So, while the rest of us slept the guys were busy working on a commercial for their “Pirates of Calamity” weekly videocast, seen here on YouTube calamity politics channel. Be sure to let the guys know what you think of their efforts. You can also find the guys on calamitypolitics.com, Facebook, and X.
Way Too Early
I fell asleep again with the TV playing. The only problem with that is when some damn commercial suddenly blares multiple octaves louder than any of the previous pronouncements, waking me up unceremoniously at an ungodly hour. In this case, I woke up to the memorial service for the victims of 9/11, playing early this morning on MSNBC.
Jonathan Lemire
So, I wake up to a replay of the twin towers collapsing and the reading of the names of the 3500 known dead. I lay there in bed, watching a montage of clips from that terrible day and I am sad. Broken hearted. I couldn’t stop the tears. Its 4:30 on the west coast and I’m literally sitting in bed crying like a baby missing her mother. I had been pretty much okay until Jonathan Lemire spoke of the brave Americans that fought the terrorists and intentionally brought down United Flight#93 in a rural field in Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board, most likely preventing the plane from slamming into the Capitol, or perhaps the White House.
I Take a Propranolol
Recently, I have been a bit more anxious than usual. After a brief sit down with my PCP she ordered me something for my “nerves”. I headed to the bathroom and found the bottle with its pretty blue pills and took one tab with a glass of water. I expelled a whoosh of breath from puffed cheeks and resumed my place in front of the tellie watching the pomp and ceremony.
Is Food Microwaved In Plastic Really Toxic?
Well, it depends; some types of plastic breakdown and melt, while others microwave just fine. Knowing the difference can be a bit tricky. Check your container, be it a plate, a cup, or some rando container found at the back of the cupboard, it should say, “microwave safe” or bear the wavy line symbol. If there is no such labeling, just assume that it is NOT microwave safe. What about that stretchy plastic wrap? Experts claim as long as you cover the dish so the plastic wrap does not touch the food and cut ventilation holes in it before microwaving, all should be good.
Is It True You Don’t Need To Wash Organic Produce?
The FDA says wash all produce, whether organic or not. If it is pre-packaged and states “pre-washed” on the label washing or rinsing is unnecessary. According to the FDA spokesman, Peter Cassell, “it is more about dirt than pesticides”. Cassell, further tells us that “some fruits and veggies trap soil in nooks and crannies as they grow, and produce may pick up bacteria from people handling the produce before the consumer ever gets it home.” So clearly the recommendation is to wash fruits and veggies, even when you do not plan on eating the skin. Wash all produce, because cutting or peeling can transfer germs to the part you plan to eat. No need for special soaps-just rinse under running water and pat dry with a clean towel. Another important tip; always wait until you are ready to use the item before you wash it. Storing wet produce can accelerate spoilage and promote bacterial growth.
Can I Freeze Food Forever?
Not a good plan, I can attest from personal experience. The issue here is more about quality and flavor. The longer an item has been in the freezer the lower the quality of your meat. As an example, blueberries generally last 8 to 12 months frozen, on the other hand a whole ham will only be good for a month or two. This is a good reason to date “time in” and “recommended time out” on every item you toss in the freezer. To find out the recommended length of freezer storage time just download the free USDA Food Keeper app.
Is It Safe To Eat Cheese After Cutting Off The Mold?
Oh-oh. Here’s one I’ve been getting wrong for 60 years. The USDA recommends you toss it. The visual mold can be a sign, they say, that toxins have permeated the entire item. This is apparently most especially true with soft cheeses, such as Brie and Ricotta. On the other hand, with hard cheeses, such as Provolone and Cheddar, it is probably quite safe to cut off the mold with a one inch border and then eat the unblemished remainder.
Should I Wash Chicken Before I Cook It?
Here’s another one I’ve been getting wrong for decades. Yikes, I’m damn glad I read that article in Prevention Magazine by Kailyn Pierie, way back in August of 2019. Do not. Do not, do it. When you rinse raw chicken, or any raw meat, you are increasing the risk for cross-contamination by spreading bacteria to everything within splashing distance-sink, counter, utensils, nearby foods waiting to be prepped. Furthermore, not all bacteria is washed away easily. The surest way to protect yourself and anyone that eats at your table is to cook meat to the proper internal temperature. That’s 145 degrees F for beef, pork, lamb and veal; 160 degrees F for ground meats; and 165 degrees F for all poultry. AND, do not forget to wash thoroughly all utensils and surfaces that may have come into contact with any raw meat.
Never forget, food safety starts with good hand washing/sanitizing.
SAFE Cooking!
Out of the File
I’m always cutting out articles or writing down tips I hear about weight loss, with the hope that I will eventually put one or two of the tips to some valuable use. LOL. Anyway, as I was cleaning out a storage box I found a file labeled “Weight Loss Tricks”. I took a few minutes and sorted through the notes, clippings, and articles in the file. After sifting through at least 10 years of information I came away with a dozen super suggestions to help us drop 20 pounds by Christmas. I am writing this tips list on September 10, 2023. That’s 106 days, give or take, approximately 3 and 1/2 months, or 14 weeks. No matter how you look at it, the following suggestions should help you to lose an easy 1.5 pounds a week with just about zero effort. Several of the tips you’ve heard before, but the trick here is to wake up, pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth. I call it “woked” eating. Easy Peasy. Let’s get started.
Sit Down When You Eat
This information has been confirmed in study after study, for at least the last two decades. People eat an incredible 5 times more when they are standing or on the go, such as eating in the car. Your brain does not register food you eat while moving. So, folks take a few minutes to sit down and engage with your food. Sitting down will allow you to be more conscious of flavor and aroma and the slow down will allow you time to experience the sensation of fullness.
Cut Out the Booze
I suggest you stop drinking anything but unsweetened coffee or tea, or water (flavored is fine). Quite seriously, alcohol can add a whole lot of sneaky calories. I call it the 5:00 o’clock sabotage. Stay clear of the sugary girlie cocktails. Here’s where size does matter, stick to the standard serving sizes: 12 oz for beer, 5 oz for wine and 1.5 oz for hard liquor. No more than two drinks two times a week! Otherwise you are going to undermine your other valiant efforts.
Take a Walk, Take a Breath
The last thing you need when you are working on yourself (your weight loss in this case), is a whole lot of stress. Take it easy. Take those long slow breaths, drop that load you are carrying and “just breathe”. One of the things that let’s me drop the stress and take those deep relaxing breaths is to take a walk. Wow. Walking is your best friend, whether trying to lose weight or relieve the stress, take a hike; or at least a stroll around the neighborhood. Smile and greet other walkers. There is a real community out there, get off the couch and join the sneakers crowd. Smiling makes you feel good. The calorie burn is dependent on you; speed and distance the basic determinant. The average person burns somewhere between 200 and 350 calories per hour at a moderate pace. At an easy pace that’s about 3 miles an hour. To lose one pound, you need to cut 3,500 calories. If you want to lose one pound a week divide 3,500 calories by seven to get 500; that means you need to cut 500 calories a day overall. If you walk for an hour, 5 days a week, you will burn 1,000 to 1,800 calories. If you are like me, you knew all that, but had forgotten it.
Well, folks the guys are still working on their studio makeover, but unfortunately they can’t finish up until a couple of items currently on back order arrive. Despite that issue, Bill and Dave have a lot to say. In this video they go on and on for a whole 16 minutes. So, my suggestion is pour a cup of coffee, grab a cannabis cookie, and sit down and listen to the guys as they provide valuable information on mushrooms.
Earlier this month, we talked about how to look good during the dog days of August. Looking good is one thing, but actually beating the heat is another story altogether. It’s easy to overheat, but below are some practical tips to stay cool, comfortable, and safe during this summer heatwave:
Remember in just a few months, when you are dressing in layers, shoveling snow, and snuggling under the covers to get warm, you will long for the Dog Days of summer.
If you live within the city limits of Grants Pass, Oregon, ballots should be landing in your mailbox in the next few days. Remember to mark NO on the RECALL and return your ballot BEFORE 9/12/2023.
Republican Headquarters
A group, who lists their address as the Republican Committee headquarters, is trying to *recall independent Grants Pass mayor, Sara Bristol. The first line of the recall petition, filed by Suzanne Barber, states, “City of Grants Pass mayor, Sara Bristol, does not represent the conservative principles of the majority of her constituents.”
Full Stop
Whoa. Full stop. Sara Bristol was elected by a majority of Grant’s Pass voters; voters who wanted an independent voice at City Hall not a rubber stamp to controversial or extremist policies. I don’t believe this group of haters should be allowed to recall a mayor who’s only failure is not being “conservative” enough.
Disgust
It’s evident that hate, vitriol, and dirty tricks are alive and well in our community. Is this what we really want? I say, no, and I believe I am not alone in my disgust for this full-frontal attack on independence. Vote NO to the recall.
Mostly, I Talk
Yoo-hoo. According to the Grants Pass city charter the mayor can only vote to break a tie. Sara, explains, “I mostly get to talk, issue vetoes, and sign paperwork.” Despite petitioners complaints of “too many vetoes” the facts dispute that assertion. After two and a half years in office, Sara has issued only two, let me repeat that, two vetoes.
Court Order
Also, let me make it clear, Sara Bristol is not responsible for the homeless situation in Grants Pass, Oregon, but the city council is. Aside from not being “conservative” enough, the petitioner(s) are trying to hang the problem of homelessness around the neck of the mayor. Admittedly, homeless encampments in Grants Pass parks are a hot button issue. However, citizens need to understand that the city is under a court order preventing removal of the homeless encampments.
Place The Blame
Removal of the homeless from Grants Pass public parks could take place if Grants Pass could offer “low barrier” shelter. It’s time for the Grants Pass city council to step up and do their job. Grants Pass needs a “low barrier” shelter, and we needed it several years ago. Time to stop the excuses and start the process. Don’t blame the mayor for what the council has failed to deal with.
Vote No On Recall
I’m asking Grants Pass voters to ignore the partisan hate speech and misinformation campaign being waged against the mayor and vote NO to the recall. If you feel like getting involved, please join Sara and her supporters at several local events.
Support Sara Bristol Events
Friday, August 25, 2023: Anne Basker Auditorium at 6 pm
Saturday, August 26, 2023: Josephine County Courthouse @ 12 Noon
Tuesday, August 29, 2023: Fruitdale Grange at 6 pm
*Recalls are the process by which an elected official can be removed from office via a public vote.
Small Town Oregon Mayor Comes Under Fire For Not Being “Conservative” Enough
A True Homie
Sara Bristol was born in Grants Pass, Oregon and went to grade and high school here. Sara comes from a family who believed in community service. She saw their rhetoric in action as they worked tirelessly for, and with their neighbors, to make Grants Pass a great place to live. Sara saw volunteerism and public service firsthand and has spent her life following their example. Sara’s father, Mike Murphy, once served as Grants Pass mayor.
College Break
During summer break from college Sara worked as an intern at the Daily Courier in Grants Pass, where she met future husband Chris Bristol. Sara followed her heart and left school in Colorado to return to Oregon. Back in Oregon, Sara continued her studies at Southern Oregon University, where she graduated with a degree in Journalism. Sara and her new husband, like many young couples, were destined to leave their hometowns due to job considerations.
A Call To Service
The young couple and their two children moved first to Portland and then to Yakima, where Sara and Chris both worked at local newspapers. Despite her growing work and family responsibilities, Sara still felt the call to serve her community. Supported by the ideals of independence, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and honesty, Sara decided to run for a city council position in Yakima, WA. No surprise this spirited dynamo won easily.
A Big Move
A big job change for Chris was coming and it would bring Sara and her family back to Grants Pass. Leaving Yakima was hard, but coming home to Grants Pass was an exciting prospect; and as always, the family leaned into the move and all the changes the move promised.
City Government
It wasn’t long after moving back to Grants Pass that Sara saw real problems in the Grants Pass city government. She became quite alarmed at what appeared to be a city government run by a crowd of bullies who were playing fast and loose with taxpayer money. After her father’s years as Grants Pass mayor and her experience as councilperson in Yakima she decided she had to run for Grants Pass mayor. As an independent, unaffiliated candidate she won handily.
Recall Petition
Recently, a group, providing the address of the local Republican committee office as their headquarters, attacked Sara’s performance as mayor. Suzanne Barber and several Republican precinct workers began collecting signatures for a recall election. The reason for the petitioned recall, according to the petition is Sara Bristol’s insufficient conservativism.
Independent and Unaffiliated
Grants Pass voters wanted an independent and unaffiliated voice at City Hall, that’s why Sara was elected. Standby our mayor. Vote No on the recall, September 12, 2023. At a time when our national headlines are filled with vitriol and hate Sara wants to be sure that divisiveness does not contaminate our local government. Sara believes in calm, transparent, confident leadership, not hysterical extremism. Join Sara to turn back a small but vocal minority.
SUPPORT SARA BRISTOL AT THESE COMMUNITY EVENTS:
Friday, August 25, 2023: Anne Basker Auditorium at 6 pm
Saturday, August 26, 2023: Josephine County Courthouse at 12 Noon
Tuesday, August 29, 2023: Fruitdale Grange at 6pm
Childhood Memories
OMG. When I was a kid, the worst words I could hear were, “Let’s go for a ride!” Don’t get me wrong, I loved going; going anywhere, it didn’t matter, I was a young adventurer. HOWEVER, I was also a kid with motion sickness. It didn’t happen all the time, I think that was the worst part, never knowing whether I’d be happy and giggly, or a kid with her head in a paper bag. My mom did not like me vomiting out the car window. It wasn’t just the car, sometimes it was on the deck of daddy’s boat, or there was that incredibly long plane ride to Hawaii. Oh, dear, the nice lady sitting next to me was very kind, and understanding. And, those damn 3D movies, there should be a warning label.
What Is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness occurs when your brain gets conflicting messages: your eyes perceive forward motion but your inner ear feels the up and down motion of the car, plane, or boat. The experts say the brain then races to reset itself and that action causes the sick feeling. The nausea triggers the vagus nerve, which connects to the GI system, stimulating anything in the gut to come up. Paper bag, please.
It Was All About The Ginger
Ginger is an herb that has been used for thousands of years for its many natural medicinal properties, particularly its antiemetic qualities. When I was a kid that was about all there was, other than stopping the motion, and that wasn’t happening. What I seem to remember is mom grating up the herb and putting it in tea and having me drink it before we went on any road trips. Current studies indicate that ginger is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea and vomiting. Some studies suggest ginger works better on vomiting than the underlying nausea. Now days, ginger can be found in capsules and gummies and even tea.
Antihistamines
The same antihistamines used to treat allergies also reduce the symptoms of motion sickness. Numerous rounds of studies have shown that antihistamines can effectively alleviate motion sickness. Recommendations include taking the medication 30 to 60 minutes prior to boarding the plane or boat, so you’ll have it in your system to squelch the vagal response. BUT they cause drowsiness. If sleep walking doesn’t bother you this may be your solution. I on the other hand cannot function in a “drugged” state. Benadryl and Dramamine are inexpensive and may work for you. Give it a try, the worst thing that will happen is you will take a nap.
It Works For Me
Acupressure wristbands are what I use. I am a great fan of acupuncture and acupressure is a variation of that ancient Chinese art. When pressure is applied to certain points on the wrist and ear it alleviates stomach upset. Acupressure wristbands are available in most pharmacies and on Amazon. I’ve used them for years and they are fabulous. No unwanted sleepiness. The package will contain two bracelets, just slip them on your wrists and position the little plastic thing-a-bobs over the recommended points on your wrist per the directions.
"If puppies and kittens don't make you smile, you might consider therapy." D. S. Mitchell 2015.
Self-isolating has forced us to turn even more to telecommunication and social media.
The Major Cause Of Sex Trafficking Is Poverty
Many great charities, here are a couple that I support: Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, ACLU, and Planned Parenthood.
