Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Crutch History ~ Skillet Turkey Stew ~ Sally Harwell ~ National Brownie Day

  

Good 38º morning. 

 

 

Yesterday we stayed in the 40ºs and topped at 49º.

 

 

Picture of the Day....I love you!😊

 

 

Interesting about crutches......

 

A crutch is a mobility aid that transfers weight from the legs to the upper body. It is often used by people who cannot use their legs to support their weight, for reasons ranging from short-term injuries to lifelong disabilities.

History

Crutches were used in ancient Egypt. In 1917, Emile Schlick patented the first commercially produced crutch; the design consisted of a walking stick with an upper arm support. Later, A.R. Lofstrand Jr. developed the first crutches with a height-adjustable feature. Over time, the design of crutches has not changed much, and the classic design continues to be the most commonly used.

Types

There are several types of crutches:

Underarm or axillary

Axillary crutches are used by placing the pad against the ribcage beneath the armpit and holding the grip, which is below and parallel to the pad. They are usually used to provide support for patients who have temporary restriction on ambulation. With underarm crutches, sometimes a towel or some kind of soft cover is needed to prevent or reduce armpit injury. A condition known as crutch paralysis, or crutch palsy can arise from pressure on nerves in the armpit, or axilla. Specifically, "the brachial plexus in the axilla is often damaged from the pressure of a crutch...In these cases the radial is the nerve most frequently implicated; the ulnar nerve suffers next in frequency."

 

An uncommon type of axillary crutches is the spring-loaded crutch. The underarm pad is a curved design that is open in the front with the grips for the hands shaped for maximum comfort and to reduce the prevalence of overuse injuries. These crutches also contain a spring mechanism at the bottom. The idea behind this design is to allow the user to propel themselves further, resulting in quicker movement from place to place, though research has shown that the difference in speed is very small when comparing standard axillary crutches to spring-loaded crutches.

Forearm

A forearm crutch (also commonly known as an elbow crutch, Canadian crutch or "Lofstrand" crutch due to a brand by this name) has a cuff at the top that goes around the forearm. It is used by inserting the arm into the cuff and holding the grip. The hinged cuff, most frequently made of plastic or metal, can be a half-circle or a full circle with a V-type opening in the front allowing the forearm to slip out in case of a fall.

 

Forearm crutches are the dominant type used in Europe, whether for short or long term use. Outside of Europe forearm crutches are more likely to be used by users with long-term disabilities, with axillary crutches more common for short-term use.

Platform

Top portion of a platform crutch showing platform and grip

These are less common and used by those with poor hand or grip strength due to arthritis, cerebral palsy, or other conditions. The forearm rests on a horizontal platform and is usually strapped in place with velcro-type straps that allow the platform or trough to release in case of a fall. The hand holds an angled grip which, in addition, should allow adjustment of length from trough to grip and side-to-side sway depending on the user's disability.

Leg support

These non-traditional crutches are useful for users with an injury or disability affecting one lower leg only. They function by strapping the affected leg into a support frame that simultaneously holds the lower leg clear of the ground while transferring the load from the ground to the user's knee or thigh. This style of crutch has the advantage of not using the hands or arms while walking. A claimed benefit is that upper thigh atrophy is also reduced because the affected leg remains in use. Unlike other crutch designs these designs are unusable for pelvic, hip or thigh injuries and in some cases for knee injuries also.

 

Walking sticks or canes serve an identical purpose to crutches, but are held only in the hand and have a limited load bearing capability because of this.

 

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

I published this a few years ago. This is a "so good" recipe.

Skillet Turkey Stew is a quick and easy hearty main dish meal you can have on your table in minutes. Whether you make it with chicken or turkey, it makes great use of leftovers.

 

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 onion, chopped

3 cups chunked cooked turkey or chicken

1 14oz can diced tomatoes

1 cup whole kernel corn

1 cup salsa

1 cup chicken broth

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

 

1. In a skillet over medium heat, heat oil; add green pepper and onion and cook about 3 minutes, or until tender.

 

2. Stir in remaining ingredients; simmer 10 minutes, or until heated through.

 

3. Serve plain or over rice. For a change you might want to add a drained can of black beans or great northern beans.

 

 

 

 

Special birthday today, Sally Harwell (LASD ret and former Marine) is celebrating.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLY!

 

Sally with her granddaughter Sally Jr. ^

Sally and Jerry were in the same LASD academy class, #115

 

 

Historically this date..........

1941 – United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares December 7 to be "a date which will live in infamy", after which the U.S. and the Republic of China declare war against Japan.

1980 – John Lennon, an English musician and peace activist, is murdered by Mark David Chapman, a mentally unstable fan, in front of The Dakota apartment building in New York City.

 

And births this date include...

1930 – Maximilian Schell, Austrian-born Swiss actor and film director (d.2014)

 

1933 – Flip Wilson, American comedian (d. 1998)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1936 – David Carradine, American actor (d. 2009)

 

1937 – James MacArthur, American actor (d. 2010)

 

The original 'Danno' on Five-O from 1968-1980. Jack Lord's partner. 

 

1953 – Kim Basinger, American actress

 

 

 

 

All I know. Nuff said. Have a good Friday. Ciao.

xo Sue Mom Bobo

Each year on December 8, brownie lovers across the nation enjoy one of their favorite baked goods on National Brownie Day.

In the United States, the chocolate brownie is a favorite, with the blonde brownie running a close second.  A blonde brownie is made with brown sugar and no chocolate and is often called a blondie.

The earliest recipes for brownies we are familiar with today are found published in regional cookbooks and newspapers around the turn of the last century. The 1904 Laconia, NH Home Cookery, the 1904 Chicago, IL Service Club Cook Book, and an April 2, 1905, edition of The Boston Globe are three early examples. In 1906, Fannie Merritt Farmer published a recipe in an edition of The Boston Cooking School Cook Book.  

Three myths have gained popularity over the years regarding the creation of the brownie:

• In an accidental mixing of ingredients, a chef added melted chocolate to biscuit dough.
• A forgetful cook left out the flour when mixing the batter.
• When a housewife did not have baking powder, she improvised to create this new treat. The wife decided to serve her guest flattened cakes.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy some fudgy, warm brownies. Be sure to invite friends and family to enjoy them with you, too! Pour a glass of milk and maybe add a scoop of ice cream. 

Chocolate Mint Brownies
Cherry Swirl Brownies
Brownies