Author Archives: Jim deMaine

Seattle’s new seawall: Holding back the tide, protecting salmon

From Crosscut: “Thousands of tourists migrate to Seattle’s waterfront each year to experience the ferry rides, kitschy stores and sweeping views of Elliott Bay. Jeff Cordell says they’re overlooking something that makes the waterfront even more special: filamentous microalgae. “Brown … Continue reading

Posted in environment | Comments Off on Seattle’s new seawall: Holding back the tide, protecting salmon

SNL “Black Jeopardy” with Tom Hanks

Does Tom remind you of anyone at Skyline??

Posted in Humor, Politics, Race | Comments Off on SNL “Black Jeopardy” with Tom Hanks

The Costco effect

 

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on The Costco effect

A few thoughts

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth.” — Buddha  A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops. — John … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | Comments Off on A few thoughts

A gift from my mother

Death at age 84 can be peaceful and expected or sudden and tragic. Mom’s was the latter. She was in the ICU after having an abdominal aortic aneurysm repaired, a pretty major operation in this age group (many of these … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | Comments Off on A gift from my mother

Why do we like what we like?

 

Posted in Humor | 1 Comment

Do Hand Sanitizers Really Cut Down on Illness?

  There are some “simple” precautions that we should be taking, but do we? The hard part is remembering. In addition to hand washing or a sanitizer, can we really keep our hands away from our noses? From the NYT:  Q. … Continue reading

Posted in Health | Comments Off on Do Hand Sanitizers Really Cut Down on Illness?

Quelle Bouquet!

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on Quelle Bouquet!

The Tesla Plant – How to make a car.. The Tesla plant.. Fremont , CA

From Rosemarie W: “ “Want a new car? Just  wait a few minutes and I will build you one….   Watch this and you’ll better understand why manufacturing jobs will never be what they once were. Can you picture Henry Ford’s … Continue reading

Posted in Science and Technology | Comments Off on The Tesla Plant – How to make a car.. The Tesla plant.. Fremont , CA

The Marcos dynasty in the Philippines – at the Rep

When I think about Imelda, I think about the shoes and laugh. But the corruption, cruelty, and dysfunctional history not only live on, but could repeat itself. A review by a local Filipina in Crosscut gives a positive review of Here … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, History, Politics, theater | Comments Off on The Marcos dynasty in the Philippines – at the Rep

Always compost

 

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on Always compost

“How do we heal medicine” Atul Gawande

His book, “Being Mortal” will be discussed at next Monday’s Book Club at Skyline.  

Posted in Health | Comments Off on “How do we heal medicine” Atul Gawande

Staying in with Amazon

 

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on Staying in with Amazon

How can we find a happy life?

Should one be a stoic or be an epicurean – or are the philosophies of the “dead white guys” still relevant. Professor Massimo Pigliucci has written about his take on finding a happy life –  How to Be a Stoic: … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | Comments Off on How can we find a happy life?

Prospects for Peace in Israel-Palestine

From Cabby Tennis 7:00PM, Monday, May 22, 2017 Great Hall  “Internationally known historian and author Dr. Ilan Pappé is a native son of Israel and a former senior lecturer of history and political science at Haifa University. Since 2008 he … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Religion, Social justice | Comments Off on Prospects for Peace in Israel-Palestine

Wisdom of children

 

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on Wisdom of children

Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects on aging

     From the Poetry Foundation: “Ralph Waldo Emerson was a pioneering figure of what is now called “multiculturalism” who expanded the Eastern horizons of generations of American readers and writers, and he persuasively demonstrated how classical Indian, Chinese, and … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, end of life, Essays, Poetry | Comments Off on Ralph Waldo Emerson reflects on aging

How traditions slowly fade away

 

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on How traditions slowly fade away

The century of tobacco abuse that lingers on

   The 20th century will be remembered in many ways – one of which is the epidemic of lung cancer, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease related to tobacco abuse. Remember when cigarettes were less than a quarter a pack and the … Continue reading

Posted in Health, History | Comments Off on The century of tobacco abuse that lingers on

A letter to the President from organizations across the political spectrum

The letter below to President Trump was signed by America’s Health Insurance Plans, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Benefits Council, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, the Federation of American … Continue reading

Posted in Health, Politics | Comments Off on A letter to the President from organizations across the political spectrum

Cutting the cord

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on Cutting the cord

Sending a message

Posted in Humor | Comments Off on Sending a message

Scientists get political, will march

From the San Diego Tribune: By Joshua Emerson Smith Will Americans start seeing more lab coats at political rallies like the upcoming March for Science in the nation’s capital, San Diego and hundreds of other locations? While many scientists have … Continue reading

Posted in Nature, Politics, Science and Technology, Social justice | Comments Off on Scientists get political, will march

The story of the rabbit and the dog – from the pulpit

Several years ago, we went to an Easter service at the Bellevue First Presbyterian Church. The pastor shared a story as follows: Two neighbor ladies were quite friendly. One owned a pet rabbit, the other a golden retriever. One day, … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | 1 Comment