As most of you know, I love kayaking. I love it more than Peeps or even chipmunks. There is nothing like being outside in the sunshine and enjoying nature. Being on the water is so soothing. That being said, I have to be really, really careful in the sun. I spent my teenage years baking in the sun and now I am paying the price for it, having had a few melanoma scares.
The best way to protect oneself from the sun is to cover up. Other than staying indoors all the time. I have theses nifty SPF 50 shirts, but they are all polyester and they make me very hot. I was excited to find these arm sleeves:
They are meant for bike riders, but they serve just as well for me when I go out kayaking. I can wear them with a cotton t-shirt so I am not as hot.
The first time I wore them, Mr. Ken, in his inimitable way said to me, “What on earth do you have on your arms? You look like Kermit the Frog.” Translation: “Those are the oddest looking things I have ever seen!”
They are quite comfortable, no matter how dorky they may look.
This little vignette reminds me of marketing: (Okay, so that’s a big stretch, but here goes.)
1. Sometimes you have to stand out from the crowd.
Yep, these electric green sleeves probably glow in the dark.
2. Go for what works, never mind what other people are doing.
These sleeves work great, no matter that I have never seen anyone else, biker or kayaker, wearing them.
3. Create something memorable.
Who doesn’t know about the beloved Kermit the Frog? Even though he is no longer on TV, he is still in people’s minds.
P.S. I also have a hot pink set of these sleeves. I wonder what Mr. Ken will say about those!
Nancy Loderick's Blog 
Judi Brady
July 15, 2015
I think you are very smarty,Nancy! You could also start a new fashion trend:) My hubby has also had some skin damage being dealt with and now wears those long sleeve shirts that screen out the rays and wide brim hat! I think he looks just great and so do you!
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Nancy Loderick
July 15, 2015
Hi Miss Judi,
And that would be quite the fashion trend, wouldn’t it? 🙂
Nancy
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Professor VJ Duke
July 15, 2015
Kayaking seems like such fun. Definitely stand out from the crowd. That’s a good thing, I say.
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Nancy Loderick
July 15, 2015
Hey Professor,
And why not kill two birds with one stone and do both! 🙂
Nancy
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Ralph
July 15, 2015
Hello dear Nancy,
You’re dressed ! Ready ? Put your arms up to make a “Y”. Beckon towards you with both ams. Stretch your arms out horizontal. Drop and raise your arms to the horizontal a few times. Cross your arms across your chest. Yay ! You’ve just landed a helicopter 😀 😀 ❤
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Nancy Loderick
July 15, 2015
Dear friend Ralph,
And a lime green one at that! 🙂
Nancy
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Ralph
July 16, 2015
Now that’s colour coordination at its best my friend 😀 😀
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Ken Loderick
July 15, 2015
Nancy doesn’t like it when I call her Kermit when we’re not kayaking but I don’t know why. It seems like such a cute name! 🙂
P.S. I’m still working on a name for the pink sleeves. Hmmm, isn’t Pepto Bismol like a hot pink? I got it! I can call Nancy Pepto or Pepi! Maybe your blogging fans can vote on what it will be! 🙂
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Nancy Loderick
July 15, 2015
Dear Mr. Ken,
I may have to accidentally “delete” your comment. 🙂
Nancy
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Bea dM
July 16, 2015
I hope the pink ones do glow in the dark! but isn’t kayaking dangerous (or is this a stupid question?)
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Nancy Loderick
August 16, 2015
Hi Bea,
Anytime one is out on the water, it can be dangerous. But, if you are very careful, you can be fine. We always wear life vests and we always go out in pairs. I would never kayak alone.
I also am very familiar with the waterways where we kayak, so there will be no surprises like a big waterfall or something.
We also only kayak on a slow moving river, the Charles River, or on a calm body of water. No white water rafting or kayaking for me!
Nancy
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Bea dM
August 16, 2015
Charles river is what I’ll be seeing in Boston in a few days, right? 🙂
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Nancy Loderick
August 17, 2015
Hi Bea,
Yes it is! Enjoy your visit. 🙂
Nancy
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socialbridge
July 16, 2015
Nancy, I’m with you on the melanoma scares so read this with great interest.
Mr Ken is very pass remarkable, isn’t he????
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2015
Hi Jean,
Thanks for your comment. And yes, Mr. Ken is remarkable, isn’t he? 🙂
Nancy
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sdalton43
July 19, 2015
Nancy, I almost worshipped the sun in my teens and early twenties. Now, like you, I’m paying for it. You’re wise to take every possible precaution.
Blessings,
Steve
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Nancy Loderick
July 26, 2015
Hi Steve,
When we are young, we think we are invincible. I ignored any skin cancer warnings, thinking they didn’t apply to me.
I am very grateful now for the wisdom I have gained. And not just for the wisdom gained about sun protection, but about life in general.
Nancy
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tonyasmithauthor
July 20, 2015
That’s a cool looking hat Nancy!
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Nancy Loderick
July 21, 2015
Hi Tony,
And it is cool to wear – I mean it has some mesh on the side so it doesn’t make me too hot.
Nancy
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عابرةسبيل
July 21, 2015
Nice sleeves
I liked them:-)
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Nancy Loderick
July 21, 2015
Hi,
Thank you. Not only do I love the colors, but they are very comfortable to wear. They don’t make me hot either, like my polyester SPF-50 shirts do.
Nancy
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storiesofourboys
July 21, 2015
I’ve already had one pre-melanoma (dysplastic nevus), so do tell, where do we get these?
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Nancy Loderick
July 21, 2015
Hi there,
I got mine at LLBean. You can also go to the website of the manufacturer, shebeest.com.
If you google “summer sleeves,” you will also see other places to buy things like this.
Good luck! 🙂
Nancy
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Aliosa
July 27, 2015
Thanks for your visit Nancy ! 🙂
Regards,
Aliosa.
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Nancy Loderick
July 27, 2015
Hey Aliosa,
Your are quite welcome. 🙂
Nancy
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Rajagopal
August 12, 2015
Your passion of kayaking around, is very much visible in your smart and athletic appearance, Nancy. Being on the water is most certainly one of the most thrilling experiences in life. I have not tried the row boat or kayak as yet. But I have boated on pedal-pushers on fairly calm waters. It is energising and soothing at same, enjoying the breeze, and watching the water gracefully allowing boat’s forward movement as if receiving you in her rippling arms…btw, thanks for liking my latest post, and best wishes… Raj.
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Nancy Loderick
August 12, 2015
Hi Raj,
Thanks for your nice comment. There is something quite magical about being out on the water. I really feel relaxed and in touch with nature.
If you get a chance, I would encourage you to try kayaking. It is a lot of fun.
Nancy
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