More attractive than cement, too--

Study: Walking on Cobblestones Is Healthy

"Research scientist Fuzhong Li is seen walking on a cobblestone mat, June 30, 2005, at the Oregon Research Institute, in Eugene, Ore. A recent study of adults over the age of 60 showed a significant reduction in blood pressure and improved balance after walking on cobblestones just 30 minutes a day."

( Beauty and health--everyone wins )

Ellison, the hypertension expert, said he would like to see a larger study to compare results but called the initial findings were promising.

"It certainly suggests there is something real about the cobblestones," Ellison said.

Oregon Research Institute: http://www.ori.org

What makes your heart sing?

In honor of my birthday, my first meme:

What makes your heart sing? It's my meme, so I think I should lay ground rules. Let's not say individuals--it can be very true, but that's another meme. I am talking about this kind of thing--

You're up in the morning, you are sleep-deprived, you're trying to get moving before work, it's already in the 80s and heading for 3 digits, you are gathering up food and papers and suddenly, from the patio, a breath of wind stirs the wind chimes out there.

They sing to you--and your heart simply leaps to hear them, in the midst of everything else.

So, what makes your heart sing? Off the top of my head, three things:

Wind chimes when I don't expect them.

Light from stained or beveled glass.

Birdsong