December 15, 2023

Overview for this week.

1.  I start this week with an update on what I was up to last weekend, the Honolulu Marathon. The oldest competitor was 92. For those who want to plan ahead for the 1 mile, 10K, or full marathon next year, you can sign up here.

2. I have finally added a QR Code that will take you to The Flock Archives where you can browse through past issues of The Flock.

3. Dr. Fox has shared a new poem from his blog.

4. In our Local Spotlight we catch up with Kyria Sabin & Body Works Pilates.

5. Flock reader Jim Gannon has recommended two binge-worthy 'docuseries' from Netflix for the rest of The Flock to enjoy.

6. I am happy to highlight a fine young man, Finley Henning, as The Flock Student of the Year.

7. A special Happy Birthday to Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise who just turned a spry 191 years old to become the world's oldest living animal. 

8. Speaking of tortoises, they make great pets. We look at how you can adopt a desert tortoise.

9. Next, we go to Nazaré, Portugal and look at the 10 biggest waves ever surfed.

10. In Wellness we again stress at the benefits of drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated. I was reminded this week of this, as my hubby had some hydration isues. Drink, drink, drink!

11. I have a special animal reunion video submitted by my own hubby that will bring joy to your heart in the Pet's Corner.

Now, to this week's Flock.

My Hawaii family. We all participated whether 10K, 1 mile, or the full marathon.

Last weekend I took a trip to Hawaii and ran in the Honolulu Marathon on Sunday, December 9th. I had a great time and caught up with some good friends. The Honolulu Marathon is a multi-day event with a run for every level of runner; including the 1 mile Merrie Mile the day before the marathon,and a Start to Park 10K that starts with the full 26.2 mile marathon.

2023 Honolulu Marathon

Did you see something in a past Flock Newsletter and wish you could find it again? You can use the new QR Code here, or just tap the link below it, to visit The Flock archives where you can browse through all 83 past issues of The Flock.

This week I would like to share another poem from Dr. Fox's blog. 

Open and Receive

Breath is divine light

Illuminating every fiber of our being

With nourishing Presence

— Written by Hayward Fox

Last December 30th we featured Kryia Sabin of Body Works Pilates in our Local Spotlight

Kryia is the founder of the Body Works Pilates studio here in Tucson, Arizona. Recognized as an expert instructor in Fletcher Pilates, Kryia has grown Body Works into a training center for Pilates instructors from near and far.

Along with private and group sessions, Body Works now also offers Pilates on Demand, a video series that allows you to access Fletcher Plates classes on your own schedule from any location where you have access to the internet.

We followed long time friend of The Flock Jim Gannon and his wife Angela on their travels through South Africa and Istanbul, Turkey in May and June of this year. Jim has recommended two binge-worthy docuseries from Netflix that you should check out over the holidays. Jim is a man of broad interests and talents. If he gives his stamp of approval, I know that I will enjoy them too.

Witness the remarkable story of our universe over billions of years and its inextricable link to life on Earth in this sweeping documentary series.

Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman, the series focuses on the evolutionary history of complex life on Earth.

Finley Henning is a family friend and an all-round good young man from West Islip, New York. Fin just turned 13 this month. Finley is a musician, golfer and exemplary academic. He recently took part in his school musical production of Elf Jr. as part of the stage crew and loved it.

Happy Birthday, Finn! Thank you for the joy you bring into this world.

Finley getting into the Christmas spirit.

Tortoises are known to have a long life span, especially Seychelles giant tortoises which have an average life expectancy of 150 years. This one below looks like he may be on the way to even doubling that!

From: Smithsonian Magazine, By: Margaret Osborne, December 7, 2023

The world’s oldest living land animal, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise, celebrated his 191st birthday this week. With this new milestone, he also broke his own record as the oldest chelonian—a tortoise, turtle or terrapin—ever documented.

Despite his advanced age, Jonathan’s longtime veterinarian Joe Hollins tells Guinness World Records (GWR) the reptile shows “no sign of slowing down.” 

Jonathan, Photographed in 1882

Jonathan is estimated to have been born around 1832, before the invention of the telephone, lightbulb or postage stamp. He’s lived through 40 U.S. presidents and 31 governors of Saint Helena, the small island in the Atlantic where he lives. St. Helena is widely known for being the final residence of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died while in exile there after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. Bonaparte’s remains were transferred to Paris from St. Helena in 1840—just 42 years before Jonathan arrived on the island.

Tortoises make great pets. I have a Sulcata Tortoise named Huey. In our April 21st issue we featured a Sulcata named Tommy. Arizona, California, and Nevada all have state run programs to help you adopt a desert tortoise.

They’re not fluffy, they don’t play fetch and they certainly don’t roll over. But there is such a thing as a lap tortoise.

What’s more, pet tortoises can wag their tails, will plod on up to greet you and some can even recognize their own names. The surprising warmth of this ancient cold-blooded creature has made them popular pets for families with pet dander allergies and for retirees.

“The funny thing about tortoises is they love people, but they don’t love each other,” said Sherri Graves of the nonprofit Tortoise Group, which helps people adopt and rehome tortoises. When you adopt a desert tortoise, prepare for a surprisingly social and zippy pet.”

From: Red Bull, By: Esther Hershkovits, October 20, 2022

Few waves inspire more awe and fear than Nazaré on a big day. This wave in Portugal can reach more than 100 feet in the winter season, which means surfers are riding at around 50 miles per hour, with force comparable to a semi-truck collision. It’s where the majority of big wave world records have been set.

Most professional surfers don’t want to ride this wave because the consequences of a fall could be fatal.

Then, there’s Red Bull athlete Kai Lenny, widely regarded as the most well-rounded waterman in the world, who has landed a full rotation air on one of these waves.

He has won competitions in every water sport from tow surfing, to windsurfing, to long-distance paddling. His life is so unique that it inspired a multiple-season series, Red Bull’s "Life of Kai."

Nazare 2020: The Beast Awakens

Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is extremely important to your health, especially if you are participating in any type of strenuous physical activity like running a marathon as I did last weekend or going for a hike in the desert. Becoming dehydrated can affect your balance, judgement, make you disoriented, and even cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

From: Healthline, By: Joe Leech, MS, March 8, 2023

The human body comprises around 60% water.

It’s commonly recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce (237-mL) glasses of water per day (the 8×8 rule).

Although there’s little science behind this specific rule, staying hydrated is important.

Here are 7 evidence-based health benefits of drinking plenty of water.

1. Helps maximize physical performance
2. Significantly affects energy levels and brain function
3. May help prevent and treat headaches
4. May help relieve constipation
5. May help treat kidney stones
6. Helps prevent hangovers
7. Can aid weight loss

My husband recommended his week's submission to the Pet's Corner. This video shows the love between animals and their human parents and is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Most Heartwarming Animal Reunions with Humans That will Melt Your Heart.

Let's see what Fern's up to...

Oh, she's just waking up. It's snowy and cold outside, no wonder she slept in.

His formal name is Mr. Ram, and he visits the girls regularly as he wanders the hot springs of Avalanche Ranch in Redstone, CO.

Don't Be Shy: Share Your Stories!

I'm looking forward to sharing more of your personal stories - oral, written, or otherwise, as we enter our second year. I'd so love to present them to The Flock, hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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