Author Archives: Jim deMaine

Tesla message

Photo by Mary M. who noted this decal above the license plate on a Tesla parked here.

Posted in Business, Transportation | Comments Off on Tesla message

A morning stroll today in the Arboretum’s Azalea Way

Posted in Nature | Comments Off on A morning stroll today in the Arboretum’s Azalea Way

Dutch nursing home offers free rent to college students in exchange for their time and companionship

From Good Good Good News – thanks to Pam P. Twelve years ago, a Dutch nursing home — the Woon-en Zorgcentrum Humanitas Deventer — implemented a unique program.  In exchange for 30 hours of their time and companionship each month, … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, Caregiving, CCRC Info, Kindness | Comments Off on Dutch nursing home offers free rent to college students in exchange for their time and companionship

Quo vadis, Pope Leo XIV? – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

Ed note from ChatGPT: “Quo vadis?” is Latin for “Where are you going?” or more literally, “Where are you marching?” It’s famously associated with a Christian tradition involving Saint Peter. According to the apocryphal Acts of Peter, as Peter was … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, History, Religion | Comments Off on Quo vadis, Pope Leo XIV? – commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

42 of the world’s most unusual structures

Thanks to John R. (scroll down to view) Note: Seattle’s EMP makes the list, of course!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 42 of the world’s most unusual structures

The rise of a new form of germ theory denial

Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD There is a growing, concerning movement undermining one of the most well established scientific theories there is: germ theory, the idea that germs—like viruses and bacteria—cause disease. But it’s subtle. Outright denial of germ theory is … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Health | Comments Off on The rise of a new form of germ theory denial

Science for all rally on Sunday

Thanks to Mary M. Hello Seattle Stand Up for Science Community!We are excited for you to join us at our next rally, Science for All, will be coming soon on Sunday, 5/18, from 9-11am! Our goal is to cover as much ground … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, In the Neighborhood, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Science for all rally on Sunday

Proof

thanks to Pam P.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Proof

Plans for bond funded growth at Harborview

From Frank C.: At yesterday’s meeting of the First Hill Improvement Association’s Urban Design& Public Space committee, we received a brief update on the Harborview Hospital renovation project. Without getting into much detail, I think it is fair to say … Continue reading

Posted in Health, In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on Plans for bond funded growth at Harborview

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 | Comments Off on A Popemobile Will Ride Again, This Time Into Gaza

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on In a final act of kindness, Pope Francis donated his entire personal bank account to prisoners right before he died

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

Posted in happiness | 1 Comment

What makes a good life?

Posted in Ethics, happiness | Comments Off on What makes a good life?

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 | Comments Off on Honey, Sweetie, Dearie: The Perils of Elderspeak

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

Posted in Crime | Comments Off on CALL ME A NUT, BUT WE SHOULD BE GLAD CRIME IS FALLING

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 | Comments Off on Ten Famous American Horses

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 | Comments Off on David B Williams free newsletter

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 | Comments Off on Try to re-establish the rule of law

Seattle University is in bloom!

A great nearby place to take a stroll

Posted in environment, Gardening | Comments Off on Seattle University is in bloom!

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

Posted in Government, Media | Comments Off on The fate of NPR and PBS?

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 | Comments Off on DOGE and the Peace Corps meet up

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on There Is a Way Forward: How to Defeat Trump’s Power Grab

See (and hear) the memorable Mel Blanc

Thanks to Bob P.

Posted in Animals, History, Humor | Comments Off on See (and hear) the memorable Mel Blanc

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 | Comments Off on Autistic artist works with city to implement ‘happy to talk’ benches, combatting loneliness