Hey Bill, another case where the Devils are in the details. Can you think of starting some kind of group chat between Canadians and Americans? Before we as Canadians vote to make American Woman by The Guess Who as our national anthem. Love Jersey, many happy days in the Wildwoods, the last tag free beaches.
Totally agree with you on the distractions front. Pickleball, Golf and nature walks are my ticket to reducing anxiety. Just 5 minutes a day watching the birds in my backyard makes me calm and happy.
I am with you on the sports! I love sports and love this time of year (March Madness tops the list for me!). Whatever brings you joy and happiness is what I say. And I help people do just that because so many are distressed about the world today - which I understand. But you have to decide where you want to put your energy - that to me is what it's all about. Energy. So many things to distract a person and for someone to go down the rabbit hole for sure. Fascinating article on Gates and the other 7 things! always a joy to read!!
Wow, here I was yesterday thinking I am part of an elite class. You see, I'm one of those 119 people without a passport. Then I realized you had omitted one critical word. So now, here I am facing the reality that I'm not that elite after all.
Has anyone considered the possibility that the so called "leak" of classified information was intentional? Trump despises the fact that he cannot discuss issues of national security and he knows one of his lieutenants will always step up and take the blame. Just a thought.
You are nearly part of the “elite” class if you have a passport. I no longer have a passport since I no longer travel internationally but I did upgrade my driver’s license at the last renewal. It used to take 60-90 days to receive a passport so I guess if you apply for one now it might be available by the midterms?
I’ve had a passport since 1990 when my son left to go to work in Israel at the Baha’i World Center. I knew I would be going over to visit him. I think the cost for one then was $60.00. I kept it current since my husband and I traveled to Canada quite a bit when he was still living. He had played football there so we loved to visit. Now talk about a sports fan, I lived with one. He was a four letter jock in high school and was a football recruit for college where he played until he was recruited to the CFL. He loved and played golf until he couldn’t any longer. There wasn’t a weekend that he didn’t have the remote at hand so he could watch several events at the push of a button. The house was terribly quiet after he died. I have watched a sporting event since Feb. of ‘22.
That EO about voting us as bad as the SAVE Act that’s working its way through Congress. That’s definitely one bill that needs to be killed dead. Face it; these devils don’t want anyone except rich men to vote. Just a heads up if you aren’t aware.
Check out Lucian Truscott’s Substack newsletter for the 26th. He has an interesting take on why 47 seems to have no interest in all the Signalgate blow-up.
I'm not a sports fan—never have been, never will be. But your juicy takes? Oh, I'm absolutely here for that. Grabs popcorn and lounges with dramatic flair.
As for that AI bit? Let’s be honest: it's not happening anytime soon. Not because the tech isn’t there—it’s because people are still too busy trying to put socks on the wrong feet while yelling at their smart toasters.
Me? I’ve never seen AI as a threat. It's a tool. A weapon. A beautifully sharpened sword I like to swing for snark and insight—and honestly? I'm damn good with it. *chuckles* Like someone who's been training some insight (I like Alexa, ha.) on the low.
AI is only a danger if people treat it as such. We are in the midst of an election campaign in Canada and I have seen many AI-spoofed photos of the party leaders along with whacko news stories about crypto currency. I have also heard some pretty scary stories about scams where AI impersonates someone's child and does the "I need money for bail" phone scam.
You're on to something Bill. I don't think you can ignore what's happening all around us on a daily basis, however there's more to life than what the media is selling. I'm a sports fan so there's lots of good material available if you want to incorporate it. Add the Boston Marathon and the Masters to your list of upcoming sporting events that have lots of history and plenty of interesting material that you could incorporate.
It's a big world out there... best of luck trying to figure out what to write about. I'm sure you'll keep it interesting.
Trump's latest action - EO's proves he's not making America great again - just trying to destroy - using the playbook other dictators used - review the history and you will see.
America is great and has always been - ask almost any Vet!
Anthony…you are so right! I believe “they” think making American great again simply means like the 50s when women were repressed (couldn’t get credit, a mortgage or even a deed on a house because they weren’t allowed) and when overt racism, such as separate water fountains and dining areas was “normal.”
We had 4 season tickets to hockey games, & one time asked another couple. They accepted. I don't know why. The entire time they complained, loudly, about the brutality of the game. They complained about the noise the fans made. Ugh. Guess they weren't fans, huh... & couldn't have cared less if they would have gotten their faces shown.
I LOVED the 15 yr old girl fan!!!
I guess I have a question for anyone who cares to answer... will you get revaccinated for measles? I'm going to call my Dr. 'cause I was vaccinated before 1968. I don't know if it's still given as MMR or if it can be separated out (funny side story, when I was getting ready to get pregnant first time I went in to be tested for Rubella & my test came back negative for Rabies, so I guess ya shouldn't always put your trust in test results???). I'm in a state that could very well be a highly contagious state. It's not easily detected, a contagious person can move around spreading it, being contagious for a long time... TWO Amtrak stations, who knows where it went...
Since you asked…if you were vaccinated as a kid I’ve read you should. Some born before 1957 already had measles (like me) and supposedly don’t need a vaccine (according to my PCP).
Test results are accurate for the test that was done, which is why you should always read the complete report to confirm the correct test was done.
Update - just found this:
“But public health experts say there are some adults who should consider getting revaccinated. That includes older adults who were born after 1957 and were vaccinated before 1968.
That's because early versions of the measles vaccine were made from an inactivated (killed) virus, which didn't work particularly well, Offit says. That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone vaccinated before 1968 get at least one dose of the live attenuated vaccine.
Before the first measles vaccines were developed in the 1960s, nearly everyone got the disease during childhood. So people born before 1957 are assumed to have natural immunity.
Schaffner says if you're not sure of your immunity or vaccination status, there's no harm in getting a shot.”
I also fall in this age range. My older brother got a full blown case of the measles, so I was, of course, exposed. Meanwhile, I was vaccinated, and still got the measles…
makes me think of when my kids got chicken pox. Had 3 sons, sent oldest to school/kindergarten, noticed a little pimple on his chin, didn't think anything of it, when I picked him up at noon, I mentioned his pimple, & he said "Look", picked up his shirt & his chest was covered. 🤣Soon after, my middle son, age 3 got it, a mild case. I also had a 1 yr old, just crawling & I tried my best to keep him away. I had my oldest 2 sit on their quilts wherever they were. I left the room one time & came back in, the oldest ones were both gone, the baby was rolling around on the quilts, having a ball. Soon came down w/ the worst case!! I had friends who deliberately exposed their kids -
update - called Dr office - they're telling everyone to follow CDC guidelines. So I called my pharmacy which has a clientele of predominantly 65+. Woman I talked to said "Hold on, I'll check", came back, telling me they have supply so come on in. I went in w/in an hour. Was told they had run out a few weeks ago, & had waited for this new shipment that just came in last night. Good timing for me, huh!
And it's MMR. Live, so to possibly expect a bit of fever. Supposed to go to a dance tonight... we'll see...
Like I said, my state is considered a high risk area, but now w/ the DC Amtrak stations, I'd say many urban areas will be finding the same... & my decision was based on the fact that someone can easily be asymptomatic & pass it along, which I certainly don't want to be responsible for. In my volunteer work I'm around a wide variety of clientele.
I have the same interests as Suzy below. However, at work, I publish a weekly spotlight screen of various things involving issues inside and outside of work. To help keep things less stressful / more encouraging, I always include humor, things to be grateful for, and a good news story of the week. Politics are a rarity.
I share the same activities as Suzy below. I'm also deliberate in stepping out side during the day to reset, pray, and soak in some sunshine or brisk wind. At my workplace, I create a weekly, rotating PowerPoint spotlight screen that always includes things to be grateful for, humor, and the good news story of the week. Rarely politics. I think we should all be deliberate on defending against the assault on our sensibilities and our empathy.
Thank you Bill. I'm from Vancouver and watched the game on TV but didn't see you...lol. Watching or following sports is a great way to teach your kids geography.
Things I talk about … the fact that I belong to a community band (I play soprano clarinet), and I truly enjoy taking piano lessons- again. The only football teams I have an interest in are the Saints, and maybe the Patriots.
My FB account shows my interests in gardening, puzzles 🧩, food, my church family and some community involvement, local weather and backyard critters.
my cousin is in an orchestra & has taught numerous instruments to students as well as choral as her career. She's in New Jersey. Her favorite instrument is the oboe. I took piano as a kid & wish I had listened to my mom - she said you'll wish you hadn't quit. Then in my 50's I started again w/ a friend & we took for about 3 yrs. I LOVE the piano!!! Another cousin is a great piano player, by ear, doesn't read music. Plays for her church in Ohio.
My interests used to be gardening when I lived where the soil was wonderful, now it's awful. I now love to play games w/ friends, dance & volunteer.
we have a trail cam that faces our house. On it, at night, we've regularaly captured video of mama deer & her babies, skunks, which are good 'cause they help keep the rattlesnakes away, ringtail which I love, racoons which aren't good, armadillos which definitely aren't good, an occasional fox which is fun, wild turkeys, bobcat, & a beautiful sleek black feral cat which we named T cause we didn't know if it was he or she, so Tina Turner if she or if he, we live on a golf course T-off.
Hey Bill, another case where the Devils are in the details. Can you think of starting some kind of group chat between Canadians and Americans? Before we as Canadians vote to make American Woman by The Guess Who as our national anthem. Love Jersey, many happy days in the Wildwoods, the last tag free beaches.
Totally agree with you on the distractions front. Pickleball, Golf and nature walks are my ticket to reducing anxiety. Just 5 minutes a day watching the birds in my backyard makes me calm and happy.
I am with you on the sports! I love sports and love this time of year (March Madness tops the list for me!). Whatever brings you joy and happiness is what I say. And I help people do just that because so many are distressed about the world today - which I understand. But you have to decide where you want to put your energy - that to me is what it's all about. Energy. So many things to distract a person and for someone to go down the rabbit hole for sure. Fascinating article on Gates and the other 7 things! always a joy to read!!
Wow, here I was yesterday thinking I am part of an elite class. You see, I'm one of those 119 people without a passport. Then I realized you had omitted one critical word. So now, here I am facing the reality that I'm not that elite after all.
Has anyone considered the possibility that the so called "leak" of classified information was intentional? Trump despises the fact that he cannot discuss issues of national security and he knows one of his lieutenants will always step up and take the blame. Just a thought.
You are nearly part of the “elite” class if you have a passport. I no longer have a passport since I no longer travel internationally but I did upgrade my driver’s license at the last renewal. It used to take 60-90 days to receive a passport so I guess if you apply for one now it might be available by the midterms?
I’ve had a passport since 1990 when my son left to go to work in Israel at the Baha’i World Center. I knew I would be going over to visit him. I think the cost for one then was $60.00. I kept it current since my husband and I traveled to Canada quite a bit when he was still living. He had played football there so we loved to visit. Now talk about a sports fan, I lived with one. He was a four letter jock in high school and was a football recruit for college where he played until he was recruited to the CFL. He loved and played golf until he couldn’t any longer. There wasn’t a weekend that he didn’t have the remote at hand so he could watch several events at the push of a button. The house was terribly quiet after he died. I have watched a sporting event since Feb. of ‘22.
That EO about voting us as bad as the SAVE Act that’s working its way through Congress. That’s definitely one bill that needs to be killed dead. Face it; these devils don’t want anyone except rich men to vote. Just a heads up if you aren’t aware.
Check out Lucian Truscott’s Substack newsletter for the 26th. He has an interesting take on why 47 seems to have no interest in all the Signalgate blow-up.
I'm not a sports fan—never have been, never will be. But your juicy takes? Oh, I'm absolutely here for that. Grabs popcorn and lounges with dramatic flair.
As for that AI bit? Let’s be honest: it's not happening anytime soon. Not because the tech isn’t there—it’s because people are still too busy trying to put socks on the wrong feet while yelling at their smart toasters.
Me? I’ve never seen AI as a threat. It's a tool. A weapon. A beautifully sharpened sword I like to swing for snark and insight—and honestly? I'm damn good with it. *chuckles* Like someone who's been training some insight (I like Alexa, ha.) on the low.
Great post as always, Bill.
Sending LOADS of snark and love your way!
AI is only a danger if people treat it as such. We are in the midst of an election campaign in Canada and I have seen many AI-spoofed photos of the party leaders along with whacko news stories about crypto currency. I have also heard some pretty scary stories about scams where AI impersonates someone's child and does the "I need money for bail" phone scam.
You're on to something Bill. I don't think you can ignore what's happening all around us on a daily basis, however there's more to life than what the media is selling. I'm a sports fan so there's lots of good material available if you want to incorporate it. Add the Boston Marathon and the Masters to your list of upcoming sporting events that have lots of history and plenty of interesting material that you could incorporate.
It's a big world out there... best of luck trying to figure out what to write about. I'm sure you'll keep it interesting.
yes, sports DO make a great diversion. Go Sox!!
Trump's latest action - EO's proves he's not making America great again - just trying to destroy - using the playbook other dictators used - review the history and you will see.
America is great and has always been - ask almost any Vet!
Anthony…you are so right! I believe “they” think making American great again simply means like the 50s when women were repressed (couldn’t get credit, a mortgage or even a deed on a house because they weren’t allowed) and when overt racism, such as separate water fountains and dining areas was “normal.”
We had 4 season tickets to hockey games, & one time asked another couple. They accepted. I don't know why. The entire time they complained, loudly, about the brutality of the game. They complained about the noise the fans made. Ugh. Guess they weren't fans, huh... & couldn't have cared less if they would have gotten their faces shown.
I LOVED the 15 yr old girl fan!!!
I guess I have a question for anyone who cares to answer... will you get revaccinated for measles? I'm going to call my Dr. 'cause I was vaccinated before 1968. I don't know if it's still given as MMR or if it can be separated out (funny side story, when I was getting ready to get pregnant first time I went in to be tested for Rubella & my test came back negative for Rabies, so I guess ya shouldn't always put your trust in test results???). I'm in a state that could very well be a highly contagious state. It's not easily detected, a contagious person can move around spreading it, being contagious for a long time... TWO Amtrak stations, who knows where it went...
Since you asked…if you were vaccinated as a kid I’ve read you should. Some born before 1957 already had measles (like me) and supposedly don’t need a vaccine (according to my PCP).
Test results are accurate for the test that was done, which is why you should always read the complete report to confirm the correct test was done.
Update - just found this:
“But public health experts say there are some adults who should consider getting revaccinated. That includes older adults who were born after 1957 and were vaccinated before 1968.
That's because early versions of the measles vaccine were made from an inactivated (killed) virus, which didn't work particularly well, Offit says. That's why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone vaccinated before 1968 get at least one dose of the live attenuated vaccine.
Before the first measles vaccines were developed in the 1960s, nearly everyone got the disease during childhood. So people born before 1957 are assumed to have natural immunity.
Schaffner says if you're not sure of your immunity or vaccination status, there's no harm in getting a shot.”
https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/02/21/nx-s1-5304458/measles-vaccine-booster-health
thanks - I was born in '50, no longer have access to my medical records, so I'll ask my Dr. I know I had the mumps, don't remember about measles.
yeah, I read that report, which said I was negative for rabies. HaHa
I also fall in this age range. My older brother got a full blown case of the measles, so I was, of course, exposed. Meanwhile, I was vaccinated, and still got the measles…
makes me think of when my kids got chicken pox. Had 3 sons, sent oldest to school/kindergarten, noticed a little pimple on his chin, didn't think anything of it, when I picked him up at noon, I mentioned his pimple, & he said "Look", picked up his shirt & his chest was covered. 🤣Soon after, my middle son, age 3 got it, a mild case. I also had a 1 yr old, just crawling & I tried my best to keep him away. I had my oldest 2 sit on their quilts wherever they were. I left the room one time & came back in, the oldest ones were both gone, the baby was rolling around on the quilts, having a ball. Soon came down w/ the worst case!! I had friends who deliberately exposed their kids -
update - called Dr office - they're telling everyone to follow CDC guidelines. So I called my pharmacy which has a clientele of predominantly 65+. Woman I talked to said "Hold on, I'll check", came back, telling me they have supply so come on in. I went in w/in an hour. Was told they had run out a few weeks ago, & had waited for this new shipment that just came in last night. Good timing for me, huh!
And it's MMR. Live, so to possibly expect a bit of fever. Supposed to go to a dance tonight... we'll see...
Like I said, my state is considered a high risk area, but now w/ the DC Amtrak stations, I'd say many urban areas will be finding the same... & my decision was based on the fact that someone can easily be asymptomatic & pass it along, which I certainly don't want to be responsible for. In my volunteer work I'm around a wide variety of clientele.
I have the same interests as Suzy below. However, at work, I publish a weekly spotlight screen of various things involving issues inside and outside of work. To help keep things less stressful / more encouraging, I always include humor, things to be grateful for, and a good news story of the week. Politics are a rarity.
I share the same activities as Suzy below. I'm also deliberate in stepping out side during the day to reset, pray, and soak in some sunshine or brisk wind. At my workplace, I create a weekly, rotating PowerPoint spotlight screen that always includes things to be grateful for, humor, and the good news story of the week. Rarely politics. I think we should all be deliberate on defending against the assault on our sensibilities and our empathy.
Thank you Bill. I'm from Vancouver and watched the game on TV but didn't see you...lol. Watching or following sports is a great way to teach your kids geography.
Things I talk about … the fact that I belong to a community band (I play soprano clarinet), and I truly enjoy taking piano lessons- again. The only football teams I have an interest in are the Saints, and maybe the Patriots.
My FB account shows my interests in gardening, puzzles 🧩, food, my church family and some community involvement, local weather and backyard critters.
my cousin is in an orchestra & has taught numerous instruments to students as well as choral as her career. She's in New Jersey. Her favorite instrument is the oboe. I took piano as a kid & wish I had listened to my mom - she said you'll wish you hadn't quit. Then in my 50's I started again w/ a friend & we took for about 3 yrs. I LOVE the piano!!! Another cousin is a great piano player, by ear, doesn't read music. Plays for her church in Ohio.
My interests used to be gardening when I lived where the soil was wonderful, now it's awful. I now love to play games w/ friends, dance & volunteer.
we have a trail cam that faces our house. On it, at night, we've regularaly captured video of mama deer & her babies, skunks, which are good 'cause they help keep the rattlesnakes away, ringtail which I love, racoons which aren't good, armadillos which definitely aren't good, an occasional fox which is fun, wild turkeys, bobcat, & a beautiful sleek black feral cat which we named T cause we didn't know if it was he or she, so Tina Turner if she or if he, we live on a golf course T-off.
Sorry I missed this one yesterday. I was at Yankees opening day. :)
This was a great read - thank you!
Heading to Tampa tomorrow! Go Cocks!!