Author: townadmin (Page 42 of 45)

LisaS opened our meeting with a discussion of outings since our March meeting.  SandyO followed LisaS with a listing of our upcoming outings.  Lead an outing!  It’s fun; you meet more members; and the group really appreciates you!  We need hiking leaders.

Twenty TOWNies gathered Tuesday evening to visit, eat, look at snake skins, and hear Dr. Dale Schaefer talk about skin issues.  Dr. Schaefer, an Austin dermatologist, has been named by his peers to Texas Monthly’s Super Docs for 11 consecutive years.  This places him in the Texas Monthly Hall of Fame for Super Docs.  Dr. Schaefer is an Assistant Professor of Medicine for UTMB and the Texas A&M Medical School.

Below is the list of questions we submitted to Dr. Schaefer as well as all the answers I could record.  He shared samples of skin products with us.  And his photos were pretty amazing and quite colorful!

We agreed that Dr. Dale Schaefer is an excellent teacher and physician.  He thoroughly answered the questions we submitted as well as many more asked during his presentation.

The Masked MarshA

1.  What about Shingles and the rash that accompanies it? Should everyone get the vaccine?  Is it contagious?

The virus (Varicella Zoster) is in your system if you have had Chicken Pox.  The virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near the spine and brain.  Years later the virus may reactivate as shingles.  The infection can occur anywhere on your body, but it often appears as a single strip of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso.  Damage to the nerves causes the severe pain.  It is only contagious with an open wound.

2.  If you have had Shingles, does it help to get the vaccine afterwards?  Should a person who is immuno-compromised get the vaccine earlier than age 60?

If you are immuno-compromised, check with your physician to determine whether or not to get the shingles vaccine.  You can get the vaccine anytime, but insurance is more likely to pay if you are >60 years old.  If you have Shingles, ask your physician if you should get the vaccine.

3.  What is the best sunscreen to use? What about a sunscreen for lips?  What do the SPF numbers on sunscreen mean?

There are lots of sunscreens available.  His personal choice is EltaMD.  Sport50 does not bother your eyes.  46Clear does not bother acne.  No sun screen will cause cancer.

UVA rays – tan, are not blocked by glass; UVB rays – are blocked by glass.

SPF – measures ability of sunscreen to reflect UVB rays; apply soon enough to allow it to dry before going outside.

Vitamin D – you need 8 minutes of sun for daily requirement, twice a week.

4.  Skin cancer – how will it look when I first see it on my skin? How fast will it progress?  How soon should I see a doctor?  Show some photos?  How do I know what is cancer and what is not?

Basal Cell – clear, shiny, won’t heal, remains red; Squamous Cell – Keratosis and needs to be removed; and Melanoma – multiple shapes, various colors, 85% grows out with 15% growing down.  Better to have surgery earlier rather than later for Melanoma.

5.  What is Rosacea and how does someone get it?

It is a common skin disease that begins with a tendency to blush or flush easily.  It is an inherited disease which can be controlled, but not eliminated.

6.  I get a red discoloration on my lower legs after wearing socks when it’s warm or hot. It’s not a rash/bumpy.

That is referred to as Progressive Pigmented Purpura; dark discoloration; hard to avoid.

7.  What product does he suggest for poison ivy?

First avoid poison ivy.  Rinse the oil from skin within 5 minutes and you are less likely to develop blisters.  After 20 minutes, the blisters can last from 1-6 weeks.  Take an oral antihistamine.  If the blisters are oozing, dry your skin.  If the blisters are dry, add moisture.  Can get poison ivy from the oil on the fur of dogs.  Avoid cashews and the rind of mangoes if you are sensitive to poison ivy.

8.  What spiders should concern us and how to treat bites?

Brown Recluse (there are western and eastern varieties) – has a fiddle-shaped color on the back; Black Widow – has a red hour glass shape on stomach; Yellow Sac – night hunters, found in houses in corners; Tarantulas – won’t bite unless aggravated.  Clean bite site with cool water and soap; apply topical cortisone; take Benadryl-type drug to reduce itching and swelling.

9.  How to treat burns and blisters when out camping?

Treat the area with cool soapy water.

10.  What type of moisturizing lotion does he suggest?

Look for lotions with ceramides – CeraVe, Aveno, Cetaphil.  Use the following soaps in the winter:  Dove, Aveno, Tone.  Use these soaps in the summer:  Ivory, Irish Spring.

11.  What about eliminating black heads and white heads on teenagers?

Need a prescription for retinoid-containing creams.

12.  What about dry, cracked skin?

Try Vaseline or Aquaphor.

13.  What is the difference between Psoriasis and Eczema?

Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by red, dry, cracked and itchy skin.  May also develop crusty sores, thick skin and pimple-like eruptions.  Psoriasis appears as red, itchy, scaly patches of dry skin. The slightly elevated, red patches of skin associated with Psoriasis are known as plaques.  May start out as small bumps which worsen and may later be covered in white scales.

14.  How to avoid getting those small bumps on your face/skin called Keratosis?

Reduce your sun exposure; use sunscreen!

15.  What about brown spots on face and circle under the eyes. What is the best way and products (by name) to use for skin on face and rest of body?

Circles result as we age and lose subcutaneous fat.  Circles under the eyes cannot be helped with creams although we all want to think so.  Face sculpting with fillers can make wrinkles, circles, and jaw sagging improve in appearance.

16.  What is the best mosquito repellent available and what is the best way to treat a mosquito bite?

Need an OTC cortisone.  Brands are:  Sawyer, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, Repel Scent Fan, Natrapel, and Deep Woods Off.  All five brands works for 8 hours.

17.  How to prevent/treat chigger bites?

Chiggers and mites eat skin; they do not suck blood.  Symptoms are due to enzymes released by bite.   Treat your feet, socks, and shoes with DEET.  If you get bites, clean skin with soapy water; apply clear nail polish to bite sites.

The clouds parted in time for 14 TOWNies and 2 guests to have a great rain-free weekend in one of the few national forests in Texas!

Joining me in east Texas were Adela, June, JudyL, Sharon, JudyD, Beverly, LindaBW, Susan, Jacque, SandyO, Joan, Janet, BarbaraW, and 2 guests – GailW (from Corsicana), and FloM (from Austin).

Some arrived Wednesday and Thursday and enjoyed kayaking, geocaching, and relaxing. Most of us arrived to sunny skies on Friday, and 2 others arrived on Saturday.

We kayaked the small lake (45 acres) and enjoyed the beautiful pine and cypress trees on the lake shore. On the way back to the boat ramp, we saw 3 TOWNies (Susan, Sandy, and Beverly) fishing from the dock and then met Barbara, who had just arrived at the park.

June, JudyL, and LindaBW discovered that there is a paddling trail nearby – Neches-Davy Crockett Paddling Trail (future outing?).

JudyD and Sharon were on a mission to get their 1000th geocache, and they did it! Congratulations, ladies! When I arrived at the park Friday morning, they, along with Jacque, were heading out to geocache the area around Crockett.

There are some beautiful trails in this park, which were enjoyed throughout the weekend. Some were pretty muddy, but that didn’t stop us! SandyO found bobcat tracks on one of the trails and led a few TOWNies back to the spot on Saturday afternoon.

We enjoyed grilling over a somewhat puny fire Friday night, but on Saturday night we have a beautiful roaring fire to cook fajitas. Lots of awesome food, desserts, and frozen drinks from my now-famous machine.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and everyone left the park Sunday morning. This was a beautiful area of east Texas and I appreciate all who came out to enjoy it with me – even with the power going out on Saturday night!

Thanks, and until next time — enjoy the great outdoors!

Gloria

TOWNIES ROCK!!!

Six of us and one fury friend hiked 5 miles (round trip) on the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Participants included Marsha, LisaS, Jacque, Kim, Jan, Jenny, and our fury friend, Junko. We completed the journey in 2.5 hours. Though humid, it was a good day for this hike as it was shaded/cloudy, the colors were rich, and the creek was flowing freely.

We shared the trail with other 2- and 4-legged friends as well as 2-wheeled friends without incident. It was a good hike as several of us had not seen one another in a while so there was much visiting. We saw tons of varying shades of green, honeysuckle, cedar sage, and yellow flowers. The poison ivy is having a really good year. Beware! Several folks were already taking advantage of the clear waters at Twin Falls. It was inviting, though we abstained.

We ALL made it up the ‘hill of life’ at the end of the hike WITHOUT assistance or Starflight:) A successful hike I would say … fun, and completed incident and injury free.

Thanks ladies! Rock On!!!

Jan and Jenny

As we anticipate several days’ worth of rainy weather ahead this week, cast your mind back to last Wednesday.  Definitely inauspicious.  Who would imagine that it would turn out to be a PERFECT kayaking day, a great start to the season.  Clear skies, fresh breezes, smooth flat water (no whitecaps or thunderstorms) AND three of the Rowing Dock’s sleek new Perception 12′ boats with new seats, footpegs, and chafe guards on the edge.  Sure made a difference — we made it all the way to the Congress Avenue Bridge, and not even paddling at Gail’s rescue-pace.  You should have been there!

Happy paddlers in Gail’s selfie are GailP-C, guest DebbieW, and LindaF.

Our ladies weren’t to be outdone!  In March, when Navarro Mills Lake flooded for the 3rd time in less than a year and campers started getting cancellation notices, they weren’t having it!  Luckily they all found campsites that would be available even though they were scattered throughout the park.  Sharon and I went out on Sunday afternoon and snagged a couple of walk-in sites for the week.

Attending were SusanW, Eola, GayleS, Beverly, Gloria, Cheryl, SandyO, MargieS, Marie, SharonR, NancyL, BarbaraW, Carrie, and a guest, LindaB from Corsicana.

Sharon had a very large campsite on the lake next to the fishing dock.  Her site became our meeting place with a campfire every night and all day on Saturday.

Ladies started arriving on Thursday and the rest came on Friday.  SandyO arrived after dark on Friday, but she was determined.

Thursday afternoon we changed 2 water heater anodes to get the weekend started in TOWNie style.

On Saturday several of the ladies went for a 2-hour kayaking tour of the lake.  Some of us tried fishing, but the fish just weren’t being cooperative.  Also, a committee of TOWNies helped BarbaraW figure out how to install a pickup truck bed tent.  We got the job done and found it to be a pretty neat idea.

On Saturday afternoon, ladies went to either Hubbard or Corsicana to visit the shops and museums in the area.  A handful of us went to a nearby cemetery to grab an elusive geocache.  If you ever need someone to climb a tree, check with MargieS.  She can get the job done in a flash.

Rumor has it that some of our ladies even hit the Dairy Queen in Hubbard.

Saturday night we dodged the showers and MikeD, BillyR, and Gayle Steed’s husband, Frank, joined us for a hamburger supper at Sharon’s campsite.  Gloria fixed us up with margaritas and pina coladas with promises for more at Ratcliff Lake.

Sunday morning we drove to Peggy’s Place near the lake for breakfast.  The talk during breakfast seemed to surround other places we may want to camp in the future.

What great fun!  Thank you ladies for making the drive from Austin and other areas to be a part of the campout.

Pictures will be uploaded to Facebook.

JudyD

The TOWN outing to Allen Memorial Park was greeted with the best possible weather.  Nine intrepid Townies (SusanW, JoanB, LisaS, MarieW, CarrieL, JenniferH, GenevaR, JacqueA, and SandyO) braved the wilds of Allen Memorial Park in the heart of west Austin.  This quiet, tree-covered park has pleasant hiking trails, dotted with wildflowers spread over its secluded 10 acres.

I’m glad to say we lost no one during our arduous 15 minute hike.  SusanW kindly offered to get the fire set up while JoanB displayed her pit master skills and didn’t burn a single wiener.  We had an overabundance of food, which is a risk at our outings, and got down to savor the culinary delights of hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, desserts, cookies, chips, dips, fruit, cheese, veggies and cool drinks in the congenial company of the TOWN women and Sandy’s sweet dog.  After lunch we retired to the covered pavilion area for games of dominoes and cards.

Everyone had a good time in this hidden gem of a park and were so very helpful in hauling things back to my car.

Geneva R

Super day for walking/hiking Bright Leaf Preserve with the TOWNies.  Seven folks joined JacqueA (JanetFB, JoanB, KimW, LisaS, LoisK [with husband Steve], and MarshaK) to walk about 3 miles through the property.  Our walking and talking time totaled 3 hours.  Following our hike, five of us met at Kneaded Pleasures for lunch.

Among the plants and animals we talked about were: trees (Ashe Juniper, Escarpment Black Cherry, Lindheimer Silk Tassel, Texas Buckeye, Texas Oak, and Texas Redbud); birds (Carolina Wren and Golden Cheeked Warbler); butterflies (Giant Swallowtail and Red Admiral); and plants (Nostoc – an ancient seaweed, Star Moss, Prickly Pear, Wild Onions, Red Tipped Photinia, Cedar Age, Flame Acanthus, and Inland Sea Oats).

Thanks for coming everyone!

Jacque

“The more you look, the more you see,” a wise Townie once said.  Indeed, standing and looking at a 3×3 area of the desert, we saw tiny wildflowers in all shades of Easter eggs, and even a baby horned toad.

The hikes were spectacular, the views inspirational, and the sunsets breathtaking.

But I think my favorite part of the trip was time spent with other Townies, sharing food, learning to paint with water colors, and singing along with a guitar and ukuleles.

If you haven’t been to the desert in the springtime, it will take your breath away.  If you haven’t been camping with this group of women, you are missing something special.

JudyL

Sunday, March 20th was a perfect day to hike Bright Leaf Preserve, a private property located in northwest Austin just off 2222.  This 216 acres was a gift made by Georgia Lucas to TPWD.

Eight of us (AnnaE, CarrieL, GailP-C, Joy and Chris Stone [friends of Jacque’s], JacqueA, JudyA, and MarilynF) met at Bright Leaf for a 3.21 mile hike.  The outing ran from 9 am until noon, which included 1 hour and 46 minutes of walking.  What do you imagine the TOWNies were doing for 1 hour and 14 minutes?  Think standing and talking and taking photos!

We examined and discussed:

Bushes – yaupon holly, Lindheimer silktassel, button bushes, inland sea oats, and sumac (evergreen, fragrant, flame leaf)

Trees – escarpment cherry, ash juniper, live oak, Texas red oak, Texas and Mexican buckeyes, and Texas mimosa

Birds – Golden-cheeked warbler, herons, and red-tailed hawks

Flower Blossoms – cedar sage, black-foot daises, and bracted twistflower

Limestone – Glen Rose formation and Balcones formations and granite

Nostoc – an ancient cyan bacterium similar to seaweed, which is nicknamed gorilla snot

The view of Lake Austin

Yuccas – twist leaf, red yuccas, sotols

Texas Prickly Pear – tunas and the cochineal bug

Native and Non-Native Plants

Georgia Lucas’s home and her Kitty Condo for her 40+ cats

Plus – leaves, star moss, berries, fossils, galls, bluegill fish, and snakes, rabbits, and lizards.

Don’t you wish you’d been with us!  I will schedule this hike again soon.  Thanks to all of you for joining me!

Jacque

What a fine day to be outside and watch the birds watching us! The day started a bit overcast, which usually is not the best lighting for birding. Within the hour, the skies cleared a bit, the winds increased slightly, and cooler air moved into the ponds. The following folks joined NancyP and JacqueA for the outing: CarrieL, JanetFB, and LorettaD (and helpful husband John).

The ponds (1 east, 1 west, and 2) are all in good condition, although JanetFB and I thought pond 1 east looked a bit red and questioned the cause. We did not make it to pond 3.

A list of birds seen includes: great blue heron, American coots, cormorant, red-winged blackbirds (females), gadwalls, Northern shovelers, lesser scaups (350 estimated), redhead, blue-winged teals, buffleheads, ruddy ducks, mergansers, least grebe, American wigeons, Northern cardinals, yellow-rumped warblers, grasshopper sparrows, killdeer, and mourning doves.

For our first trip of the season, we were pleased with the variety we saw. I will report our findings to e-Bird.

A huge bunch of thanks to LorettaD and husband John, who tried to help start my battery, which opted to die on the road between pond 1 east and pond 2, and then stayed with me until Gentleman Simon from AAA joined our happy gang. Thank you to NancyP, CarrieL, and JanetFB who returned to visit and stay until Simon had the battery installed and my faithful car purring once more. I learned a useful battery tip: if the battery cells are dead, no amount of charging will help your situation.

Thanks for joining NancyP and JacqueA! And watch for upcoming bird outings.