This is our “self-love” month. I had a great time Saturday morning at the East Lycoming YMCA and would love to find the time to go again and work out on the treadmills. They have a new program now for strength and heart health and it looks fun. It is a circuit training session with a small group using a variety of muscle building equipment that says “it delivers results.” Each workout is 30 minutes. I have all kinds of equipment in my basement that will do the same thing but I think working with others is the motivating factor. You can jump in the sessions anytime. It is proven that just five minutes of moderate intensity exercise will release those feel good brain chemicals known as endorphins, and these endorphins help us love ourselves

Not too long ago, Muncy native and certified elder law specialist, Tammy Weber spoke at the Muncy Public Library about saving our homes from a health crisis. She recently announced two more sessions targeted to seniors and caretakers. The first one will be Jan. 26 at Orlando’s and she will discuss ten mistakes to avoid when writing your will. It will be 9:30 Saturday morning. Another educational seminar is scheduled next month and Tammy will talk about ways to protect your assets from nursing home costs. These informational sessions are free and Tammy is extremely informative. She allows time for questions and provides useful resources. You can register by calling her office at 1-800-401-4552.

The days may be getting slightly longer but the darkness still comes at 5 p.m. Some healthy advice would be to brighten up the daylight hours. Flowers are reported to increase the mood so place a vase of fresh flowers nearby to wake up to in the morning. I moved the orchid plant to the bedroom, and it is now blooming! The amaryllis also bloomed with four flowers, and that too, is a mood enhancer. Color brightens any world. Yellow blooms are often associated with the sunshine, energy and happiness, so bring it on!

MUNCY EVENTS

Thurs. Jan. 17-20 Outdoor Sportsmen’s expo at the Lycoming Mall, Muncy. Free admission and parking.

Fri. Jan. 18 Toddler Tales at Muncy Public Library, 10 a.m., 12 months to 3 years.

Mon. Jan. 21 Full Circle Future Harvest to meet at Muncy Public Library to discuss garden planning and seed catalog sharing, 6 p.m.

Tues. Jan. 22 Gentle chair yoga, Meck Senior Center and ELYMCA, 10 a.m.

Weds. Jan. 23 Preschool story time at Muncy Public Library, ages 3-6, 10 a.m., call 546-5014.

Jan. 23 & 24 Distribution days at Son Light House, 130 Carpenter St., Muncy. Weds. 8:30 a.m. to noon and Thurs. 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Thurs. Jan. 24 The Susquehanna Valley Quilt Guild will meet at 7 p.m. at the Pennsdale UM Church.

Thurs. Jan. 24 Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village will host a free public discussion on estate planning, 2019 tax-law changes and the stock market outlook at noon in The Village Common off Reitz Boulevard in Lewisburg. “It’s never too late to plan for your health-care needs,” says Gretchen Nash of the village staff. The event will include discussion and a Q-and-A session by FNB financial specialists Ashley Miller, Renee Laychur and Mark Renzini. A light lunch is included. To RSVP contact Nash at 570- 523-4285.

Sat. Jan. 26 Ten Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Your Will with certified Elder Law Attorney, Tammy Weber, Orlando’s Restaurant, 8 S. Main St., Muncy, 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Sat. Jan. 26 SVQG will have a workshop on the Carpenter’s Star Quilt pattern from 9-2 at the 1st UM Church in Pennsdale. Call Teri Snyder at 546-6004 to sign up and for the pattern and supply list. The guild is open to any and all interested in the art of quilting from beginners to masters.

Sat. Jan. 26 Friends of the Muncy Library book fundraiser, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library.