Pecha Kucha Night -- a fun and inexpensive date in cities all over the world

Want a fun, interesting evening but don't want to spend a lot of money? Find a friend or a date and enjoy an evening of interesting, fast paced fun at PechaKucha Night.

You don't have to go to the one in Portland, Maine, because these events are held all over the world. Just follow the link or do a Google search for PechaKucha and you will find a whole list of cities that have these entertaining and educational evenings. PechaKucha originated in Japan and means "chit-chat" in Japanese. The next PechaKucha Night, also called PK Night, for those who are not sure of the pronunciation, is February 25, 2016 at the Asylum, in Portland, Maine.

The event consists of ten people telling a story with twenty slides and only twenty seconds per slide to talk. No one is allowed to drone on for hours. Most presenters hang around after the event to answer questions.

The cost is minimal ($7 per person), and you can buy a beer or glass of wine (in the Portland event) to enjoy while you are there -- or not. Either way it is a relatively cheap date.

If you have a business, you can place an inexpensive ad to publicize your service or goods. Or you can be a sponsor and get more bang for the buck while supporting this creative event. The $25 ads are called flashlight ads. Here are a couple of examples of text for two ads by Maine Warmers® from last night's event. The host read the text while another person held up a photo of the company logo and the products.

Polar Bear Bed and Body Warmer

1. Bask in the luxury of your own little spa at the end of the day. This Cozy Polar Bear  microwave heating pad soothes sore tired muscles and is a comforting companion. Heat is one of the oldest natural home remedies for aches and pains. It stimulates circulation, improves flexibility, and relaxes tight muscles. 

A whole zoo of these comforting creatures – made in Scarborough, Maine – make perfect gifts for all ages and are available for purchase at mainewarmers.com.

Dachshund Neck Warmer

Let this Dachshund curl up on your lap and keep you warm on chilly autumn nights. Or wrap it 

Two notes of caution:

1. This microwave Maine Warmer is addicting.
2. If you loan this to a family member or friend, you might not get it back.

Go to Maine Warmers' web site for a replacement or for a gift for a friend in need of warmth and TLC.

Relief for a pinched nerve

According to the Mayo Clinic, any number of things -- accidents, overuse of muscles, bone spurs, compressed discs, stenoses, bad posture, and more -- can cause neck and shoulder pain. Continued or acute pain should take you to see the doc to avoid nerve damage.

My mother had a pinched nerve causing pain in the shoulder, but she could never figure out the cause. She went to see her doctor who put her on anti-inflammatory, over-the-counter drugs. They helped, but never got to the cause. In watching the following video by Dr. Madnell, I think I understand what caused her flare-ups.

My mother had been physically active all of her life but the past few years found her sitting for long periods of time which I think caused her head to be positioned forward. The headrest in cars, I have noticed, causes the head to position forward, and often after being in the car for an extended period of time she would have a flare-up. I think she may have had a propensity to hold her head forward anyway. She often fell asleep in a chair with her head forward. The strain on the neck over the years probably caused the overuse and inflammation that caused her pain.

She used a Maine Warmers’ Neck Warmer in the shape of a Dachshund dog which she claimed did

Dachshund Neck Warmer

the most to help her. Physicians would say to use cold therapy the first 48 to 72 hours to reduce inflammation, then use heat to stimulate circulation and improve flexibility. She would not use an ice pack. But with anti-inflammatory drugs and the heat to relax muscles in spasm, she found comfort.

Maine Warmers can be frozen and used for gentle cold therapy -- not harsh like ice cubes. Check out their Facebook page for more information, specials, and giveaways.

Humor Helps with Winter Blues

Several years ago, my friend Jackie had just finished reading aloud the first chapter of a book she had written. She was in a children's book writers' critique group with me. Jackie's goal was to interest and motivate middle school boys who didn't like to read books. Her story was about a couple of young teenage boys who discovered that a few common ingredients, when mixed together and slipped into food, would give people uncontrollable gas. The boys were greatly amused by the results of their trickery and wanted to spread the fun.

"Farts are cheap entertainment for kids," explained Jackie, then mother of four teenagers. The critique group giggled and tee-heed and gave the chapter "a two thumbs up." It was a silly, funny evening that made me feel like I was in sixth grade again.

I am not promoting flatulence as humor, just that laughter with friends makes us feel young. As we plow through the remainder of a record cold and snowy winter in the Northeast, trying to avoid our own March "madness," laughter is good medicine. If you are experiencing a long winter, wherever you live, I hope you will find fun, healthy ways to cope.

Dachshund Neck Warmer

Another way to help you get through the remainder of the winter is to use a Maine Warmers' microwave heating pad. It will warm a bed, cold hands and feet. Sign up for their e-Newsletter Dachshund Neck Warmer on March 12, 2015. They have other give-a-ways scheduled for the month of March and April.

to receive coupons and be entered in a give-a-way. Follow Maine Warmers on Facebook to be entered into a drawing for a free

Changing Your Mind to Help Achieve Goals when dealing with arthritis

Breaking habits -- especially the bad ones -- can be an arduous task. Arthritis Today Magazine has a helpful article, “Change Your Mind and Your Body Will Follow” January/February 2011. You need to join the Arthritis Foundation to receive the publication or to access this article online.

One of the suggestions the writer, Emily Delzell, offers is to “Increase Mindfulness.” She recommends keeping your thoughts in the present -- avoid going back over past negative ones or worrying. Become aware of these thoughts and don’t “believe them." Give yourself credit for being right more than wrong.

Use breathing techniques to help you relax. Take six controlled breaths and become aware of how you feel. Think positively about yourself and write down the things that are right with you, then you can help redirect your thoughts when they become negative. Change your focus to others and spend less time focusing on yourself. Take a yoga or meditation class. Be physically active.

If you know someone who is anxious and needs to relax more you might consider giving them a microwave heating pad.  A Maine Warmers' Cozy Cat or a Dachshund Neck Warmer offer comforting companionship without the care or vet bills.