This week, instead of one long, riveting column on one topic, I thought I would touch on a few topics and observations. I am sure you will be just as riveted as usual.

Let's start on a serious note: Breakfast with the Easter bunny or Santa or any other favorite childhood person. This is a topic that has bothered me since my own children were of the “breakfast” age.

If you've taken your kids or grandkids to such an event, you quickly realize the title is a misnomer. The cherubs don't really have breakfast with the Easter bunny or Santa. No, the kids eat and wait around and then the big guy comes out and meets with the kids.

If I was in charge of such an event, I would really make it breakfast with Santa or EB. The kids would have a better time and would be looking forward to the next such event.

Imagine you are 5 and there's Santa sitting next to you, getting a little egg yoke in his beard as he eats. He might get you to drink your orange juice. Or better yet, lunch with Santa. He eats his veggies and ignores the meat and gets you to do the same. Very cool.

Of course if it is the Easter bunny, his costume will need a hole for the mouth in order for him to eat.

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Son and daughter-in-law got us a GPS for Christmas. GPS means global positioning satellite. They didn't buy us a satellite, but a gizmo that receives satellite transmissions which tell us, in a female British accent, how to get from one point to another, or where the nearest Taco Bell is.

It's a godsend to someone directionally challenged as myself. During a recent visit to see son, daughter-in-law and most importantly, new grandbaby Henry in New York state, I needed to mail a package. No problem. I keyed “post office” into the GPS and soon the British lady had me going two-tenths of a mile here, a mile there, a half mile here and before long we were at the post office.

Now I have heard of people who were so dependent on the GPS that when it said go straight, they went straight, even though there was a "road closed" sign. When British lady said "turn left and drive one-half mile," they did, even if it was a half mile into the woods.

I followed the directions and ended up at the post office. Except there was a sign on the door that said this location didn't mail packages or sell stamps. My GPS took me to a post office that didn't mail packages or sell stamps. It was apparently a distribution point for mail carriers only.

The nice British lady got it right the next time. Glad I didn't end up in the woods somewhere.



You might have read the story about the lastest findings about the often devastating effects of eating red meat. Here is a release from staff dietitian Krista Haynes with The Cancer Project, which advances cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research:

“A new study might make you rethink your dinner plans. Red meat, long associated with cancer and heart disease, is now linked to increased risk of death from all causes.

“National Cancer Institute researchers looked at the diets of more than a half a million people aged 50 to 71 and found that those who ate 4 ounces of red meat a day — about the size of a small hamburger — were the most likely to die over the next 10 years. Beef, pork, bacon, sausage, cold cuts, hot dogs and other red or processed meats all increased the odds of premature death. And chicken isn't a healthy choice either — high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat put consumers at risk of heart disease and stroke.

“The good news? Other studies show that a low-fat vegetarian diet can increase the body's ability to fight premature aging and many chronic diseases. Tonight, fill your plate with a generous array of fruits, vegetables beans and whole grains - these foods could add decades to your life.”



And finally, the Animal Protective League on Green Road in Kingsville is getting a steady stream of cats and dogs, especially cats. If you haven't thought about it for awhile, why not take a trip out there and look for a new best friend? And don't just consider puppies and kittens, as cute as they are. Give consideration to older animals who are more mellow and deserve to finish their lives in a warm, loving home as a vital part of a family. The APL is closed Wednesdays but is open from at least 1 to 5 p.m. other days, along with Saturday hours at Ashtabula Towne Square, just outside of Sears.

At least think about it?