Lesson 634: Charming Towns

Hello, Windy Winter Weekend.

A winter landscape has returned 

to my charming little town

in northwest Pennsylvania.

Hazel is not having it.

How do the birds do it?

Seagulls are so tough.

I snapped those photos along Erie's
charming bay front area.

We were down that way last Saturday for Sam.

He was in an academic competition for a change!

The speed round was something to watch.

Spectators can watch the last round.
The questions are put up on a screen 

and are read to the Mathletes.

Mathetes go head to head,

or rather,

big brain to big brain

in sets of two. 
The students hit buzzers 

to signal they arrived at an answer.
I didn't get a single question correct ahead of the participants.

Most questions I hadn't fully completed reading

and the buzzers were already going off.

So impressive!

Sam's sisters passed on the math competition,

but headed to the Gannon game to cheer on 

our friend Ali B!

While at the game,

Sam volunteered to be part of the halftime competition.

He also volunteered Ellen's boyfriend.

Since you really can't say no 

to your girlfriend's little brother--

there they went

head to head

in a fierce game of tic tac toe.

Somebody made a clean sweep.

Readers can guess who.

Speaking of clean--

a third grade teacher I work with 

replicated this science experiment with her class.

Here is the article about this lesson.

link to germ experiment CLICK HERE

It's a great lesson on the importance of hand washing.

Simple soap and water

and good hygiene habits 

may help our charming American towns

as the dreaded corona virus

makes its way across the globe.

Taking care of your mental health

is extra important during these uncertain times.

Doctors and scientists are finding conclusive evidence

that good mental health

and a positive outlook 

can boost immune systems.

I read this book several years ago and loved it.

Not only has Gretchen Rubin 

studied and written about the science

and psychology behind habits,

and written a few books on the topic,

She also hosts my new favorite podcast

with her sister Elizabeth Kraft.

This is a great time to start it 

if you haven't tuned in yet.

This week's episode was their 

5 year anniversary episode

and they took you back to where Happier all began.

The sisters reviewed their favorite 

happiness habits 

and I must say,

I've tried them recently and they work for me.

Check out their one minute rule:

if a task can be done in less than 60 seconds, 

do it without delay!

Another one I like is a weekly Power Hour.

It will help create

Outer Order=Inner Calm.

If you have chosen a bigger life
in a smaller town
check this out!

I'm sorry to say that 

Erie,
Harborcreek,

or North East, Pennsylvania

did not make the list.

However,

I'm hoping North East, PA,

my hubby's birthplace,

and my summer retreat for most of my life,

finds fame in getting a town face lift

by HGTV.

If you are from the area, 

check out their video contest submission below.

One of the other great suggestions
from my Happier podcast was
to be a tourist in your own town.

My mom brought this over to my house this week.



I read it over a perfect cup of coffee,

and I sticky tabbed

everything I wanted to see and do,

from places to eat,

parks to visit,

and trails to explore.

Cheers to your health and happiness this week!
Eloise