Eye on Faith: 2021

Friday, December 31, 2021

Gut Reaction

Lactobacillus Acidophilus (SEM Image by Mogana Das Murtey and Patchamuthu Ramasamy)

It takes guts to deal with Alzheimer’s Disease, and it might take the right kind of gut inhabitants to prevent it.

Researchers have discovered that certain gut microbes produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAS), which in turn “reduce inflammation throughout the body.”

“Muscle-strengthening moves” have encouraged the growth of these microbes, which could be why regular exercise has been suggested for Alzheimer’s prevention. Sounds like a win-win New Year’s resolution!

If you’re thinking that this could be tedious, think again. Physical activity has been known to produce endocannabinoids, the human body’s own counterpart to plant-derived cannabis. Some call it “runner’s high,” others call it good clean fun.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/little-known-effect-might-why-170007419.html

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Shone a Searchlight

Reid in 2009 (Public Domain)

At first, Harry Reid was embarrassed about his roots. But after attending an Alex Haley lecture, Reid was proud to be called “the guy from Searchlight.”

These scrappy Nevada roots served him well. When the last needed to come first, Reid prioritized them. He did so over and over again during his long stretch in Congress.

Even Mitch Mc’Connell had strong words of praise for his former Senate rival. He wrote, “The runway that brought Harry to the upper chamber was nothing short of amazing.”

There’s been no filibuster against that pronouncement…

Resources

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/28/611222803/the-guy-from-searchlight-former-senate-leader-harry-reid-is-dead-at-82

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Fewer Surprises

(Photo by Norbert Kaiser)

To say that there are no surprises concerning major illnesses seems rather far-fetched. But fewer surprises would at least be a relief.

Congress recently passed a law which protects medical consumers from being charged for out-of-network services “that they did not choose.” In such instances, they would only be responsible for “in-network cost-sharing.”

Some providers are legally contesting this law, claiming that it unfairly favors health insurers over hospitals. Never mind that long-standing conditions have often benefitted institutions over patients...

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/no-surprises-act-2022-ban-on-unexpected-medical-bills-goes-into-effect-in-january/ar-AASdxQT?ocid=uxbndlbing

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

AI: Alexa Incorrect

"This is the Way of God" (and God only)

Don’t believe everything Alexa tells you. “She” sometimes gives advice that is downright dangerous.

When a ten-year-old girl was recently up for a challenge, the youngster did not rely upon wisdom from a trusted adult. She instead consulted with "all-knowing" Alexa.

Alexa searched the internet and came up with something from TikTok called the “penny challenge.” This involved sticking a metal penny into an electric socket. Humans can usually figure that this is NOT a good idea. Apparently, Alexa couldn’t.

Nevertheless, Amazon states that Alexa “is designed to provide accurate, relevant, and helpful information to customers.” Hmmm…

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-12-28-alexa-told-10-year-old-to-put-penny-in-plug-socket/?mid=771633&rid=98364581&sc=email&pname=newsletter&cid=NATIONAL&keyid=National%20iHeart%20Daily%20NewsTalk&campid=headline3_readmore

Monday, December 27, 2021

Parakeets Galore

(Photo from the Atlanta Zoo, Georgia)

As the song goes, “Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree…”

Keeping within that avian spirit, a man brought almost 500 parakeets to a shelter just before Christmas. His father had begun breeding them a while back, not realizing how successful his venture would become!

What to do with a situation far beyond that of the Twelvetide sing-a-long? The shelter shared this Christmas bounty with other rescue centers, along with some large bags of bird food. All’s well that ends well for many of these fine feathered friends.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/son-animal-hoarder-drops-off-232146949.html

Food for Thought

Potato Flowers (Photo by Keith Weller)

Often when a suspect is approached for shoplifting, the story does not have a happy ending. This one, however, most certainly did.

When a man was hungry enough to help himself to some rice and potatoes, the store owner called the police. They arrived just in time to sense the man’s need.

After realizing this, the officers escorted him back into the store. There they met with the manager, who decided to forego pressing charges. The man was sent home with a bag full of groceries, which the police kindly purchased.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/impd-officers-surprise-accused-shoplifter-with-food/ar-AAS7Wqk

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Too Silent a Night

Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (Public Domain)

In his Christmas Day message, Pope Francis emphasized that the overabundance of problems in this world can make us immune to certain crises.

We’ve become so used to the 24/7 tragic reports that we no longer hear pervasive cries “of pain and distress.” Francis urged us to break such stony silence with compassionate action.

The pontiff specifically mentioned hotspots within Lebanon, Ukraine, Syria, Ethiopia, Iraq and Yemen - as well as ongoing domestic violence, peer “bullying and abuse,” and health-care deficiencies.

Resources

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-christmas-message-covid-pandemic-peace/

Friday, December 24, 2021

She Who Hesitates

Ghost of Christmas Present (Public Domain)

The old saying, “He who hesitates is lost,” emphatically states that hesitation incurs loss.

This is sometimes the case, but certainly doesn’t need to be. In fact, hesitation is sometimes a wise balance to impulsivity. If you hesitate before jumping off a bridge or into a contract, that could be a fruitful interlude.

“Wheel of Fortune” viewers have been up in arms over a decision that was recently made. When a contestant hesitated for “four or five seconds” before correctly completing her response, she was told that the $32,000 Audi Q3 prize would not be hers.

On the one hand, you can’t have contestants gaming the system. If someone begins a response as a mere placeholder, that’s a problem. On the other hand, this contestant did not seem to be cheating – and – as disgruntled viewers pointed out: IT’S CHRISTMAS!

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-12-23-wheel-of-fortune-fans-furious-after-player-solves-puzzle-but-loses-prize/?mid=770735&rid=98364581&sc=email&pname=newsletter&cid=NATIONAL&keyid=National%20iHeart%20Daily%20NewsTalk&campid=headline6_readmore

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Roots and Branches

Weeping Willow (Claude Monet)

In a valiant effort to balance the roots and branches of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis issued a plea for humility within this year’s Christmas message.

Roots are meant to nourish growth rather than to stagnate it. Francis therefore urged those who proudly “remain stuck in the past” to move forward with “faith, hope and love.” He exhorted the Vatican hierarchy to follow biblical Naaman’s example by ceasing to hide behind the “armor” of status.

Many of us tend to suffer from what the pontiff called “spiritual Alzheimer’s,” forgetting the true Spirit of Christmas while focusing upon worldly concerns.

Resources

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pope-francis-demands-humility-in-new-zinger-filled-christmas-speech_n_61c49ab5e4b0bcd21948ddaa

Priorities

Sacred Ceremony (1903 painting by Jozef Israels)

Sometimes in life you just have to choose, especially when marriage is at stake.

Although a healthy union needs breathing room for individual ambitions, hyperventilation along such lines could lead to divorce. When opportunities arise, they can be carefully weighed against prior commitments.

It’s not always possible to mix and match, so something’s got to give. Hopefully that something will be of less consequence than marriage.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/us-rep-cawthorn-wife-seek-divorce-after-a-year-of-marriage/ar-AAS6aag?ocid=uxbndlbing

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Longest Night

Stonehenge Solstice (Photo by Mark Grant)

It’s not just your imagination. If you’re living in the Northern Hemisphere, tonight is actually the longest one of 2021.

Winter solstice officially began this morning at 10:58 EST. Because our hemisphere was tilted farthest from the sun at that time, today had less daylight than yesterday. Less than the day before that, and the day before that…

But rest assured, light and heat are on their way back. From now until June 21^st, sunlit days will grow longer and longer. Come summer, folks might be longing for winter’s cool tranquility.

Resources

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/12/21/winter-solstice-begins-season/3791640106648/

Monday, December 20, 2021

A Howling Success

Ganymede (2021 Juno photo)

Here on Earth, wolves howl at the moon. Way out near Jupiter, a moon howls back.

How do we know? Because NASA’s Juno expedition sent back data on Ganymede’s “electric and magnetic radio waves.” These waves were then shifted into a format that humans can hear. The result sounds like some sort of eerie howling.

Ganymede is the largest of Jupiter’s many known moons. It has a variable magnetosphere, as evidenced by the highs and lows of these audible waves.

Resources

https://www.cnet.com/news/eerie-nasa-audio-lets-you-hear-what-jupiter-moon-ganymede-sounds-like/

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Step by Step

Woods in 2019 (White House photo)

It’s not even been a year since Tiger Woods’ near-fatal car crash, and he’s already back in the swing of things.

With his usual determination, Woods met God halfway in this miraculous recovery. On a leg that was busted up badly, Woods still managed to hit three impressive shots during the recent PNC Championship.

He’s also learned to accept limitations, a skill more essential than hitting holes in one.

Resources

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/32897720/tiger-woods-shoots-scramble-62-son-charlie-first-round-pnc-championship

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Ordinary to Extraordinary

(Photo by Jonas Bergsten)

Sometimes it’s the seemingly little things that count the most. In an emergency, you often turn to what’s already there.

When 16-year-old Cyrus saw his mom cut her wrist accidentally, he sprang into action. After calling 911, he was instructed to stop the bleeding with a makeshift tourniquet.

Summoning up latent “Hulk strength,” Cyrus grabbed the laces off his new shoes. He then wrapped them tightly near the wound. His mom later stated that this essentially saved her life.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/teen-uses-shoelace-to-create-makeshift-tourniquet-and-save-mom-after-bloody-fall/ar-AARWYD1?ocid=uxbndlbing

Friday, December 17, 2021

Got Their Goats

2009 Gavle Goat (Photo by Tony Nordin)

Way before Santa came on the scene, Scandinavians believed that goats were the “bringer of gifts.”

Vestiges of this tradition still remain in Gavle, Sweden. Each Christmas season, two straw goats loom large over the town square. But usually not for long. Vandals tend to burn or smash them.

Another arson recently occurred. After “a record four-year period of peace,” someone managed to get their goats.

Resources

https://www.wavy.com/news/world/swedens-most-endangered-christmas-decorations-burnt-again/

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Cupboard Not Bare

(Victorian ABC Plate)

Due to pandemic shortages, some grocery shelves might be bare. Yet there’s still plenty of nourishment within the overall cupboard.

We’re being warned that Ben & Jerry might have fewer flavors than usual. Healthwise, this might prove beneficial. We’re also being told that supplies of carbonated drinks, fish sticks, ketchup packets, Rice Krispie Treats and Sour Patch Kids are also waning. Ditto on the health front for these items.

All this might encourage us to consider nourishing alternatives: water rather than soda, tomatoes rather than ketchup, lemons rather than Sour Patch, yogurt rather than ice cream…

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/grocery-store-shelves-bare-products-173151608.html

Icarus II

Fall of Icarus (Merry-Joseph Blondel, 1819)

Icarus I was the stuff that legends are made of. He flew too close to the sun, his wings melted, and he crashed back down to earth.

But if at first you don’t succeed - try, try again. Which is exactly what NASA’s been doing with its Parker Solar Probe. This hardy spacecraft recently did what Icarus couldn’t: entered the sun’s atmosphere successfully.

And there will be an Icarus III come January 2022. The little-craft-that-could will then get way closer to the sun’s surface. Hopefully it will fare better than its mythological predecessor.

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2021-12-15-nasa-probe-makes-history-as-the-first-spacecraft-to-touch-the-sun/?mid=764923&rid=98364581&sc=email&pname=newsletter&cid=NATIONAL&keyid=National%20iHeart%20Daily%20NewsTalk&campid=headline4

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

No Small Accomplishment

KKW in 2020 (Public Domain)

They call it the “baby” bar exam, but Baby, look at her now! Say what you want about some of Kim Kardashian’s less-than-savory moments, but believe in the power of all God’s children to rise above such choices.

Many students of the law have the luxury of focusing mainly upon their studies. Kim could have that luxury, were it not for her four children and numerous professional endeavors. Throughout it all, she has remained faithful to the dream of being a social-justice lawyer.

Her advice to the rest of us: “Bottom line is don’t ever give up even when you are holding on by a thread…”

Resources

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/13/entertainment/kim-kardashian-law-exam-scli-intl/index.html

Monday, December 13, 2021

Your Money or Your Life

Hmmm... (Public Domain)

There’s an old Jack Benny skit in which the comedian is approached by a thug who demands, “Your money or your life!” Jack Benny hesitates, then finally says, “I’m thinking it over…” The audience roars with laughter.

What’s show-biz funny can be tragic in real life. When workers at the candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky recently heard tornado sirens, some asked to go home. These requests were allegedly “rebuffed,” and many remained on the job.

The factory was subsequently reduced to rubble. Employee McKayla Emergy wound up in the hospital with serious injuries after being "trapped for six hours." Coworker Mark Saxton stated, “It hurts, ‘cause I feel like we were neglected.”

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/factory-bosses-workers-tornado-leave-214937404.html

Insurance is not Assurance

National Insurance Act of 1911 (Public Domain)

An integral part of many church services is the Prayer of Confession, followed by the Assurance of Pardon. Such assurance is vital to every facet of our lives.

There is no equivalent in material matters. What’s called insurance is often a numbers game that is stacked in favor of corporate gains. This has been especially true during the pandemic when there were far fewer car accidents.

According to Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, insurance companies have been hoarding billions of surplus funds rather than distributing them fairly among customers. She is calling for “$400 back for each vehicle” that drivers own.

New Mexico, Massachusetts and Washington have also been questioning this disparity. Illinois and Nevada have “class-action lawsuits” pending. Some companies are waiting on proactive requests from customers before issuing refunds to them.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/400-refunds-coming-millions-drivers-160000954.html

Social Insecurity

(Photo by Djembayz)

A college professor once said, “Statistics don’t lie, but liars use statistics.” Things are not always what they seem when it comes to playing with numbers.

Whereas 2022’s 5.9% Social Security increase seems like a much-needed boon for struggling seniors, overall inflation is at 6.2% and Medicare will spike by 14.5%. You don’t have to be a math whiz to figure that seniors are falling farther and farther behind.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/m/821349a6-f2e3-311b-ac3b-76bc5acae714/2-pieces-of-really-bad-news.html

Friday, December 10, 2021

A New Leaf

(Photo by Kpjas)

Once upon a time, push mowers and rakes could be found in most American garages. They not only got the job done, but also provided healthy exercise for homeowners.

These days, engines and blowers have infiltrated the scene. You can hardly walk down a yard-filled street without hearing, smelling and inhaling their toxic emissions.

Studies have shown that a gas blower spews as much pollution in one hour as a gas car that’s been driven a thousand miles. California is therefore turning over a new leaf. The “sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment” will be fully banned by 2024. Manufacturers will meanwhile be encouraged to produce battery-operated alternatives.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/california-eyes-tough-standards-trucks-210010104.html

More than one type of spam

This little piggy went to Hormel (Public Domain)

There’s spam, and then there’s SPAM. It’s hard saying which is more distasteful.

Nevertheless, both are common within certain circles. Spammers the world over have been infiltrating lives. SPAM, too, has been making steady gains. Hormel Foods reports that sales of this Specially Processed American Meat have been soaring for the past seven years.

It just goes to show that seven is not always the luckiest number.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/spam-sales-hit-record-high-for-seventh-straight-year-in-2021-says-hormel-foods-ceo/ar-AARF90J?ocid=uxbndlbing

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Moving Forward

Sister Helen Prejean in 2006 (Photo by Don LaVange)

The Roman Catholic Church is said to have a “glass ceiling” when it comes to women attaining key positions.

Yet priesthood is not the only key position. Females have been assuming more and more authority within Vatican circles. Pope Francis has been encouraging this through appointments and by changing certain aspects of canon law. For example, women are now able to become acolytes and lectors, thus giving them “official recognition” during Mass.

Such change seems slow but steady. The females themselves have been spurring it on “with their requests, their projects, their identity.”

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/barred-priesthood-catholic-women-other-161047145.html