Poetry Wednesday 147

“I Will”

                I hope you will always love me

                We both wish it was for all eternity

                Every day with you is better

                Together we will overcome

                Moving on from where I came from

                I Will love you always

                I Will love you more day after day

                Oh Babe, You know I will

                So happy where I am now

                You are worthy of every chance I took

                Drawn to your eyes with mine every time I look

                Promise that I am true and faithful

                A woman like you for a guy like me makes me grateful

                I Will love you always

                I Will love you more day after day

                Oh Babe, You know I will

© Ryan Stroud 2021

Current Event Friday #114

Another week comes to an end, maybe that means eating out if you’re somewhere that restrictions have loosened. Maybe, eating out includes a treat like frozen yogurt. That leads into today’s #CurrentEventFriday and the potential problems one person had with frozen yogurt.

Frozen Yogurt, made with customized mix-ins

I’m sure as many of you read problem with frozen yogurt, you assume it’s someone who has lactose intolerance and can’t enjoy that dairy product. Surprisingly, most yogurts are naturally low in lactose since the bacteria cultures in yogurt remove most of the lactose. So, instead it’s someone who doesn’t like frozen yogurt being labeled sugar-free.

Demi Lovato, a singer/actress who rose to fame with The Disney Channel

Demi Lovato, who I think rose to fame with some Disney Channel program Camp Rock and sings has become more active on social media to promote her brand and criticize others in strong terms. Lovato took to her Instagram Stories feed to slam Bigg Chill of Los Angeles with their sugar-free yogurt offerings. The store apparently labeled the sugar-free products as guilt-free. Apparently, Lovato felt that the yogurt shop was promoting toxic diet culture and was offended by their promotion of a dangerous trend.

Lovato is known for her newfound health education after extended substance abuse rehab stays which have taught her, she can smoke marijuana and avoid alcohol along with other drugs while being “California Sober” which she recently coined. So, of course anything a celebrity with a history of eating disorders and substance abuse says about health should be taken with a grain of salt. The history of her eating disorder prompted Lovato to criticize the yogurt shop which could encourage disordered eating based on her own experience.

Thankfully, some pointed out to Lovato that Diabetics and Celiac folks might need sugar-free offerings along with their healthy peers who can eat the regular yogurt. Lovato apologized for her quick jump to conclusion which lasted for all of a day or two and reminded that the original point to beware of promoting disordered eating with guilt-free food is triggering to her and others.

Personally, I don’t care what Demi Lovato says or does since she’s a celebrity under 30 with little information about most subjects and I barely know who she is. The only Demi I’m familiar with is Demi Moore who usually stays quiet on most subjects which is a welcome approach compared to other celebrities.

No Sugar Added Ice Cream, from Blue Bell© which allows Diabetics and others to enjoy ice cream

I also look for sugar-free or no added sugar desserts like frozen yogurt or other dairy treats with my diabetes, but I’m not triggered by the full sugar offerings. If I want to have some of those regular treats I can, but it means I might avoid eating other foods to stay within range. I’ve learned that the best approach for eating is to eat in moderation while occasionally enjoying treats, so I don’t feel shame for eating ‘bad’ foods. I’ve also learned that if somebody else wants to eat with less restrictions than me or more restrictions that’s their prerogative and it shouldn’t affect me, let alone trigger me.

Should Demi Lovato have criticized the frozen yogurt shop?

Poetry Wednesday 146

“Kind of Girl”

                Looking for the kind of girl, who’ll change my whole world

                Could easily settle down with a girl next door

                Finds her way over to me, across the dance floor?

                Heal my broken heart, be my restart

                Kind of girl that’s comfortable in ballcap, hoodie, and jeans

                Kind of girl that still likes to do her hair up and wear an evening dress

                Kind of like a song’s melody meant for only me

                She knows how to challenge me, without bringing stress

                She’s happy to stay home, or take a weekend trip to New Orleans

                She’s a different kind of girl, thoughtful in the right way

                She shows that she loves me and wants me to stay

                Looking for somebody who knows how to enjoy life with a simple guy

                Could know whether we’re going anywhere after the first date

                Finds ways to spend more time with me, even if we show up late

                Settle my restless soul, makes me feel whole

                Kind of girl that’s comfortable in ballcap, hoodie, and jeans

                Kind of girl that still likes to do her hair up and wear an evening dress

                Kind of like a song’s melody meant for only me

                She knows how to challenge me, without bringing stress

                She’s happy to stay home, or take a weekend trip to New Orleans

                She’s a different kind of girl, thoughtful in the right way

                She shows me that she loves me and wants me to stay

© Ryan Stroud 2021

Poetry Wednesday 145

“Hospital”

Hospital stay time           

Sick, tired, poked and prodded 

Laid up in the bed   

        

Hope and pray for health             

Doctors and nurses helping        

Medicines working   

      

Cleared to return home

Will recover overnight  

Better everyday

© Ryan Stroud 2021

Current Event Friday #113

Another week comes to an end, and that means it’s time for the latest installment of #CurrentEventFriday. Today’s edition sees a sad ending to a long-running children’s educational program.

Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Earlier this week, the family of Jack Hanna revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia. With this diagnosis, Jack Hanna will not be featured on Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild and Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures. Hanna, 74 became famous for his educational endeavors as a zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio.

Eventually Hanna would take that fame to Good Morning America and David Letterman programs. Hanna would often bring on animals for the hosts to learn and interact with in order to educate a national audience. Johnny Carson often featured Joan Embry in a similar fashion on The Tonight Show.

Hanna was diagnosed with dementia several months ago his family revealed in the letter announcing the change in the television programs. The family had hoped that Hanna would be able to scale back in the coming months and function close to normal, but his condition deteriorated more quickly than anticipated and the change became necessary.

Various zookeepers and zoologists have been featured on talk shows and Saturday morning programming over the years, so likely they will fill the void left by Jack Hanna’s absence. Particularly, Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin has maintained fame after her father’s death along with her brother Robert. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Irwin children have their own Saturday morning program in place of Jack Hanna’s shows.  

Have you watched any of the Jack Hanna animal education television programs?

Poetry Wednesday 144

“Peach on My Lips”

                I saw her on the other side of the bar and sent her a drink

                She thanked me and drank another round of her something pink

                Next day she splashed by me while I was beside her at the pool

                Spent time in the ocean with kicking the fins from the SCUBA time we paid to rent

                Told me she was from somewhere North of Atlanta, could already tell by her accent

                Knew when the week ended, I had to head back home and return to school

                Now I’m a heartbroken lover but she’s still my heart’s owner

                Like a fugitive loner I’m never stopping; always making getaway trips

                Can’t forget the nights we spent together by the tiki lights

                But all I’m left with, is the taste of Peach on my lips

                Spent the week being friendly and flirty walking on the beach while she held my hand

                Every night we looked up at the moon while we laid out on the sand

                She asked me If my actions were about something else, or based off emotion

                “I’m not afraid to be who I am, and I’m falling for you,” is all I could say

                Time got away from us and night seemed to magically turn into day

                She said there’s no way I could be that dedicated to her, have that much devotion

                Now I’m a heartbroken lover but she’s still my heart’s owner

                Like a fugitive loner I’m never stopping; always making getaway trips

                Can’t forget the nights we spent together by the tiki lights

                But all I’m left with, is the taste of Peach on my lips

                Loved our last night, we slow danced, and she laid her head on my shoulder

                We got so close that week, and I grew up in just a few short days—got so much older

                Sadly, as that quick whirlwind of passion ended, we lost touch

                Got back on the plane for home and flew up into the wild blue yonder

                She lit up my life like lightning and shook my world like rumbling thunder

                Her public affection and private conversation meant so much

                Now I’m a heartbroken lover but she’s still my heart’s owner

                Like a fugitive loner I’m never stopping; always making getaway trips

                Can’t forget the nights we spent together by the tiki lights

                But all I’m left with, is the taste of Peach on my lips

© Ryan Stroud 2021