles of snow and ice and get in my walking around the storms and their aftermath.

Frankie

 

Marshall in the snow.

We got a little snow Saturday night (12/2). The cats were all itching to go out on Sunday. But it's cold on their paws! 

NPR fund drives

I listen to my local public radio station almost constantly. In the past
year I have added on-line listening to stations I can't get here. It's a
great way to get different news and documentary programs or a different
style of music.

But now it's time for the fall fund raisers and it seems like all the
stations are doing this together. I do support my local station, WITF in
Harrisburg. Yet I really get tired of the fund drives. I have heard all
the arguments and incentives. I realize how important the fund raising
is. Maybe this year people wil be more generous and the stations can end
sooner? We can only hope.

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I'm testing the send a message by email capatility of the blog. I hope
that I read the instructions correctly!