Today would have been my mom's 92nd birthday. She & my father raised us in "the nurture & admonition of the Lord." She was the best organist I ever heard. [Yes, I am prejudiced yet still, I think, objective.] Besides being church organist, she was also the choir director (The choir sang at her funeral.), & my grade school music teacher. She tried giving me piano lessons--I was not an exemplary student--but I trace my appreciation of music to her. My sister, brother, & I were blessed with parents who provided for our Christian education.

BENEFITS OF RELAXATION *

"Relaxation techniques are a great way to help with stress management. Relaxation isn't just about peace of mind. Relaxation is a process that decreases the effects of stress on your mind & body. Relaxation techniques can help you cope with everyday stress & with stress related to various health problems. Practicing relaxation techniques can reduce stress symptoms by:

> Slowing your heart rate

> Lowering blood pressure

> Slowing your breathing rate

> Reducing activity of stress hormones

> Increasing blood flow to major muscles

> Reducing muscle tension & chronic pain

> Improving concentration & mood

> Lowering fatigue

> Reducing anger & frustration

> Boosting confidence to handle problems

* I received this information at an outpatient program at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, NE.

Techniques for Stress Reduction *

> Visualization:  Form mental images to take a visual journey to a peaceful, calming place of situation

> Progressive muscle relaxation:  Focus on slowly tensing & then relaxing each muscle group

> Autogenic relaxation:  Repeat words or suggestions in your mind that may help you relax reduce muscle tension

> Deep breathing

> Massage

> Meditation

> Tai chi

> Yoga

> Biofeedback

> Music & art therapy

> Aromatherapy

> Hydrotherapy

* I found this information by googling "relaxation techniques" & going to mayoclinic.org.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

We started watching "The Chosen," which is available on Pure Flix. There's also an app for it. It is the story of Jesus. Although not always faithful to the Gospels, it adds an interesting perspective to many accounts. It also has a powerful message.

WHAT I'M READING

On Saturday night I finished reading "To Wake the Giant:  A Novel of Pearl Harbor," by Jeff Shaara. The other day I made a flippant comment about Pearl Harbor. That was in poor taste, & I'm sorry. The last chapters of the book are especially somber & sobering. When we lived in Hawaii, the townhouse we rented in Aiea was just a half mile up from Pearl Harbor. You could see the Arizona Memorial from the balcony outside our 2nd floor bedroom. We visited the monument several times during our years there. After watching a video & visiting the museum, you boarded a launch which took you out to the actual memorial, which straddled the sunken battleship. The outline of the battleship was still clearly visible in the water, & an oil slick still coated the water. [The Arizona had a full tank of over 100,00 gallons of fuel oil when it was sunk, & that fuel oil has been slowly leaking from the ship all these years.] At least 2,467 men died in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941; & at least 1,177 died on the U.S. Arizona. I think at least 900 are still entombed on the ship. It feels like a sacred place.

Last night I started reading "The English & Their History," by Robert Tombs.