Red's Round-the-World Extravaganza

 

Fundy National Park, New Brunswick, Canada

Bay of Fundy and Tides

At Fundy National Park, the difference between high and low tide can be as much as 12 metres. At the head of the bay, the tide can rise 16 metres, the height of a four-story building.

Guided walk on Alma Beach
© Parks Canada / Jacques Pleau, August 2002

Walking on the bottom of the bay is a favourite pastime of visitors. This is, of course, best done at low tide in the intertidal zone! At Alma Beach at the time of low tide, you can walk more than a kilometre from the high tide line across the tidal flats to the water's edge. Fundy's interpreters welcome you to guided walks along the coast.

What are Tides?

Tides are the periodic rise and fall of the sea caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on the earth's oceans.

Time of High and Low tide

In the Bay of Fundy you can see two high and two low tides each day. The time between a high and low tide, on average, is six hours and 13 minutes.
If you come back to the same place two or three days in a row, you will notice that the water is at its highest and lowest about an hour later each day. This is because the tides work on a "lunar" or moon day which is 24 hours and 52 minutes long. While the earth is turning on its axis the moon is orbiting in the same direction around the earth and it takes one day and 52 minutes for a point on the earth to reappear directly beneath the moon.

The shoreline changes dramatically in just 6 1/4 hours---from low tide to high.
© Parks Canada / Jamie Steeves

The shoreline changes dramatically in just 6 1/4 hours---from low tide to high.
© Parks Canada / Jamie Steeves

Spring Tides and Neap Tides

The height of the tide varies from day to day but the fluctuations are predictable. They are mainly caused by: 1) the degree to which the sun and moon's influences are acting in the same direction; and 2) the varying distance between the moon and the earth.
Twice each month, at the time of the new moon and the full moon, the gravitational influences of the moon and sun reinforce one another and cause the tides to rise to greater heights and fall lower than average tides. These are called spring tides from the Old English word "springan" which means to well up. At the time of the quarter moon, when the sun, earth, and moon form a right angle, the difference between high and low tide is less than average. These are neap tides, from the Old English "nep", as in nipped in the bud. Every 27 and a half days, when the moon reaches a point in its orbit closest to the earth (called perigee) the tidal range is increased. When perigean tides coincide with spring tides, extreme tides can be expected. In the Bay of Fundy, these conditions may create tides as large as 16 metres (53 feet). Conversely, when the moon is at apogee, its farthest point from the earth, even spring tides are diminished.

The Bay of Fundy's Giant Tides

Fundy's tides are the highest in the world because of an unusual combination of resonance (or seiche) and the shape of the bay.
Like water in any basin, the water in the Bay of Fundy has a natural rocking motion called a seiche. You could compare this to the movement of water in a bathtub. Although the water in a bathtub sloshes from one end to the other and back again in a few seconds, it takes about 13 hours for the water in the bay to rock from the mouth of the bay to the head of the bay and back again. The Atlantic Ocean tide rising and flooding into the bay every 12 hours and 25 minutes reinforces the rocking motion. To imagine this, picture an adult giving a gentle push to a child on a swing. Just a very small push, at the right time, is enough to make it go higher and higher. A pulse from the ocean tides sustains the seiche in the bay.
The Bay of Fundy's length is important. That's what makes the seiche frequency match the pulse from the Atlantic Ocean tides.
The bay's shape is of secondary importance although still significant. The bay becomes narrower and shallower towards its head, forcing the water higher up the shores.

Other Large Tides

Other places in the world have large tides: the Port of Bristol in England; the Sea of Okhotsk, northeast of Japan; Turnagain Arm in Alaska; the Bay of St. Malo in France; the Feuilles River in Ungava Bay, Quebec. All have tidal ranges of about 10 metres. However, not as much water is moved at these locations as in the Bay of Fundy where the tidal contribution equals the total daily discharge of all the world's rivers -about 100 cubic kilometres of water.

All information taken directly from the following site - http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nb/fundy/visit/marees-tides.aspx#a05


Red asked me to add this link to some Australian tide information, (it was suggested by her friend) have a look!!

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2002/05/01/2683462.htm

Monica

A Wonderful Surprise!!

I'm so completely honoured; I was given the Stylish Blogger Award!!  A huge thank-you to Monica from "A Mother's Touch”, be sure to check out her amazing blog at http://giftsbyamotherstouch.blogspot.com/, you won't be disappointed!!

                                    (March 4, 2011)

I am so lucky..... I've been selected by Kortney at http://www.kortneyskrazylife.com/, to again receive this award!!  A big thank-you to Kortney for selecting my blog!!  Make sure you drop by her blog and say "hi".

There are rules that go along with winning this award.  Here they are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award, up to 15, recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!

Seven things about me: 

I love music... genre doesn’t really matter; it really depends on the song.

I love to cook/bake...however; it drives my husband around the bend when I try out new recipes on guests.  I even like to spend a few blissful hours reading cookbooks, that makes me weird, doesn't it?

I don’t like to shop....I know, that  really makes me totally and unquestionably weird, doesn’t it?

My favourite saying is...if you have the choice to sit it out or dance, always dance.

I love wine...red, white, doesn’t really matter, love them both.

My current wish...a vacation, with my husband, in Italy.

I have two kitties...both little girls, Emma and Kashmir  (oh...and two wonderful grown children...one of each, almost forgot them!!)

My choices for the "Stylish Blogger Award" -

I have chosen the following blogs; they all have a real appeal to me and all for different reasons.  There's quite a mix between brand new, well established, male, female and younger and older.  Whatever the reason I think they all represent outstanding talent!! 

http://valunboxed.blogspot.com/  

http://getnickt.blogspot.com/

http://wheelchairdecor.blogspot.com/

http://oaklawnimages.blogspot.com/ 

http://amid-the-olive-trees.blogspot.com/

http://www.thetypeahousewife.com/  

http://stayingclosetohome.blogspot.com/

http://workingonthesimplelife.blogspot.com/

http://rednomadoz.blogspot.com/ 

http://momvstheboys.blogspot.com/ 

Monica

Living Green, One Tip at a Time - (a weekly feature)

Living Green, One Tip at a Time -

# 2 - Wear it or use it more than once -

OK...I'm not talking about your underwear and socks, but there are many items of clothing we just automatically remove and toss in the laundry.  (Personally, I wish I could wear my jeans for a couple weeks before I had to wash them!!)  And what about those big fluffy bath towels....hang them on a hook...they don't need to be tossed after every use.

Monica

Perimenopause -

I received a lot of interesting feedback on my menopause post (“Elephant...” Feb. 17, 2011) and many comments related to perimenopause.  Therefore, I’ve decided to dedicate this post to perimenopause

The prefix “peri” is of Greek origin and means “around” or “about” and when you combine it with the Greek "mens", which means monthly and "pausis", which means cessation (“Elephant...” Feb. 17, 2011), you have perimenopause, which means “around the monthly cessation”....ok, enough Greek, let’s get on with the other details.

Perimenopause is the phase before menopause actually takes place, when ovarian hormone production is declining and fluctuating.   My research has shown this phase can last anywhere from 5 – 15 years before menopause, while other research refer to perimenopause as that period which is a 3 to 4 year span just before menopause, the end of menses, occurs.

I’ve also discovered many women experience more symptoms during perimenopause than after menopause. Because this often happens at an age between 35 and 45, many women's symptoms are overlooked or ignored by their healthcare providers.

There are many signs and symptoms, both of a physical and a mental nature, related to perimenopause.  They may include:

·         Hot flashes and/or night sweats

·         Breast tenderness

·         Mood changes - depression, anxiety, irritability,

·         Trouble sleeping

·         Irregular periods – lighter or heavier flow, flooding, shorter or longer cycle

·         Vaginal dryness

·         Decreased libido

·         Urinary urgency and/or leakage when laughing or sneezing

·         Problems with memory and concentration

·         Fatigue

I’ve only mentioned some of what I personally feel are more common symptoms.  There are many other symptoms which could occur with perimenopause.

Often your doctor can make the diagnosis of perimenopause based on your symptoms. Blood tests to check hormone levels may also be beneficial but may be difficult to evaluate due to erratic fluctuations of hormones during this period.

Talk to your doctor about your specific symptoms and goals of treatment. This will help him or her in developing the plan that is right for you.

I referenced the following sites for the information contained in this post –

http://www.project-aware.org/Experience/perimenopause.shtml

http://womenshealth.about.com/od/menopaus1/a/perimenopausesy.htm

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11876

http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/guide-perimenopause

Disclaimer - 
The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.

Monica

Win 1 of 3 CD's by Wind Broken Stones

Canadian Indie-Folk band, "Wind Broken Stones" is running a contest where they will be giving away three copies of their latest CD, "Straight Into the Rising Sun", by random draw when they reach 500 Fans on their Facebook site. Included with the CD will be a handful of download cards that the winner can give to friends. If you have a facebook account, enter by visiting http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wind-Broken-Stones/445794225257 and "becoming a fan". You can hear music, read bio's and see photos and video of the band by visiting the "Artist Profile" link.

To enter you must also follow "Older Mommy, Still Yummy on GFC

Monica

Living Green, One Tip at a Time (a weekly feature)

Living Green, One Tip at a Time -

# 1 - When you purchase your next computer, consider buying a laptop -

When plugged in your laptop uses 50 percent less energy than a typical desktop computer and a whooping 99 percent less when running on battery power!!  That's a HUGE energy saving!!

Monica

The "Elephant" in the Room

OK....we all wonder about it, so...let's talk about "the elephant" in the room.....menopause!!!  My husband likes to call it "mental pause"...but, I tell him, that's not very nice!

You may or may not have reached this stage in your life; however, if you're a women and you're lucky to live long enough, it too will happen to you.

What is "menopause"?  Well, it comes from the Greek "mens", which means monthly and "pausis", which means cessation.  So, literally it would mean "monthly cessation", and, that's exactly what it is, the end of menstruation.  (Personally, I think menopause is amazing ...I've never been so happy to get rid of something in my life!!)

Menopause commonly occurs between the ages of 42 and 56, and, if you haven't had a period for one year you can say you have begun menopause.

Over the next several posts I will try to address other topics related to menopause...such as, hot flashes, peri-menopause, signs of menopause and induced menopause, to name a few.  I am by no means an expert in this field, but, if you have any questions I will do my best to get some information for you.

I referenced the following sites for the information contained in this post -

http://www.cwhn.ca/node/40801

http://www.menopausecanada.com/

Disclaimer -  

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.

Monica

February is Heart Month...and I don't mean a Valentine Heart!!

We're moms, daughters, wives, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, best friends, cousins.....we mean the world to a lot of people who would be devastated without us - let's take the time and the effort to invest in our future.

Fact -
Cardiovascular disease, once considered a ‘man's disease,’ is the number one killer of women in Canada and worldwide.
Fact -
Women are ten times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than from any other disease.
Fact -
Women are six times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than from breast cancer.
Fact -
Cardiovascular disease kills more women 65 years of age and older than all cancers combined.


Let's all strive to keep our hearts healthier...here are some links to help you on your way -

Heart & Stroke Foundation
Homemakers
Canadian Living

Monica

Hi to all my new "followers"

It was great fun participating in my first blog hop, I had no idea there were so many blogs out there!!  So many interesting sites, definitely something for everyone.  I found several to follow and I want to say thanks to everyone who is following me.   I hope to keep it interesting for everyone and to also get some useful information out there to the "older mommies'.
I'm a Registered Nurse and I'm going to put my nurses cap on and I'll be back soon with some interesting articles!

 Thanks again for the fun,

Monica

Fun Follow Friday

I'm thrilled to be part of my first "Blog Hop"!!  I'm very new at blogging and I look forward to  meeting other bloggers and being part of this exciting new experience.  Wish me luck and welcome!!

Family

This is just one of the many great things about having grown children, if they live away, you get to visit them!!  I've just booked a flight to see my son who is a teacher/musician living in London, Ontario.

Introduction

I first had the idea to start a blog for "older moms" when I started noticing a lot of blogs were aimed toward moms with young children.   I applaud these and the help, companionship, information and support they provide and I still remember those days well.....well, most days I remember them well!!   However, my kids are grown and I'm no longer in my 30's....or 40’s and some of the information I was getting was no longer relevant and some of the information I was seeking was not out there.   I thought there must be others out there who felt the same... so, here I am and I hope I’m not alone!!