If one were to create a series of dance steps that illustrate food distribution, it would look like the following: step back, step forward, step back, three steps forward, step back, and a long step back. Mid-Oct 2025 (Step Back) The USDA states that November SNAP benefits won’t be funded if the government shutdown continues. […]
Please make a donation to help your neighbors who face a shortage of food. Because SNAP payments are delayed this month, and future months are tenuous, I am asking you to donate to your local food bank. The current federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, led to a near-cutoff of SNAP (Supplemental […]
Based on his public statements and actions over several years, it is clear that Donald Trump holds deep and sustained resentment toward James Comey. Trump has used his social media platform to repeatedly and publicly demand that the Justice Department prosecute Comey. To be fair, I don’t know enough about their dispute to claim it […]
Dating isn’t easy, but here is an essential truth: It is always better to be alone than in a destructive relationship. Dating is a process of getting to know someone. You aren’t psychic; you can’t know in advance if someone is bad for you. In fact, you may not know until you are already emotionally […]
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, […]