A New Adventure

 

"The mountains are calling, and I must go."

_John Muir

Dear faithful readers! I have a new blog for you to peruse. I'm hoping you will help me out with it, because it calls for questions, since it's an advice column. Please come and join me here:

Andy Knowitall

 

All That Noise Over Our Heads!

 

Ancient entertainment, updated for maximum decibel levels!

One of my kind readers suggested that I take pictures of our creature, for insurance purposes, so I did that and can share them with you. This guy is amazingly loud, it's like he thrives on it! He should be on a show, like The Muppet Show, or something!

This guy has a lot of energy!

We don't need an alarm clock right now, because Animal wakes us up! At 3 a.m.!  Every day!

It is hard to do Zoom calls right now!

I've been trying to do Zoom calls, but Animal keeps dropping in uninvited while I'm visiting people.

He totally deserved hitting that post, after sliding down the banister!

One of the problems with having Animal as an uninvited guest is the unpredictability of our lifestyle now. We don't know what will happen next! He likes to move fast, and things have been getting broken! "This is why we can't have nice things," my mom said.

I couldn't get this shot in focus, because Animal is always moving!

 

I try to be positive and learn from things, like about how things might get destroyed easily. So I am trying to hide all my breakables for now. I don't want anything to happen to my collection of dragon figurines! I've been collecting them for a while now, since I started working. Here's some of them:

 

 

That's it for now. Thanks for reading my blog! It's not April, but I may be fooling, LOL

Be The Squirrel!

 

I want to tell you about my attic. There is a lot of noise coming from there. It's a good thing we have insurance for that! They will help me out--we have an animal! A real live wire!

There's An Animal In The Attic - GEICO Insurance

Happy October Days Are Here!

The Great Pumpkin's cousins are HUNGRY!!!

It's October once again, you boys and girls out there! I found some really cool pictures of candles for Halloween, or whenever you want to be cool in a Goth sort of way. I'm trying not to think about candy!

If it's safety you are looking for, here are some LED flameless candles, which are especially nice for those with pets or children or if you are very clumsy!

This witch may be coming for you on Halloween!

Made for the younger set, believe it or not! Bobbing for apples, anyone?

Here is another cool bat themed Halloween decoration, or for anytime if you are into the spooky supernatural Goth stuff, love binging on horror films, whatever, or if you are just batty! Maybe bats are your spirit animal! What have you! It's a tea light candle holder.

This bat is gonna fly!
 

Anyone else reminded of a great movie series, about a certain magical school, when they see this hat?

What dorm do you belong in? Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?

I want to be with the good guys, but also learn a lot! How can a hat tell you? ha ha

These skulls mean business! They are scary looking, big time! Perfect for Halloween!

These guys can talk with one another, and have a good time!

 

A red skull looks somewhat menacing! Brilliant idea!

 

The one below is rated really high on the scale of menacing and mischievous! The 'Creepy Candle' literally looks like a real hand, which 'bleeds' as it melts, to reveal a skeleton hand sculpture!

Great for Halloween parties, if you dare!

This bat candle looks so lifelike that people will literally scream when they see it in your home!

You might want to keep it under wraps! Fear factor!

If you want something sweet, there's nothing like the smell of candy corn! With no calories, though!

This candle's too cute to be scary! Trick or Treat!

 

I hope you like my Halloween decor candle collection blog! Have a great month of October!

Nursing Home Residents Killed By Antivax Healthcare Workers

Lambert House Adult Day Center (not in article, in Oregon)

     I read this article about a nursing home in Montana, where nine residents vaccinated against Covid-19 died of the virus. Why did they die? They were vaccinated! They died, because even though they were vaccinated, there was a viral outbreak in their care center, with so many people passing it around that their new antibodies were not enough to fight against the ever increasing viral load of the virus in their systems. What would cause this kind of outbreak there, anyway? People are blaming the new law in Montana that makes it a crime to discriminate against anyone who is unvaccinated, and that includes nursing home employees, hospital workers, doctors and nurses. This new law unfairly discriminates against the elderly and the disabled and is a direct violation of the American Disabilies Act, which calls for inclusion of the disabled and makes punishable discrimatory practices that lower the quality of life of disabled people. The people that died were not treated as important as the workers who cared for them, ultimately causing them to lose their lives over the silly whims of the workers, who shouldn't be in the health care field if they don't want to prioritize other people's health as important enough to get a vaccine that can safeguard others!

9 Vaccinated Nursing Home Residents Die After Montana Lets Healthcare Workers Go Unvaccinated

Never Stop Learning! And Our Walk Out In The Woods

 

I am always learning. I read a lot, and I have begun taking online courses for free. But those online courses aren't all that good, at least so far that I have seen. I will alert you if I find any good ones, any really good ones! But mainly, they are sort of weird, I mean, really weird! They are so weird that I don't recommend the vast majority of them, at least on that one site I told you about, on Alison. Those courses lack any sort of uniformity. Usually, in a real course, online, probably, you can expect a mix of video presentations and written text-based lessons, bundled together with quizzes and final tests. But these, you don't know what to expect, because the creators were allowed to do whatever they wanted to do! They don't even tell you, in the description, if it will feature just videos, just text, or a mix of the two. You have no idea, before you click on the course. And what's the most weird, is that you are enrolled as soon as you click on it, the default is that you enroll. If you don't like it, you can disenroll. But anyway, I digress. Always be learning! I like to learn! Learning helps you in your life, in how good you are, at whatever you do!

Now, I went on a walk with Haven, a week ago, and I've been meaning to tell about it. When we went out, it was a very foggy morning. It looked sort of like how it looks in this picture:

 "The heart of another is a dark forest."

_Gloria Vanderbilt

As the day progressed, the fog made way for a sunny day, but it took its sweet time! In the meantime, it was slightly spooky! I like how its kind of hushed out in the forest, in the fog. In Portland, we get a lot of fog in fall and winter. It's very atmospheric! It helps me get into Halloween: the decorating and watching horror films with Haven. Anyway, the walk! It was so nice. We had been apart for a long time, and this was our first time hanging out since this whole Covid thing started up all around us. For one, she is a nurse, so she has to be super cautious because of that. For another, I do too, because I live with my parents now, and they are older, they had me older in their lives than most parents do starting out. They had wanted to wait, and didn't mean to wait as long as they did, but now they're elderly! Anyway, so I have to be cautious as well, for them, to protect their health. Like I wanted a job, and I couldn't work at a grocery store, because that would have put their lives in danger, since I live with them now. I had a good job, but I got layed off and had to move back home, because of Covid-19. Haven and I have been Zoom calling online, to stay in touch. It's better than the phone, because we can see each other, really big, on our computers, and you can see how the other person looks, which is so important right now, when you go out and everyone is wearing masks indoors. Well, so, I was worried, but it looks like we are going to stay a couple. Yeah! I didn't know... I mean, I don't work with her, and I didn't know if she'd found someone there, that, but no! No way! Oh, I am glad! This is just going to be fine. People have to live through things sometimes that they would rather not, but it can make them stronger in the end. Haven is really worried about the Delta variant. I am too! So we held hands, until it got warmer, and we had to take our gloves off. But it was fun! I'm going to marry Haven, if I can. I don't know now. I don't work. When we made our promises to one another, I worked and she worked. Now just Haven works, and I feel bad about that, because I want to be a provider for our household. As a man, I feel it's important, to be there, financially, for your wife. I need to work! It's just bad. Bad times!

We had on our stretchy gloves, but same difference--So nice!

A Good Day For A Walk!

 

It's a good day to have a good day!

Just a short and quick blog! I'm heading out today! I'm going to see Haven! She's my girlfriend and she's a nurse. We're allowed to do that now, and I am so glad! We've both been vaccinated. It's her day off and we are going on a hike in the forest today. We live near this place called Forest Park and it is B-I-G and goes through our town. Alright, gotta go! Bye!

Lynda (LeanJean6), is Fine--I Phoned!

 

Check out this classic styling!

 

Well, like many of you, I was worried about Lynda, because she hadn't written a blog in a while. So I called her and was very happy to hear that she's fine! Such good news! She is planning to write something tomorrow. Please don't worry, all is well! If you normally read her blog, though, and don't comment, please try and comment. She loves to chat with her readers!

Lakeside Lady (LEANJEAN6)

Fair Warning

 

there is no safety when stalking the stalker

Be on the lookout for Michael Connelly's third Jack McEvoy mystery, Fair Warning, a thrilling crime story about what can go horribly wrong when people pursue their genetic backgrounds. Knowledge IS power, and a killer awaits!

humans share 99% DNA with everyone else on the planet!

Jack McEvoy, a reporter for the online consumer watchdog journal, Fair Warning, is having an ordinary drive home from work, until he pulls into his driveway, and discovers two police officers waiting for him. They grill him about a romantic encounter he had one lovely evening. 

when these two become one

 

He doesn't know why they want to know, since that was over a year ago, and ended as soon as it began. His curiousity piqued, he begins pursuing all the angles of this himself, putting himself and those around him in extreme danger!

 

the fear is real

I love this book. Now, I have to go find the other two books that feature this character. Jack McIvoy is driven, brave, and extremely intellegent. He's also an all-around nice guy, maybe too nice! I couldn't decide if he was or not, in his dealings with women. It's central to the story, so you'll be thinking of it too, if you read the book yourself. The author did a very good job, making this story interesting and informative.

 

this is a PROBLEM for a guy!

FYI There was a Fair Warning on the web, that you could read, just like in this book. I guess it was something he used to read regularly, before it shut down. You can read past articles here:

Fair Warning

A Nonprofit Investigative News Organization

Lifelong Learner

 

I like to learn. September is all about learning, with kids going to school or homeschooling. We all want to learn, even when we are older. I love to learn! I just finished a course, a free course, with Alison Courses. 

 

All their classes seem to be free, but it costs money to get an actual, physical certificate for completing a course. But you can download a free PDF, every time you get done with one! These are neat, you can include them with resumes, if you want to show your learning. I'll admit this course I just did was pretty easy. I enjoy more of a challenge, usually, but I needed something to do, and it was timely--about current events, so it really fit the bill! This one was about the novel coronavirus. Not a lot of fun! And I wish I had finished earlier, because they ADDED to this course! Alright, but there was at least one mistake in the course, like they would vacillate between, "there is no vaccine" to "there is one vaccine." But I did it! I finished it already. Here is what I got for doing it:

Whoo! Whoo! I did it ALL! What did I learn? What new thing? Not anything! I'll be honest, I've been studying this thing voraciously since it came out. But not everyone has, I'll give them that. That's true. They give out awards, for studying:

You can't beat that! Well, you can and I'm going for the Silver Medal now. ha ha!

The other course that I'm doing now is 'Declutter Your Life', which is really useful to learn how to do. I'll let you know how it goes. This one is a little different than the other one, this has a lot of videos to watch, and the one about the virus just had stuff to read and a quiz at the end. If anyone wants to check them out, here's the link for them:

Alison Courses

 

blood upon the snow

 

Blood Upon the Snow is a classic work of literature in the mystery-horror genre. Written by Hilda Lawrence, it has the detective Mark East in it. It was first printed in 1944, but it's pretty timeless. These are mountain people, so it's like they don't have internet up there. But other than that, it's like everywhere now. They have to use their phones. And it's hard for them to research there! Because, up in the mountains... They really are. Some places at high elevations, or where it's more remote, are like that.

"Evil finds a rich ground here. There's so few folks about it gets a chance to grow." _Mrs. Lacey

I like this detective, he's funny! He yells at his employer when he gets there, because he was hired as a secretary, and he thinks that something is up. And something is! And we have to read on to find out what this is all about. The book plays on the themes of Good Versus Evil, as well as Appearances Can Be Deceiving. I was surprised when I found out what was really happening, because it was so original! Really groundbreaking! I would never have thought in a million years, if I was separated from the last of the novel and didn't get to read it, I would never guess!

The author did a lot to make a creepy setting. We're in a remote area, up on a mountain, and we have one window in the library, where you could fall to your death in the valley below. It's been bolted shut, from the outside, so people can't fall out there, accidentally. Where the servants live, the owner has refused to give them modern amenities, except for indoor plumbing. There is no electricity, and they have to use candles in their rooms or kerosene lamps, and they have little fireplaces. The stairs down to their stone cellar area are very old and decrepit as well, being quite dangerous! So the servants aren't treated well enough at all, in that respect, and that adds to the overall mystery. And it's winter and snow is on the ground and there is a lot of snowfall, throughout the book. Mother Nature does her best to add to the creepy effect of everything else.

Our guy, Mark East, who is normally a detective back in New York, took the case, because I guess he had nothing better to do. He was curious. He thought that the guy DID know he was a detective and was pretending to not know that, when he wrote the letter asking for him to come be employed by him to help him write a book. See, the employer is an archeologist, and he wants to get all of his notes down into book form. He's old, and says this must happen soon, while he can still read his own writing. I had to laugh at that! He might not be able to read it in a while, ha ha! Oh, wow!

I thought it was sad about the kids. They aren't allowed to eat with the grown-ups, unless it is a special occasion or something. They eat with a servant, who is their governess. She also does other odd jobs about the house, especially after the head cook left, she has to pitch in more. The kids are treated strangely by everyone, but I like how Mark East talks with them, like they are old friends. He acts like he is their uncle and it is really nice! I like that about him.

I would read this again. And I want to read the rest in the series. I was surprised to learn today that you can get this for free on this one website. I don't know if it's a good website or not, though. I bought it new, over on the Dover website! ha ha! Okay, I'm going now. Take care! Over and out!

In Georgia, A School District Superintendent Chooses Vanity Over Health!

“I talked with principals today and we all agreed that, though it is a small gesture, you would enjoy the liberty of wearing jeans for the next month,” wrote Bulloch County School District superintendent Charles Wilson in an email to educators denied issuing a mask mandate.

Apparently Georgia is against people living long enough to have any semblance of liberty. True liberty is living, people! I am outraged about this happening here in our modern world! A teacher dies, just after her school opens, all because there is no interest in keeping educators and students safe from Covid-19. I know we are all tired of hearing about it, but this shouldn't be happening! We now have an FDA approved vaccine, which adults and children 12 years and up can have. It should be required of returning students and teachers! As well as other employees and anyone hanging around the building, like volunteers or visitors. We live in the modern world! That's all I have to say. I'm fed up. It's a disgrace in that it was completely preventable. High schools shouldn't have teachers dying for no reason like this. But hey! Enjoy the jeans for a month deal you got! Wow. Just wow.

Beloved Teacher Dies of COVID in School District That Chose Jeans Over Masks

 (mostly content from SparkAmerica website)

Fitness Game:

If you're moving, you're winning!

I want you to take five minutes to consider the things in your life that you consider fun. Maybe it's a movie night with the family, happy hour with your friends, a long walk with the dog, vacationing in Argentina or a game of basketball with the boys. Having fun is synonymous with a smile on your face, spring in your step and feel-good hormones firing. What if we told you fitness could be added to that list? If you've been inactive for some time or have preconceived notions about what it truly means to live an active lifestyle, the two concepts may sound contradictory. Changing people's minds is exactly why we developed the fitness game, though! After working with millions of people from different backgrounds and with their own set of goals, our experts came together to design this program, which will help you move more, incorporate small changes that can change your life and learn valuable leadership skills--all while having a whole lot of fun along the way. WIth just 10 minutes of exercise a day, you can join an elite group of people who enjoy daily activity and all the benefits--increased energy, elevated mood, better sleep!--that go along with it. By engaging in a little friendly competition, you'll discover a renewed sense of fun in your fitness routine while improving your life and future health. What's not to love? 

 

Daily Goal:   10+ minutes per day

Weekly Goal:   140+ minutes per week 

 

(goals are adjustable, these are given in the beginning)

 

 

How To Play:

How do I play?

It's as simple as doing just 10 minutes (or more) of activity, as many days as you can!

What's in it for me?

Decades of observation has resulted in a fascinating discovery...

1. Setting a goal to be more active for at least 10 minutes each day,
2. Reaching that goal, and
3. Tracking your progress

...has significant benefits beyond getting into better shape (which is great, too). It turns out that this small fitness goal can lead to reaching much bigger goals in all areas of life! 

 Free Mini Book

I didn't read through the whole mini-book yet, but I think it's based on the Spark program that most of you will be familiar with, to work out each day for at least 10 minutes a day and try to have a fitness streak going. This material is taken from the new SparkAmerica website, that some of you cannot go to. I'm not trying to annoy anyone, just demystify something that you can do, away from them, either in a notebook, calendar, or on another website, such as My Fitness Pal. It's up to you, it's your health improvement project!

 

 

Introducing PeopleOne Health: New Name, Same Great Experience!

 

What's in a name? When you're doing big things, a name is everything! With our exciting future in mind, we're happy to announce that, starting on September 1st, Spark360 and Empower360 will now be collectively known as PeopleOne Health. As a result of our recent merger, we feel strongly that PeopleOne Health best reflects our commitment to keeping people at the center of our care model.

Our founders are passionate about creating a new and equitable model in healthcare, and, while our name has evolved, our commitment to the exceptional care and service we provide to all members remains our top priority. The coaches, doctors, nurses and staff you interact with on a consistent basis will remain the same, as will our member portal and app. The name change may be new, but Empower360 and Spark360 have already been working to integrate services over the course of the past year so we are confident that this will be a seamless transition.

With big goals in mind for the months and years ahead, the announcement of our new name is a step in the right direction as we continue leading the charge in creating an improved model for healthcare, one that incentivizes people to be healthy. As our teams continue to work more closely together under the PeopleOne Health brand, we are committed to expanding our reach to new offices in new cities while enhancing all services we offer to our members. Soon, you will be able to access our new member portal; until then, you can continue using our website and mobile apps without making any changes. We look forward to continuing to serve you and bring our new healthcare model to you as PeopleOne Health!

*Reprinted, for future reference:

https://portal.spark360.com/HealthyLiving/Article/1462

 

 

My Take: With their new foray into providing healthcare insurance, it seems inevitable that they will be breaking promises to their international 'friends', about opening up membership to new countries. No other health insurance has gone international. They say they are doing what pays the bills better. I'm sure that's necessary, but I think they should also be telling the truth in these matters! They should just admit that that won't be possible for them.