Category: Culture

How to Save Money this Holiday Season

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How to Save Money this Holiday Season

How to Save Money this Holiday Season

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

It seems that everyone wants and needs to save money this holiday season – perhaps we are quite worried the upcoming Trump tariffs and his recent admission that it will be very difficult to bring down grocery prices. If only we had Kamala coming, instead, but since we don’t, here are some unique and practical ideas for your last minute holiday shopping. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah on a budget…

  1. Recycle and re-gift.
  2. A well thought out thrift gift is perfectly fine, as long as it’s in good condition.
  3. Nothing wrong with a white elephant Christmas grab bag.
  4. Homemade gifts are often appreciated – after all you created it with your own two hands.
  5. It’s the thought that counts, not the amount spent. A nice card for a dollar store gift as long as it’s tasteful is fine if that’s all your budget will allow.
  6. e-cards save postage and are environmentally friendly.
  7. Give homemade gift certificates for babysitting, cleaning, lawn mowing, and the like.
  8. Potluck dinners can be a fun way to enjoy each other’s company
  9. There are many free holiday movies on streaming, and paid streaming services offer great deals during the holidays.
  10. Host a spa party to get everyone holiday ready. Saves money on professional nail, hair, and makeup services.
  11. Live trees are often cheaper later in the season – the closer to Christmas, the cheaper the tree.
  12. Go caroling.
  13. Host a party right after Christmas – holiday food and décor will be half off or more…
  14. Pass that fruitcake back and forth – okay, maybe not.
  15. Go to a food pantry or clothing swap.
  16. Many libraries offer craft and cooking classes for free – most include the supplies.
  17. Last year’s holiday outfits with a change of accessories will look fresh and fashionable.
  18. Festive foods don’t need to be expensive – look online or at your local library for recipes.
  19. Classic TV favorites or nostalgic episodes of old shows with a bowl of popcorn and hot chocolate are always fun
  20. An ornament swap is a great way to change decorations for a new look.
  21. Cookie exchanges are a yummy way to enjoy fellowship and a variety of Christmas cookies.
  22. Build a snowman.
  23. Family game night with finger foods or pizza is a great form of entertainment.
  24. Read the Christmas story “The Night before Christmas” aloud in your pajamas.
  25. Dreidel parties with chocolate coins are very festive.
  26. If you can’t afford eight nights of gifts, consider gifting the first and last night, and maybe have a trinket grab bag the other six nights.
  27. How about a gift the entire family can enjoy: board games, tins of popcorn, box of chocolate? If your budget allows, a television, computer, Soda Stream, or air fryer, for example. Anything your household will enjoy…
  28. Pet gifts can be cans of food or treats or doggy, kitty sweaters – furbabies can receive practical gifts, also.
  29. Stocking stuffers can be stock uppers like toothpaste and brush, socks, deodorant, razors, and the like.
  30. Local light displays are usually, free and some neighbors actually set up lights that move to music that you can listen to on your car radio.
  31. Midnight mass, church services, and school concerts are beautiful and free ways to celebrate the holiday season.
  32. House parties for New Year’s Eve are cheaper and safer – champagne and alcohol are not a requirement to have fun. Above all, never drink and drive…
  33. Homemade noise makers, pots and pans, musical instruments, etc., can all be fun with no cost.
  34. Silly party hats can come out of your closet, no cost and environmentally friendly. No cardboard hats to throw away after midnight.
  35. Television football games and parades with a light brunch and/or snacks are a great way to enjoy the company of loved ones.
  36. A sock puppet show with a painted cardboard box stage is a great holiday craft project for children.
  37. A living room song and dance show is also fun and creative.
  38. Look for Groupon-type offers, BOGO’s, and coupons.
  39. Borrow and barter.
  40. Out of season clearance gifts are fine. The pool toys and swimwear season will be here sooner than you think. During the bitter cold winter, the promise of warm weather might just be a welcome gift.

Holiday Reflections and Inflections

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Holiday Reflections and New Year’s Inflections

Holiday Reflections and New Year’s Inflections

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Kwanzaa, everyone. I have been thinking about unique holiday gifts this season, not the same old, same old. A classic carol came to mind as I began to ponder unusual presents…

Too Much of Good Things?

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree. ” A cute, quiet little birdie in a tree the bears fruit, a gift that keeps on giving – Amazon does have everything.

On the second day, “two turtle doves” – doves signify peace, very appropriate for the season and our often crazy world.

The third day brings us more birds, “three French hens” – no offense to those birds, but French perfume would suit my tastes a bit better.

The fourth day. “Four calling birds”, more avian gifts – it’s getting just a bit crowded in here, and surely the neighbors will call the cops with all the squawking…

“Five golden rings” – jewelry! Much better, thank you.

Day six geese, even more feathered friends – they are a-laying on my best holiday quilt and making quite the mess. My true love is getting on my last nerve…

The seventh day, swimming swans – what’s with all these birds? Perhaps a pair of tickets to see Swan Lake would be a more appropriate present?

Number eight, maids milking – I do enjoy an ice cold glass of fat free milk, and who can’t use the services of a good maid, but this is kind of overkill…

“Nine ladies dancing” – please refer to number seven, tickets to the ballet – thank you.

“Ten lords a leaping” – what the heck kind of goofy gift is this? These clumsy dudes are scaring my pets and destroying my home decor.

“Eleven pipers piping” – I met a very understanding police officer, courtesy of my next door neighbor…

Phew, we made it to the last day, a full dozen drummers, drumming up even more noise. and I am seriously considering taking out a restraining order. Perhaps my true love should have purchased a gift card for a massage and pedicure, much more my style…

New Year, New You…

And then, of course, Happy 2025. Hopefully, we are all resolving to show love and kindness to others, this year and always.

Resolute!

I realize many of us have personal resolutions to enrich and better our own lives: for example, I resolve to buy more shoes and drink more mocha lattes – I believe in making resolutions that I know I can keep.  Hopefully, my husband has resolved to be a bit more careful with the outside mirrors on our Mini Cooper; this will certainly improve his wellbeing. I, in turn, could resolve to allow him to sleep indoors, since our puggle Sasha misses the use of her house.

Food for Thought…

Of course, I realize resolutions can come in many different forms. Perhaps many of you might be traditionalists, for instance, resolving to lose weight. As a plus-size princess, I have learned to be comfortable in my own skin, but I do advocate healthy eating and exercise.  We can all resolve to eat healthier by avoiding processed foods, preservatives, and sodium intake.  I am resolving to stick with Meatless Mondays and enjoy a wide variety of fish – our cat Prada applauds this part of my resolution.

Stretch Yourself

If you are anything like me, exercise needs to be fun – a stroll through the dog park, or a dance class at the park district or local studio can help one reach my fitness goals.  I certainly hope you dance in the coming year, but whatever you resolve to do, remember to do it with style.

Old Long Since

On a more serious and reflective note, we remember a beautiful version of “Auld Lang Syne” by Celtic Woman; it got me to thinking about that New Year’s Eve favorite – many artists have sung it, including a lovely rendition by Barry Manilow. The song actually derives from an old Scottish poem – I never really thought about the lyrics much except to have always considered them to be just a bit depressing. “Should auld (old) acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind”. There are many old acquaintances that I truly care to remember and remain acquainted with. Those who are no longer here, the reminiscence can be rife with sadness, yet oddly comforting. Some whom have gone on and many whom still remain in our lives, of course, don’t always bring happy memories.

Greet Someone Different Than You

Several years ago, we attended a fabulous Kirk Franklin concert on New Year’s Day. Mr. Franklin talked about saying hello to someone you didn’t know, as well as not taking certain people into the new year with us. Truth be told, there are certain folks I don’t care to take into the next minute with me. Getting rid of toxicity in our lives can often be the best resolution we can make – heartbreaking as it can be, sometimes a clean break is for the best.

Forgive, But Not Forget…

The Lord teaches us to forgive, but forgiveness does not mean to carry another person’s bad behavior with us through the coming months. Let bygones be bygones but do so with wisdom – maybe that is what this song is trying to communicate. When our hearts are heavily burdened, it’s time for a spiritual and emotional renewal.

Those who Forgot History, Doomed Us to Repeat It

The phrase, “Let go and let God” comes to mind, however, as we enter 2025 we are forced to take “The Donald” with us, much to the disappointment of many of us. With 49.5 per cent of the vote it is clear Trump did not receive a mandate to do anything. Less than half the electorate chose a repeat term of terror by the orange-haired former “occupant” of the Oval Office; but we must endure in resistance with the help and hope of the Lord. We will “take a cup of kindness yet” and have a stiff drink from it, as we offer God’s grace and walk away from those that don’t enrich our lives, because self-care has style…

 

24 Things to be Thankful For

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24 Things to be Thankful ForJust because Trump was re-elected we still have much to be thankful for.

24 Things to be Thankful For

By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel

A Sad Day

Thanksgiving 2024 was a very sad day for so many of us. It’s unbelievable that Donald Trump has once again been elected president of the United States. But despite that despicable result, we still have many things to be thankful for. I was heartbroken hearing a favorite and familiar hymn being sung by right-wing conservative fundamentalists, when Trump received the number of electoral votes to win the election.

Blasphemy

I do still question the legitimacy of this outcome, and intend to fight back by joining in any and all peaceful protests against “The Donald” and JD Vance. As a devout liberal Christian of Jewish heritage, I found the singing of this hymn for Trump’s “win” to be blasphemous.

In This Storm

I do find comfort, however, in the lyrics of one of my favorite Christian contemporary songs by the very talented CCM recording artists “Casting Crowns”. For almost the past two decades “Praise You in this Storm” has brought me comfort. I am not sure where this band stands politically, but the music brings me hope. “Although my heart is torn, I will praise you in this Storm”. I do believe that God is in control, but I will always vehemently disagree with anyone supporting the orange monster, even those I care about.

24 Reasons

But there are things to be yet thankful for in the holiday season. I want to offer encouragement to our saddened world this holiday season, so here are my twenty four things to be thankful for in ‘24…

  1. I am thankful for loved ones, including my furbabies.
  2. I am thankful that while we celebrate the conclusion of this year that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are still in office.
  3. I am thankful for the Lincoln Project.
  4. I am thankful that we can still put a turkey on the table this Thanksgiving before we have one in the White House again. My spouse feels calling Trump a turkey is an insult to the mean, cantankerous, stupid fowl, but it’s a far less insulting term than the ones I usually reserve for the Donald.
  5. I am thankful for Harris-Walz, and the honest campaign they ran.
  6. I am thankful for Democrats and our fight to retain democracy against the “dictator from day one”.
  7. I am thankful for certain Republicans like Liz Cheney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and others that actually voted against Trump.
  8. I am thankful for Mary Trump.
  9. I am thankful for feminist pride.
  10. I am thankful for every woman that did not die from miscarriages and lack of health care before the extremist “anti-abortion” laws, and I am broken hearted for those who perished at the hands of the tyrant Trump.
  11. I am thankful to currently live in a free democracy.
  12. I am thankful for the right to vote, and hope to continue living in our nation as I pray it remains a free country.
  13. I am thankful for necessary government programs that benefit the disabled, children, and seniors, but will I be able to say this next Thanksgiving? I hope so, but I am not holding my breath.
  14. I am thankful for those willing to fight for our freedom – our military will never be “suckers” or “losers”, no matter what the immoral orange haired monster calls them.
  15. I am thankful that I live in a state with a very strong Democratic governor.
  16. I am thankful for the many women that I have stood with over the years that fought for equality – we still won’t go back.
  17. I am thankful for COVID vaccines that President Biden made available after the Donald wrecked our economy and cost thousands to lose their lives with the mishandling of the pandemic.
  18. I am thankful the pandemic is over and we can finally manage COVID, thank you again to the Biden administration, as well as Dr. Fauci and all those who worked tirelessly to slow down and stop the pandemic.
  19. I am thankful for my neighbors that have immigrated to our nation in hopes of a better life or to be with family, but will they be deported?
  20. Although I am not diabetic, I am thankful for insulin being capped at $35 for those who do need it.
  21. I am thankful that no one’s cats or dogs were actually eaten – that rumor was started by a racist crazy man whose lemmings voted him unbelievably into office again.
  22. I am thankful that I am a childless cat lady that proudly voted for Kamala Harris and will continue to show my love for children and furbabies in my own ways, joining the many women who although are not mothers per se, are vital and strong without the approval of Mr. Vance.
  23. I am thankful I don’t use any of JD Vance’s hair products – I thought Brill Cream went out in the 1960’s.
  24. I am thankful that I won’t be purchasing blasphemous books that I simply can’t refer to as God’s Word signed by Trump (the Bible in no way needs his endorsement), or the bevy of Trumpy souvenirs this holiday season. My fireplace just isn’t big enough for MAGA hats and hideous gold sneakers, or worse yet Trumpy Bear (and burning those hats, sneakers, or “bear” would be toxic)…

In Conclusion

I would be very thankful to see Trump sentenced to prison for his 34 felonies this week. That would be a holiday miracle to benefit the greater good. Yes, our hearts are certainly torn up for sure, but we must not give up hope. Happy Trump-free holiday season for everyone. In closing, thanks to our current Biden Harris administration for the second year in a row the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner cost less than in previous years. Be blessed and stay safe everyone…

 

Cosmo, The Talking Crow Comes To Town

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Cosmo, The Talking Crow Comes To Town 

Introducing Cosmos. The talkative crow from Oregon.

Cosmo, The Talking Crow Comes To Town

Editors Note: While I was scrounging around looking for a Thanksgiving story I came across the story of Cosmo the Talking Crow that I reported on back in 2021. Cosmo (or maybe it’s Connie) brought a smile to a lot of people’s faces. So here, once again, is Cosmo’s story of a bad Thanksgiving vacation.

 

Oregon State Police called in on a foul mouthed crow 

By D. S. Mitchell

Down State Noise
Normally, the goings on in Grant’s Pass, Oregon, never gain the attention of the big city folks of Portland, Seattle, or LA.   Last week however, we here on the west coast got a bit of a smile as we learned about the antics of a rogue, rough talking, four letter word tossing, crow.  You read that right.  A crow. As the story goes, out of the blue a friendly, albeit attention seeking crow, showed up in town.  According to reports the first place the crow was spotted was on top of the Planet Fitness building, where he would talk to people entering and exiting the facility. Drawing both laughter and a raised finger or two.
Moving On
Apparently dissatisfied with the Planet Fitness digs our talkative and colorfully articulate bird looked around for friendlier faces.  He seemed to find what he was looking for when he found the Allen Dale Elementary School in late November.  It didn’t take long before he was the resident mascot. The news became public when Naomi Imel, an assistant at the school called in the story to the Oregonian on 12/09/2021. Lizzie  Acker 503-221-8052, lacker@Oregonian.com was the featured reporter who followed up on the feathered friend story.

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You Might Be a Woman of a Certain Age

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More of the Famous, “You Might be a Woman of a Certain Age”. . . 

More of "Women of a Certain Age."

More of the Famous “You Might be a Woman of a Certain Age”…

By Cate Rees-Hessel

  1. If you ever had clear plastic enclosed furniture and got stuck to it while wearing hot pants, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  2. If you wore Charlie perfume when it originally came out, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  3. If you know Youth Dew Bath Oil came before the perfume, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  4. If you know what Youth Dew is and who still makes it, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  5. If you ever used Tinkerbell cologne, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  6. If you ever used Tinkerbell wash-off nail polish, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  7. If you had a little doll in a plastic perfume bottle, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  8. If you ever had a Dawn doll, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  9. If you ever had a Chrissy doll, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  10. If you had an original Alan or Midge doll, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  11. If you remember Growing Up Skipper – yes, her boobs grew (see the ”Barbie” movie for a demonstration), you might be a woman of a certain age…
  12. If you know who Spike the dog is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  13. If you know who Dennis Rodman is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  14. If you know what Terry Bradshaw’s occupation was before he became an actor, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  15. If you had day of the week panties, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  16. If you are ready to throw your Spanx at Sir Tom Jones, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  17. If you are ready to throw your Depends at Sir Tom Jones, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  18. If you are ready to throw yourself at Sir Tom Jones, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  19. If you ever had a beeper, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  20. If you watched Saturday morning cartoons growing up, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  21. If you ever ran through the sprinkler as a child, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  22. If you ever caught fireflies and put them in jar with blades of grass and a metal lid with punched holes, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  23. If you ever went berry picking, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  24. If you remember Mr. Ed or Here’s Lucy, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  25. If you ever had a metal glider on your porch, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  26. If you had a wicker laundry hamper with a flower accent, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  27. If you ever had a rubber bathing cap with a brightly-colored flower, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  28. If you ever had wax lips or bottles with a sugary beverage in them, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  29. If you ever chose your Christmas presents from the Sears Wish Book, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  30. If you ever shopped at Sears, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  31. If you ever shopped at Radio Shack, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  32. If you ever shopped at Zayre or Venture, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  33. If you ever ate a breakfast brownie from a box, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  34. If you ever had a Swanson frozen dinner with the metal tray, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  35. If you ever had a little tub of ice cream with a flat wooden spoon, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  36. If you ever had orange drink in a miniature milk carton, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  37. If you or your child ever had a baby crib with an animal applique, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  38. If you ever had an original Spirograph, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  39. If you ever had an original Lite Brite, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  40. If you ever spent any Saturday nights at Blockbuster, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  41. If you know who the Great Pumpkin is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  42. If you ever saw a flashing blue light right after hearing, “Attention K-Mart shoppers…”, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  43. If you ever consumed Sugar Babies, Bazooka, Mary Janes, Lemonhead, or Chico Sticks, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  44. If you ever called a radio station to play your request and dedication on the air, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  45. If you know who Casey Kasem is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  46. If you know who Wolfman Jack is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  47. If you know what musical House of WAXX is from, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  48. If you ever met the Flintstones or the Jetsons, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  49. If you ever smelled Jovan Musk Oil, English Leather, High Karate, or Aqua Velva, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  50. If you know Mikey hated everything, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  51. If you ever had Jiffy Pop, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  52. If you ever owned an avocado green electric fry pan, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  53. If you ever repaired a run in your stocking with clear nail polish, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  54. If you ever wore a Frank Mazzendrea design, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  55. If you ever wore an original Norma Kamali garment made of sweatsuit fabric, you might be a woman of a certain age…

Donald Trump: It Should Have Ended Then and There

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Donald Trump:

It Should Have Ended Then and There

Trump is a destroyer not a builder

Donald Trump:

It Should Have Ended Then and There…

By Cate Rees-Hessel and Wes Hessel

  1. When Donald Trump announced his original run for the White House; June nine years ago, and we all thought it was a joke, it should have ended then and there…
  2. When he got the nomination in 2016, it should have ended then and there…
  3. When the Donald made fun of a disabled journalist, it should have ended then and there…
  4. When Trump bragged he “grabbed ‘em by the p_____”, it should have ended then and there…
  5. When Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, it should have ended then and there…
  6. When the orange haired monster talked about a military parade that only dictators do (of course, it was just one more thing the Donald didn’t follow through on), it should have ended then and there…
  7. When the Donald completely mismanaged the pandemic causing catastrophic loss of life, it should have ended then and there…
  8. When he told the nation to drink bleach, it should have ended then and there…
  9. When the orange buffoon touted the unproven and ineffective anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for COVID, it should have ended then and there…
  10. When he promoted ivermectin, a drug primarily used to deworm animals like horses and is unsafe for humans, it should have ended then and there…
  11. When he said the windmills cause cancer, it should have ended then and there…
  12. When Trump claimed the Continental Army “took over the airports” during the Revolutionary War, it should have ended then and there…
  13. When he held a Bible upside down outside of a church that has he does not attend, it should have ended then and there…
  14. When he began selling autographed Bibles and a bevy of of other merchandise to his loyal followers, it should have ended then and there…
  15. January 6th, it should have ended then and there…
  16. When he was impeached twice, it should have ended then and there…
  17. When the orange marmalade was indicated, it should have ended then and there…
  18. When he was convicted on thirty-four felony counts, it should have ended then and there…
  19. When he claimed to be better looking than the beautiful (soon to be our next president) Kamala Harris, it should have ended then and there…
  20. When he “took a bullet” and only wore a bandage during rallies but not while golfing, claiming that his getting shot proves he is not a threat to democracy (Does anyone else stand with me that the bullet he took was a set up? Adolph Hitler faked his own assassination attempt…), it should have ended then and there…
  21. When he orchestrated the overturning Roe v. Wade, it should have ended then and there…
  22. When he bragged about overturning Roe v. Wade while woman are bleeding to death in their cars from miscarriages, it should have ended then and there…
  23. When he ran again after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, it should have ended then and there…
  24. When he got the Republican nomination despite being a convicted felon, it should have ended then and there…
  25. When he promised a “bloodbath”, it should have ended then and there…
  26. When Donny boy insisted Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, who are legally in the United States, are eating dogs and cats, it should have ended then and there…
  27. When he chose JD Vance as his running mate, it should have ended then and there…
  28. When he refused to release his tax records during his 2016 campaign, it should have ended then and there…
  29. When he claimed the 2020 election was stolen from him despite a record number of votes against him, it should have ended then and there…
  30. When Trump, the oldest candidate to seek the presidency, is slurring his words, speaking completely out of his mind more than usual, it should have ended then and there…
  31. When Project 2025 came to light, it should have ended then and there…
  32. After Trumpty Dumpty was not reelected but was giving Putin confidential pandemic information, it should have ended then and there…
  33. When the boxes of classified information were found in the bathroom at Mar-A-Lago, it should have ended then and there…
  34. The fact the Donald lies more than he breathes, it should have ended then and there…
  35. When we learned his abnormal and horrifying fascination with dictators, it should have ended then and there…
  36. When he made a promise to be a dictator from day one if he were to get another term, it should have ended then and there…
  37. When Trump told MAGA right wing “Christians” they will never need to vote again, it should have ended then and there…
  38. When conservative Republicans began to jump ship, it should have ended then and there…
  39. When he called our military members who made the ultimate sacrifice “suckers and losers”, it should have ended then and there…
  40. When The Donald tried to take credit for the $35.00 monthly insulin Biden and Harris arranged for seniors, it should have ended then and there…
  41. When he said “Do you want the black president or the white president, I think they want the white guy”, it should have ended then and there…
  42. When Trumpty Dumpty said black people can relate to him because he is now a felon, it should have ended then and there…
  43. When his plan is to tax ninety-five percent of the middle class more and give billionaires a tax break, it should have ended then and there…
  44. When the “My Pillow guy” and Elon Musk are his buddies, it should have ended then and there…
  45. When he called the intelligent and mentally astute former prosecutor and Vice President Kamala Harris “retarded” and a “low IQ individual” at one of his recent fundraisers, it should have ended then and there…

It will finally end with a vote for Harris-Walz on November 5th, 2024. The Mango Mussolini’s reign of terror will finally end, and despite what the MAGA say, America will continue to be great. Every woman, man, non-binary gender, LGBTQ+ community member, other minority, each of those in drag and childless cat ladies must vote. Racism and bigotry must end, antisemitism must end, gun violence must end – hate will finally begin to end. Democrats and Republicans alike must vote and vote blue. Thank you, Joe Biden, for all you have done to heal our nation and bring us our next president – our first female VP and soon our first female biracial president. We are not going back. When we fight, we win. God bless America…

You Might Just Be A Childless Cat Lady

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You Might Just Be A Childless Cat Lady

JD Vance's comments about childless cat ladies is abhorrent.

You Might Just Be a Childless Cat Lady

By Cate Rees-Hessel

We need the childless cat ladies’ vote in this important 2024 election. Here are twenty-four reasons you might just be one of us ladies:

  1. If you realize your own worth, you might just be a (childless) cat lady…
  2. If you own adorable feline(s) and/or canine(s) and treat them like children because they are your furbabies, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  3. If you show your love for children in other ways: auntie, teacher, foster parent and so forth, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  4. If you understand the pain of infertility but still support reproductive freedom, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  5. If you hiss, growl, and instinctively put claws out when you hear the names JD Vance or Donald Trump, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  6. If you proudly support Momola Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  7. If you realize what a complete moron JD Vance is, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  8. If you love a good cat reel or meme, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  9. If you dressed as Catwoman at the last costume party you attended, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  10. If you support animal welfare organizations, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  11. If you recognize locker room talk for the abuse it is, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  12. If you can’t be grabbed – we have claws and we’re not afraid to use them, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  13. If you will donate kitty litter to the next Trump rally, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  14. If you believe in woman’s rights, equal pay, ERA, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  15. If you despise sexism, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  16. If you want the world to be a better place for all daughters, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  17. If you believe in sisterhood, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  18. If you read Cat magazine, not National Affairs, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  19. If the sight of the Donald makes you want to cough up a hairball, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  20. If you want all children male or female to thrive, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  21. If you are a Democrat, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  22. If you wish you had a ball of string to strangle the Trumpy Bear that’s been advertised on television, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  23. If you bought a Trumpy Bear for your cat to use as a scratching post or chew toy, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  24. If you can be a playful kitty when the mood strikes, you might just be a childless cat lady…

Come on childless cat ladies, we can meow with the best of them. Our votes count, our lives have meaning, and frankly we are as cute as kittens…

Questionable Health Care Habits

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Questionable Health Care Habits
Readers Digest offers some suggestions when kissing your dog and other questionable habits.Questionable Health Care Habits 

 

D.S. Mitchell

Bored

While I was waiting to get my oil changed, I tired of playing cell phone solitaire and began to search through stacks of magazines in the waiting area. I soon found the September 2024 Reader’s Digest, and  Rosemary Counter’s terrific article on our many loathsome, unclean, and totally disgusting behaviors that we should probably stop doing.  The title of the piece was, “Do You Kiss Your Dog?” I’ll do a short recap of the article but I suggest you find the original article and read it, Rosemary is much funnier than I am.

Best By

Just because it says “best if used by” such and such date, does not mean the product is any less flavorful if used after the highlighted date. An item may not be at  peak favor but still safe to eat. Remember you can’t always trust your eyes or your sense of smell. It you are seriously concerned about how long the item has been hiding at the back of the refrigerator throw it away, or check out the FDA website for specific guidelines.

Cutting Corners

1). I know you’ve done it. The package of cheddar cheese has a blemish (mold) and you just cut it off. It seems, according to experts, that if there is some mold growing on cured meats and hard cheeses its probably just fine to cut off the area that shows the mold and serve it to your family, no harm done. However, with soft, more porous cheeses like Brue and Feta, or soft produce like strawberries it is best to throw the item away.

Kissing the Dog

2). According to Rosemary’s article more than 61% of dog owners admit to kissing their dogs on the mouth. I love my fur baby but no way to this one. I’ve watched, I know where that tongue has been and I sure don’t want any of those leftovers inside me. Despite the need to bond with your animal there is a good chance such face to face loving will result in an animal-to-human spread of disease. Pasteurella the source of skin inflammation and joint infections, Salmonella (stomach cramps, fever) and E. coli (diarrhea, blood stream infections) are rampant, not to mention the chance of passing you a parasite.

The Five Second Rule

3). We are all familiar with the five second rule.  If it’s on the floor for less than five seconds it is safe to eat. Stop. If you drop a cookie, a piece of candy, do not pick it up and eat it. Instead, throw it away. Thinking about where your shoes have been in the last couple weeks should be be enough to make you rethink the wisdom of eating any item of food that has landed on the floor for five seconds or for any length of time.

Orphaned Water Bottles

4). Orphaned water bottles. We all have one or two reusable water bottles hanging around, either at the bottom of our gym bag or on the backseat of the car. You’ve rinsed it out but it never gets properly scrubbed. So adding fresh water to that reusable bottle probably isn’t a wise idea, even in a pinch, if you plan on drinking from it. “The inside of that bottle is like a dirty aquarium,” Ms. Counter tells us, “it is filled with viable microorganisms. Perhaps the microorganisms from your mouth’s backwashed flora won’t hurt you but foreign bacteria can sneak into the bottle and multiply.” A water bottle sitting in the car for a few hours becomes a veritable petri dish for microscopic bugs to thrive in. Porous plastic bottles are the most hospitable to bacteria; so it’s best to opt for glass or stainless steel. Whatever you end up drinking from, please wash it every day or two in the dishwasher or with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water.

Wash Those Hands

5). What we do outside our homes is often very different from what we do behind closed doors. Handwashing is one of those behaviors. We consciously scrub those hands when we are in a public bathroom, but at home we often neglect the serious scrubbing, after all the germs are my own, right? “Even microbes you already harbor can balloon if your immune system is busy fighting something else,” Rosemary Counter warns us. So, scrub those hands like you are in a public restroom.

Peeing in the Shower

6). It has happened to all of us. The warm running water stimulates the bladder to contract, causing a sudden urgency and there’s no stopping the inevitable. Urine is normally sterile and it’s going straight down the drain so there should be no problem. What about public swimming pools, where we know everyone is peeing in the water. Expert’s tell us to be more afraid of swimming in fresh water lakes or rivers that are filled with fish waste and bacteria. The often suspect public swimming pools are loaded with chlorine and the vast amount of water dilutes most human secretions to safe levels.

Pimple Popping

7). Thank God, I’m past picking and popping pimples. Fortunately, I rarely had a bump or a pimple to deal with when I was younger, but when I did have an eruption it was always in the same spot on my chin. It’s a miracle there isn’t a huge scar in that spot on my chin.  Rosemary suggests that you remember every popped pimple is an open wound where evil bacteria can start a skin infection like impetigo, or a yeast based fungus like candida, or God forbid an abysses requiring anti-biotics or surgical drainage.

Toothbrush Sharing

8). If I thought kissing my dog on the lips was totally disgusting; the suggestion that sharing toothbrushes with someone, even my husband/lover, actually happens, literally curled my toes. Yikes. My mom told me my mouth was the dirtiest thing ever, and I believed her. I swear I wouldn’t share my toothbrush with ANYONE. Toothbrushes are easy to come by, you can pick up one anywhere, even the front desk at the hotel. If for some reason you are in an oral hygiene desert, don’t reach for the other guy’s toothbrush, just rinse your mouth with mouthwash or water. Everyone has their own unique delicate bacteria balance, using someone else’s toothbrush can expose you to flu, colds, and even herpes.

Well now that you know the truth about how germs can find there way into our bodies it might be a smart idea to change some of our questionable hygiene habits.

 

Why I Am With Her

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Why I Am With Her

The United States is a bi-racial country. The diversity is what makes us strong.

Why I Am With Her

By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel

 

The Democratic National Convention has been celebrating all week in Chicago at McCormick Place and United Center.  A sincere thank you to President Biden for all he has done to heal and restore our nation, as well as giving us our first female VP. I stand with Kamala Harris and can’t wait to call her Madame President, since we were robbed of the opportunity in 2016 when Hilary Clinton won the popular vote. We fondly remember the legacy laid by Shirley Chisholm and Geraldine Ferraro as we move forward with this year’s election.

I feel a great sense of pride that my city is hosting the Democratic Convention. Especially this week we ladies are featuring pearls and Converse shoes. Of course, we also have to watch where we walk – there’s glass everywhere on our streets from another proverbial ceiling being shattered… So for the 2024 election, here are 24 reasons that I am with her, our Vice-President, as our candidate for President of the United States:

  1. To save social security, I am with her…
  2. To protect children, I am with her…
  3. To protect women’s rights, I am with her…
  4. To protect reproductive freedom – not because I want to see woman have abortions but because I want to protect both woman and children, I am with her…
  5. To preserve the middle class, so everyone can live with dignity, I am with her…
  6. To protect health care, I am with her…
  7. To cut down on crime, I am with her, the successful prosecutor…
  8. To pass common sense gun laws and prevent violence, I am with her…
  9. To put food on the table and in the mouths of children, I am with her…
  10. To continue the work of President Biden, I am with her…
  11. To continue the work of President Obama, I am with her…
  12. To protect unions, I am with her…
  13. To protect basic human rights, I am with her…
  14. To bring forth affordable housing, imagine 3 new housing units in four years, I am with her…
  15. To govern as a democracy, not a dictatorship, I am with her…
  16. To protect education-not student loans, I am with her…
  17. To prevent predatory lending practices, I am with her…
  18. To eradicate racism, I am with her…
  19. To stop sexism, I am with her…
  20. To stop antisemitism, I am with her…
  21. To serve the American people, not big business, I am with her…
  22. To address climate change, not pretend it doesn’t exist, I am with her…
  23. To prevent a convicted felon from stepping back in the Oval Office that he never belonged in to begin with, I am with her…
  24. To stand up to the orange haired monster and make history once again, I am with the intelligent, beautiful, strong and compassionate lady, Kamala Harris, in 2024…

Once again, we are reminded of the words the late Helen Reddy sang best:

“I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore

And I know too much to go back an’ pretend

‘Cause I’ve heard it all before

And I’ve been down there on the floor

And no one’s ever gonna keep me down again

 

Yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I’ve gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

 

You can bend but never break me

‘Cause it only serves to make me

More determined to achieve my final goal

And I come back even stronger

Not a novice any longer

‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

 

Yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I’ve gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

 

I am woman, watch me grow

See me standing toe to toe

As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land

But I’m still a little embryo

With such a long, long way to go

Until I make my brother understand

 

Oh yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I’ve gained

If I have to, I can face anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman…”

So this November 5th, or sooner in many districts,  we need a blue wave across the nation, like we did in 2020. President Biden received then the highest number of popular votes in any presidential election in history, which removed Donald Trump from his desecration of the office. We must never let Trump set foot in the White House again; a convicted felon belongs behind bars.

Walz In With Harris

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Walz In With Harris

Harris and Walz are igniting the Democrats

Walz In With Harris

By Wes Hessel with Cate Rees-Hessel

 

A Man of Service

 Our Madame President candidate has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her Vice Presidential partner. The two-term leader of the Land of 10,000 Lakes is also a retired National Guard veteran, a former factory worker, a high school social studies teacher and football coach, and a six consecutive term Congressional Representative. He is originally from the northwest part of Nebraska, then moved with his family to far north central Butte, NE, where they were closer to relatives, after his father’s lung cancer diagnosis. Mr. Walz would graduate from Chadron State College with a bachelor’s in social science education.

 A Teacher

After a year as an instructor in Guangdong, China, through WorldTeach, his first teaching job in  the U.S. was back in northwest Nebraska at Alliance. Here he met Gwen Whipple, a fellow teacher, marrying her in 1994. Together then they helmed an organization called Educational Travel Adventures, arranging high school student educational summer trips to China, until 2003. In 1996, the couple relocated to Mrs.’ Walz’s home state of Minnesota, settling in Mankato. Tim received his educational leadership masters there in 2001.

A Veteran

In the meantime, Mr. Walz had been in the National Guard since he turned 17. In 2001 he reached 20 years of service and intended to retire, but re-enlisted after the September 11 attacks. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom, he deployed to Italy with his unit for a posting as part of the European Security Force. Command Sergeant Major Walz was for a short time the senior enlisted member of his 1st Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard’s 125th Field Artillery Regiment. He retired in May 2005 with the rank of master sergeant.

A Six-Term Congress Member…

His 2005 retirement was in anticipation of his run for Congress. His decision to run for office came after he worked as a volunteer for the presidential campaign for John Kerry. In February 2005, Mr. Walz filed to run for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District House seat. In 2006,  Walz beat six-term entrenched Republican Gil Gutknecht  and was off to Congress. Tim Walz was the highest ranking (retired) non-commissioned service member to ever enter Congress.

Multiple Significant Committees

One month into his first term, Congressman Walz became a member of the Agriculture Committee, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This required a special waiver from then-Speaker Pelosi, exempting Tim from the rule preventing most freshman representatives from serving on more than two congressional committees. Later that same year he added the Armed Services Committee to his responsibilities. After twelve years of service as a member of Congress, he was the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where he was continually working hard for our veterans.  It was then that Walz returned home to Minnesota and throw his hat into the governor’s race. In 2022, he beat his Republican opponent by nearly 8 percentage points.

A Governor

During his most recent term as Minnesota’s governor, he signed into law bills which provided students with free lunches (a program he wants to make national), instituted universal gun background checks, codified abortion rights, and implemented free college tuition for low-income families. His policy positions have been described as ranging from moderate to progressive.

A Family Man

Personally, Tim and Gwen have a daughter Hope, who is a social worker for a homeless shelter, and a 17 year old son, Gus, who has, as they told People Magazine, “…a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder — all conditions that they call his ‘secret power.’” Mr. Walz has been a hunter since high school, and is a gun owner, but is a strong advocate for gun control.

An Awesome Vice Presidential Candidate

Walz is a stellar candidate for the office of Vice-President of the United States of America. We all need to strive to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz this coming November. Vote Blue.