Heart Rhythm

April 30

I am thankful for the rhythm of the heart. Without the steady and constant beating of our hearts (average 72 beats per minute), we would be no more. And we don't even have to remind ourselves to make our hearts beat. What a wonderful blessing, when all is working perfectly!

This is a foxglove plant, or digitalis purpurea. From the ground-up leaves of this plant come the drugs digitalis and digoxin. These drugs are given to increase the force of heart contractions or to control heart rate. The name foxglove comes from "finger-like" and the fact that the flower looks like a little finger glove. The flowers also appear to look like bells, thus the name "ring of bells."

By the way, in no way am I recommending the use of foxglove for self-treatment of heart ailments. Too much can lead to digitalis toxicity, which can be very serious and life threatening. Treatment should be restricted to medical specialists, who can monitor such treatment closely.

be still the beating of you, my heart

be still the beating of you, my heart

and give yourself a well deserved rest

oh you say you can’t do that

of that fact you can well attest

the brain, muscles, and body

can take a breather now and then

a little rest or some sleep

and they’re ready for action again

no rest for the weary

is all i can then say

for you are not allowed

to rest a minute, hour, or day.

© rt tulley