I was talking to a tourist the last Saturday and he asked me, “Can you recommend a nice scenic drive around the Miami area?” I asked him, “How long of a drive are we talking about? Where are you staying?” “Right near Coral Gables. Maybe 5 or 6 hours with a few stops?” he answered. Hmmmmm. “Ok, let me think for a second.Do you like gardens and flowers? Old scenic hotels and houses?” “Yes that sounds good and we have a laptop and Mapquest etc. with us as well.” “OK, start at Lejeune Road, and go west on Coral Way. Check out the Merrick House to get an idea of what old Florida homes were all about. He founded Coral gables. Then if the weather warms up like its supposed to, check out the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. I think it’s the prettiest pool in the USA. The Biltmore Hotel is very close to the Venetian Pool. It is very much “old Florida.”Then shoot on down to Fairchild Tropical Gardens, which is located on Old Cutler Road,which meanders through Coral Gables. It’s has a superb tropical garden amongst a million other plants and trees and things. Then head back North on Old Cutler Road and stop at the Cocoplum Circle at Sunset Drive. Park and walk around the north side of the circle. Don’t get run over of course. That view of the waterway and boats and caves might be the most scenic view in the whole county. Just past that circle turn right and weave around till you get to another right turn with a steady right turn green arrow pointing East. Follow that around until it turns into downtown Coconut Grove. Park and walk around. It has tons of places to eat. Is that enough?” “Oh yes,certainly. I took notes and thank you for your help.” “It was my pleasure. Here is another thought. The road to Key West is very lovely. You might want to try that for an all day trip. It’s about 140 miles from Miami to Key West.” “Jolly good show mate. Thanks for your information. Have you lived here long?” “Longer than most. My family moved here in 1948. “ “Good day, and thanks again.” “Have a safe trip folks.” It made me realize again that the Miami area is chock full of nice places to see and visit. I think that sometimes our locals ,including me, need to step back and see it with less jaded eyes. We take this lovely area for granted a lot. It was nice to reflect on that fact and share a nice conversation with this ultra nice tourist. I love meeting people in general and the more tourists the better in my book. I shudder to think about what our local economy would be without them. Take care, Reid Millsap
ENJOY A DRIVE AROUND MIAMI
March 8th, 2010FIVE COOL WEBSITES
March 1st, 2010Week 16 Every Monday, I am going to provide five cool website links here on my blog that most folks will find worthwhile. Some will entertain you, some will help you or will educate you, and some will make you laugh out loud. Others will help you optimize your life and every now and then we might throw in a zany or crazy website as well just for fun. Thank you for your input. Take care, Reid Millsap
Here is this weeks FIVE COOL WEBSITES:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1963392,00.html How to Live 100 Years
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1903873,00.html How Not to get Sick
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,1942543,00.html the year in Health 2009
http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1631176_1630611,00.html 20 Ways to Get and Stay Happy
http://www.yelp.com/miami “Real People-Real Reviews” Take care, Reid Millsap
FIVE COOL WEBSITES
February 21st, 2010Week 15 Every Monday, I am going to provide five cool website links here on my blog that most folks will find worthwhile. Some will entertain you, some will help you or will educate you, and some will make you laugh out loud. Others will help you optimize your life and every now and then we might throw in a zany or crazy website as well just for fun. Thank you for your input . Take care, Reid Millsap
Here is this weeks “FIVE COOL WEBSITES”:
Http://arstechnica.com/ High tech cool and in depth
http://www.bikely.com/ bike routes in 40 countries
http://www.imdb.com/ internet movie data base
http://www.places-to-visit.co.uk/ take a virtual tour of England
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ genealology in England
Reid’s Good Health Gazette (Health Guidelines)
February 20th, 2010There is an old proverb, “He who has health, has hope,and he who has hope, has everything.” Being middle aged myself, or shall we say, a “boomer”, I am interested in maintaining my good health and learning all about wellness. So, at least once a month, I am going to provide some good health tips and links to some great pages that can make you healthier. The age related guidelines listed below are recommendations for routine health maintenance ; your doctor may do other tests for specific problems. Do talk to your doctor about any problems that you are having. I find it helpful to make a list of questions before each visit to make sure all of my concerns are addressed and that I don’t forget anything. Eat well, exercise and reduce the stress in your life. Best wishes to your good health. Reid Millsap
20 to 39 years
Recommended screenings and lab exams:
Clinical breast exam every 3 years
Annual pelvic exam and Pap test 3 years after becoming
sexually active or by age 21; every 2-3 years after age 30
Clinical testicular exam every 1-3 years
Skin cancer – screen every 3 years
Blood pressure – Every visit, at least once every 2 years
Cholesterol – Initial screening if not previously tested;
Fasting lipoprotein profile every 5 years
Glaucoma – Once between 20-39; annually if diabetic
Urinalysis, CBC, chemistry profile, rubella titer (females) -
once as baseline
Immunizations:
Measles, mumps, & rubella (MMR) if not previously
immunized or have not had disease
Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td); booster every 10 years
40 to 59 years
Recommended screenings and lab exams:
Annual clinical breast exam and mammogram X Pelvic exam and Pap test every 2-3 years
Annual skin cancer screening Blood pressure – Every visit, at least once every 2 years
Cholesterol – Initial screening, if not previously tested;
fasting lipoprotein profile every 5 years
Glaucoma – every 2-4 years; annually if diabetic X Diabetes – screen every 3 years at age 45
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years over age 50 OR
colonoscopy every 10 years over age 50
Digital rectal exam annually, beginning at age 50; discussion
of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test
Annual urinalysis, CBC, chemistry profile
Immunizations:
Influenza – Annually at age 50
Pneumococcal – Once at age 50 if not previously immunized
Tetanus-Diphtheria (Id)- Booster every 10 years
60 years and over
Recommended screenings and lab exams:
Annual clinical breast exam and mammogram.
After age 70, at physician/patient discretion.
Pelvic exam and Pap test every 2-3 years. Discuss with
physician after age 70 and consistently negative results
Annual skin cancer screening
Blood pressure – Every visit, at least once every 2 years
Cholesterol – Initial screening if not previously tested.
Fasting lipoprotein profile every 5 years
Glaucoma – every 2-4 years, every 1-2 years at age 65.
Annually, if diabetic
Diabetes – screen every 3 years
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years OR colonoscopy
every 10 years
Digital rectal exam annually, beginning at age 50; discussion
of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test
Annual urinalysis, CBC, chemistry profile
Immunizations:
Influenza – Annually
Pneumococcal – Once, if not previously immunized or it has
been 5 years since last immunization and 1st immunization
before age 65
Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td); booster every 10 years
The links below deal with trying to stay “young”.
ttp://www.realage.com/the-you-docs/you-staying-young/major-agers major aging factors
http://www.realage.com/the-you-docs/you-staying-young/stress-management stress is a killer
http://www.realage.com/the-you-docs/you-staying-young/how-to-sleep-deeply sleep like a mummy
http://www.realage.com/the-you-docs/you-staying-young/keeping-mind-and-body-young mind and body
http://www.realage.com/the-you-docs/you-staying-young/mind-games-2 exercise your mind
“Crime in Miami” exhibit at Historical Museum
February 18th, 2010Enjoy the new “Crime in Miami” exhibit at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida,that is. It details some of the most spectacular crimes in the history of Miami. From Al Capone to the Cocaine Cowboys, Miami has seen it all. In 1933 a maniac tried to assassinate the newly elected President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in Bayfront Park. The exhibit runs for six months and is very interesting. The museum is located at 101 West Flagler Street and you can call them at: 305-375-1492. The exhibit runs thru August 29. The Watergate Burglars were all based out of Miami of course. I remember a criminal who escaped from the Dade County Jail back in the 1950’s. The jail was about 15 floors up in the Dade County Courthouse . He cut the bars, tied some sheets together, and let himself into an office window below and escaped. I think he was a rapist and murderer, so the whole city was spooked out to the max. Everyone was afraid of their own shadows. Finally, he was caught a few days later hiding out at the 22nd Avenue dump, which was at about 23 Avenue and 66th Street. My how times have changed. That one criminal stopped Miami in it’s tracks. The “Crime in Miami” exhibit is worthwhile and interesting ,so check it out. Later folks, Reid Millsap
Fairchild Tropical Gardens
February 16th, 2010If you have never visited our world class botanical garden,Fairchild Tropical Gardens, then you are missing out on a real treat. It is a lovely relaxing place full of plants, trees and flowers from all over the world. There are many different types of events held in the gardens every month and February is no exception. There is going to be an afternoon tea party celebrating our First Ladies, on February 21,Sunday, at 3PM. Then on February 25, Thursday,there will be an outdoor movie, “When Harry Met Sally” , from 6 to 9 PM. Watching a movie under the stars can be very relaxing and romantic. On February 27, Saturday, there is a free interactive program called “Plants and People: An Interactive Garden, Unearthing a World of Experiences for People Living with Alzheimer’s ” from 11:30 AM to 2Pm . It includes lunch and an interactive tram ride. This program is provided to enrich the lives of anyone who is dealing with Alzheimer’s. Both caregivers and patients can benefit from this unusual but worthwhile program. Fairchild Tropical Gardens is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, FL 33156 • Phone: 305-667-1651 • Fax 305-661-89530. Their events website can be found at: http://www.fairchildgarden.org/events/ check this tropical wonder out for yourself. Here is a story about one of my many visits to the Gardens. Years ago, I worked in Texas for awhile and was amused to find out that many Texans think that Florida is just chock full of alligators. They would ask me, “Aren’t you afraid that they will come into your yard and attack you?” I had to laugh. After I came back to Florida, a lady friend visited me and I took her to Fairchild and we had a nice day walking around and taking in the sites. We stopped by the central lake and sat near the water on a wooden bench. She then noticed a small sign, “Please do not feed the alligators.” She asked me, “You mean there are alligators in this very lake? Right here?” I said, “Yes , probably, but they won’t bother us. Any aggressive alligators in Florida are dealt with very rapidly.” She never seemed to relax after reading that sign and I could tell that she was very nervous. A few minutes later, a small iguana, made a lot of noise running thru the brush and popped out into the clearing about five feet away from us. She screamed and took off running for her life yelling, “ALLIGATORS!” She covered 4o yards in the blink of an eye and I Could see her peeking around a palm tree. When I finally could stop laughing, I walked up and reassured her that our lives weren’t in any danger. She wanted out of there though. I still smile whenever I see an iguana and think of that day. But folks, don’t sweat the alligators. I have never seen one at fairchild and I have visited there at least 2o times. Enjoy the tropical wonders found there in those beautiful gardens. Florida is the only tropical zone in the whole USA so you see things growing here that could never survive in a different climate. Have fun, and spend some rewarding time at that lovely place. You won’t be sorry if you do. Reid Millsap
FIVE COOL WEBSITES
February 15th, 2010Week 14 Every Monday, I am going to provide five cool website links here on my blog that most folks will find worthwhile. Some will entertain you, some will help you or will educate you, and some will make you laugh out loud. Others will help you optimize your life and every now and then we might throw in a zany or crazy website as well just for fun. Thank you for your input . Take care, Reid Millsap
Here is this weeks “FIVE COOL WEBSITES”:
http://www.smarthistory.org/ interactive art history book
http://www.148apps.com/ I Phone applications
http://namechk.com/ check user names across all media
http://www.academicearth.org/ free videos from college professors
http://www.wdl.org/en/ world digital library
http://www.darkpassage.com/ this site is full of pictures of old abandoned hospitals, factories, train stations etc. It is a tad spooky.
FIVE COOL WEBSITES
February 10th, 2010Week 13 Every Monday, I am going to provide five cool website links here on my blog that most folks will find worthwhile. Some will entertain you, some will help you or will educate you, and some will make you laugh out loud. Others will help you optimize your life and every now and then we might throw in a zany or crazy website as well just for fun. Thank you for your input . Take care, Reid Millsap
Here is this weeks “FIVE COOL WEBSITES”
http://www.shorpy.com/ real nifty old photo site
http://www.wisebread.com live large on a small budget
http://www.gizaapage.com/ organize your solical networks
http://lifehacker.com/ optimize your life
http://itemnotasdescribed.com/ free is a four letter word Enjoy the sites. Come back next week for five more. Reid Millsap
I Missed the Superbowl Score by 31 Points!
February 9th, 2010Last week, I boldly predicted a Indianapolis Colts victory over the Saints by 17 points. Since the Colts lost by 14 points, that means that I missed the score by a very embarrassing 31 points. That’s not too good, is it? I am very happy for the Saints and the city of New Orleans however. America in general was pulling for them for a lot of reasons, including one named Katrina. A lot of folks don’t realize that Katrina went through South Florida before it slammed New Orleans. It wasn’t a killer when it came our way. Now, My hats off to the Saints. The Saints coaches decision to try an on side kick to start the second half might be the most far out call that I can ever remember while watching football. Since the Colts never dreamed that anyone in their right mind would ever call for that on side kick to start the half, they were caught with their pants down. If you KNOW that kick is coming, you put in ”good hands” team. Players that can catch the ball. How could they ever dream someone would try it in that type of pressure game? I feel sorry for that poor man, Mr. Playboy Bunny, who let that ball bounce off of him. How could he ever imagine they would try that stunt? He was thinking about who he was going to block and not about the ball zipping towards him. Again, my congratulations to the Saints, the City of New Orleans and the two Miami Hurricanes that helped in a big way to beat the Colts. Mr. Shockey, the tight end, and the brainiac middle linebacker, Mr. Vilma. I will go eat my crow now. Later folks, Reid Millsap
Colts Win Super Bowl BY 17
February 6th, 2010That is our fearless prediction with one small small disclaimer. That is assuming that the Colts wide receiver number 87 Reggie Wayne (from the “U”) is well enough to play. If not? Colts by10. Why? The pressure of playing in “the Big Game” for the first time is immense. I saw this first hand. I stayed at the same hotel as the Dolphins when they went to their first Super Bowl against the Dallas Cowboys in New Orleans at Tulane Stadium in 1971. That was the coldest football game I have ever attended. The Fish, as a rule, play poorly in real cold weather. That morning on the day of the game, I ran into one of their offensive linemen. I wished him good luck and he responded, “Thank you very much.” He spooked me when he answered because his voice was several octaves higher than Frankie Valle could ever reach on his best falsetto day. I thought to myself, “Uh Oh,that’s not good. He is way way uptight, if he farted only dogs could hear it.” Sure enough, the Dolphins played a terrible game that day. Larry Cszonka fumbled, which he almost never did, and Bob Griese was sacked for a loss of 29 yards! That has to be a record. I think that the New Orleans Saints are in the same boat. The first time at the big dance can be a daunting challenge. To me. that is the biggest difference between the two teams. The colts have been there before, the Saints haven’t. Also, about Peyton Manning. He is 6′5″ and 230 pounds. He gets a view of the field that few other QB’s ever get. The winning Super Bowl QB for years has been at least 6′4″ and over 215 pounds. Peyton is a gym rat that studies a lot of film and will exploit your weaknesses in a blink. He has played with the same center for years which is a huge plus. The Colts defense is under rated. So, put your money on the Colts and come back next year for your Super Bowl lock. You heard it here. I love the Saints by the way. It’s a great story. Good luck to your team, Reid Millsap
