Not being one to tolerate waiting easily, especially after a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner hosted by a son and his family, I now find myself having to wait three weeks for another Christmas gathering by our other son and his loved ones. I always cherish such occasions as they allow me to be with family and enjoy delicious food. What's not to love?

Uncover the Orca's Food-Carrying Secret for Your Next Dinner

Waiting and Thanksgiving

After savoring a delightful Thanksgiving feast, the wait for the Christmas gathering seems interminable. It's a bittersweet period where we anticipate the joy of being together again.This wait makes us appreciate the significance of these family events even more. It's a time to bond and create memories.

The Orca's Food Trick

Sasha Pare's article in Live Science introduced us to the fascinating sight of Northwest Pacific orcas wearing salmon hats. It's not a literal hat but a dead salmon on their heads.This phenomenon shows us that it's possible to carry food around, just like the orcas. Imagine carrying a large, soft pizza on your head instead of a frozen one. It's a unique way to have a snack ready when hunger strikes.

Food Options for Head-Carrying

Spaghetti could be a great option for those with a unique sense of style. It might have a special appeal to bald men. Mashed potatoes, on the other hand, would be more suitable for women aiming to look like Ginger Rogers.Practicing with a plate and then a pancake can help one understand the balance needed. It's not as easy as it seems, but with practice, it can be done.

Comparing to Football Teams

Though it may seem like a stretch, comparing the orca's forward movement to Indiana's football team on offense and Purdue's defense is an interesting analogy.Purdue's defense might look good but keeps getting pushed back, just like Ginger Rogers dancing with Fred Astaire. It's a reminder that not all strategies are successful.

Food Delivery and Stories

When it comes to getting food to our dining room tables, the story is often complicated. We suggest eliminating the middleman and simply saying hamburgers are grown in the back room of fast food restaurants and fish come from the sky when it rains.It's important to be careful with the stories we tell our children. For example, don't mention that whales carry dead fish on their heads when trying to get a finicky child to eat fish.

Uncle Frank and Family

Uncle Frank won't be joining the family for dinner next Sunday. He's gone to see a doctor who smokes a pipe and wears a suit instead of a white coat.When describing his symptoms, the doctor asks, "And how do you feel about that?" We need to reassure our children that Uncle Frank is as normal as pumpkin pie and is considering becoming a vegetarian because he loves all creatures great and small.Frank Hill is a Fort Wayne resident and writer who shares these unique insights with us.

In Connecticut, the importance of trusted journalism cannot be overstated. CT Mirror plays a crucial role in providing original, in-depth journalism that informs and engages the community. Right now, every gift to CT Mirror is being matched, doubling the support for this vital work. Seven years ago, I became an older sister when my sister Abby was born during a snowstorm. Abby has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and has always done things her way. From arriving early to having specific play preferences and being a picky eater, she was a unique child.

Understanding Abby's Struggle

Abby's journey with mental health began when she informed our mom of a detailed plan of suicide at the age of 12. This was a shock that stopped my world. I wrongly blamed myself for leaving for college, but I soon realized that mental health issues like depression and suicidal ideation are not the fault of one person. Abby was rushed to the emergency department and admitted to a psychiatric hospital for two weeks. She has had three hospitalizations and completed a partial psychiatric program, and she continues to make progress every day.One in seven children ages 3-17 have a diagnosed mental health condition, and Abby is one of them. To address this challenge, Connecticut needs increased pediatric mental health awareness and more resources in schools and communities. Connecticut Children's specializes in meeting the unique mental health needs of children and offers programs to assist families.Currently, the Child Health and Development Institute (CDHI) is a main contributor to improving access to mental health resources in schools. CDHI is recruiting K-12 schools and districts across Connecticut to participate in CONNECT IV, a new initiative to support school mental health. They are accepting applications on a rolling basis to provide free technical assistance and enhance school mental health services.