Reflections of a Baby Boomer

I’ve never put much stock in Parade magazine. I believe its one step from being as bad as tabloid newspapers. But the December 16th issue had an article that at least had some fun information from Ken Jennings, of Jeopardy fame.


He debunks several myths that we have clung to in society for decades. For example, the notion that no two snowflakes are alike. I don’t know how anyone would be able to examine EVERY snowflake to determine this, but it was good to read from Jennings why this is nonsense.

Another one is that sugar makes kids hyper. The reality is that holiday celebrations and birthday parties and kids getting together for play are events usually accompanied by sweet treats. The kids get hyper simply because that’s their nature when interacting at fun time.

Lastly, he debunked the notion that we must drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. What’s scary is that this was revealed as wrong back in 2002 by Dr. Heinz Valtin, and yet, I’ve heard massage therapists and other so called health professionals stick to the myth. I guess they don’t keep up on the literature in their own field.

So, relax good people. You don’t have to drink water all day and keep running to the bathroom after all. Kid, have those cookies, but not too much to rot your teeth. And when it snows, enjoy the beauty of the flakes and don’t worry about the possibility that there may be twins on your window pane.

Happy Holidays.