Saturday, August 17, 2024
Saturday 9: I Get Around
Friday, August 16, 2024
The Day Elvis Died
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Happiness - Day 15
Thursday Thirteen #870
Book banning is back in the news (not that it ever left).
These 13 books are now banned from all Utah public schools:
“Blankets” by Craig Thompson.
“A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Silver Flames” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Fallout” by Ellen Hopkins.
“Forever” by Judy Blume.
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.
“Oryx & Crake” by Margaret Atwood.
“Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins.
“What Girls Are Made Of” by Elana K. Arnold.
I have read only Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood and have no idea why it's on the ban list. The book explores dystopian themes, genetic engineering, and societal collapse.
I've passed up the Sarah Mass books many times because the audio versions are quite long, but I will listen to them now. The bans on Sarah J. Maas’s books are primarily due to concerns over explicit content and themes that some consider inappropriate for certain age groups. This includes sexual content and mature themes that have led to her books being labeled as “pornographic or indecent” in some places. Additionally, there have been criticisms regarding inclusivity and controversial themes.
The books are still available in public libraries and bookstores, just not schools. You know, the places where you learn stuff.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Happiness - Day 14
My fingertips are blackened with ink!
This makes me very happy.
I have been going through old newspapers, looking at articles I wrote 30 years ago. I doubt I saved every word that was printed, but I saved a lot.
I also saved letters to the editor that spoke highly of my work. There aren't many - people aren't free and easy with compliments - but it was nice to know that for a little bit, I made a difference.
And my goodness, I wrote about everything from the school board to new businesses to zoning to history. I even wrote columns.
I found a picture my nephew drew when he was 7 years old amongst the newspapers. It was featured on the back of an advertisement insert. I didn't remember it, but he had signed his name.
The review is for a personal project I'm contemplating, as well as another with one of the local historic societies that I've sort of agreed to help with when I can. Double duty.
The ink makes me happy. Better times.
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Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Happiness - Day 13
Today I am happy because I finally have a short way of saying what I tend to be long winded about - what it is I want from government.
I heard this from Heather Cox Richardson during one of her Facebook talks today.
Here are the four things:
1) Regulate businesses
2) Provide a basic social safety net
3) Promote infrastructure
4) Protect civil rights
And that's it. Everything else, even the military, falls under those four categories (you can't provide a basic social safety net if no one's safe because we don't have a military, right?).
Now I am going to memorize these four key items so I can spout them out next time someone asks me what I think government should be doing, or why I am in favor of a strong government.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Happiness - Day 12
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Happiness - Day 11
Sunday Stealing
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Saturday 9: Annie's Song
Friday, August 09, 2024
Happiness - Day 9
Today I am happy because we had rain. We did not have flooding rain, at least not here (some of the neighboring communities did), but we had the rain we needed that hopefully will bring back the pastures and maybe give us some hay for the cattle.
The drought isn't over, but it helped put a little dent in it. We were starting to really worry.
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Thursday, August 08, 2024
Thursday Thirteen
I have not "officially" been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but that's because there really isn't a test for it. However, my doctor and my chiropractor both now seem convinced that this is what is going on with me. I will have some further testing done late next week to rule out some other things, though.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties often referred to as "fibro fog." The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
2. Gender: It occurs more frequently in women than in men.
3. Symptoms: Common symptoms include widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties often referred to as "fibro fog".
4. Pain Sensitivity: People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than those without the condition.
5. Coexisting Conditions: It often coexists with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraines.
6. Diagnosis: There is no single test for fibromyalgia; diagnosis is based on symptoms and ruling out other conditions.
7. Causes: The exact cause is unknown, but factors like genetics, traumatic events, and sleep disorders may contribute.
8. Brain Changes: Repeated nerve stimulation in fibromyalgia patients can lead to changes in the brain and spinal cord, amplifying pain signals.
9. Treatment: While there is no cure, treatments include medications, exercise, relaxation, and stress-reduction techniques.
10. Misconceptions: Fibromyalgia is often misunderstood and sometimes dismissed as being "all in the head."
11. Impact on Life: It can significantly affect daily life, including work and social activities. Anxiety and depression are common among those with fibromyalgia.
12. Genetics: It tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component.
13. Awareness: Increased awareness and understanding are crucial for better management and support for those affected.
Wednesday, August 07, 2024
Happiness - August 7, 2024
Tuesday, August 06, 2024
Happiness - August 6, 2024
My First Award-Winning Article
The article above, which published on December 3, 1986, was one of my first award-winning articles. I won a Virginia Press Association award for this piece. It was a photos and copy award, so it was multi-faceted. Good pictures, good writing. I couldn't ask for more for a first award.
It is also one of the few first-person articles I've ever published. Most news reporting is not in the first person, it's in third person, and it seldom was about me. I didn't want it to be about me. But this was about my experience taking a ride in a hot air balloon, and as such, I could only write it in first person.
The adventure came about because I'd earlier written a column about watching a small plane appear to buzz a hot air balloon and it had alarmed me. The balloonist, Natalie Haley, had contacted me to tell me the plane was much further away from the balloon than it had appeared from the ground. Then she offered me a ride.
How could I say no?
Monday, August 05, 2024
The Kings Guard
I like the uniforms and the pageantry. I like that these young men and women stand up to guard what is, essentially, a symbol of government.
When the guards yell at the tourists for touching them or touching the reins of their horses, I find it especially satisfying.
These entitled tourists get screamed at, and deservedly so. The tourists look startled and offended. How dare they be sternly told, "Do Not Touch the King's Guard!"
Nothing like a little Royal Law and Order, right?
Sunday, August 04, 2024
Sunday Stealing
I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.
Saturday, August 03, 2024
Happiness Day 3
This morning, I went to the grocery store and found a great-tasting watermelon. I am a terrific watermelon thumper and usually get really nice sweet ones.
My husband, though a farm boy, cannot pick out a decent watermelon. So, the watermelon thumping is left to me.
I also saw one of my friends there.
After lunch, my husband left to go look at some work for his septic tank business, leaving me home alone. I confess I reveled in that. I took my guitar outside and played a few songs to the storm that was brewing. This made me happy because I've had an impingement in my shoulder since February and haven't been able to play the guitar much at all. I have lost the calluses on my fingers and determined today that I would have to play for a few minutes every day even if it hurt to get the calluses back.
I used my 3/4 Yamaha guitar which weighs next to nothing and didn't have much pain from playing, though. That made me very happy.
Then the storm came, along with a close bolt of lightning, so I put away the guitar and picked up the camera. The storm tracked around us, as they have tended to do for the last two years. But I could smell the rain, feel the thunder roll beneath my feet, and watch the streaks in the sky. I could see the rain bands as they went down the mountain.
It was fantastic.
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