Click here to learn more about my “55 Things” and here to view previous posts in this series.

Ranger has really taken to my husband. He follows my husband around, watching his every move, and when my husband is not moving sometimes he will just sit and stare at him. When my husband asks why he is doing that I tell him “he wants to be you.”

Usually when my husband is away Ranger turns his attention to me and what I am doing. Often it’s when I am sitting at my computer desk trying to type that Ranger will come put his paws on my leg. Then, before I know it, he wiggles his way up on my lap and I’ll have 20 pounds of beagle between me and the computer.

Today I decided to let him help me write.

A Nap On Your Lap

By Ranger and Ruth

Our walk is done, now take off your cap.
A bite to eat, then it’s time for a nap.
A nap I say – sit down, sit down
It’s time for a nap –
a nap on your lap.

What’s wrong with you?
Did you hear what I said?
I’m a tired pup – can’t hold up my head
If you won’t listen, if you won’t sit
I’ll just have to nap on your bed
instead.

Click here to learn more about my “55 Things” and here to view previous posts in this series.

This song that I haven’t heard or even thought about in ages started playing over and over in my mind on Monday and has stayed with me through the week. It’s not driving me crazy like earworms sometimes do, in fact it is just what I needed this week.

When I looked the song up on YouTube I was surprised to learn that Anne Murray was the original artist. Did you know that?

Click here to learn more about my “55 Things” and here to view previous posts in this series.

Many years ago, when my children were young, and I was a much younger, divorced mother juggling a fulltime job and raising 4 daughters, I had a ring (I am not even sure where I got it). It was just an inexpensive piece of costume jewelry and it had the word MOM on it. I was never sure how to wear that ring. Should I put it on so when I looked at my hand I could read the word MOM, or was it better to wear it so that when others might look at my hand they could read it?

One day while looking at the ring I saw the word “MOM” turned upside down and I read the word “WOW”. I then thought about how many times while performing my “Mom” juggling act I felt like I was running in circles, doing the splits, or turning cartwheels and summersaults. Sometimes it really felt like I was upside down.  It suddenly occurred to me that those were the times that I was really WOW. (Wow is defined as an exclamation: expressing astonishment or admiration.) Juggling in itself is challenging at best but juggling while standing on your head is an amazing feat.

I had planned on writing this post some time during this year and with all things our world is experiencing right now I thought that there might need to be some Mom’s that need to hear this. I am sure that there are many Mom’s out there who feel like they are trying to juggle while standing on their head right now and if you are one of them I think of you and say WOW. I admire you and applaud you.

If you are reading this but are not currently a mom trying to raise kids during these challenging times feel free to pass this message along to someone who is and give her the encouragement she needs and the acclamation she deserves.

Thanks for reading and be well.

Click here to learn more about my “55 Things” and here to view previous posts in this series.

“You either do what everyone else is doing and you do it better, or you do what no one else is doing and you don’t invite comparison.” ~ Kenny Rogers

Click here to learn more about my “55 Things” and here to view previous posts in this series.

Added 3/20/20: Two days after this post was originally published I can not in good conscience let it go unedited. I am changing it to include this article regarding cytokine storm. It seems as if a strong immune system that I mention below may not be the best way to handle COVID 19. Please consult a medical professional regarding any health concerns you might have.

Original Post: Hello Readers. It seems I am a bit late with this post as up until this point I had been posting “55 Things” each Monday. Perhaps you understand that with everything going on in the world I seem to have lost my focus for a minute. I do however hope to publish two “55 Things” posts this week and that should put me right back on track.

Wash You Hands

If we have heard it once we have heard it a thousand (or more) times over the last few weeks – washing your hands and now coupled with social distancing is the first line of defense against COVID 19. However if this invisible enemy is as powerful as it is reported to be then should we not have something in place in case the enemy penetrates that first line?

Beyond Hand Washing

The good news is that in varying degrees we do. It is called our immune system.

Now before I go any farther let me just say that I am not a doctor or medical professional and nothing that you read here should be considered medical advice. I am however a Mom so I am going to give you the same advice I gave to my kids. Try to keep your immune system healthy.

The following article shares 11 tips for doing so many of which I am personally practicing.

https://livinginnaturalharmony.com/blog/2018/02/09/11-tips-preventing-overcoming-cold-flu/

Are you doing anything to boost your immune system?

Thanks for reading and be well.