Heartsong Fit With Vickie Maris | Healthy Ways to Address Stress

Mike Jackson is a retired electric lineman and supervisor from Battle Ground, Indiana, who has trained English Pointer dogs for horseback field trials for many years. For this episode of Heartsong Fit, I interview Mike, one of our farm neighbors, in his barn as he is preparing for a trip from Indiana to North Dakota and Montana for training his dogs and younger horses.

He rides and trains Tennessee Walkers, a gaited horse breed, and he raises and trains gorgeous English Pointers. This breed of dog is popular for bird hunting.

Whether you are a dog lover, horse lover, or you are specifically, an enthusiast of English Pointers, Red Setters or other "big running dogs," I'm sure you'll enjoy hearing Mike talk about his adventures.

In this sport, the animal handlers and trainers, work from horseback as they communicate with their highly trained hunting dogs who are broke to wing and shot. The horses, who are also broke to a variety of distraction from gun shot to dogs biting at their tails and winding around their legs, to the flush of birds from the terrain, are very key partners within the team required in this sport of field trials.

Both the American Field and the American Kennel Club (AKC) have divisions for hunting dogs in this sport. You will find categories of Shooting Dogs, Gun Dogs, All Age Dogs, Puppy, Derby, Amateur and Open.

Check out www.dogsunlimited.com for articles about the sport as well as:
www.akc.org
http://americanfield.villagesoup.com
http://www.aftca.org

I continued my interview with Mike in a discussion about teamwork. To hear our conversation on teamwork that he and his fellow competitors have with their horses and dogs, check out the episode in my other podcast, Agile Digital Business.

"Pulling the help chain" is a phrase I describe in Episode 23 of Heartsong Fit. In the Toyota Way, this phrase is related to Andon. The help chain, help cord, or yellow stop button, is a mechanism that line workers can use to stop production and call for help. It's also used to notify the line that something has gone wrong in the manufacturing process.

In this solo show, I record my thoughts about pulling the help chain if you're a caregiver and need help from family and friends. I recorded this episode on a Saturday while in the barn and hanging out with the llamas. They munch their hay and communicate with each other, and with me. I share with you about what it was like to "pull the help chain" in the previous week. I reflect on how helpful my friends, coworkers and family members were in a week of "caregiving on steroids." I thank my friends for stepping up and helping out.

You can hear the llamas' activity as if you were in the barn aisle with me. They munch on hay, stomp their feet, chortle complaints to each other, and give me kisses to make me feel better. Videos available here: https://www.youtube.com/user/dpfllamas

Several of the episodes of Heartsong Fit include short stories by my mom, Lucille Maris, about life in the US during the 1940s when World War 2 was underway. I have been interviewing her about how she dealt with the stresses of those times from finding housing, to scarcity of food and supplies to dealing with the deployment of her young husband (my dad).

This episode is an audio index of the locations of the stories in the podcast so that you can easily find them and listen. You will also hear a brief overview of the topic of each story.

Podcast host, Vickie Maris, and her husband, Scott Greeson, share their takeaways from living unplugged for a few days at Fox Lake Resort in Marcell, MN. Planning and preparing meals; fishing; exercising; following a morning routine; and living without digital devices for a few days were all aspects of the week that contributed to relaxation and rejuvenation.

You can hear a song about Minnesota, co-written by Scott Greeson and Vickie Maris when you check out the "Riverside" album by Scott Greeson. Here is the URL to "Minnesota" in Apple iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/minnesota/1456467984?i=1456468210

Margaret Williamson and Lucille Maris recount details of their memories of learning the news from President Theodore Roosevelt on Dec. 7, 1941 that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States was entering the war.

These women discuss the atmosphere of the country during the early 1940s and what happened around them as men were enlisting in the service. Both Margaret and Lucille were married to pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

This is a glimpse back 70+ years into the lives of these strong women who were married to valiant service men. They teach of the importance of independence, persevering and taking action.

This episode is a conversation in the studio between podcast host, Vickie Maris, and Scott Greeson, right after the two had played a music gig with their band, Scott Greeson and Trouble With Monday, at the Indiana Bacon Festival in Delphi, Indiana.

Other topics of the show include accordion lessons via Skype with Bev Fess; details of the Bacon Fest gig; and the annual trek to Accordion Camp.

Vickie has been learning accordion from accordionists Bev Fess, Murl Allen Sanders, Ron Borelli, Gary Blair, Ilmar Kuljus, Dick Myking, Courtney Von Drehle, and many more. Friends and fellow accordionists who attend camp make the event a reunion of sorts. 

You'll hear the sounds of nature in this episode of Heartsong Fit. I recorded it out in the woods as I was taking a morning walk for exercise. I have my llama, Heartsong, with me.

You'll hear the cicadas singing in the background as we navigate around tree branches, unsuccessfully duck under spider webs and frustrate my horse, Madison, who wanted to go with us on the trail.

If you like to walk for exercise, you'll hear about reasons for getting off the treadmill and taking your exercise outdoors! It's very good for our brains!

Take a Walk for Exercise or Stress Relief
You might like to do yoga, cross fit, running, cardio and other forms of exercise, but consider adding some walking in your day to break things up. If you walk alongside a body of water, you reap even greater benefit!

Below you'll find links to the article I mentioned about the benefits that come when you exercise outdoors. You'll also see links to our music which I have in the background in the podcast. 

Blog post about beneficial changes in your brain while walking outdoors -  http://www.wimp.com/what-hiking-does-to-the-brain-is-pretty-amazing/

I share methods for managing stress that I use while in the caregiver role with my mom. These are ideas you can adopt if you are in a caregiver role and helping your loved one if he or she needs to make a trip to the emergency room or hospital.  

From keeping a bag packed and ready to having a plan for communicating with siblings, to reminders about wills, living wills, health care representatives and more, I touch on several simple steps you can take.

Have a plan in place and take steps ahead of time that will help you manage stress during an upcoming hospital visit.

Take a walk with podcast host, Vickie Maris, and guest, Dana Drenzek, on the trail around the main wolf enclosure at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Indiana.

Learn about the establishment of the park in the 1970s and the activities being conducted to observe animal behavior and to educate the public. You'll hear about the wolves, coyotes, foxes, bison and other animals at the park. Dana also talks about the internship program and the sponsoring membership.

Vickie and Dana even meet up with Monty Sloan and intern, Jeremiah, during the conversation, and Vickie gets her first opportunity to pet a wolf.

For more details: wolfpark.org

In this start of the new season, I talk about the reasons why I had stopped producing the show for a while and what it was like to get it back online for you.

You'll also hear a preview of the next episode when I take you out to Wolf Park to walk on the pathway around the wolf enclosure and to learn about the animals at the center. 

https://wolfpark.org/

Spend time on Dawn of Promise Farm with Vickie Maris and her podcast guest, Brad Bixler, farrier, journeyman pipefitter and adventurer who travels the world.

Life of a Journeyman Pipefitter

During the episode, Brad trims the hooves of Kerrymor Madison, Vickie's Connemara horse. The conversation covers the life of a working man who travels around the United States to the location of the work. He is a journeyman pipefitter.

Travel to See the World When Unemployed

Brad shares of his travel adventures that fill his downtime and keys to his ability to live life relatively stress free. He talks about setting goals and then visualizing yourself as having reached the goal and living in your changed life.

During the conversation, Madison, the impatient horse, continues to interrupt and demand attention.

Lucille Maris Talks About Life on the Homefront During World War II

At the end of the episode, Vickie interviews her mom, Lucille, about her time in 1943 during World War II, as her husband, Jim Maris, was in flight training at George Army Air Field in Lawrenceville, Illinois, and Lucille lived with several other military wives in a small apartment in Vincennes, Indiana. 

Come along with farm owner and animal trainer, Vickie Maris - also the podcast host of Heartsong Fit - as she cares for her llamas and Connemara pony during evening chores in the extreme cold of winter.

You can learn more about her Dawn of Promise Farm and what it is like caring for livestock in the winter when you visit the the farm website or the Facebook page, https://www.fb.com/dawnofpromisefarm

Scott Greeson, singer/songwriter and entertainer is my guest for Heartsong Fit With Vickie Maris. He is also my husband, so that makes him an extra special guest!

Scott has been helping me with the podcast behind the scenes. He's an expert with the recording equipment and use of the software, ProTools, that we use in our music studio.

In this episode, we share insights from behind the scenes of several of our music gigs and recording projects.

Scott shares the reasons for his fondness of the tune, Heart of Gold, by Neil Young, and why he chose to sing it during a Celebration of Life service. He tells a story of his late wife, Janet Greeson, and the role she played in his learning to play harmonica.

We also share news of the release of Lee Anna Atwell's new cd project, Burning Heart, which was recorded here in our studio, Hoosier Surf Records. Her amazing songwriting talent, along with her beautiful vocals and keyboard playing, are all showcased on this disc. (in the links below)

You'll hear us banter about the band, Scott Greeson and Trouble With Monday, and our recent Christmas concert.

We tell a special story about how the pieces of my latest project, Stories of a Stateside Bride, came together on a Friday night with a bit of divine intervention.

We wrap this episode with a live recording of one of Scott's tunes, Roadside Lullaby, which we played at the Eye Opener Cafe on Dec. 20 during a Christmas gig.

Reference Links for Episode 12

Soller-Baker celebration of life.

Wabash Gypsies disc of instrumental guitar music by Scott Greeson and Kevin Ludwig - link to album on iTunes

Scott Greeson's music website - www.scottgreesonmusic.com

Heart of Gold by Neil Young - Link to Heart of Gold digital download on Amazon.com

Roadside Lullaby - Youtube video of Scott Greeson's original tune; photos in video are by Terry Lyons. Link to Roadside Lullaby video in Youtube

Scott Greeson Music Channel in Youtube

To book Scott Greeson and Trouble With Monday, contact booking agent, David Leonards, International Entertainment Bureau.

Burning Heart cd - original tunes by Lee Anna Atwell, keyboard player and vocalist in the band, Scott Greeson and Trouble With Monday.

Website of the artist, Rena Brower - Scott mentions playing music while Rena was creating a water color painting during the Christmas Concert in Delphi, Indiana. 

Whether you're an experienced horseman or still dreaming of owning a pony, you're going to enjoy taking a ride through the llama pasture during Episode 11.

I put my Edirol recorder in my vest pocket so you can hear the footsteps of my Connemara horse, Kerrymor Madison, the creaks of the saddle, the sneezes of the llamas and other ambient sounds of the ride.

This episode is specifically designed to help you relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moment. If you're not currently giving yourself time to de-stress each day, I hope this ride on Madison plants a seed for something you could begin doing in your journey of self care.

I also recap a keynote presentation given by John Medina during the International Online Learning Conference (OLC). He is the author of Brain Rules and several other interesting books about how our brains work and how we learn. He tells us that the research suggests at least 30 minutes of exercising to get your heart rate elevated on a daily basis is you want to stave off memory loss and keep your mind sharp.

Enjoy!

This episode features an interview with singer/songwriter Nicky (Rood) Kerr. She tells her story of her journey through a songwriting degree, on to Nashville and how she incorporates the challenges of Type 1 diabetes into her busy life as an entertainer.

You can find more about Nicky when you visit her website:  http://www.nickyroodmusic.com

While the primary content of this episode is recorded on location at Fox Lake Resort in Minnesota, the show starts with a story from our llama farm. You'll learn about one of my protective mama llamas, Velvet, who is still looking out for her daughter, Petals, who has long since grown into an adult llama. As I tell the story, my Connemara pony, Madison, interrupts and tries to get the attention on himself.

Then, at Fox Lake Resort, I visit with Edwin and Sheryl Olson, in Marcell, Minnesota - USA. They share the history of the resort - original structures built completely by hand without electricity by two Frenchmen in the 1930s - and the many ways people enjoy the property for fishing and nature vacations. You'll hear the sounds of a fishing line being cast from the boat during an outing to fish for large mouth bass and northern pike, as well as an eagle chirping from the bank of the lake.

Scott and I have co-written a song, "Minnesota," that is inspired by our trips to Fox Lake Resort.

This episode is a conversation between me and Linda Brammer about the 21-day gentle cleanse Ultimate Reset. We walk listeners through their experiences doing a 21-day cleanse. We step through the Program Guide and share several tips learned along the way. You'll hear about the benefits gained from the change in eating habits and addition of the supplements during the 21 days. We both experienced weight loss and were feeling much better at the end of the experience.

We also talk about several of the recipes used during the cleanse. By Week 2 of the program, we were eating vegetarian and vegan meals.

This episode covers a variety of topics including:

• Sounds of the early morning and late evening of Dawn of Dawn of Promise Farm
• My experiences with the Ultimate Reset, a 21-day gentle cleanse from Beachbody (up to Day 16 for this recording)
• An interview in Rhyno's Gym with trainer and coach, Mo Amin, who specializes in training fighters in mixed martial arts and people from all walks of life who want to improve fitness. He's had great fighters train with him including Jon Fitch! (Jon is now retired from fighting.)
• A story from my mom, Lucille Maris, about WWII and bringing a Cocker Spaniel, Blondie, home from England. She had been the mascot for Dad's bomber crew. She boarded in England in a kennel with General Eisenhower's dog, as they waited for a ship and the care of a ship's butcher during the boat ride back to America.

Episode 6 of Heartsong Fit With Vickie Maris is a special tribute on the 70th anniversary of D-Day (WWII) to Lt. Col. James R. Maris and the men and women who fought for freedom in WWII. Lt. Col. Maris flew 30 missions in a B-24 bomber. His second mission was D-Day. You will hear his recounting of that day as read by his daughter Vickie. 

In this episode, she also reads the story of Mission 23 which she wrote in conjunction with her dad for a posting on the website for the 392nd bomb group. Vickie is now working on the completion of her dad's memoirs. She is interviewing her mom, Lucille Maris, in order to add the perspective of a stateside bride during WWII. You can hear some of Lucille's stories at the end of several of the episodes of Heartsong Fit.

Vickie has the recorder on as she climbs into the cab of a John Deere to interview Roger Miller as he works ground to prepare it for planting in north central Indiana.

You’ll feel like you’re in the tractor cab too as you hear the engine running and the variety of beeps and signals emitted from the auto steer in the John Deere.

This interview was a way for Vickie to de-stress after a difficult week at work. Some of her favorite days of her career were from the time she spent in agriculture interviewing farmers about techniques for saving soil and protecting water quality. 

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Lucille Maris Shares a WWII Story About the Clausings

Vickie has been interviewing her Mom, Lucille Maris, who is 99 years, for the book she is working on about her parents’ life during WWII, which stems from the memoirs her dad, Lt. Col., James R. Maris drafted about his 30 missions as a bomber pilot. There will be more about the book in later episodes. For now, please enjoy this story that Lucille tells about news they received while living in Murfreesboro, Tennessee after Jim had returned from the war.