Unconsciousness

        Not much at all going on during this biological function called sleep. There must be something working that keeps the motor still running? Vegetative activities of some sort must operate constantly to provide the gasoline? Let's see now, long words and, ... even longer words ... seem to come into the vocabulary of the topic. Ready ... here is one ... "electroencephalogram" or simply put an EEG! A gadget used to identify two different types of sleep! Old Guyton on page 659 states ... "During each night a person goes through stages of two different types of sleep that alternate with each other."  Say what! Not one, but two types!  "Brain Waves" you describe are involved? What in the world!   

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

My quote for this day of June 2026

                                     "The burden which is borne well becomes light."   OVID

MS and ME and ... a PE

         Life events have a way of directing us down various roads less traveled. As previously posted [Nov. 9, 2025] my usual "Life, Liberty, ... and ..." gave new roads called a ... "PE" ... = pulmonary embolism! Certainly, a road most folks would choose not to travel. Anyhow, the last 4 -6 weeks has been my road less traveled by many! Added to MS (multiple sclerosis) and ME (that's me) [see post July 11, 2018] is now the big ... "PE". The last couple of months in hospitals brought many such roads less traveled. Can you believe it? Yet, here we go a blogging again! Let's get going!

A Quote for This Day In May 2026

        Having recently, rediscovered, a quote written some years past, in one of my research notebooks (RN#127) some 50+ years ago, thought it would be still valuable for this May. So, here goes ... 

     "History is the voice of the past, teaching by the follies, as well as by the wisdom, of our forefathers.   The rocks and quick-sands are as essential in a chart as the safe harbor".

        Did not note the author or source of this quote. Does anyone recognize the source? Please help give the credit if you would happen to know in the comment section of this post. Good to know where all those "quick-sands" might be located!