Author Archives: Jim deMaine

One Year of Mandatory National Service For Every American?

By Lauren Katzenberg in the New York Times. Thanks to Pamela P for this. What are your thoughts on national service? Should it be two years? Seventy-three years ago, The Times reported that the United States Army demobilized its seven millionth soldier after the end of World War II. When I unearthed this … Continue reading

Posted in Social justice, Volunteering, War | 1 Comment

Technology is revealing new information about the ocean floor

Posted in Nature, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Technology is revealing new information about the ocean floor

A visitor in the operating room

It was Trevor’s first weekend to relax since moving to Seattle.  He was out in a park walking Bailey, his year old lab, when his pager unexpectedly beeped.  He called in to the operating room office, where the frantic head … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, Essays, Health, Humor | Comments Off on A visitor in the operating room

The New York Times cuts all political cartoons, and cartoonists are not happy

The New York Times is again making news for how it handles editorial cartoons — or in the latest turn, will not handle editorial cartoons. Beginning next month, the Times will cease running daily political cartoons in its international edition, editorial page … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Humor, Media, Politics, Social justice | Comments Off on The New York Times cuts all political cartoons, and cartoonists are not happy

Why the community that sings together stays together

Eiluned Pearce is a postdoctoral research associate in experimental psychology at the University of Oxford. She is interested in the evolution of human organisation, and her work has been published in Psychology of Music and Arts & Health, among others. From Aeon: “In Bohemian … Continue reading

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How does it feel to be old?

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Splash and Dash Art

Thanks to Margarete for this find!

Posted in Art | Comments Off on Splash and Dash Art

Juneteenth 2019 and the Black National Anthem

From Wikepedia: Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African Americansthroughout the former Confederate States of America. Texas was the … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Music, Race, Social justice | 1 Comment

Reverse Living

Posted in end of life, Essays | Comments Off on Reverse Living

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Without Drugs

Ed note: This article by Jane Brody in the NYT reminds us that sleep medications can be problematic. Almost all over the counter “sleep aids” contain diphenhydramine better known at Benadryl. This antihistamine is metabolized more slowly as we age … Continue reading

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Don’t you just love advice?

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Costa Rica has doubled its tropical rainforests in just a few decades. Here’s how

Thanks to Pam P who found this article in the Goodnews Newsletter. Years of unchecked logging laid waste to two-thirds of Costa Rica’s tree canopy, leaving its tropical rainforests facing an uncertain future. But the trees have returned and the … Continue reading

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Cards we don’t want to send

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“Insomnia can kill you” – from the NYT

Ed Note: We spend a third of our lives sleeping, or at least trying to sleep. It’s mysterious just why, but dangerous if we don’t sleep well. The second part of this article will be put on the blog tomorrow. … Continue reading

Posted in Health, sleep | Comments Off on “Insomnia can kill you” – from the NYT

Only a Dad

BY EDGAR ALBERT GUEST Only a dad, with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race, Bringing little of gold or fame, To show how well he has played the game, But glad in his heart that his own rejoice To see him come, and … Continue reading

Posted in Remembrances | Comments Off on Only a Dad

My dad can …

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Overheard on the deck

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Early June – the best time for the Seattle Rose Garden at the Woodland Park Zoo

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Expensive to repair!

Thanks to Mike C!

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Covering your tracks

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Facebook’s role in Brexit – purchased fake news

Thanks to Mike C for finding this amazing TED talk

Posted in Media, Politics | Comments Off on Facebook’s role in Brexit – purchased fake news

Supplements for Weight Loss, Sexual Function and Muscle Building May Be Deadly

Ed Note: Dietary supplements are truly scary. By law they cannot be regulated by the FDA. At times they don’t even have the ingredients listed in the supplement! At times the side effects go unreported. Dr. Oz with his unscientific … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Health | Comments Off on Supplements for Weight Loss, Sexual Function and Muscle Building May Be Deadly

An open letter to the Seattle Design Commission after the 8th Avenue sky bridge was voted down 5-0

Posted in Advocacy, environment, In the Neighborhood | 3 Comments

Looming over Lake Washington today

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The most, the coldest, the least, etc. – strange facts

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