Category: Positive Vibes

Goodbye, Jane

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Goodbye, Jane Goodall

Goodbye, Jane Goodall

4/3/1934-10/1/2025

By D.S. Mitchell

The world has lost a guiding light. Dame Valerie Jane Morris Goodall has died at the age of 91. Ms Goodall was still speaking, touring, and offering hope for not only the animals of the world, but humanity when she died of natural causes, October 1st, 2025, while in Los Angeles, CA, on a speaking tour.

Her discoveries while living with the chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania transformed how the world perceived not only human’s closest living biological relatives, but also the emotional and social complexity of all animals, while propelling Ms. Goodall into the public consciousness.

Goodall was an English primatologist and anthropologist. She was a recognized pioneer in primate research. She was best known for more than six decades of field research on the social and family life of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. Jane Goodall documented her observations, describing their use of tools and their distinct personalities. Goodall observed and reported them doing activities previously believed to be exclusive to humans.

Goodall was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of the natural world. The soft spoken intellectual and conservationist transcended generations  with her appearances beginning in the 1960’s in documentaries, books, magazines, and public appearances before packed auditoriums until the day she died.

***A few books by Jane Goodall available on Amazon:
Through a Window, The Book of Hope, Hope for Animals and Their World, My Life with the Chimpanzees, 50 Years at Gombe

Put Zing In Your Step

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Put Zing In Your Step

Put Zing In Your Step

 

By D.S. Mitchell                                                                       

Hamster on a Wheel

I know somedays are harder than others, but if you’re feeling like that hamster on a wheel and your energy has gotten up and gone-here are a few strategies to put a smile back on your face and the zing in your step.

Start Laughing

In case you didn’t know, laughing increases your body’s intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles. Laughing also triggers the release of endorphins, which boost your energy level and mood. A University of Nebraska at Lincoln study, found that people who watched a funny 10 minute long video, such as a cat riding a rumba vacuum around the living room felt energized by the experience. So, look for funny, and laugh loud, and hard.

Small Talk

Brief, pleasant exchanges with people you don’t know or barely know can enhance happiness, mood, energy, and overall satisfaction with life.  A willingness to meet new people (no matter how briefly) and engage in some small conversation is guaranteed to improve both your physical and mental health. So, go ahead, I give you permission to initiate a conversation in the check out line at Walmart. As an older adult female I suggest that you initiate conversations with women with small dogs or small children. I’m not suggesting anything other than you don’t want to give a strange guy the wrong idea. Other than that grandmotherly caution; socialize away.

Get Moving

Exercise fires up the autonomic nervous system. Exercise gets your heart pumping and raises your blood pressure all the while improving blood flow through the brain. You don’t need to hit the gym; a brisk walk around the neighborhood, 20 minutes of light exercise in your living room; a couple sets of wall push ups, a few jumping jacks, some standing crunches. I know when you are tired and feeling fatigued all the time, exercise may be the last thing you think you need, but as is frequently the case, exercise is probably just what you need.

Change It Up

The nucleus accumbens is the part of your brain that is associated with motivation and pleasure, but if it is not stimulated it likes to go to sleep. So, if you’re feeling bored, you are probably feeling tired. Alice Boyes, PhD., author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit, suggests to stimulate the nucleus accumbens, we need to mix things up, rearrange the furniture, buy a new comforter for your bed, pour the milk into the bowl before the cereal. Get the idea?

How About Karaoke?

There is a study for everyone they say; according to one such study at Sam Houston State University, singing and tapping your foot to the music causes an endorphin rush. So if you want to enhance music’s energizing effect start singing and dancing. Sing in the shower, sing in your car, join the local bar crowd for some Karaoke fun, and keep tapping that foot.

Use Imagination

Numerous studies indicate that being out in nature makes us feel more alive and energetic. Getting on that forest trail may be too hard for many of us city dwellers, however some of those same studies indicate that just imagining that you are out in nature delivers a similar effect. You can add a poster of a mountain, a river, or a creek to your office wall. How about a gorgeous photo of the outdoors as your screensaver on your PC? Or, install a beautiful forest scene as your phone’s home screen. Studies have proven this is a great technique to release energy boosting endorphins.

Cold Showers and Big Drinks

Change your usual hot morning shower to a cold shower and you will increase your circulation, heart rate, and oxygen intake, and you will feel more alert and energetic. To keep that refreshed feeling throughout the day all you have to do is head into the bathroom for a cold water face splash. The second part of the water story is a reminder to stay hydrated. When our body is low on fluids one of the first signs of the deficit is fatigue. For the average healthy adult 64 oz or 8 cups of water is a reasonable starting point, but it’s not enough for everyone. Fluid needs vary based on age, sex, activity level, climate, and health status. Official guidelines from the National Academy of Medicine suggest higher daily fluid intakes, including fluid from all sources like food and other beverages. To know if 64 ounces is enough, monitor your body’s signals, such as thirst and urine color (pale yellow indicates good hydration). 

Keep It Up

Hope these tips help to keep you active and engaged in life. Don’t let fatigue and lack of energy rob you of fun filled days.

How to Recognize a Media Quack

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Spotting a Social Media Quack

Spotting a Social Media Quack

No Matter How Cute and Fuzzy

 

By D.S. Mitchell, author

 

Real or Not?

First, you can buy one of those white lab coats on the internet for as little as $10.00. Those wall certificates and awards forms, you know the blank ones you can fill in yourself  can be purchased at Staples, Amazon, or Walmart for about $5.00 each. Those stethoscopes, a cheap one will be about $8.00. All I’m saying is, it’s easy to play a doctor on video. And sadly, folks get drawn in and don’t check on credentials but rely on emotion. “Isn’t he cute?” or “She sounds so smart.”

Trust or Mistrust?

So, here are a couple of things to watch for when viewing internet health videos or anything else for that matter. I’ve researched the internet (LOL) and there is an agreed group of telltale signs that you may be getting bad and/or dangerous information. The nice looking “doctor” we see in a YouTube video or hear about from an influencer who quotes studies and cite doctors, with the best of them, says is “great.” But seriously are these people we can trust? Well, the internet is the internet; where there is great truth, and at the same time probably greater fraud and fantasy. So, here are some tips on spotting quacks in lab coats.

  1. Using absolute statements: No product or person can give a 100% guarantee that a product or person will perform as described 100% of the time. That’s just reality. The “doctor or influencer” should allow for uncertainty in scientific research and performance. Science is constantly gathering new evidence and our knowledge evolves to a better and more complete understanding of  the spotlighted issue or product.
  2. Non-experts: If a health coach is pushing hormones or “nutritional experts” who aren’t registered dietitians are making supplement replacement therapy recommendations, beware. Like anything when stepping outside their expertise their qualifications should be taken into consideration, in other words “take what they say with a grain of salt” as my mom used to say.
  3. Avoid mavericks: Be suspicious of people who claim they are the outlaws, the rebels, the mavericks, going against the grain of the scientific consensus. There is a study for everything with diverse results; however what does the overall research show. Going against the grain is great, I love the curious and questioning mind, however if 20 people reported terrible pain during a procedure, while 3 respondents reported relatively little pain. I would take the word of the 20 over the 3. So that’s how I feel about those 3 mavericks.
  4. They are selling something: I think, ‘caution’ when watching a video in which the presenter is focused on selling their chosen product is wise advice. I of course, buy a wide variety of crap off the internet and for the most part have been satisfied, all I’m saying is check on any of their claims and subject matter expertise before you decide to purchase. Or, if you wanna give it a try and you are dissatisfied post purchase you have multiple refund resources. First the company you bought it from, then your bank’s fraud department if the company refuses to give you your money back. Most likely if you have a valid claim you will get your refund.

 

 

Hispanic Heritage Month in an ICE Age

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Hispanic Heritage Month in an ICE Age

Hispanic Heritage Month in an ICE Age

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

  1. Enjoy a dessert of flan or rice pudding
  2. Watch a Hispanic themed movie in the comfort of your own living room
  3. Check your local library for Latinx materials – many libraries offer delivery services to card holders
  4. Order Hispanic specialties from a local grocery that delivers groceries
  5. A good old Mexican hat dance or other traditional Latinx movement in the family room can be fun
  6. Teach children about Hispanic culture
  7. Drape the dining room table with newspaper and create a Latinx craft
  8. Decorate your family room with colorful decor
  9. Dress in traditional Hispanic clothes right at home.
  10. Write letters and cards to loved ones elsewhere in the world
  11. Remember loved ones that have passed on with Day of the Dead traditions
  12. Mexican coffee or a traditional hot chocolate on a chilly night is delicious
  13. What the heck – drink a Corona, Dos Equis, or Tecate
  14. Learn about the various Hispanic ethnicities – our differences can bring us together
  15. I am boycotting Goya due to their reputed Trump support, if you care to join in
  16. Join Illinois Governor Pritzker in boycotting WGN and ABC until Jimmy Kimmel returns to the air
  17. Enjoy a refreshing Mexican Coke
  18. Drink a delicious Jarritos flavor drink all natural fruit flavors
  19. An appetizer of chips and salsa is always a great meal starter
  20. Learn to say “I love you” in Spanish, Portuguese, and sign language
  21. Resist the current administration by sharing articles on social media and signing petitions
  22. Remember to pray for one another, stand together with the Hispanic community even if you are not Latinx, and be proud of our common heritage
  23. Keep friends and neighbors updated when you hear about ICE raids in your area
  24. Have a taco Tuesday party at home with favorite south of the border favs
  25. Enjoy Mexican street corn in the slow cooker – recipes can be found online or message me for mine

Our sense of family and our commitment to community are some of the things we can share and be proud of. We must stick together, as Americans; not blacks, whites, or Latino,  as we strive for better days ahead.

Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

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Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

Let’s Get Up and Get Moving

Editor: A version of this article was published on 10/17/2017

D. S. Mitchell

 

No News

It’s no news that our society is becoming more sedentary and overweight. Many of us spend hours behind a desk at our jobs and then go home where we spend more hours watching TV and perusing the internet before falling into bed exhausted.  We drive our cars to the McDonald’s drive thru, order  our food and never even get out of our cars.  We use our computers to shop, without ever leaving the house.  With decreased activity people are increasingly complaining of posture related aches and pains, weight gain, depression, joint pain, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

Too Much

Just like we enjoy eating and drinking too much, we enjoy sitting and doing nothing too much. We are surrounded by cars, salty snacks, elevators and escalators, sugary drinks and fast foods. The problem has become serious enough that the World Health Organization has an agenda focused on encouraging physical activity. In other words folks, the world is experiencing a crisis in health, created by being inactive and being too fat for our own good.

Try Vigorous Movement

A “Black Dog Institute” of Australia, in a decades old study, found that 1-2 hours of exercise per week can prevent depression and suicide. 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.

“Sitting Disease”

Our country, and most of the industrialized economies are suffering from chronic “sitting”.  Physical inactivity is one of  the top 10 causes of disease and disability according to a recent UK government study, they in fact have diagnosed 1 in 6 deaths to “sitting disease” which is equal to the number of deaths related to smoking in the UK.

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12 Things That Make Me Smile

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12 Things That Make Me Smile

12 Things That Make Me Smile

By D. S. Mitchell

Welcome to Calamity News and Politics. Calamity is currently based in Southern Oregon, in beautiful Grants Pass.  CNP attempts to present relevant and engaging political commentary, opinion, argument, speculation, and prediction regarding the political news in the United States. CNP also comments on health, wellness, fitness, silliness, games, and just about anything that tickles our panties. Once a month, or so, I do a post entitled “Things That Make Me Smile.” The number of items that make me smile usually change with each individual post.  No reason, just because I can, I guess.

So, take your mind off of politics and policies, including your grandmother losing her Medicaid, you losing your SNAP benefits, the Russian attack on NATO ally, Poland, the total and complete destruction of Gaza by Israel. the attacks by Israel on our ally, Qatar, and try if possible, to focus on the good things in your life.

Today I’m going to keep it short, here are 12 Things That Make Me Smile, how about you?

1.) Being on time.

2.) Daddy’s old work bench.

3.) Blackened hot dogs. Yum, yum.

4.) Talking to my plants.

5.) Living in a vacation town, during the off season.

6.) Slow dancing with him.

7.)  Pizza with a crispy paper thin crust.

8.) Wild strawberries peeking up in the flowerbeds.

9.) Fish On!

10.) Following estate sale signs.

11.) Putting pennies in a jar and watching them grow into dollars.

12.) Watching couples walk hand in hand.

The corruption and scandal in the Trump Administration is going to be around for a longer time than I would ever want, so think of your own 12 things that make you smile, because its gonna be a rough next three years plus years.

Call your congress person, write letters to the editor commenting on Trump policies, start a blog or a podcast, and hit the streets and protest. The next big rally is supposed to be on October 18, 2025. Watch for more information. Come out and protest, ‘No Kings,’ and let’s give our Dictator in Waiting, 10 million middle fingers. Join the New Resistance.

**If anyone is curious the picture accompanying this post is not me, but rather a lovely AI rendering of an imaginary woman.

Day Fires and the Power of Prayer

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The Day Fires and The Power of Prayer

The Day Fires and The Power of Prayer

 

By Karen Tate

 

Forest Dream

My entire life I dreamed of being able to have a home in a beautiful wooded area.  I admired the homes in the Big Bear area and the many rustic-looking homes on many of our vacation trips among the forests and mountains, but I never imagined I’d have one of my own.  I believed I was probably going to be an apartment dweller my entire life, but I secretly held on to the dream.

Believe in Roy

Then circumstances changed, as if by magic.  We were driving home from a vacation in the Grand Canyon, taking Route 66 back toward California, all the while mesmerized by these signs of land for sale.  Or I should say, my husband, Roy, was getting hooked on these carrots being dangled before the drivers on this lonely highway going through Arizona.  By the time we had reached Kingman, he convinced me to “just look”  at what was for sale.  Well, you’ve probably guessed the next twist of this tale.  Within a few hours we were the proud owners of 40 acres of land covered with juniper trees.  Roy was sure this property was going to turn into a good investment.  I was not so sure, but I tried to have a little faith in his intuition.

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Should I Get a Dog?

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I Want a Dog, But Should I Get a Dog?

 I Want a Dog, But Should I Get a Dog?

 

By D. S. Mitchell

 

That Damn Lily

My last dog was named Lily, she was a rescued dog. She came to my home when she was about two years old and full of personality.  She had a habit of arguing with me when I would give commands,  “Sit, Lily” would be followed by a straight on eye ball to eye ball period of audible grumbling before following the order. “To your house, Lily,” garnered the same stare me down look and grumbling response, before heading to her bed.   But she was the first to notice when I was sad or depressed, and would hurry to comfort me.  She was the first to notice when something was amiss and would quickly draw my attention to her concern. She never got on the furniture, she apparently was smarter than that; I don’t even sit on the furniture. She was always ready for a walk or any kind of activity, especially a car ride. Yippee!

Memorable Events

Her most memorable nonsense was the day she wrapped her leash around both my legs and brought me down hard on a sand dune at Sunset Beach, Oregon, just out front of my house. Turns out that little stunt fractured my pelvis, causing me to spend the next 2 months hobbling around like a 90 year old with a borrowed walker; you know the kind with the tennis balls on the two back struts.

Her second most memorable stunt was when she ( we were living in Astoria, Oregon at the time) jumped out the second story window of my three story Victorian house on Flavel Street, and took off. WTF. I mean this dog jumped from the second floor window; why? because the damn window was open?  Holy moly. I was at a total loss. Screaming and literally pulling at my hair. Why would she pull such a bull shit stunt. After she bailed out the window, landing quite athletically on the street below,  I watched her head up the hill as if she had a destination in mind. So, I of course, called the Astoria Police Department and told them my dog was missing. I gave the nice lady taking the report Lily’s description. The woman told me she would call me if Lily turned up. Well….less than five minutes later that nice police lady called back and said she thought she had found my dog.

Thank God

‘Thank God,” my response.

The sweet lady laughed and said, “You better get over to Astoria High School. Apparently, your brindle boxer just broke up the first band concert of the year.”

“Broke up the first band concert of the year?” I painfully repeated.

“According to the report, your pooch interrupted the concert, sending both audience and band members scurrying.”

“Oh, God,” I moaned.

Loving Kids

I grabbed my side kick, Dave, who was hanging out at the house, and we headed over the hill to Astoria High School. The rig had barely come to a stop when the two of us hit the ground running.  Dave was about 20  feet out front of me when we found the center of chaos and Lily was right in the middle of it. Several of the students were joyfully pursuing Lily, but she was quick and was darting in and out from behind one obstacle after another.  It was obvious she was having a hell of a good time with the kids. She loved kids.

I shouted, “Halt!” and to everyone’s surprise she did just that. She of course, grumbled and disputed my dominance, but she stopped and held her position.

I pulled out a  piece of chicken I had stashed in my pocket, for just such a situation, and promised Lily it was all hers if she’d just let me attach the leash to her ‘effin collar.  Once the agreement was struck, I hooked up the leash to the collar and Lily and I headed down the hall to the main entrance with Lily munching on last night’s chicken breast and me leading the crazy bitch to the SUV. Dave, followed close behind and hopped in the car and the three of us headed home. The next day there was a front page story in the Daily Astorian, with pictures of  Lily’s night of disruption at Astoria High School.  In the end, it was a good laugh for all.

So Why Do I Want a Dog?

Sometimes we, are not in the right place, time-wise, geographically, or emotionally to bring a new friend laden with responsibilities into our lives. It broke my heart when I had to euthanize Lily at around 12 years of age. She had thyroid cancer and was miserable with pain and I couldn’t watch her suffering any longer. It’s been five years since her death and I’m feeling the pain of being dog-less. I definitely do not want a puppy. I’m thinking elder dog for elder owner.

The time commitment required for a new puppy is more than I can take on. Before I start looking for my new companion I know I need to make sure that I have the time and the energy required to make the daily commitment to my new best buddy. Puppies will need to go out every hour until they are house trained. That means a commitment of no less than two hours daily for play, exercise, socialization and stimulation. Additionally, puppies because they are rapidly growing, need to be fed and watered three times a day. I know I can’t do that. Continue reading

I Can Hear Her Breathing

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I Can Hear Her Breathing

I Can Hear Her Breathing

By Karen Tate

 

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way.  On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” – Arundhati Roy

 

When I read that quote for the first time, the breath caught in my throat and the hair stood up on the back of my neck as I remembered….

I had been invited to Wisconsin to present at a weekend workshop which turned out to be a more than wonderful experience.  I went thinking I was just going up there to teach women the workshop material, but the sharing and activities I participated in were a beautifully reciprocal dance.  Besides the bonding and the fun, issues I had never quite been able to banish from my psyche had dispersed in the safety of the ritual the night before and I was feeling light and open and gloriously happy and fulfilled.

As the weekend came to a close and the time to drive back to the airport was drawing near, I grabbed a few moments of solitary time behind the dormitory where we were staying located about 100 yards off serene and shining Lake Michigan.  Between the lake and the dorm, trees had been planted in a circle, with barely two to three feet of space between their trunks, and inside the circle was a bench.  I was drawn within the circle desiring a few moments of quiet contemplation in what felt like Nature’s embrace.

As I sat there, enjoying a cool breeze on my cheeks, glimpsing the reflection of the sun on the lake between the tree trunks before me, I suddenly realized I heard a rhythmic breathing.  In and out.  In and out.  Where was it coming from?  In my mind, I began a process of elimination.  I held my own breath for a few moments thinking perhaps here in this small space among this odd configuration of trees I was hearing the echo of my own breath, but no, it wasn’t me.  I looked around to make sure there was no one else there, perhaps just beyond my initial line of light.  No.

I wasn’t hearing the incoming tide of the lake.  I sat there mesmerized as I listened.   No, this sound was coming from this very spot where I sat.  Dare I even utter the next thoughts that crossed my mind?  In this circle of trees, it was as if  I were sitting within the body of Goddess and I was hearing Her breathing  This was incredulous, but I was going to go with it and  just listen, feel, and  receive. I soaked in the magic of this sacred place.  The hair stood up on back my neck and arms.  I felt that familiar cold chill up my spine and my tears turned into sobs of joy.  What an emotional experience!

In hindsight, many of us might speak in metaphor, as perhaps the novelist and activist Arundhati Roy is speaking above, about Gaia or the coming new paradigm of the Sacred Feminine, but this was different.  This experience went beyond metaphor or even feeling inspired in some natural landscape.  This wasn’t merely equating the ebb and flow of the ocean tides with Her breath as we attempt to personify Her and embrace Her mysteries.  This felt as if it were another phenomena of a dimension I had yet to experience.  Was I crazy to even contemplate hearing the inhaling and exhaling…..of our Mother?  Well, sometimes we just have to shut off that left-brain and just feel Her incredible gifts!  Those few minutes sitting in that sacred grove near that beautiful lake will no doubt be some of the most profound and magical minutes of my life.   Thank you, Mother.  Thank you for that precious gift… I can hear you breathing!