Baker's heartbeat

       It's important -- for many women -- to locate the restrooms, wherever they are!     I'm 66 years old and actually in very good health.      That said, I have a consistent worry that I share with a whole lot of other women. To wit: Where is the restroom?     Yep, bladder issues are a common concern for many women. According to the Mayo Clinic News Service , this worry occurs in 1 of every 4 women over 20 years of age. Issues includes leakage of some kind, or other related matters.     "Where ever I am, I go ahead and find the restrooms," a friend said recently. That was comforting to hear as it's something I do myself!     As an example: My husband Steve and I walk several days a week at Scott County Park, all year long. For part of the year the restrooms are closed and that encourages planning. I generally walk two miles, come home to "rest" a bit, and head back to walk or run two miles.    ...

                                               This is an example of a list that I make every day.                                                      This is a list that I make before shopping      I love to make lists as I aim to be productive each and every day.     I do this as a habit and I also believe it is comforting to have hobbies, goals and the like.       In addition, I can't seem to remember what I want to do unless I make a list!     I read a daily newspaper, and that is my top goal. Second most important goal is exercise, on a somewhat daily basis. The house is kept clean, and I mark that on lists, as well as normal items. As ...

Friends and family members in 2018 attended an excellent basketball tournament in Des Moines; four colleges participated: Iowa, Iowa State, the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University.        It was the morning of Valentine's Day and my husband Steve, and I, started to walk in Scott County Park, located just two miles from our home in rural Scott County, Iowa.     We had begun a two-mile loop when a woman in a car stopped us: She leaned out the driver's side window and handed us two bags of Valentine candies.     Startled, we stared at her as we did not know her. But she smiled and said, "I like that you are out here, walking!"     We did accept the candies and are eating them to this day!     That pleasant incident points to the importance of have a "community" in life. Communities are generally defined as a group of persons who share a common interest. Growing up, this is evident in school when one has dozens of clas...

       That's me and daughter Kirstin, after a typical work day after the hurricane. She worked on a different project in New Orleans from the one I was on.      Most people probably remember the most deadly hurricane in our nation's history: It was August, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the United States.     We were among the families horrified and sickened by the tragic situation faced by the brave people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other regions.     Katrina was the costliest and most deadly hurricane in U.S. history. According to Encyclopedia Britannica , it started as tropical storm but worsened quickly. Some 1,800 people died, many in New Orleans. The damages were estimated to exceed $160 billion.     Visitors today who walk along the Gulf Coast region can't help but notice the historical markers erected in the 19 years since the storm. I've included two of them as exam...

  That's me, after a recent appointment at the salon in Eldridge, Iowa Oh, give me a head with hair Long, beautiful hair Shining, gleaming, streaming Flaxen, waxen Now won't you gimme it down to there? (hair) Shoulder length or longer (hair) Here, baby, there, mama Everywhere, daddy, daddy Hair (hair, hair, hair, hair, hair) Grow it, show it Long as I can grow it My hair ... Songwriters: Gerome Ragni / James Rado / Galt Mac Dermot                   I scoop up my own hair every single day. I do appreciate this thick, brown and healthy hair, but my goodness, what a mess it makes!     I bought a special broom that grabs hair, and all sorts of devices to clean up said hair. I buy Swiffer sheets on a regular basis and use them.     I don't mean to sound negative. It's a blessing to have a head of hair, but also a responsibility.       No one wants to have hair in their food, for example!   ...

  Fontainebleau  Nature Trail      Few people would define we Bakers as eager hikers. We have hiked, of course, but mostly we concentrate on walking, running and the like.     That's until Steve and I discovered the Fontaine bleau Nature Trail near Ocean Springs, Mississippi.      We recently spent almost three weeks on the Gulf Coast. I did some online sleuthing and found what was described as an "easy" hiking trail, located not far from our hotel.     It was tricky to locate at first. The trail sign is relatively small and the first time we tried, there was a car accident. Police would not let us drive on Hanshaw Road, where the trail head is located.          But we eventually figured out the entrance. It is a very nice trail, and I'm using it as a topic because many folks travel south for warmer weather, and some visitors might be interested in a nice, pleasant and easy hike.     According...

  Alina and Thea Rodewald, now 14 months old.      No one would describe me as particularly maternal. I lost my mother at an impressionable age and was raised by my father. I never considered myself much good at babysitting.    That's until grandkids arrived and I had time on my hands.     Today, I find a lot of joy in being around and playing with the three  young girls, youngest of the nine wonderful grandkids we have.     I call the youngest Rodewald daughters -- who recently celebrated their first birthday -- the "Gerber babies" and they are a busy duo. These days they are taken with magnetic toys and I find I enjoy playing with them, a lot!     This approach is not a bad idea if you have a baby in your life.     According to firstthingsfirst.org , love is the most important thing grandparents can offer. That's not too surprising.  Babies and toddlers need unconditional love, regular support an...