PERF 2nd Wind December 2001

PERF, The Pulmonary Education and Research Foundation, is a small but vigorous non-profit foundation. We are dedicated to providing help for those with chronic respiratory disease through education, research, and information. We hope this newsletter is worthy of our efforts.

Speaking of Christmas, this is a variation on "'Twas the Night Before Christmas that amused us, though it is geared to Thanksgiving instead. We'd like to share it with you.

'Twas the Night of Thanksgiving --author unknown

'Twas the night of thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep
The leftovers beckoned - the dark meat and white
But I fought the temptation with all of my might
Tossing and turning with anticipation
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
I gobbled up turkey and buttered Potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round
'Til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees ....

HAPPY SEASON TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE!
MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY, MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP,
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS, MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!

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Are you getting warnings from your post office about not opening suspicious mail, or envelopes with a lot of scotch tape? In these days when "anthrax" hovers in the subconscious when opening envelopes, Judy and Kevin Hettitch of Carson City, NV sent Mary return labels with a reassuring angel perched next to her name and address. Also included were a roll of angel stickers to use instead of tape. That should help banish the anthrax anxieties of anyone who opens Mary's mail. Can you imagine a terrorist using an angel sticker? Thanks for the smile your thoughtfulness gave Mary when she opened your mail.

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Special greetings to Ron Shelton and PALS, Pulmonary Achievers Live Successfully, of Harrisonbury, VA. Ron thinks the Second Wind has "good energy". Thanks, Ron, but it sounds as if your group does too. Like all successful organizations, PALS is open to new ideas. If anyone would like to share ideas with them write to Ron Shelton, LCSW at RMH, 235 Cantrell Ave. Harrisonburg, VA 228011 or send an e-mail to him at www.rmhonline.com

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At the end of the year it is traditional to look to the past to see what we have learned, and what we look forward to. This is a favorite that you may have read but is worth repeating.

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE, THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1.. No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2.. When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3.. If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4.. Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5.. You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6.. Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7.. Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8.. You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9.. Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10.The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.