Scary Sh*t
I was going through my email and came across one from ReligionDispatches.org: As the Old White South Rises Again Will Democrats Wilt For the Sake of National ‘Reconciliation’? You might want to take a look. History buffs, this one is for you. BTW, do you know what the Laken Riley Act is? Wild Cooking Woman 1/17/25
Nicole Hemmer, reviewing Richard Slotkin’s newest book A GREAT DISORDER: National Myth and the Battle for America, has some interesting things to say about the interesting things that Slotkin writes. This book, the fourth and most recent in a series of books that look at American history from about 1600 to the present through its mythologies, is reviewed here.
Myths that gesture toward full inclusion cohere. Those that require it fall apart.
Nicole Hemmer
Is there anywhere on the planet where we can escape this mess? Wildfires, politics (a wildfire of its own), sexism, misogyny, etc., etc., etc? Rich folks have their mega yachts and gigantic compounds. What about the rest of us? We are the reason they’re rich. What do we get out of this? My precious pup is about 45 in human years! Kintsugi 1/14/2025
Bits and Pieces
10 Times You Shouldn’t Use Antibacterial Wipes. They are not hand wipes.
Pete Hegseth, a TV news anchor who is Trump’s choice to lead the Pentagon, faces allegations of sexual assault to reports that he violated military law when he was a member of the Army National Guard. (more)
If you’ve ever gone to pop a pimple on your nose, a little voice in your head might have said, Don’t! That’s the triangle of death! But what exactly is this danger zone?
Relationships are hard. After the cake and the flowers, marriage is real work. What should people know before they get seriously involved? First, good partners are made, not born. (more)
The US Army achieved its recruitment target last year for the first time in a decade — thanks to growth in female enlistments. Male enlistments have dropped from 58,000 in 2013 to 45,000 in 2024 because of a lack of male applicants who meet the army’s educational requirements.
When I was in college, my roommate ate cottage cheese with salt, pepper, and catsup. Ugh! Cottage cheese fell out of favor; it was lumpy, slimy, and just plain nasty. Now, cottage cheese is making a comeback.
The Justice Department released special counsel Jack Smith’s report on his investigation into alleged election interference by President-elect Donald Trump.
By 2060, 1 million U.S. adults are projected to develop some form of dementia each year. After age 55, 4 in 10 adults are likely to develop some form of it. Scary. Here are ways to reduce your risk.
People who sleep on their left side are often healthier and experience fewer digestive issues while they sleep. The reason why you get so many benefits from your left side is because of the anatomy and location of your body’s internal organs. (more)
What did you learn in 2024? Anything new? Or did you visit the same unresolved issues? I re-learned that I make my own life, so I have no one to blame for my mistakes but ME. I also re-learned that no matter how hard I try, I can’t change others or carry their burdens. I enjoy my writers group, mostly. My son is improving in some areas. Politics continues to suck. I heard someone call their dog the same nickname they call me. Bye-bye!
Wild Cooking Woman 1/7/25
Are the foods in your shopping cart ultra-processed? Play this game to find out. I learned something!
Do you know what a “yoga boob” is? Plastic surgeons do.
Did you know there are 19 items professional chefs never refrigerate? I was surprised, and immediately made space in my fridge.
As a public school teacher, I had a pottery jar (with a cork stopper) that said “Ashes of problem students” on my desk. Some of the ashes were from my fireplace. Here are some other uses for fireplace ashes.
As President Biden prepares to leave American politics after 50 years of service, presidential historian Douglas Brinkley joins Tara Palmeri to reflect on Biden’s legacy on Somebody’s Gotta Win podcast.
Do you do vision boards? Journal? I do a vision journal. I’m no artist so I use magazine cutouts where needed. I keep them and look back on my birthday to see what might have changed – and what I am still wallowing in. Really clarifying and very helpful.
Did you know that ProPublica has a tool to help you appeal denied health insurance claims? ProPublica’s Claim File Helper lets you customize a letter requesting the notes and documents your insurer used when deciding to deny you coverage. Get your claim file before submitting an appeal.