Oh do I love learning!

I don't think I have stopped chuckling since I woke up with my usual need for a pain pill, Popsicle fix and blog writing time. Of course, as usual, I sat for a minute to think about a topic for tonight's blog. A couple of normal everyday occurrences were stuck in my head and all of a sudden they blended together for an amazing "tidbit" of information, learning and laughter. Mostly laughter because as I thought about the potential topic, I began to chuckle and really enjoy my own thoughts. A few weeks ago, someone, one of my many caring visitors (who by the way, we can no longer identify, so if you want to call and take credit we would really appreciate that), dropped of a huge delicious looking Black Raspberry Pie. Of course, after the visit it ended up in the freezer for future consumption. Now I have to tell you that from childhood, I have picked, purchased and devoured many a raspberry, red or black since it has always been one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend many years in the 6 figure salary range necessary to purchase the little buggers on a regular basis. Anyway, also last night, our dear friends Ken and Vickie generously brought supper over and I had mentioned that we had the dessert covered. I immediately created a grand image in my head that I could dream about for a couple of days before the dinner. I imagined a hefty piece of that wonderful berry filled Black Raspberry Pie sitting on a plate, warmed and snuggling up to a luscious mound of non other than Graeters Black Raspberry Chip ice cream. (Bob and Christi, I hope I'm allowed to show this picture for storytelling purposes only.) Okay, so last nights dinner came and we did enjoy just what we had anticipated and it was so delicious and needless to say, soothed my beast a little too. Then tonight, during my time to read the daily digest from the Esophageal Cancer group, I am quickly scanning each entry and what on earth do you think catches my eye but "Black Raspberry's". It turns out that some university EC cancer study groups have produced significant data that supports that Black Raspberry's posses some metabolic or chemical properties that have shown to reduce esophageal tumor development in rodents of course. So I naturally, of course, went on line to start googling EC tumors/Black Raspberry. What a hoot. I have just been sitting here chuckling uncontrollably about this very coincidental, light hearted, yet incredibly interesting opportunity fir learning. My daughter Carrie would be saying right now, "Simple minds, simple pleasures" but I don't care. I am just so entertained by these simple facts and you can bet I am going to research them even more. I also found out Ohio, along with my home state of New Hampshire are leading producers of the Black Raspberry. Remember, almost all research shows that laughter is a primary treatment component for any and all diseases.

I must also include in tonight's blog, my warmest thanks and appreciation to Ken & Vickie for a delightful evening, Mamma Tomte from Norway for her wonderful loving efforts to comfort us with her own Blog, and Mike and Carolyn for your warm and inspirational comments from yesterday. I know I say this a lot, but oh my, am I a lucky, blessed and well fed man right now. God bless you all, you are loved.