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The Weekly Readlines March 21
BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES
Like rain in the dessert, President Biden finally gets a boost in the polls, beating Trump in three of them this past week. Maybe it was that whole ‘there will be a bloodbath’ thing Trump promised to his enthralled supporters in Ohio. Or maybe people are finally realizing the man’s got stage-three something of the brain. Biden’s also crushing Trump in fundraising, possibly because Biden donors aren’t paying off his legal bills.
SCOTUS gave Texas the green light to start its own dictatorship, seizing immigration authority explicitly given to the federal government in the Constitution. But hey, what’s that dusty old document when it stands in the way of six ‘strict constructionists’ everyone knows by now aren’t strict at all.
In a preview of gay life in America beneath the boot of Christian nationalism, Russia arrested the managers of a gay club under its ‘Extremism’ law. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
And primed for success, Amazon began selling over-the-counter birth control pills online. But is there free shipping?
IN OTHER NEWS
First Openly Gay Top Flight Footballer Proposes To His Partner On The Pitch – Indy100
LGBTQ+ voters in Michigan, other battleground states overwhelmingly support Biden
Retirement Fears Do Not Play Out In Reality, Survey Shows – Journal Of Accountancy
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Home Advantages: Best Vegetables for Planting in Early Spring
Narration provided by Wondervox (in a fun British accent).
Home Advantages is a semi-regular feature highlighting our efforts to keep up a small house in the New Jersey woods, whether it’s redoing a vegetable garden or unclogging a bathroom sink! Follow along this year as I undertake small improvements here and there, and show you how you can, too! – Mark
By Mark McNease
Cool-weather vegetables are calling
If you’re itching to start planting, March is a great time to begin, with several hearty, cool-weather loving vegetables looking for the nearest garden. Lots of vegetables thrive in the cool, moist conditions of early spring, and they can provide delicious and nutritious harvests you can tell people you grew yourself! Here’s a short list of some of the best vegetables to plant in March, along with tips on how to care for them.
Onions
Onions can be planted in March, and they’ll reward you with pungent and flavorful bulbs later in the summer. You can start onions from seeds, sets, or transplants, depending on your preference and availability. Onions prefer a sunny location with fertile and well-drained soil, and they need regular watering and weeding. They’re ready to harvest when the tops fall over and turn brown, usually in July or August. You can store them in a cool and dry place for several months, or eat them as you go along.
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A Mug Shot Worth Having: Mystery Writers of America-NY Board Members
If you just keep at it, something new and exciting is always just around the corner. I never imagined I’d be on the board of anything, but here I am, in exceptionally good company. You can see all of the Mystery Writers of America-New York chapter board members at our website.
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Cathy’s Wealth of Health: Allergies
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Cathy McNease, Dipl CH, RH
Here in Southern California, many are plagued by allergies to pollens in the air. Extensive landscaping has turned a natural desert terrain into a lush, verdant landscape. As a result, we have an enormous variety of plant pollens to contend with. Typically, tree pollens cause spring time allergies, while herbs, grasses and flowers cause summer and fall allergies. Mold, mildew, dust, pet dander, feathers, cigarette smoke, and chemical pollutants, may all cause allergy symptoms year round, and can be difficult to diagnose. An allergic reaction is a disorder of the immune system that causes an over reaction to something in the environment. Anti-histamine drugs, like Benadryl or Claritin are used to reduce allergy symptoms.
Seasonal allergies to pollens can cause sneezing, runny nose, cough, asthma, itchy eyes, nose or ears; sore throat, hives, rashes and fatigue. Minimizing exposure to the offending pollens is advised, but that may be impossible to achieve. Allergic reactions can be mild or severe. If your parents suffered with hay fever (allergic rhinitis), eczema or allergic asthma, there is a good chance that you have inherited the “allergy-prone gene.” From the point of view of Chinese Medicine, this shows an inherited weakness in the immune functions of both the Lungs and the Kidneys. Stress may be a trigger due to a the strong connection between the emotions and the immune system. Often the allergy-prone adult suffered allergies or eczema as a kid. Others may develop allergies later in life, even with no family history. Repeated exposure can be a trigger. Colds and allergies may have similar symptoms, but if those cold symptoms last more than a week, it may be due to allergies.
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Savvy Senior: How to Get ‘Extra Help’ Paying for Prescriptions
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
Does Medicare offer any financial assistance programs to help seniors with their medication costs? I recently enrolled in a Medicare drug plan, but I take some expensive medications that have high out-of-pocket costs and need some help.
Living on a Shoestring
Dear Living,
Yes, there’s a low-income subsidy program called ‘Extra Help’ that assists Medicare beneficiaries on a tight budget by paying for their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to their Medicare (Part D) prescription drug coverage.
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The Twist Podcast #257: Irish Eyes Wide Open, Fun Facts for the Faint of Heart, and Professor Mark’s Class Starts Now!
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we scan the latest headlines, welcome the smell of cabbage on the stove, and consider having our eyeballs tattooed green.
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New Nature Paintings from Jean Ryan, Artist, Author and Poet
Jean Ryan has been a friend of mine for quite a few years now. Her writing and her painting always leaving me astonished that so much talent can reside in one person. She painted a commissioned portrait of our beloved cat Peanut when we first welcomed her to our home. Peanut left this world three weeks ago, and Jean’s painting of her hangs by our front door, where she always came running to when we got home.
Check out Jean’s artwork at her website.
Check out her short story collection Lovers and Losers on Amazon here, and her novel Lost Sister here.
And what better accompaniment to her paintings than her marvelous book of nature essays, Strange Company, here and on Audible! -
I’m Now a Certified Guided Autobiography Instructor!
And we’re off! My 2-hour Fiction Writing Essentials online workshop is filling up, and I’m putting together a 2-hour Guided Autobiography Introductory workshop I’ll be offering online and at several in-person locations.
Anyone attending who wants to dive deeper can sign up for the 6-week classes once I have them scheduled (YourWritePath.com). 2024 is turning out to be everything I’d hoped it would. And we have a new cat! James, our first male, and our youngest: 10 months old, a bed cat, an attention seeker, and he gets along great with Wilma (still my baby at 9).
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Workshops and Class Registration Now Available Through EventCreate!
You can now register for classes and workshops with Event Create, including payment! Here’s the link for the upcoming Fiction Essentials workshop.
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The Twist Podcast #256: Biden’s SOTU Smasher, and Our Show Topper Interview with Elise Tomashek, Miss Wisconsin Teen Volunteer
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we marvel at President Biden’s historic home run, scan the news and Personals Page, and enjoy an interview with Elise Tomashek, Miss Wisconsin Teen Volunteer competing for Miss Teen Volunteer America.
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The Weekly Readlines March 8
BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES
BREAKING: Biden scorches a win with his State of the Union, reminding a country that needs it of the dangers ahead. Will we stop hearing about his age and his imagined infirmities? Perhaps in the real world where it’s needed. In the right-wing bubble? Not so much. Bravo!
2024 is now set to be among the longest years in memory. Barring the arrival of a species-ending comet, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee. Joe Biden, as the incumbent, will face him in another cage match for the gerontocracy. One of these two men will occupy the White House for the following four years. And to think we once had a president named Obama who was younger than me.
Nikki Haley has dropped out of the race, with her expected genuflection coming soon. Even Mitch McConnell, stepping down as Senate Minority Leader, having at one time affixed blame for the assault on the Capitol squarely on Trump, and having allowed his wife to endure Trump’s and racist slurs, has kissed the ring in record time. I wouldn’t call what they’re all kissing a ring.
To absolutely no one’s disappointment, fashion hound and senatorial obstructionist Krysten Sinema has announced her retirement. Don’t let the changing booth door hit you in the ass on the way out.
LGBTQ NEWS
GLAAD Releases 2024 Voter Poll: 94% Of LGBTQ Americans Are Motivated To Vote
California survey seeks insights on LGBTQ older adults – Q Voice News
AARP-Backed LGBTQ+ Bill of Rights Takes Effect for Oregon Nursing Homes
As a Catholic Doctor, I Know Gender-Affirming Care Is Essential for Transgender Youth.
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Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: Is the Keto Diet Good for Seniors?
Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources
By Cassie Greenfield, MSc
The keto diet is an interesting approach. It’s promoted as a healthy way to live, one that can help stabilize blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Such features could make it powerful for obese seniors and perhaps also for those with diabetes.
Yet, keto is also a highly controversial diet.
While it is often practiced and seems safe enough for many people, is it something that seniors should try? Today, we’re considering the pros and cons of the keto diet for seniors, along with things to consider when starting the approach.
Whatever you decide, it’s important to talk to the senior’s doctor before starting keto and keep an eye out for problems as you go. Doing so is crucial, as keto doesn’t work well for everyone.