Reynaud's Phenomenon

Some phenomenon. Reynaud's is a vasopastic (say what?) syndrome that ....oy, just read the links. Suffice it to say, fingers and toes flash freeze.
Twenty years ago, during my first winter in Minnesota, my freezing made me weep as I drove the icy streets. What was going on? I'm not talking about cold. I'm talking frostbitten white, almost instantly.
Once the doc gave it a name (Reynaud's), all I cold think was who was this Reynaud's person and why must they share this michigass.

Over the years, I've done layers and electric socks, and Mycoal grabbers, and every other suggestion of humankind, but this is way beyond thinsulate. Once cold, my fingers go into a sink of warm water (when available); into my armpit, when no sink is at hand, and if I've just gotten home, my whole body goes into a hot tub until all 20 digits thaw.

Yesterday when I got to the Y, I went directly into the sauna, fully dressed 'til feeling returned; anything to get those digits back. Otherwise you can lose'em. So if you see a weeping woman with her hands in the sink or fully dressed in the YMCA sauna, it's the phenomenon known as Reyanud's.

Ms. Erree

Image via Wikipedia

Why the loon? Because I must be crazy to live here.
Just a soupcon of snow and cold elevate my threat level to red. Between my Reynaud's Syndrome, my Seasonal Affective Disorder, my fear of winter driving, my propensity for falling (not to mention my tendency to drama) - my personal department of homeland security says WHAT THE H*LL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?*

Yes, we have a "higher standard of living", tho' short-sighted IR politicians are doing their best to short-circuit it. And even with its warm weather, the Lone Star State doesn't hold a candle to the North Star State.

But if I can't get my hands and feet warm; if I can't get enough sunshine; if I have to drive everywhere even in inclement weather; what's the point? It's not going to get easier as I get older. It's hard to imagine my golden age here.

Great Minnesota Get Together

That's what PR people call the Minnesota State Fair. And every possible angle has been worked by every media person in town, me included

For media outlets like Minnesota Public Radio, KARE11-TV, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Twin Cities Public Television, I've created all kinds of pieces with all kinds of funny and the occasional dab of serious.

But I'd never done a live broadcast from the Fair. 'Til now.

Last Saturday, we broadcast the Fresh&Local Radio Show live from the AM950 booth at the Fair, and it was fun, cold fingers and all. I was jazzed at the idea of having a live audience, although at 8am, the few fairgoers on the grounds were searching for breakfast. (We'll get'em next week with baked goods.) We had lively, well-informed guests: Mary McGuire Lerman from the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, who was a fount of information on late season gardening; Tom Forti of Hibbing's Sunrise Pasta; and, LizMcMann, an expert canner. They had such useful information, and that's what people want, online, in print, on the radio, through whatever channel it comes.

We're doing it again next Saturday, September 5, and our lineup should be equally useful and entertaining. ana Sofia Joanes, the director of FRESH, the movie. Tracy Singleton of Birchwood Cafe. Hmong grower Shur Yang of Morning Fresh Farms. And,finally, Lee Zukor of Simplegoodandtasty.com with the most useful information of all: how to eat Fresh & Local at the Fair.

So before you set off on your State Fair foodapalooza, join us 8am Saturday for some old-fashioned radio at the Great Minnesota Get Together. You'll find us across from the EcoExperience at the corner of Cooper and Randall.

#1 in Minnesota

Lucky us in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District. It's the healthiest place to live in the state, according to a new report from Gallop and Healthways.

The well-being index is made up of six metrics: life evaluation, emotional health, physical health, healthy behavior, work environment and basic access.

The Third District, which includes the western suburbs, is Minnesota’s top-ranked place to live in the study.

We Minnesotans already think we live in God's country. Now the Minnesotans in my neck of the woods will lord it over the rest of the state. Apparently we live in God's congressional district. Don't tell Michelle Bachman.