Weather ~ Picture of the Day ~ Wheelchairs ~ Peking Chicken ~ National Do A Grouch A Favor Day

  

Good 23º frozen morning. 

 

Yesterday we started cold and gloomy

 

Around 11am we were at 35º and had a little sun... and a little snow on my mountain top...

Then we got lots of clear sky and sunshine. We topped at 57º.

 

Picture of the Day

 

 

 

Interesting about wheelchairs...

 

 

A motorized wheelchair, powerchair, electric wheelchair or electric-powered wheelchair (EPW) is a wheelchair that is propelled by means of an electric motor (usually using differential steering) rather than manual power. Motorized wheelchairs are useful for those unable to propel a manual wheelchair or who may need to use a wheelchair for distances or over terrain which would be fatiguing in a manual wheelchair. They may also be used not just by people with 'traditional' mobility impairments, but also by people with cardiovascular and fatigue-based conditions.

 

History...An electrically propelled tricycle was developed by the R.A. Harding company in England in the 1930s. The electric-powered wheelchair was invented by George Klein who worked for the National Research Council of Canada, to assist injured veterans after World War II.

 

^{Powerchair design may be categorized by drive system/chassis, battery, controller, seat, and use. Because of their use as the primary method of locomotion, they must be of the utmost reliability both electrically and structurally, and are classified as Durable medical equipment by Medicare in the United States.}

 

^{Most wheelchairs are crash tested to standards 7176, and ISO 10542. These standards mean that a wheelchair can be used facing forward in a vehicle if the vehicle has been fitted with an approved tiedown or docking system for securing the wheelchair, and a method of securing the occupant of the wheelchair.}

 

Powerchairs are generally prescribed for use by users who are unable to use a manual wheelchair. However, in both the US (Medicare and some private insurers) and the UK (National Health Service) powerchairs are generally not prescribed to users who have any ability to walk within the home, even if that ability is variable or so functionally constrained as to be practically useless under most conditions. For example, someone might be able to walk around the kitchen or office, but is not able to walk as far as the bus stop - or even less far whilst carrying shopping. Neither is consideration given as to whether the user is able to move a manual wheelchair themselves. For example, a wheelchair user who is not strong enough to wheel themselves to a bus stop is still not eligible for a power wheelchair. Disability rights activists are campaigning for prescription procedures to focus on an individual needs-based assessment rather than on inflexible application of prescription rules. The restricted prescribing leads to many users being forced to procure a solution privately, in some cases settling for a powerchair or a mobility scooter that is less than ideal to their needs but which falls within their budget.

The use of powerchairs is not restricted solely to users unable to use manual chairs. Any disabled person with a mobility, fatigue or pain-based impairment or cardio-vascular issues may find a powerchair advantageous in some circumstances; however, existing prescription practices generally mean that powerchairs for such use must be privately procured or hired for the occasion.

 

Sports such as Powerchair Football and Power hockey have been designed specifically for power wheelchair users along with purpose built power wheelchairs.

 

 

 

From Mr. Food

 

 

This easy version of a classic Chinese dish is short on work but long on taste. Pass out the chopsticks and enjoy homemade Peking Chicken. Yes, the flavors of Asia are as close as our own kitchens!

 

• 1 scallion (green onion), thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

 

1. In a medium bowl, combine scallion, soy sauce, sherry, cornstarch, ginger, sugar, and pepper; mix well. Add chicken chunks and toss to coat completely. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 3 hours.
    
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding marinade, and cook chicken in batches 8 to 10 minutes, or until crispy on all sides and no pink remains.

 

 

Historically this date......

1923 – Howard Carter unseals the burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

1959 – Fidel Castro becomes Premier of Cuba after dictator Fulgencio Batista was overthrown on January 1.

1960 – The U.S. Navy submarine USS Triton begins Operation Sandblast, setting sail from New London, Connecticut, to begin the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe.

2005 – The National Hockey League cancels the entire 2004-2005 regular season and playoffs, becoming the first major sports league in North America to do so over a labor dispute.

2006 – The last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) is decommissioned by the United States Army.

 

And births this date include....

1909 – Hugh Beaumont, American actor (d. 1982)

 

1909 – Richard McDonald, American fast food entrepreneur (d. 1998)

 

1921 – Vera-Ellen, American actress (d. 1981)

 

 

 

 

1935 – Sonny Bono, American entertainer politician (d. 1998)

 

1954 – Margaux Hemingway, American actress and model (d. 1996)

 

 

1959 – John McEnroe, American tennis player

 

 

 

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

xo Sue Mom Bobo

National Do A Grouch A Favor Day is a call to kindness on February 16th. Everyone knows a grouch, and some of us may even be guilty of being one. On February 16th, maybe you can be the one to find the sweeter side of a grouch.

For some, it’s in their nature to be grouches all of the time; while others may just be having a rough day or two.  On National Do a Grouch a Favor Day, we have an opportunity to turn the grouches frown upside down!

A grouch can be called by a number of names, some of which won’t be described here. However, a few that might come in handy are curmudgeon, crank, grump, sourpuss, bellyacher, grouse, crosspatch, malcontent, crab, and grumbler. If you manage to turn their mood around they might become known as the neighborhood idealist.

The grouch that you know might be a friend, relative, co-worker, boss, neighbor or that someone who lives in your house.  The favor you do on National Do a Grouch a Favor Day can be simple or elaborate.  Either way, doing them a favor is going to feel right for you!!

A grouch is a habitually irritable or complaining person, a grumbler. ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Maybe February 16th would be a fun day to watch the movies Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men.

Let’s make it a better day for your favorite grouch!

HOW TO OBSERVE

There may be ways to a grouches heart. We have a few ideas about that and so we’ve shared them.

• Find out their favorite baked good and surprise them with it.
• Listen to their grumblings and grumble along with them, just for the day. You might find out some of the reasons why they’re such a grump.
• Just visit with them.
• Offer to help with a difficult project. 

Do something to make a grouch’s day better.