Author Archives: Jim deMaine

Seniors at the Crossroads

Hello Friends, (thanks to Judy M.) Join us for TWO Seniors at the Crossroads** demonstrations! WHEN:  March 26—regular 4th Thursday demonstration, 8th & Madison, 4:30 – 5:30 pm WHEN:  March 28—Saturday–In support of the No Kings! rally and march.  We will demonstrate from 10:30-11:30, … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Justice, Kindness | Comments Off on Seniors at the Crossroads

Seattle galleries are abloom with flowers for spring’s arrival

by Brangien Davis in CascadePBS A monumental tulip sculpture finds a new home at Seattle U. Plus, the local dance piece that ‘fractals into a vortex and veers into a grocery list.’ pring waltzes in with the vernal equinox tomorrow, … Continue reading

Posted in Art | Comments Off on Seattle galleries are abloom with flowers for spring’s arrival

🗓️Recognizing World TB Day 2026

Each year on March 24, World TB Day is recognized globally to build public awareness around TB and recommit to ending the world’s deadliest infectious disease, which claims about 1.25 million lives annually. The date commemorates the 1882 discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the … Continue reading

Posted in Health | Comments Off on 🗓️Recognizing World TB Day 2026

In the Final Analysis

Thanks to Diana C.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on In the Final Analysis

Anyone’s fault but mine

Thanks to Pearl McE.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Anyone’s fault but mine

Bone spurs

Thanks to Pam P.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Bone spurs

Hoisted on his own petard?

Thanks to Pearl McE. Ed note about “petard” from AI: “A petard is a small, conical-shaped medieval bomb used to breach gates or walls by sappers, frequently prone to backfiring, which originated the phrase ‘hoist by your own petard’—meaning to be … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Hoisted on his own petard?

Left Atrial Appendage Closure — Another Overused Method in Cardiology?

Ed note: There are a number of interventional procedures available to us that sound good, but are they really beneficial. The current New England Journal of Medicine gives fair warning that current research does not support a common procedure used … Continue reading

Posted in Health | Comments Off on Left Atrial Appendage Closure — Another Overused Method in Cardiology?

Covid-19 six years later

by Katelyn Jetelina in Your Friendly Epidemiologist Ed note: This is likely more that you want to know, but it’s an excellent summary of what we know and still don’t know. Six years ago today, I put my baby in … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Health, Vaccines | Comments Off on Covid-19 six years later

Making sense?

Thanks to Janet M. (someone’s Facebook post)

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Making sense?

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to offer free admission Friday, on Fred Rogers’ birthday

PITTSBURGH — The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will offer free admission for all visitors on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Thanks to Pam P.) The event celebrates the museum being named the No. 1 children’s museum in the country by … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to offer free admission Friday, on Fred Rogers’ birthday

Invoking God in war

Thanks to John R. (and Leo)

Posted in Religion, War | Comments Off on Invoking God in war

World’s First SELF Driving Wheelchair

Thanks to Bill R.

Posted in Advocacy, Disabilities, Health | Comments Off on World’s First SELF Driving Wheelchair

When decisions have to be made

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on When decisions have to be made

Why Attack Iran? Our Authoritarianism and Our Corruption

TIMOTHY SNYDER (thanks to Jim S.) Note: Timothy Snyder is an American Historian currently holds the inaugural chair in Modern European History at the Munk School of School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. From 2017 to 2025 … Continue reading

Posted in Crime, Essays, Government, History, Justice, Law, Military, Politics, War | Comments Off on Why Attack Iran? Our Authoritarianism and Our Corruption

Saint Patrick had regrets

Thanks to Ann M.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

So who is John R?

I’ve been asked who John R is. Most posts to this blog come from Skyline residents but some come from “outside” folks who have subscribed and contributed. John R is a colleague and friend–and mainly known as the most prolific … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | Comments Off on So who is John R?

And in Canada

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on And in Canada

Instead of leaving people in the cold, Minneapolis opens warehouse of indoor tiny homes for homeless

From Goodgoodgood (thanks to Pam P.) Minnesota experiences some of the coldest temperatures in the United States every winter. In the Twin Cities, temperatures have dropped below -30 degrees Fahrenheit on 12 occasions since 1891. Considering people can suffer from hypothermia in any temperature … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Charity, Homeless | Comments Off on Instead of leaving people in the cold, Minneapolis opens warehouse of indoor tiny homes for homeless

A British take on Trump

Thanks to Mary Jane F. “Why do some British people not like Donald Trump?” Nate White, an articulate and witty writer from England wrote the following response: A few things spring to mind. Trump lacks certain qualities which the British … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A British take on Trump

State of the State – Report from Governor Ferguson

Thanks to Mary Jane F. OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session: When I delivered my State of the State address at the start of this session, I talked about … Continue reading

Posted in Government | 1 Comment

Texas banned Pride crosswalks — so San Antonio painted the sidewalks rainbow instead

By Kamrin Baker in GoodGoodGood (thanks to Pam P.) In October 2025, following pressure from United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered cities across the state to remove LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks and other road markings that “advance political agendas” … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Essays, Gay rights/essays, Government | Comments Off on Texas banned Pride crosswalks — so San Antonio painted the sidewalks rainbow instead

On a string

Thanks to Pam P.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on On a string

World Sleep Day

Thanks to Mary M. Well, if we live to be 90, we’ve slept close to 30 years. So I guess it’s worth having a day to remember. Click here for lots of information about sleep.

Posted in Health, sleep | Comments Off on World Sleep Day

Date Night

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Date Night