Every March Mum got out her cards of dancing Irish boys and girls to put in the windows .

Because it would be hard to describe them , let me attach a picture of the brightest two that remain .

A ruler will help you see their size . Aren ’ t they happy pictures ?

The figures are printed on thin card stock . Have you ever seen anything like these ? “ Dennison USA ” are the only words to appear

in the bottom left of each card .

Mum ’ s front windows faced south , so these cards are somewhat faded . Their back sides contain remains of old pieces of Scotch tape .

Patrick now lives in our house at 71 Eastern Ave . That ’ s an appropriate name , isn ’ t it ? He goes by his middle name , Scott , which was our last name . One time he told me he could tell there was a lot of love in that house .

Our former house is over 200 years old . On either side of the front door , there is a row of five small windowpanes . Each one held a card during March . I ’ ve still got seven of those cards . This month an Irish

boy and a “ Colleen ” are dancing in our window by the dining table , just for tradition .

There ’ s a quote on the March page of my “ Mornings with Jesus ” devotional booklet I ’ d like to share with you : “ I have a creator who knew all things , even

before they were made — even me , his poor little child ,” St . Patrick said .

Miss Mary Elizabeth Canavan ( now that ’ s an Irish name ) was our Cony High School Glee Club director . She taught us an Irish song . Every March 17 I call our friends Lyle and Mary Jean Holm in Harrisville , Michigan to catch up on their news and sing them my song that begins with “ It seems like only yesterday , I sailed from out of Cork … ”

Pictured are the St . Patrick ’ s Day decorations cherished by Sally Kinkade .

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National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics . During the month of March , everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits .

I think we can all agree nutritional needs differ with gender and age . Compared to women , men are more likely to smoke or use nicotine products , drink alcohol , make unhealthy or risky choices , and put off regular checkups or basic medical care .

According to MyPlate . gov , eating well not only gives your body the nutrients it needs , it also helps keep your weight under control and reduces the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease , stroke , diabetes and some cancers . A healthy diet also has shown benefits in aiding mental health issues such as anxiety and depression .

Whether it ’ s for powering through a workout , rounding up the kids to get to school on time or accomplishing a big work project , our lives demand a lot of energy . A balanced eating pattern

that includes food from all subgroups can help fuel your body throughout the day . When deciding what to eat or drink , start with these tips from MyPlate . gov :

— Eat a variety of foods : Fruits , vegetables , whole grains , protein foods , and fat-free or low-fat dairy or fortified soy alternatives are healthy choices . Include a variety of protein foods such as seafood , lean meats , poultry , beans , peas , lentils , nuts and eggs .

— Enjoy fruits and vegetables : No matter your age , fruits and veggies provide key nutrients and dietary fiber . Their colors , flavors and textures make meals more enjoyable .

— Be mindful of your nutrient needs : Focus on dietary changes that increase your dietary fiber , calcium and vitamin D and decrease added sugars , saturated fat and sodium . Make the best choice for your needs by comparing nutrition and ingredients information by

reading the Nutrition Facts label .

— Go easy on the salt : Choose fresh foods when possible or low-sodium packaged foods . Add flavor to foods with spices and herbs and skip the saltshaker at the table .

— Shift your sweet tooth : Choose foods with little or no added sugars and drink water or unsweetened sparkling water in place of soda or juice . Fruits are naturally sweet and packed with nutrients .

— Strive for a healthy weight : Make food and beverage choices from all five food groups to achieve or maintain a healthy weight . Get the MyPlate Plan to find out what is right just for you .

— Source : www . myplate . gov / tip-sheet / healthy-eating-adults .

One of the most important aspects of your lifestyle is what you choose to put on your plate . You are in control of your own life . Lead by example and watch those benefits add up over time , bite by bite .

This column was submitted by Olivia Elson , health educator for the Coshocton Public Health District .