LD, Wrinkles, Elvis and Learning

The Prairie Crocus is still enjoying working at London Drugs. Not enough hours yet, but as we get closer to Christmas, the hours will increase. I am learning new things about cosmetics companies and not all of it is good. Some companies make outrageous claims for their products which are easily disproved. Many of them have "scientific evidence" of the efficacy of their products on their websites. Someone should tell those companies that a report paid for by the company is not scientific evidence, no matter how many dermatologists sign the report. If it's not published in a bona fide professional journal, it isn't valid science. And, of course, a healthy skepticism is warranted for any website. Any fool can create a website. Or a blog! Even a transplanted prairie crocus!

That being said, there are still some cosmetic products that can improve the skin. Most of the good ones contain ingredients that have been around in one form or another for hundreds of years. Madame Dubarry was known for her skin softening milk baths. But none of them can take away years of neglect or sun damage. Not one of them will get rid of deep wrinkles. As one ages, one's skin gets old! To all you young women out there: the number one skin ager is the sun. Forget the suntan. It's a baaaaaad thing. Stay out of the sun as much as you can and use sunscreen and your skin will stay more beautiful longer. Oh, and don't smoke. That's the number two ager of skin. Not to mention its other deleterious effects. If you are not afraid of lung cancer, be afraid of wrinkles! Although she quit ten years ago (it's never too late) the Prairie Crocus is still suffering the effects on her face of smoking for many years. Be wiser than I and you will look younger.

Last Friday the Crocus went to see live theatre with her sister and sister's husband. The play was called "Bathroom Humour." It was a farce set in the 1980's. Remember the big hair with the teased up bangs! The big shoulder pads! The parties fueled by alcohol and chemicals! Yes, it certainly brought back memories. The play was quite enjoyable. There was even an Elvis impersonator. Hilarious.

In keeping with her belief that learning never stops, the Prairie Crocus is going back to school. She is going to study "Teaching English as a Second Language" at Vancouver Community College. The course runs from the middle of January to the middle of February, all day, five days a week. After that the Crocus might just be looking for a part-time job teaching at a language school here. And, who knows, maybe even going for short term jobs overseas sometime in the future. But I plan to keep my job at London Drugs. For a while at least.

I am going to Victoria tomorrow for the rest of the week. Visiting my mother-in-law (89th birthday tomorrow), and brother and sister-in-law. Should be fun.

Bye to all. Tata...and take care...and Peace.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been. ~Mark Twain, Following the Equator