Counting Sheep

         Childhood days in the 1950s to early 1960s you were often given helps to a good night sleep. Sheep jumping over a fence was not a usual activity seen around my Bluegrass area of Winchester, KY. You were more likely to see horses jumping over a fence but, not sheep. Somehow, no one caught on to this visual aid and, "counting sheep" seemed to be the more common advice. Anyhow, my earliest childhood sleep aid was my nightly prayer said with Mom kneeling against the side of my lower bunk bed. Our hands were place in that correct "prayer position" ... eyes closed ...side to side ... we said slowly:

                                            "Now I lay me down to sleep"

                                            "I pray the Lord my soul to keep"

                                             "If I die before I wake"

                                             "I pray the Lord my soul to take."     Amen!

        

Sleep

         Lots more of this innate, biological function (cycle) (rhythm) known to all, is happening among my "now a days". Say what? Can you believe it? My Guyton medical school "Physiology" text (front cover shown) states on page 659,

 "Sleep is defined as unconsciousness from which the person can be aroused by sensory or other stimuli."

        Hum ... sensory or other brain activity it is? States of brain activity ... wakefulness , extreme excitement, different levels of mood, and so on it would go ... activating forces it would seem. Well, have to dig a little more into the activating!

New Tricks

         Adjusting the habits of daily living can be challenging. Change this habit... change that habit ... which way might be the best to proceed? Let's see now, something about "Old Dogs" and "New Tricks" or, some sort of thing? No more sitting in my chair with heavy books on the leg. Lots more up and at-um. Eat more! Drink more fluids! Take new pills twice a day! Change ways of lifting and, sitting and standing. Anyone with an old "Top Hat" to pull out a "Rabbit"? Anyhow, my quote of this day in July from a very wise man-

                    "For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:"

                                                                                   Ecclesiastes 3:1