FDA Approves Naloxone/Narcan for Over-the-Counter Sale
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved over-the-counter sales of naloxone, also known as Narcan, a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses. PBS has details HERE.
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Three Afghan Refugees Start “Rise Again” School in Wisconsin
Hundreds of children living at a military base in Wisconsin are among 53,000 Afghans refugees who left their country after the Taliban seized power. Seeing kids roaming around doing nothing, three women refugees decided to set up their own school at the base, naming it “Rise Again”. The school has now has about 20 teachers and 200 students aged seven – 14 and is operating with donations. Read more HERE from GoodGoodGood.
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A Group of Lawyers in England Refuse to Prosecute Peaceful Climate Protesters
A group of lawyers in England have signed a “Declaration of Conscience” saying they will not prosecute peaceful climate protesters. Here’s more from EcoWatch via my Goodnewsletter.
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Prison in California Adopts Scandinavian Rehabilitation Methods
Today’s prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “out of the box.” Write about the first thing that comes to mind when you think “out of the box.” Enjoy!
So many ideas swirling around the stream which is not a box at all, but there could be boxes of ideas riding along on the stream of consciousness bumping into one another.
The first thing I thought of what how my grown kids are still and always have been outside the box type of people. Can’t imagine how that happened. The things their father and I had in common were art and science fiction. But that’s a tangent to paddle back out of.
I’d rather eat Chinese food out of the box than the plastic. Boxes are easier to recycle as some plastics don’t recycle as easily. I have quite a collection of plastic. You’re supposed to flatten boxes first. That’s one of my soapboxes within the box of recycling. But the Chinese food I prefer comes in plastic mostly with the rice in the white box which I open, rinse and recycle. Been saving those wire handles for some kind of project. Actually used one to hang something once.
Boxes make me think of boundaries. Boundaries can be good protection. But some of them need to be flexible. Negotiables like swearing and non-negotiables like no hitting. We have lots of boundaries to keep Mama Cat and Marley separated. Marley is learning to respect those boundaries. One of the most important boxes in our house is the litter box. Well, there are other boxes that are also important, like jewelry boxes and boxes up in the attic with treasures or junk, depending on your perspective.
Mama Cat was happy to get outside the box – her carrier – after she came home from dental surgery a week before Christmas. She had five teeth removed! I was worried about the procedure and the possibility of having to give her pills post surgery. So I wrote a note to the vet when I dropped Mama Cat off. The vet ended up giving her long-acting pain meds and antibiotics, so I didn’t have to worry about giving her pills. It’s been a long time since I gave a cat a pill, like 30 years ago, and Mama Cat is skittish anyway, but getting better.
The long-acting pain medication was a form of buprenorphine which is prescribed at the facility I used to work for. Mama Cat was practically bouncing off the walls, very hyper, and very affectionate for four days. She also started eating a lot more and is more active since having her teeth pulled leading me to realize she must have been uncomfortable with bad teeth. It’s hard when animals and babies cannot tell you what hurts. She will still go into her carrier to get the food I place in the back, so that’s good, though I hope we don’t have to go back to the vet for a while.
Some cats love to get in boxes, but having spent most of her life feral, Mama Cat doesn’t seem interested. She does like her lean-to cave and small table we added sides to so that’s like a boxy cave. Small children sometimes like to play in boxes, too. When my son was a toddler, he’d sit in a box, and we’d pull him around on the carpet. Do boxes make us feel safe or are they confining? Depends on the situation. It’s usually good to step out of the box, but not roam too far, unless you have a tent or a camper trailer which I’ve been casually looking into. Mama Cat would probably prefer to stay home as long as she can go out on her catio and watch the squirrels.
Well, I’ve rambled on long enough. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for riding along on the stream of consciousness.
Here are some photos which may be related or not…
Mama Cat feeling betterMarley watching Mama CatLeftover Rice in BoxFood box at churchThe moon Thursday at sunsetMama Cat on her Catio
I had a great time collecting and arranging these leaves
Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “twin/tween.” Use, “twin” or “tween” any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Enjoy!
A twin flame is a person (could it be an animal?) who shares your soul. Like the soul split into two bodies. That’s what I read somewhere. No scientific evidence to support this. Sounds kind of mythical. That doesn’t mean it’s not true. Afterall, anything is possible. Twin flames are said to share many qualities mirrored in one another. They also may share past traumas.
Excuse me, but I don’t really want to share a soul with someone. I much prefer the concept of soulmates. One difference between twin flames and soulmates, besides soulmates having their own souls, is that soulmates are not twins. They definitely have a lot in common, but not like twin flames.
My soulmate David and I just celebrated our ten-year wedding anniversary on December 1st. This is my second marriage and David’s third, so ten years gives me hope. Of course, the fact that we were high school sweethearts reunited when the time was perfect also gives me hope. I appreciate how he supports me and also gives me space, how he loves dogs and has come to love Mama Cat, too. We have a lot in common, but our differences complement each other well.
Meeting your twin flame could be exciting and helpful. A twin flame does not have to be romantic. It can be platonic or intellectual. To be honest, I’m no expert on twin flames, so feel free to add alternative information or ideas. From what I recall, a person only has one twin flame, but can have multiple soulmates (maybe not at the same time which could be complicated.) I’m okay with not having a twin flame, but I’m very happy to have a soulmate.
As I type this, Mama Cat is lying next to me on the couch making me wonder if a person could have a cat or a dog as a soulmate. They certainly can be good companions. When David and I reconnected in 2011, we had five dogs between us. That was quite a pack in our little bungalow. That’s what happens when you manifest your soulmate “must love dogs.” In our ten years together, each member of the five pack has crossed over the rainbow bridge. We’ll see them again and won’t need leashes.
Soulmates with the original “Five Pack.”
We’ve had Marley for one year now and brought Mama Cat home from the church about two years ago. They are part of our family, though they have limited contact with each other under close supervision.
It’s unlikely that a dog and a cat could be twin flames, but soulmates maybe. Anything’s possible!
Marley with heart of leavesMama Cat watching squirrels from the catio. Marley staying in “PLACE.”
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For details on Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and lots more streams,
Today’s Stream of Consciousness post from Linda Hill is:
“….. Use the word “whatever” any way you’d like. Bonus points if you start your post with it. Have fun!” Learn more about #SoCS HERE.
“Whatever,” was a popular response from teenagers in the 80s or 90s. It could be frustrating for parents or teachers who interpreted the word as, “I don’t care.” But now I see it as a useful word when I need to let go of something I can’t control, something I’ve been mulling over or analyzing nearly to death.
On one hand, it could be considered apathetic – a word similar to sin in my book once upon a time. But we can’t care about EVERYTHING. This comes from someone who has cared too much over the years. Oh, I still care, but I need to choose how much energy I’m going to put into caring, cause the energy isn’t what it used to be. Prioritize! That’s my word for this year. I don’t really use the word, “whatever” in that way, but it does have its place.
Some things are priorities, though.
Whatever happens, I’ll always love you, said the mother to the son.
Whatever happens, take care of the children. And the pets.
Whatever happens, life must go on.
Whatever happens, don’t let the gremlins get wet. (Just so we don’t get too serious.)
There’s an old song that goes,
“Wherever we go, whatever we do, we’re gonna get through it together…. “
I looked it up before I started writing. That’s not really planning. I was just curious. Turns out, it’s from the musical, Gypsy originally starring Ethel Merman, I think. I looked it up on YouTube. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Sorry. That was my take on it. Then I thought, what if I could find someone singing that song to a dog? or a cat? Well, I couldn’t find that. But what I did find was people singing with their dogs. Let me see if I can go back and find one now as I drop anchor in the stream just for a moment to take a look in the down below the surface…..
Well, that always takes longer than I thought with diversions and what not. I couldn’t listen to any dogs howling because Mama Cat is next to me as I type this Friday night and she didn’t like hearing dogs howl. Marley, is in the back room with David, and it’s Mama Cat’s time with me.
Anyway, here’s one that came up with no howling. It’s short and sweet:
The girl with a sweet voice is singing, “You Are My Sunshine” to the dog who they are fostering while the dog’s guardian is deployed for a year in the Navy.
Dogs and kids. Gotta love ’em. If not, then…… whatever.
At least be kind.
I found this on Facebook a few days ago. The dogs looks like Marley, but Marley is bigger and has a big head.
Be sure to visit Linda’s SoCS post at the link above for more streams or whatever.
First Person to Walk after Completely Severed Spinal Cord
Michel Roccati was paralyzed five years ago in a motorbike accident. His spinal cord was completely severed, and he had no feeling in his legs. Thanks to an implant developed by Swiss researchers, he is the first person to be able to walk freely after such an injury. Read more about it from BBC News.
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New Museums Opening Around the World
This year, several museums are scheduled to open around the world dedicated to a variety of interests including art, African American history, medieval finds in England, Chinese history, Broadway, and Bob Dylan. The Smithsonian Magazine has details.
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Cat Declawing Banned in Madison, Wisconsin
In a unanimous vote, the city council of Madison Wisconsin recently voted to ban the de-clawing of cats which is illegal in many other cities, states and countries. Read about the importance of this victory for Madison cats,HERE.
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Eight-Year-Old Author Sneaks his Book into the Library and it’s a Hit!
Got Good News?
Feel free to share your good news or GNT link in the comments!
Today’s prompt for Just Jot it January is: tempest. Thanks, Liz, for the prompt, and thanks to our host, Linda Hill for #JusJoJan! For details, click here.
There was a tempest in my gut, and in other parts of my body, too. It was almost 20 years ago, but I still remember how the tempestuous rebound from hell affected my body. Working a stressful job while being a single mom didn’t help either. Why didn’t I listen? I was wounded, vulnerable. But not anymore. Now I listen to my body, most of the time.
The older I get, the better my body gets at telling me, “Hey! chill out!” It might be acid reflux, or tiredness, or a spasm somewhere or other telling me to check in and examine my habits, particularly when it comes to stress. (Or eating too much sugar which happened over Christmas.)
Some stress is good, like steady regular exercise where we push a little harder depending on the day, again listening to the body. A little stress makes us stronger. Problem solving, watching Jeopardy, crossword puzzles, these are some of the brain exercises that stretch our skills. I want to keep doing those.
Training a new dog, who is both headstrong and physically strong, can be stressful, but David and I are in control of that. Sort of. Our first professional training session is Monday.
Marley is a big baby, most of the time.
Here are some good relationships I am grateful for at home and at the farm animal sanctuary:
Marley and DaveMarley and my granddaughter Mama Cat on my LapMira and me at the sanctuarySheep and Goats at the sanctuaryMira and my daughter, AylaPatrick and FrancisThe Three AmiagosMC looking into window from catio We are still keeping Marley and Mama Cat separated for now. Otherwise, Mama Cat would consider that a tempestuous relationship.
Linda’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “color/colour.” Use it as a noun, a verb, or pick a color and write about it–use it any way you like. Have fun!
I’m in the mountains this weekend visiting my son, daughter in law and granddaughter. There’s a lot going on that I can’t/wont’ go into right now, but I hope there will be some coloring in coloring books which always helps me relax.
What would the world be without color? Are there more colors that we can’t see as humans. Supposedly dogs and cats cannot see as many colors as we humans can, but what if they can see colors we can’t see? We know they can smell things we can’t smell.
I started volunteering at a farm animal sanctuary and getting to know a rooster named Leo. Leo likes to look at pictures of himself on cell phones. I’m told he can even swipe to look at different pictures. Leo didn’t swipe my phone, but he did seem interested in the picture I took of him.
Here are a few pictures from the farm/sanctuary where all animals have been rescued from factory farms or petting zoos.
Leo
Leo playing a game
Padre
Napping Pig
For more colorful streams of consciousness, SoCS rules, etc. visit our host, Linda Hill at:
The prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “in the corner.” Write about whatever the image or thought of “in the corner” brings to mind. Have fun!
Interesting prompt. I might just try #JusJoJan this year, too. No promises. If I miss a day, I won’t put myself in the corner. I don’t recall being sent to the corner as a child. There was usually furniture in the corner. But I was sent to “sit in the chair” for a time out. It was not a bad chair, just a normal chair. Now, I wouldn’t mind that at all – taking a time out in the chair.
There’s a comfortable chair in Mama Cat’s room which is a smallish room with a cubby and a window seat made from a pillow and blankets. She has a lot of blankets. A couple of days ago, I sat in the chair in Mama Cat’s room and she hopped up on my lap as she has started to do over the past month. I sat there in the late afternoon, or maybe it was evening, I don’t recall, stroking her soft fur as she fell asleep, and I almost fell asleep. Petting Mama Cat put me in a sort of trance. I can feel the brain waves changing if someone rubs my head or an ASMR thing – the tingle, which I find fascinating and easier to get to the more it happens. You can read more about ASMR here. I can imagine how it could be addicting. But on a brighter note, I’ve read that cat purrs can be healing like meditation.
“Stop playing with that thing and pet me.”
But I can’t spend too much time there in the chair petting the cat. I need to get some energy. There’s that thing about inertia.
My main goal for 2021 is to improve my health. It’s not bad, but I fear I’ve gained some weight and feel tired more than I want to, so I’m going to be exploring joining a gym or/and other ways to increase my exercise, like walking and hiking more regularly. That will involve getting some better shoes.
Here’s a question for my older followers. No, more mature followers might sound better. Wise and experienced readers…. or anyone who might know. Has your shoe size gone up over the years? I think my feet might be feeling uncomfortable because I need to go up to a 8 and a half. Maybe even a 9? I haven’t changed shoe size in a lot of years, so maybe that’s it. Seems like I wore a seven in my 20s. That would be better than going to a foot doctor. Anything to keep me from getting totally hooked on sitting in the chair and petting the cat… or TV, but let’s not go there. I can always do some yoga stretches while watching TV.
SoCS and Just Jot January are hosted by Linda G. Hill. You can read all about it at:
This lady found her true calling in “retirement.” In another video, she said she gave up her house to the cats and lives in a trailer. She also rescues a few dogs who live on the property, and everybody gets along.
Got good news? Feel free to share! It can be global, local, or personal!
Today’s Stream of Consciousness prompt is “ooooh, aaaah,” provided by Dan at “No Facilities.” Thanks, Dan for the great prompt and for filling in for Linda.
I’ve done my share of oooohing and aaaahing at fire works displays. I love them with my eyes, but my ears, not so much, and the crowds, not so much. Sparklers are nice, though. I used to have a dog that got terrified by fireworks, two dogs in fact, that would shake and hide every fourth of July.
Why can’t they make quieter fireworks?
Plenty of other things to ooooh and aaaah about though:
Ooooh contains the element of surprise and delight,
Ooooh is a dragonfly on my clothes line.
Aaaah is more relaxing, like a purring cat.
Ooooh is the way the ocean feels at the beginning of summer – cold and full of life.
Aaaaah is how the ocean feels at the end of the summer – almost warm like bath water.
Ooooh is the sunset lighting up the sky with pink and orange glowing streaks – nature’s fire works!
Aaaah is twilight when the sun has dipped below the horizon – leaving hints of lavender and indigo.
Ooooh is finding the message from my long lost love.
Aaaah is cuddling in his arms at night, the full moon coming in the window in the winter.
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You’ll find more oooohing and aaaahing going on here:
The rules for Saturday’s Stream of Consciousness are:
1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.
4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.
5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.
6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.
Anything is Possible! 