Do You Know Your "nyms"?
The English language has its challenges - even if it's your native tongue. Here's a short refresher course in "nym" words, "nym" from the Greek onoma, meaning a name:
Acronym: a word formed from the initial letter or letters of a series of words such as NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
Antonym: a word opposite in meaning to another, e.g., fast and slow.
Autoantonym: a word that can take two (or more) opposite meanings; for example, fast means both moving quickly or fixed firmly in place.
Capitonym: a word that changes its meaning (and sometimes pronunciation) when it's capitalized: march and March.
Heteronym: words that have the same spelling, but different meaning and sometimes different pronunciation, such as lead (to conduct) and lead (a metal).
Homonym: words having the same sound and often the same spelling but different meanings: quail (to cower) and quail (a bird). Not to be confused with homophones, which are homonyms that have the same sound but different spelling and meaning (to, too, and two).
Metonym: a word that designates something by the name of something associated with it; e.g., the Crown referring to the monarchy.
Synonym: a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another in the language, for example, joyful, elated, glad.
Wrapped 
VS. Unwrapped
If you're looking forward to enjoying some Valentine candy but you'd like to enjoy a bit less of it, here's something to consider.
A study presented at the American Heart Association Conference found that eating candy in wrappers might help us eat less, as opposed to eating unwrapped candies. Researchers found that people who ate candies and kept the wrappers in plain sight ate only about half as many as those who did not.
Lead study author Brian Wansink (www.mindlesseating.org) says, "Having a visual reminder of how much you eat keeps you honest and eating less. Your stomach can't count, but your eyes can when they see the empty wrappers."
It also helps to keep the candy in a less convenient location rather than right at your elbow, Wansink says. Relocate the candy bowl five or 10 feet away so you have to get up and walk to it, rather than just reach for it.
That's No Mermaid!
In 1493, Christopher Columbus logged seeing three mermaids while he was sailing near the Dominican Republic. He wrote that he was surprised they weren't as attractive as the depictions he'd seen in paintings. So did the famous explorer actually see three half-fish, half-female creatures frolicking in the sea?
Not likely, experts say. Columbus' mermaids were probably manatees, which can grow to lengths of up to 12 feet and weigh up to 1,200 pounds. Manatees look somewhat like aquatic elephants, and some think that the romantic depictions of mermaids with long green or blue hair might have been manatees breaking the water surface with seaweed hanging from their heads.
So, while manatees and mermaids are vastly different, there is something lovable about manatees. These bewhiskered, gentle, slow-moving plant eaters are air-breathing mammals - just like us. They communicate with each other using chirps, whistles and squeaks, and just like us, they've been observed participating in loosely organized, playful activities such as bodysurfing and follow-the-leader.
Caregiver Challenges 
Are you responsible for the care of an elderly family member? If so, you know that being a caregiver can be mentally and emotionally challenging. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that one to two million older people have been injured, mistreated, or exploited by someone they depended on. And more unsettling, 75% to 95% of the abuse was committed by family members.
Elder abuse can arise as a continuation of a longstanding pattern of abuse within families. But more commonly, elder abuse occurs because of altered living arrangements and changes in the senior's health - and the transformation of family dynamics as a result. It's a complex matter and often misunderstood. The adjustments you have to make as a caregiver can be staggering. So how can you balance your own needs with those of the individual you care for?
Look for resources to help support you. Try to find a way of giving yourself a break. Adult daycare might be one solution, or find someone to come in a few hours every week to help with difficult tasks or allow you to get away for awhile.
Consider residential care if things are really getting out of hand and you need a respite. Though you may feel guilty, you need to look objectively at the situation. A good residential facility would probably be better than the compromised care you might give once you lose your ability to cope patiently with your elderly ward.
Seek counseling if you need help with personal problems that could be contributing to your stress as a caregiver. It may take time, but you can learn new patterns of relating to the person you care for. Ask your doctor for a reference. If you can't afford a private therapist, check with state and local mental health facilities which may offer free or sliding-scale-fee help.
Be honest with yourself about the situation at hand. Denying that you're overwhelmed can lead to serious problems - and possibly put someone's health or life in danger.
Signs You May Need Help As A Caregiver:
•· You had a poor relationship with the individual prior to being the caregiver.
•· You're curt and impatient with the individual.
•· You view your new role as a burden.
•· You feel burned out, stressed out, or depressed.
•· You worry that you might become violent.
Check the government sections of your telephone directory for "Aging Services" or "Social Services" for organizations that assist the elderly. There are numerous online resources as well, such as www.eldercarecanada.ca and http://www.eldercare.gov/.
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January Quiz Answer
Question: Who invented the mercury thermometer?
Answer: Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
Congratulations to Sue Divall and Janet Duncan whose names were drawn from all correct responses. They will each receive a $50 Gift Card to a local restaurant.
February Quiz Question
Question: The fossa is native only to which island?
Email your response to sullysplace@rogers.com by February 15th. If correct, your name will be entered into a draw where two lucky people will each receive a $50 Gift Card to a local restaurant.
