Here's a link to a new study about how the brain's ventral tegmental area can be activated to increase motivation, at least when someone tries to do it in an fMRI. If the human race is here a thousand years from now, we most definitely will be alien-like creatures with insane mind powers. I bet the little gray people that some witnesses see and call aliens are really humans of the future, who have traveled through time and space. and have evolved to have skills that we can't even dream of, yet. But that's another story.
Would love to have an fMRI handy this morning! I attacked one of several overgrown bushes in my yard yesterday, wielding a chainsaw like a pro and decimating it. My right thumb is out of commission today, but the deed is done. I also mowed a chunk of lawn and swung my weed cutter around to chop the ever-present bamboo that is overtaking what used to be a pretty yard and making it swamp. Little by little, I am hoping to reclaim it. Am so grateful my back surgery has allowed me to do this. It has made all the difference, and I know by staying active and not "giving in" to RA pain, I can hopefully maximize the positive effects of having had surgery. The ankles and feet are still under siege, swollen up and painful, and do get worse with overuse, but there isn't anything else I can do about that, and rest is definitely rust. Back up the the high 15mg maintenance dose of pred, fat be damned. I have to function.
On an art note, I came across a cool video from Mark Montano about making fabric beads today that looks really fun. While the video uses spray glue, which I can't use at school, I am wondering if methylcellulose (paper mache paste) would work? I'd love my kids to try this - with magazine paper or left over drapery scraps. Hmmmm.....must try. Would be fun for a quick end of the year project. Another must try! Each bead would be unique and beautiful, and could be embellished with even more beads...hmmm. Following this video were several other goodies -- here's one about recycling water bottles into beads! Really! Omg.
Cheers to Thursday!