Another high official in government has also tested positive for Covid although fully vaccinated with 2 boosters--the Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/04/10/michigan-supreme-court-chief-justice-mccormack-tests-positive-covid/9533602002/ The other we know about is Kamala Harris--fully vaccinated with 2 boosters. https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-kamala-harris-dadf170fbacfd57922cdf51d59e87cdb Meanwhile, the vaccines are still "emergency use" although President Trump's "Warp Speed" plan became available in December 2020, even though more people died in 2021 under Biden with all the advances and vaccines than under Trump in 2020. In order to cover for all the misinformation and silencing of other opinions, the language had to be changed. I noticed the second booster isn't being pushed--my doctor says it's optional and the protection seems to be slight.
Here's how the definition has changed, yet many of us older (than 30) people still think of immunity rather than just less severe disease. Notice the word "protecting" has disappeared as has "produce immunity."
We Bruces got the Pfizer version in February 2021 with great excitement, relief, and awe at the incredible system our local health systems had established in the such a short time. It was touted, as I recall, at about 90% or higher, had by fall had dropped to 16%.
The prior CDC Definitions of Vaccine and Vaccination (August 26, 2021):
Vaccine: A product that stimulates a person’s immune system to produce immunity to a specific disease, protecting the person from that disease. Vaccines are usually administered through needle injections, but can also be administered by mouth or sprayed into the nose.
Vaccination: The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.
The CDC Definitions of Vaccine and Vaccination since September 1, 2021:
Vaccine: A preparation that is used to stimulate the body’s immune response against diseases. Vaccines are usually administered through needle injections, but some can be administered by mouth or sprayed into the nose.
Vaccination: The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce protection from a specific disease.
See the complete story to follow how "the right wing" was accused of misinformation for pointing this out, and the e-mail exchange in CDC to get a work around. https://technofog.substack.com/p/cdc-emails-our-definition-of-vaccine?s=r This is how the "misinformation" and fake news becomes a story about the misinformation and was the cause of conservatives being removed from Twitter.
I haven't been able to find oyster crackers at 3 different stores, so I figured I'd go on-line and ask. I didn't know there were forums that report complaints about shortages, but there are. It seems there is a shortage of both saltines and oyster crackers and soup lovers are complaining. Some report that they can't even get them from Amazon! I like the oyster crackers for convenience and I eat less of them than saltines, which I tend to load up with cheese. So I have no idea if it's a supply chain problem, or people cutting back on more expensive snacks and thus creating a shortage among lower priced items. I did check a small Pepperidge Farms Outlet in my neighborhood, and there absolutely is no shortage of the little Goldfish shaped crackers.
Evidence that the Lakeside Women's Club has strong leadership is the current president, Barbara Browning. She has had a long career in teaching and family life, including shepherding her family into their current Lakeside lifestyle. I've only known her about three years, and as I recall it was cultural issues and not religion or hobbies or book club that brought us together. One amazing feat was her convincing me to prepare brief devotions for the weekly meetings of the Women's Club for summer 2022. You wouldn't think that someone who loves to write, explain, cajole, argue, research and ramble for 20 years on the internet and who has been scribbling in some form since I was 6 or 7 could be so hesitant to speak in public. I'd rather pull weeds or clean an attic than speak to an audience. I get light headed, the room swims, and I can't put a sentence together. But when Barb asks, you just can't say No. Her secret seems to be she believes in people! So I came up with a plan to make it more palatable.
Last summer one of the Lakeside chaplains for the week was retired Methodist pastor John Ed Mathison, a well known (but not to me) motivational speaker who established Leadership Ministries in 2008 when he retired after 36 years as pastor of Frazer Memorial UMC in Alabama. His current ministry includes a Daily Message, a weekly blog, a daily radio message, and weekly videos and of course, extensive public speaking. He's authored a number of books, and I bought one based on his radio ministry titled, "Got a minute? 365 Daily inspirational messages for those on the Go!" To open a LWC meeting one only needs a minute or two, and it shouldn't be the heavy theological themes I'm drawn to. So along with my own morning devotions I've been checking different "minutes" in his book to use this summer. John Ed does a lot of sports, youth, and goal setting themes. I hate setting goals, so I avoid those; I'm not athletic, so I skip those. However, John Ed didn't get to be famous without knowing how to draw in a diverse, busy and even not so religious group. It's also a podcast, so you can download an app and listen to him in his sweet Alabam voice. https://johnedmathison.org/ I'm looking forward to sharing some of those radio minutes this summer.
Today I read about Liz Smith, a director of nursing, who fostered and then adopted a baby girl, Gisele, who was born physically challenged and extremely premature. In a minute John Ed told her amazing story. I know so many adoptive and foster parents at Lakeside (and in Columbus) I thought it would be a good story to share. Ever the researcher, I then checked the internet for the story, and found it had been featured on a number of TV and news stories. From there I went to the Facebook page of Franciscan Children's Hospital in Boston where Ms. Smith worked and read many more stories of some of the children, parents and staff of a remarkable facility. So now I'm a "follower" of that FB page. https://www.facebook.com/FranciscanChildrens
https://nurse.org/articles/nurse-adopts-baby-no-visitors/
https://lakesideohio.com/about-lakeside/community-organizations/lakeside-womens-club/
In 1949, 78.8% of all U.S. households had married couples. By last year, 47.3% had married couples. And guess what, marriage rates by race tracks with poverty among children. The highest rate of marriage is among Asians; next whites, then Hispanic, and then blacks.
I really enjoy Zuby's podcasts. He's British with an American accent. His parents are Nigerian. He is conservative and hosts many people on a variety of issues. He's a hip hop artist and a body builder also. In this interview he discusses the Housing First movement with Tyler Alvarez who worked in that program in San Diego and has found it to be a failure. Alvarez estimates that in LA or San Francisco the city spends from $750,000 to $800,000 per homeless person a year in the Housing First programs. It's insane, but it also keeps many people employed who are in the "helping" professions and the housing business. It's a shame. Homelessness increases because the problem is not their home, it's their addictions and their mental health. It's also the enabling of the people who have good intentions. Alvarez estimated that of the 50 people he was able to place in housing, only one really was successful, and she was really motivated to help her five children.
Donating money or food and volunteering he also believes does not help in the long run because of the wages and careers of the staff. He recommends getting involved in your local city politics--know who are the big players getting rich on these schemes. You have to really push to get the real numbers on what this costs your community. Don't accept squishy words or guilting/shaming you. Alvarez calls it "pathological altruism" the way the homeless are treated by do-gooders.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/feb/18/housing-first-promised-to-solve-homelessness-it-fa/
https://www.manhattan-institute.org/housing-first-effectiveness
https://calmatters.org/commentary/2020/03/california-homeless-housing-first-policy-is-failing/
"SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/AP) — The Twitter board Monday voted to accept a takeover offer from Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a deal at $44 billion.
Musk took to the social media platform, tweeting out “I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means.”
“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” Musk said. “I also want to make Twitter better than ever by enhancing the product with new features, making the algorithms open source to increase trust, defeating the spam bots, and authenticating all humans. Twitter has tremendous potential – I look forward to working with the company and the community of users to unlock it. ”The deal took the San Francisco-based company private, purchasing shares at about $54.20 a share.
In a news release, Musk said his goal in acquiring Twitter was to make it better.
Before the opening bell Monday, shares of Twitter Inc. rose 5% with trading halted at the time of the announcement."
Until social media like Google, YouTube, Twitter and others began to control politicians and the news media, I considered it a private matter for a private company to set its own standards. Now, however, Big Tech is controlling the public square where freedom of speech and assembly is to take place. It will still be private and non-government, however from the screams from the Leftist amongst us many are not happy to have unapproved opinions out there where others could be influenced. Journalists, who should be the ones most concerned about cancelling and stifling, have been the most obnoxious.
We've all seen language evolve, but some of the kinder, sweeter, more leftist inclusive stuff is just nonsense and gag-worthy. Google is now eliminating or suggesting alternates for "mother" or "lord" or "master" in some well-known idiomatic expressions. It reminds me of some of the ridiculous phrase twisting we lived through in the 80s and 90s, like "handicapped" or all the polite ways to say "mentally challenged" instead of "retarded." A whole generation of adolescents had to give up a favorite common insult. The word "challenged" has become a joke. I use it when I tell people I'm math challenged, or directionally challenged. (If I don't have my watch on my left wrist, don't give me directions.) So that has given us pregnant people and assigned sex at birth. Remember a few years back when someone who didn't have a good grasp of English thought "niggardly" was a reference to blacks? People are so incensed with "black face" (used mostly by Democrat entertainers and politicians like Jimmy Kimmel and Joy Behar) last week there was a black DJ at a high school dance accused of wearing black face--that's the live reenactment of being overly sensitive about words. I'm so old I remember when black was the insult and Negro was the correct term. I think even "senior citizen" is on the chopping block.
https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7dk8m/googles-ai-powered-inclusive-warnings-feature-is-very-broken
I saw an opinion piece (based I'm sure on someone's academic research while quarantined happily) that American voters are moving to the right. I suspect that depends on where you place center. Yes, more blacks and Hispanics are fleeing the Democrat party. That doesn't mean the spineless Republicans have any appeal. Their personal values, particularly on sex and children, are probably more conservative than whites, who are a mishmash of many races and cultures. Minorities made huge gains under Trump, and all Biden has provided is promises and high inflation. If CRT and wokeism in the classrooms of first graders is the plumb line, and if social media are considered the standard for American voters, I suppose it looks like we're moving to the right. But I don't see it, particularly not in my community of Upper Arlington, Ohio. Our public library has a miniscule collection for conservative Christians of any denomination, and as far as politics and social issues, you might find one or two authors against hundreds of the other ilk. Our churches seem as lost in the fog as the media. I'll have to check and see if any of my conservative friends have taken off their muzzles and face masks.
"Obama comes out to get mad about disinformation: Yesterday [April 21] at Stanford, President Obama gave a sweeping speech about disinformation, my favorite thing to complain about people complaining about. He called for more government regulation of platforms (they should be “be required to have a higher standard of care when it comes to advertising on their site”) and criticized big tech’s business model (“inflammatory content attracts engagement”).
“These companies need to have some other north star other than just making money and increasing market share,” the former president said.
We have an idea of what that North Star can be: how about the constitution? There’s a First Amendment in there that seems like a pretty great articulation of what the values of a social media company ought to be." Nellie Bowles, "Common Sense" April 22, 2022
1. Invest in a reusable glass or stainless-steel water bottle. People around the world buy a million plastic bottles every minute; in the United States, more than 60 million end up in landfills and incinerators every day. (We don't buy throw away plastic bottles for water, but I do have plastic bottles I can reuse, thank you. Don't like carrying glass bottles around.)
2. Opt for cloth rather than disposable diapers. Americans discard some 20 billion plastic diapers annually. (I've seen the cost comparisons about 40 years ago and adding the cost of hot water and soap and electricity to dry so you don't save a lot.)
3. Bring your favorite mug or travel container to the coffee shop for filling up.
4. Skip the plastic straw. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless-steel or glass straw.
5. Stock up on reusable grocery bags. Americans use and discard some 102 billion plastic bags annually. Each of these can take 1,000 years to degrade.
6. Pass on prepared frozen foods: The packaging is mostly plastic or cardboard coated with plastic.
7. Eschew chewing gum — it’s pretty much made from plastic. [Note: I didn't realize this until about 5 years ago and gave up a very bad habit I'd had since childhood.]
8. Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters, or invest in a refillable metal lighter.
9. Avoid plastic wrap to cover leftovers, cheeses, and other refrigerated food by using a dish cloth or parchment paper. [This isn't going to happen, but I do use reuseable plastic storage containers.]
10. Cook with cast-iron instead of nonstick pans. Teflon, the most common nonstick surface, is a fluoropolymer plastic. [I prefer this, but it's not safe on a glass top stove, nor can I lift them safely.]
11. Make your own cleaning products. They’re less toxic, and you can reuse spray bottles, eliminating the need for multiple plastic bottles filled with cleaners. (For recipes, see “Make Your Own Spring-Cleaning Kit“.) [Good in theory, but I've moved on to hiring at cleaning service.]
12. Decline plastic flatware with your takeout orders; pick up bamboo or other reusable flatware for picnics and traveling. [I use cheap stainless ware picked up at yard sales and reuse. But Covid made this carry-out trend grow immensely.]
13. Buy food in bulk when possible and pack it in your own reusable jars or containers. You’ll save money and limit unnecessary packaging. [Not a useful tip for 2 person household.]
14. Bring your own containers for vegetables and fruits to the farmers’ market, where you can refill them.
15. Pack your lunch in reusable containers and bags. Skip foods packed in single-serving plastic cups.
16. Mix up your own hand salves, lotion bars, and deodorants instead of buying personal-care items sold in plastic containers. Coconut oil is a great base for all of these. (For more ideas, see “DIY Beauty“.) [I use a lot of coconut oil as moisturizer.]
17. Replace your Tupperware with a set of reusable glass storage containers for leftovers. [Not going to happen. Glass is too heavy.]
18. Compost your food waste to reduce the number of plastic bags needed to haul it to the landfill. [No place to put it.] https://experiencelife.lifetime.life/article/18-ways-to-live-with-less-plastic/?
We cleaned off the deck and washed the furniture and had our dinner outside--beef roast, potatoes, carrots and yellow peppers, fresh fruit and a giant cookie. What an amazing day. Our neighbor's dog, Kerry, stopped by to visit. She loves Bob. He takes her on walks and feeds her when her owners are gone. She didn't want to go home, but I think she could smell the beef roast! Later in the day I took a walk and enjoyed the flowering crab apple trees. I'm wearing my head phones in the photo while enjoying a podcast about Liturgy of the Hours. Had a visit with a new neighbor Mark who moved in last week, and an old neighbor Jan (but younger than me). So many of my neighbors are planting flowers. It was a beautiful time.
Tomorrow night we'll be going to our Friday date night spot, The Rusty Bucket. Our Friday night dates go way back--sometime in the 60s. The Bucket is just one of many restaurants where we've been regulars over the years. I accidentally came across a blog about how we ended up there about 17 years ago.
"Last night [March 18, 2005] we switched from "Old Bag of Nails" in the Tremont Shopping Center to "The Rusty Bucket" in the Lane Avenue Shopping Center for our Friday night date. Our suburb's recent non-smoking ordinance has moved all the smokers out of the Old Bag down to Grandview Heights, which means a lot of the alcohol sales are also gone. So in this one location, the owners have changed the menu and raised the prices, moving to more dinners. We like the "pub" atmosphere and seeing our friends and neighbors, so we decided to try Bucket, which opened about a year ago. The decor is just about the same with a little more of a sports bar feel (more TV screens than Old Bag), similar menu, and cheery young ladies to wait the tables. We thought the food was tasty, hot and well-prepared, and the noise level wasn't too painful. We'll probably go back--although we didn't see a soul we knew even though the two restaurants are within a mile of each other."
Let's see if we have any photos.
I don't like it when people speak disrespectfully of the cognitively challenge. Unfortunately, Joe Biden provides too many opportunities. After protecting him for years, the media seems to turning, but why?
Sonja and Phil went through cancer treatment together. She has survived and moved to a lovely 19th century home in central Ohio which she has lovingly furnished with her antiques and pets. She's a huge Civil War fan. Today is the second anniversary of his death, and I saw this on her Facebook post today, April 21, 2022.
"There is a huge hole in my heart, that was created when God called you home 2 years ago, on this day. It still hasn’t healed yet, and sometimes I feel like it gets bigger.
We pray with special love and concern for all those who are ill or infirm, asking the Lord for his consoling grace to strengthen the sick in times of trial.
Response: Lord, be close to give your comfort.
When pain or distress is overwhelming:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When the healing process goes slower than hoped:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When terrified by treatments for therapy:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When it’s hard to let go of long-held plans:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When the feeling of alienation arises:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When worn out and weary:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When troubled by impatience and negativity:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When loneliness adds to anxiety:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When sickness makes it difficult to communicate:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When discouragement or despondency sets in:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When fear makes it impossible to face the future:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When the ravages of disease attack self-esteem:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When anger and resentment assail:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When beset by worry or fretfulness:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When it’s hard to rely on others for care:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When envy arises toward those who are healthy:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When pessimism or cynicism holds sway:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When anguish is intensified by the need for reconciliation:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When sickness is mistaken for punishment:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When loved ones are far away:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When sickness causes financial hardship that leads to worry or despair:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When afflicted by the feeling of nothing to hope for:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When weakness makes it impossible even to think:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When friends draw back fearful of disease:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When illness makes those who are suffering moody or irritable:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When haunted by regret and the shame of past sins:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When it is difficult to sleep:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When there’s resistance to necessary change:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When tempted by denial:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When nobody seems to understand:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When bound to home or when restricted in movement:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When listlessness and apathy threaten:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When medication seems to make things worse:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When all that’s needed is a caring touch:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When it’s impossible to maintain familiar routines:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When it’s hard to find the strength to go on:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When it becomes difficult to pray:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When suffering of any sort becomes hard to bear:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
When death draws near:
Lord be close to give your comfort.
https://aleteia.org/2020/04/29/litany-of-compassion-for-the-sick/
The only people who will understand this are those who saw news coverage of the big jolly rabbit guarding Biden as he tried to talk to someone in the crowd about Afghanistan. The silencer stepped right between them waving his arms (front legs) and redirecting Biden to a "safe space."
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