DANDY DISCOVERIES

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- FEBRUARY 1, 2025

Scout the outer edges of newspapers or the bottoms of newsletters. That's where the small items are located. These may be small in size, but they can contain some dandy discoveries. Sometimes a nugget of knowledge is revealed. Other times something spurs more research. The sheer randomness of the items makes the exercise even more fun. 

For instance, I discovered a wonderful new product. “The Medi Teddy is a teddy bear medicine bag cover intended to comfort children in hospital rooms. Doctors and nurses secure a patient’s IV bag onto the back of the cheery animal.” (https://nicenews.com/health-and-wellness/medi-teddy-bears-hide-medicine-bags/)

The inventor is seventeen years old. She explains: “From the front, the patient sees a friendly stuffed animal rather than a bag of medicine. But from the back, medical workers can monitor the liquid through the fully open or mesh rears.” See a video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02mSFk0XVDc. 

This fits in with the Children's Word of the Year from the Oxford University Press – kindness. “Young people are very conscious of the big issues that can divide us as a society and attuned to the important role which language can play in bringing people together. It tells us that kindness is not only a solution to so many problems but is something everyone and anyone can do to make a difference." (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cre8q4r38edo)

A tiny tidbit about dogs caught my attention. Specifically, why do dogs like tennis balls? “Tennis balls are precisely the right size to fit into most dogs’ mouths comfortably. They’re also usually made from rubber, which has a distinct scent. Plus, 

dogs can’t see colors the same way humans do. Bright yellow is one color that stands out to them. This means that even when you throw it impossibly far away, they can still spot it pretty easily.” (https://www.mentalfloss.com/why-do-dogs-love-tennis-balls)

It's been a pretty snowy period in the Midwest. Citizens of Chicago have made moving the white stuff a bit more whimsical by naming the city's snowplows. “The Department of Streets and Sanitation picked the top six names submitted and voted on by the residents of Chicago. The 2025 winning names are: Bozo the Plown, Lollaplowlooza, My Kind of Plow, Snower Wacker, Scoop, There It Is!, and Bean There, Plowed That.” Names for previous years at: https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-snow-plow-names-city-announces-2025-truck-naming-contest-winners-including-bozo-plown-lollaplowlooza/15823024/. 

If you're angry about having to constantly shovel snow from your driveway, it turns out there's an easy way to alleviate the hostility. “While anger is both a normal human emotion and physiological reaction, understanding how to regulate it is essential. A 2024 study out of Japan identified a powerful yet simple solution. Researchers found that writing down a reaction to a negative incident on a piece of paper and then getting rid of it helped release welling frustration.”

Ah, but to get the full benefit you need to shred or crumple it into a ball and discard it in a trash can. 'Simply writing down your woes and putting them into a file is not as effective.' (https://nicenews.com/health-and-wellness/relieve-anger-write-and-release/)

For an additional way to clear your mind, head outdoors. I discovered one of the hottest trends right now is called color walking. “The color walk is a form of walking meditation, where you pick a color right at the start of your walk and notice that color in your environment during your walk. The task allows you to pay attention to your surroundings and push you to be present in the moment.” (https://www.wellandgood.com/color-walk/)

NiceNews.com notes that color walks have some specific benefits. “More than just a way to entertain yourself, color walks may help soothe anxiety and boost your mental health even more than regular walking. Searching for a specific color gives you a way to focus and feel grounded.” The site also suggests: “Stay present and reap the full benefits of a color walk by refraining from using your phone.” 

Finally, my favorite discovery last week had to do with music. NiceNews.com reported: “Tina Turner died two years ago, but the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s iconic tunes continue to live on — including one even her biggest fans may not have heard yet. After it was believed to have been missing in action for decades, a previously unreleased song titled 'Hot For You Baby' debuted on BBC Radio 2.” Listen to the newly discovered tune at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KutFd4ICMA. 

Turn the volume knob to ten. “Complete with an electric guitar solo and showcasing Turner’s signature raspy voice, the upbeat tune is a real toe-tapper.”

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.