I SURE AM GLAD THAT IT IS THE WEEKEND

It has been a very long week at work with some very long days and a need a couple of days just to recuperate. I don't mind riding on the truck every now and then but three times in a week is just a bit much for me at my age. Well I did make it down to Wal-Mart again this morning and it looks like they made allot from progress this week with there remodeling process, the food side looks jut about down but the pharmacy area still looks like a work in progress. Tony Stewart captured the pole for this weekends Nascar race Pocono, I am predicting that either Stewart or Hamlin will win this weekend. By the way I almost had to put on a sweatshirt this morning before heading out because it was a very cool 67 degrees. MICKEY

Sit by a window at breakfast
Morning exposure to bright light helps sync up your body clock to the world around you. This gets you ready for the day and helps you sleep at night.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1961 - The first tie in All-Star Game history was recorded as the second All-Star Game of the year (there were two a year back then) was stopped in the 9th inning due to rain at Boston’s Fenway Park.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA

Well today is Donna Goulder's ?? birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA and if I didn't didn't know any better she is still 39 and holding. I had another pretty long day at work yesterday, I had to ride on the truck again and yesterday and went down to the metropolis of Emporia. We have two drivers that are on vacation for the next 3 weeks so there is a pretty good chance that I will on and off the truck the next few weeks. I am pretty sore this morning just from getting in and out of the truck so much. Well it looked like we were going to get a pretty good rain from a t-storm last night however it just seemed to miss us again here in CH, we got a brief shower and thats about it. Yesterday on the blog we had a visitor from Moscow, Russia and from Finland, we truly are going worldwide. MICKEY

Go for walks in the evening
Not only do many people with allergies experience more sneezing and itching in the morning, but many trees release their pollen at first light, and ragweed pollen tends to fly most thickly at midday—so stick to nighttime strolls.

“You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” Zig Ziglar

FOOTBALL CONTEST UPDATE

Since there is not much going around here I thought I would give you a football contest update. Last year we had 14 participants in the contest and this year so far we have have added 2 more bringing the number up to 16 and I am looking for a few more. If anybody else wants to play in the contest they can e-mail me or call me. Yesterday on the blog we had a visitor from Box Springs, Georgia and I am assuming that is somewhere close Scott. Not much else going on around here. MICKEY

The Benefits of Bugs
Here's the toothy secret to the study results: Those "healthy" bacteria found in yogurt and other probiotic-containing treats help keep the levels of bad bacteria in your mouth in check -- including the varieties that contribute to periodontal disease. But to do your mouth a true favor, choose your creamy treats wisely. Opt for low-sugar varieties. Or buy plain yogurt, and control the sweet stuff yourself by adding your own fruit, honey, or preserves.

True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost. ~Charles Caleb Colton

A LONG DAY AT WORK

After having a long night night in Petersburg on Monday night I had extremely long day at work yesterday because I had to go on the truck to Charlottesville. I don't mind riding on truck but I don't like getting home at 5:30 thats for sure. Last week on the blog we had visitors from Canada, Ireland and South Korea which means Mickey's Place appears to be going Worldwide. Also we did get brief rain shower here in the Heights and it was brief but better than nothing. MICKEY

Get extra calcium. For every 12 ounces of soda you sip, bump up your calcium intake by 20 milligrams. All that takes is a few extra swallows of skim milk or a few extra stalks of broccoli. Just add that to the calcium supplement you should be taking anyway (1,000 milligrams before age 60, 1,200 milligrams from then on -- half in the morning, half at night; we like ours in the form of calcium citrate).

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now. -Alan Lakein

BASEBALL SEASON COMES TO AN END

Well our Appomattox League baseball season came to an end last night at Petersburg last night when we lost to Wakefield 10-4, just like in high school walks pretty much did us in. If it sounds like I am a little groggy this morning I am because I am tired, the first game last night didn't end until about 7:50pm and then the umps needed about a 30 minute break so our game didn't start till around 8:30pm and didn't en until about 10:40 or so. I didn't get to be until after midnight and then had to get up at 5:30am which made for a very short night. I am going to work. MICKEY

If you currently drink regular soda, diet is still a better choice. Every 12-ounce can of the real thing floods your body with 136 calories -- most of it courtesy of 33 grams of high-fructose corn syrup, which you don't need.

ON THIS DAY IN
1940 Bugs Bunny made his debut in the Warner Bros. animated cartoon "A Wild Hare."

TONIGHTS GAME AT 7:30PM, A BUSY DAY ON THE BLOG

Our Appomattox League baseball team is scheduled to play Wakefield tonight at 7:30pm at the Petersburg Sports Complex, I have to say that time is approximate because Manchester will face Prince George in the first game and who knows how long that game will last. Jamie McMurray won yesterdays race at the Brickyard, my pick to win Montoya had the best car until the last pit stop when he took 4 tires and allot of the other drivers just took 2 and then he wrecked a few laps later trying make up ground. It also was a very busy day on Mickey's Place with 59 visitors, I think the yesterdays topic about there being allot of empty seats at the Brickyard seemed to spark allot of interest from Nascar fans. Also it is going to be much cooler here today in the Heights with highs in the upper 80's a far cry from the last few days where it was 103. MICKEY

Diet sodas don't help you lose weight. Bummer. True, but still a bummer, we know. Worse, there's some evidence that artificial sweeteners actually encourage weight gain, perhaps by fueling your taste for sweet foods.

Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging. ~Joseph Campbell

IT'S RACEDAY AT THE BRICKYARD

Well it's raceday at the Brickyard and there is a pretty big concern over the dwindling attendance at the Brickyard the last few years. The Brickyard 400 is considered one of the big races that most of the drivers want to win but it seems to lost a bit of its luster. I don't think the dwindling attendance issue is just occurring at the Brickyard but for all the tracks of Nascar and there seems to be allot of empty seats at the tracks lately. I think the economy has allot to do with it but I also think the racing has allot to do with it as well and maybe that Nascar expanding to fast to some areas who just don't need 2 races a year and left several tracks who supported the series for so many years and just left them out in the cold. Well with all that said I think Montoya is going to win todays race. MICKEY

Should always pick the bag of spinach at the back of the produce case?
A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, revealed that spinach stored continuously under the light for as little as three days boasted higher levels of vitamin C and preserved levels of K, E, folate and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. The lights enhance nutrient levels by encouraging photosynthesis—the process by which plants use energy from the sun to create food and compounds that protect them. That means that the package of spinach at the front of the case could actually have more nutrients than the one in the dark at the back of the case in the dark.

Caffeinated sodas -- diet or not -- pose the biggest threat to your bones. Recent research shows that it may be the caffeine in some sodas, rather than the acids in all of 'em, that coaxes excess calcium out of your skeleton.

IT'S ALREADY HOT

Well I have to say it's hard to believe that it is 82 degrees at 6am in the morning and it looks like it is going to make it to 103 here today in Colonial Heights with a heat index of around 110. This by far is the hottest summer that I ever remember in 43 years. I am going to have to go for a run pretty early this morning avoid those temps over 100 this afternoon, I may run on the treadmill also later this afternoon as well. Well the are still working on finishing the remodeling of Wal-Mart here in the Heights, it did look like they made some pretty good progress this week but they still have a few more week work left. Try to stay cool today. MCG

FOOD MYTH
Eggs with brown shells are more nutritious than those with white shells.
The color of the eggshell does not affect nutrition, but indicates the color of the bird’s feathers and earlobes. White eggs come from white hens with white earlobes, brown eggs come from red hens with red earlobes. And since brown eggs often cost a bit more than white eggs, you can save a little money and not sacrifice nutrition.

WELL IT'S MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK AGAIN

Well I have to say it's my favorite day of the week again, it's Friday and I am sure glad that it is. Well we have our 2nd tropical system of the year with Tropical Storm Bonnie which appears to be heading into the Gulf of Mexico right in the area where the oil leak is, the system doesn't look like it is going to be that strong though but could bring some much needed rain the parts of the U.S. This weeks Nascar race is at the Brickyard and for some reason I think we are going to have a surprise winner, it may not be a first time winner but I think it will be somebody who doesn't win as much as the big boys of Nascar. Have a good day. MICKEY

Exercise in the evening
If you want to get fit faster, a late-day workout is the most efficient way to go. Research by Michael Deschenes, PhD, an exercise physiologist at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, shows that strength and endurance climb by about 5 percent between 4 and 8 p.m., compared with morning hours, so you can push yourself harder. Your muscles are warmer, too, which will help you avoid injury.

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

IT HAS BEEN SO HOT

Well this is what happens when it has been so hot for so long even the ice cream truck has been having problems. I got this off the internet last night and though some of you fellow blogger might enjoy it. I just heard the weatherman say that the humidity is going to be a bit lower today but the temps are still going to be in the upper 90's, I don't think it matters anymore bu we sue could use some rain around here. Not much else to report today on Mickey's Place. MICKEY

Eat dinner earlier
Recent research supports the folk wisdom that nighttime eating is more apt to add pounds. In one study, researchers fed one group of mice during their normal waking hours and a second group when the animals usually slept. The mice that ate at the “wrong” time gained more than twice as much weight. “If you think you’re doing everything right with your diet but you’re not losing, try having dinner an hour earlier,” says lead study author Deanna Arble, at Northwestern University. “It won’t hurt, and it might help.”

Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom. -Euripides

WELL WE WON LAST NIGHT

Well we won our first round game in the Appomattox League playoffs last night 18-4 at Shepherd Stadium and with the win will move on to the 2nd round next Monday at the Petersburg Sports Complex against a yet to be determined opponent. We dodged t-storms the whole game as the there was lightning to the north and south us most of the game and we even got a couple of rain showers as well but nothing to heavy. I was looking at the blog stats for yesterday and I noticed we had a visitor from Canada and another visitor from South Korea stopped by as well. The heat wave is going to continue today with high in the upper 90's before reaching the 100 degree mark the next three days, I just don't remember it being so hot for so long. MICKEY

Weigh yourself on Friday and Monday
For those trying to lose weight, experts have long suggested stepping on the scale at least once a week—that’s the habit of most members of the National Weight Control Registry, every one of whom has taken off at least 30 pounds and kept it off for a year or more. Now a new study from the Washington University School of Medicine ratchets things up. Dieters tend to splurge on weekends, the research found—but a Friday weigh-in (especially done first thing in the morning, when your weight is lowest) provides positive feedback that can blunt the temptation to overeat.

DID YOU KNOW
More than a million Indians are millionaires, yet most Indians live on less than two dollars a day. An estimated 35% of India’s population lives below the poverty line.

APPOMATTOX LEAGUE GAME TONIGHT

We will be facing Matoaca tonight in the 1st round of the Appomattox League playoffs at 7pm at Shepherd Stadium, it's either win or you go home. Well we got a brief shower here in CH yesterday and we got one at work as well, however the rain barely wet the pavement before the sun came back out. MCG

Have a cavity filled in the afternoon
The painkilling effect of dental anesthesia lasts longer in the afternoon than it does in the morning. In one study, lidocaine kept nerves numb up to five times longer when it was injected in the early afternoon compared with early morning.

We find no real satisfaction or happiness in life without obstacles to conquer and goals to achieve. - Maxwell Maltz

ENJOY TODAYS COOL WEATHER

All you fellow bloggers had better enjoy todays cool high temperature around 91 because the rest of the week it is going to be between 97-100. There is going to be a chance of t-storms pretty much every day with the best chance being tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow the Appomattox League baseball playoffs began tomorrow at Shepherd Stadium when we face one of the Matoaca teams at 7pm in a 7 inning contest, the playoffs are single elimination. Dad still hasn't passed his kidney stone yet and still has been in a considerable amount of pain from time to time. This past week on Mickey's Place South Korea was the 2nd most country to visit the site. MICKEY

Mold
A musty odor emanating from your bathroom, closet or basement could mean you have mold spores growing. They grow in damp spots and are attracted to building materials like drywall, wood, and paint. Mold can trigger asthma symptoms and allergic reactions. How do you protect yourself and your family from these harmful spores? Keep all the rooms in your house well-ventilated, fix leaks as soon as possible. If you suspect mold, check out the area with a flashlight because sometimes it can only be seen under bright light.

Cardio
For weight loss, you'll need to get about 5 cardio workouts each week at a medium-high intensity for at least 30 minutes. If you're a beginner, it's best to start slow and work your way up but, if you're in good condition and have no restrictions, challenging yourself with harder workouts is the best way to burn more calories. Interval training is a good choice because studies show you continue to burn calories even after you've stopped exercising.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMMENTS THE LAST THREE DAYS

Is there anybody reading the blog anymore, there haven't been any comments the last three days on any of the post that have been made. I think everybody must have switched over to Facebook and just don't care anymore about Mickey's Place. I didn't sleep very well at all last night for some reason, I think I woke up abut 6 times during the night and had trouble falling back to sleep each time. Last week at this time I was getting ready to come home from vacation, I wish I was still on vacation. MCG

Where can you find the cheapest products on supermarket shelves?

At eye level. Brands pay to display their wares at eye level and at the end of each aisle because this can increase sales by an estimated 15 to 20 percent.

“(My priorities are) family, Lord, profession, ... And that's not the order it should be, but I think No. 2 understands.” John Wooden

TOENAIL COMES OFF

I am happy to report that my left toenail did come off while I was at work yesterday and I didn't even know that it happened until I took my sock off after work. I have a partial toenail in place to replace the old one but it is not completely in yet. They still have not finishing remodeling the Wal-Mart here in Colonial Heights, they are probably about a month away from finishing everything that they are going to do. Dad still hasn't passed his kidney stone yet and is still in a bit of pain as well from time to time throughout the day. Also Fellow blogger Scott's dad is in the hospital down in Georgia, Scott said he was having chest pains when they took him in. MICKEY

Medications

While you absolutely need to take a pill of so-and-so twice a day, medications are dangerous if you have small children around that may mistake the various shapes and colors for candy. Here are some protective measures to make sure you little ones can’t get to your stash. Store your medications where your kids can’t find them (perhaps use a lock), never leave meds within reach (ie. purse, countertop), make sure your bottles have child resistant caps, have the number to the poison control center available at all times (ie. refrigerator door).

The dumbest people I know are those who know it all. Malcolm Forbes

WATER IS OUT OF MY EAR BUT I HAVE NEW AILMENT

Well is appears that the water in my right ear is finally gone but I have a new ailment that has developed. I injured my right should playing with Mozart or lifting something at work, all I know is my shoulder is very sore. Dad looked like he was feeling a bit better yesterday even though he doesn't think he passed his kidney stone yet. Also our final baseball game of the season was cancelled tonight and we will began the playoffs at home on Tuesday night at 7pm against one of the Matoaca teams. It is going to feel very warm the next couple of days with the heat indexes in the low 100's and there is a slight chance of t-storm in the afternoon as well, we sure could some rain. MCG

Take the stairs. People who walked an extra 4,000 to 5,000 steps each day lowered their blood pressure by an average of 11 points, according to a small study at the University of Tennessee.

The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success. -Bruce Feirstein

A VERY LONG NIGHT

I have to say it was a very long night at Prince George last night even though we did win both our games last night it just seemed like the games lasted forever. We have 2 games left in the regular season and then the playoffs will began next week. Dad still hasn't passed his kidney stone yet and has been in some considerable pain the last few days. I sure wish today was Friday but I guess I will have to wait another day for that. MCG

Carbs are good for your heart. Research suggests that increasing your soluble-fiber intake (a type of fiber found in carb-rich foods like oatmeal and beans) by 5 to 10 grams each day could result in a 5 percent drop in “bad” LDL cholesterol. Similarly, people who eat more whole grains (think brown rice, bulgur, quinoa) also tend to have lower LDL cholesterol and higher “good” HDL cholesterol.

Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes. Kenneth Hildebrand

DAD A BIT UNDER THE WEATHER

Well dad has been a bit under the weather the last dew days with a kidney stone, so far he hasn't passed it and is still in allot of pain. He did go to the OBX Hospital on Monday night and they did confirm that he had a stone. Our Appomattox League baseball team will be back in action tonight at Prince George and for some reason when we play them the games seem to last forever so I probably wont get home until after 11pm which makes for a very long day. In cased you missed it last night the National League won the All-Star game last night 3-1. MICKEY

Carbs can help boost your mood. Researchers suspect that carbs promote the production of serotonin, a feel-good brain chemical. In a study from the Archives of Internal Medicine, people who followed a very low carbohydrate diet for a year—which allowed only 20 to 40 grams of carbs daily, about the amount in just 1⁄2 cup of rice plus one piece of bread—experienced more depression, anxiety and anger than those assigned to a low-fat, high-carb diet that focused on low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruit and beans.

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. W. Clement Stone

IT WAS A LONG DAY AT WORK

After being off all of last week the first day back at work seemed like it took for ever to get to closing time and I sure felt a bit sluggish at times thats for sure. Our baseball game last night was postponed until Friday because the field was unplayable because of the sprinklers being left on to long. Well I will be heading back to the oral surgeon this afternoon and it shouldn't be long until they start the final process of me getting my implant. I still have water in both ears but my right one is more clogged up than my left one and my sinuses aren't helping the situation out none. MCG

Rise and dine. In a study of 3,900 people, Harvard researchers found that men who ate breakfast every day were 44 percent less likely to be overweight and 41 percent less likely to develop insulin resistance, both risk factors for heart disease.

DID YOU KNOW
Today, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo products are sold in every country in the world, except North Korea.

BACK TO WORK, BASEBALL TONIGHT

Well after being off all of last week it's time to go back to work today, I sure enjoyed the week off and don't know if I am ready to back yet but I don't have a choice. After working today i will be heading to our Appomattox League baseball game tonight at home against Matoaca. Fellow blogger Keith is down Florida doing some government work and Maureen & Andrew are going down tomorrow to visit him and see some of the attractions down there while Keith is working. It looks like it is going to be in the 90's all week with a chance of t-storms each day, by the looks of most of the yards in the neighborhood it looks like they sure could use some rain. Well I am of to work. MCG

Poison ivy: Did you know poison ivy is mutating in ways that make its rash-inducing oils more potent and the plants themselves more difficult to identify? The cautionary rhyme “leaves of three, let them be" isn’t so reliable anymore. Plants, which can take the form of a shrub or vine, can have more leaves in a cluster. (Visit Poison-Ivy.org for images of typical varieties.)

Extension cords: Did you know burns to the mouth account for more than half of injuries related to the use of electrical extension cords in the home? Extension cords can be dangerous if they’re faulty or frayed, but even intact cords can present a number of hazards if they’re not used properly and safely tucked away, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children and pets can and will chew on extension cords if they can get to them, and this can result in severe burns and even electrocution.

“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” Will Rogers

VACATION COMING TO AN END

Well my vacation for 2010 will be coming to an end later this afternoon when I get back in the car ans start heading back to the Heights. It sure seems like the last 10 days have really flown by thats for sure. We did get some rain here on the OBX yesterday all though it wasn't much, I think the clouds kept the people off the beaches most of the day. While on vacation this past week I did set a new personal training record for the number of miles I ran in a week running 45.1 miles breaking the old record set back in July of 2008 when I ran 39.3 miles. I don't think I will be breaking the new record anytime soon, I usually only run 22-26 miles a week. David Reutimann won last nights Nascar race at Chicago holding of Carl Edwards for the win, Jimmie Johnson looked like the man to beat early in the race before having some problems however Reutimann was running in the top 10 all night. Last night we went to Henry's for supper and I thought it was pretty good, I got the fried pork chops. Well I am going to go for a run and then start packing my bags. MCG

Grills: Did you know, each year an average of 6,500 grill fires result in $27 million in property loss according to the US Fire Administration?

DID YOU KNOW
McDonald's is Brazil’s largest employer.

THE BEACH GROUP

Here is a collage I made with the 16 people and two dogs who where at the beach this past week. MCG

AND THERE ARE JUST 3 OF US LEFT AND MOZART

Well after stating the week with 16 people and two dogs, just me, mom, dad and Mozart are the only ones left from this years vacation. Everybody left last night after supper with the exception of Scott and his crew who left this morning at 3am and no I wasn't up when they left. Well the only person who went to the beach yesterday was Maureen, she tried to get several people to go with her but she did't have any luck with that, the threat of rain kept most of the group away and some souvenir shopping as well. It looks like they picked a good time to leave because the weather doesn't look to promising today. Last night we went to the Black Pelican one last time before everybody headed home, the food was good as usual but we had to wait an hour to get in which didn't make me or anybody else in the group to happy. Well I have 1 more full day at the beach before I head home sometime tomorrow. MCG

Video games: Did you know it is possible to sustain sports injuries while playing video games? Sports injuries resulting from playing video games are on the rise and most are related to the upper extremities -- to the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. Source: Mt. Sinai School of Medicine Department of Orthopedics

Goals help you channel your energy into action. -Les Brown

OCEAN GOT ROUGHER YESTERDAY

Well after being calm most of the week the ocean got a bit rougher yesterday and the undertow also returned a bit as well. The water temp was in the upper 70's with an air temp in the upper 80's but a strong easterly win of the ocean mad it feel cold when you got out. This morning here on the OBX we got brief rain shower and there is a pretty good chance of rain most of the day and the NWS says that the rip current threat will increase also. I haven't decided whether or not I will make it back to the beach today or not, I have water in both my ears and now they are beginning to hurt as well and big toe is still an area of concern as well. I have posted a link below to all the photos AL has taken this week. MCG

NEWEST PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND HERE

http://whatsnew.fotki.com/bp2/

DID YOU KNOW THAT

Corn dextrin, a common thickener used in junk food, is also the glue on envelopes and postage stamps.

Make Lists and Make Plans. Listing out what you want to accomplish and how you want to do so helps to keep you on track. Without a plan, however, it is easy to put things on hold to check email, clean or surf the web. Set time lines and “deadlines” to each of your tasks. This will hold you responsible to completing things on time.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, NO WHERE NEAR AS HOT TODAY

A very special HAPPY ANNIVERSARY goes out to Al and Donna today, it has been 4 years since they got married. Well it's not going to be no where near as hot as it was yesterday here today at the beach, today it's going to be in the low 80's and there is a pretty stiff wind blowing off of the ocean. did make it back to the beach and I have say the ocean temp was around 72 which was very refreshing since the air temp was in the lower 90's. I do still have water in my ear and my left big toe nail is about ready to come off, it probably wont make another day in the ocean. Most of us went to Dare Devil Pizza last night for supper except for fellow blogger Keith and the rest of his family who went to the Lost Colony last night, they ate at Big Al's in Manteo. MCG

Clothes dryers and vents: Did you know, according to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, some 15,500 fires annually are attributed to careless use and faulty maintenance of clothes dryers and their exhaust vents? Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or the exhaust duct and the flow of air is blocked. This causes excessive heat build-up. Lint buildup on the filter or within the exhaust vent can catch fire.

DID YOU KNOW
For every human killed by a shark, humans kill two million sharks.

All of us have bad luck and good luck. The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps right on going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it. Robert Collier

I THINK I WILL BE BACK ON THE BEACH TODAY

Well it looks like I will be back on the beach today at least for a couple of hours and maybe longer even if my ear is still bothering me. It is suppose to be a little cooler today but you wouldn't know it by the warm 78 degree temp this morning which is about 15 degrees warmer than it was last Saturday morning and it appears that the humidity is going to be up a bit as well today. I changed the background of the blog last night to give it a beach look. MICKEY

Drink up. “Dehydration is a serious side effect of sunburn,” says Andrea Donsky, co-founder of NaturallySavvy.com, a website for natural, organic and green living. She recommends drinking plenty of water (your healthiest option) and other fluids to help re-hydrate the skin and fight dryness.

Hot tap water: Did you know each year approximately 3,800 injuries and 34 deaths occur in US homes due to scalding from excessively hot tap water? The majority of accidents involve the elderly and children under the age of 5. Source: CPSC

ON THIS DAY IN
1920 - A device known as the radio compass was used for the first time on a U.S. Navy airplane near Norfolk, Virginia.

NOT GOING TO THE BEACH TODAY

Well I will not be heading down to the beach today because my head is extremely clogged up between having water in my ear and mu sinuses. I hope to be able to return to the beach tomorrow but I am day to day. It is a bit warmer down here today but still not as hot as it is in Colonial Heights where it is over 100. It looks like we are going to have High Cotton BBQ tonight for supper which is fine with me, last night we had spaghetti which was very good as well. Well I am getting ready to go on my afternoon run. MICKEY

AL'S BEACH PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING LINKS

http://public.fotki.com/bp2/family_photos/summer-beach-photos-4/

http://public.fotki.com/bp2/family_photos/summer-beach-photos-3/

http://public.fotki.com/bp2/family_photos/summer-beach-photos-2010/

Fireworks

Since you didn't get to see any fireworks last night, here are a few pictures of what you missed in Colonial Heights.

A PRETTY GOOD 4TH

I have to say we all had a pretty good 4th on the OBX yesterday. Dad made some of his famous burnt burgers and yes there was at least 1 lucky dog as well. I had a very busy day as well riding 5 miles on the bike with Scott, running another 6 miles and then going down to the beach for a couple of hours where I go water in my ear. Since there were no official fireworks on the beach we just had to watch the amateurs shoot them, you couldn't see most of them but you could here them. Well I am going to get ready to start my day with a nice bike-ride or run. MICKEY

TRYING TO SOOTHE SUNBURN
Try vinegar. According to Dr. King, a popular folk remedy is to use white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to relieve sunburn pain. She admits there’s no science proving it works, but says that it can’t hurt to try it. Just soak a cloth or towel in a solution of half vinegar, half water and apply it to the affected area.

Petting dogs is proven to lower blood pressure of dog owners.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

I hope everybody has a nice and safe Independence Day. There are not going to be any fireworks this year in Nags Head or Kill Devils Hills, if you want to see fireworks this year on the OBX you are going to have to go over to Manteo where there is going to be a traffic nightmare. If you are in CH you can go to Southpark Mall and watch the fireworks. I have posted a link below to the photos Al took on the beach yesterday, as you will notice I am not any of the photos because it was a bit cool to be on the beach yesterday. I will probably make my beach debut this afternoon as long as the temp gets above 80. I am a bit tired this morning because I stayed up an watched the end of the race which Kevin Harvick won holding of Kasey Kahne for the win. MICKEY

BEACH PHOTOS

http://public.fotki.com/bp2/family_photos/summer-beach-photos-2010/

A COUPLE OF WAYS TO SOOTHE SUNBURN
Slather on aloe. If you’re going to buy it in a bottle, the best choice is one that contains no added colors or fragrances. (A good option is Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera.) But aloe straight from the plant may be even better and possibly more effective, says Lynne C. David, ND, a naturopathic doctor at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Purchase a plant at a garden store or florist, and then just split open a spear and rub the gel on your skin.

Milk it. Soak a clean cloth in cool milk and apply it to the burned area for 20 minutes, says Hadley C. King, MD, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Make sure you use whole milk; the fat content is what’s soothing. Reapply every two to four hours.

COOL MORNING ON THE OBX

I have to say it bit cool this morning on the Outer Banks, it was 69 when I got up and it is only suppose to make it to about 80 today. Scott and is contingent are in town but had to stay in Manteo last night because the house was rented this week, Al and his contingent will be on the way this morning. There are going to be 16 people in our group this year, thats allot of people. Our Appomattox League team picked up 2 more wins last night beating Manchester twice, I don't they missed me at all. Well I am going to set on the porch with Mozart. MICKEY

Boosts your immune system: Walking regularly can lower your risk of arthritis, macular degeneration, and even cancer by an astonishing 50% compared with people who don't exercise.

TIME TO HEAD DOWN TO THE BEACH

IT'S TIME TO GO TO THE BEACH. MICKEY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAUREEN

Well today is former blogger Maureen Goulder's birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAUREEN and she is blankety blank years old today, you didn't think I was really going to tell you. Well it is hard to believe that today is July 1, where has the first half of the year gone. We won both of our Appomattox League games last night Hopewell, we are scheduled to make up our games with Manchester tomorrow night. I am going to start packing for vacation later tonight when I get home from work, I have to decide when I am going to leave though, I will just have to see how Friday goes. I just looked at the extended forecast for the beach next week and it looks like it going to be pretty hot again next week. MICKEY

Did you know there is a rare disease called porphyria (also called the "vampire" or "Dracula" disease) causes vampire-like symptoms, such as an extreme sensitivity to sunlight and sometimes hairiness. In extreme cases, teeth might be stained reddish brown, and eventually the patient may go mad.

Revs up your energy: Not only can a walk perk you up when you need it, but also it helps improve the quality of your sleep, so you're more energetic all day long.