Monthly Archives: May 2025

A Popemobile Will Ride Again, This Time Into Gaza

In his last months, Pope Francis blessed an effort to transform the vehicle he used when he visited the West Bank in 2014 into a mobile health clinic to treat Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. By Adam Rasgon in the … Continue reading

Posted in Health, Religion, War | Leave a comment

In a final act of kindness, Pope Francis donated his entire personal bank account to prisoners right before he died

from Goodgoodgood – thanks to Pam P. Even in his final moments, Pope Francis maintained his heart for justice and mercy.  As Catholics around the world mourn the death of the late pope, more details are surfacing about his final days. … Continue reading

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How Nearly a Century of Happiness Research Led to One Big Finding

By Susan Dominus in the NYT Magazine (thanks to my Buddhist friend Howard P.) Growing up in Maryland, Sonja Lyubomirsky could see that her mother was unhappy. When Sonja was 9, her parents moved the family from Moscow, where her mother … Continue reading

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What makes a good life?

Posted in Ethics, happiness | Leave a comment

Honey, Sweetie, Dearie: The Perils of Elderspeak

Ed note: I’ve not noticed (yet) a tendency of some to infantilize the way they talk to me, but I have overheard such talk to others. Perhaps I’m not frail enough yet. I hope it won’t happen to me or … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Caregiving, Communication, Essays, Kindness | Leave a comment

CALL ME A NUT, BUT WE SHOULD BE GLAD CRIME IS FALLING

Danny Westneat- Seattle Times columnist (thanks to Mary Lou P.) Seattle Times columnist Writing this column for two decades, one thing I’ve noticed is that nothing hacks some people off more than good news. This is especially true of good … Continue reading

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Ten Famous American Horses

Heather Cox Richardson I had thought to post a picture tonight and then realized that today was the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby. The event was launched in 1875 as horse racing—with its famous Black jockeys, who won more … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, History | Leave a comment

Are we on the cusp of a new religious revival? 

By David Brooks Opinion Columnist in the NYT – article titled “How to Survive the Trump Years With Your Spirit Intact” I had forgotten how exhausting it is to live in Donald Trump’s world. He’s not only a political figure. He … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Government, happiness, History, Mental Health, Religion | 1 Comment

David B Williams free newsletter

We’ve all enjoyed David’s presentations at Skyline. His free newsletter can be accessed at this website: Free newsletter: https://streetsmartnaturalist.substack.com/

Posted in In the Neighborhood | Leave a comment

Try to re-establish the rule of law

commentary by historian Heather Cox Richardson Yesterday I identified incorrectly the messaging app newly fired national security advisor Michael Waltz was using at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday as the unsecure Signal app. Joseph Cox of 404 Media identified the app as … Continue reading

Posted in Government | Leave a comment

The fate of NPR and PBS?

Thanks to Mary M. Dear Mary,Late last night, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s board of directors to “cease federal funding for NPR and PBS.” The order would negatively impact the partnership between PBS … Continue reading

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Seattle University is in bloom!

A great nearby place to take a stroll

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DOGE and the Peace Corps meet up

Ed note: I just received the sad but expected message below from the National Peace Corps Office. Please note that this beloved creation of President John F. Kenney has a very modest budget. Peace Corps: ~$430.5 million; Department of State … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Military, Politics, Social justice, Volunteering | Leave a comment

There Is a Way Forward: How to Defeat Trump’s Power Grab

By The Editorial Board of the NYT (thanks to Mary Jane F.) The editorial board is a group of opinion journalists whose views are informed by expertise, research, debate and certain longstanding values. It is separate from the newsroom. The … Continue reading

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See (and hear) the memorable Mel Blanc

Thanks to Bob P.

Posted in Animals, History, Humor | Leave a comment

Autistic artist works with city to implement ‘happy to talk’ benches, combatting loneliness

From goodgoodgood.co (thanks to Pam P.) In the hubbub of London’s Camden Town, Oliver Chan thinks a lot about loneliness. “Loneliness is an important topic for me because my autism can make it harder for me to form connections with … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Communication, Disabilities, happiness | Leave a comment

Liar’s Club

From the Salt Lake Tribune (thanks to Bob P.)

Posted in Government, Grief | Leave a comment

Down is up – “It’s totally bananas bonkers”

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson This morning the Bureau of Economic Analysis released a report showing an abrupt reversal in the U.S. economy. Gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the total market value of goods and services, shrank from a … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Government, Immigration, Politics | Leave a comment

True but not funny – the current state of political cartoons

Thanks to Pam P.

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