Dysgraphia

Today the last day of the second month of the calendar year 2023 I
happily completed a series on National Days.

Halfway through the month I wanted to plain quit the series since
it took up valuable time I could’ve devoted elsewhere.

On second thought I chose to stick it out and complete the task on
hand, the second half of a selective day-to-day literary project.

Rarely throughout life did I ever consider myself a quitter at any
point. I dabbled in many crafts and gave each an honest effort prior
to admission ‘I didn’t like doing them’.

To date I continue to crochet, sew a bit here and there, create videos
for social media, tend to a few houseplants and blog or write poems.

Over the past few months, I’d noticed some strange happenings with
regards to my notetaking and cursive handwriting.
Words and letters legible to me when I wrote them appeared illegible
the following day.
I resorted to usage of a highlighter in hopes to make sense of the chaos.
Some of the time the neon-colored marker strategy worked; other times
it failed me.

At first, I dismissed the possibility of anything medically wrong and
chalked the distorted writing to me hurrying while writing, similar to
my busy mind filled constantly with intrusive thoughts.

Finally, after weeks of postponement I braved the courage and ran a
Google search figuring there would never be an answer for symptoms
I considered somewhat hideous.

Surprise, I was wrong and staring back in bold letters was the name of a
neurological condition Dysgraphia characterized by writing disabilities.

Of the symptoms of this learning disorder often first discovered in children
when first attempting to write specific to me were the following which now
need to be addressed:

1.  altered cursive writing and printing
2. ending letters of words missing
3. omission of words in sentences
4. difficulty remaining within the lines
5. differential in size of the letters
6. a firm hold on pen or pencil
7. difficulty writing in a straight line

And so my beautiful cursive handwriting which for years I was completed on
has become gibberish on paper a.k.a. mumbo-jumbo.

There is so much more information on Dysgraphia and I chose not to bore my
readers.

Beginning today I shall be taking an indefinite hiatus from Blogosphere to
continue pursuing my last goal in life.

National Tooth Fairy Day-Feb. 28th

Esther Watkins Arnold’s playlet ‘Tooth Fairy’ popularized the
fairy idea of this fictional character.

Both actual date of origin and name of establishing founder
of this holiday observed bi-annually on February 28th and
August 22nd are vanishing mysteries.

Back in the mid 1920s multiple fairies appeared in ads.
These advertisements were intended to educate children on
good dental hygiene and health habits.

Examples: ‘eat your veggies’, ‘brush your teeth’

The story of the tooth fairy lessens a child’s fear of losing a
wobbly tooth.

fictitious belief
story based five components
absolute fun myth
child tooth pillow sleep fairy
awake monetary gift

Today children receive between $3 to $4 per lost tooth.
If the tooth goes missing or parents forget, the tooth
increases in value.

May the happy legendary tale of the Tooth Fairy spinning 
wands of magic continue passed down from generation to
generation.

National Strawberry Day-Feb. 27

Strawberries aromatic and delicious are members of the rose family.

These sweet juicy berries found near everywhere in the world are the
only fruit that wears its seeds on the outside.

There are over 600 varieties of this delicious healthy fruit.

With zero fat and only 55 calories in 1 cup strawberries ‘oh so
sweet’ are a great snack.

Strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium
and fiber.

The best time to pick them is on a cool cloudy day.

strawberry picking
fun time grand reward yum-yum
pail edible fruit
overfull no need to fret
known fact strawberries freeze well
  

An easy task:  remove the stems and seal in an airtight freezer-safe
container.

Frozen strawberries are perfect for smoothies and countless cool beverages.

The perfect time to eat ‘strawberries’ is any time. 🙂🙂

The Sunday Whirl Wordle #594

Today’s words:  steal-joyous-garden-steam-fall-feet-space-creeping-free-locks-seems-stars

Annually the same old same old annoyances.
Those dang underground vines ‘hearty weeds’ invade the
allotted space reserved for floral growth in the old woman’s
quaint garden.
To her it seems the crowd of creeping crawlers pay nightly
visits to the mass floral border to steal life from all her delicate
flowers.
She’s aware she’ll never truly be free from them.
Furious, the old woman lets down her lovely locks then proceeds to
let off steam.
A few feet away stands a friendly neighbor viewing the lovely night
sky filled with sparkling stars.
As she approaches him, he suddenly remembers how their last
conversation turned into a face-to-face altercation when the old
woman became a tad irate.
Best cut star-gazing short this evening and head indoors for fear the
old woman will lash out again directing her anger in the wrong direction.
His thoughts turn to:  ‘no thanks’, ‘no way’, ‘not in the mood’ to take the fall
for pesky groundcover.
Sad, her once joyous hobby now more of a task drove a wedge between two
adults.

https://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com/2023/02/26/wordle-594/

National Pistachio Day-Feb. 26th

Pistachios, cultivated in the Middle East since Biblical times, made their
debut in the US during the 1880s.

A pistachio tree grows approximately twenty (20) feet tall. This tree

requires high heat and little to no rain.

To mature and bear fruit takes between seven (7) to ten (10) years.

Pistachio shells are beige in color.

If inferior or based on consumer demand the shells can be dyed colors
red or green.

Pistachio shells when ripe split naturally and the kernels eaten fresh
or roasted whole salted or unsalted.

Fun facts:
The people of China refer to pistachios as the ‘happy’ nut.
In the Middle East pistachios are known as the ‘smiling’ nut.
Iran claims to have seven hundred (700) year old pistachio trees.
California produces around 300 million pounds of pistachios annually.

Health benefits:
Excellent source of vitamin B6 – protein and fiber, etc.

Pistachio shells can be recycled; wash and dry salted ones prior to use.

A few ideas for Pistachio shells:
1. Line the bottom of containers of houseplants (helps with drainage

and retention of soil).
2. Place shells from ‘salted’ pistachios around the base of plants (a
deterrent for slugs and snails).
3. Holiday tree ornaments

To observe:

1. Order a pistachio biscotti with your coffee.
2. Gift a bag of this healthy snack to a friend.
3. Treat yourself to a one ounce serving – approximately 164 calories.
4. Opt for pistachio butter, a delicious spread known for its own unique
flavor of sweetness.

Priced three or four times higher than other nuts, Pistachios near the
category of ‘luxury’ nuts.


Quiet Day-Feb. 25th

In our modern world noise is everywhere.

world various sounds
near impossible escape
rat race modern life
hustle and bustle daily
pause, appreciate silence

The history of Quiet Day dates back to 1903 and the first silent movie,
‘The Great Train Robbery’.

Moving forward to 2015, a documentary portraying both the spiritual
and physical benefits of silence made its debut.

Ideas to celebrate this day and advocate for quiet.
1. take a walk in the park
2. silence your devices (if possible)
3. spend time in prayer
4. meditate
5. reconnect with the world around you

Fibbing Friday-Feb. 24th

Today’s prompt instructions – make up definitions for familiar words.

1. silicone – extra-silky ice cream snack

2. fluff – confectionery marshmallow comforter

3. loofah – singing John

4. caddy – golfer’s money chest

5. pedantic – boring classroom nerd

6. tangent – a bronzed male statue

7. muffler – thick, over-sized silencer

8. calamity – disagreement betwixt food-prep employees

9. archive – newly hired file clerk’s dilemma

And No: 10:  fortify – flexible hour airline’s scheduled time arrival
or departure

https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2023/02/24/fibbing-friday-24th-february/

National Tortilla Chip Day-Feb. 24

Tortilla chips have become quite popular as a social snack.

The origin dates back to the 1940s, an automated workline
and rejected repurposed tortillas.

In 2003 the state of Texas designated tortilla chips its favorite
snack.

Today this tasty corn treat is available for sale in a variety of
selections and styles from thin and crisp to restaurant-style.

Tostitos tortilla chips are offered in forty-four (44) different
flavors.

 Homemade recipes can now be found online for baked and 
fried tortilla chips.

Guacamole dip and salsa are the two most popular tasty dips
served with this chip or crisp made from baked corn tortillas.

To celebrate today munch away or nibble on a serving (depends
on size) count 10 – 15 chips.



 








 

National Toast Day-Feb. 23

Love for scorched bread ‘toast’ is universal.

Egyptians invented the first closed oven for leavened bread.

The electric toaster dates back to 1893.

In 1912 pre-sliced  bread  came into existence with the original
automated  bread slicer.

The word ‘toast’ originated from the Latin word, ‘tostum’ reference
burned or scorched bread.

Worldwide it’s a staple found in near all households likely prepped
using the most popular toaster available, the pop-up.

Toast is known for having a healthy mix.  Warm toasted bread can be
found in meals prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The first observance of National Toast Day took place in the UK in
2014.

Spreads for toast range from butter and jam to healthy avocado, even
mashed banana.

How do you like your toast?

Comments welcome. 🙂🙂