March 2022

The changing political geography of COVID-19 over the last two years 

COVID-19 since 2/29/2020 USA CASES 79,305,507 USA DEATHS 959,590  USA fully vaccinated 216,204,455 or 65% In the spring of 2020, the areas recording the greatest numbers of COVID-19 deaths were much more likely to vote Democratic than Republican. But by fall 2020, the pattern had reversed: Counties that voted for former President Donald Trump over President Joe…

The changing political geography of COVID-19 over the last two years " class="entry-more-link">Read More The changing political geography of COVID-19 over the last two years 

I went to the grocery store Saturday and discovered that the in-store ground beef had gone from $5.49 to $6.79 per pound in about 2 weeks. Bananas are about $0.20 more per pound. Tomatoes were $1.29 more per pound. Gasoline was $3.70 per gallon today. Which prices are going up the most? Why? “Higher costs…

Read More Rising Prices are Everywhere

Trinity Retreat CenterWe are a Christian retreat center: a place apart for rest, quiet, prayer, discovery, connection, and reflection. Nestled amid the forests, rivers, and farmland of West Cornwall, Connecticut, the retreat center offers gracious, authentic hospitality — where you can slow down, enjoy farm-to-table meals, discern direction for your life, and go home ready to…

Read More Stressed Out? Need Some R&R? Can’t Go Out of the Country? Here are a few suggestions:

By Von Diaz February 02, 2022 Boricua Soul, a unique intersection of Caribbean and Southern flavors and identity, has become a neighborhood restaurant that feels particularly special in a world transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their new restaurant home seats 40 people and opens out onto a covered patio that seats upward of 75.  The menu features…

Read More This Puerto Rican–Southern Restaurant Is the Soul of a North Carolina Neighborhood

[Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore have long been favorites of mine since childhood. I have the entire Pooh’s Library collection. On Jan.1, 2022, A.A. Milne’s original Winnie-the Pooh stories entered the public domain. Although Disney’s illustrated version of Pooh is protected by copyright, the company no longer has an exclusive right to Milne’s work. – Kintsugi]…

Read More Timeless Wisdom From Winnie the Pooh from Inspiring Quotes March 3, 2021

“I need ammunition, not a ride” — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refusing the US’s offer to get him out of Kyiv. This is the largest attack in Europe since World War II. But by invading a sovereign country in a move reminiscent of the 1939 invasion of Czechoslovakia, Putin has united most of the world against him. And…

Read More Putin’s attack on Ukraine echoes Hitler’s takeover of Czechoslovakia

Honoring Black History Month: Oprah, Rihanna, Serena Williams, and more, are among some of the richest, self-made Black women in the world

Wed, February 23, 2022, 11:00 AM For every $1 the average white man in America earns, the average Black woman earns near $.69, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In honor of Black History Month, we took a look at some of the richest self-made Black women in the world, who are changing the finance…

Honoring Black History Month: Oprah, Rihanna, Serena Williams, and more, are among some of the richest, self-made Black women in the world" class="entry-more-link">Read More Honoring Black History Month: Oprah, Rihanna, Serena Williams, and more, are among some of the richest, self-made Black women in the world

Ingredients: 1.5 cups all-purpose flour  1 cup granulated sugar  1/2 tsp salt  1 tsp baking soda  1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder  1/3 cup bland cooking oil (not EVOO or anything fancy, just regular oil) 1 Tbsp vinegar (plain white vinegar, again nothing fancy) 1 tsp vanilla extract  1 cup water, warm to hot but not boiling Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease or line a 9 inch round cake pan or…

Read More Chocolate Crazy Cake