Thanksgiving and Christmas

Now is not too early to think about Christmas and Thanksgiving.  Prepare your menu, look at your recipes, and start buying things now.  That way you won't get stuck in line, or find out they are out.  Remember, the best way to defrost your turkey is in the refrigerator, and that doesn't happen in a short time.  About.com Southern Food recommends the following:

• 8 to 12 pounds..........1 to 2 days
• 12 to 16 pounds..........2 to 3 days
• 16 to 20 pounds..........3 to 4 days
• 20 to 24 pounds..........4 to 5 days

I f you have waited to the last minute, you can place it in a pan of water.  Make sure your bag is waterproof and allow about 30 minutes per pound:

• 8 to 12 pounds...........4 to 6 hours
• 12 to 16 pounds...........6 to 8 hours
• 16 to 20 pounds.........8 to 10 hours
• 20 to 24 pounds.......10 to 12 hours

The refgerator method is safest.  


http://southernfood.about.com/library/info/bltrkeyb.htm

Hurricanes

Just a thought on hurricanes.  If you evacuate your house during a hurricane, make sure you turn the gas and electricity off.  This might save your house from burning down.

Why do we fill the bathtub with water during a hurricane?  To flush the toilet in case the water goes out.  You should have plenty of water in bottles too.

If you will mix about a 1/4 lb. of salt with water and fill a couple of milk jugs with it, and keep it in the freezer, your stuff will stay frozen if the electricity goes out.  The salt lowers the freezing temperature of the water so it will keep the temperature below 32 degrees.  If you just put ice in, it will maintain the freezer at 32 and everything you have in the freezer will defrost. 

Foley Catheters

Many men as we pass the age of 50 are likely to have to deal with the problem of prostate enlargement. In fact literature I have read, indicates that it is all but inevitable, so, if you are past 50 and are having any troubles urinating, or start to have to urinate frequently, go see your doctor.

If you are catheterised you can go to these two sites for good information:
http://www.drugs.com/cg/foley-catheter-insertion-discharge-care.html
http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/bladder/foley5_17.pdf

I pass these on, as doctors and or nurses don't always tell you every thing you need to know.

Some additional hints for men:
Trim the pubic hair. This will remove one source of irritation.
Apply hand conditioner to the corona (i.e. immediately behind the glans)the portion where it connects to the the shaft. (this will help prevent itching in circumcised men)
Apply KY jelly to the meatus.
Keep the penis and the tube as clean as possible. This will help prevent infection.