The Scarlet Collar

Fancy Schmancy   (Photo by H.Heuer) 

Back in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Puritan Massachusetts, a scarlet “A” meant that she who wore it was an adulteress.

Nowadays, the color red can still signify transgression.  If a dog is particularly aggressive, it may be wearing a red collar.  This warns approaching humans not to get too close.  Such pets have also been known to “attack other dogs.”

Not everyone is in tune with this color-coding.  Some pet owners might shop for collars as they would for jewelry, simply choosing those that appeal to the fashion sense.  If you’re not sure whether a red collar means “stop” or “go,” it’s best to keep your distance while asking.

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-03-30-if-you-see-a-dog-with-a-red-collar-you-should-be-very-careful/?mid=829028&rid=98364581&sc=email&pname=newsletter&cid=NATIONAL&keyid=National%20iHeart%20Daily%20NewsTalk&campid=headline5_readmore 

Copyright March 31, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Cosmic Convention

Saturn and Earth   (NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute images)

The sky has seemed a bit crowded lately, what with all the hobnobbing that’s been going on.

Mars, Venus, Saturn and our very own moon got together for one last fling until 2040.  They assembled in triangular fashion on Earth’s horizon during this past Monday’s predawn hours.

‘Twas a sight worth waking up for!  After all, how often is it that such formidable entities are willing to rub celestial shoulders with one another?

Resources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2022/03/27/the-moon-mars-venus-and-saturn-wont-look-this-way-again-until-2040/?sh=b4430d431475

Copyright March 31, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

According to Abraham

Abraham, Sarah and Hagar   (1897 Bible illustration)

According to Abraham, Father really does know best.  When Yahweh asked him to drop everything and yield to the will of God, Abraham obeyed. 

This eventually resulted in three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  To say the least, there have been times when the three were at odds.  Yet there have also been encouraging events, one of which occurred recently.

An Israeli-Arab Negev Summit forum was held this week in order to strengthen bonds that began with the 2020 Abraham Accords.  In attendance were representatives from Israel, the United States, “Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.”  It was agreed that such meetings would be regularly rotated “among the participating countries.”

Resources

https://www.jta.org/2022/03/28/israel/negev-summit-between-israeli-and-arab-parties-to-the-abraham-accords-to-become-a-regular-event

Copyright March 31, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Discovery to Recovery

(Public Domain)

Many consider the word “reconciliation” to be soothing.  Yet indigenous North Americans have found it to be a cause for alarm.

That’s because the term has been wrongly used by colonizers to invoke the Doctrine of Discovery, which basically claims that indigenous lands are up for grabs.  The rationale has been that non-Christians are soulless nonentities, and therefore their lands are owned by no one (terra nullius).

“Member of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN)” recently petitioned Pope Francis to revoke the 15th- century papal bulls that have supported this unjust Doctrine.  As Oneida representative Kaluhyanu;wes   Michelle Schenandoah rightfully asked, “What gives any human or nation the right to claim dominion over any other human or nation anywhere in this world?”

Resources

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/assembly-of-first-nations-meets-pope-francis-vatican-1.6402798

Copyright March 31, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

High School 101

Dante Meditating   (Painting by Joseph Noel Paton)

When Merrill Pittman Cooper was just a lad, he had dreams of attending college.  Cooper was well on his way to doing so when family circumstances forced him to leave high school during his senior year.  His curriculum at the time included college-prep studies in Latin and biology.

About 80 years later, Cooper received a high-school diploma at age 101.  During the long interim, he had enjoyed “a successful career in transportation, eventually becoming a union vice president.”  Dreams really do come true, especially when decades of achievements are involved.

Resources

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/101-old-west-virginia-man-210319493.html

Mork from ORC

Williams in 1979   (Photo by Michael Dressler)

Perhaps we’ve been getting it wrong for decades.  Perhaps the Robin Williams character was not from Planet Ork, but rather from mysterious ORC.

These “odd radio circles” (ORC) were first detected with the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope, and are said to be “16 times larger than the Milky Way galaxy.” 

But what exactly are they?  That’s for Mork to know, and for us to find out.  Scientists suspect that they may be “the remnants of a huge explosion,” perhaps emanating from a galactic core. 

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-03-24-mysterious-odd-radio-circles-can-be-seen-in-space/?mid=826345&rid=98364581&sc=email&pname=newsletter&cid=NATIONAL&keyid=National%20iHeart%20Daily%20NewsTalk&campid=headline6_readmore 

It All Matters

Whole Note & Whole Rest   (Image by Matrix0123456789) 

If peace matters, then it matters for all within this nuclear age.

The pandemic has vividly shown how intertwined life on our planet is.  If that’s what coronaviruses are capable of, then imagine what havoc radiation can wreak.

This is what President Zelensky sees when he warns against war.  Not just war in Ukraine, but war anywhere on earth.  World Wars begin with smaller conflicts, which then escalate.  Power-grabs yield appeasements, which fool dictators into thinking they can have it all.

Yet when “All” is said and done, it’s in God’s hands.  Humans play their parts (some better than others) but parts are not necessarily whole.

Resources

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/03/24/zelenskyy-calls-worldwide-anti-war-protests-russian-invasion-enters-second-month

Copyright March 25, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Microplastics, Macro Problem

Oceanic Pollution   (Image by European Environmental Agency) 

When the blood tests positive for living organisms, that could be a problem.  But what happens when the blood tests positive for plastics?  Could that be an even bigger issue?

Researchers have been discovering microplastics in 80% of the humans whose blood was tested for this. The particles were traced back to drinking bottles, food wraps and carrier bags.  They can also be found within face masks.

Scientists are concerned that plastic might lodge within vital organs and negatively “affect the structures and processes of the human body.”

Resources

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time?utm%3C/i%3Esource=Twitter

Why birds and bees?

Bees do it...   (Photo by Muhammad Mahdi Karim) 

When trying to answer children’s questions about sexuality, adults often resort to mumbling about “the birds and the bees.”  If you’re wondering what that has to do with human entanglements, the answer is “not much.”

Nevertheless, this response is a tried if not true one.  In fact, it’s been tried for the past few centuries.  In 1893, Dr. Emma Frances Angell Drake taught reproduction “to her young daughters” via an explanation of robin’s eggs and “bees gathering honey.”

By 1928, the story hadn’t changed much.  Cole Porter was peddling lyrics such as these:  “…birds do it, bees do it  Even educated fleas do it…”  At least some of today’s adults are still singing those same old songs.    

Resources

https://www.livescience.com/39316-birds-and-the-bees.html 

Foxy Neolithic Lady

Neolithic Figurine   (Photo by CristianChirita) 

An exhibit at Sweden’s Vasternorrlands Museum introduces modern humans to Neolithic ones.  Thanks to brilliant forensic reconstruction, Stone Age skeletal remains were able to yield a full-size replica of a 4,000-year-old woman.

She was a little under five feet tall, and likely had brown eyes, brown hair, and light skin.  Dressed “head to toe in fur and leather,” this original foxy lady was a lot more stylish than “Far Side” cartoons have indicated.

Resources

https://www.livescience.com/stone-age-woman-reconstruction-sweden

Cosmic Symmetry

 (Image by John Tenniel)

Ever look up at the Milky Way and think that there’s nothing else like it?  That may be so, but there may be a twin galaxy “running backwards in time.”

Some scientists believe that symmetry extends throughout the entire cosmos. They speak of our universe as having “a hypothetical mirror universe.”

Perhaps Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass was metaphorically way ahead of its time.  Perhaps scientists will one day discover What Alice Found There. 

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-think-mirror-universe-where-153500587.html

Sweet and Sour

Prunus cerasus   (Photo by Diako1971) 

Although some cherries taste sour, their sweetness lies in health benefits.

Pure tart Montmorency cherry juice is especially noted for its anti-inflammatory and nutritional benefits.  Loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it packs a wallop regarding exercise endurance, sleep enhancement, and blood-pressure reduction.  It might also help to keep cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular disease at bay.

Diabetics should note that this juice is relatively high in sugar.  Its quercetin content could also interfere with certain blood thinners and other medications.  

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/tart-cherry-juice-contains-seriously-170600691.html

Dust to Dust

And Elohim Created Adam   (William Blake)

In Genesis 3:19, God warns Adam of a subsequent cycle of human life here on Earth:  “Dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return.”  The very name “Adam,” from the Hebrew word adamah, means “the ground” or “earth” in English.

Colorado recently made this perfectly clear by passing a law which allows for the composting of human remains.  Called “natural reduction,” this green method involves “a lot of microbial beings” within an “air-filtered chamber” that contains “wood chips, alfalfa, [and] straw.”

The process takes considerably longer than cremation and is therefore more expensive.  However, it yields “no appreciable carbon emissions or release of toxic fumes.”         

Resources

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/colorado-lays-rest-first-legally-composted-human-remains-rcna20895 

Why wait?

 

Sleep tight!   (Photo by Kleon3) 

Why wait until you die for a cardboard box when you could be lying upon one now?

Aasu Danboru (meaning “Earth Cardboard”) is a Japanese company that specializes in cardboard beds. These handy-dandy setups have been used during disasters, at temporary medical facilities, and even by athletes during Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics.

The base of this bed is composed of – you guessed it – boxes.  These can be easily reused for transporting materials.  For a mere $50, you too can rest your weary bones atop cardboard.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/japans-cheapest-cardboard-beds-bought-222930951.html

Copyright March 20, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Those little lights of yours

(Public Domain)

Let your inner light shine, but when it’s time to sleep, turn those outer lights off.

While you’re asleep, ambient light can “activate your autonomic nervous system.”  This could result in an alertness (including a faster heartbeat) which is far from restful.

A lack of soothing rest could lead to insulin resistance, along with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Perhaps you live in a place where streetlights and vehicle lights invade your darkened room. You can’t control that, but you can use blackout curtains or an eye mask to mitigate the effects.  If a nightlight is needed to avoid trips and falls, warm-colored bulbs (such as orange or amber) “will stimulate your brain less.”

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/doing-bed-could-lower-risk-194003533.html

Eight Hours, More or Less

Rise and Shine!   (Image by Sun Ladder)

Many folks believe that they need eight hours of sleep per day in order to function well.  Yet sleep needs are influenced by genetics and can vary as much as shoe sizes do.

There are those who routinely go to bed late and wake up early without the use of alarm clocks or caffeine.  High achievers such as Elon Musk and Leonardo da Vinci are within this group.

Yet do not despair if you snooze right through repeated alarms.  You are also in good company.  Albert Einstein reportedly slept for at least ten hours per night.

Observe when you naturally awake on days that don’t require artificial stimulation.  This can provide clues about your own genetic leanings.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/elite-sleepers-tell-us-eight-170639911.html

Copyright March 17, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Dollars and Sense

Thoreau's Cabin   (Photo by Namlhots) 

Retirement planning has traditionally focused upon money management.  Yet along with the dollars, there must be an overall sense of what life has to offer.  These golden years are about far more than gold.

Full-fledged retirement is disappearing as fast as pensions.  Seniors are now seeking meaningful work that significantly outshines the daily grind. Such part-time endeavors are often called “semi-retirement,” or even “unretirement.”

Because this stage of life can be right up there with the top ten stressors, financial advisors would do well to partner with lifestyle coaches when serving seniors.  

Comprehensive “longevity planning” can go a long way toward making the golden years sparkle.

Resources

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/retirement-planning-advice-were-not-getting-from-financial-advisers-11647476901?siteid=yhoof2 

Copyright March 17, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Go with Your Gut

Home Yogurt Maker   (Photo by Carl Steinbeisser) 

Paul told the Corinthians that the human body is composed of many essential parts.  The ear needs to act like an ear, and the foot like a foot, in order for the whole to function as intended.

Although the gut needs to act like a gut, it relies upon a whole lot of help from the microbes that dwell within.  Some are friendly, others are not.  The trick is to increase those that help the gut to be at its best.

Stephanie Zheng lists these steps for optimizing gut health: chew carefully, get enough rest, drink enough water, check for food allergies, eat prebiotics (such as fibrous foods), and take probiotics. 

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/3-easy-steps-for-better-gut-health-iherb-prebiotics-probiotics-104105565.html 

Copyright March 17, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

He Has A Dream

(2019 Official Portrait)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has a dream.  He made it perfectly clear when speaking to the United States Congress this morning.

Zelensky dreams of a "union of responsible countries that have the strength and consciousness to stop conflicts."  How so?  By immediately providing "all the necessary assistance in 24 hours."  This assistance could include weapons if necessary, sanctions if necessary, and "humanitarian support, political support."

He has a dream.  Not just for Ukraine, but for God's whole world.

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-03-16-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-invokes-911-in-address-to-congress/?mid=820129&rid=98364581&sc=email&pname=newsletter&cid=NATIONAL&keyid=National%20iHeart%20Daily%20NewsTalk&campid=headline1_readmore

Green Lantern?

(Fair Use)

Rings that bestow power are a common theme within legendary tales.  Green Lantern was one such superhero whose powers enabled him to fly at high Mach speeds.

Folks in the Midwest might have seen him zip by lately.  Looking up, they saw a “green fireball” shoot across the sky.  Perhaps it was him, perhaps another member of his intergalactic team.  Lord knows, our world could certainly use some help.

Resources

https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-03-16-video-green-fireball-reportedly-seen-over-several-midwest-states/?mid=820129&rid=98364581&sc=email&pname=newsletter&cid=NATIONAL&keyid=National%20iHeart%20Daily%20NewsTalk&campid=headline4_readmore

Copyright March 17, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Let Us with Lettuce

Mother and Calf   (NOAA photo by Sam Farkas)

If humans caused the problem, then it behooves them to address it.  In this case, the problem is starving manatees, caused by the pollution of their seagrass food supply.

Wildlife agencies have therefore been feeding Florida’s “sea cows” with “more than 55 tons of lettuce." Conservation officials report that this practice has made a beneficial difference.

Efforts are also being made to restore seagrass habitats.  This, however, could take quite a while.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/55-tons-lettuce-fed-floridas-183329294.html

Pungent Scalp

(Photo by Colin)

An onion a day may keep the hair loss away, especially if you rub its juice onto your scalp.

Some hair loss is “caused by a genetic sensitivity to a sex hormone,” and all the onions in the world won’t necessarily fix that.  But other types of hair loss exist, and they may well be helped by onion-juice therapy.

The key is to apply fresh juice directly onto affected scalp areas.  Onion's sulfur content will especially help with “cell regeneration” and subsequent “restoration of hair follicles.”

It’s worth a try, but a try best attempted before showering.  After all, you don’t want to lose more friends than hair.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/does-applying-raw-onion-juice-145000867.html

The boy came back, but the cat didn't

(Fair Use)

When a kindhearted 17-year-old spotted a cat in a tree, he decided to rescue it.  Feeling somewhat invincible (as teens often do), the youth went out on a limb for the kitty.

Trouble is, the limb was 35 feet up and angled in such a way that made getting down a daunting task.  The boy therefore called for help, which came in the form of firefighters.

Turns out that the ground was too soft for a fire engine to come near.  An aerial ladder was therefore ruled out, and a “rope rescue team” was deployed.  As the teen was eventually lowered to the ground, the cat continued its on-high vigil… 

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/teen-left-stranded-in-35-foot-tree-after-cat-rescue-gone-wrong/ar-AAUJ4Pq?ocid=uxbndlbing 

Copyright March 9, 2022 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved