Tragedy In Front of Us

From Mariupol…

"I told the brothers that it's good for her to sleep." Ukrainian gymnast Liliya Podkopaeva, from her basement in Mariupol, where her mother died."

"We went to the toilet, slept, or ate leftovers in the basement. Mother was hanging on until the end, 3 days before our evacuation, she died. I told the brothers that it's good to sleep and don't wake her up."

"The corpses stink so much."

"I hate Russia."

"My dear uncle is there. Do you know what I heard him saying over the phone today? "Kotya? What is Katya?, I don't know you. What war, what Katya? And then writing from a burner phone: "Katenko, don't write to me. For me, my motherland is not safe." 

"I hate them! Who would have thought for a moment that such a thing would happen again. And who would think for a moment that Russia is acting like that, that it has turned into the Horde."

The pain, the suffering, the determination of the Ukrainian people is stunning. We can't survive as a planet if there are forces in the world willing and able to cause such destruction, death, and pain. 

Healthcare, like Education

You have heard the news. Education is under attack.
Teachers are burned out.

And so are healthcare clinicians.

We have lost faith in the system.
We are disillusioned with leadership.
We are sick of the constant pandering to agencies, administrations, politicians and others.

We are no longer willing to heal a system beyond repair at their own expense.
Many of us technicians, nurses, physicians, PAs and others are done.

We are expected to fix the ills of society, but when we aren't treated like the experts and professionals we no longer see any reason to stay.

The highs of medicine, as in education, are no longer worth the many lows.
For many, a time for healing, a time for change.

Nutrition Assessment

Amazing what 30 minutes with an education individual will do for you. I had a nutrition consultation. Just when I thought I knew it all. It was enlightening on many levels, but the core concepts validated what I know I need for health and wellness.

Turns out as I descend into "elderly" class, full of dings, flaws and faux pas...my body needs stuff that my earlier version did not. Clearly, in addition, the food sources that are big box stores have become deficient in vital nutrients to sustain an active lifestyle and promote wellness.

So in an effort to balance "needs" and "sales", any nutrition discussion is often based in science, peppered with theory and promoted on supplement evidence, no matter how slim. Yet, somewhere in the discussion comes to the surface elements of reality that are hard to ignore. And the conclusion that we may not be able to get all we need from food (although we should be able to come pretty close) in the category of vital vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is hard to ignore.

So what does a relatively healthy 60 something need?

1. A good multivitamin with quality ingredients and absorption. The flavor of the week? Fermented.

2. Vitamin B (complex), methylated for maximal absorption. Most nutrients need to be methylated in order to be used by the body.

3. Vitamin C, in a form that is maximally absorbed and used.

4. Vitamin D, in addition to getting some healthy sun for a time each day, outdoors (go bathe in nature). So much value in being sure the D is "topped off" for multiple systems including immune functions.

5. A probiotic (and perhaps a prebiotic). The pre? A good variety, volume of organic fruits and vegetables daily. A simple, perhaps fermented, probiotic to provide depleted microbiome characters to the mix to assist with digestion and absorption of nutrients.

6. Collagen, supplement or healthy bone broths, for healthy bones, ligament, tendons, cartilage and joint fluids. Powders (collagen, protein, green drink products etc) appear to have less challenge being digested and absorbed.

7. EPA Fish Oil, omega 3 predominant, for heart and vascular health, to counteract the ill effects of the unhealthy Omega 6 in so, so many food sources.

8. Digestive enzymes for acute (chewable papaya for example) and long term (encapsulated) digestive assistance to breakdown food sources to absorbable forms and assist with stomach functions.

9. CoQ10 for production of cellular energy, mitochondria health and its antioxidant capacity. Your cells will thank you.

10. Need help with stabilizing mood? (apparently all elderly get depressed...and why not?) 5 HTP (small dose of 50 at first), and ashwaganda (to help lower high cortisol) might be helpful.

I know these things are healthy for me. But are they so as supplements and not part of the complex structure that is food. When using food as medicine, each elements (listed above) is part of a complex "dance" of constituents that may affect the value of that substance. Example, is a probiotic supplement as good as eating probiotic, fermented and similar foods?

I appreciate the excellent information and time spent with a highly qualified nutrition specialist. But... We are clearly entering an era, with global warming, population explosion, water/nutrient depleted soils and other forces that the foods we have access to in the mega food stores (where most of us get our Western stuff) is less than nutritious. Certainly suspect.

The growth of organic direct from farm to table markets and the explosion of personal sustainable backyard/deck/window sill farming is encouraging and clearly a trend to follow. In the end these solutions may be better pursued for our needs than walking down the aisles of the whole fresh food market big boxes for supplementation to what we aren't getting in our food.

State of the Union

Today, around the world, demagogues appeal to our worst instincts.

Conspiracy theories once confined to the fringe are going mainstream.

It's as if the age of reason, the era of evidential argument is ending,

and now knowledge is increasingly delegitimatized and scientific consensus is dismissed.

Democracy, which depends on shared truths, is in retreat,

and autocracy, which depends on shared lies, is on the march.

- Sacha Baron Cohen

Whatever

"Whatever hip new thing you're promoting, I'm probably uninterested. Whatever buzzword you might be enamored of, I probably hate it. And whatever bureaucratic activity you want me to engage in, I almost certainly think it's pointless. But despite my lack of buy-in for whatever you're into, I'm also willing to work hard."

https://www.chronicle.com/article/tips-for-managing-curmudgeons/

Patron Saint

Experience

 

A ship engine failed, NO ONE could fix it.

Then they brought in a man with 40 yrs. on the job.

He inspected the engine carefully.
Then reached into his bag & pulled out a small hammer.

He gently tapped a spot.

Immediately, the engine rocked into life. It was fixed!

7 Days later, the owners got his bill for $10,000.

'What?!' the owners exclaimed.
'He scarcely did anything.'

They asked for an itemized bill.

His response:
"Tapping with a hammer = $2
Knowing where to tap = $9,998"

Lesson: Don't Ever Underestimate Experience!

Relief

My fellow Americans, the people of this nation have spoken.

They have delivered us a clear victory. A convincing victory. A victory for "We the People."

We have won with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation -- 74 million.

I am humbled by the trust and confidence you have placed in me.

I pledge to be a President who seeks not to divide, but to unify. Who doesn't see Red and Blue states, but a United States. And who will work with all my heart to win the confidence of the whole people.

For that is what America is about: The people. And that is what our Administration will be about.

I sought this office to restore the soul of America. To rebuild the backbone of the nation -- the middle class. To make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home.

It is the honor of my lifetime that so many millions of Americans have voted for this vision. And now the work of making this vision real is the task of our time.

As I said many times before, I'm Jill's husband. I would not be here without the love and tireless support of my wife, Jill, Hunter, Ashley, all of our grandchildren and their spouses, and all our family. They are my heart.

Jill's a mom -- a military mom -- and an educator. She has dedicated her life to education, but teaching isn't just what she does -- it's who she is. For America's educators, this is a great day: You're going to have one of your own in the White House, and Jill is going to make a great First Lady.

And I will be honored to be serving with a fantastic vice president -- Kamala Harris -- who will make history as the first woman, first Black woman, first woman of South Asian descent, and first daughter of immigrants ever elected to national office in this country.

It's long overdue, and we're reminded tonight of all those who fought so hard for so many years to make this happen. But once again, America has bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice.

Kamala, Doug -- like it or not -- you're family. You've become honorary Bidens.

To all those who volunteered, worked the polls, local election officials -- you deserve a special thanks from this nation. To my campaign team, to all the volunteers, to all those who gave so much of themselves to make this moment possible, I thank you for everything. And to all those who supported us: I am proud of the campaign we built and ran. I am proud of the coalition we built, the broadest and most diverse in history.

Democrats and Republicans and Independents. Progressives, moderates and conservatives. Young and old. Urban, suburban and rural. Gay, straight, transgender. White. Latino. Asian. Native American.

And especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest -- the African American community.

I said from the outset I wanted a campaign that represented America, and I think we did that.

And to those who voted for President Trump, I understand your disappointment tonight. I've lost a couple of elections myself.

But now, let's give each other a chance. It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric. To lower the temperature. To see each other again. To listen to each other again. To make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy. We are not enemies. We are Americans.

The Bible tells us that to everything there is a season -- a time to build, a time to reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal.

This is that time for America. A time to heal.

Now that the campaign is over -- what is the people's will? What is our mandate?

I believe it is this: Americans have called on us to marshal the forces of decency and the forces of fairness. To marshal the forces of science and the forces of hope in the great battles of our time.

The battle to control the virus. The battle to build prosperity. The battle to secure your family's health care. The battle to achieve racial justice and root out systemic racism in this country. The battle to save the climate. The battle to restore decency, defend democracy, and give everybody in this country a fair shot.

Our work begins with getting COVID under control.

We cannot repair our economy, restore our vitality, or relish life's most precious moments -- hugging a grandchild, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us -- until we get this virus under control.

On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris COVID plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on January 20th, 2021.

That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern. I will spare no effort -- or commitment -- to turn this pandemic around.

I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn't vote for me -- as I will for those who did.

Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end -- here and now.

The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control. It's a decision. It's a choice we make.

And if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate. And I believe that is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate.

That's the choice I'll make. And I call on the Congress -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- to make that choice with me.

America's story is about the slow, yet steady widening of opportunity. Make no mistake: Too many dreams have been deferred for too long. We must make the promise of the country real for everybody -- no matter their race, their identity, their ethnicity, their faith.

America has always been shaped by inflection points -- by moments in time where we've made hard decisions about who we are and what we want to be.

Lincoln in 1860 -- coming to save the Union. FDR in 1932 -- promising a beleaguered country a New Deal. JFK in 1960 -- pledging a New Frontier.

And twelve years ago -- when Barack Obama made history -- and told us, "Yes, we can."

We stand again at an inflection point. We have the opportunity to defeat despair and to build a nation of prosperity and purpose. We can do it. I know we can.

I've long talked about the battle for the soul of America. Now we must restore the soul of America.

Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses. It is time for our better angels to prevail.

Tonight, the whole world is watching. I believe at our best America is a beacon for the globe. And we lead not by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.

I've always believed we can define America in one word: Possibilities.

That in America everyone should be given the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and God-given ability will take them.

You see, I believe in the possibility of this country. We're always looking ahead. Ahead to an America that's freer and more just. Ahead to an America that creates jobs with dignity and respect. Ahead to an America that cures disease -- like cancer and Alzheimers. Ahead to an America that never leaves anyone behind. Ahead to an America that never gives up.

This is a great nation. And we are a good people. This is the United States of America. And there has never been anything we haven't been able to do when we've done it together.

In the last days of the campaign, I've been thinking about a hymn that means a lot to me and to my family. It captures the faith that sustains me and which I believe sustains America.

And I hope it can provide some comfort and solace to the more than 230,000 families who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus this year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you.

"And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand."

And now, together -- on eagle's wings -- we embark on the work that God and history have called upon us to do.

With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country -- and a thirst for justice -- let us be the nation that we know we can be.

A nation united. A nation strengthened. A nation healed.

God bless you. And may God protect our troops.

Joe Biden

Vote

If you vote your conscience, there is no real choice.

Fed Up, And Not Being Fed

Truth is...

I work in a disease management system with absolutely no concern for or interest in health.
We are being fed by a system that doesn't know jack about nutrition.

Medical education is lacking in quality nutrition knowledge dissemination and it makes no sense.
The GI tract ("gut") and it's microbiome are key to our immune system and produce a multitude of health promoting benefits and substances. There is a GI/brain axis of communication that we neglect as a cause/effect of ill health. We can't event begin to prevent disease without gut/food focus.

I'm fed up and formally ill fed.

Do the Right Thing

Sometimes... You just have to do what it right.

Life

... could be healthier

Learning from Others

Just do it. Whatever "it" is…stop contemplating and take the leap. It's liberating (and scary) but might be one of the best decisions of your life.

You can make any dream a reality- sometimes it just takes a lot of courage. Although not always easy or predictable, we get to choose the life we want to live.

Driving in the slow lane is OK and probably smart.

Showering is overrated.

We don't need a lot of "stuff" to live. Minimalism is liberating.

Learn to love going potty outside.

The best road trips have no destination. If you're curious where a road leads, take it. You can always turn around

Location independence is the greatest gift imaginable.

When do we leave?

Small Changes With Great Impact

Meditate
Pushups
Veggies
Journal Writing
De-clutter & clean
Spend less, cut costs
Go for a walk
Reach out to people
Replace negative thinking patterns with gratitude
Do random acts of kindness for others
Sleep & wake a little earlier

Simple but not easy.

Let's go!

I can't imagine a week with greater losses.

A tour of the National Parks, by car, for however long it takes....

yes, please!

Elephant in the Room

Elephant and the Men
Hindoo Fable
by J. Saxe (1816-'87)

It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: "God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, "Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee. "What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he; "'Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth who chanced to touch the ear, Said: "E'en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!

The Moral: So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

Dishonesty Undermines Medicine

An element in the medical mess that is around us today is dishonesty — an embarrassment that pervades healthcare and undermines its core values of truth, integrity, philanthropy, and altruism.

Without question, dishonesty comes in all shades, and at times it can be a matter of interpretation. That said, dishonesty encompasses any form of professional or academic misconduct, including fraud, deceit, cheating, lying, shirking responsibility, abuse of authority, conflicts of interest, plagiarism, alteration of medical records, forgery, false representation, and knowingly assisting another person in dishonest acts. It's also a violation of every university, college and program "honor code".

Why then are students surprised when the are caught and confronted?
Stunning. Unfortunate.

Hurricane Scale of Concern

New Florida scale for hurricanes: Seven 7 Tiers of Concern

☀️ First Tier: Grocery stores are out of bread 🍞 , water 💦 and camp stoves.

Lots of Little Debbie cakes though (preserved to last forever in case of power outage)

⛅️ Second Tier: Schools are closed

☁️ Third Tier: Work is cancelled for the normal people 

⛈ Fourth Tier: Gas lines & shortages with intermittent price gouging

☔️ Fifth Tier: Mandatory evacuations and "stayers" told to write their driver's license number in permanent ink on their arm to ID them later

💨 Sixth Tier: Walt Disney World closes, evacuates the parks, and refunds people their money. Disney is NEVER CLOSED or refunds money 💰 

🌪 Seventh Tier: College football 🏈 games cancelled. 😳 Armageddon!

And then Jim Cantore' and the Weather Channel shows up 😩

 

Party

It's not a party until someone gets hurt. And then, someone did.

Burning Man party goer ran, voluntarily, into the "Man" flames last night. Outrageous behavior with long, long term consequences if he doesn't die. And seeing that he made it alive to the burn center, he'll likely suffer for awhile. Nothing more painful than whole body burn treatment, everyday.

Just a guess on consumption, but pretty sure the hallucinogens didn't help. 

Burn

Why do we engage in radicle ritual?

Why burn the Man?

No universal reason. Just burn.

Create, then "give back". The burning of the Man is the centerpiece around which the whole event comes to conclusion and ultimate focus.

It could easily be a McDonalds or something similar.