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CHRISTMAS BREAK

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

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 Image: Red Poinsettia 7 December 2024; Gail K. KachnyczCHRISTMAS BREAK Merry Christmas to all subscribers and readers of A Map Through The Valley! Christmas Day and New Year's Day both fall on Wednesdays this time. I am taking a Christmas Break from publishing on the blog until after the first of the year. Meanwhile, I will share Christmas Carols that I hope will direct your focus toward...
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FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

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 Image: Geo-graphics LetterheadMY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN          Shared by Gail K. Kachnycz 18 December 2024     Twenty-five years ago, my mother passed away on December 7, only a few weeks before Christmas. At that time, a friend (J. Lynne for those of you who know her) sent me a poem, "My First Christmas in Heaven." It ministered to me at the time,...
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CHRISTMAS IN ... DECEMBER!

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

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 Image: Charlie Brown Christmas; Apple TV+ Accessed 12/2/2024CHRISTMAS IN. . .DECEMBER!          By Gail K. Kachnycz 2 December 2024     Back in July, Christmas seemed ages away. Now, it is only three weeks away! Hopefully, like Charlie Brown, we can look past the commercial aspects and find traditions that are meaningful for us. Use the strategies from...
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

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 Image: Fall Foliage 2024 by Gail K. KachnyczHAPPY THANKSGIVING By Gail K. Kachnycz on 23 November 2024       There is a difference between being thankful, and giving thanks.      In recent years, cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” has been recognized as a positive thing to do. Research backs this up: Linda A. Baker, a Clinical Therapist, noted...
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RECIPE: Family Tradition

Thursday, November 21, 2024

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 Image: Sweetzels Storefront October 2023 by Gail K. KachnyczRECIPE: FAMILY TRADITION by Gail K. Kachnycz 21 November 2024     The recipe I had planned for November was a combination of two seasonal flavors: pumpkin and Spiced Wafers. Delaware Valley natives are familiar with these crispy treats: Sweetzels, and Ivin’s (sold at “the Acme”). Anyone who is not a local says, “Oh, ginger...
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NOVEMBER: National Family Caregivers Month

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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 Image: dreamstime.comNOVEMBER: National Family Caregiver Month By Gail K. Kachnycz on 12 November 2024       November is National Family Caregivers Month. I did not know there was such a thing until I started this blog. Those who care for a family member deserve recognition indeed. Many of them are also in the workforce or serving their community or church as well....
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ELECTED TO SERVE

Thursday, November 7, 2024

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Image:  https://pixabay.com/photos/usa-flag-us-flag-american-flag-239620/ELECTED TO SERVE By Gail K. Kachnycz on 28 October 2024       We are indeed privileged in this country to have the opportunity to vote for those who represent us. I hope you exercised that right on election day.      Whether you are elated or incensed with the results of...
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Medicare: PA MEDI Helps Explain Plans

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

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 Image: Medicare Collage. Philadelphia Corporation for Aging website accessed 10/25/24Medicare: PA MEDI Helps Explain PlansBy Gail K. Kachnycz on 25 October 2024       If you are caring for someone with chronic illness, you may be dealing with insurance provided by Medicare. This government health insurance is available to those over 65 years, but in some cases may be...
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Introducing: Community Connections Collaborative & WikiDelphia

Friday, October 25, 2024

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 Image: Community Connections Collaborative (CCC) Home Page Logo; accessed 10/24/24Introducing: Community Connections Collaborative & WikiDelphia     Over the past year, I have come to learn that I am not alone as a caregiver. There are others in the community who understand & share my journey, or have supports or information that can help me. One such organization is Community...
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SELF CARE AND RENEWAL FALL 2024

Friday, October 18, 2024

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 Photo: Dunes and Surf, Ocean City New Jersey October 2024 by Gail K. KachnyczSELF-CARE AND RENEWAL FALL 2024 By Gail K. Kachnycz 18 October 2024      Recently, I spent two weeks in Ocean City, New Jersey. The surf and beach were beautiful and refreshing. I enjoyed good company and good food. Long walks were restorative to body, mind and spirit. It was a wonderful time for...
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Recipe: Butternut Mango Medley

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

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 Image: Gail K & daughter-in-law Elise with the Butternut Mango Medley; November 2021RECIPE: BUTTERNUT MANGO MEDLEYThis recipe was created for my daughter-in-law, Elise, who loves mangos. Dried mangos and cranberries are combined with fall favorites apples and butternut squash to create this easy side dish.BUTTERNUT MANGO MEDLEY by Gail Kachnycz 8/20/2021  Serves: 10-12 half cup servings Prep...
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Recipe: Green Bean Summer Salad: Italian

Thursday, October 3, 2024

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 Image: Green Bean Summer Salad/Italian by Gail K. Kachnycz 15 September 2024RECIPE: GREEN BEAN SUMMER SALAD     This salad uses summer's vegetables to create a colorful, cool side dish. It requires marinating in the vinaigrette overnight so it is easy to make ahead. Once again, no mayonnaise so great for sharing at an outdoor event. Enjoy!GREEN BEAN SUMMER SALAD; ITALIAN By Gail...
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Happy Bloggy-versary!

Friday, September 27, 2024

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 Image: Mike and me at Longwood Gardens September 2023                                                           HAPPY BLOGGY-VERSARY By Gail K. Kachnycz 26 September 2024       The end of September marks one year since...
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Resource: Christian Mental Health Initiative

Saturday, September 21, 2024

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 Image: Logo, Christian Mental Health Initiative. Accessed 21 September 2024FEATURED RESOURCE: CHRISTIAN MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE     This week we introduce the resource Christian Mental Health Initiative     Just as Christians are susceptible to physical illness, they are not immune to mental illness. However, they may feel that a Christian should not struggle...
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Friday, September 13, 2024

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 Image: Website Logo; 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE     September is designated Suicide Prevention Month; September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. This week highlights 988, the emergency number to connect to help for a mental health crisis.Access the 988 website here:  988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline     In the...
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Fred and Edith: Extraordinary Story

Monday, September 2, 2024

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Image: Fred & Edith Duling, at home June 2024FRED & EDITH: EXTRAORDINARY STORYBy Gail K. Kachnycz 31 August 2024     “One moment your life is normal, and the next, it’s not.” That is how my friend Edith describes December 6, 2010. On that day, her husband Fred was found unconscious on the floor in the vestibule of the Malta Boat Club. He was alone in the building, stringing Christmas...
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SONG & VIDEO: God Is In This Story

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

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Image: Lyric Video on You Tube; God Is In This Story     This video was sent to me by a friend who is in one of the prayer circles that pray for Mike. I think he intended it as an encouragement for our long-term challenges, but it arrived at a time when I needed a reminder of God's faithfulness for a specific situation I was experiencing that day. May this encourage you today and...
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Recipe: Cucumber Blueberry Feta Salad

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

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 Image: Wegman Recipe Circular Summer 2024RECIPE: CUCUMBER BLUEBERRY FETA SALADShared 8/21/2024 by Gail K. Kachnycz     Summer is time for many gatherings: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day. Families often plan reunions during this time as well. My husband Mike decides whether or not to attend an event according to the weather or how he is feeling at the last...
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Supporting Decisions

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

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 Photo: Pixabay; accessed 7/3/24SUPPORTING DECISIONS By Gail K. Kachnycz on 20 March 2024       During chronic illness, so many aspects of life are out of the control of the affected individual. It is important to support the decisions made by your loved one, since that allows control in some areas. Supporting a decision could be as simple as providing choices for the...
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Heroes In Houston

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

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 HEROES IN HOUSTON (July 24 is the 55th anniversary of man landing on the moon)  By Gail K. Kachnycz January 13, 2022       As a child growing up, I followed the Apollo Space Program with interest. The timeline of the program, 1961 through 1972, roughly coincided with my school years. I vividly remember myself, as a young first grader, sitting on the floor of the multipurpose...
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JULY: DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

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 Image from www.npr.org "In Their Own Words: How The Americans With Disabilities Act Changed People's Lives." Accessed 7/31/2024JULY: DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH        By Gail K. Kachnycz on 31 July 2024       Some people may not think of themselves as care-givers because they do not provide hands-on care to their loved one. However, being an...
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