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Health Beat: My Zepbound Journey (Week 1)
Narration provided by Wondervox.
By Mark McNease.
One of my biggest obstacles, if not the biggest one has been my years-long struggle with what is now obesity. I’m 65 years old, 5’10” tall, and 244 pounds. That burdens me with 50 pounds my body has to bear that it shouldn’t. It increases my risk of a half-dozen illnesses, including stroke, heart attack (which killed both my birth father and his father in their 60s), and that old standby, diabetes.
I’ve tried for at least the past decade to lose this weight, and all it has done is increase. So now, with the determination of the … determined, I’ve decided to bite the bullet. In this case it’s a syringe with a weekly dose of Zepbound. I just started this yesterday, so saying too much about it would be foolhardy. But I am committed to changing the way I eat, to making my relationship with food a much healthier one, and to inhabiting a body that both pleases me and serves me.
A word about cost: as someone on Medicare, with a Wellcare drug plan and a Humana supplemental, these drugs are not covered. I knew that going in, and it’s one of the reasons I put it off until now. I was able to get a month’s worth (4 injections) for just over $1000. Yes, it’s a lot of money. Yes, I’m somewhat privileged to be able to do this for the next three or four months, but no, I don’t feel guilty about that. I would rather spend $3000 changing my body and my life, than having to deal with the consequences of chronic obesity now and in the future.
I’ll be writing more about my Zepbound journey as the weeks pass and, hopefully, the pounds fall away.
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Savvy Senior: Do You Need a Digital Will?
By Jim Miler
Dear Savvy Senior,
My wife and I had our estate plan – including a will, power of attorney and advance directive – drawn up about 10 years ago but have recently read that our plan should include a digital will too. What can you tell us about this?
Almost 80
Dear Almost,
If you or your wife spend much time online, adding a separate digital will document to your estate plan that provides a list of your digital assets would be extremely helpful to your loved ones when you die, not to mention it will help protect your privacy. Here’s what you should know.
Do You Have Digital Asset?
The term “digital assets” refers to personal information that is stored electronically on either a computer or an online cloud server account that belongs to an individual. Anyone who uses email, has a PIN code protected cell phone, makes online purchases, or pays bills online has digital assets.
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Yours Truly to Moderate Mystery Writers Panel on Starting and Sustaining a Series
It’s never too early to save the date! November 11, Hoboken. The moderator of the panel looks familiar …
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Book Review: Don’t Let the Devil Ride, by Ace Atkins
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez“Don’t Let the Devil Ride” by Ace Atkins
c.2024, William Morrow $30.00 384 pagesSomething’s missing. And – wait, didn’t you just put it down?
Funny how that happens, isn’t it? You lay something in a safe place you’re sure you’ll remember but nope. It’s missing now but, like your mother used to say, it didn’t grow legs and walk off. As in the new novel, “Don’t Let the Devil Ride” by Ace Atkins, it’s around here somewhere.
Dean McKellar had left again.
It happened a couple years ago, but then, as his wife, Addison, remembered, he was only gone a few days. This time, it was a week with no contact. His phone went unanswered. His secretary offered no information. Addison’s brother, who worshiped the ground Dean walked on, had nothing to share. When she went to Dean’s office, Addy learned that another business rented that spot. How long could she protect their children, fourteen-year-old Sara Caroline, or nine-year-old Preston, from Dean’s unexplained absence?
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The Twist Podcast #267: Proud AF End of June Rainbows Everywhere Edition
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we say goodbye to another June, wave our rainbow flags high, and stay the course.
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The Weekly Readlines June 28
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
“Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.” – Robert Brault
BIG CUP: THE WEEK’S TOP STORIES
By almost all accounts President Biden bombed at the debate. No further comment.
From the good news beat, Biden pardoned military veterans who were convicted for same-sex activities prior to the repeal of DADT, and the number of elected LGBTQ officials jumped 200 percent since 2017. Pickings from the happy place are a bit slim these days
NEWS FOR Qs
Biden Protections For LGBT Students Blocked In Six More States | WTVB
US Supreme Court To Hear Challenge To Ban On Transgender Care For Minors – AOL.com
Peru stops labeling transgender people as mentally ill – Yahoo News Canada
Georgian Parliament Gives Initial Approval To Sweeping Curbs On LGBT Rights | Reuters
Cleveland Is Home To One Of The Oldest LGBT Community Centers In The Nation – WEWS
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Cat Talk Radio with Molly DeVoss and Dewey Vaught: 5 Signs Your Cat is Depressed
Do cats suffer from depression? They sure do! Molly and Dewey talk about 5 signs your cat might be depressed, what causes it, and what you can do to help.
Cat Talk Radio is all about cats, what makes them do what they do, why they occasionally misbehave and what cat guardians can do to fix it. We educate you on how to modify unwanted cat behavior by providing the proper environment and stimulation, enabling cats to express their natural behaviors in ways that are preferable for both the humans and cats. You will learn how to have fun with your cat, fascinating cat facts and be inspired to try new things, which will lead to a happier relationship and closer bond with your cat. We’ll also call attention to the plight of cats in our country, feel compassion for their challenges and share the message.
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Cat Talk Radio with Molly DeVoss and Dewey Vaughn: What To Do If Your Cat Gets Lost
“One of the most terrifying thoughts I can imagine, is if my cat got out. A couple listeners sent in emails asking who they could hire to help them find their cats. I knew just who to reach out to – Kat Albrecht of Missing Animal Response Network. Kat dispels the myths about finding your lost cat and shares tips for locating your cat. Kat dedicates her time to teaching others how to help people find lost pets – check it out at www.MissingAnimalResponse.com”
Cat Talk Radio is all about cats, what makes them do what they do, why they occasionally misbehave and what cat guardians can do to fix it. We educate you on how to modify unwanted cat behavior by providing the proper environment and stimulation, enabling cats to express their natural behaviors in ways that are preferable for both the humans and cats. You will learn how to have fun with your cat, fascinating cat facts and be inspired to try new things, which will lead to a happier relationship and closer bond with your cat. We’ll also call attention to the plight of cats in our country, feel compassion for their challenges and share the message.
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Two Online Guided Autobiography Introductory Workshops Added for August!
I’ve added two Guided Autobiography 2-Hour Introductory Workshops in August. These are free and online.
DATE: Monday, August 12
Time: 10:00 AM Eastern via Zoom
RSVP HERE (limited to 6)
DATE: Wednesday, August 14
Time: 2:00 PM Eastern via Zoom
RSVP HERE (limited to 6) -
Bucks County Herald Ad Set to Run in July
I’m sure it will look different when their ad department has created it, but I like this for my own purposes.
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On the Map: Stroudsburg Here We Come (Again)
Narration provided by Wondervox.
On the Map is a feature at LGBTSr highlighting travel experiences and destinations of interest.
By Mark McNease
We just got back from one of our two-night ‘surprise trips,’ when one of us makes travel plans and the other doesn’t know what they are. We’ve been doing this for many years, and it was my turn to be surprised.
It was a return visit for us, to a town in the Poconos we enjoy spending a couple days in: Stroudsburg, PA. It’s not a fancy place, and it doesn’t have the kind of tourist vibe you’ll find in a lot of other locations in that area, but we like it.
We stayed at the local Hampton Inn, my favorite hotel chain. Maybe it’s the 24-hour coffee, or just the middle-brow feel of the place, but I like it there.
We had dinner one night at Marita’s Bar and Grill, a local Mexican favorite, and the next night at Garlic Restaurant and Bar, a slightly upscale eatery with superb (and expensive) food, much of which has – you guessed it – a garlic theme. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, where you can pick from a dizzying selection of candies, chocolates, and dime-store souvenirs.
The only mitigating factor? It was the beginning of the first heat wave of the summer, and it was hot! But whether it’s hot, cold, or somewhere in-between, I recommend a trip to Stroudsburg. And if you go to the Stroud Mall, make sure you get a spa pedi at Nail Trix. Ask for Annie. It was the best spa pedi I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot of them.
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Your Write Path Workshops Now Scheduled for September! Save the Dates
I have a full slate of workshops schedules for September: Fiction Writing Essentials, Self-Publishing with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), and extended Guided Autobiography Workshops. You don’t need to register now, but save the dates and stay tuned. – Mark
Guided Autobiography 6 Week Online Workshop
Starts Wednesday, September 4, 10:00 am eastern
Register here