Although I am not personally a fan of heavy metal or hard rock, I was saddened to hear that Ozzy Osbourne died on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. He had exceptional talent and numerous awards. The August 5th news headline was “Ozzy Osbourne’s Cause of Death Revealed”. He suffered from Parkinson’s disease […]
You may have seen the video of the couple who was caught on a kiss cam during a Coldplay concert. A “kiss cam” camera operator will scan the audience, focusing on couples, and the footage is displayed on large screens. They are encouraged to kiss. It’s a lighthearted and spontaneous form of entertainment for the […]
Protests are an American tradition. The history of the United States is deeply intertwined with protests, dating back to before its founding. A number of people in our small town of Galena joined the nationwide “Good Trouble” protests. These were inspired by John Lewis, a congressman and civil rights leader, who advocated for “good trouble” […]
In full disclosure, I have strongly considered relocating to Costa Rica when I retire, as I thought it might be financially wise to do so. Now, I hear people discussing emigration due to political frustration. It is safe to say that America is experiencing a high state of stress and upheaval. National surveys reveal that […]
Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, and his fiancé, Lauren Sánchez, held a luxury wedding in Venice, Italy. It was dubbed one of the most luxurious weddings of all time, with a reported cost of $23-$34 million. Although it would not be my choice of a wedding, I wish them both a lifetime of love and happiness. […]
I read a news headline: “Man Proposed to His AI Chatbot Girlfriend Named Sol, Then Cried His ‘Eyes Out’ When She Said ‘Yes’” By Rachel Flynn (People magazine 6/18/25). Apparently, Smith used a ChatGPT program to create an AI girlfriend to flirt with him. Then he fell in love with it. It had a voice, […]
Niall Williams, in his book, This Is Happiness, tells a story filled with charming characters in a small Irish town. One of the main characters, Christy, arrives in town to make amends to Annie Mooney. Christy is now around 60 years old and seeks out Annie in order to atone for standing her up at […]
Picture the sad look in your dog’s eyes as they climb into your suitcase, pleading you do not leave them. It can be heartbreaking. According to data pulled from a study of 5,000 pet owners in the US, commissioned by TrustedHousesitters, 52% say their pet’s sad face, while they pack, has made them feel too […]
What do Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Amy Schumer, and Elon Musk have in common? They all tried weight loss medications, with varying success. Medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound may literally save or lengthen the lives of overweight people. If you need them, take them. Celebrities may be invested in looking their best, but […]
If you are obese, you increase food intake triggered by hunger, cravings, loss of control, and foraging behavior. You may not realize it, but you also have reduced metabolism when at rest. All of this leads to fat accumulation. Book Review: Nature Wants Us to Be Fat, by Richard J. Johnson, MD Dr. Johnson is […]