Help! Im becoming Dumb!

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Feb 26, 2003

Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw just to name a few. Not far from me is an Indian burial ground that is on a farm and has been plowed under for years, so you can't really tell that it's a mound unless you know what you're looking for. It's a place where two creeks come together and there are there are mountains with overhanging ledges to the north and west. The Indians occupied the areas under the ledges, you can look at the "ceiling" and see the smoke stains from the fires. You can sometimes find artifacts in these areas. The area to the south of the creek forks is the burial ground and these people built mounds. I don't know if they were related to these other people..

http://www.moundville.ua.edu/home.html . We went to this burial ground about 10 or 12 years ago and someone had been digging in it for artifacts, we would never do this. There were actually what appears to be 2 cultures here or perhaps overtime they changed their beliefs. Some of the dead were in burial urns, meaning that they were burned and then their bones were put in the highly decorative pottery urns and buried. Others were laid to rest ina grave lines with barnacle shells from the creek, they did this for the lime contained in them. The grave robbers scattered bones allover the place, found a long grey braid of hair about a foot long. There were bear teeth, eagle talons, arrowheads, hide scrapers allover the ground along with numerous human bones. We did take some arrowheads and bear teeth and claws, an eagle talon. There were some little tiny teeth too, not human, I wanna say they are opossum teeth although I can't imagine why they would want to keep them. Found a stone that had holes in it that you put a stick in and turned the stick quickly back and forth between your palms making fire by the friction, I put that back in a hole. We reburied all the bones we could find and filled in the graves as best we could. We did take the arrowheads to an expert. I found one with a rounded, serated tip about 2 inches long. This guy told us it was about 13,000 years old! We've taken more than one trip out there, just looking through the riverbed my son found a mastadon tooth! Not saying that the people and the mastadon were there at the same time, but it does make you wonder. :) Wendy

nimbex, RN · Feb 27, 2003

I take down time when I need it and read multiple non nursing books, watch CNN before I goto sleep.

learned to play Eucre with another couple, playing in 20 minutes.

and took up Ballroom dancing, focus on the swing to spend 1 hr. per week with quality time, holding my husband, yet pricey.

spend time on this BB

which gives me the reserve and a rest of the mind... to search for info related to my job and be refreshed enough to show up the next day

Gotta take care of YOU!!!!!!! Number one priority.

How I did it was refuse to come in extra, let a few bills goto hell and reprioritized my family..... lovin' it now

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2003

I used to do a lot more continuing ed classes and was working on a BSN.

I stay away from politics. I used to listen to NPR all the time when I had a longer commute.

I've gotten back to reading the last year though which is good I think, but mostly just mind candy.

For me getting the internet several years ago has strayed me away from books and other pursuits because I'm an internet/BB junkie...sigh...but that can be stimulating enough.

shrinkyrn · Feb 27, 2003

Thanks to Lilgirl for the interesting link and info on Ala. mounds. I have learned alot of things since I have been reading the threads here, we are all very interesting contributors. I am relatively new here, workin' on 50 posts:D Most of the nurses I've known over time have been into some hobby, sport, travel venture that I have found interesting-- not always what I would choose, but talking to others about their interests is learning something!! Too often we are too busy at work to share at work and too tired when we get home. Sometimes there is intellectual programming on the tube--and sometimes it's even interesting to watch:roll I love to read. There is just so much to learn everywhere. I appreciate being able to exchange ideas here.

melissa24 · Feb 27, 2003

My advice...If you're feeling exhausted, take a nap rather than watch television. You just might feel refreshed enough to go to the library or take a class. And they don't have to be college courses, although those are good...even a community education class would be good...Something where you are learning something new...broadening your horizon.

Like Dennie, I too did not see what President Bush's reading habits had to do with yours. But, for the record, I have often heard reporters give comments on what book he is currently reading or his opinions of a certain book, etc... He is an incredibly busy man, but I'm sure he reads at least a little here and there.

CherryRN · Feb 27, 2003

I love to read. All kinds of books. I try to read more than one at a time. For instance, a fiction novel, non-fiction and maybe something like a self-development book.

I also like to do puzzles or play online games. Boxerjam has pretty good word games online.

I love to learn just for the sake of learning. If I were rich, I would not work, I would be a perpetual student. Going to different universities. LOL

I don't want to pursue degrees in nursing, however. I would love to study literature, art history, etc. Whatever I want.

I need to go back to school for a bit. I need to stretch my brain and remind myself that there is more to life than being a staff nurse.

Cherry

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · Feb 27, 2003

Hard to believe that the largest city in North America was in Alabama, but then it is beautiful here. We are second in geographical diversity, only California beats us. We have mountains, plains, beaches etc. Oh yeah and if you wanna stretch your mind a lil bit, as corny as it sounds, do crossowrd puzzles.

Mattigan, RN · Feb 27, 2003

Originally posted by frannybee
. My latest historical obsession is Richard III, and having lived in Yorkshire I got to know a lot about his life. After I've exhausted that avenue, I'll move on to Welsh history, since we're now in Wales. It helps that it's gorgeous here and you can't help but learn by osmosis. (I can even say Llanelli properly now).

OK I'm jealous!!!! I have a thing with Richard III- I have decided he did not off the Princes. Have been reading all I can about him but particulary enjoyed the " Daughter of Time" Josephine Tey's mystery novel about why he didn't do it. I was suprised to read that

the American Chapter of the Richard II Society endorse it- they are out to prove he's innocent.

Sharon K. Penman and Diana Gabaldon are great. If either has a book out I NEED it in hardback- right then.

I'd love to go to Wales and see where LLewellyn and Joanne were. I have a friend who recently had to go to Wales- meant nothing to her, by the way, and brought me a replica of the celtic cross at Glamorgan.

(big sigh ) I envy you,living in Wales.:)

MarnnaRN · Feb 27, 2003

I spend my nights at work and my days with a 3 year old and a 9 month old. We read Hop On Pop, and Thomas the Train. We count to ten, we color, we go to the library for storytime. I can tell you anything you want to know about Bob the builder, Dora, Blue's Clues, or anyting nick cartoon. I have no clue about what is going on in politics or the world, but, someday, maybe when the baby goes to kindergarten, I will take a class or two a semester, I think that would be great.

ohbet · Feb 27, 2003

What do Presidents Bush' reading habits have to do with mine? Let me see.....perhaps the President is caught up in the 'Dumbing of America' and all he can do at the end of the day is to 'zone out' in front of the tube or maybe his habits dont have anything to do with mine and the President chooses Not to read....I surely hope its the former and not the later.The Presient does find time for daily physical excercise,got to give him credit for that.

Allison S. · Feb 27, 2003

Three things:

When I exercise, I have more energy for other things, like reading, cooking, really USING the internet to learn (I consider this reading), calling folks on the phone, crafts.

When the Sunday paper comes, after I get the coupons, I highlight the TV guide and only watch things that I have highlighted. This is starting to catch on with my husband, too.

Fortunately I get very fustrated with stupid tv, and shut it off in disgust. Unfortunately I then zone out with public radio. It may be slothful, but at least it is educational.

JNJ · Feb 27, 2003

ohbet - thoughtful posting, so you can't be quite vegged out yet.

I am vehemently anti-TV, but appreciate it's hard for people with families to change TV habits. Some suggestions:

Try renting more movies, substituting these for TV and then exchanging just a sentence or two about the movie with whoever watched it with you. Because it's so hard to read when others want to watch TV.

Many current movies are also current novels - read the novel before or after the movie. You'll find yourself thinking about the differences. I'm thinking along the lines of Nicholas Sparks (Message in a Bottle), Anita Shreve (Weight of Water) and many others. It's a lightweight way to start. Try a second hand bookstore if you don't want to try the library.

I did an MA in moral philosophy a few years ago. I'm not actually recommending it, but since then, I've not stopped thinking. One philosopher sticks with me: Ayn Rand and her idea that our first duty is to ourselves. Try that idea on a stressed out colleague some time and see what response you get. There is a film with Helen Mirren as Ayn Rand - not lightweight, but different.

If you don't want to leave home for a class, there's a magical little book called, "Learning to Look" - can't find it at the moment, so no further details. Helped me to look at art, buildings, nature with fresh eyes and was so easy to read.

Is there anything creative you'd like to do while the TV is on? I'm thinking of sewing, knitting, tatting, crocheting, sketching - a small project that sits in your hands.

I don't disagree with the above posting suggestions, but I do think you might need to start with small changes, built around the TV watching you already do.

Just because you're thinking about what you don't do or know, I believe you'll be able to move to where you want to be. Enjoy the journey!