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Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7

Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!

He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.

But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.

Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!

Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.

We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.

Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.

Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!

But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.

Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.

Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.

And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.

All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.

He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.

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The Splendor of World Travel and Protection Via Immunization

Worldwide travel is a hoot. If you haven’t done it yet, you really should! Sure it can wind up costing tons of cash-but it really doesn’t have to! No way, travel on a budget is totally possible and in some ways much more rewarding. For one thing, you are not artificially separated from the locals by expensive hotels and restaurants. There are bunch of things one must do before jetting off and visiting a certified travel clinic for an immunization or two is a great idea depending on where you are going.Immunization is another word for vaccination and they are administered to combat and protect against any diseases that may be lingering in your country of destination. Diseases, you say? Yeah, but they’re nothing to worry about-even if according to the World Health Organization there are at least six thousand rare diseases and over twelve thousand other categoriesof disease across the globe. Sure the numbers seem dire, but that shouldn’t keep you from beginning to travel-one need only worry about contracting a microscopic percentage of existing diseases while traveling-and an immunization is available for each one.Of course, we are being a tad light-hearted, but the facts are the facts, the world is a dangerous place, there’s no way around this. Yet, even though one may need a little extra protection against disease via an immunization while traveling, this no excuse to sit home and never experience the world in a first-person manner. Once you begin to travel, chances are you will never stop. It can be like an addiction; an addiction to other cultures, wondrous sites, delicious food, and friendly foreigners. These things all coalesce to make world travel one of the highlights of any fulfilling lifetime.So where to go? Is there a place on earth that is more dangerous in terms of indigenous disease than any other? Well, yes, that continent is probably the continent of Africa. Once again, however, with the help of a certified travel doctor and his immunization skills, one can behold the splendor of wild elephants at a watering hole bathing themselves with their spraying trunks or even take up residence with a tribe such as the Masai, whose Kenyan culture is fascinating and whose welcoming attitude is famous worldwide.One of the most dangerous diseases-and one for which an immunization is surely needed-is yellow fever. Yellow fever is a potentially deadly disease still a threat in many areas of the world, not just Africa. A yellow fever immunization is recommended if one is planning to travel to Africa, Central and South America, and/or parts of Asia. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, thus making it difficult to halt its devastating path.Other travel related diseases that have an immunization available are malaria, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis. The process of immunization is commonly administered by a single injection. A rabies immunization, however, is up to five shots (though this is the exception rather than the rule). Receiving a travel immunization is very safe and affordable, and significantly lowers the risk of catching any disease while abroad.

Updating the Self With the Latest Health News in Different Ways

Health is man’s lifetime wealth. Keeping the body healthy and strong must be part of every individual’s priority. As you can see, having a physically fit body enables an individual to do his tasks effectively without any delay. Moreover, it allows him to persevere and do his best towards the realization of his goals and dreams. Keep in mind that having a healthy body is the only key for survival and so it must be given with much attention.If the body is weak, the mind cannot do its task well. And if the mind is not working, the body becomes weak and seems to have lost its energy. These are just the effects if an individual’s body and mind is not coordinated. This is what happens if all the aspects that make up an individual are unhealthy. There has been health news of people experiencing health illnesses due to stress, over fatigue, depression, living a sedentary lifestyle and having habits that are hard to break. They are better known as people who are abusive and just takes for granted their health.When an individual experiences health illnesses, the body as well as the mind are not working well due to the rapid spread or attack of viruses and bacteria inside the body. If an individual has a weak immune system, definitely it will be easy for the unknown viruses to harbour inside the different body organs and thus will lead to death if left untreated. It is sad to hear that many have been left untreated with their illnesses due the reason that there is no cure for the disease or there are no enough financial resources that will fund for the hospital expenses.The problem with most individuals right now is that they take for granted the chances of making the body healthy. Aside from that, they do not take into consideration the consequences of their actions for instance when they smoke. Smoking brings different health illnesses and is one of the major factors that contribute to the development of a disease.If you are greatly concerned over your health, you must learn to value it. Be open to changes and open your doors for different health activities such as exercising, being actively involved in a certain sport and performing simple relaxation techniques. Another helpful tip that will make you achieve good health is through listening to health news and reading medical journals that way you will be informed the latest on how to effectively care for the self.There are plenty of ways wherein you can be updated with the latest medical news. You can be informed and be alarmed when you listen to breaking medical news when you watch television or when you listen to the radio. You can read magazines, newspapers and journals focusing on an individual’s health. There is even plenty of health news when you will simply surf the internet. One click and all sorts of health news and updates will be seen and laid right in front of you.As of this point, it is already very dangerous to get sick. It is more stressful when we deal about expenses and how we could ever find cure. It is really important that you pay attention to all the dimensions of your life. Do not just rely but rather be always on the go and move so you can survive.