History of daylight savings

DST came about during World War I. Germany observed it first in an attempt to conserve fuel with the added hour of daylight in the evening. Other nations of Europe decided to do the same, with the US beginning the practice in 1918. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson tried to establish a permanent Daylight Savings Time, with Congress repealing it but allowing states to adopt their own practice, if desired. The practice was widely discarded, but returned during World War II. Unlike the practice of today, however, the country observed it year-round. There was no end to it as there is now, in the fall. So, many didn’t have to worry about being ready to ‘fall back’ while planning their upcoming Thanksgiving meals.

In 1966, the twice-yearly practice of changing the clocks, marking the beginning and the end of daylight savings was adopted. Congress tried to return to the year-round observance in 1974, but by year’s end, the bi-annual switching of the clocks became the status quo. In 2007, the only change made was the start and end times, creating a longer observance period for daylight savings.

DST disrupts the circadian rhythm

‘Circadian rhythm’ is a term Science uses to describe the body’s internal clock. It is how our body regulates many functions, including our sleep. The sun plays an intricate role in keeping our circadian rhythm balanced. Our social clocks also play a role. What time we wake, what we do when we wake, how we spend our day, and what time we go to sleep all are part of what makes up our circadian rhythm. When we’re sick, or miss sleep, or are over-stimulated too late into the night- all of these things make adjustments to our internal clock, and often, we suffer for it.

Getting the children ready to fall back

Many people grumble about the spring beginning of daylight savings, when we all lose an hour of sleep by setting our clocks forward by an hour. The often-elusive eight-hours seems more than impossible at that point, especially if you have children. Parents all over the country try to gear up for this time by getting their kids to bed early beginning a week before hand, but that doesn’t always pan out well. Some of us get excited about the idea of an “extra” hour in the fall, and feel more than ready to fall back. But then we remember: we have kids.

Changes in the circadian rhythm severely affect children. Many kids take weeks to recover from a change in sleep/wake times. This is true even during the fall when they’re supposed to be getting extra sleep. Some spend months after daylight savings time begins, and then again after it ends, readjusting to their new schedules. Behavior control suffers as well.

Parents can try to ease their children into the changes by doing several of the following: Taking into account their exposure to light and dark, especially the sun and its natural cycle. Dimming lights in the home, and making sure they are bright in the morning, will also help some. Adults can also find these practices helpful in order to feel ready to fall back come November 5^th.

The post Daylight savings time- are you ready to fall back? appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

What one person considers entirely normal, another person thinks is totally bonkers. Regarding the three things I’m about to mention in this post, I consider myself in the latter category—BONKERS. You might think these things are totally ordinary and reasonable. If so, we can agree to disagree, because I don’t find anything about any one of these facts “ordinary” or “reasonable.”

The first of our crazy facts has to do with Taylor Swift

Chances are, you either have a “Swifty” in your own household or know someone who does. This young woman has swept the world by storm when it comes to creating a fan base. Her followers are loyal to the core and will travel great miles and pay big bucks to watch her perform on stage. Now, some people might consider what I’m about to say as simply part of the Taylor Swift fan loyalty. I, on the other hand, find this information highly unusual. In fact, I think it’s disturbed and perverse and borders on mental illness.

Ms. Swift was scheduled to do a show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this past summer. A week or so before the show, several local news outlets reported a shortage of adult diapers and undergarments from store shelves. It turned out there was a connection between these shopping sprees and Taylor Swift’s upcoming concert. People were buying adult diapers and padded underwear so they didn’t have to use the restroom during the show. Yes, you read that right. Grown people would rather relieve their bladders and defecate in their own undergarments (on purpose!) than miss some of a Taylor Swift concert by standing in line to use the restroom. This ranks high on my list for CRAZY FACTS.

The purpose of soccer is to get as many goals as you can, except when you get too far ahead of the other team

I recently attended a youth soccer game. Part way through the game, one team had a five-zero lead over the opposing team. Suddenly, the opposing team charged, kicked and scored! Their coaches and teammates and families cheered ecstatically. I, on the other hand, along with several other spectators, was dumbfounded. Here’s why: When they kicked their scoring goal, there was no goal tender at the net. In fact, there was no goal tender for the defending team on the field at all!

I soon learned that this is “perfectly normal.” It is a rule that is supposedly designed to maximize “just the right challenge.” It is meant to keep one team from dominating the other. WAIT. Or, as my generation would have said in grade school, “HOLD THE PHONE.” The entire purpose of structured competition is to try to dominate the opposing team! If you read the article I just hyperlinked and you happen to be a baby boomer, your head is going to spin.

In addition to removing a goal tender so the losing team can score, coaches across the country reportedly implement other “tools” in a secret manner. For instance, if they have “too big of a lead,” they don’t shoot on goal unless they have completed six passes first. Talk about crazy facts! I come from a time and place where kids just played the game. If they got the pants beat off of them, so be it. That’s how you learn.

Mandatory meeting for teacher whose student identifies as a bird

Add this to your list of crazy facts this week: A teacher was required to attend a meeting with school administrators, board members and the parents of a particular student. This student goes through life pretending to be a bird. I would consider it reasonable or a normal course of action if such a meeting were held to discuss ways to provide mental health support for this child. That’s not what this meeting was about, however. On the contrary, the teacher was called to the meeting for another reason. The goal was to let her and the school officials know how they can accommodate their “bird-child.”

I’m all for imaginative play. In raising my own children, I made sure they had ample hours in every day to make believe and play pretend. They would invent elaborate stories or structures in the yard to build pretend communities, like farms or forts, etc. They would pretend to be parents or soldiers or store clerks. Sometimes, they would even pretend to be monsters. Imaginative play is good and healthy and necessary for a child’s development.

We’re not talking about make believe play here, though. We’re talking about an elementary school student. This student’s parents allow him to live as if he were a bird, not a human. They expect school teachers and administrators to participate in their child’s delusion. Children who experience delusions are suffering from mental disorders. Our job as adults is to provide support to help them get well, not encourage the behavior.

What crazy facts have you heard lately?

The post 3 crazy facts that will make your head spin appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

Find out early what you’re having, before the twenty-week ultrasound

For my husband and I, the twenty-week ultrasound appointment was exciting, as we got to see the baby and hear its heart beat. Then, when we did choose to find out what it was, the anticipation was even more palpable. One time, we had the tech put the results in an envelope and my husband and other children opened it without me. They then went shopping and bought an outfit for the baby suitable for its gender. It was a girl that time, and they picked out a very girly, cute, pink dress with a princess image and a ruffled skirt. They wrapped it and gave it to me for my birthday.

But waiting for that twenty-week mark was almost agonizing! When we have chosen not to find out the gender, waiting for the birth to know was somehow easier. When we have chosen to find out the gender of our babies, I didn’t love the twenty-week wait. I don’t know anyone who has! Now, with a blood test, you are able to find out the gender of your baby when you are just 6-7 weeks along. According to one company, the results are guaranteed to be 99.9% accurate.

How a blood test works to find out early what you’re having

Everyone has an opinion; some advice is warranted, and some not so much. Whether or not to find out what you’re having is one of those things where some people agree, and some people don’t. There is a split between older folks who didn’t have the luxury to find out at all, when they were having babies. Some think it’s the best thing since sliced bread, as then you can better prepare. Others think it ruins the element of surprise. I think that they all will question how a blood test would even work to tell you the gender of your baby.

The lab tests a blood sample taken from the mother, specifically looking for male DNA. If none is present, you are having a girl. If they find male DNA, you are having…you guessed it… a boy! Having twins? Unless they find no male DNA, you won’t be able to know each gender of fraternal twins. (None would mean both are girls.) If the test shows male DNA, you know at least one of them is a boy. If they’re identical and the test shows male DNA, they’re both boys. When it does not show male DNA, both are girls. It’s pretty simple. Prior pregnancies with a boy do not skew results. This is because baby’s DNA usually makes its way out of the mother’s bloodstream within 2 days after birth.

Birth is the only 100% accurate way

Though the results are 99.9% accurate, the only way to know for sure is to give birth to your baby (or babies)! Finding out beforehand can be fun. This new way, when you don’t even have to wait until twenty weeks, cuts back on the anticipation. But, there’s also something to be said for waiting. That element of surprise definitely has a sense of magic to it. I’ve especially loved when my husband was the one to tell me the gender of our baby, right when she/he was born. But no matter what you do, or whether it is a girl or boy, all that matters is that you have a sweet new babe to love for the rest of your life.

The post Babies—will you find out early what you’re having? appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

Keep your sanity

I’ve written before about the market hindering our family’s plans. Unfortunately, that has led to us still being without a home when our time at our rental ends. Fortunately, our landlord extended our time by a month. But as we are now nearing the end of October, we have little time left to close on a new house. We’ve made offers which sellers did not accept. The competition is still pretty difficult, and inventory is even lower than it had been before. So how have I stayed relatively sane in this crazy time? I’ll give you four tips I’ve developed in order to keep my sanity and look with hope toward the unknowns looming ahead.

1. Don’t settle

Most people feel the heat of a deadline, or are burnt out from the search, and they give up. This ensures settling on something they don’t necessarily want or need. When you focus solely on the end-goal of buying a house, anxiety can kick in and cause you to make the wrong decisions. It can be a decision that negatively impacts your finances or your family life, or myriad other things that change your life in a negative way. Don’t settle for just anything.

Do keep in mind your bare minimum needs, and make decisions based on that, if you have to. But if you have some wants, too, make those somewhat of a priority. But be willing to let go of at least a few if keeping them would have no real impact on your quality of life. Even in our situation, where we are forced to move and also have a deadline, we won’t settle on just anything. If we need to, we will rent again until the market settles some. It’s not the ideal situation, but in our minds it’s better than settling on something we know would be detrimental to our family life. Buying a house is an investment, both in your family and of your money, and should be done wisely.

2. Don’t let others tell you what to do if you want to survive house-hunting in a crazy market

Everyone has an opinion. Well-meaning people will offer you their thoughts on what they would do or think you should do, but when it comes down to it, the only thing that matters is you and your family—what you need and want. Only you can decide what to do, and you have to do what’s best for your family.

Even realtors might overstep and start to give you their personal opinions, but again, they don’t know what you need. Sometimes, the overload of input is too much, whether it’s positive or negative. If you find yourself being subjected to unsolicited opinions, advice, or even just random thoughts, take a step back. Set boundaries. It might mean telling your realtor to stick to professional advice only, or a well-meaning family member or friend that you need some space. Don’t let others tell you what to do, or it will definitely hinder your ability to survive house hunting in a crazy market.

3. Have a backup plan

Renting is an option when it comes to a backup if you have a deadline, or can’t find what you need. In most areas, renting will save you a little bit in your monthly payments, and you won’t have closing costs. It can also possibly afford you some time to build up a little more savings. Alternatively, maybe you have family or friends willing to take you in for a short time while you continue your search, if you find yourself without a place to go. Having a backup plan in place will help keep your stress levels down. It frees you to feel less burdened by the anxiety of a deadline or lack of inventory, and helps you to focus on what matters most: finding the right house for your family.

4. Keep the faith to survive house-hunting in a crazy market

Our family’s faith has been tested much, specifically in this journey over the past two years. It has been a difficult path, but it has also been very humbling. Realizing that surrendering to the will of God should be the foundation of all life-happenings, you find that the outcome of whatever you’re facing matters very little. If a seller doesn’t accept your offer, it’s simply not where God wants you to be. If you haven’t been able to find something that fits your family’s needs, He hasn’t yet revealed it to you. God is not bound by time. Our human deadlines for things are actually unimportant to the bigger picture. You do what you can, and leave the rest to Him. He won’t leave you without a home. Keep the faith that He will provide, even when it looks like nothing is on the horizon.

Following these four tips will help you through one of the craziest times of the real estate market, and in your life. Buying a home is always a stressful time but if you keep your focus on the right things (keep your faith, set boundaries, make your own decisions and don’t settle on just anything), you’re sure to survive house-hunting in a crazy market.

The post Four tips to survive house-hunting in a crazy market appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

Most people are moderately aware of their responsibilities and obligations as taxpayers. There is typically a lingering fear that acts as incentive for people to submit their tax returns on time to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This fear has another name, which is “tax audit.”  No one wants to be audited by the IRS, so they try to navigate the tax system on their own or hire someone to do their taxes for them. Many taxpayers are completely unaware of the 10 rights they possess. If you count yourself among that group, keep reading, and you’ll gain a basic understanding of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights by the end of this post.

Your 10 rights as a taxpayer include the right to be informed

It’s your responsibility to fulfill your tax obligations on time. However, The IRS and U.S. Government are obligated to provide necessary information. They must explain tax laws, procedures, instructions and more. You have a right to be informed of changes in U.S. tax codes. Basically, you have a right to know whatever you need to know to be able to fulfill your tax responsibilities.

The IRS has to treat you with kindness and respect

As a taxpayer in the United States, you have a right to quality service. This includes courteous speech from IRS agents, as well as prompt and professional support as needed. Tied in with this right is the right to speak with an IRS supervisor if an agent has violated your right to quality service.

IRS can’t take any money from you beyond the exact amount you owe

The IRS cannot keep any over-payment you mistakenly send to pay your taxes. It also cannot charge you more interest or a higher penalty than you legally owe. If you are due a refund, they must send it in a timely manner.

Your rights as a taxpayer include the right to be heard

If the IRS takes formal action against you, you have a right to oppose. You may submit documentation to substantiate your claim, and the IRS is obligated to review the information and consider your objection in a fair and timely manner. The IRS must respond to your opposition, even if the agency disagrees with your position.

You have a right to appeal IRS decisions

If you believe that the IRS has rendered an unjust decision against you, you have a right to appeal. The Office of Appeals must provide a fair and impartial review of your case. You also have a right to take your case to court. Finally, you have a right receive the decision of an appeal in writing.

Taxpayers have a right to finality

This generally means that you are entitled to know the exact of amount of time you have to file an appeal. It also means that the IRS must inform you of how much time it has to conduct an audit and also when your audit is finished.

IRS inquiries must be kept private

If you become subject to an IRS investigation or audit or enforcement action, you have the right to expect privacy. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you against unlawful searches and seizures. This protection applies to IRS investigations, as well. Taxpayers are also entitled to a due process hearing regarding the collection of evidence.

No one can disclose or use your tax information

There is confidentiality between a taxpayer and a professional tax preparer. If you hire someone to do your taxes, he or she must keep the information you disclose during the process confidential. You have a right to expect legal action to be taken against any tax preparer who violates your right to confidentiality.

A right to legal representation is one of your rights as a taxpayer

If you’ve watched old crime shows on TV, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed by the court on your behalf.” The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is similar to the Miranda warning. It states that you have a right to legal representation when you are involved in proceedings against the IRS.

The U.S. tax system must be fair and just

Your rights as a taxpayer in America include the right to be treated fairly and justly in all dealings with the Internal Revenue Service. It also means that if you provide legitimate cause as to why your taxes are late or you are unable to pay them, the IRS must consider the facts of your situation and make a fair and just decision. Regarding taxes, in particular state taxes, there have been numerous taxes levied against Americans in various states that can hardly be considered fair or just. Check out these examples of crazy taxes!

Were there any rights on this list that you were not aware of before reading this post?

The information contained herein was obtained from Publication 1 (Rev.9-2017) Catalog Number 64731W Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov.

The post Your 10 rights as a taxpayer in America appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

Whether or not a specific incident or government action constitutes ultra vires is typically debatable. Some people might think certain actions are evidence that the government is overstepping its power. Others might think it’s okay. The U.S. Constitution is the legal document that restricts the powers of government. Therefore, most of the time (if not all) it is possible to definitively state whether government has reached “beyond its power.”

Government intervention regarding alcohol consumption

As mentioned at the start of this post, there are times when the Fed intervenes in the lives of private citizens but nobody squawks about it. For instance, most people are okay with a federally mandated drinking age. In 1984, the federal government signed into law “The Federal Uniformed Drinking Age Act,” which all 50 states still abide by today. Do you think the government commits ultra vires when it federally mandates a drinking age?

What about education laws? Government intervention (via the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution) made it so that education is governed at the state level, not federal. This is a good thing, is it not? As you can see by these examples, government intervention isn’t always bad.

When it’s bad, it’s really bad

Flash forward to 2020 when the federal government began telling private citizens that they couldn’t leave their homes. The Fed ordered businesses to shut down. In the following few years, government interventions created mandates requiring people to cover their faces in public. Such mandates prohibited people from doing certain things (like flying on an airplane or entering certain buildings) if they declined an experimental injection. Every mandate the federal government tried to impose during that time was unconstitutional—ultra vires to the max!

People cannot violate the Constitution, only the government can. Individuals have rights protected under the Constitution. Its purpose is to govern the government. It limits governmental power. No one can tell you that you cannot leave your home. It is unconstitutional to mandate an injection or other experimental procedure. Government intervention usurped the rights of business owners and private citizens by overstepping its power and creating false mandates.

Government leaders threatened Americans on public airwaves

Joe Biden informed Americans that the Fed was “losing its patience” with people who insisted on making their own health decisions. He warned that they would suffer repercussions. Others in government made similar statements. The U.S. Government is not allowed to threaten the safety and freedom of its people.

Sadly, there are inklings all around us hinting that a resurgence of fearmongering, threats, unconstitutional mandates and more ultra vires actions are on the rise—again. The question this time around is: Will you bow to tyranny, or will you stand your ground and protect, preserve and defend the freedom and liberties of the American people? Government intervention has already changed life in America. We can make sure it doesn’t ruin it for good. We are a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. They work for us, not the other way around.

The post Government intervention is changing life in the US appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

To my Nanu, it was that simple. He didn’t care that he couldn’t ride a roller-coaster or spin upside down or drop from great heights. All that mattered to him was achieving his goal. He was over 100 years old at the time, and there was still an item on his bucket list that he wanted to check off. And, so, he did. If there are centenarians in your family or community, you’ll do yourself a favor by spending time with them. First, keep reading this post to discover more bits of wisdom shared from folks around the world who have been blessed with longevity.

Elders emphasize staying active in their wisdom for healthy living

Mika Cribbs recently shared this article online. Cribbs’s Japanese grandfather is 95 and is retired from his career as a cardiologist. Upon a visit to Japan, this grandfather taught his adult grandchild about purposeful living and the habits that keep him and his wife so healthy late in life. There are eight specific things this 95-year-old considers non-negotiables in his life. He does most, if not all of them, every day. Here’s the list:

• Takes a 30-minute walk with his wife first thing every morning
• Follows up the walk with stretching, balancing and strength-building exercises
• Writes on his blog
• Uses social media to stay connected to his loved ones
• Creates self-portraits every day to gain a better understanding of himself
• Learns new skills and hobbies
• Takes naps
• Enjoys favorite foods like cheese, red meat and wine

Cribbs said that her grandfather practices an ancient Japanese concept called “ikigai.” In English, it translates to “a sense of purpose.” Her grandfather believes that each person must find the unique sense of purpose in his or her life and practice it with “care, intention and joy.” Balance is the key.

Centenarian sisters have 5 tips for us

A pair of sisters, ages 103 and 106 now live hundreds of miles from one another, each in an assisted living facility. However, they call each other at least three times per week. They have summed up their secrets to longevity with the five helpful tips shown in the following list:

• Maintain close relationships and connections with your loved ones; it keeps you going.
• Do not smoke or drink, and make healthy food choices.
• Become an avid reader.
• Get in a good workout by walking up and down hills every day. If you can’t handle that, just walk a good distance.
• Focus on a positive mindset; don’t dwell on regrets or past problems in life.

One of the sisters says that she has had her share of grief and illness. However, she believes that a healthy lifestyle includes facing your problems head-on, overcoming them, then moving forward with optimism. The sisters also believe it is important to be grateful and mindful of your blessings.

World’s oldest practicing doctor shares his wisdom

Dr. Howard Tucker’s name is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the world’s oldest practicing doctor. His way of teaching how to live a long, healthy life is to share what not to do. What’s the first thing on his list? Retirement. He says that people who want to avoid cognitive decline as they age should not retire. If you’re physically and mentally able to keep working, then you should. Doctor Tucker says that the problem with retirement is that people who stop working tend to become inactive. This causes substantial cognitive decline.

Dr. Tucker also warns people not to let themselves go, meaning don’t get out of shape. This amazing man was still hiking, jogging and skiing in his late eighties. Nowadays, he limits his “sports” to three brisk miles per day on a treadmill. He says he watches classic movies while he walks to avoid boredom. In sharing wisdom for healthy living, there are three more things Dr. Tucker says NOT to do if you want to live a long, healthy, happy life. Here they are:

1. Do not smoke.
2. Do not overly restrict yourself. Eat and drink what you want in moderation, and make healthy choices, like incorporating greens into your daily diet. (He and his wife eat a salad every day.)
3. Do not waste your knowledge. Share what you know with others and keep learning new things as you age.

Dr. Tucker says that he loves spending time with his children and grandchildren when he is not working. He is also currently participating in the production of a documentary about his life. Dr. Tucker is a neurologist and also has a law degree. He served as Chief of Neurology on the Atlantic fleet during the Korean War.

What wisdom for healthy living do you have to share? Leave a comment under this post on our Facebook page and start a conversation!

The post Elders share wisdom for healthy living appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

This is especially true if you experience hip pain while you are walking. So, what’s the connection between hip pain and heart disease? The key factor is that you have arteries in your legs. You probably already know that a clogged artery in the heart can cause a heart attack. Well, if there is a clog in a leg artery, it typically means that there could also be problems with arteries in the heart. Hip pain associated with a heart condition might feel different from pain associated with arthritis or injury. The main difference is that hip pain from a clogged leg artery tends to get worse upon exertion (walking or exercise). If you are not moving around, you might not feel the pain. Peripheral arterial disease can also cause pain in areas besides the hips, such as thighs, buttocks or calves.

Heart disease and erectile dysfunction

There are many reasons why a man might experience problems obtaining or maintaining an erection. If you’re a male who is currently having this problem, do not rule out heart disease as a possible cause. The condition is connected to decreased blood flow, which, as stated at the beginning of this post, is often present in people with heart problems. Other conditions, such as diabetes or stress, can cause erectile issues, as well. It is always best to seek medical attention to rule out or diagnose heart problems.

More than 80% of women with heart failure have also experienced sexual dysfunction, in particular, vaginal dryness, lack of sensation or decreased libido (sex drive). Such symptoms are often present at the onset of cardiovascular disease. The average woman might not think of scheduling an appointment with a cardiologist if she is experiencing sexual dysfunction. However, if other issues have been ruled out, it is wise to do so, especially if the person in question has additional symptoms that might be related to heart disease.

Additional symptoms besides hip pain that accompany heart disease

If you experience any of the symptoms included in the following list, it would be prudent to discuss them with your primary care physician, who might then recommend a visit to a cardiologist:

• When you lie on your back, you have trouble breathing.
• You have swelling in one or both ankles or lower legs.
• Simple activities, such as making the bed, exhaust you to the point that you feel like you need to rest.
• You need to relieve your bladder multiple times during the night.
• You have halitosis (bad breath).
• You often experience unexplained nausea.

It’s better to get a thorough checkup and rule out heart disease than to disregard symptoms or assume they are unrelated to heart health. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one person dies every 33 seconds from heart disease in the United States. This makes it the leading cause of death. You can boost your heart health by eating certain foods. Like many illnesses, the sooner you receive a diagnosis, the more treatable it might be. Do not hesitate to further investigate obscure symptoms that might be related to poor heart health.

The post Hip pain and other symptoms associated with heart disease appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

According to the Pickleball Participant Report, there are more than 2 million players throughout the United States. A former lieutenant governor of Washington invented the game. It was 1975, and his family was vacationing on the Puget Sound. His 13-year-old son was not a happy camper. In fact, his dad, Joel Pritchard, noticed that he wasn’t doing anything more than sitting and staring out the window. The events that followed sparked an idea that is now one of the most popular hobby sports in the country: Pickleball.

Pickleball was borne from a comment that a disrespectful son made

As the story was told by Joel Pritchard’s son, Frank, he (Frank) was acting like a spoiled, ungrateful teenager. The family was vacationing on Bainbridge Island, which many families can only dream about. It is a beautiful place in the Pacific Northwest. Today, it costs more than $4,000 for a week’s house rental. At the time, Joel Pritchard was a member of Washington’s House of Representatives. His son’s bad attitude on vacation demonstrated a lack of gratitude. In his own words, he was acting like a “shi**y kid.” Frank says his dad tried to encourage him to explore the island or do something fun, like make up a game to play.

The teen was determined to complain and NOT enjoy vacation. Not only did he not take his dad’s advice, he remarked that he should be the one to go off and make up a game. Just a short time later, pickleball was invented. The senior Pritchard decided to rise to his son’s challenge (albeit as snarky and disrespectful as it was). He grabbed a wiffle ball that was lying nearby. He made some paddles and lowered a volleyball net to be short, like a tennis net. He called on a few friends to join him. Before they knew it, they made up a game! It was easy to play, competitive and great for all ages.

Mrs. Pritchard chose the name “pickleball” for the game

Frank Pritchard says his mother was a crew enthusiast. Most people know the sport “crew” by another name—rowing. On rowing teams, there’s always a specific boat traveling near the competing water crafts. This boat carries all the extra rowers. (Think “dug out” in a baseball game.) Rowers call the boat a “pickle boat.” Mrs. Pritchard told her husband that “pickleball” would be a good name for his new game. She said the name was fitting because it was a game that borrowed various aspects and supplies from other sports. For instance, it uses a wiffle ball. It also has paddles that are smaller than tennis rackets but larger than ping pong paddles. You play it on a court with a net. You get the idea.

What are the primary rules of the game?

It has been said that pickleball “feels” like playing ping pong while standing on the ping pong table. You can install a court indoors or out. It looks like a miniature tennis court. The following list provides a basic overview of pickleball rules:

• You serve a pickleball underhand.
• Only the serving team can score points.
• The game ends at 11 points, with the winning team beating the opponent by two.
• The person serving stands on the left or right side of the court—left if the team has an odd number of points, right, if even.
• The ball must bounce once on each side before players are allowed to volley (hit the ball without letting it bounce).
• You can only volley outside of the “kitchen,” which is the area within seven feet of the net on each side.

People of all ages can play the game, with intensity and skill level fluctuating, as needed. Joel Pritchard is now deceased, but his son Frank says his dad would be greatly pleased to see how popular his game has become.

Pickleball is good for your brain and body

If you explore the archives on The Hot Mess Press, you’ll find no shortage of posts that mention the benefits of whole body movement. A sedentary lifestyle is the nemesis of good health. Pickleball is a great form of exercise because it requires whole body movement. However, you can adapt your speed and intensity to fit your ability. A study completed a few years ago reported that people who played this game for six consecutive weeks showed improved cognitive skills. This means it’s good for your brain. Check out your community to see if there are any pickleball courts and consider joining (or starting) a club! Simply click on the short video above to learn how to play!

The post Are you playing pickleball yet? appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.

Why can’t people ask questions?

When someone questions the safety of a product designed as a children’s toy, they are touted as a savvy consumer. If you question the government or news media or inconsistencies you observe, you’re a conspiracy theorist. Funny, though, isn’t it, how many conspiracies have been proven true in recent years?

Why were trees left standing in the middle of the Maui fires?

One of the strange issues that people immediately began to notice as they watched news reels and videos of the Maui fires is that trees stood in the midst of the flames. These fires were literally blazing infernos, seeming to destroy everything in their paths, except certain trees, You have to admit that is odd. This is one of several observations that caused millions of people to suspect that the fires were the result of nefarious actions.

Various “experts,” such as an assistant professor of wildfire risk in Oregon weighed in on the topic. He stated that trees that have a high water content often remain standing when surrounding regions are destroyed by fire. Some people were satisfied with this explanation. Many others continued to question.

Were laser beams used from on high to start the Maui fires?

Videos and graphics showing the Maui fires from an overhead view spurred even more people to start questioning the validity of the claim that the fires occurred naturally. People throughout the country began suspecting that laser beams were used to ignite the fires and spread them in a predetermined fashion. Some claimed it’s not even possible to start a fire with a laser beam from the sky. However, that’s simply not true.

In 2018, a man photographed a laser beam shooting down to ignite a controlled burn at an Ohio refinery. Someone reportedly got hold of the photos of that event and posted them online after the Maui fires. The person who had taken one of the Ohio photos came forward to confirm that the image was his. He said someone had re-posted it in connection with the Maui fires. However, the fact that such images exist proves that it IS, in fact, possible to strategically start fires using laser beams from the sky.

Why didn’t celebrity-owned real estate burn?

Many people are also asking why the Maui fires left the homes of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Bill Gates (if you can call him a celebrity) unscathed. A bird’s eye view of the fires show supposedly out-of-control flames spread through Maui and travel right alongside the property lines of real estate owned by celebrities and billionaires. It stops short with precision without causing ANY damage to their land or homes. How can that be? In a moment of snarkiness, I asked myself whether their homes had high water content like the trees that remained standing the midst of the flames.

The news media and others can think or say whatever they want about people who have asked such questions. My point, though, is why don’t they just provide the answers? If there are logical explanations to why raging wildfires come to a screeching halt just before the property lines of billionaires, why not provide those explanations? There’s a lot of name-calling and finger pointing, but no answers. Some people suggest that homeowners in Maui with a lot of money and a lot of power have committed an act of arson. They think they did this to force residents out of their homes and away from the area, so they themselves can scoop up the real estate and rebuild. Stranger things have happened in recent years; wouldn’t you say?

Isn’t it ironic that a conference to turn Maui into a smart city occurred before the fires started?

The Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences hosted a conference in January of this year. A portion of the discussions held at this conference included the idea of transforming Maui into the nation’s first 15-minute smart city. This is an urban planning theme. In such a city, everything would run on solar panels. They call these cities “15-minute” cities because, in theory, people could obtain anything they need within walking distance of their homes. AI would run the city.

It’s no secret that native residents on Maui have refused to sell their real estate. They refused to leave the area when high-powered, wealthy individuals and groups who want to purchase the land beckoned them to do so. People who attended the conference say there were no actual plans made to turn Maui into a smart city. It was just an idea. Millions of other people across America, however, noted the irony that such a conference took place in January, residents refused to sell, then “natural wildfires” destroyed the area containing their homes (but not nearby billionaires’ homes) months later.

Maui mayor confronted by reporters

The mayor of Maui recently spoke to a group of reporters following the fires that have destroyed the beautiful island, caused many deaths and left hundreds of families grief-stricken as they search for missing loved ones. An independent journalist asked the mayor how many of the missing people are children. His response was, “I don’t know.” The reporter wasn’t buying that answer. He challenged the mayor, saying he must have an estimate. He asked why he was refusing to provide information to the public. The mayor casually threatened to end the interview. This prompted voices from the crowd telling him that he is the worst mayor the island has ever had.

All drama aside, isn’t it logical to assume that the mayor of a city that was just destroyed by fire would have access to resources that could, at least, muster an estimate of how many children are missing from the region? Yet, this mayor adamantly claimed (in public) that he has no idea how many children are missing. How must that make the families of the missing children feel? Do you think the Maui fires were a random, natural disaster or do you share the concerns of millions of people throughout the country who are asking questions that are not being answered?

The post Maui fires have sparked questions appeared first on The Hot Mess Press.