Be the Light

By Darlene Mitchell November 23, 2024 November 23, 2024 Anxiety, Depression, Elizabeth Gilbert

Be the Light

Editor: I rarely reprint anything from the internet on this site. I believe the first time was a heart warming story about a blind horse who had a horse friend that would warn her of dangers and guide her to the field and back to the barn each night. The second is a the story by author journalist, Elizabeth Gilbert, about a bus driver who was willing to take his passengers’ problems and dispose of them. If you want to be inspired, here you go.

By Elizabeth Gilbert

Rush Hour

Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus in New York City during rush hour. Traffic was barely moving. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated with one another, with the world itself. Two men barked at each other about a shove that might or might not have been intentional. A pregnant woman got on, and nobody offered her a seat. Rage was in the air; no mercy would be found here.

I’ll Take Those Problems

But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. “Folks,” he said, “I know you have had a rough day and you are frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here is what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight, just leave them with me. My route goes right by the Hudson River, and when I drive by there later, I will open the window and throw your troubles in the water.”

Delight

It was as if a spell had lifted. Everyone burst out laughing. Faces gleamed with surprised delight. People who had been pretending for the past hour not to notice each other’s existence were suddenly grinning at each other like, is this guy serious?

Oh, He was Serious.

At the next stop, just as promised, the driver reached out his hand, palm up, and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm. Some people laughed as they did this, some teared up but everyone did it.

Longing for the Light

The driver repeated the same lovely ritual at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.

We live in a hard world, my friends. Sometimes it is extra difficult to be a human being. Sometimes you have a bad day. Sometimes you have a bad day that lasts for several years. You struggle and fail. You lose jobs, money, friends, faith, and love. You witness horrible events unfolding in the news, and you become fearful and withdrawn. There are times when everything seems cloaked in darkness. You long for the light but don’t know where to find it.

Be the Light

But what if you are the light? What if you are the very agent of illumination that a dark situation begs for?. That’s what this bus driver taught me, that anyone can be the light, at any moment. This guy wasn’t some big power player. He wasn’t a spiritual leader. He wasn’t some media-savvy influencer. He was a bus driver, one of society’s most invisible workers. But he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully for our benefit.

You Can Change Someone’s Day

When life feels especially grim, or when I feel particularly powerless in the face of the world’s troubles, I think of this man and ask myself, What can I do, right now, to be the light? Of course, I can’t personally end all wars, or solve global warming, or transform vexing people into entirely different creatures. I definitely can’t control traffic. But I do have some influence on everyone I brush up against, even if we never speak or learn each other’s name.

All the Way to the River

“No matter who you are, or where you are, or how mundane or tough your situation may seem, I believe you can illuminate your world. In fact, I believe this is the only way the world will ever be illuminated, one bright act of grace at a time, all the way to the river.”

~ Elizabeth Gilbert

Questionable Health Care Habits

By Darlene Mitchell September 1, 2024 September 2, 2024 Disease, Emergency Preparedness, Health/Fitness

Questionable Health Care 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.

THC

By Darlene Mitchell August 25, 2024 August 25, 2024 Marijuana Policy

“You can’t spell health care without THC.”

Well past time to legalize marijuana nationwide. Talk to your legislator, your governor. Let’s get it done.

Why I Am With Her

By Darlene Mitchell August 22, 2024 August 22, 2024 2024 Election, Abortion Pro-Choice, Bigotry, Cate Rees-Hessel, Climate Crisis, Democrats, Donald J. Trump, Douglas Emhoff, Education, Gun Control, Gun Issues, Housing/Homelessness, Human Rights, Immigration, Kamal Harris, Law Enforcement, LGBTQx, Medicaid, Medicare, Palestinians, Politics, Public Health, Senior & Elderly Issues, Social Issues, Student Loan Debt, U.S. Constitution, Wes Hessel, Women's Rights

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:

To save social security, I am with her…
To protect children, I am with her…
To protect women’s rights, I am with her…
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…
To preserve the middle class, so everyone can live with dignity, I am with her…
To protect health care, I am with her…
To cut down on crime, I am with her, the successful prosecutor…
To pass common sense gun laws and prevent violence, I am with her…
To put food on the table and in the mouths of children, I am with her…
To continue the work of President Biden, I am with her…
To continue the work of President Obama, I am with her…
To protect unions, I am with her…
To protect basic human rights, I am with her…
To bring forth affordable housing, imagine 3 new housing units in four years, I am with her…
To govern as a democracy, not a dictatorship, I am with her…
To protect education-not student loans, I am with her…
To prevent predatory lending practices, I am with her…
To eradicate racism, I am with her…
To stop sexism, I am with her…
To stop antisemitism, I am with her…
To serve the American people, not big business, I am with her…
To address climate change, not pretend it doesn’t exist, I am with her…
To prevent a convicted felon from stepping back in the Oval Office that he never belonged in to begin with, I am with her…
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.

Women of a Certain Age-Yet Again…

By Darlene Mitchell August 2, 2024 August 2, 2024 Cate Rees-Hessel, Genetics and Migration Routes, Humor, Useless Information

Women of a Certain Age – Yet Again…

Women of a Certain Age-Yet Again…

By Cate Rees-Hessel

If you had a latch hook shag rug in colors of orange, yellow, and chocolate brown, you might be a woman of a certain age…
If you had a macrame plant hanger and a bead curtain in your first apartment…
If you remember some of the shows on “When Radio Was” when they originally ran…
If you know exactly what “You’ll shoot your eye out” means…
If you ever sent or received a telegram…
If you read Dennis the Menace or Mary Worth comic strips in a print newspaper…
If you still read and enjoy a print newspaper…
If you wore puka shells…
If you used Short and Sassy shampoo and conditioner…
If you remember the advertisement that read, “The only important things you wear are your jeans and your hair”…
If you remember “Curlers in your hair, shame on you”…
If you own curlers that don’t heat up or plug in…
If your boyfriend had a Mustang muscle car…
If you know who “Marsha, Marsha, Marsha” is…
If you ever ate in a Pizza Hut with a salad bar…
If you recall when bell bottoms and platform shoes were in fashion…
If you ever bought a cup of coffee for a quarter, or even 50 cents…
If you remember “You deserve a break today” and “At McDonald’s, it’s clean” commercials…
If you ever got change back from a dollar at McDonald’s…
If you ever shopped at a five and dime store…
If you know what a five and dime store is…
If you ever ate at a Woolworth restaurant…
If you remember the original dollar stores…
If you paid six dollars for your first concert ticket…
If you ever wore gloves and a hat on a regular basis…
If you remember Woodstock the concert, not just the bird…
If you remember “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want too…you’d cry too if it happened to you”…
If you still own leg warmers and a double skinny belt…
If you miss big hair, beehives and Aquanet…
If you long for Dippity Do and DEP…
If you ever used a hairspray called FREEZE…
If you owned a smocked tunic top to wear over jeans…
If you still wear Jean Nate body splash…
If you still wear Sweet Honesty perfume…
If you ever used Youth Dew bath oil…
If you still use Prell Shampoo…
If you love a good “Skybar”…
If you know what a “Skybar” is…
If you still bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan (of course, the bacon you bring home is still less than your male counterpart)…
If you saw an Alfred Hitchcock film in a theater…
If you remember theaters that had only one screen…
If you would give anything for a Tab on ice…
If you know what a Tab is…
If a flower behind your ear was an elegant touch…
If you know the lyrics to all the Carol King and Carol Bayer Sager songs…
If you remember original Orange Julius drinks and Dilly Bars…
If you know exactly what “One Adam Twelve” means…
If you support and respect the older gentleman that authored the Violence Against Women Act and gave us our first female VP…
If Dr. Jill Biden is your role model…
If you weathered the rain and the sun marching for Girls in Sports, reproductive freedom, and ERA…

Older and Wiser

By Darlene Mitchell July 22, 2024 July 23, 2024 2024 Election, Democrats, Health/Fitness, Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Modern Life, Personalities, Political Parties, Positive Vibes, Psychology, Social Issues, Staying healthy, Wes Hessel

Older and Wiser

By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel

The Last 3 Weeks

The last three weeks have been torturous for Democrats. Joe Biden, one of the greatest presidents of the last 100 years has been under fire because he’s old. The drumbeat to pass the torch to the next generation became too loud to ignore and he has stepped down and endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris. Well, we just wanted to remind folks that many people do their best work well into their 80’s.

Age is Just a Number…

Folks in their 70’s, 80’s, and beyond are still going strong. Here are 80 examples of individuals still rockin’ it; capable, determined, and resilient:

Betty White was entertaining audiences until the age of 99 – this Golden Girl let nothing stop her.
Dick Van Dyke – still vital and funny at 98.
Carol Burnett – still as lovely as ever and doing MeTV promos at age 91.
Barbara Eden – pretty as a picture at 92.
Mary Kaye Ash – was still keeping her skin care empire in the pink at 83.
Patrick Stewart – as sexy as can be and still captain of his ship at age 84.
Engelbert Humperdinck still has the pipes to croon the most romantic songs and tour at 88.
Kent McCord (Jim Reed on “Adam-12”) at 81 is still doing voice overs, and involved in the Screen Actors Guild; he and his bride have been married 62 years.
Clara Peller – she brought us the iconic “Where’s the Beef?” line forty years ago, starting her acting career at the age of 81; prior to that she was a manicurist and beautician for 35 years.
Eric Estrada – as handsome as ever, still acting, and assisting law enforcement to help keep children safe at age 75.
Robert Redford – good looking and active activist at the age of 87; as part of his very lengthy resume, he had a role in two Marvel films, the most recent in 2019.
Randolph Mantooth, age 78, and Kevin Tighe, 79 – they continue to advocate for EMS and paramedicine, which their acting work helped create, and recently were working on producing a paramedic reality show.
Rick Springfield – sexy, handsome and tearing up concert stages at age 74
Angela Lansbury – was still acting, beautiful, and elegant at age 97 before she passed away in 2022.
Julie Andrews – beautiful, regal, and still going strong at 88.
Carol King – the phenomenal lady is still lovely and melodic, entertaining audiences at 82.
Barbara Hale – known to many as Della Street, was still very vital at age 94.
Della Reese – an ordained minister and actress until age 86.
Anthony Fauci – now age 83, sustained us through the COVID crisis; director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for 38 years until 2022.
Jonas Salk – director of the virus research lab at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School when he created the polio vaccine; at his Salk Institute, he was diligently working on an AIDS vaccine until his death at age 80.
Stanley Sacks – at age 100, has been practicing law for 75 years in Norfolk, Virginia.
Warren Buffet – he has complained he doesn’t pay his fair share in taxes; at 92, and has been CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, number 7 on the Fortune 500 list, for nearly 60 years.
Roger Penske at age 84 has been CEO for 25 years at Enterprise Products Partners.
Joe Grier, at 99, is working full time at Victory (a Planter Company), making molds for awards and trophies.
Mike Nussbaum – Had the pleasure of sharing appetizers with him at a Chicago Shakespeare reception; at age 99 he was the oldest working actor in America.
Sara Dappen – per oldest.org, at age 92, finally retired from McDonald’s.
Michelin Star sushi chef Jiro Ono – still active at age 97.
Dolly Saville – at age 99, retired from her work as a barmaid at Britain’s Red Lion Pub.
Jim Clements – in Essex, England, worked in the office of a security firm until age 100.
Irving Kahn – retired from investment banking at age 109.
Eileen Kramer – still dancing as a performing ballerina at age 108 – check her moves out on Youtube; she began dancing over 80 years ago in 1943.
Senator Dianne Feinstein – retired last year at the age of 90.
Walter Bingham – at age 99 was the oldest working journalist, in Israel; a heroic Holocaust survivor.
Governor (Republican) Kay Ivey is running the state of Alabama nearing age 80.
Buddy Guy – still touring, singing the blues at age 88.
Dolly Parton – been performing since 1956, this beautiful lady is 78.
The legendary Victor Borge continued to perform until his passing at age 91, having done so for 83 years.
Magda Olivero – opera diva still belting out arias at 96 years old.
Margaret Tunes – was still singing age 104; an African-American beauty that made her Met debut at age 55.
James Ivory – director and screenwriter; won his Academy Award at age 89 in 2018.
George Takei – strident activist, writer, and actor, 87.
Barry Manilow – sensational singer/songwriter; still touring at age 81.
Pope Francis – living a life worthy of Christ, while overseeing the Catholic Church at 87
Robert Di Nero – actor, including recent Oscar nominee for “Killers of the Flower Moon”, father, and family man, recently on the cover of People Magazine, at 80.
King Charles – monarch of the United Kingdom and cancer fighter at age 75.
Lou Zambelli – at 87, still works 7 days a week at the family fireworks plant of the Zambelli pyrotechnic dynasty, manufacturing custom specialty shells (per the company’s website).
Mel Brooks – still active producer/director at 97 years young.
Quincy Jones – continues to produce music at age 90.
Berry Gordy – producer and Motown founder, still going at 94.
Al Pacino – still sexy as ever at 83.
James Earl Jones – still intoning that signature bass in acting at 93.
David Attenborough – another icon at age 97
Michael Caine – still a silver fox at 90.
Martha Stewart – the lifestyle maven, still creating and absolutely beautiful at 82.
Joan Collins still stunning at 90.
William Shatner – 93 and literally out of this world (in sub-orbital space) just 3 years ago, the oldest person in space.
Kim Novak – still lovely and working at age 91.
The “Hart to Hart” favorites still shine – Stephanie Powers at 81, and Robert Wagner, recently active in a recurring role on “NCIS”, at 94.
Willie Nelson – still making music at 90.
The two remaining of the Fab Four – Ringo Starr, 83 and Paul McCartney, 81.
Gene Hackman – still can hack it at 94.
Rita Moreno – full of energy at age 92.
Morgan Freeman – the legend, active actor at 87.
Gena Rowlands – still full of life at age 93.
Eva Marie Saint – one of my favorite actresses; absolutely beautiful, gracious, and talented at 99.
Clint Eastwood – age 93, ‘nuff said.
The powerhouse pair, Lily Tomlin at 84, and Jane Fonda at 86 – both still activist and actors.
Chuck Norris – 84.
Tippi Hedren – vivacious vigor at age 94.
Bob Newhart – still playing the ultimate straight man at 94.
Robert Duvall – acting at 93.
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are both 80 – still tearing up the stage…
Buzz Aldrin may no longer be in orbit but still active at 94.
Ellen Burton – very pretty and present at age 91.
Joel Grey – still the incomparable man, also at 91.
Ruth Westheimer – continued to prove a good sex life keeps you young, up until her recent passing at age 96.
Senator Bernie Sanders – still advocating for American people at age 82.
Harrison Ford – ever the rakish rogue, now just the silver fox version, continuing his career at 82.
Hellen Mirren – the perennial great actress, who was on the runway during Paris Fashion Week this past October, now 78.
Judi Dench – another ground-breaking female, who had even taken on the classically male role of James Bond’s boss “M”; won an Oscar two years ago, still working at age 89.

Who Would You Rather Run the Nation?

By Darlene Mitchell July 1, 2024 July 1, 2024 2024 Election, Abortion, Black and Brown Issues, Cannabis, Cate Rees-Hessel, Democrats, Domestic Terrorism, Donald J. Trump, Election Interference, Energy Saving Ideas, Gay Issues, Health Care, Human Rights, Joe Biden, Proud Boys, Public Health, Race/Ethnicity, Senior & Elderly Issues, Social Issues, Transgender Issues, Wes Hessel, White Supremacy Movement, Women's Rights

Who Would You Rather Run the Nation?

Editor’s Note: Over the last couple days most of the political talk shows have been rehashing Joe’s poor debate performance. I think it involved terrible optics. Why did his people allow him to be facing away from the camera? Whoever it was on the presidents team that okay’d the studio lighting should be horsewhipped. And the total incompetent that was responsible for Joe’s make up should be fired. So much of what happened was visual. In response to all the negative chatter Cate Rees-Hessel and hubby Wes Hessel wants to have a word with you.

By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel

Winner, and Still Champion…

After the first presidential debate, I must say that I honestly feel President Biden won. Why? Because he actually answered the questions, didn’t whine or insult like a spoiled brat, and he was honest. Would you rather have a slow talker that tells the truth, or a fast-talking felon as president? Yes, it comes down to this.

A Real Leader

Joe had a cold – his voice was a bit soft and raspy, but his answers were solid. He spoke slowly with his stutter, but that has never stopped him from being an effective leader. He has even helped empowered a little boy who has a stammer challenge, because Joe Biden is a good man. He cares about America. Even if you felt his lost his train of thought at times during the debate, many of us need to pause to think in order to give an intelligent answer. Taking a moment to compose yourself is not a sign of weakness, especially when you’re not feeling well from a bad cold – our President got the job done, because he is a professional. “The Donald” was arrogant, spewing the same old hate instead of giving legitimate answers.

Run, Joe, Run…

After the debate, our president said he walks a bit different, does not debate as well, but knows he can continue to run our nation because he is mentally and physically fit. He quipped that he is not a young man – that is stating the obvious – but I truly feel he does not look or act his age at all. When he accepted his victory in 2020, Joe jogged to the podium like a man half his age – that was only four years ago. I can recall President Obama stating that before his presidency he was a much younger man. The office can age a person, but President Biden is still as strong as ever.

Breakfast (Lunch, and Dinner) of Champions

He was on fire when he gave the State of the Union a few months back. One slow talking debate does not mean he is not able to continue being a strong leader. Donald Trump is only three years younger than President Biden. Just look at them – it’s clear Joe is in better shape than Trump, and that’s without the hair and makeup jobs that Trump has used for years. President Biden eats nutritious food, not a diet of junk food; he exercises and does not have the stress of a possible jail sentence like the Donald has.

Running Mate

Joe Biden also has a very capable vice president if Lord forbid something were to happen to him. Kamala Harris is a very capable woman that can run the country well. Trump has not even chosen a running mate – Lord only knows whom our president would be if Trump’s felony convictions or poor diet catch up with him. Rumor has it Marco Rubio may be his choice, and frankly Marco scares me with his extremist mind set and Tea Party-type association.

Just a Number

Age is just a number. Patrick Stewart at 84 is a fine actor, intelligent and powerful and still a little bit sexy. Engelbert Humperdinck is still entertaining audiences live at age 88 with a clear voice, moving about the stage with vigor and grace. Carol Burnett is still on the tube for MTV at 91, and Dick Van Dyke is going strong at 98 years old. And Clint Eastwood is still directing movies at 94. In fact, his recent thriller “Juror #2” should be released around Christmas. The number of capable senior citizens that continue to handle challenging careers is growing.

The Right Choice

I am voting for the silver fox, in the ever so cool Aviators. Joe Biden, is one of the best presidents to ever serve this country. Joe Biden is the first real working man’s president. Joe Biden knows what its like to worry if there will be enough money to make it through the month. He will stand up to terrorists, foreign and domestic. His administration has created a record number of jobs, cares about the environment and women’s rights, including reproductive freedom. Women with unsafe pregnancies that are approaching death’s door before they can get the medical treatment they need, can rely on Joe Biden to save their lives. He will protect the children already on this Earth with nutritious school lunches, quality child and health care.

Clean Up Man

Are prices higher than before Joe Biden took office? Yes, they are because during Trump’s reign of terror, the pandemic raged unchecked, leading to rampant deaths and economic collapse. Americans are back at work now, thanks to the hard work of Joe and Democratic lawmakers, and it’s only a matter of time before prices begin to decline, but only if President Biden remains in office. Trump gives tax breaks to big business and the ultra-wealthy, not caring if Americans can put food on the table.

…vs. Sell His Soul

Maybe you don’t like President Biden, perhaps he is not your first choice for whatever reason, but please recognize he is the only choice, because the alternative(s) is unthinkable: a convicted felon that holds the Bible upside down and then tries to sell them for sixty dollars apiece. A racist that tries to claim a connection to the African American community because he is now a convicted criminal, and wears gold sneakers that he is also peddling. That is the biggest insult to the Black community that I can even imagine. And his claim that immigrants are stealing “black jobs” should outrage us all. And then the rarely mentioned third candidate Robert Kennedy Jr, who is an extremist anti-vaxxer who claims a now dead worm ate a portion of his brain. Oh my. The choice is clear, Joe gets four more years.

What a Leader Looks Like

The real man of God is the one who prayed during his inaugural speech, attends church on a regular basis for worship of the Higher Power, not himself, and does not participate in “locker room talk”. A convicted felon cannot vote, so how can one run for political office? Donald Trump, the person that wants to be president, has lost his right to vote – think about that. He didn’t belong in the Oval Office before, and he certainly does not now.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

President Biden respects women – he wrote the Violence Against Women Act; he respects our military – his son served. He’s created a record number of good jobs, brought unemployment down, is daily working to protect our labor force and our unions. Joe stands up to large corporations, getting them to pay their fair share of taxes. He got insulin capped at $35.00, finally affordable for those that need it to control diabetes. Allowing Medicare (the government) to negotiate drug prices is another big Biden win.

Oh, Sleaze…

Donald Trump brought us the first “lady” with a belly button staple, President Biden brought us a beautiful Doctor of Education, a true lady. There is no doubt about it the Biden’s have brought class and dignity back to the White House. The Trump era had a mice infestation and a chief rat in the Oval Office. Don’t let our nation go back to being the laughingstock we were during the orange monster’s “presidency”. Trump had the audacity during the debate to refer to the Biden era as an embarrassment – this is surely the pot calling the kettle gray. There’s a reason, well, dozens of them, why he wasn’t reelected. Donald Trump promised a bloodbath if he does not win; don’t let that bully scare you, vote blue and the authorities will stop the violence. He promise to be a dictator from day one should on itself be disqualifying.

Democracy in Action

America is a democracy. We have the best economy in the world after the pandemic because Joe Biden took office – he is the clear choice. President Biden promises to stay in the race after this debate, because one debate does not define a President. A record of making a needed infrastructure bill happen, decreasing student loan debt, limiting rent raises for tenants, saving social security for our seniors, these things define a good president. “When you get knocked down, you get back up” – President Biden got right back up; ninety minutes does not define a presidency.

Go, Go, Go, Joe…

I agree with my girl Jill, there is no one I would rather see in the Oval Office than her husband, a President for the people, not a criminal puppet of Vladimir Putin. Let’s go Joe, four more years; there is still more work to be done, and you are the man to do it.

“Go, go, go, Joseph, you know what they say

Hang on now, Joseph, you’ll make it some day

Don’t give up, Joseph, fight till you drop

We’ve read the book, and you come out on top…”

(Go-Go-Go Joseph, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Get Up and Get Moving

By Darlene Mitchell May 12, 2024 May 12, 2024 #sports, D. S. Mitchell, Dangers of Sugar, Depression, Health Care, Health/Fitness, Mental Health, Obesity, Pickleball, Positive Vibes, Sports, Staying healthy, Weight Loss, World Health Organization

Get Up and Get Moving

D. S. Mitchell

Getting Fatter

We hear it every day, our society is becoming more sedentary and with that comes obesity. Many of us spend hours behind a desk at our jobs. We drive our cars to the fast food drive thru, then the bank drive thru, and the pharmacy drive thru, we never even have to get out of our cars. We use our computers to shop, (I love Amazon), without ever leaving the house. With decreased activity people are increasingly complaining of multiple issues including aches and pains, bad knees, obesity, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Too Much

Just like we enjoy eating and drinking too much, we enjoy sitting too much. We are surrounded by cars, snacks, elevators, sugary drinks and fast foods. The problem has become serious enough that the World Health Organization has a new agenda focused on encouraging physical activity. Things are serious when WHO recognizes the problem as a world wide health issue.

Improving Mental Health

A “Black Dog Institute” of Australia study found that 1-2 hours of exercise per week can prevent depression. In addition to improved mental health multiple world-wide studies have shown that vigorous movement can stave off heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, fatigue, diabetes, and even cancer. That should be a hell of a motivator, but sadly it doesn’t seem to be. There could be many reasons for that; but to combat the sitting disease it is necessary to drop all the excuses, find your tennis shoes and go for a walk, sign up for Pickleball at the local park, take a water aerobics class. This exercise thing can be a fun thing.

Sitting Addiction

Our country, and most of the industrialized economies are suffering from a “sitting addiction” which leads in turn to “sitting disease”. Physical inactivity is one of the top 10 causes of disease and disability according to a recent UK government study. That study attributed 1 in 6 deaths to “sitting” which is equal to smoking in that country.

No Other “President” In History

By Darlene Mitchell April 28, 2024 April 28, 2024 Disability, Health Care, Joe Biden, LGBTQx, Mail-In Voting, Politics, Ruminations, Senior & Elderly Issues, Social Issues, Taxes, Trump Impeachment, Trump Insurrection, Volunteer, Voter Suppression, White Supremacy Movement

No Other “President” In History

By Cate Rees-Hessel & Wes Hessel

First Failure

I vowed when Trump took office to never call him “president”. For the sake of this article, I will loosely refer to him as such. “The Donald” is the first world leader to do many things but none of them are positive. Read on about Trump’s dubious “firsts”, and then vote blue:

No Other “President” In History

First U.S. president to promise to be a dictator. America is a democracy, a republic technically, but still – our forefathers are spinning in their graves at this conduct.
He is the first to want a military parade – not to honor our veterans but to seal the fact he wants to be a dictator.
Refused to attend the inauguration of the newly elected President Biden – first president to not attend his successor’s inaugural ceremony in 152 years.
Claimed the election was stolen from him because he lost, when in fact President Biden received 81,283,098, a record number of popular votes.
Trump was the first president to claim his predecessor (Obama) was not born in the United States and as such was disqualified from even running for the office.
Has never released any tax returns – the first president in 45 years to have kept them secret.
Lost party control of the House, Senate, and then his own office – first time in 89 years.
Trump was the first president that failed to achieve at least a 50% approval rating at any time during his 4 years in office.
Trump is the first president to openly support ”Christian Nationalism” – a.k.a. “white supremacy”.
The first president ever indicted for crimes; paying off a porn star, mishandling classified documents, election law violations, etc., trying to hide behind an invented presidential immunity claim. At last count Trump had at least 88 felony charges against him, and in the words of Curly in “City Slickers”, “Day ain’t over yet…”
First president to cause a foreign nation to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Invited an insurrection – obviously first (and hopefully only) president to incite violent action against our government.
Promises a national “bloodbath” if he loses the 2024 election.
First former president to run for election after already losing his bid for a second term – first president in 28 years.
Trump is the first former president to hawk bibles and gold painted high top sneakers to a weary late night television crowd.
A Godless man using the faith of other to get votes, selling expensive Bibles to fleece far right wing supporters. Holding a Bible (upside down) he does not read, outside a church he does not attend, to get votes.
Brought the first centerfold “first lady” into the White House.
Insisted on visiting Pittsburgh after the synagogue shooting in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. Trump disregarded the Jewish mourning process to sit shiva for the deceased, showing disrespect for the Jewish community.
When Trump entered office he dissolved the Infectious Disease Task Force which was put in place by the Obama-Biden administration, to quickly address communicable disease issues. That action crippled the response to the COVID-19 pandemic leading to the death of 1,200,000 (or 120,000 depending again, on your source) in the U.S. He was the first president in a 120 years to preside over a crippling nationwide pandemic.
Trump took credit for vaccines that President Biden was actually responsible for.
Claimed in letters to Americans that he personally was responsible for the first stimulus checks, when in fact it was the House of Representatives led by Nancy Pelosi that was responsible for the checks.
First president to deliver fumbling, bumbling remarks about Easter, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War with such iron pyrite nuggets such as, “Gettysburg, what an unbelievable battle that was. The Battle of Gettysburg, what an unbelievable-I mean, it was so much and so interesting, and so vicious and horrible, and so beautiful in so many different ways.”
Another first when the former bragged about, “Grabbing ’em by the p____” .
A serial adulterer during each of his multiple marriages while claiming to be a Christian man.
The first to brag about overturning established legal precedent. Roe v. Wade was 50 years of established law when Donald’s Supreme Court overturned it. We now have chaos and confusion. leading to dangerous pregnancy complications going untreated.
Trump wants to see programs for children eliminated. He supports childhood poverty unless they’re white males.
Encourages the repugnant practice of trophy hunting.
Trump is Putin’s puppet – the first president believed to have won election aided by a foreign power.
Wants to destroy Social Security for seniors and disabled Americans.
The first to mock and make fun of a disabled journalist
Trump appointed Postal Service hater Louis DeJoy to head the USPS. With DeJoy in office, our mail arrives late in the day, if at all. The plan was to line his and wealthy supporter’s pockets with service outsource contracts by privatizing the Postal Service.
The first candidate to advocate for the elimination of Obama Care, Medicare, and Medicaid, effectively making healthcare only for the rich, and the white.
The first candidate who’s election speeches are more like a bad comedy act, threatening retribution and poking vicious “fun,” at the deep state, yet not once giving legitimate reasons to vote for him.
Trump is supporting turning back time on women’s, LGBTQ, children’s, and minorities’ rights.
The first to refuse to allow White House cleaning staff to clean specific areas of the WH, leading to a rodent infestation – of course, Trump is the biggest rat of all.
Claimed victory for an election he didn’t win before all votes were counted – the first president to not concede their loss.
Trump called soldiers “suckers” and “losers”, refusing to go to honor their ultimate sacrifice in WWII.
His policies added nearly 8 trillion dollars to our national debt, the most by far of any president.
Trump was impeached twice, the only president to be so distinguished.
Also, the only president whose own party member voted for his impeachment conviction.
Of all the presidents, he is the first to not sleep in the same bedroom as his wife.

(Thanks to Dan Kunz at the Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls Press for his article highlighting many of these inauspicious firsts.)

Be True Blue

It is imperative we vote blue – we need reelection for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris; the alternative is unthinkable. Racism, sexism, and anti-Semitism are out of control in our nation. Once the orange haired monster got a taste of power, the floodgates of hate and insanity were opened wide, and it’s very difficult but not impossible to stop the storm. Should “The Donald” be elected for another term, things will be even worse than his first horrific term. Trump is out of control and we just need to send him a clear message that he will never enter the Oval Office (or any other part of the White House) again.

Hasn’t Got a Prayer

Franklin Graham (no stranger to scandal) is demanding we pray for Donald Trump, but he has no right demanding anything. This is the typical arrogant, lemming-like behavior of Trump’s supporters. I pray that the orange monster is convicted of the crimes that he committed and goes to prison. I pray our nation will be finally be rid of him, once and for all. Here are some ways to get involved and ride the blue wave:

Offer to make election calls for Democrats.
Donate what you can to the Democratic election efforts – if you can’t financially support campaigns, give of your time.
Bumper stickers, yard signs, t-shirts, etc. – we can display these things for Democrats with far more dignity and class than MAGA’s in their red hats and gold metallic gym shoes.
Offer your home for Democratic events such as meetings, watch parties, envelope stuffing, postcard writing, and so on.
Don’t engage with MAGA’s – ignore the insanity they spew; it would be a battle of wits with an unarmed person. Let’s concentrate on a Democratic victory in November.
Offer to transport people to the polls.
Volunteer to register folks in your community to vote.
Post on social media positive things that Democrats are doing, and the negative things Republicans are up to.
VOTE!
Do pray that President Biden and Vice President Harris are reelected, and the orange haired monster is convicted of his crimes.

We can do this, together and united we stand for democracy…

Resources: www.democrats.org, www.lincolnproject.us, www.facebook.com/p/Mary-L-Trump-100076207187060/, www.taylorswift.com.

Don’t Do It-Suicide Is Permanent

By Darlene Mitchell April 24, 2024 April 24, 2024 Anxiety, D. S. Mitchell, Depression, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Panic Attacks, Psychology, PTSD, Public Health, Self-Isolation, Social Issues, Suicide, Suicide

Don’t Do It-Suicide Is Permanent

Editor: This is an updated version of an article first posted on this site on 12/06/2021. Depression is on the increase in the United States and right along with it suicide. If you are in distress, reach out, ask for help, call a friend, or dial #988, the National Suicide Hot Line.

D. S. Mitchell

Just The Facts

If you are between 15-35, suicide is the second leading cause of death for your age group. For all age groups, suicide is responsible for more deaths than murder and natural disasters, combined. Men take their own lives four times as often as women. Many men sadly would rather be dead than seem ‘weak.’ In 2020, 17 veterans committed suicide every day.

Those Left Behind

As you can see by the statistics, suicide is not a rare, or in any way an isolated event. It is very real and definitely permanent, and it leaves those who are left behind, in utter despair. For them the suicide event is plagued by stigma, guilt and self-recrimination. The most common question from those left behind is, “what could I have done differently?”