words of wisdom

Walter’s Words of Wisdom

By Walter Eugene Davis Senior Helpers – Stratham, NH

A season of Change

While I was walking on the rail trail with my Dad, the leaves were gently falling making a colorful carpet on the path. As they floated down in the crisp morning fall breeze, I knew that the lazy days of summer are now in the rear-view mirror. Fall in New England is a spectacular time. My nose gets busy with all of the new smells. I enjoy sitting in my back yard watching my forest friends scurry as they prepare for the days to become colder and shorter. You humans tend to have the same rituals. Putting the outdoor furniture away, closing the pool, getting the shovels and snow blowers ready and turning on the heat. Here are a few tips to make sure that you are ready for change that the coming months will bring.

Walter

Weather – With October comes warm days, cool nights and eventually frost on the pumpkins. This is the time of the year when you have a sweater or jacket on in the morning and by noon you are shedding it. Take all the opportunity that you can to get out to enjoy the sunshine and soak up that Vitamin D. Get out for a walk or take a ride, enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and with luck you will have the window down in the car. (I like to ride in the back seat with the window down. My nose enjoys the dazzling scents and my ears flap in the breeze.)

Food – Oh my goodness…the scent of warm pumpkin bread, applesauce, roasted butternut squash soup – they are truly fall favorites. Not only do they smell fabulous, but they are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Vitamins A, B, C and E can be found in them all, along with potassium and beta-carotene in pumpkin and potassium and magnesium in butternut squash. A great way to treat yourself, stomach and body at the same time.

Exercise – Feel like doing something different? How about a corn maze? Not only is it exercise but it works your mind. Enjoy being outside; experience the twists and turns of corn stalks that rise some 12 feet above. My favorite spots are Coppal House Farm in Lee, NH, the Scamman Farm in Stratham (just across the street from my office at Senior Helpers) and Zach’s Corn Maze in York, ME. (I have even had the opportunity to do the maze at the Scamman Farm during Doggie Days – oh it was so fun, but I had to have a nap after!)

The Clocks – On November 1st (the first Sunday of the month) it will be time to FALL BACK. The change to Daylight Savings Time allows us to have more light at the beginning of our day. It is also a great time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors, remote controls and light bulbs in the lights that luminate walkways and outside entries. A few facts about Daylight Savings Time you may not know: It first became law in Germany in 1916 in an effort to conserve coal, renewed popularity in the U.S. in the 1970’s during the energy crisis, and it goes into effect at 2:00 a.m. versus midnight based on the idea that most workers with early shifts are still sleeping and most restaurants and bars are closed (who thought of that one?). One drawback is the loss of one hour of sleep, which is attributed to the increased risk of heart attack, stroke and seasonal depression.

On November 11th as a nation we honor and celebrate our Veterans. At Senior Helpers we are proud to serve many Veterans from all branches of our armed forces. Many proudly served during WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and during Operation Desert Shield. We salute you. We thank you for service and sacrifice. Words are not enough to express the gratitude we hold in our hearts for our veterans. THANK YOU FOR SERVING AND PROTECTING OUR

FREEDOM. A big thanks to Dwight & Gayle Davis, owners of Senior Helpers, for encouraging Walter Eugene to write this new column! Walter is a 6-year-old Lab mix rescue. They all found each other via New England Lab Rescue. Walter came from Hartsville, SC, and ended up hitting the jackpot with his new family! He participates in the family business providing love and comfort to many, with his official title being “Director of Security & Pet Relations.” Walter is also an active member of the welcoming committee! Senior Helpers provides in-home, non-medical care offering tailored services ranging from companion care for those who need daily assistance to in-depth specialized care for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s and other chronic diseases. They’ve worked with clients ranging in age from 25 to 104. Senior Helpers was voted “Best of the Seacoast” in home health care and received the “Business Excellence Award” and “Top 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in New Hampshire” from the New Hampshire Business Review. Stratham, NH – (603) 583-4580 www.seniorhelpers.com/nh/se-new-hampshire

Meet Ginger… one of our loyal sponsors!

Hi Ginger, so nice to meet you. Woof, woof, woof! Nice to meet you too!

A bit about you? I’m a 3 ½ -year-old Golden with truly a golden life!

My Dad’s, Jim Stott & Jonathon King, are the best in the world.

Favorite past times? Well, since it’s fall I’d have to say chasing squirrels! They are everywhere right now. Boating is my summer thing & when the snow comes we love to snowshoe at Fort Foster in Kittery Point. Favorite song? JAMMIN by Bob Marley is one of my all-time favs! Are you planning to vote? Woof, woof. Of course! I’m for the guy that wants to unite our country, as we’re all really one wonderful big pack!

Anything else you’d like to add? I simply urge all of you humans to VOTE! I’m not that PAW-litical but do think our DOG-mocracy depends on it.

you. Woof, woof. Thank you!

Thank you, Ginger…a pleasure to meet I’m always happy to bark about things I love & find important.