Saturday, February 29, 2020

Learn about St. David's Day and Welsh Cakes from Across the Pond Vacations

Tomorrow, March 1st,  is a special day in Wales... and you can learn about it thanks to our friends Ann Marie and Simon Clarke, who own and manage Across the Pond Vacations!   TODAY is St. David's Day in Wales, and Across the Pond provided some info about Welsh Cakes and how to bake them!
  Across the Pond Vacations have planned our trips to England, Scotland and Ireland and gave us the best-ever vacations. They can do the same for you, too. They custom design every vacation. Get a quote here: https://www.atpvacations.com/request-a-quote/
   NOW... about those Welsh Cakes and St. David's Day... READ ON>>
 
St. David’s Day – an Annual Welsh Tradition
 
Every year on March 1st, the Welsh celebrate St. David’s Day. Traditions include wearing daffodils, carrying leeks, and eating traditional Welsh food like cawl (a traditional broth-like Welsh soup) and Welsh cakes. So, who is St. David and why are we baking cakes in his honor?

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. His death, not his birth, is the date on which he is honored. He’s said to have died on March 1st around 600 A.D. It was foretold that he would grow up to be a preacher, and he was, reportedly performing a handful of miracles during his lifetime. He helped to found somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 monasteries. His foundation at Glyn Rhosyn became an important Christian shrine, and the most important center in Wales. Myth exists that he was asked, like St. George of England, to slay a dragon. He refused. But instead, he went to visit the dragon and learn of the dragon’s own plight. And on his deathbed, he was said to have stated a phrase well known to the Welsh, "Brothers be ye constant. The yoke which with single mind ye have taken, bear ye to the end; and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep and fulfil.”

Sounds like a pretty great guy… so, let’s make some yummy little cakes to honor him!

Welsh Cakes
Prep time: less than 30 minutes
Cook time: less than 10 minutes
Makes 10 cakes

Ingredients:
4oz (preferably Welsh) Salted Butter, chilled, cut into cubes (plus a little extra for greasing)
8oz Self-Raising Flour* (sieved, plus extra for dusting)
3oz Caster Sugar (this can be found at most markets)
A Handful of Sultanas (raisins can be used)
1 Free-Range Egg, beaten
Milk, if needed

Rub the butter into the flour to make breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and sultanas, then stir in the egg. Mix, then form a ball of dough, using a splash of milk if needed. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is ¼ inch thick. Cut it into rounds using a 3-inch fluted cutter (a wine glass about 3 inches in diameter works well).

You now need a bakestone or a heavy iron griddle. Rub it with butter and wipe the excess away. Put it on a direct heat and wait until it heats up. Place the Welsh cakes on the griddle and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until caramel brown.

Remove from the pan and dust with caster sugar while still warm. (Some people leave out the sultanas or raisins, split them when cool and sandwich them together with jam. Or, you could do both.)
Now, put a daffodil on your lapel and serve these delicious cakes to friends and family. Bon Appétit!

* Chances are, you may not have “self-raising flour” in your cupboard. If not, here’s a simple recipe to make it, and these ingredients are all likely right in your pantry.
4 Cups of All-Purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons of Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon of Fine Salt

Put everything in a large mixing bowl. Whisk it together to combine the ingredients. Store the unused portion in an airtight container for the next time you’ll need it.

We hope you enjoy trying this Welsh recipe! To learn more about how you can travel to Wales and experience the culture and foods firsthand, contact us today at 310-791-6101 or info@ATPVacations.com.

Friday, February 28, 2020

Part 1 of 3: Ireland Prehistoric Sites: New Grange, Carromore, Knowth

Newgrange. Credit: Rob and Tom 
Several years ago we took a trip to Ireland and saw some incredible cultural, historic and

archaeological sites. Since we find them fascinating, I'm presenting a really great article from Tripsavvy.com about 10 prehistoric sites. This is part 1 of 3 and features Newgrange, which we did visit. There are 2 other amazing sites in this blog, too.

Most Impressive Megalithic and Prehistoric Sites of Ireland

BY BERND BIEGE
Updated 06/03/19


01 of 10 Newgrange

What is Newgrange?
Newgrange is a reconstructed passage tomb with a cruciform inner chamber.

Where is Newgrange? You find the tomb between Slane and Drogheda in County Meath - access is via the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre and by guided tour only.

Why is Newgrange important? This tomb represents the megalithic builder's art at its zenith.

Entrance to Newgrange. Credit: Rob and Tom
What will you see at Newgrange?The visitor center will explain most of the historic and astronomical background in detail, the actual tour will take you into the inner chamber for a simulated winter solstice.

02 of 10 Carrowmore

What is Carrowmore?
A megalithic cemetery, actually the largest in Ireland. 

Where is Carrowmore? Just a few miles out of Sligo and forming a triangle with both Queen Maeve's Grave and Benbulben.

Why is Carrowmore important? The size of the megalithic cemetery is reason alone.

What will you see at Carrowmore?
Tombs of all shapes and sizes can be found. The small visitors center gives some background information while a self-guided tour takes you to the most important tombs.


03 of 10 Knowth

What is Knowth? Knowth is a reconstructed passage tomb with two passages.

Where is Knowth? You find the tomb between Slane and Drogheda in County Meath - access is via the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre and by guided tour only.

Why is Knowth important? This tomb has two opposing passages, both with a solar alignment.

What will you see at Knowth? The visitor center will explain most of the historic and astronomical background in detail, the actual tour will then take you around the site.




Thursday, February 27, 2020

In the news: Prehistoric sites found along Ireland's new N4 route

Several years ago, prehistoric settlement sites dating back almost 6,000 years were found in a part of Ireland, located on it's far northern and western coast. (not in "Northern Ireland"). Since we find archaeology fascinating, and we've not heard about it, perhaps you haven't either... so we're re-presenting the story from a local Ireland newspaper here.

Prehistoric sites found along Ireland's new N4 route

August 18 2017 11:00 PM
The Sligo Champion newspaper, Ireland

"Pretty impressive" prehistoric sites have been found along the route being excavated for the new N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin road.

Bronze Age fulacht fiadh cooking pits, meeting/living sites and burial sites containing bones and beads are among the exciting discoveries made by archaeologists during recent excavations.

A large Bronze Age site (c. 3,900 BC-AD 400) near Castlebaldwin was one of the more impressive finds, according to Transport Infrastructure Ireland Archaeological Project Manager Orlaith Egan.
Aerial pic: prehistoric palisade enclosure @Carrownagark.CR:Irish Archaeological Consultancy 

"It's a really good site that we found, a complex site of both Bronze and Iron Age with a double Palisade (wooden fencing) enclosure," she told The Sligo Champion.

"We found burnt bones and beads, which would have been token offerings. It has a structure on the side, as well as smithing and habitat structures. It's quite impressive," she added.

A second smaller site of approx. 30m was found on a hill top at Carrownagark, also near Castlebaldwin.

"It's another really good site," said Orlaith, adding that it's believed the enclosure was used for some sort of habitation or ritual.
Found in the northwestern part of Ireland

A third habitation site found near Castlebaldwin contained hearths, cremated pits and pottery.

All artefacts and soil samples were carefully excavated and sent off for analysis.

"The real story will be when we do our post-excavation analysis and figure out what they tell us about prehistoric Sligo," said Orlaith.

The findings will then be published in a book in about two years time as part of TII's remit to inform the public about all archaeological finds.

"There's a real rich archaeological element to the Sligo landscape, it continues from the times of the Megalithic tombs," said Orlaith.

The findings will be presented in full by archaeologist Brian O'Hara at IT Sligo on Monday 21st August at 7pm.

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Best airline for American flyers, per USA Today readers

If you're flying in the U.S.A. we agree with the USA today poll on best airline. If you're flying
International, we like British Airways. This article ranks several airlines, and shows that New England has 3 of the top 10 best airports!

Best airline for American flyers, according to USA Today readers
January 27, 2020, Boston Globe

Southwest Airlines is the best airline for American flyers, according to USA Today readers. USA Today revealed its list of best airlines and airports on Friday, as voted on by readers. Southwest ranked No. 1 on the best airline for American flyers list and JetBlue, Logan International Airport’s largest carrier, ranked No. 4.

Tyler likes smaller airports like TF Green in RI, or Manchester in NH
“While Southwest Airlines isn’t glamorous — you won’t find first class seats or luxe airport lounges — the popular American-based airline wins over fans with a host of perks, including low fares, free baggage allowance, no change or cancellation fees and spacious seats compared to their competitors,” wrote USA Today.

USA Today readers also named their favorite airports, and, while Logan didn’t make the cut for best large airport (Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Fla. ranked No. 1 on that list), three New England airports landed on the best small airports list. The list comprises airports that “serve fewer than 10 million passengers each year, yet excel with their commercial flight offerings, easy access and amenities,” USA Today wrote.

T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, R.I. was named the second-best small airport in America, outranked only by Huntsville International Airport in Huntsville, Ala. Bangor International Airport in Bangor, Maine ranked No. 5 on the list and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, N.H. ranked No. 9.

“Loyal fans of T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island love it as an alternative to Boston Logan for its lack of crowds and lines and quick access to Providence and Boston via a dedicated train station,” wrote USA Today. “It’s also an excellent option for travelers heading to Cape Cod.”

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Australians are SO SMART- Climate change: Australian TV audience boos skeptical senator

Australian citizens are SO much smarter than Americans. They all understand that climate change has been enhanced and magnified by man-made pollutants. Here's a video from Australian television of 1 Australian senator (who like all of those in the U.S. Republican party) doesn't understand or believe the science. The audience let him know he's an idiot. VIDEO:

Climate change: Australian TV audience boos sceptical senator

In an incident that has got Australia talking, Senator Jim Molan was booed while speaking on a panel TV discussion on the bushfire crisis.
The Liberal Party politician was talking about climate change on ABC's Q&A programme, and cast doubt on whether it was caused by human activity.
Mr Molan later said he wasn't "relying on science" for his views, and defended the government's climate change policy.
Government critics say human-induced climate change has been a major contributing factor to the bushfires, and that action must be taken to address rising global temperatures.

Monday, February 24, 2020

Must Read: Ghosts of Maryland by Mike Ricksecker

If you live in Maryland, are interested in the variety of history (including the Civil War) and its ghosts, or just driving through, you must get Mike Ricksecker's book " Ghosts of Maryland." Mike has compiled fascinating ghost stories from the state. The first part of the book spotlights various known hauntings and the second half of the book gives summaries of other hauntings from all of Maryland's counties, complete with a map of the county and the location of the haunting. I'll be using this as a guide to visit the places that are open to the public, and see if I can encounter any of these ghosts. Highly recommended!
Mike Ricksecker

ABOUT THE BOOK - Explore the supernatural history of Maryland through its countless ghost stories and legends. With over 100 ghost stories and an atlas to guide you, this comprehensive collection includes details unearthed for the first time in decades!

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Idiot of the Week: Football Coach thinks Hitler was a Great Leader

Morris Berger, football coach. Credit: Grand Valley State Athletic Department
This week's idiot thinks that Adolf Hitler was a "great leader." Regardless of how he brainwashed
people to following him in his carnage, that's not a great leader. That's a psychopath who manipulates people (hmm, sounds familiar).
  What's even more disgusting, is that these comments were made public around Monday, January 27, which is International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2020.
 Anyway, Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, suspended new football coach Morris Berger after he said in an interview with the school’s student-run paper that the way Adolf Hitler “was able to lead was second-to-none” and that “you can’t deny he wasn’t a great leader.” Here's the story from Sports Illustrated.>>>>

Grand Valley State Suspends Football Coach Who Said He’d Have Dinner With Hitler
DAN GARTLAND, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
January 28, 2020


Division-II Grand Valley State University has suspended recently hired offensive coordinator Morris Berger after he told the school’s student newspaper that he’d like to have dinner Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Berger’s hiring was announced by the Lakers on Jan. 20. Three days later, he conducted an interview with Kellen Voss, the sports editor for The Lanthorn, GVSU’s student newspaper. Voss asked Berger, who majored in history at Drury University in Missouri, which three historical figures he would most like to have dinner with.

“This is probably not going to get a good review, but I’m going to say Adolf Hitler,” Berger replied. “It was obviously very sad and he had bad motives, but the way he was able to lead was second-to-none. How he rallied a group and a following, I want to know how he did that. Bad intentions of course, but you can’t deny he wasn’t [sic] a great leader.”

John F. Kennedy and Christopher Columbus were his other two choices.

The school announced Monday that Berger has been suspended, pending an investigation.

“The comments made by Offensive Coordinator Morris Berger, as reported in The Lanthorn student newspaper, do not reflect the values of Grand Valley State University,” the school said in a statement. “Berger has been suspended and the university is conducting a thorough investigation.”

Berger joined GVSU from Texas State, where he served as tight ends coach for one year. He had previously been an offensive quality control coach at Oklahoma State and a graduate assistant at Missouri and Missouri Western. In addition to his bachelor’s degree in history from Drury, Berger also holds a master’s in educational psychology from Missouri.

Saturday, February 22, 2020

New NASA Research: Arctic Ice Melt Is Changing Ocean Currents

The latest NASA climate research from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. has confirmed that a major ocean current in the Arctic is faster and more turbulent as a result of rapid sea ice melt. That means that ocean gyres (Large circulations) of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the northern hemisphere are going to be affected... and there are some important consequences Here's the research story from NASA (Feb. 6, 2020). >>

NASA JPL latest news release
Arctic Ice Melt Is Changing Ocean Currents


Using 12 years of satellite data, NASA scientists have measured how the influx of cold, fresh water is affecting the Beaufort Gyre, a major Arctic current.

A major ocean current in the Arctic is faster and more turbulent as a result of rapid sea ice melt, a new study from NASA shows. The current is part of a delicate Arctic environment that is now flooded with fresh water, an effect of human-caused climate change.
Using 12 years of satellite data, scientists have measured how this circular current, called the Beaufort Gyre, has precariously balanced an influx of unprecedented amounts of cold, fresh water - a change that could alter the currents in the Atlantic Ocean and cool the climate of Western Europe.
The Beaufort Gyre keeps the polar environment in equilibrium by storing fresh water near the surface of the ocean. Wind blows the gyre in a clockwise direction around the western Arctic Ocean, north of Canada and Alaska, where it naturally collects fresh water from glacial melt, river runoff and precipitation. This fresh water is important in the Arctic in part because it floats above the warmer, salty water and helps to protect the sea ice from melting, which in turn helps regulate Earth's climate. The gyre then slowly releases this fresh water into the Atlantic Ocean over a period of decades, allowing the Atlantic Ocean currents to carry it away in small amounts.
The Earth's 5 Ocean Gyres (large circulations)
But the since the 1990s, the gyre has accumulated a large amount of fresh water - 1,920 cubic miles (8,000 cubic kilometers) - or almost twice the volume of Lake Michigan. The new study, published in Nature Communications, found that the cause of this gain in freshwater concentration is the loss of sea ice in summer and autumn. This decades-long decline of the Arctic's summertime sea ice cover has left the Beaufort Gyre more exposed to the wind, which spins the gyre faster and traps the fresh water in its current.
Persistent westerly winds have also dragged the current in one direction for over 20 years, increasing the speed and size of the clockwise current and preventing the fresh water from leaving the Arctic Ocean. This decades-long western wind is unusual for the region, where previously, the winds changed direction every five to seven years.

Scientists have been keeping an eye on the Beaufort Gyre in case the wind changes direction again. If the direction were to change, the wind would reverse the current, pulling it counterclockwise and releasing the water it has accumulated all at once.

"If the Beaufort Gyre were to release the excess fresh water into the Atlantic Ocean, it could potentially slow down its circulation. And that would have hemisphere-wide implications for the climate, especially in Western Europe," said Tom Armitage, lead author of the study and polar scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Fresh water released from the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic can change the density of surface waters. Normally, water from the Arctic loses heat and moisture to the atmosphere and sinks to the bottom of the ocean, where it drives water from the north Atlantic Ocean down to the tropics like a conveyor belt.

This important current is called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and helps regulate the planet's climate by carrying heat from the tropically-warmed water to northern latitudes like Europe and North America. If slowed enough, it could negatively impact marine life and the communities that depend it.

"We don't expect a shutting down of the Gulf Stream, but we do expect impacts. That's why we're monitoring the Beaufort Gyre so closely," said Alek Petty, a co-author on the paper and polar scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The study also found that, although the Beaufort Gyre is out of balance because of the added energy from the wind, the current expels that excess energy by forming small, circular eddies of water. While the increased turbulence has helped keep the system balanced, it has the potential to lead to further ice melt because it mixes layers of cold, fresh water with relatively warm, salt water below. The melting ice could, in turn, lead to changes in how nutrients and organic material in the ocean are mixed, significantly affecting the food chain and wildlife in the Arctic. The results reveal a delicate balance between wind and ocean as the sea ice pack recedes under climate change.
"What this study is showing is that the loss of sea ice has really important impacts on our climate system that we're only just discovering," said Petty.

Friday, February 21, 2020

In the News: Collector pays UK-record £1m for rare coin

The reverse side of the coin was designed by Benedetto Pistrucc Cr. BBCi
We thought this was pretty interesting. Anything to do with history, England, English royalty or anything ancient is pretty cool to us. This is from the BBC on January 17, 2020. Check out this coin!

Collector pays UK-record £1m for rare coin
By Kevin Peachey

An Edward VIII sovereign has become the first British coin to be bought for £1m, the BBC can reveal.
The new owner, a private collector, described the chance to buy it and bring it back from the US as a "once in a lifetime opportunity".
The coin is one of a trial set of six which never went into mass production owing to Edward's abdication in December 1936.
It only has a face value of £1 but is now the country's most valuable coin.
The 22 carat gold sovereign - a type of coin which has not been struck for general circulation since 1932 - is just 22mm in diameter and weighs 7.98g making it just fractionally smaller and lighter than a pound coin.


It was prepared for striking in January 1937, but the previous month the King abdicated in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
Only the trials remained, but they were hidden from public view for decades. Edward, who became the Duke of Windsor, requested a set of coins but was refused by his brother, George VI. 
Now, four of the set are with museums and institutions, with two in private hands. The latest owner, a sovereign collector who wished to remain anonymous, said: "When the opportunity came along, I felt I could not turn it down. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"I'm aware that [£1m] is a lot of money for a coin, but if I did not secure it now, I'd not get the chance again."

Quirk of vanity

The coin was last sold for a then-record £516,000 to a US collector in 2014, revealing its status on both sides of the Atlantic.
What fascinates collectors and historians is not only its rarity, but also that Edward VIII was willing to break with a convention that went back centuries to Charles II.
This saw each monarch face the opposite direction to their predecessor. Edward preferred his left profile, partly owing to his hair parting, and insisted on the portrait facing, in effect, the wrong way.



Graphic showing monarchs' coin profiles

"Edward VIII is quite a vain character. He insisted on facing the same way as his father, because he believed that was his best side," said Chris Barker, from the Royal Mint Museum.
George VI, who succeeded him, also showed his left profile, keeping to tradition as if Edward had not broken the sequence.

How the sale happened

How do you value a coin so sought-after and so rare? The Royal Mint, the Treasury-owned business which strikes coins for nations around the world, set up a service two years ago aiming to find and authenticate coins and precious metals.
Its state-of-the-art lab, at the Mint in South Wales, contains x-ray machines and other technology that can easily spot a fake.
This collector services division acted as the go-between for the sale, for a cut of the price. Its experts found that the coin could be for sale, contacted the collector of sovereigns, and effectively acted as a broker for the deal.
Rebecca Morgan, head of the service, said: "The Royal Mint has an unbroken record of minting for 1,100 years so we're uniquely placed to source historic, British coins for our customers.
"They can feel confident that it has been through the authentication checks and they have paid a fair price for it."
The Mint may have helped to secure a record sale for a UK coin, ahead of a Queen Anne Vigo five guinea coin, but it is still a long way short of the world record.
The flowing hair dollar coin, the first issued by the US government, fetched more than $10m (£7.5m) at auction in 2013.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

What People Get Wrong About Living With Both Anxiety And Depression

This is a very interesting article about the misconceptions people have about anxiety and depression.
 We thought we would share it with you.

What People Get Wrong About Living With Both Anxiety And Depression

ByNicole Pajer, Huffington Post
01/13/2020 05:45am EST | Updated January 13, 2020

Over 18 million Americans live with depression in any given year, and anxiety affects almost 40% of Americans. Occurrences of both of these individual mental health conditions are also on the rise ― so it’s no surprise that there are tons of people who also experience them simultaneously.
Many people are familiar with depression and anxiety on their own, but the challenges of dealing with them at the same time are less understood by those who don’t directly live with them. That can lead to a lot of misconceptions.

A person can have anxiety and depression at the same time, which can lead to many debilitating symptoms like lethargy, rumination, panic and more.

HuffPost chatted with some individuals who have both anxiety and depression as well as mental health experts about what people commonly get wrong about living with anxiety and depression. Here are some of the most common offenders:

Myth: Anxiety and depression are completely unique disorders.
Sarah Johnson, medical director at Landmark Outpatient Services, a mental health clinic in Louisville, Kentucky, said that anxiety and depression are “two sides of the same coin.” In other words, they both affect the same region of the brain (the amygdala, hippocampus and frontal cortex). Therefore, one can trigger the other.

“Anxiety may occur as a symptom of clinical depression. On the other hand, it’s also possible to have depression that’s triggered by an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or separation anxiety disorder,” she said.

Myth: Both conditions are rare.
While it may feel at times like you are the only person in the world experiencing anxiety and depression, the reality is that many people are dealing with it too. Nearly 29% of people in the U.S. will meet criteria for an anxiety disorder in their lifetime and 20.8% for a mood disorder like depression, according to Luana Marques, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

“If it is sometimes difficult for you to talk to family or friends about your experiences with anxiety and depression, consider talking to other people who are having similar experiences,” she said, noting that you can find support groups for people with anxiety and depression at the ADAA website.

Myth: There is something wrong with you.
“I think the most common misconception about depression and anxiety is that there’s something wrong with the person, as if suffering isn’t a normal human emotion,” said Calum Hughes, CEO of Allied Corp, a research and development company focused on developing therapeutic solutions for those living with PTSD.

He highlighted the popular misconception that people with mental illness are “weak or can’t exist in normal society” and noted that mental health issues should be embraced just like any other medical issue. “You rarely hear of a stigma around people who have health conditions like diabetes; there shouldn’t be a stigma around depression and anxiety. They are real medical conditions that are treatable,” Hughes said.

Myth: These conditions will go away on their own.
Depression and anxiety can both be serious medical issues. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help for your mental health. “Feeling depressed or anxious is a signal to your brain from your body that there is something going on inside that needs to be dealt with,” said Meredith Sagan, chief psychiatrist at Alo House Recovery Center in Malibu, California.

Whether you’re going through some massive changes, dealing with trauma or just handling more in your life than usual, “feeling depressed or anxious is always a signal that an action step is required to handle it successfully,” she said. Professional support can help with that.

Myth: You shouldn’t ask questions if someone tells you they have anxiety and depression.
“After I tell people I suffer with both, the conversation often ends there because they feel like they’re not supposed to ask questions out of fear of triggering me or making me uncomfortable ― or maybe they’re uncomfortable,” explained Chelsea Giacobbe, a Hoboken, New Jersey-based consultant with anxiety and depression.

Giacobbe prefers that people inquire about her condition and ask her questions as opposed to tiptoeing around it.

“If I tell you I suffer from both, then I’m open to talking about it and answering any questions you have,” she said. “And you never know if something I say will help someone else in need that you encounter, or help you realize there is someone in your life crying for help without vocalizing it or even knowing it.”

Myth: The only way to deal with the conditions is to power through them.
People often think that the best way of dealing with anxiety and depression is to just power through it or “fake it until you make it.” But that’s not always the case.

Amanda Stemen, a licensed therapist and owner of Fundamental Growth, a therapy, coaching, and consulting business in Los Angeles, stressed that it’s OK to feel the poor moods that come with the conditions. In fact, not allowing yourself to process negative emotions can often do more harm than good, she said.

“It’s often when we don’t allow ourselves to feel the physical sensations that come along with that, when we push them away, that it becomes something bigger,” she said.  Stemen suggested setting a timer for two minutes, experiencing the feelings, and noticing how they shift and change the next time you’re dealing with mood-related symptoms.

“While it’s scary to feel uncomfortable emotions because we’re afraid we’ll get stuck there forever, it’s actually avoiding our feelings that contributes greatly to depression and anxiety ― so feel the heck out of them,” she said.

Myth: Everyone with anxiety and depression experiences the same symptoms.
Anxiety and depression are umbrella terms that encompass a wide range of experiences.

“For some people, anxiety can look like worrying a lot about the future ... for other people it might look like having unexpected panic attacks weekly ... and for other people it might look like fear of specific things,” Marquest said.

Depression can also present as a wide range of symptoms:  “One person with depression might sleep all the time, have no energy and experience low mood, while another person with depression might feel irritable, experience appetite changes, and lose interest in activities they used to enjoy,” she said.

Myth: You always know if you have anxiety and depression.
“It seems absurd that someone won’t know they are feeling so afraid they suffer anxiety or so down they are depressed, or a mixture of both. But often anxiety and depression show up as symptoms we might not consider to be anxiety or depression at all,” said Winfried Sedhoff, a family physician specializing in treating mental illness in Brisbane, Australia.

He added that many of his patients don’t go in to get an official diagnosis until they start to experience physical symptoms of the conditions such as “regularly struggling to get to sleep, excessive worrying, chest pains, dizziness, feeling tired, and feeling washed out all the time without any apparent physical cause.”

“Many clients I have seen have been thoroughly investigated over months or even years for many physical symptoms that were ultimately typical symptoms of anxiety and depression,” he added.


Myth: It’s something people can just “get over.”
Again, depression and anxiety are considered medical issues. Sometimes that requires treatment, care and time.

“Whether you’re taking medication or seeing a therapist, treatment for anxiety and depression is not a quick fix,” said Emily Guarnotta, a licensed psychologist in New York that specializes in anxiety, depression and postpartum issues.

She added that successful treatment of simultaneous conditions involves changing long-standing thought patterns, beliefs and emotions and reconstructing new ones. All of this, of course, takes time. According to the American Psychological Association, half of therapy patients notice some improvements after 15 to 20 sessions, though some people take longer.

“It’s important to remain patient with the process and let go of any judgments about how long it should take to recover,” Guarnotta said.

Myth: Anxiety and depression are just genetic.
Rob Scheidlinger, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Westlake Village, California, said that it’s largely a myth that depression and anxiety run in families and therefore most people who suffer are predisposed genetically. “While there is some evidence that there are a few causes of these disorders that are genetically carried, an overwhelming amount of current research states that most of the causal factors are environmental and situational,” he explained.


Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Hero of the Week: Canadian Oil Worker frees kittens frozen to the ground

Kendall Diwisch, saved 3 kittens frozen in the snow and ice. Cr: Kendall Diwisch
This week's hero is an oil worker from Alberta, Canada who found three abandoned kittens frozen in the snow and ice, and clinging to life. Thinking quickly, he freed them with hot coffee and saved them. Here's the story from the NY Post:

Man uses cup of coffee to free kittens frozen to the ground


NY Post, January 25, 2020

Kendall Diwisch was inspecting wells near Tomahawk, in Alberta, Canada, when he found the trio of terrorized tabbies — desperately trying to move out of the cold.
On Facebook, Diwisch wrote: “So today I found these three fellows on one of the back roads near one of my wells. Most likely dropped off. Poor things were frozen into the ice so they had to have been there all night.” 
The kind-hearted Diwisch used quick thinking to free the kittens with the help of warm coffee.
Then, he “took them home fed and watered them they look to be healthy and friendly. If any friends are looking to have a new addition in their family, let us know as they will need homes. All three look to be males, and we also gave them dewormer.”
cat-rescue
Later, Diwisch posted an update: “All three little rascals went to their new home today where they get to be together instead of separating them. All three are eating and drinking and very energetic. Thanks for everyone’s consideration and offering to take them very appreciated.”

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

News You May Have Missed -Boston's new booming population and a parking lot poo-er.

In this week's News you may have missed you'll learn about Boston's new booming population, a
parking lot poo-er and good news in good news in the fight against climate change. 

BOSTON’S 'BECOMING A CITY OF HIGH-INCOME, CHILDLESS PROFESSIONALS'

Boston is booming and the population of the city is growing. But Boston is losing its children, and those that remain are facing increasing isolation in the city’s schools, according to a new study from The Boston Foundation. The report, released Wednesday, highlights the decades-long decline in the population of children and how the changes in the makeup of the city’s young people is reflected in school district enrollments, leaving children who remain in Boston in increasingly segregated schools.

IDIOT OF THE WEEK – Natick, Mass. police catch alleged serial defecator relieving herself in business's lot
Police arrested Andrea F. Grocer, 51, of Ashland, at the scene, according to the MetroWest Daily News. She’s being charged with eight counts of vandalism, according to Natick District Court. Grocer was arraigned in court on Wednesday and released; her next court date is March 2. She allegedly told the arresting officer, who was staked out in the lot, she has irritable bowel syndrome and was on her way to her nanny job, NBC10 Boston reports. She reportedly apologized and said it wouldn’t happen again after the officer noted the nearby public restrooms. Picture: https://twitter.com/MikeNBCBoston/status/1220427525773504512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1220427525773504512&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boston.com%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2F2020%2F01%2F23%2Falleged-serial-defecator-natick

JEFF BEZOS PLEDGES $10 BILLION TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE 
Amazon’s chief executive, Jeff Bezos, is pledging $10 billion to help fight climate change. He announced on Instagram that he would launch “the Bezos Earth Fund.” “Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet. I want to work alongside others both to amplify known ways and to explore new ways of fighting the devastating impact of climate change,” Bezos wrote

Monday, February 17, 2020

"Max Payne" film on DVD... Skip it!

Recently we decided to watch a movie from 2008 called "Max Payne" starring Mark Walhberg. The character is based on a video game. In this blog you'll learn about the film and why we recommend you avoid renting it. 

WHAT IS MAX PAYNE? Max Payne is a third-person shooter video game series developed by Remedy Entertainment and Rockstar Studios. The series is named after its protagonist, Max Payne, a New York City police detective turned vigilante after his family had been murdered by drug dealers.

OUR THOUGHTS - Although we watched it until the end, we didn't really want to finish it. The mindless gore, drugs, whacked out hallucinations of seeing flying creatures come for the junkies who took street drugs, and the violence was exhausting. We were also not a fan of the actor in this film either. So, do yourself a favor and save yourself about 2 hours. 

THE TRAILER: https://youtu.be/8UppYl3On9I

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Idiot of the Week: "Brain Injuries are not Serious"

https://dartcenter.org/content/brain-injuries-remain-undiagnosed-in-thousands-soldiers
There are no words for this week's idiot. Military Times reports that 109 of our Servicemen and Women in Iraq received traumatic brain injuries as a result of the Iran bombing of the U.S. military post in Iraq. This week's IDIOT doesn't consider traumatic brain injuries "serious." Following the idiot's words is a link to the Center for Disease Control's info about what these injuries do to a person. STORY>


Trump says he doesn’t consider brain injuries sustained by US troops during Iran missile barrage ‘serious’
Meghann Myers and Patricia Kime
Click for ARTICLE in MILITARY TIMES January 23, 2020
President Trump said Wednesday that he didn’t consider the traumatic brain injuries reported by U.S. troops following an Iranian rocket attack to be serious.
On Friday, more than a week after Pentagon officials reported no injuries in a rocket attack on an Iraqi base housing U.S. troops, reports surfaced that 11 service members had been flown out of the country to treat persistent symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Tuesday, military officials acknowledged even more troops were being evaluated for injuries.
“I heard that they had headaches, and a couple of other things,” he told a reporter during a press conference at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. “But I would say, and I can report, that it is not very serious.”

When asked about the 11 U.S. servicemen injured in the Iran airstrikes, President Trump told @weijia he didn't "consider them serious injuries relative to other injuries I've seen." https://cbsn.ws/36nmHEI 

While most people who suffer concussion recover within seven to 10 days with appropriate treatment, severe or multiple concussions can have lingering and even lasting or progressive effects such as degeneration or brain changes that put aging veterans at risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, according to researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System.

The Defense Department has been grappling with the issue of TBI throughout the Global War on Terror, as the sometimes invisible injury can be hard to detect, service members can be reluctant to report their suffering and the long-term damage can wreak havoc on mental and behavioral health.
*********************************************
Info about Traumatic Brain Injuries from the Center for Disease Control:
Symptoms usually fall into four categories:
Thinking/
Remembering
PhysicalEmotional/
Mood
Sleep
Difficulty thinking clearlyHeadache
Fuzzy or blurry vision
IrritabilitySleeping more than usual
Feeling slowed downNausea or vomiting
(early on)
Dizziness
SadnessSleep less than usual
Difficulty concentratingSensitivity to noise or light
Balance problems
More emotionalTrouble falling asleep
Difficulty remembering new informationFeeling tired, having no energyNervousness or anxiety
Some of these symptoms may appear right away. Others may not be noticed for days or months after the injury, or until the person resumes their everyday life. Sometimes, people do not recognize or admit that they are having problems. Others may not understand their problems and how the symptoms they are experiencing impact their daily activities.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to sort out. Early on, problems may be overlooked by the person with the concussion, family members, or doctors. People may look fine even though they are acting or feeling differently.
See Getting Better, for tips to help aid your recovery after a concussion.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Danger Signs in Adults

In rare cases, a dangerous blood clot that crowds the brain against the skull can develop. The people checking on you should take you to an emergency department right away if you have:
  • Headache that gets worse and does not go away.
  • Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea.
  • Slurred speech.
  • Look very drowsy or cannot wake up.
  • Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other.
  • Have convulsions or seizures.
  • Cannot recognize people or places.
  • Are getting more and more confused, restless, or agitated.
  • Have unusual behavior.
  • Lose consciousness.
RELATED ARTICLE:  Brain Wars: How the Military is Failing its Wounded

Who I am

I'm a simple guy who enjoys the simple things in life, especially our dogs. I volunteer for dog rescues, enjoy exercising, blogging, politics, helping friends and neighbors, participating in ghost investigations, coffee, weather, superheroes, comic books, mystery novels, traveling, 70s and 80s music, classic country music,writing books on ghosts and spirits, cooking simply and keeping in shape. You'll find tidbits of all of these things on this blog and more. EMAIL me at Rgutro@gmail.com - Rob

A Classic Country Music Station to Enjoy