FAT TUESDAY; It' Mardi Gras Month!

Fat Tuesday

hits Southwest Virginia

at

Pulaski Health & Rehab Center

...

Yep that's

COB/DOT/MOM

shakin it up

for

Fat Tuesday

at the joint where cuz Angie

is the Activities director

up in Pulaski VA

where those Elders just got a kick

out of

Mardi Gras!

Colorful and lookin like she should

be

right in the middle of

Bourbon Street

I'm thinkin!

It's Mardi Gras Month

but

not only in

New Orleans!

Folks in a little town in Virginia

were havin a ball

when

COB walked in all decked out in color,

in a mask and beads

to light up the room

and

volunteer for the day

of

great fun with the residents and staff.

YOU never know

it may just be that the bourbon was under the tables

or the beds

or

the

Mardi Gras Mojitos

were being served

in the dining room

and

they were dancing on tables

to some fine jazz!

But one thing

is certain

COB was dressed for the day,

and

shined like a brand new dime

lookin for change!

I'm thinkin that they could have played this music

and

just changed up the words

to sing

"down in Pulaski Rehab"

...

Life is brilliant

for not just the children,

not just the adults,

but

also for the

Elders.

It only takes

"time"

and

caring

to

INVEST

in others

with

genuine caring.

Imagine if you will

stepping outside of your day

and

taking the time

to dress up

and

just get your

"Mardi Gras"

on!

Get out there and get

"jiggy with it"

get out and make someone

truly happy.

I hear those residents did just that;

they had a blast

on

Fat Tuesday

with a lunch,

with beads

and

good times.

Those in wheelchairs

got to dance

and

be touched

and

loved upon

and

just loved LOVED

COB

in her

FAT TUESDAY

flare!

Now I have to tell ya,

up there in Virginia

it's a tad smaller

than New Orleans

but

oh what a time was had

at Pulaski Rehab with the residents and staff

and

COB/DOT/MOM

as they just celebrated the day

and

life itself.

Meantime

down in New Orleans

the wild was wild

and

the flavor was colorful

as this year was the latest

thus far in the year

for folks to come from far and wide for the annual celebration

of an Indian Celebration

and

I can only imagine.

Enjoy the clip below

...

Who dat Nation

and

oh can you even imagine

dancing in the streets

as

music played, the dances that were danced, the cares that were cast to the winds,

the costumes that were worn, the booze consumed,

 the cakes were eaten

and

now the fast for Lent have begun!

Oh even folks are giving up things like

"social medias; (twitter, facebook, linkedin) for Lent"

dont' ya just love it?

The parties

the costumes (or lack of clothing)

will astound;

the dancing

whether hip hop

jazz

one line

to two line

sure to amaze

the Indians and their private parade

talks

and the eyes of the Chiefs

and

the "struts" down

the street

sure to bewilder and make one wonder of the brilliance

the history

from back in the days

to the day itself.

It's

Mardi Gras

and

the beads are flying

and

the booze is flowing.

sights and sounds

sure to amaze!

And as we are fast approaching

spring

we know

only because the end of Fat Tuesday

is the

beginning of Lent

and

the beginning of Lent

is and indicator of

Easter

and

that lets all know

that

spring is just around the corner!

Right?

Well at least that is my thought

on the matter

as I now look again

at that

jazzy woman in the beginning

of this page

and

wonder

...

How did she put that outfit together?

LOL

Oh what a fabulous outfit

so perfect of

Mardi Gras

up there in

Virginia!

Not even Katrina could stop

Mardi Gras;

Mardi Gras is celebrated in many states, many countries,

and oh my that celebration

is one that is

strong and powerful and goes around the clock more than around the block!

It is one that began with

Indians

and now is celebrated by people of all beliefs, all colors

and

for so many reasons!

It is held after

Ephipany and before Lent

and

all one can do

is get ready to dress up;

collect as many beads as possible

and

be prepare to be amazed!

Don't ya just love

to

be

amazed?

Speaking of being amazed;

I now get to the message of this day...

That woman named

COB/DOT/MOM

and

her Fat Tuesday

appearance

at the Pulaski Rehab

on a cold day where it would have been easier to stay warm in her home.

I'm reminded of steppin OUT and standing UP

for the greater good of humanity,

with honesty, movement, and pride.

There are many who might just

"talk a good game"

but it is in our service to others that we receive fully.

Many may not feel well,

many may want an easy out,

may want to "get", to "take"

but is truly in our gift of giving

that we receive.

I am reminded of FIRM

I believe it was this or last week,

who I kidded about being not first in her comments here,

and

then learned she was OUT on errands for others in her community

finding just the "right loaf of rye bread", doing for others.

It is in getting out there

and

using what we have

that we receive

the greatest benefit.

Laura who is a MS thriver

gets out there;

she doesn't sit still

she is ACTION and movement.

She may have MS

but

MS will "never ever have her".

Some may not feel well,

BUT

they are the masters of their destiny

they control what and who they are

rather than sit

and

think the world owes them

or

owns them.

COB got out there, she gets out there every day

and makes a difference

in others lives

and

that is the difference

she is one of so many who I am proud to call

the "hearts of hospice";

a hospice volunteer

a clown

a "Fat Tuesday broad"

that dressed to the nines to get out there and hug, laugh, dance

with elders and make a difference in their lives, their day,

and

in my book

that is

first class

and

downright awesome!

Stevie Wonder once said,

"we all have ability, the difference is in how we use it".

Hoping you

CHOOSE

to use

all you've been blessed

with!

Wishing you an

amazing day

wherever you are.

...

Got your red on for the rest of this month friends?

It is National Heart month,

take best care of your hearts...

and

of course

TAKE BEST CARE OF YOU!!!

Walk in Beauty

DRSES

www.drsherryeshowalter.com